https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-01-07.pdf 1e5c5fd6f275169059189cafcbfab39f PDF Text Text No. 1/ January 7,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. * 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058_ 45th year Katherine Bussard resigns as Middleville DDA director Greg Chandler and Janies Gemmell Staff& Contributing Writer After serving nearly two years as director of Middleville’s Downtown Development Authority, Katherine Bussard is step­ ping down. Bussard submitted a letter to the village on Tuesday expressing her intent to resign from the position she has held since February 2021, and on Thursday the DDA board accepted her res­ ignation, effective immedi­ ately. “I want to make it perfect­ ly clear that the DDA did not ask for this resignation, and that Katherine is leaving by her own choice,” DDA board chair Kim Jachim said. Bussard confirmed after Thursday’s special board meeting that she has accept­ ed a position with a nonprof­ it organization, but did not disclose the name because Katherine Bussard addresses the Middleville the organization has not yet Downtown Development Authority board shortly after publicly announced her hirthe board accepted her resignation at a special meet- ing. ing Thursday afternoon. Bussard had been the vil­ In her resignation letter, lage’s DDA director for nearly two years. Bussard wrote of what she 911 tower proposed for Middleville to termed a “hostile, unprofes­ improve sional” working environment at DDA. She elaborated on communications her concerns on Thursday shortly after the board voted to accept her resignation. “I feel like over the last few months, there have been a lot ofsituations where people have talked about me rather than to me,” Bussard said. “I hoped that we would have a good working relationship - if there’s a ques­ tion about something, that a board member would come to me, not go outside of our organization to other organizations.” The resignation caught members of the DDA board offguard. “How did we get here?” board member Andrew Beck asked. “I know that we had some talks ... (about) Katherine and her position, but I don’t believe those conversations have come before this council. I’m wondering how we got here,” Beck added. “I’m disappointed to be See BUSSARD, page 2 Area commissioner retains leadership role on Kent County board, new commissioner sworn in Greg Chandler Committee. StaffWriter Brieve, a Republican An area commissioner will whose 10th District takes in retain her leadership role on all ofGaines Township and a the Kent County Board of small portion of the city of Commissioners this year. Kentwood, has served on the Emily Post Brieve of county board since 2014, and Gaines Charter Township works for her family’s small was elected by her board col­ business, FastoolNow.com. leagues to a second term as Brieve was re-elected to the board’s vice chair during the board last November, its organizational meeting defeating Democratic chal­ Tuesday. In addition, she will lenger Julie Humphreys, chair the board’s Finance and 7,977 to 5,230. She had sur­ Physical Resources vived a challenge by former Emily Post Brieve Wally Bujak Commissioner Bill Hirsch in Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, the regional planthe August GOP primary. As a result ofredistricting, ning body for the Grand the Kent County board has Rapids area, along with newexpanded from 19 members ly-elected Commissioner to 21. Eight new commis­ Melissa LaGrand. He was sioners are on the board this also appointed to serve on year, including Republican the county Fire Commission. Commissioner Stan Stek Walter “Wally” Bujak of Caledonia Township, who of Walker was elected to a won election to the board in second term as board chair. Stek has been on the board November. Bujak, a former township since 2014 and is an attorney trustee, will represent the at Miller Canfield in Grand 21st District on the board, Rapids. which consists of all of “Over the next few Caledonia and Bowne town­ months, we will work to ships and the western and unite our diverse and expand­ southern portions of Cascade ed board to further leverage Township. He defeated Kent County’s assets for sus­ Democrat Charles Howe of tained growth and innovative Caledonia Township in the service to our residents,” said November election, 11,213 Stek, who represents the 6th to 6,337, after defeating Alan District on the county board. Bolter in the August “I look forward to leading Republican primary. this board to advance poli­ Bujak will be one of two cies that support economic commissioners representing See COMMISSIONER^# 3 the county board on the Greg Chandler Staff Writer The village of Middleville could soon be the site of a new 800-megahertz communications tower to serve Barry County’s 911 system. County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman Tuesday presented a pro­ posal to locate the tower on village-owned property near the village’s wastewater treatment plant off Sheridan Street, as part of Central Dispatch Dispatch ’s’s efforts efforts to improve communications with fire, emergency medical responders and law enforcement. The presentation canle at the Village Council’s first committee of the whole meeting of the year. The council voted 6-0 to endorse the concept of the tower on village property. “I believe that this would be an incredible enhancement to our community, to the county,” Village President Mike Cramer said. “I would have no problem saying this project, in my opinion, should move forward, wholehearted­ ly.” Lehman told council members that at the pres­ ent time, there are two dis­ tinct communications systems operating in the county - one, an 800-MHz communications tower in Maple Grove Township that serves law enforcement in the county and second, a VHF tower on the county central dispatch property at 2600 Nashville Rd. in Hastings Charter Township that is used by fire departments and emer­ gency medical services. The VHF tower dates back to when Central Dispatch was established in Barry County in 1992. “What will it take? What do we need here in Barry County to build all of the infrastructure that we need and to get everybody on the same platform, so fire can talk to law enforce­ ment, law enforcement can talk to EMS? Interoperability that’s what we’re talking about,” Lehman said. “Let’s face it. Nobody wants to plan for a big, huge emergency. You don’t want think about it, you don’t want to deal with it. You want to dial those three numbers and know that professionals are coordi­ nating your response and they’re going to take the best care of you. My team can’t communicate with our feet on the street teams appropriately until we have more infrastructure in place.” Lehman met with Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg, former Village Manager and 911 board member Duane Weeks and Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson to discuss the WWTP property in advance of Tuesday’s committee of the whole session. Lehman told the council that two sites were looked at See 911 TOWER, page 3 • Meet the area’s first babies of 2023 • Village of Middleville to interview for new planning and zoning administrator • Rockets take off late for two-goal win over Caledonia hockey team • TK girls win big over FHE bowlers, while TK boys suffer first defeat • Winter Challenge looking like a snow free event for 2023 running �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023 Angela Rigas announces opening of Lansing office, open house Newly-elected State Rep. Angela Rigas. announced on Wednesday that her Lansing office is now open to help serve the people of the 79th House District. **I am thankful to be given the chance to fight for my constituents while working to preserve our rights and liberties,” said Rigas, a Republican from Caledonia. “Listening to constituents is vital because it helps me best represent them at the state Capitol. Residents are encouraged to contact me at any time with their thoughts, concerns or questions.” The 79th District, which includes portions of Allegan, Barry, and Kent counties, encompasses a part of Byron Township, and all of Caledonia, Gaines, Irving, Leighton, Rutland and Thomapple townships. Constituents can contact Rigas’ office by calling 517­ 373-1403 or emailing AngelaRigas© house.mi.gov. Correspondence can also be mailed to N-1098 House Office Building, P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909. Rigas also is planning an open house in her Lansing office on Wednesday, Jan. 11 on the first day of legisla­ tive session. The event, which is open to all constitu­ ents, takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. at N-1098 House Office Building, 124 N. Capitol, Lansing. Interviews set for Middleville planning administrator position Greg Chandler Staff Writer As the new year begins, the village of Middleville is moving toward filling its open vacancy for a planning and zoning administrator. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg updated plan­ ning commissioners on the search process at the com­ mission’s first meeting ofthe year on Tuesday. Stolsonburg said that he had received “11, maybe 12” applications for the job and that four people had been deemed qualified to be invited for interviews. “We’re hoping to inter­ view them next week, and hopefully, have a recommen­ dation (on appointment) ... in the very near future,” Stolsonburg said. The new administrator would replace Brian Urquhart, who stepped down as planning and zoning administrator in early June 2022 to become city plan- ning director in Grand Haven. A three-person committee will interview candidates for the position. Stolsonburg, Village President Mike Cramer and Nathan Mehmed of Williams & Works, the village’s planning consul­ tant, will conduct the inter- views, Stolsonburg said. In other business Tuesday, commissioners voted to retain the same leadership team as they had in 2022. Jason Holzhausen will remain chair, Amanda Pullen will stay on as vice chair and Di Wilke will maintain her position as secretary. Commissioners also filled a couple ofopenings on board committees, appointing Richard Hamilton to the Site Plan Committee and Troy Newman to be an alternate on the Joint Planning Committee. Hamilton is the new liaison from the Village Council to the planning commission. ed in the MEDC awarding the $25,000 state matching grant. Later, the DDA was award­ ed another $25,000 grant through The Right Place Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program. That brought the total funding commend Katherine Bussard and the entire DDA for their selflessness in serving our community,” Thomapple Township Treasurer Debra Buckowing said in August. It seemed that everyone with the DDA was happy and Bussard filled out her time­ card. That seemed to be the first public fissure in the rela­ tionship between Bussard and the eight-member DDA board. The issue came up again later in the fall at another board meeting. Jachim said in a board meeting she wasn’t accusing Bussard of any wrongdoing, but said the hours Bussard worked needed to be accurately recorded by her before the timecards could be signed. During Wednesday’s inter­ view, Jachim did not detail what the specific problems were with the procedures for the timecards and how the hours worked by Bussard were recorded. Jachim was asked ifthat was still an issue or ifa personality conflict had developed between certain DDA board members and Bussard. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that. I’d say that my conversations with Katherine I’d like to remain confidential,” Jachim said. “I respect the work that she did for the DDA and we’ll just move forward from this. We’ll find a new director and I wish her the best.” Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg issued an e-mail response to Bussard’s resigcneabtioonk t.coo tmhe/p Seuonp lae/n7d0 7 N-eWwsi on Wednesday. “The Village is grateful for Ms. Bussard’s service to Middleville and the commu­ nity throughout her tenure as DDA Director,” Stolsonburg wrote. “We wish Katherine s uccess in her future endeav­ ors and will work with the DDA board to find a suitable replacement as soon as possi- ble.” The DDA board has not set a timeline for finding a new director, Jachim said. “We’re going to be okay without one. It’s not the first time we’ve gone without a DDA director,” Jachim said. “It’s not an unusual thing to go without one for a while.” She noted the village had no DDA director for a while after former director Nichole Lyke left the village in early 2021 to return to the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance. And there also was a transition period without a DDA director when Michael Schmidt resigned before Lyke became the DDA director in 2019. The DDA will have to post legal notices about the position and accept resumes before a new director can be appointed. “Yeah, I think we’ll proba­ bly be without one a couple months and that’s okay,” Jachim said. “I’ve received calls from all ofthe key people in the village and the board has called. And they’ve all said they’ll step up more where needed. So, I’m not concerned at all.” Bussard spoke of the love she has for the Middleville community. “It has truly been an honor rtyo-awnodr-kB wreitwh earlyl /o1f0 y0o0u5,”48s0he8 said. “I plan on staying involved with the Lions (Club), I plan on being around this community from time to time, and I hope that we remain friends, that this isn’t a bad breakup story... I know the circumstances are less than ideal, but I need to make healthy decisions in my own life.” BUSSMtD, continued from page 1 losing Katherine, and I’m not sure what led up to this,” board member Michal Ann Enders said. In an interview with the Sun and News Wednesday, the day after Bussard submit­ ted her resignation letter, Jachim said she was surprised by the director’s action. “I didn’t know it was com­ ing. I didn’t even know (Bussard) was considering resigning,” Jachim said. “She’s done a great job mov­ ing the DDA in the right direction. And we appreciate what she did.” Bussard went on to speak about personnel and employ­ ment issues that were a prob­ lem from her perspective. “I feel like there’s been a lot of feelings of mistrust brewing beneath the surface, where maybe we used to have (a) really great, confident partnership between this body and the executive branch of this organization. That has changed to where I feel like there’s ... that unwillingness to even ask the question in the first place, transparently,” she said. “I felt like no one has had my back at times,” she added. A few months ago, things seemed to be going along swimmingly with the DDA. Led in part by Bussard, orga­ nizers of a crowdfunding campaign beat an Aug. 26 deadline to raise enough money to trigger a state matching grant for a down­ town amphitheater project in Middleville. The DDA, the Thomapple Arts Council and the Michigan Economic Development Corp, had launched the campaign in June, and a total of $25,931 was raised with contributions from 736 donors. That result- The Big One is Back! • Over 300 RV's - Motorhomes, 5th wheels, Travel Trailers, Toy Haulers, Ultralites & Camper Vans • Over 50 booths of Campgrounds, vocation destinations & RV Services • Alaska RV Travel and RV Solar seminars sponsored by • Buses by the Beach VW Bus Exhibit • Free magazine subscription with online ticket purchase • Buy your tickets at GrandRapidsRVShow.com or use the QR code below Village is grateful for Ms. Bussard’s service to Middleville and the community throughout her tenure as DDA Director. We wish Katherine success in her future endeavors and will work with the DDA board to find a suitable replacement as soon as possible.” - Craig Stolsonburg, Manager, Village ofMiddleville to more than $75,000 for the amphitheater project. The funding will pay for construction of three flat, tiered seating levels around the amphitheater and three terraced retaining walls. In addition, the project calls for the installation of more art sculptures in Sesquicentennial Park, with the idea being to create an art walk adjacent to the Paul Henry trail overlook­ ing the Thomapple River. The state funding will mean more art sculptures than the origi­ nal plan for six can be installed in the future. “I sincerely thank and ^Connect with us http ^onO for all our Events & Specials! Renewal byAndersen ImRK DATES & TIMES Thur, Jan 12,3-9 pm Sat, Jan 14,10 am-9 pm Fri, Jan 13, noon-9 pm Sun, Jan 15,11 am-5 pm GrandRapidsRVShow.com in one accord. Led by Bussard, the DDA put togeth­ er the annual Fall Festival, Christmas on the River and other big community events that were successful. After the Middleville train depot was registered as a national histor­ ic site in March 2022, the DDA funded restoration of the building’s exterior last summer and staffwas authorized to hire a local architect to produce designs for an interior renovation this year. But at the DDA board meeting in September, Jachim and DDA Vice Chair Kristen Fisher questioned how Js.co?m//?eve/nt/ t/ ww Hours: 12pm-8pm Tues.-Sat. 3?pr=CNA1-2Npme-w4psmprSinunt/.#/buyT 9175 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia 616.710.0796 s 826 �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023/ Page 3 911 TOWER, continued from page 1 to serve the Middleville/ Thomapple Township area the village wastewater treat­ ment plant site and a town­ ship-owned parcel off of State Road. An analysis of the sites showed the WWTP site to be the more attractive for the needs of central dis­ patch, she said. “It’s a secure location. You have utilities there,” Lehman said. “In my lifetime it prob­ ably won’t be residential, or for recreational use. There’s tons of trees there ... Let’s face it, who’s going to want to look out their window every day at a tower? Not a lot ofpeople. This is going to be a very tall tower.” The tower would be 295 feet in height, with a 15-to-20-foot lightning arrestor on top. It will be self-supporting, meaning there will be no guy wires to anchor it to the ground, Lehman said. “We’re going to bury a ton of concrete (to anchor the the county system by the tower), and the tower will be Michigan Public Safety designed, ifit has a structural Communications System and failure or loses structural Motorola Solutions recom­ integrity, to collapse on mended the county add six itself,” she said. new towers to cover so-called The WWTP site would “dead zones” where calls can also provide improved com­ get dropped, she said. munication service in neigh­ Lehman says she has been boring Irving Township and receiving a lot of questions to the village of Freeport, about where towers should Lehman said. be located from county resi­ Weeks offered his support dents, some ofwhom are not for the WWTP site. thrilled about proposed loca­ “It is very critical, the tions. addition of the tower to the “I’ve had a lot of ques­ community,” Weeks said in tions asked. Why not Delton? public comments prior to Why not Assyria (Township)? presentation. Lehman’s Why not Woodland, the “There are very few sites that Lakewood school district have as many ofthe positives area?” Lehman said. “We’ll at this location here. It is my get there, eventually. There wish that the council would will need to be towers (there), take that into consideration.” but for right now, as we’re Lehman has been working building the system, we’re on plans to expand and building based off ofpopula­ improve Central Dispatch’s tion. system since 2018, a year “The two largest concen­ after she became the sys­ trations ofpopulation that we tem’s director. An analysis of have in Barry County are around the city of Hastings, the Hastings Township area, and the village ofMiddleville and Thomapple Township area. With those two project­ ed sites, Hastings and Thomapple, it fills in the gap pretty well.” Central Dispatch plans to locate another tower in the Hastings area, most likely at the Barry County Road Commission site off M-43/M-37 just west of the city limits. That site is being built with the help of $2.4 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that county commis­ sioners approved in January 2022. There is still some final details that need to be resolved before the tower can be built on the site. “We’re currently waiting for a determination from the (Federal Aviation Administration) for hazard to aviation, because of the proximity to the Hastings municipal airport,” Lehman said. Lehman assured council members that the tower proj­ ect would be done “at zero expense” to village taxpay­ ers. Central Dispatch received another $3 million last fall under the new state budget for an additional communications tower, most likely the one in the Middleville area. That allocation was pushed for by former state Rep. Julie Calley and state Sen. Thomas Albert, who was a member of the House at the time. The cost of the project has been estimated at $2.9 million, while the Hastings site is being built at a cost of $2.78 million, Lehman said. “We are able to build two communications (towers) ... We’ll be able to increase our broadband, our footprint here, to the tune of $5.7 mil­ lion, not directly on the back of the Barry County taxpay­ er,” she said. Central Dispatch handled 54,920 calls for service in 2021, a 13.8 percent increase in call volume from 2017, when the system handled 48,242 calls, according to statistics provided by Lehman. “We have to be able to interact with the public. We have to be able to meet the need, and the need isn’t pick­ ing up a handheld phone anymore. That’s antiquated. It’s outdated. It’s old technol­ ogy,” she said. If the Middleville site is approved, the project could take anywhere from 16 months to two years to be completed, Lehman said. “We would like to have both sites going concurrent­ ly, this site and the Hastings site,” she said. “We wouldn’t want to wait until Hastings was done and start Middleville.” Two area parents welcome babies in new year Proud mother Jamie Chapman of Freeport poses with her new daughter. Henry Sylvan Frey pictured with his first­ time parents, Middleville residents Michelle Frey and Jeremy Frey. Jeremy and Michelle Frey had very little time to enjoy the New Year. They were busy welcom­ ing their first child into the world. The Middleville couple gave birth to their first child, Henry Sylvan Frey, just 52 seconds after midnight, mak­ ing little Henry the first baby bom at Hasting’s Corewell Health Pennock Hospital in the new year. Henry weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces and measured 21.5 inches long. However, Henry wasn’t the only brand new Barry bom in its facility belonged County resident to be bom to Jamie Chapman of while the confetti was still Freeport. The baby, named flying. Jordyn Angeline Chapman, The University of was bom at 3:05 a.m. on Jan. Michigan Health-West, 1, weighing in at 7 pounds located in Wyoming, and 15 ounces. Jordyn mea­ announced that the first baby sured 20.5 inches in length. Your local agent insures your H rime J FAIMf BUREAU INSURANCE* COMMISSIONER, continued from page 1 prosperity and safe and healthy communities.” Eighth District Commissioner Dan Burrill was selected to serve as chair of the board’s Legislative and Human Resources Committee. Commissioner Lindsey Thiel of the list District will be vice chair of the Legislative and Human Resources Committee. Commissioner Stephen Wooden, who represents the 18th District, was elected minority vice chair for a second term and will serve as vice chair under Brieve with the Finance and Physical Resources Committee. The new board consists of 12 Republicans and nine Democrats. The board on Tuesday also approved appointments for various county committees, commissions, and boards. The County received more than 536 applications for 65 vacancies. “We thank everyone who applied to serve on one ofthe county’s committees, com­ missions or boards,” Stek said. “These appointments are critical for moving Kent County forward and having strong leadership and mem­ bership on these boards will allow us to provide the best service possible to our resi- dents.” Commission meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, unless otherwise noticed. All meetings are Mickens fttstu’aMB’ Contfxut^, held at the County Administration Building, 3rd Floor, 300 Monroe Avenue NW in Grand Rapids and streamed on YouTube and Facebook. Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023 Nancy Jane Anders Barbara Joan Hodges Barbara Joan Hodges, age 92, of Caledonia, MI passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 70 years, Karl; grandson, Eric Reed; brother, Richard Welton, sister, Julaine Matthews. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Charles and Sue Hodges, Karen and Russ Reed, Kris Hodges, Kyle Hodges; grandchildren, Nicole and Justin Sulish, Shelby and Connor Flynn, Seth Hodges, Jason Reed; great grandchil­ dren, Reed Sulish, JJ Sulish, Crosby Flynn; nieces and nephews, extended family and friends. Barb was a master at knit­ ting and crocheting and she passed on her knowledge to many eager students. Her three great grandchildren lit up her life and they kept her going. Barb and Karl could be found frequenting flea mar­ kets or traveling around with their camper. Barb and her grandson Jason shared a spe­ cial bond and he looked after her on a daily basis with his phone calls and to make sure she was being cared for. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft SE, Caledonia. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery. Relatives and friends met the family Monday from 4-6 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. A Rosary was prayed on Monday at the funeral home. Barb’s family would like to thank Legacies Assisted Living for their care and con­ cern shown to Barb and a thank you to The Care Team Hospice for the care shown to Barb in her final days. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memo­ rial contributions to Legacies Assisted Living. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Nancy Jane (Rosenberg) Anders, age 89, ofMiddleville, MI passed away on January 3, 2023 after a short stay in the hospital. Nancy was bom on July 29, 1933 in Barry County, to Claud John Rosenberg and Mary Malvina (Boley) Rosenberg. She graduated in 1951 from Thomapple Kellogg before marrying Robert (Bob) Fred Anders of Delton. They spent one year in Fort Atterbury, IN before returning to Michigan. Nancy worked in a factory for a few years before becom­ ing a stay at home Mom. She then drove school bus for Thomapple Kellogg Schools for 14 years simultaneously operating Gibby’s Footlong Hotdog Concession in the summer. She retired from the concession business after 21 years. Nan and Bob spent winters in Florida and Arizona enjoy­ ing time with family and friends. Many good times were had at her brother Dodie’s house in Arizona exploring the desert and mountains. Copious hands of cards were played at night. When it was time, they were happy to spend their winters back in Michigan. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Fred Anders; son, Kenneth Howard Anders; parents, Claud and Mary (Boley) Rosenberg; brother and sister-in-law, Dodie and Rosie Rosenberg; in-laws, Ronald and Sarah (Cook) Anders; sisters-in-law: Jeannine (Desmond) Quinn, Janet Rosenberg; brothers-inlaw: Gary Gerard, Paul Parsley; grandson-in-law, Eugene Ward. Her beautiful life will forev­ er be cherished in the lives of her children: James (Darla) Anders, Kim (Bruce) Bender, Jeffory (Deb) Anders, and Robert (Kathy) Anders Jr; grandchildren, John (Heather) Francois, Mike (Grace) Francois, Sarah (Steve) Pratt, Lauren Ward, Martin (Stephanie) Bender,, Eric (Stacy) Bender, Michael (Nicole) Anders, Jesse Reynolds, Casey Reynolds, and Kaya Reynolds; great grandchildren, Brooke, Steven, Thomas, Isabella, James, Lilian, Cadence, Riley, Abigail, Kaya, Makenzie, Maggie, Clayton, and Tyler, great-great grandchildren, Brantley and Addalyn; sisters, Jacqueline Gerard, Susan Parsley; brothers, Terry Rosenberg, Michael (Lynda) Rosenberg; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Nancy’s family receive friends on Friday, Jan. 6,2023, at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home where her memorial ser­ vice will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, at 11 a.m. Private burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Thomapple Kellogg Alumni Association will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Nancy’s family. ShirleyA. Cowham Shirley A. Cowham, age 85, of Alto, MI passed away Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. Surviving are her children Doug (Mary) Cowham, Michelle (Jim) Boynton, Greg (Nel) Cowham; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; brother, Dave (Cathy) White, many nieces, nephews and lifelong friends. She was preceded in death Church by her husband, Harvey Cowham; grand-children Courtney and Christopher Boynton, great granddaugh­ ter, Mia Cowham;, daughter­ in-law, Lupita Cowham; and parents, Everett and Mary White. A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice. baptist (church alaska 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM - Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook .com/CaledoniaUn itedMethodist committed followers ofJesus Christ who m Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & Ham FIRST BAPTIST Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service 10:30 AM 908 W Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor:Rev.PeterBerg Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/1 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY C H U R C H 9:30 a.m. Church: (269) 795-2391 111 Church St. Office: (269)795-9266 ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: Worship Services: LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. Middleville United Methodist Church 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 10:30 AM Pastor Tony Shumaker 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 www.umcmiddleville.org www.stpaulcaledonia.org THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE j / 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com Sunday School Fellowship Church '' Watch our services from our website (see above) Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm 9:30 AM 10:30AM AM Sunday Worship......... 10:30 Whitneyville Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship.................... Community Group........................... 11 10:00 a.m. 0 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023/ Page 5 Kent County DPW hopes construction can begin within one year on $400M Sustainable Business Park James Gemmell as well,” Brieve said. Contributing Writer If all the stakeholders are The Byron-Gaines Utility ready to move forward and Authority service area will the project is brought to the expand if a proposed $400 Kent County Board ofPublic million waste-to-energy Works and the county Board plant is built in Byron of Commissioners for con­ Township as the anchor of a sideration during the second 250-acre Sustainable quarter of2023, Baas figures Business Park. construction could begin The business park would either late this year or early be built next to the South next year. Kent Landfill and extend “Our goal has been to be from south of 100th Street in ready to commission and Byron Township in southern open the facility by the first Kent County, down into Dorr quarter of 2025,” he said. Township in northern “I’m thinking it might be a Allegan County. Kent little further out than 2025 County has purchased the at this point. We’re continuproperty over the past two ing to meet to look at that decades. timeline, to make the Kent County Department adjustments based on lead ofPublic Works Director Dar times for ordering equip­ Baas plans to meet again ment and supplies, and with all the stakeholders going out for bid with cer­ involved in the project begin­ tain things. Ofcourse, all of ning in the next few months. that hinges on the ultimate Among the participants are approval of our Board of Kent and Allegan counties, Public Works and Board of their respective road com­ Commissioners to take that missions, the City of next step.” Wyoming, Byron, Gaines Byron and Gaines townand Dorr townships, and ships jointly administer the DTE Energy and Consumers Byron-Gaines Utility Energy. Authority. In September, the “I’ll be sitting down in the Gaines Township Board next couple ofmonths work­ voted unanimously to sign ing with each of those enti­ off on a wastewater collec­ ties, the municipalities and tion and water-supply agreethe Byron-Gaines Utility ment. That would allow Authority (BGUA), to take water and sewer lines to be those next steps so that we extended down 100th Street can legally be able to bring in Byron Township and south water and sewer to this new along Clyde Park Avenue to area,” Baas said in a tele­ the business park. The DPS phone interview. has said it might cost at least The new bioenergy facili­ $7 million to extend the util­ ty would process 400,000 ity lines from Byron tons of trash annually that Township south into Allegan businesses put in their dump- County. sters and residents place in Baas said about $300 mil­ their curbside trash carts. lion ofthe roughly $400 milAlso, about 30,000 tons of lion total project cost would recycled commodities and likely be paid through pri­ organic waste would be pro­ vate investment. That would cessed to produce renewable cover the cost of bringing the natural gas and fertilizer. various road, water, sewer Last year, the DPW infrastructure into the susapproved a Project tainable business park. Development Agreement DPW officials said last with the development com- year Kent Bioenergy plans panies, Texas-based to invest $280 million in Continuous Materials and the waste-to-energy plant, Canada-based Anaergia Inc. and the county would leverThey jointly formed a local age about $70 million operating entity called the through a bond as part of a Kent County Bioenergy public—-private partner­ Facility. ship. It would be paid off “They hope to be creating through tipping fees and a renewable natural gas facil- other revenue generated in ity,” Board of Public Works the business park. Chairwoman Emily Post “Prices have been moving Brieve said. She also was around a bit with inflation, re-elected this month as vice and with the cost ofborrowchair of the Kent County ing. We’re very hopeful that Board of Commissioners. we can still bring it in for a Her county commission number like that,” Baas said. District 10 represents Gaines “We’re also pursuing a numCharter Township and a ber of funding and grant small section on the south opportunities at the state side ofthe City ofKentwood. level and the federal level. “We’re continuing to eval­ There ’s a lot ofmoney in the uate (the sustainable busi- pipeline for infrastructure ness park) and working with and a lot of interest in these our partners on that. We’re types ofprojects.” The DPW will get a better also working on some additional recycling, in terms of handle on costs as Grand paper and plastic, and con­ Rapids-based engineering struction demolition waste, firm Fishbeck, Thompson, Kent County DPW Director Dar Baas addressing the Gaines Township Board in 2022. (Photo by James Gemmell) A conceptual image of the proposal bioenergy plant that would anchor a sustainable business park in Byron and Dorr townships. (Image provided by Continuous Materials & Anaergia) Carr & Huber Inc. develops the major construction-de­ sign documents. After the design plans are completed in mid-February, the DPW will be able to bid the project out to determine what the exact costs will be. That information could come back by early spring. The DPW would then spend the summer explaining to the stakeholders the various pol­ icy recommendations and project costs, plus the 20-year vision for it. “So, really, the next six months is critical to the project,” Baas said. “There’s a lot of backroom heavy lifting going on. Most of that’s around engineering design, bidding the project out, and meeting with the commissioners.” The eight new commis­ sioners who were sworn in as members of the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 3 will need to be brought up to speed on the proposed sustainable business park and the bioenergy plant. The DPW and the stakeholders signed an agreement in 2022 that lays the groundwork for each ofthe partici­ pants in the project. “All things that are very doable,” Baas said. “But it takes time and it takes pro­ cess. And you have to meet with their boards and make sure that you’ve got all the right information in front of them. So, that’ll be a first quarter 2023 effort, as well, to continue that process for­ ward.” The City ofWyoming will supply water, and the utilities will run south through Byron Township and into Dorr Township. “And that is what makes this a little different than ser­ vicing (just) Gaines or Byron,” Baas said. “So, working out those details and the arrangements under which Doit Township will either be a wholesale cus­ tomer or a retail customer. Those are the things that we have to work through. Because, if and when it’s built, then the (BGUA) actu­ ally takes that part of the infrastructure over. So, we’re building it to a specification that they need.” According to the DPW, 7 million tons of trash have been put into the South Kent Landfill since 1986, and the existing waste-to-energy facility has processed about 5 million tons since 1990. The DPS says a million pounds oftrash are produced in Kent County each year. 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-112 to 6 gears. (We will assist with toilet training) WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION julie@stpaulcaledonia.org Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 w w w.stpaulcaledonia .or g “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sworn in for second term, takes office with Democrat majority Lauren Gibbons Bridge Michigan LANSING Heading into a new year with a Democratic majority Legislature in her comer, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pledged Sunday to commit her second term to “funda­ mental issues” impacting Michigan residents’ lives. “In November, Michiganders spoke with a clear voice,” Whitmer said during her inauguration ceremony outside the state Capitol building in Lansing. “They expect us to embody the values they live up to every day — grit and grace. They deserve practical prob­ lem solvers who get things done.” Among her priorities: reducing tax burdens on seniors, boosting investment in education, growing the economy and improving working conditions, tackling climate change, reducing gun violence and repealing anti-abortion and antiLGBTQ laws. Whitmer’s first four years in office were check­ ered by clashes with Republicans who controlled the Legislature. Many of her policy priorities were Gov. Gretchen Whitmer waves to supporters during her inauguration outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing on Sunday. (Photo by Katy Kildee, Bridge Michigan) dismissed outright, while others resulted in stale­ mates with Republicans, who accused her adminis­ tration of being uncoopera­ tive. Speaking at the inaugura­ tion, Whitmer said she hopes Democrats and Republicans can come together to “make Michigan a place where all people can envision a great future.” “Over the next four years, we will dig deep and get things done,” she said. “It’s what Michiganders do.” Whitmer built a national profile during her first term as governor, and many in the national media have identi­ fied her as a possible presi­ dential candidate in 2024 should Democratic incum­ bent Joe Biden opt against seeking re-election, Whitmer recently said she is commit­ ted to “enthusiastically” serving out her full second term. Despite Democrats con­ trolling both chambers ofthe Legislature, major changes may prove tricky for Whitmer and lawmakers. Majorities in both cham­ bers are slim — Democrats outnumber Republicans 56-54 in the House and 20-18 in the Senate — and lawmakers of both parties were elected in districts made more competitive during the redistricting pro­ cess. That means any tough votes could leave many law­ makers vulnerable to chal­ lengers during their re-elec­ tion campaigns. Delta Township Democratic Rep. Angela Witwer, the incoming House Appropriations chair and the lawmaker tasked with lead­ ing committee assignments, said legislative Democrats are well aware of that dynam­ ic. “The good thing that we have is that we’re in charge of the agenda, so it doesn’t necessarily have to come to the floor if it’s going to be bad for our marginal mem­ bers,” she said recently on WKAR-TV’s “Off the Record.” “We have a very cohesive, understanding caucus, so we will be working together and making sure that we retain majority.” Democrats anticipate get­ ting new committees up and running in January, and the Whitmer administration will give her State of the State speech and outline her bud­ get priorities in the next sev­ eral weeks. Greenstone announces new scholarship honoring former CEO Dave Armstrong GreenStone Farm Credit Services invests in the future of agriculture. Each year, the cooperative offers thousands of dollars in college scholar­ ships, and this year they are upping the ante with an addi­ tional $20,000 through a new scholarship program. Since 2010, GreenStone has awarded more than $375,000 in scholarships to undergraduate students. This year, GreenStone is pleased to add an additional scholar­ ship honoring the coopera­ tive’s former CEO, Dave Armstrong. Dave retired from GreenStone in August after serving the company and the agricultural commu­ nity for 41 years. The Dave Armstrong Scholarship will award up to $20,000 in scholarships to current college students in the amount of $5,000 each. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 Applicants will be required to submit an application with an essay and reference check, and provide a transcript and one-page resume. Additionally, the long-standing GreenStone scholarship program will continue for incoming fresh­ men. This program awards up to $40,000 in scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each for incoming students in a four-year college program and $1,000 each for incom­ ing students in a two-year college program. Scholarship applicants must reside within Greenstone’s territory, which includes Michigan and select counties in north­ eastern Wisconsin; plan to study an agriculture-related field, and achieve the required academic success. In addition, applicants should demonstrate participation and leadership in school, community, and agricultural activities. The deadline to apply for these scholarship opportuni­ ties is Feb. 28, 2023. Applications and more infor­ mation can be found at GreenStoneFCS.com/scholarships. If you would like to inter­ view a GreenStone represen­ tative regarding these schol­ arships, please contact Markie Heideman at 517­ 332-9539 or by emailing Markie.Heideman @ greenstonefcs.com. GreenStone Farm Credit Services, based in East Lansing, Michigan, is Michigan and northeast Wisconsin’s largest agricul­ tural lender and one of the country’s largest associations in the Farm Credit System. A member-owned cooperative, GreenStone owns and man­ ages over $12 billion in assets and serves 28,000 members with 35 locations in Michigan and northeast Wisconsin. More information about GreenStone can be found at greenstonefcs.com. Local students named to Kellogg CC honor lists LENNOX ACCREDITED BUSINESS Kellogg Community College officials are proud to present the president’s list and dean’s list of all stu­ dents, full- and part-time, who have earned high or highest honors for fall 2022. Dean’s list The dean’s list recognizes students who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.50 to 3.99. Local stu­ dents on the dean’s list include: Caledonia - Alyssa N. Degood. Middleville - Wayde P. Barry, Jennifer M. Klutman, Corrin M. Replogle. Shelbyville - Brian L. Schrier. Wayland Alyssa D. Graham. President’s list The president’s list recog­ nizes degree-seeking stu­ dents who have earned a 4.0 GPA for the semester. Area students who qualified for the president’s list include: Middleville -McKenna M. Bazan, Heather A. Pitsch. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023/ Page 7 New Year’s resolution: Avoid crypto scams Here’s a New Year’s reso­ value as they continue to lution all could benefit from: invest more money, only the being vigilant about crypto­ crypto exchange they are on currency scams. Fraud is fake. When they try cash­ involving crypto investment ing out, they’re told they schemes and crypto as pay­ must first pay excessive fees, ment skyrocketed in 2022, and they don’t get their according to the Federal money back. Trade Commission. Reported In the “crypto as payment” losses exceeded $1 billion. schemes, criminals convince Last year, online romance targets that some urgent mat­ scams evolved into crypto ter requires quick payment “investment opportunities” and direct them to a nearby — starting on such platforms crypto-ATM machine that as Facebook, Instagram, and converts cash into electronic Linkedln in addition to dat­ currency. These losses are ing sites and apps. The target virtually unrecoverable. The best way to avoid these can see their assets gaining scams - really any scam - is to know about them so you can avoid engaging from the start. Seek 'a financial advi­ sor’s guidance on investing, and anyone pressuring you to pay by crypto to address and urgent or time-sensitive mat­ ter is a criminal. Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/ fraudwatchnetwork. Successful fall fish stocking season by the Michigan DNR creates more opportunities for statewide anglers Anglers will soon benefit 3,730 pounds, at four loca­ weighed 1,299 pounds at 12 from the 624,205 fish, tions. Thompson also locations. Wolf Lake also which collectively weighed stocked 28,046 Great Lakes stocked 150,418 fall finger­ 7.8 tons, that were stocked strain muskellunge that ling steelhead, weighing by the Michigan Department weighed 3,832 pounds at 18 1,796 pounds, in two loca­ of Natural Resources at 85 locations in the Upper and tions. locations across the state. Lower peninsulas. This is DNR fisheries manage­ “It was another outstand­ the second successful sea­ ment units also stocked fall ing fall fish stocking season son of muskellunge produc­ fingerling walleyes in 2022. that will provide enhanced tion since the new The Southern Southern Lake fishing opportunities Thompson cool-water pro­ Michigan Management throughout Michigan,” said duction facility was com­ Unit stocked stocked 17,084 DNR fish production man­ pleted in summer 2021. Muskegon strain fall fin­ ager Ed Eisch. “When This marks a 40 percent gerlings weighing 842 added to our successful increase over the produc­ pounds in 16 locations. The spring and summer stock­ tion achieved during the Lake Erie Management ing efforts, that brings the inaugural year of this facil­ Unit stocked Pontiac Lake total for 2022 to more than ity’s operation. with 238 Muskegon strain 17 million fish stocked in Wolf Lake State Fish fall fingerlings weighing 38 Michigan’s waters.” Hatchery (west of pounds. The number and type of Kalamazoo) stocked 11,773 Also, as part of an annual fish stocked vary by hatch­ Great Lakes strain muskel- cooperative exchange, ery, as each facility’s abili­ lunge fall fingerlings that 3,000 Northern strain musty to rear fish differs because of water supplies and temperature. In Michigan, there are six state and three cooperative hatcheries that work togeth­ er to produce the species, strain and size of fish need­ ed by fisheries managers. These fish must then be delivered at a specific time and location for stocking to ensure their success. Most fish in Michigan are stocked in the spring. Fall 2022 fish stocking consisted of four species of fish: brook trout, Eagle Lake and steelhead strain rainbow trout, walleye and muskellunge. Marquette State Fish Hatchery (near Marquette) stocked 28,922 fall finger­ ling and adult brook trout that weighed a combined 2,492 pounds. These fish were stocked at 41 loca­ tions, both in the Upper and Lower peninsulas. Oden State Fish Hatchery (near Petoskey) stocked Glen Lake with 50,688 Eagle Lake rainbow trout fall fingerlings weighing 640 pounds. Thompson State Fish Hatchery stocked 28,046 Thompson State Fish Great Lakes strain muskellunge, weighing 3,832 Hatchery (near Manistique) stocked 334,036 fall finger­ pounds, at 18 locations in the Upper and Lower pen­ ling steelhead, weighing insulas. (Courtesy photo) kellunge from the Wisconsin DNR weighing 963 pounds were stocked in Lake Michigamme in the Upper Peninsula. The Michigan DNR provided Wisconsin with Great Lakes strain muskies in exchange for these fish. In general, fish are reared in Michigan’s state fish hatcheries anywhere from one month to 1.5 years before they are stocked. The DNR welcomes visi­ tors to its state fish hatcher­ ies and interpretative cen­ ters to witness firsthand the fish-rearing process and to learn about Michigan’s waters. More information can be found at Michigan. gov/Hatcheries. There are many factors that go into determining where and why fish are stocked in a particular lake or stream - in fact, it’s one of the most frequently asked questions the department receives. Some factors that go into those decisions include current habitat, available forage fish, and predators and/or competi­ tors in the body of water. To find out if any fish were stocked in your favor­ ite fishing spots, visit the DNR’s fish stocking data­ base at MichiganDNR.com/ FishStock/. Join Pennock's Health and Wellness Center for the month of January for $0! Want to check us out? Mondays are FREE for the community all January! Use the fitness floor, enjoy various fitness classes, the hot tub and pool! Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Regular monthly enrollment fee begins Feb. 1. Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Spectrum Health �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023 New county board is seated, conducts first meeting of new year Jayson Bussa Editor A new roster of county board commissioners settled in at their respective seats at the dais on Tuesday morn­ ing for the first meeting of the new year. The meeting, which fea­ tured four new faces to the commission, addressed the various housekeeping items required to start tackling the issues of the day in the county. This began with electing a chairperson and vice chair­ person to lead the board. Ben Geiger, who served as the chair for the last two years, is no longer in the mix, nor is Vivian Conner, who served as vice chair for the last two years. David Jackson, who is heading into his eighth year as a commissioner, received the nod for chairperson. He represents District 3, which includes Hope and Barry townships, in addition to the southern portion of Rutland Township. Commissioner Jon Smelker nominated Jackson for the position. Newcomer Mark Doster, who rep­ resents District 6 and was a member of the board decades ago, nominated himselfto be considered for the chairperson role, as well. The board voted by secret ballot and Jackson won the position on a 7-1 vote. David Hatfield, who is new to the board of commis­ sioners this year, but serves as the chairman of the Hastings city planning com­ mission, was the only com­ missioner nominated for the vice chair role. Hatfield occupies the seat for District 8, which consists of the city of Hastings. This on.” Because a majority of is a seat that was previously eliminated in a cost-saving Doster’s suggestions were measure but has now been fairly profound changes, reinstated. As Hatfield cam­ Jackson suggested that they paigned for the seat, he said be listed as agenda items for that he wanted to see better future meetings and subject synergy and collaboration to further discussion. between the city of Hastings Meeting rules can be amend­ and the rest of the county. ed at any time, like the board “Dave comes with a lot of when it added a “commis­ experience,” Jackson said of sioners comments” portion Hatfield. “I’ve worked with of the meeting this fall. Dave on the economic “That is a big chunk of development advisory things for future consider­ board. He’s worked on plan­ ation and I’ll work with ning and zoning. He’s been Commissioner Doster to get intimately connected to the them on a future agenda so city of Hastings He seems we can discuss those in fur­ to know this area especially. ther detail and give those the time they deserve,” Jackson He’s well respected.” Commissioners also said. “I don’t think we came looked over the existing prepared to make those rules that govern the board changes and I’d hate to and its meetings, which make those changes without were tweaked last year but getting some citizen input remain untouched so far this on them, as well. Doster did make a motion year. But Doster hopes to to move the time of the change that. He floated a weekly meetings from 9 laundry list of potential rule a.m. to 10 a.m., but the changes, from changing the motion received no support. “I’m in the far comer of meeting time, eliminating one of the two public com­ the county and so are a num­ ment portions of the meet­ ber of the constituents,” ing and reinstating per diem Doster said. “Coming for a payments to commissioners board meeting and being to eliminating the prayer at able to get here early enough the beginning of meetings. to prepare in the winter is a The latter prompted an out­ difficulty. It was still dark cry from some in the gal­ when I left this morning. I lery. would ask the board to con­ “In an effort to streamline sider the board moving the the board (meetings), I meeting to 10 a.m.” would like to see the convo­ The time of board meet­ cation removed,” Doster ings has been an often-de­ said. “There are a number of bated topic for years. Some reasons for that. One is the on the current board voiced basic reason that I believe interest in the occasional there should be a separation evening meeting to create of church and state and that more accessibility. The should be implemented. It’s board is expected to further a concept of the founding explore the idea at a future fathers. It’s a concept that meeting. the constitution was based The board also reviewed Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer stands before county commissioners on Tuesday morning as they raise their right hand to be sworn into office. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) From left to right, Bruce Campbell, Vice Chair David Hatfield, Chairman David Jackson and Jon Smelker listen to public comment during Tuesday morning’s Board of Commissioners meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) a full schedule of meetings - complete with minor changes due to holidays and other conflicts - before approving it. The board also approved the chairperson’s appointments of members to committees. David Jackson earns nod as Barry County board chairperson Jayson Bussa Editor David Jackson knows the fickle nature of politics. “I try to stay away from the politics and pushing myself into a position where some want you and some don’t want you,” Jackson said. “But this seemed to be the time that most people wanted me.” WORKING MOMS GROUP .. VILLAGE Saturday, January 21 from 1041:30am South Wyoming Campus | 2730 56th St SW, Wyoming, MI Wc offering a brand new mom’s group that meets? the 3rd Saturday of every other month! Bring your kids and join Us for a time of connection and conversation. No registration required, just show up! cornerstonemi.org/Women comerstonechurch Without necessarily lobbying for the role, Jackson, who is entering his eighth year on the Barry County Board of Commissioners, was elected as chairperson for the board on Tuesday morning. He said that commission­ ers Jon Smelker and Catherine Getty approached him about potentially taking on the role and, due to the outpouring of support from fellow commissioners, he obliged. Jackson won the chairper­ son seat on a 7-1 vote. Mark Doster, who is a newcomer this year but served on the county board decades ago, was also up for consideration after nominating himself. Jackson will be joined by David Hatfield as vice chair of the board. Hatfield is the chairman ofthe Hastings city planning commission but is a new face on the county board. “He was interested and engaged in it and with his knowledge, I think he’ll be just fine,” Jackson said of Hatfield. Jackson also pointed to Mike Callton, who joins the board after previous stints as board chair and, more recent­ ly, a state representative who was term-limited out of office. “Michael is someone that we respect and I think he’ll have a big role in it,” Jackson said. Jackson brings the per­ spective of a small business owner to the county board as the owner of Diamond Transportation, a third-party logistics company that is based in the Delton and Cloverdale area. He has owned the company since the early 90s and has nearly tripled the size ofthe compa­ ny in the last decade alone. Jackson conceded that, as an active small business owner, he never thought he would have the available time to meet the obligations of the board chair - until now. “We got a system in place that is working for us now and I talked it over with my wife and our company and decided this would be a good time, especially in a time of transition where we’re losing all that institutional knowledge,” Jackson said. Jackson was referring to the exits of commissioners Vivian Conner, Ben Geiger and Hoot Gibson, who com­ bined for 38 years of service on the board. In Jackson’s first meeting as chair, commissioners dealt with a variety of potential changes to the rules that govern the board and its meet- See JACKSON, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023/ Page 9 JACKSON, continued from previous page ings. Most of these came from Doster, and included eliminating one of the two public comment portions of each meeting and eliminat­ ing the prayer before. Members of the gallery bit back by voicing their disap- proval of those two ideas. “I think it’s good with new commissioners that they’re willing to voice their opin­ ions on things,” Jackson said after the meeting. “I think it’s important to get those things out right now as opposed to those being stum­ bling blocks to communica­ tion or to working together going forward. Let’s solve some of these issues if peo­ ple have questions about our meeting format..... But, there is a settling-in process.” Newly-elected Barry County board chair David Jackson speaks to fellow com­ missioners during Tuesday morning’s meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Governor announces art contest for 2023 State of the State Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced an art contest this week for the 2023 State of the State program cover. The governor is challenging Michigan’s K-12 stu­ dents to come up with a creative design for the program cover following the theme “What makes Michigan strong?” “Michigan is full of creative young people, and I am excited to high­ light their talents as part of the 2023 State of the State program,” said Governor Whitmer. “I believe what makes Michigan strong is the people that live here, and I am delighted to share a student’s artwork that highlights what they see as Michigan’s strengths. I hope students from across the state display their skills and submit their designs for the State of the State Art Contest.” During her 2023 State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., Governor Whitmer will lay out her plans to tackle the challenges Michiganders are facing right now. Her proposals will lower costs, make Michigan more competi­ tive, expand opportunity, and protect people’s fun­ damental rights. Together, they represent the future and will move Michigan forward. Students are encour­ aged to be as creative as possible and are wel­ come to use crayon, marker, paint or any other material. To sub­ mit a design, visit michigan.gov/artcontest and follow the instructions on the webpage. Submissions will be accepted exclusively through the online sys­ tem and must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 15. The student artist who creates the winning design will receive a gift box from Cherry Republic. Sen. Debbie Stabenow to retire. Who may run in 2024? Johnathan Oosting Bride Michigan LANSING — U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, a political trailblazer and long­ time force in Michigan, announced this week that she will not seek re-election and will instead leave Congress when her term ends in two years. In a statement, the Lansing Democrat said she was “inspired by a new genera­ tion of leaders” to “pass the torch” in the U.S. Senate, where her pending departure is expected to spark an intense battle as Republicans attempt to flip her seat in 2024. “Under the cloud of unprecedented threats to our democracy and our basic a freedoms, record-breaking number of people voted last year in Michigan,” Stabenow said, referencing a strong year for Democrats, who won top statewide offices and the state Legislature. “Young people showed up like never before. This was a very hopeful sign for our future.” Stabenow, 72, became the first Michigan woman to serve in the U.S. Senate by defeating Republican incum­ bent Spencer Abraham in 2000. Her political career began 26 years earlier, when she was the first woman elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. When Stabenow won a seat in the Michigan House in 1978, there were only eight women serving in the Legislature, she recalled in her statement, noting that she remains committed to finishing her current term with “important work to improve the lives of Michiganders.” “I am so grateful for the trust the people of Michigan have placed in me,” Stabenow said, also praisin her Senate staff. “When my term ends, I intend to begin a new chapter in my life that includes con­ tinuing to serve our State outside of elected office while spending precious time with my amazing 96-yearold mom and my wonderful family.” Stabenow’s announcement sparked immediate speculation about who might run to replace her. On the Democratic side, possible candidates could include U.S. Reps. Elissa Slotkin or Haley Stevens, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow or even newly minted Michigander Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, said strategist Adrian Hemond. “Elissa Slotkin is quite U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow will not run for re-election next year, setting up what could be a battle royale likely to run, and I think to replace her. (Courtesy photo) she’s probably Democrats’ best nominee for this,” said Hemond, CEO of the Committee helped her forge said. “She’s almost really at that we’ve had her service, said, calling Stabenow a with the peak of her career. I’m both in the state in the “pioneer for a lot ofwomen.” Grassroots Midwest politi- relationships Republican allies, making surprised. It’s a big loss.” Legislature and also in cal consulting firm in “It’s quite a great success There will be “dozens of Congress in the Senate,” he story,” Blanchard added. her particularly difficult to Lansing. Republicans, who failed to defeat in statewide elections, people who line up to run” defeat Stabenow in recent said former Michigan Gov. for her seat, Blanchard said, declining to speculate on election cycles, will “aggres­ Jim Blanchard. “She’s been a big-time potential Stabenow succes­ sively target” the seat in 2024, National Republican leader in agriculture and sors. “We should be thankful Senate Campaign spokesper- manufacturing,” Blanchard son Mike Berg told Fox News. Waterproofing in the 21st Century GOP candidates did not Over 29 Years Of Basement Construction & Waterproofing fare well in last year’s state­ wide election, but Hemond said Stabenow’s departure at AFFORDABLE Epoxy Pressure Injection least improves their odds Stop Leaking Basements from the INSIDE because she has been “one of No Digging • No Excavating • Lifetime Guarantee the most effective retail poli­ Over 15 Years Epoxy Experience • Residential & Commercial ticians in modem Michigan Licensed • References Available history.” Smartphone friendly web page: concretestopleak.com Stabenow’s work as chair Give us a call at 269-758-3312 of the Senate Agriculture CONCRETE STOP LEAK �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023 Likely to be a snow free Winter Challenge taking off Brett Bremer Sports Editor Switchback Endurance has already apologized to competitors on its Facebook page. “Trail conditions for the [Yankee Springs Winter Challenge]. Never thought I’d say this ... but you could wear road shoes. No ice spikes or traction needed. Trail is mostly wet leaves and packed dirt, almost no mud. If you want to PR the course, [Friday] is your day. I apologize for the lack of epic suffering which usually comes with the Winter Challenge.” The 12th annual winter trail endurance race is set to take off near the Long Lake Outdoor Center Saturday, with competitors participat­ ing in 10K, 25K, 50K and 50-mile races. The 50-milers are scheduled for a 6 a.m. Start. The course consists a 10K loop and a 25k loop, with aid stations near McDonald Lake, the Devil’s Soup Bowl and Deep Lake. There is also a 5K loop for the 50-mile runners to complete before three trips around the 25K loop. All finishers will receive the event’s traditional prize of a snow glob. There are also awards for the top three overall male and female races as well as male and female masters awards and other age group awards. This is the first of four Switchback Endurance rac­ ing events of the year. Next up will be the June 2-3 Yankee Springs Trail Run. The 2022 Winter Challenge brought 68 10 K, 95 25K, 37 50K and 15 50-mile runners to the area, as well as helpers, friends, family and spectators. Jameson Kloeckner of Lansing took the 50-mile championship among the males with a time of 7 hours 30 minutes and 3 seconds. Rachel Hawkins of Glide, Oreg., won the women’s 50-mile championship in 9:20:40. Steven Fein of Alto, Nathan DeVries and Rick DeVries of Caledonia,Steve Gray of Middleville and Kenneth Stoepker of Hastings were among the top ten finishers in the men’s 10K a year ago, and Susan Fein of Alto was the fastest 10K female clocking in at 55:16. Residents asked to comment on DNR’s five-year ambitions Managing the state’s parks and recreation system is a big job. As the Michigan Department of Natural Resources works to finalize the draft Parks and Recreation Division Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, the DNR turning to the visitors and residents who know and love these destinations for feedback - but don’t wait too long; the draft plan review and com­ ment opportunity closes Jan. 20. The DNR Parks and Recreation Division current­ ly manages 103 state parks and recreation areas, totaling more than 300,000 acres across Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. It also oversees the state’s boating program, the state motorized and nonmotorized trails sys­ tem and 140 state forest campgrounds. “In Michigan, our diverse natural, cultural and recre­ ation resources have always played a defining role in res­ idents’ quality of life and, in a sense, our very identity as Michiganders,” said Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief. “People come back year after year, making memories at state parks, trails, camp­ grounds and harbors, and it’s vital that we have a clear plan to protect these unique resources while anticipating and meeting customers’ The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is in the final weeks of accepting comment from the pub­ lic on its 2023-2027 strategic plan. Folks have until Jan 20 to review the draft plan and submit comment to the DNR. expectations.” The plan ultimately will guide the division in carrying out its mission to “acquire, protect and preserve the nat­ ural and cultural features of Michigan’s unique resourc­ es, and to provide access to land- and water-based recre­ ation and educational oppor­ tunities.” The plan is expect­ ed to go into effect this spring. Olson said public feed­ back is an essential compo­ nent of this plan. “In Michigan, you are never more than a half-hour away from a state park, state forest campground or state trail system. The importance ofthese close-to-home recre­ ation opportunities was high­ lighted through the' COVID19 pandemic when visits across the system increased by approximately 30 percent. While providing an import­ ant service to residents, this put an additional strain on resources and aging infra­ structure,” Olson writes at the opening of the draft plan. “However; $250 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds provides an unprece­ dented opportunity to strate­ gically update infrastructure across the state park system, increasing efficiencies and responding to visitor’s needs.” A series of input work­ shops were held with staff and advisory groups to iden­ tify the parks and recreation departments strengths, chal­ lenges and opportunities, according to the draft plan. From those workshops, six priority issues were identi­ fied. These issue statements are the nucleus ofthis strate­ gic plan, from which all goals and objectives were derived. When annual action plans are executed, they will address and respond to these issues. Those six issues are resource conservation and recreation; staffing; fund­ ing; environmental sustain­ ability; diversity, equity, inclusion and justice; and management and adminis­ tration. The draft plan is available for public review and com­ ment, and the comment peri­ od is open through Jan. 20. To review the plan, visit Michigan.gov/StateParks. Send comments or sugges­ tions to DNR-PRDPlanning @ Michigan.gov. For more information on the plan, contact Debbie Jensen, park management plan administrator with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at 517-230-6837 or JensenDl @Michigan.gov. ¥ WINTER SPECIAL ¥ CHS dance team hosts High Efficiency camp for future dancers By*® FURNACE 8 AIR s300 OFF * Must present this coupon. Expires 1-20-2023 HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. company built by referrals The Caledonia High School dance team hosted a Youth Dance Camp fundraiser the final week of December to inspire future dancers. The camp was open to K-6 grade students to learn the fundamentals from the CHS varsity dance team while practicing a short routine of their own. The high school dance team was set to perform during the varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball games last night, Jan, 6. The team has competitions ahead Jan. 14 at Aquinas College and Jan. 21 at Hudsonville High School. The Scots are set to perform during varsity basketball games at CHS again Jan. 27. The CHS dance team this fall includes a trio of seniors: Holly Barker, Alexandra Walker and Reagan Huyser. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023/ Page 11 TK ladies win big over FHE, while boys suffer first loss Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity girts’ bowling team has now won three in a row after opening the 2023 portion ofthe schedule with a 28-2 win over Forest Hills Eastern at Northfield Lanes Wednesday afternoon. The victory moves the TK ladies to 3-2 in OK Gold Conference matches so far this season. The TK boys were bested for the first time this season in a dual as they fell 16-14 to the Hawks. The TK boys are now 4-1 in the conference. The TK ladies won the two Baker games with scores of98 and 150, and then won the two regular games by the scores of 539-335 and 517-333. Emily Podbevsek led TK in those regular games with scores of 185 and 150 which earned her team two points. Sara Willshire rolled a 129 and 93 for the Trojans and took one point. Jenna Robinett had a high-game of 102. Addison Bont rolled a 97, Savannah Rehfeldt an 84, Ashleigh Norman a 79, Kenzie Chapin-Dyer a 74 and Keeley Palmbox a 63. Each of those girls won one team point with their performance. Hie TK boys and Forest Hills Eastern were close throughout their contest. TK got off to a great start with a 211-110 win in the first Baker game. The Trojans took the second 171-156. FHE won the two regular games 774-770 and 780-745. Wyatt Jacobson had a highgame of 192 for TK to win one point Wyatt Barnes rolled games of 175 and 103. Ethan Kriekaard scored a 170 and 132. Z Moore tallied a 162 and a 156. Andy Liu chipped in a 118 and a 115. Each of those Trojans earned one team point with their individual performance. The TK teams will return to action at die Jenison Invitational at Fairlanes today, Jan. 7. The next OK Gold Conference duals for TK are at Hastings Bowl Monday against Kenowa Hills. The Trojans go to Rockford Lanes to take on Cedar Springs Jan. 11. Sign-up for Winterfest activities, Ttojan wrestling team falls including 5K, already underway in two duals at Byron Center Eighth grader Leah Williams, of St. Stanislaus Catholic School in Dorr, created this art which won the 2023 Gun Lake Winterfest Logo Contest. Williams was announced as the winner last month. Sign-up is going on now for a paid to the top three teams. number ofthe sporting activities The Euchre Tournament will that will be a part of the annual be held Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Gun Lake Winterfest, Feb. 18, Wayland VFW. Check in starts at Yankee Springs State Park. at 6 p.m. And the tournament Some ofthe activities set to begins at 7 p.m. There is a $10 be a part of the 2023 even are fee to participate and prizes will a Com Hole Tournament, a be awarded to firsL second and Euchre Tournament and a 5K third place finishers. Run/Walk. Winterfest also includes the The 5K Run/Walk will be annual Polar Dip into Gun Lake. on a flat course through the The cost to participate is $25 state park beginning at 9 a.m., and all dippers will receive a Feb. 18. The cost for runners/ T-shirt. Check in for that begins walkers is $25 and participants at 2 p.m., Feb. 18. Those inter­ will receive a race T-shirt and ested can register at the event up to dip time. Registration forms participation medal. Sign-up can be done online can be found for the Polar Dip at gunlakewinterfest.com, and on the event website as well. The event continues to seek registration will start at 8 a.m. the day ofthe race. sponsors and raffle prizes. Last That is the website for year, Winterfest was able to information on many of the donate over $4,000 to local char­ activities at this year’s event. ities. This year’s main charity is Sign-up is going on there now Family Promise ofBarry County, for the Com Hole Tournament, whose mission statement is “to which will begin at 10 a.m., help families experiencing homelessness and low-income Feb. 18, at the state park. The cost to participate in the families achieve sustainable com hole tournament is $50 independence through a commu­ per team, with prizes to be nity-based response.” Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling suffered a pair of tough defeats in duals at the Byron Center Quad Wednesday evening. TK was downed 42-14 by Greenville and then fell 50-24 to the host Bulldogs. Zack Gibson, Jackson Curtis and Kyron Zoet had two wins on the night for the Trojan team. Gibson opened the dual with Byron Center by pinning the Bulldogs’ Aaron Burgess 1 minute and 44 seconds into the 150-pound bout. Curtis followed up at 157 by winning by injury default The Bulldogs rallied in the heavyweights, nudging in front 26-12 before the line-up turned over. Christien Miller pinned Byron Center’s Parker Kietzman in the middle ofthe second period of the 106pound match. Zoet added TK’s final points with a pin of Emilio Faulkner-Cruz a minute into their 138-pound match. The Bulldogs got pins from Brad Winkel at 190 pounds, Bodin Hurley at 215 and Tim Clay at 285 pounds, as well as Hunter Pulawski at 120. In the toughest match ofthe dual, Byron Center sopho­ more Zavier Radle managed a take down in a sudden victory Naythan Dobson, a state med­ overtime period for an 11-9 alist a year ago, managed an 11-7 decision over Curtis. win over TK freshman Dylan TK is scheduled to be at Pauline. Gibson and Curtis had TK Grand Haven today, Jan. 7. with a small early lead in the The Trojans host Wayland dual with Greenville too. Wednesday for an OK Gold Gibson took a 12-0 major Conference contest and then decision in his 150-pound will be at the Rockford Rams bout with Casey Eberspeaker. Invite next Saturday, Jan. 14. Curtis followed up with a Over the holiday break, TK 14-3 major decision over went 3-1 at the Olivet College Greenville’s Jacob Johnson Jare T. Klein Duals. TK took a at 157. 61-18 win over Paw Paw, a Zoet closed the match by 76-6 win over Springport, a pinning Greenville’s Troy 61-12 win over Parma Western Courtney in the middle of the and fell 39-20 to Westland third period of their 138- John Glenn. pound match. Irving Township The Yellow Jackets won Board of Trustee Meeting three flights by three points or Synopsis less. The meet opened with December 20,6:30PM. 3425 Wing RD, Greenville’s Liam Dailey Hastings Ml 49058 managing a 1-0 win over the Present: Mike Buehler, Jamie Trojans’ Andrew Middleton Knight, Doug Sokolowski, Sharon in the 144-pound match. Olson, absent, Dean Bass. Motion to add Broadband up­ At 190 pounds, Greenville’s Kameron Cooper bested date and Road Commission and change Fire Department response Derious Robinson 3-1. times to districting. At 106 pounds, Greenville Motion passed to approve had CalebLewis edged Miller Amended Agenda. Motion passed to reappoint 9-6. to Board of Review, JD Forbes, TK also got a competitive Shelley Lake, Mike Wright, for two match from Jayce Curtis at 165 years 2023, 2024. Board of Review alternates, pounds. The Yellow Jackets’ Digital TV Antennas CaU Phone Boosters _______ 2B9.9B7. TV ANTENNA & TOWER INSTALLATION www.theantennamen.com 193645 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP,. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 7, 2022, the Township Board ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia adopted an ordinance amending the Caledonia Charter Township Water Connection, Use and Rate Ordinance. The principal provisions ofthe amending ordinance are as follows: 1. Section 1 of the Ordinance amends Appendix I of the Water Connection Ordinance, to substitute the former map with a new map showing the boundaries of the Water Supply Service District. 2. Section 2 ofthe Ordinance provides that if any section, paragraph, clause or provision of the Ordinance is held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, clause or provisions shall not affect any ofthe other provisions ofthe Ordinance. Further, the paragraph headings in the Ordinance are furnished for convenience ofreference only and are not considered a part ofthe Ordinance. 3. The third section ofthe ordinance provides that a true copy or a summary of the Ordinance shall be published within thirty (30) days after its adoption and recorded in the Ordinance Book of the Township and such recording authenticated by the signatures ofthe Township Supervisor and Township Clerk. The Ordinance will become effective on January 7,2023. A copy of the Ordinance may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: January 7,2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Mike Brammer, Lorraine Bush, tabled until January meeting. Two alternates possible. Motion to approve Boiler room/ furnace repair. Roll call all yes. 1Bass Absent. Township Budget Workshop, open to public, on Tuesday Janu­ ary 24th at 6:30 pm, township of­ fice. (Changed to Wednesday the 25*h after meeting). Fire Reports - Freeport, Birch, Thomapple. Assessor Report. Cemetery, none. Fire Districting. EMS Needs re­ cruits. Treasurer report: ROI from bank negotiation since April 2022, $159 to November 2022, $12,147 interest income. Auditor recommendations. Motion to pay bills $12,762.66, minus $723.50, legal fees. Motion passed. New Rule/ Procedure of Board Meetings, draft. January meeting discussion. Election Integrity Force/Recount of Proposal 3 held at Alle­ gan County. Objective to look at systems and processes. Irving 100%. Barry County Road Commis­ sion at Irving Township, January 17, at 6:30 pm. Treasurer Extra Office Hours, 9-5, December 29 & February 28. Last day to pay taxes, February 14, 2023. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm. Full minutes are available at www.irvinqtownshiD.org. copies at the Township Hall or by calling 269-948-0633 and request a copy. Prepared by Clerk, Sharon Olson and attested to by Jamie Knight, Township Supervisor. �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 7 2023 Rockets takes off in third for two-goal win over the Scots Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was as tough end in the return from holiday break for the Caledonia varsity hockey team Wednesday. Reeths-Puffer scored three goals in the third period to secure a 6-4 win over the Fighting Scots at Trinity Health Arena in Muskegon. Caledonia built a 3-1 lead in the opening period with even strength goals from Drew Sova, Ty Lewandowski and Emersen Lippert. That first goal, by Sova, came less than half a minute into the contest with assists from Henry Simon and Alex Skibinski. Lippert and Caleb Summerhays also had assists for the Scots in that opening period. Skibinski scored the Scots’ final goal, off an assist from Zach Schneider, three minutes into the second period. Caledonia had a 4-3 lead heading into the third period. Finn White made 19 saves in goal for the Fighting Scots. Isaiah VanNoord had 45 saves at the other end of the ice for the Rockets. Tyler Tindall had three goals and assist to power the Rockets’ attack. Reeths-Puffer also got goals from Carson Harwood, Jaxon Stone and Mason Cregg. Eli Cuti, Avery Freeland, Gavin Pastotnik and Connor Stawski had one assist each. Caledonia is scheduled to be a part of the Walker Mayor’s Cup at Walker Arena this weekend. They were set to open play Friday against Hudsonville and will hit the ice again today, Jan. 7. Game times are set for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Northview and Kenowa Hills were set to meet in Friday’s other tournament opener. Caledonia will be home at Kentwood Ice Arena to face Forest Hills Northern Friday, Jan. 13, and Hudsonville Saturday, Jan. 14. Over the holiday break, the Fighting Scots took part in the Hawkeye Holiday Tournament in Chicago. Caledonia was 0-4 against a group of Illinois teams over the course of the four days in Chicago, Dec. 26-29. The team m fell 3-0 to Providence Catholic, 5-1 to Benet, 5-1 to Stevenson and 6-4 to Maine. Alex Skibinski scored a goal and an assist for the Caledonia varsity hockey team in a 6-4 loss at Reeths-Puffer Wednesday. The Scots are back in action this weekend, Jan. 6-7, at the Walker Mayor’s Cup at Walker Ice and Fitness. (File photo) Hot shooting Hawkeyes get ahead of Fighting Scots early Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots would have liked to head into the OK Red Conference season on a high. The big positives will come from the work they did in practice this week prep­ ping for their home game against Hudsonville Jan. 6 to open the conference season. Hamilton snapped a twogame winning streak by the Caledonia varsity girls’ bas­ ketball team with a 49-36 non-conference win in Hamilton Tuesday. “We got off to a really, really tough start against Hamilton,” Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said. The Hawkeyes built a 17-2 lead in the first quarter and had the lead to as many as 19 points - leading 30-11 at the half. Coach Bloemers said overall his girls have been taking better care of the basketball this season, but turnovers piled up during the opening quarter in Hamilton. That combined with hot shooting by the Hawkeyes created too big a hole for the Scots to get out of. The Hawkeyes were 6-of8 from three-point range for the night and knocked down 13-of-14 free throws. Caledonia on the other hand struggled to put the ball in the basket. The Scots were 1-of-ll shooting from three and just 9-of-20 at the line. Even with those strug­ gles, the Scots did manage to make things interesting in the second half. They were within five points at 39-34 in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes’ success at the free throw line and mount­ ing fouls against the Scots eventually stymied the comeback. “I am proud of the grit that we showed in the second half to claw our way back, but I think our players and coach­ es would say we just have to do a better job of being con­ sistent in our approach,” Bloemers said. Gracie Gortmaker had 13 points, 7 steals and 4 rebounds for the Fighting Scots. MacKenzie DeVries chipped in 6 points and Teresa Abraham had 5. Kiana Haywood had 4 rebounds. Throwing pressure at the Hawkeyes to get back in the ballgame, the Scots forced 27 turnovers and scored 20 points off those turnovers. They had 30 deflections throughout the night. “There were some positive things that we did. It’s about being consistent,” Bloemers said. “Improving our consisten­ cy and our execution will help us to be more competi­ tive in games like that.” Bloemers was happy with the way his girls practiced this week between the Hamilton contest and Friday’s scheduled OK Red Conference opener against Hudsonville. The Scots will be on the road in the OK Red a couple times in the week ahead. They travel to Grandville Tuesday, Jan. 10, and Grand Haven Friday, Jan. 13. every step We've designed a that puts you first-every step of the way spectrumhealth.org/everystep Spectrum Health � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-01-14.pdf db859904ca5222966a35be885fd99669 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 2/ January 14,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. * 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Thornapple Twp. approves spending $75,000 toward acquiring land for trail expansion Greg Chandler Staff Writer Emmons Lake Elementary School first grader Evelyn Franchetti, 7, poses with her teacher, Katie Closson, in front of the Ronald McDonald House In Evelyn Franchetti pulls off a tab a pop can at her Grand Rapids as they donated pop can tabs to the home. nonprofit organization. (Courtesy photos) Emmons Lake first grader leads pop tab collection for Ronald McDonald House Greg Chandler Staff Writer Seven-year-old Evelyn Franchetti brought a tab from a pop can to Emmons Lake Elementary School in Caledonia Township one morning last fall. Evelyn asked her first grade teacher, Katie Closson, to be able to share the story about the tab as part of her class’s daily “good news” report where kids get to share good things in their lives. “She showed the class the pop tab and explained that she and her family were collecting these tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House of West Michigan,” Closson said. “Our class talked about what the Ronald McDonald House is and why collecting pop tabs helps their organization.” Evelyn’s presentation and the subsequent discussion led to the class deciding to start up a collection of pop can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. Closson e-mailed parents to explain that the class wanted to collect tabs from Thanksgiving until the Christmas holiday break. Evelyn’s mother, Dawn Franchetti, explained that her daughter belongs to a non­ profit group called Tiny Superheroes, which “sup­ ports kids with disabilities with encouraging and uplift­ ing messages. They put out monthly missions that help the kids spread awareness of goals each month.” The response from Evelyn’s classmates was remarkable. “We had a goal of filling up a container to begin with, but soon there were multiple bags and several containers,” Closson said. During the break, Evelyn, her mother and Closson went to the Ronald McDonald House to turn in their donation. “They were very thankful for the donation,” Closson said. According to the Ronald McDonald House website, it takes about 1,128 pop tabs to equal one pound. The organi­ zation typically receives between 40-50 cents per A gap in the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail north of the village of Middleville will soon be narrowing, as Thornapple Township is about to close on two proper­ ties that will allow for the trail to be extended. The township board Monday unanimously approved spending up to $75,000 for closing costs on two properties along the Thornapple River one extending about a half-mile north from Crane Road at the village’s northern limits, along the river’s eastern edge, with the other extending south from Stimson Road, north of Parmalee Road, to Garbow Road. “We’re missing about a half-mile (in between the two properties), and we’d be completely connected,” Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. The township is expected to close on the two properties Jan. 25, Schaefer said. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has approved $153,000 in grant funding for the land acquisi­ tion for the trail, Schaefer said. The township had set aside more than $132,000 in its bud­ get for closing costs of acquir­ ing land for the trail. To date, however, it has not been able to acquire property that See TRAIL EXPANSION, page 2 See EMMONS LAKE, page 3 Bids awarded for Thornapple Kellogg High School renovation work Greg Chandler Staff Writer Thornapple Kellogg High School will soon be getting a makeover that includes a cafeteria expansion, the addition of air conditioning to the school’s main gymna­ sium, and removal ofasbes­ tos and reconstruction of the roof at its pool. The district’s Board of Education Monday autho­ rized its construction man­ ager, Grand Rapids-based Owen-Ames-Kimball, to award letters of intent to contractors and suppliers for more than $6.38 million of renovation work at the high school, to be paid for out of the $42.8 million bond issue that TK voters approved in November 2020. In a separate action, the board approved awarding the contract for asbestos abatement above the ceiling of the high school pool to Abatement & Demolition Services of Mulliken, in the amount of no more than $669,645, with funding from bond proceeds. Owen-Ames-Kimball project manager Bob Byrne told the school board that when the bids for the reno­ vation work were all added up, they came in nearly $1 million under budget. See RENOVAT/ONIVORK, page 2 A map of the Thornapple Trail in Thornapple Township. The segments marked in black are the ones the township is acquiring. (Image provided) • Pipe burst causes damage at new TK Early Childhood Center • State Rep. Rigas snubbed from serving on House committees • Miller caps Trojan win over Wayland with pin in final bout • CHS boys, find answers on both ends to score first OK Red win Project manager Bob Byrne of Owen-Ames-Kimball goes over results of bids for the Thornapple Kellogg High School renovation project at Monday’s TK Board of Education meeting. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • Defense leads to offense for CHS girls as they win at Grandville �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023 RENOVATION WORK, continued from page 1 “Everybody that I talked to, all their bids were quali­ fied and are legitimate bids,” Byrne said. Most of the contractors that will work on the high school have been involved in other projects tied to the November 2020 bond issue, including work at the high school and the district’s three elementary buildings, Byrne said. “All these contractors, with the exception of a few new players, are familiar with us ... We do have very good contractor participa­ tion on this job,” he said. “We’re very comfortable with that.” Air conditioning will be added to all remaining classrooms at TKHS that do not currently have air con­ ditioning as part of the ren­ ovation. In addition, mechanical upgrades will be made to the pool, which has not been in use since March 2020, TK Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. The bids include alter­ nates that were not part of the base bid. They include the addition of two 40-ton air-cooled condensing units that will be installed on the roof of the main gymnasium, fans in the auxiliary gym, replacing flooring with carpeting in one classroom, and demo- $60,030. Polished Concrete Finishing: Burgess Concrete Construction Inc. (Moline), $50,700. — Doors, Frames & Hardware: S.A. Morman & Company (Grand Rapids), $45,510. -Fire Protection: Brigade Fire Protection Inc. (Belmont), $24,530. - Overhead Coiling Doors: Bareman & Associates (Jenison), $22,205. - Lockers: rainard Enterprise (Rockford), $18,900. Commissioning: FISECx LLC (Lowell), $14,400. Earlier bids were award­ ed to FCC Construction of Caledonia for metals and Trane US for mechanical equipment. One area of cost savings for the district will involve transferring two boilers from the district’s Learning Center building, which is slated to be tom down, to the high school. “They still have a lot of useful life,” LaHaie said. The boilers were pur­ chased in 2017, LaHaie said. The scope ofthe asbestos work on the pool roof is described as “extensive, as it will require the complete removal of steel beams, a lition of several existing classrooms so that a “team room” can be built, LaHaie said. DHE Plumbing and Mechanical of Grandville was the largest of the con­ tractor bids, as they will handle mechanical work, including installation of the new air conditioning units in the main gym. DHE submitted a bid of $2,918,000 for that line item. Other contractors and their bid amounts were: . Electrical: Buist Electric (Byron Center), $695,400. - General ades: IntegraCore Constructors (Grand Rapids), $403,700. - Masonry: Burggrabe Masonry Inc. (Belding), $349,860. - LPDA: oenix Interiors LLC (Grand Rapids), $152,800. - Roofing: C&I Building Maintenance (Sparta), $115,860. - Metal Wall Panels: Versatile Roofing Systems (Grant), $92,500. - Painting: Halligan Painting Inc. (Walker), $82,460. - Flooring: River City Flooring (Hudsonville), $79,275. - Aluminum, Glass & Glazing: Lakeshore Glass & Metals (Zeeland), M includes a railroad trestle over the Thomapple River that would connect the two seg­ ments that are being acquired. “The property owner loves that property, and I get it,” Schaefer said. “The trail game’s the long game, and we’re willing to wait.” I LI V 40 years of experience aynard * WATER CONDITIONING SALES • SERVICE • Thornapple Kellogg Schools Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie talks about the asbes­ tos removal project at the high school pool at Monday’s school board meeting. well as the demolition of the Learning Center, which was originally built in 1938 as the high school. About $2.5 million of funding from the bond remains for that work. That work is expected to be completed in the 2023-24 school year, LaHaie said. TRAIL EXPANSION, continued from page 1 Be "SENSIBLE" aboutyour water! IIL significant amount of masonry, and all other materials containing asbestos in this area,” LaHaie wrote in his presentation to the board. That project was bid out separately, and finding will­ ing bidders was a bit of a challenge, according to LaHaie. “There were a few bid­ ders that said, ‘we’re not going to touch this one. We’ve got plenty of work. This is a tough job.’ They weren’t interested,” he said. Bids for the work were opened on Jan. 4, two weeks later than the bids on the renovation work. Two com­ panies submitted bids, LaHaie said. “(The bids came) in a little bit higher than we wanted, but in speakin g with the person who helped us put together the (request for proposals) ... he said, honestly, he could see this going up to a million dollars,” LaHaie said. “When I heard that, the price tag of $669,645 ... seemed like a bar­ gain.” Work on the asbestos removal will take place this spring and summer, LaHaie said. The last portion of the bond issue involves park­ ing and paving work, as RENTALS RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL When complete, the Paul Railroad, which was built in Henry Thomapple Trail will the late 1860s and operated run 42 miles across three through 1983. The northern­ counties, from Grand Rapids most portion of the trail cur­ in Kent County to rently ends at Stimson Road, Vermontville in Eaton just south of 108th Street. County. The trail roughly “We’re a lot closer (to follows the original route of completing the trail) than we the Grand River Valley were,” Schaefer said. Thomapple Kellogg board officers, committee assignments set SERVICING ALL MAKES ANO MODELS Greg Chandler Rid your water ofsulfur and iron odors with an Iron Curtain System. Eliminate: • Sulfur odors • Iron staining Stop in for your free StaffWriter The Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education elected its officers for 2023 at Monday’s board meeting. Matt Powers will stay on as president for the second straight year. Krissy Hooson was elected vice president, David Smith will remain treasurer and Anne Hamming will stay on as secretary. Assignments to board committees were also hand­ ed out Monday night. Derrick Brock, one of the three new TK board members, will chair the Finance Committee. He’ll be joined by Brenda Hess and Tyler Wenger, with Hooson as the alternate. The remaining committee assignments are, as follows: Construction Committee: Smith (chair), Brock and Wenger (Hess as alternate). Personnel Committee: Hooson (chair), Powers and Smith (Brock as alternate). School Improvement/ Professional Development Committee: Hamming, Hess (Wenger as alternate). Policy Committee: Hamming (chair), Hess and Smith (Powers as alternate). Legislative Advocacy Committee: Powers (chair), Brock, Wenger (Smith as alternate). Reproductive Health Committee: Hooson (chair), Powers (Hamming at alter­ nate). Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission: Hamming. water test! If your water and laundry don't smell or look as clean as you would like... Call Us Today! Authorized PRO’S PICK* Dealer 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 4931 On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pm < / • Iz W iZ IZ WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITION1NG.COM Front row, from left: Brenda Hess, Anne Hamming, Krissy Hooson; Back row: Derrick Brock, Tyler Wenger, Matt Powers, David Smith. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023/ Page 3 A photo of the Early Childhood Center as it was completed over the summer. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Pictured from left to right are Firefighter McKenna Preslar, Capt. Chad Klutman, Firefighter Mike Powell, and Chief Bill Richardson. (Photo by Lindsay Preslar) Thornapple Township Emergency Services issues year-end awards Greg Chandler Staff Writer Thomapple Township Emergency Services has announced its awards for the past year. At Monday’s Township Thornapple board meeting, TTES Chief Bill Richardson rec­ ognized Firefighter Mike Powell as the department’s Firefighter of the Year. Capt. Chad Klutman was named Officer of the Year and Firefighter McKenna Preslar was named Rookie of the Year. Powell was honored for his outstanding customer service, drive to make the organization better through training recruits, and going above and beyond the call of duty, Richardson said. “Mike is the guy who is always willing to step up and help train the recruits,” Richardson told the board. “He’s in para­ medic school right now and still encourages young firefighters to come in and go through the engines. He’s pas­ sionate about it. We appreciate everything Mike does.” Powell started with TTES as a paid on-call firefighter and emergency medical technician and became a full-time firefighter/EMT last year, Township Treasurer Deb Buckowing said. Klutman, a 20-year veteran ofTTES, received the Officer of the Year award for his outstanding service to the community and going above and beyond the call of duty. He has the second-longest tenure of any member of the TTES department, Richardson said. “He’s been a real asset for me, understanding where things have come from and why things are happening,” the chief said. “The institutional knowledge he has, has been incredible.” Preslar, a paid on-call firefighter, received the Rookie of the Year award for her dedication to the department and willingness to serve, paired with her dedication to public service. Richardson specifically recognized her for organizing last fall’s TTES open house. “She pretty much ran the open house for us. She got it all set up,” Richardson said. A third-generation firefighter, Preslar is currently attending EMT school and will take her practical test at the end of the month, Buckowing said. Richardson asked TTES members to nominate candidates for the awards based on their dedication, service and impact to the department. He said the three were overwhelmingly chosen by their peers for the awards. Water pipe burst at new TK Early Childhood Center on Christmas Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thornapple Kellogg Schools got an unpleasant surprise during the holiday break. A water pipe burst in the main entryway of the dis­ trict’s Early Childhood Center on Christmas Day, Superintendent Craig McCarthy said at Monday’s school board meeting. “We ended up with water pouring into the building,” McCarthy said. “Luckily, it was from the fire sup­ pression system, which alerted the fire department. They came out (to respond).” About 250 gallons of water was extracted from the carpet in the board room, near the front entrance, where the Board of Education typically meets. “This is the only quantity of water we were made aware of during the cleanup process,” McCarthy said. No damage to the carpet or drywall was reported. Modernistic Carpet Cleaning & Restoration came in to clean up the mess. “The water was extract­ ed off from the floors in the office, boardroom, and the first two classrooms, and then dehumidifiers were placed in the building for several days,” McCarthy said. “Finally, the carpets were all cleaned, and the building was ready for students to return. The only damage was to the ceiling tile in the entryway.” Damage from the pipe burst is estimated at between $33,000 to $35,000, McCarthy said. The Early Childhood Center, which opened in late August 2022, serves as the home for the TK district’s preschool pro­ gram, the Great Start Readiness Program, early childhood special educa­ tion and child care pro­ gram. THE HOTTEST STARS Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR EMMONS LAKE, continued from page 1 pound of pop tabs. In addition to the pop tabs that were collected, the Franchettis turned in $43 worth of pop cans from a neighborhood collection and donated the funds to the Ronald McDonald House, Dawn Franchetti said. While the Ronald McDonald House benefits from the class’s donation, the students in Closson’s class learn a valuable lesson in generosity. “Evelyn has such a sweet and caring heart for others,” Closson said. To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House’s pop tab program, visit rmhccoastalempire.org/get-involved/pop-tabs/. To learn more about Tiny Superheroes and their mission, go to tinysuperheroes.com. I-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com The collection required a couple of containers and several large bags. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023 YS board approves 5-year parks plan, despite resident objections Greg Chandler StaffWriter Despite objections from some residents who felt there wasn’t enough public input, the Yankee Springs Township board Thursday unanimously approved a five-year parks and recre­ ation plan. The 56-page document, which was put together by a six-member township committee in conjunction with the consulting firm Williams & Works, is meant to serve as a plan­ ning document for the township through the 2027­ 28 fiscal year. It lists desired projects for the township for each of the next five years, but does not assign any funding to them. “The purpose (of putting together the plan) was to be able to apply for grants and to have something for plan­ ning,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. “No projects are actually approved with this plan. This is just a planning tool. The board would have to approve any project indi­ vidually based on its merits and how it balances with other needs. This is a long­ term list.” The plan was put togeth­ er using input gathered through an online commu­ nity survey that was con­ ducted in June and July of last year that received 277 responses, 227 from Yankee Springs Township residents. The survey identified pro­ viding opportunities to enjoy nature and the out­ doors, improving health and wellness, and providing athletic opportunities as the benefits that were most important to respondents, according to the plan docu­ ment. In addition to the survey, three focus groups met in September 2022 to offer opinions and ideas for the plan. But at Thursday’s public hearing, no one spoke out in favor ofthe plan, while five residents opposed its adop­ tion. Township resident Pat Jamison questioned wheth­ er the online survey accu­ rately reflected the views of township residents, noting that the 277 respondents represent about 5 percent of Yankee Springs’ popula­ tion. “Forty-nine respondents didn’t even live in Yankee Springs out of the 277. I personally took (the survey) about 15 times. So your data is very skewed here,” Jamison said. “Why is the first thing that you want to do is add more pickleball courts? Curley Cone just put up a bunch ofpickleball courts. So why are we going to spend township money on more pickleball courts? It’s the number one thing on there.” The plan recommends the addition of two to four pickleball courts at the township park in 2023-24. Other improvements identi­ fied for the first year of the also spoke about what she saw as the low response to the survey and questioned its adoption given the cur­ rent economic situation in the country. She called the plan “aggressive.” “It seems there has been an agenda by certain groups and officials in our area to focus largely on parks, and we do not believe it rep­ The purpose (ofputting together the plan) was to be able to apply for grants and to have something for planning. No projects are actually approved with this plan. This is just a planning tool.” — Yankee Springs Township Clerk Mike Cunningham plan include expanding the basketball court at the park to full-court size, making upgrades to meet the Americans With Disabilities Act, resurfacing the walk­ ing trail loop at the park and exploring potential routes for trails connecting the township park to the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area. “I would like you guys to throw this plan right in the garbage and start over, please,” Jamison added. Resident Rebecca Badge resents the taxpayers’ prior­ ities at this time,” Badge said. Badge added the plan will result in additional maintenance and staffing costs to township taxpay­ ers. Mark Tierney asked that the board postpone approv­ al of the parks plan for at least six months. “Reassess the situation in the summer, see how the economic situation is unfolding,” Tierney said. “I understand that individual projects will be addressed (separately), but we have to see how things are going to unfold over the next six months, and even 12 months.” Other proposed improve­ ments listed in the park plan include: — Fiscal year 2024-25: Installing an additional pavilion or picnic shelter at the township park, building maintenance/storage a building at the park and building a pad and screen­ ing for a port-a-john at the park. - Fiscal year 2025-26: Acquire additional park property. - Fiscal year 2026-27: Establish a non-motorized trail between the township park and Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and establish a dog park at either the township park or other future park property. - Fiscal year 2027-28: Build a permanent bath­ room facility at the township park. Township Trustee Dave VanHouten expressed appreciation for the resi­ dents who gave their opin­ ions during the public hear­ ing. “I think it was real nice to finally have some resi­ dents that came in and express their opinion on baptist alaskal (church 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-YouthGroup 6:00 PM - Adult Bible Study committed followers ofJesus Christ who will Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Middleville Sunday Service 10:30 AM 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: //goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY CHURCH Church: (269) 795-2391 111 Church St MIDDLEVILLE: 1664M-37 Worship Services: LEARN MORE! 616-217-2161 Pastor Tony Shumaker @thejchurch Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 10:30 AM thejchurch.com 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethddist Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Middleville United Methodist Church Office: (269)795-9266 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship HOLY FAMILY Good Shepherd catholic church Lutheran Church ^/9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Mi 49316 comerstonemi.org/weekend Caledonia United Methodist Church Serving — Strengthening ~ Connecting reach ourcommunity with the Gospel comerstonechurch this park plan,” VanHouten said. “We advertise in the paper for people to join the committee. It’s difficult to get people to join a commit­ tee, so some people step up. Now we have public meet­ ings and we don’t get enough people that show up. Somehow we have to improve our communica­ tion with the residents. I heard a comment about taxes. We’ve been here (as a board) two years - no tax increase. We don’t have any plans for a tax increase to do this. I think we are clos­ er together than what it might appear.” The Parks Parks and Recreation Committee was chaired byy Sandy Marcukaitis. Also on the committee were Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis, Catherine Getty, Deb Tomko, Kaye Evans and Chuck Schira, according to the plan document. The township approved contracting with Williams & Works for the plan devel­ opment last year at a cost of $11,400. So far, the town­ ship has paid the firm $10,722, Cunningham said. The parks and recreation plan can be found online at yankeespringstwp.org or at the township offices, 284 N. Briggs Rd., during busi­ ness hours. 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 www.umcmiddleville.org www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com Sunday School 9:30 : AM Sunday Worship 10:30 10:30AM AM 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm jr ; Watch our services from our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship.................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14, 2023/ Page 5 Criminal complaints, traffic crashes increase in Middleville in ’22, per sheriff’s department statistics Greg Chandler StaffWriter While the Middleville unit ofthe Barry County Sheriff’s Office handled about the same number of incidents in 2022 as the year before, offi­ cers from the unit saw a 30 percent increase in the num­ ber of criminal complaints and a 42 percent spike in the number oftraffic accidents it handled, according to a year- to-year analysis of depart­ ment records. According to the unit’s annual report, presented at Tuesday’s Middleville Village Council meeting by Sgt. Scott Ware, officers from the unit handled 1,034 calls for the year. In 2021, the department handled 1,033 incidents, according to department records. But the number of crimi­ nal complaints handled by the unit increased from 173 in 2021 to 225 in 2022, department records show. The Middleville unit of the sheriff’s department has its offices at Village Hall and operates under a contract with the village. Increases were noted in several categories during 2022. Officers responded to 49 complaints of assault and domestic violence during the year, up from 42 in 2021. Incidents of larceny and fraud rose from 28 in 2021 to 33 in 2022. Complaints of malicious destruction of property jumped from nine to 24, according to depart­ ment records. Other increases were seen in incidents of obstructing justice, from seven in 2021 to 17 last year, and operating while intoxicated, from five in 2021 to 10 in 2022, depart­ ment records show. Decreases were noted in complaints of criminal sexu­ al conduct, from 15 in 2021 to 12 in 2022, and breaking and entering from seven to six, according to department records. The sheriff’s unit handled 70 traffic crashes last year, up from 49 the year before. Five of the accidents last year resulted in injuries, compared to three in 2021, department records show. Total non-criminal com­ plaints handled by the unit declined by 10 percent for the year, from 812 in 2021 to 738 last year, according to department records. The department made 240 traffic stops for the year and issued 78 citations, Ware said. DeMaagd named president pro tempore in Middleville Greg Chandler StaffWriter One of the new members of the Middleville Village Council was elected by his colleagues as village presi­ dent pro tempore Tuesday night. The council by voice vote approved the motion from Village President Mike Cramer to name Johnny DeMaagd president pro tempore for the rest of this year and next. DeMaagd would preside over council meetings if Cramer were absent in this role. “When I took office, I appointed (longtime Council Trustee) Mike Lytle tempo­ rarily to the position, know­ ing his health would be pre­ ventative for him actually fulfilling the position longterm,” Cramer said. “I want­ ed to make sure that every­ one that was new to the board had a chance to get acclimated to the position and see who would be a best fit.” Lytle missed Tuesday’s meeting because of health-related issues, Cramer said. DeMaagd owns the Left Field Cafe coffee shop in Middleville and Hastings. He is one of four new Middleville council mem­ bers that were elected in November. “Thank you for your vote of confidence. I’m excited to continue working with this great group,” DeMaagd said in council member comments toward the end of Tuesday’s meeting. “I think we have a lot going for us.” Cramer said he had received written correspon­ dence from DeMaagd expressing interest in being president pro tempore. New Council Trustee Makenzi Peters also expressed inter­ est in the position, Cramer said. “I talked to Makenzi, I talked to Johnny and I talk­ ed to Mike Lytle. I feel like Johnny would be the best fit,” the president said. Trustee Ann Williams endorsed DeMaagd’s appointment. “Johnny has some great experience on the Pictured is the newly-seated Middleville Village Council, which met for the first time on Nov. 22. DeMaagd is seated at the far right. (File photo by James Gemmell) (Downtown Development Authority board), and I think he’d be great for the pro tem position,” Williams said. In other business Tuesday, Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg told the council that the village has received a drinking water assessment management grant of $165,375 from the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) that will be used to hire contractors to identify all lead line connections within the village. Stolsonburg plans to present further details on how that grant funding will be spent at the next Village Council meeting Jan. 24. The village had originally allocated $181,861 from the first round of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act toward the lead line assessment. The state grant will now free up those ARPA funds to be used elsewhere, Stolsonburg said. “I’m working with the treasurer and with Alec (Belson, Department of Public Works director) on some different options. I’m thinking about, with coun­ cil permission, setting up some funds specifically dedicated for those lead line replacements,” Stolsonburg said. Belson updated the coun­ cil on two street reconstruc­ tion projects that are planned for later this year. Third Street will be rebuilt, and so will Dearborn Street from Larkin Street to Russell Street. The Third Street project calls for a new water main, sewer main and storm main, as well as a widened road “it used to be a dead end,” Belson said - new curb, and sidewalk on both sides of the street. The Dearborn Middleville resident and owner of Left Field Coffee Street project calls for a Shop Johnny DeMaagd was recently named village new water main, new curb president pro tempore. (Courtesy photo) and culvert for the creek that runs under the street, that not only we have a con­ the past, he said. “For us, it wasn’t a really near Spring Park, Belson tract for any future employ­ ees, but a clear line of over­ viable option at the time said. Both projects are in the sight,” Cramer said. “It’s because it required a full­ preliminary planning stages hard to be an effective time Main Street coordina­ and have not yet gone out to employee when you don’t tor,” Cramer said. “If the bid. Belson has tentatively understand the expectations, option is there, we can estimated the Third Street the job description. We combine that occupation project cost at about don’t have a job description. (with the DDA director “I think we got really position). It might be more $600,000 and the Dearborn Street project at $450,000- lucky with the DDA coordi­ of a resource at that point, nator that we had, and I and it would probably help $500,000. “It’s going to eat up a lot thank Katherine for her ser­ us pursue a couple of extra of our local street money, vice to the community. She grants.” Cramer said that with along with the sidewalk did an amazing job, espe­ money (that’s been) set cially given the circum­ limited available real estate in the downtown area for stances.” aside,” Belson said. Cramer brought up the development, the village Toward the end of the meeting, Cramer addressed possibility of the village may want to encourage the now-vacant DDA direc­ applying to become part of upward development. “In my experience in tor position, left vacant by the Main Street program, a the resignation last week of program that provides other communities, when assistance to downtown development stops going Katherine Bussard. “Moving forward, we areas. The village had out, it starts going up,” he definitely need to make sure looked into the program in said. FWWWWVWWWWWW’MI • Quilt Prints 108" Wide |l Flannel-For cozy PJs, Afghans, Baby Quilts Join us for a special worship service on Sunday, January 22 5:00-6:00 Pm 1 Caledonia Christian Reformed Church Winter Fleece 9957 Cherry Valley Ave. SE | Caledonia, Ml 49316 Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station - Nursery will be available - ANCTITY QUESTIONS: ASK US- 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm of human life SUNDAY January 22, 2023 We gather to celebrate the value ofeach and every human life and remember the loss ofmore than 62 million unborn children since 1973. ---- ec Sponsored by Caledonia I Middleville Area Right to Life www.calmidrtl.com �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023 Barry County residents disapprove of eliminating prayer from county board meetings Some of the equipment that was removed from the old office space at Yankee Springs Township Hall and will be relocated in the newly-built offices this week­ end. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Yankee Springs moving into new offices at township hall Greg Chandler Staffwriter It’s moving day at the Yankee Springs Township Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS— • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED C tSaint' f\ 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-U2 to 6 years, (We will assist with toilet training) WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION iulie@stpaulcaledonia.org Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 Hall, as the ongoing hall expansion and renovation project is entering a new phase. Township employees and Corrigan Movers are expect­ ed today to move all of the township’s furniture and office equipment into the new offices that have just been built during construc­ tion ofthe 1,700-square-foot addition to the township hall. “The plan is to be open for business Monday morning,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said at Thursday’s board meeting. The old offices and the meeting room portion of the hall will be emptied out this weekend so that Mugen Construction, the project contractor, can begin renova­ tion work on that section. “We move right from one project into the next,” Cunningham said. The new offices have been inspected, and the township has an occupancy permit to move in. A temporary main entry door has been installed because the permanent entry door has not yet arrived, Cunningham said. The renovation work on the old offices and meeting room is expected to be com­ pleted by May, Cunningham said. Thursday’s board meeting was the last township meet­ ing to be held at the township hall until the project is com­ pleted. Until then, all meet­ ings of the township board, planning commission and zoning board of appeals will take place at Gun Lake Community Church, 12200 M-179 Hwy. Jayson Bussa Editor One week after a Barry County commissioner float­ ed the idea of eliminating the invocation or prayer before its public meetings, the public continued to show up and clap back at the sug­ gestion. A handful of Barry County residents took to the podium during the public comment portion of Tuesday morn­ ing’s county board meeting to target Commissioner Mark Doster’s idea of eliminating the invocation to maintain appropriate separation of church and state. Doster, who held a seat on the county board decades ago, has only been back on the job since the beginning of the month when he, along with four new faces, joined the board. Mike Bremer, former Township Thornapple supervisor and county com­ missioner, was one to speak. He read through a prayer that was recited by the nation’s founding fathers back in 1774 before highlighting the importance of keeping the invocation before meetings. “This is the kind of sepa­ ration today’s leaders need - separation from worldly advice and reliance on heav­ enly guidance,” Bremer said after reading the prayer. “It’s too late to turn our nation around despite the daily prayers of the Senate chaplain,” he continued. “But we can still do the right thing in Barry County. The separation of church and state does not mean abandoning God. Please continue to open your meetings with prayer for guidance and inspiration.” Eliminating the invoca­ tion was one of many poten­ tial county board rule chang­ es that Doster proposed. He also lobbied to change the time of the weekly meetings, pushing it an hour “We the people are your employers,” Twitchell said. “You work for us.” “As your employer, I find it very offensive for an employee on his first day to ask for a pay raise and tell me he wants to change when he wants to show up for work,” she continued. “I also find it offensive when people use God’s holy scrip­ ture out of context, stating “We the people are your employers. You work for us.” — Cindy Twitchell, Prairieville Township resident later, and he also wanted to revisit the commission’s policy on per diem, which would mean a potential pay raise for commissioners. Doster was also one com­ missioner to bat around the idea of eliminating one of the two public comment portions of meetings to streamline them. However, doing all this on day one of his term appears to have ruffled a few feathers. A woman that identified herself as Cindy Twitchell of Prairieville Township, an area represented by Doster, was another one of the pub­ lic commenters that hit back at the suggested rules chang­ es. She, too, cited the history of the country’s forefathers as she waded through the nuances of constitutional history. their religious accomplishments to prove a point.” In the second period of public comment, Twitchell returned with another request. “I am asking that Commissioner Doster humbly publicly apologize for his ill-informed and mis­ leading comment regarding the intent of our forefathers and the constitution and sep­ aration of church and state and his ill timing of asking for a pay raise and changing the time to meet to fit his schedule.” Doster was allowed to respond during the Commissioners Comments portion of the meeting, and he kept it brief. “I appreciate the public comments and I’ll consider them and think about them,” Doster said. Barry County Commissioner Mark Doster is seen here being sworn into office on Tuesday, Jan. 3. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14, 2023/ Page 7 Cornerstone Church to host donation site in response to blood shortage emergency James Gemmell Contributing Writer Cornerstone Church in Gaines Township is opening its campus as a donation site January 29 in response to an emergency appeal for blood donations. Versiti Blood said there was a major decline in dona­ tions during the holiday sea­ son, and the downward trend has continued. It is pleading with the community to make an appointment to donate blood as soon as possible. “As we welcome the new year, we are seeing an uptick in emergency room visits and trauma patients requiring mass blood transfusions, decimating the blood sup­ ply,” Versiti Blood Center Dr. Dan Waxman said. He is vice president of transfusion medicine and senior medical director there. The blood drive at Cornerstone will run from 8 member to do the same,” Waxman said. All blood types are need­ ed, with types O-positive and O-negative most in demand. O-positive is the most com­ mon blood type, while O-negative blood is the uni­ versal type that can be received safely by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is unknown. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligi- bility requirements can donate. Parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date. To schedule an appoint­ ment to donate blood, visit comerstonemi.org/events or visit versiti.org. Other local donor center locations: Grand Rapids — 1036 Fuller NE; Grandville - 3140 Wilson SW. Middleville TOPS 546 Gun Lake area church hosting blood drive Saints Cyril and Methodius Church near Gun Lake will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24. Versiti Blood Center will be the service pro­ vider. The church is at 159 131st Avenue, Wayland, a mile west of the county line at Cobb Lake Road. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weigh a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is at the northeast coiner of 84th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue. The address is 1675 84th St. SE. Donations will be taking place on two pink mobile units that will be parked in the church’s east lot “Available blood across the state is dangerously low, and we are asking those who are able to make an appoint­ ment to donate today and to encourage a friend or family more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is only time. In return, donors leave knowing they have helped sustain someone’s life. While all types of blood are needed, Type O blood, especially, is rou­ tinely in short supply and in high demand by hospi­ tals. As an added bonus, Versiti is giving limit­ ed-edition beanies to anyone who donates blood while supplies last. Questions may be directed to Versiti blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD or, 269-792-3543,; Appointments are pre­ ferred and may be made at donate.mivchigan.versiti.org, but walk-ins are welcomed. FIRST BAPTIST Middleville of YoYoTricks.com Friday, January 20th 7:00pm You're Invited to First Baptist Church of Middleville for a fun free event for all ages watching The King's Yomen perform many of their pro yo-yo tricks with a Gospel presentation followed by an ice cream party downstairs! First Baptist Church 5215 N. M-37 HWY - FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET The Jan. 7 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Two fish jumped into the fish­ bowl. Chris read the email from Kim. She welcomed in 2023. TOPS is in its 75th year this year. To celebrate, the chapter has been asked to join in the “Shine Like a Diamond” chapter chal- lenge. Linda received a charm for achieving her half­ way point to reaching her goal. Virginia lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup- port group, meets every Saturday Lincoln at Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed imme­ diately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908­ 3731. The first meeting is free. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Are you ready to 'unretire'? Have you recently retired former employer, you might but are now thinking of want to see ifyou could go going back to work? If so, back on a part-time basis. you aren’t alone, as many Or you could use your skills people are choosing to to join the “gig” economy “unretire.” But if you do by doing some consulting or reenter the workforce in freelance work in your for­ some capacity, what oppor­ mer industry. You might tunities might be available also consider going to work to you? And how will your for a nonprofit organization, renewed employment affect as many ofthese groups lost your financial outlook? employees during the height For starters, though, what ofthe COVID-19 pandemic reasons might motivate you and are now facing labor to go back to work? For shortages. Going back to work, even many people, the primary cause has been inflation, part time, can improve your which has presented a huge cash flow, which helps cov­ challenge to retirees living er the cost ofregular expens­ on a fixed income. In addi­ es. Furthermore, the added tion, the volatile financial income can possibly help market of 2022 caused you delay or reduce with­ many people’s investment drawals from your invest­ portfolios to decline in val­ ment accounts. And it’s ue — a real problem for important to increase the retirees who needed to start longevity of these accounts selling investments to sup­ considering you may spend plement their income. two, or even three, decades But non-financial factors in retirement. (Once you could also be driving you to turn 72, however, you will unretire. Like other retirees, have to start withdrawing you may miss the chance to certain amounts from your use your work experience to 401(k) and traditional IRA.) engage with the world, and But your darnings can affect you may miss the social another source of your interactions, as well. retirement income — your In any case, if you do Social Security benefits. decide to rejoin the working If you return to work world in some fashion, you before your “full” retire­ may have several options. ment age, which is likely For example, if you enjoyed between 66 and 67, the the work you did for your Social Security earnings limit in 2023 is $21,240. For each $2 earned over that amount, Social Security will deduct $1 from benefits. If you reach your full retire­ ment age in 2023, the earn­ ings limit is $56,520; Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefits for each $3 earned over this amount until the month you turn your full retirement age. But in all future years after you’ve reached your frill retirement age, you can earn as much as you want with­ out losing any benefits. Social Security will then recalculate your payments to give you credit for the months your benefits were reduced or withheld due to your excess earnings. Be aware, though, that your earned income can poten­ tially result in higher taxes on your Social Security ben­ efits at any age. Returning to work can be rewarding, both financially and emotionally. And you may get more out of the experience when you’re aware of the issues involved. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use by your local Edward Jones FinancialAdvisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14, 2023 Gaines Township Board adopts parks and trails master plan James Gemmell Contributing Writer A few tweaks need to be made to the new Gaines Township parks and trails master plan, but the township board adopted the frame* work for the five-year plan at its monthly meeting Monday night. The vote was 6-0 in favor ofa resolution to approve the plan, but to allow for some minor changes and correc­ tions to it by the township planning staff. The plan had to be approved by Monday night to meet a submittal deadline for applying for a Michigan DNR grant. In June, the township board accepted an $8,740 bid from Grand Rapids-based architectural firm MCSA Group, Inc. to prepare the Parks & Trails master plan. It is posted on the gainestownship.org website. The parks and trails mas­ ter plan should not be con­ fused with the overall town­ ship master plan that is still being worked on by plan­ ners. The township master plan will be used to guide industrial, residential and commercial develop in Gaines Township over the next 10 to 15 years. More on that later, but regarding the parks and trails master plan, Community Development Director Dan Wells said the board approv­ al means the township staff can submit the plan as a grant application to the DNR. “We would have to apply for grants,” Wells said in an interview after the meeting. “We’ve got a number ofproj­ ects listed in that that are priorities for the township, and We’ll start evaluating which ones are going to be the ones that we will go for (grants).” The township applied for a Spark Grant from the DNR in December. If it receives the full $400,000, Wells said the township would be able to build a pavilion at Prairie Wolf Park and improve the parking lot there. Wells said one priority might be the development of new park space on a town­ ship-owned parcel next to the Byron-Gaines Utility Authority, at 1381 84th St. But first, he will need to find out which DNA grants might be available. “We also have a couple of parcels that (the Michigan of Department Transportation) has owner­ ship ofthat were intended to be used by the township in the long run. They’ve never been turned over to us, but we would like to see some trails put into those. Passive recreation kind oftrails to go hiking, wildlife viewing, that sort ofthing,” Wells said. The two parcels include a nearly 70-acre strip of land near 76th Street and Breton Road, and some land west of Patterson and north of 84th St. “So, they would both need some improvements in terms of small parking lots. And then, the trails themselves would most likely just be wood chip,” Wells said. The president of the MCSA Group that prepared the parks & trails master plan, Tiffany Smith, addressed the township board. Parks and Recreation Committee Chairwoman Dana Lehmann thanked Smith for her work in prepar­ ing the parks & trails master plan. She also said she would support a township effort to secure a Michigan Sparks Grant, which can range from $100,000 to $1 million. The grants are administered by the DNR and support public recreation. But Lehmann said she was surprised recently when she read that the parks and trails master plan would be up for approval in January. “I thought, ‘Whoa! Wait, we have not discussed this yet in parks and trails (com­ mittee),” Lehmann said. Township residents had a chance this past summer to respond to a public input survey about the parks and trails master plan, which is posted on the gainestownship.org website. Lehmann said she reached out to Smith recently to offer some minor adjustments to the plan, based on her discus­ sions with fellow parks and trails committee members. Those include some extrane­ ous language and repetitive digital maps on the township website. Also, she said the grid in the draft plan had an incorrect name for a trail. “We were going to meet and, then, that fell through. And the next thing, I don’t get a lot of response,” Lehmann said. She then accused Wells of not communicating with her on the matter. “You blocked me from speaking with Tiffany and getting this done,” she said. “So, it could all be done tonight. I don’t know. What is my role as Parks & Trails chairman?” Lehmann said changes needed to be done to make the parks and trails master plan the best piece of work for the public. “Had I been cooperatively worked with on this, I think we would have had it solved. This is my job. I’m trying to do my job. So, stonewalling isn’t a really good thing to do when you’re trying to get things done for the public,” Lehmann said. Trustee Kathy Vander Stel is on the parks and recreation committee. She said commit­ tee members only saw a very early draft of the parks and trails master plan. “But after we gave input, we never saw a follow up IMPORTANT! k map of trails in Gaines Township. Planners would like to increase the number of walking and biking trails in response to a public input survey. (From gainestownship.org) draft at all, to see ifwhat we have been editing the docu­ discussed was incorporated,” ment and plan to publish it on the township website she said. Township Supervisor Rob when it is completed. Township Trustee Bob DeWard asked Lehmann if she had sent the proposed Terpstra said the parks and trails master plan documents changes to Wells. “I did not. I wanted to should be done correctly for spend 30 minutes on the publication on the township phone with Tiffany and her website. “If we’re going to move secretary to just buzz through and get it done,” Lehmann this into fundraising, we replied, adding that she did can’t let this happen again,” not have time during the he said. That remark evidently was busy holiday period to email the recommended twe^ks^in in reference to the proposed the master parks plan to The move of the 139-year-old township planner. Gannon Schoolhouse over to The amount of trails, the Prairie Wolf Park so it can names not being included; serve as a museum showcas­ flooding area is under county ing township history. owned facilities within town- Lehmann has said at least $5 ship. There are other things. million may need to be raised Bullet points. The history before a foundation could be section at the end ofthe cur- created and the school rent document should not be moved. in there. It is not publish­ The schoolhouse currently ing-ready yet. There are edits is located at the southeast to be made in that history comer ofKalamazoo Avenue document,” Lehmann said. and 100th Street, and is Smith said the history por­ owned and occupied by tion is “really nice.” trustee Kathy Vander Stel. Lehmann said Linda Vander Stel has offered to Crumbeck with the Gaines donate the historic school­ Historical Society has com­ house to the township and piled a great document, but it pay for it to be moved to the does not have the required park. Under the proposal, the attributions included in it yet. township would spend no Crumbeck and Lehmann money on the project. The Parks and Recreation Committee would establish an Historical Society founda­ tion to pay for management and maintenance of the edu­ cation center. Wells said he will pass along the corrections to the parks and trails master plan as soon as he receives them. As for the overall town­ ship master plan, the board voted 5-1 to send the final draft out to various agencies for consideration and feed­ back over the next 42 days; Trustee Dan Fryling cast the lone no vote. After the public review period, township planners will adjust the mas­ ter plan based on the feed­ back received. It will then be brought to the township board for final consideration and could be adopted by the end ofwinter. A pair of open houses were held last spring to receive public input and fly­ ers were mailed out to resi­ dents and businesses notify­ ing them about the master plan update, which will be the first since 2008. In other business, the township board approved increased application and escrow fees for some plan­ ning and zoning requests. changing. RUUD ••• Get it before the New Prices come out! South Wyoming Campus | 2730 56th St SW, Wyoming, Ml oes wortk 9i ng d.uring the week prevent you from joining a mom’s group? HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. “The company built by We re offering a brand new mom's group that meets the 3rd Saturday of every other month! Bring your kids and join us for a time of connection and conversation. No registration required, just show up! cornerstonemi.org/Women COmerStOnGChurch �The Sun and News, Saturday, January14,2023/ Page 9 Caledonia Republican Angela Rigas snubbed from serving on House committees this year Angela Rigas, a new­ House Democrat speaker. ly-named State On Wednesday, Rigas Representative hailing voted against installing from Caledonia, Rep. Joe Tate as the new announced that she will speaker of the House. On not serve on any House Thursday, Rigas got word committees during the from Speaker Tate that she 2023-24 legislative term. would not be serving on The Republican was held any committees along with out from serving on com­ the two other legislators mittees along with fellow who voted against the new representatives from her speaker. party Matt Maddock and Rigas voted against Mike Hoadley. installing Tate as speaker In a statement, Rigas’ because his agenda does office called the act an not align with the con­ “apparent act of retribu­ cerns and priorities of her tion” after Rigas voted constituents, which stretch against installing the new from the Hastings area beyond Byron Center in District 79. “In a bitter act of retri­ bution mixed in with some cheap political theater, our new House Democrat speaker is attempting to disenfranchise close to 90,000 people across west Michigan,” Rigas said in a statement. “It won’t work. I won’t be silenced and won’t back down. I will continue to fiercely advo­ cate for my constituents.” All three legislators who did not receive com­ mittee assignments, including Rigas, are also State Rep Rachelle Smit opens Lansing office Former Martin Township Clerk and newly elected State Representative Rachelle Smit announced drat her Lansing office is now open and ready to serve her constituents of Michigan 43r^ House District, which includes Yankee Springs Township within its wide geographical area. The district encompasses most of Allegan County, including the cities ofAllegan, Fennville and Wayland, and the ' townships of Allegan, Fillmore, Manilus, Clyde, Overisel, Heath, Valley, Salem, Monterey, Dorr, Hopkins, Watson, Wayland and Martin. It also includes Barry, Yankee, Orangeville, Hope, Prairieville, Johnstown and Assyria townships in Barry County, Bellevue City and Township in Eaton County and part of Jamestown Township in Ottawa County. Rep. Smit invites residents to contact her Lansing office by phone at (517) 373-0615, by email at RachelleSmit@ House.MI.gov, or by address­ ing mail to N-892 Anderson House Office Building, P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909. “It’s an honor to serve my neighbors throughout Allegan, Barry and Eaton counties,” Rep. Smit said in a statement. “They sent me to Lansing to be their voice in the Legislature and hearing their concerns will help me represent them best. I’m proud to call Michigan home, but there’s more we can do to make it an even better place to live, learn, work and raise a family. I am eager to hit the ground running - my staff and I are here to serve!” Rep. Smit will sit on the House Agriculture, Elections, and Insurance and Financial Services committees. The representative will soon announce the schedule for her local office hours, where residents can meet with her in person to discuss con­ cerns about state government, share feedback about proposed policies, and provide ideas for improvements to state law. members of the House Freedom Caucus. “It’s truly ironic that I campaigned to protect people’s intrinsic civil lib­ erties like freedom of speech, only to get quickly silenced after a couple of votes by Democrats who are now completely in charge with running our state. I won’t be intimidat­ ed or scared off. Political games like prohibiting me from serving on commit­ tees only strengthens my resolve.” After House Democrats received criticism for not appointing certain legisla­ tors to any committees, Rep. Rigas was notified late last night that she had been appointed to an obscure housing subcom­ mittee with no clear direc­ tion. Rigas originally asked to be appointed to the House Education Committee. She’s espe­ cially disappointed she won’t have a more direct impact on improving the state’s education system as a whole. Rigas stated that she believes educat­ ing children is essential to Business Services WATERPROOFING, EPOXY PRESSURE INJECTION, con­ cretestopleak, com 269-758-3312. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, lia­ bility & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818­ 7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Cah 269-804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. Pets MINI CAVAPOO PUPPIES for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $400.00 269-223-9194. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- Very cute! 1st shots and de-wormed. Girls $550, boys $475.517-726-0706. Help Wanted BARN HELP WANTED Must have experience with horses. Full and part time positions available with competitive pay. Please call 269-207-4218 or email at zlpowell@yahoo.com if interested. State Rep. Angela Rigas a strong and prosperous economy and society. Community Notice NOTICE OF SELF STOR­ AGE SALE- Please notice Red Dot Storage 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledonia, MI 49316 in­ tends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 2/2/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit num­ bers are as follows: #354; #453; #454. All property is stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Cer­ tain terms and conditions ap­ ply. See manager for details. Rachelle Smit Caledonia Community Schools recognized by state department of education with REWARD status Caledonia Community Schools announced that the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has recog­ nized seven of the eight eligi­ ble CCS schools in the district to receive the designation as a Reward School. Annually MDE ranks schools academically; those that are in the top 5 percent ofthe state are categorized as “Reward.” Reward schools are determined based on the top-to-bottom ranking meth­ odology, which includes data from achievement, improve­ ment and achievement gaps in standardized scores. “Caledonia Community Schools is so proud of all our faculty and staff who work so hard to provide excellent learning environments for 11 students,” Superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools Dr. Dedrick Martin said in a statement. “These accomplishments are the result of a focus on instruc­ tional quality and the strong partnership CCS has created between our families, stu­ dents, staff and community. Our staff works tirelessly to support and prepare all stu­ dents to achieve their best while empowering them with 21st Century Skills to com­ pete in a global environ­ ment.” “CCS is constantly reevalu­ ating to improve district pro­ cesses. Newly focused team organizational goals enable our building leaders to better support one another and have ongoing critical conversa­ tions,” added Dr. Camela Diaz, CCS Director of Secondary Education. “We still have areas to improve on, but our school leadership teams are focused on working with their attendance, behav­ ior and course proficiency data, to develop plans for growth that effectively close Join Pennock's Health and Wellness Center for the month of January for $0! the achievement gap for all students.” At a time when most schools around the state and the country are reporting a decline in student performance due to disruptions caused by the pandemic, the data in Caledonia tells a different story. The district has also made it a priority to reinvest in curriculum materials, resourc­ es and supports over the past five years and the academic performance proficiency results show it is stronger today than ever before. Leadership at CCS stated that it is pleased with the rec­ ognition, but even more excit­ ed that students are growing as learners. Want to check us out? Mondays are FREE for the community all January! Use the fitness floor, enjoy various fitness classes, the hot tub and pool! Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Regular monthly enrollment fee begins Feb. 1. Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023 DNR announces new ‘Free Snowmobiling Weekend Next month, the Weekend is a great oppor­ Michigan Department of tunity for those that hav­ Natural Resources will en’t dusted off their snow­ debut its Free Snowmobiling mobiles to jump on the Weekend, which will allow trails,” said Ron Olson, snowmobilers to operate chief of the DNR Parks their machines over a two- and Recreation Division. day period without the “It’s also a great time for requirement of a snowmo­ out-of-state visitors to bile registration or trail per­ come explore thousands of miles of trails found in the mit. and Lower The dates for the free Upper snowmobiling weekend are Peninsulas. Feb. 11-12. During these weekends, The Michigan Legislature the requirement of a license, approved bills requiring the registration or trail permit DNR to offer the weekend, is suspended, but operators saying it will allow experi­ and anglers must still enced riders to bring along adhere to all regulations friends new to the sport and rules governing these who may get hooked on the activities. More information on experience for a lifetime. Michigan also offers Free snowmobiling in Michigan, ORV and Free Fishing along with trail maps, can weekends each year. be found at Michigan.gov/ SnowmobilingSnowmobiling. “Free Snowmobilers enjoy a trail ride in Gogebic Courtty. (Photo provided) Michigan winters are super cloudy and getting worse. Here’s how to deal. Kelly House Bridge Michigan Five minutes. That’s how much sunshine Grand Rapids experienced over the first eight days of the year, before the glowing orb finally broke through the clouds on Monday. And the city was no anom­ aly: For nearly two weeks, clouds blanketed large swaths of Michigan, occa­ sionally accompanied by rainfall that transformed our winter wonderland into a muddy mess. Cloudy days are the norm in Michigan this time of year/ but the recent string “definitely is extreme, even for this time of year,” said Brandon Hoving, a National Weather Service meteorolo­ gist in Grand Rapids. The good news is Michigan has seen worse. The bad news is gloomy, muddy winters could become increasingly normal in Michigan as climate change chips away at Great Lakes ice cover, strengthening the forces that drive lake effect clouds, rain and snow. “An educated guess would be that with more open water there would be more clouds,” said State Climatologist Jeffrey Andresen. If that bums you out, it may be time to invest in a light therapy lamp, stock up on Vitamin D supplements and consider adopting a morning exercise regimen to combat winter blues. Notoriously dreary win­ ters Cloudy winters are noth­ ing new in Michigan. Detroit consistently ranks among the cloudiest major cities in the U.S., and Michigan counties burn bright red on the federal gov­ ernment map depicting aver­ age annual hours of sunlight. Gray skies so define Michigan winter, Andresen keeps a pre-written response on hand for the calls and emails that come like clock­ work each winter from dis­ couraged recent transplants from sunnier states. As a general rule, the fur­ ther northward you move in the Northern Hemisphere, the greater the chance of cloudy days. But Michigan winters can be abnormally dreary even compared to places on a similar latitude. Blame the Great Lakes. When an icy wind sweeps over the vast lakes’ warmer open waters, it picks up mois­ ture to form the clouds that cause Michigan’s trademark lake effect snow and rain. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 NDITIONING, INC. H ATING & AIR CONDITIONING 269-792-2234 LENNOX ACCREDITED BUSINESS Does this look familiar? The National Weather Service’s instruments measured just five minutes of sunlight in Grand Rapids over the first eight days of 2023. (Photo by Kelly House) “We’re downwind ofLake Michigan, so we bear the brunt of cloudiness,” Hoving said. As winter wears on, the Great Lakes begin to freeze, trapping more of their sur­ face area beneath a sheet of ice and weakening the lake effect, said Richard Rood, a University of Michigan pro­ fessor who is an expert in weather modeling and co-principal investigator at the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments. But Great Lakes ice cover has been waning over time. This year so far has been a dud, with ice covering just 3.4 percent of the lakes’ sur­ face. That’s well below the average of about 20 percent for early January. Less ice means more opportunities for moisture to evaporate into the atmo­ sphere, he said, “which means we will see more lake effect, whether it’s snow or rain.” Arm yourself with lights and vitamins If the endless cloud cover has you feeling a little blue, you’re in good company. As much as 20 percent of the state’s population suffers from a condition called sea­ sonal affective disorder (SAD), which is linked to insufficient light exposure, said Hanne Hoffmann, a Michigan State University professor who studies how our brains respond to light exposure. Symptoms of the disorder include low mood, lack of energy and increased sleep­ ing and eating, often begin­ ning in the fall and easing up in springtime. “Most of us can relate to how good it feels when the sun comes out,” Hoffmann said. “There’s actually a bio­ logical reason for that.” Our eyes capture sunlight, activating brain neurons that stimulate what Hoffmann calls the “feel-well centers” of the brain while boosting serotonin. Those effects plummet in winter, when Michigan sees fewer hours of daylight, more clouds and dimmer sunshine even on clear days. The summer sun’s intensity can be five times greater than even the sunniest winter days, Hoffmann said. A lack of winter sunlight also cuts into our body’s ability to generate Vitamin D, which helps regulate mood and other body func­ tions. To counteract those effects, Hoffmann recom­ mended taking g vitamin D supplements and investing in a therapy light to combat seasonal affective disorder.. Look for a lamp that doesn’t emit UV light, that emits 10,000 lux (a measure of light intensity), and is at least as big as a sheet of printer paper. The lights help alleviate SAD symptoms in 80 percent of people, Hoffmann said. But they can have unintended consequences for some, including those with clinical depression or diabetes. If you’re concerned about risks, talk to your doctor. Exercise can counteract seasonal blues too, she said. So can social interaction with friends or family. If it’s any consolation, it could be worse. One winter in the late-2000s, Hoving said, the sun didn’t shine for 21 days. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023/ P Page 11 Scots find answers on both ends for first Red win Brett Bremer know I’ve got to get my Sports Editor body into him and force Well the Scots needed to him left all the time. If you make a change keep him out from the close Dawgs were scoringfrom area it’s harder for him to long range make shots.” "Do ya think you can Big improvements on the stop Cameron, do ya? ” offensive end had already Googins told coach helped the Scots claw out of Visser, “yes ” their hole. They cut their Removing the dou­ 13-point deficit down to ble-team worked the best 29-21 by the half, and later In the locker room they a 6-0 run powered by tran­ sang, Hallelujah sition buckets from guards [Chorus] ... Elijah Holt and Ky The Caledonia varsity VanderWoude gave the boys’ basketball team sang Scots their first lead of the ‘Hallelujah’ in the locker game at 40-39 with 1:35 to room after rallying from a go in the third quarter. 13-point first half deficit to Grandville went into the earn its first OK Red fourth quarter up 42-40 Conference victory of the after a three by guard season by a score of 55-46 Quinton Hendrickson. A । over Grandville Tuesday at single three by Heyboer Caledonia High School. with just over a minute to Junior forward Jaiden play would be the only field Googins had a game-high goal by the Bulldogs in the 21 points to lead the fourth quarter as the Scots Fighting Scots, and he also held Grandville to just four played an integral role on points in those final eight the defensive end slowing minutes. down his AAU teammate, Using the vision of an Grandville junior forward all-state quarterback Mason Cameron Regnerus, a bit in McKenzie pulled down a the paint in the fourth quar- defensive rebound and fired ter. Regnerus led a two-handed pass ahead to Grandville with 13 points, Holt who beat everyone but he had 10 of those in down the floor for a lay-up the first half. that knotted the score at The Bulldogs had their 42- 42 a minute into the inside-out game working in fourth quarter. the first half, with Regnerus A free throw by Regnerus and fellow junior forward gave the Bulldogs a brief Corbin Heckman having a 43- 42 lead, but Googins bit of a size advantage and McKenzie attacked the inside. Heckman was the basket for buckets that had other Bulldog in double-fig­ the Scots up 46-43 with ures, finishing with 12 about five and a half minpoints. Sophomore guard utes to play. The score Colin Heyboer added 9 stayed that way until points for Grandville with 3 Googins spun through the three-pointers. paint for a shot that upped Regnerus in the paint Caledonia’s lead to five changes the game, with his with two and a half minutes size on both ends of the left. floor. The Scots had to be Free throw shooting ready to meet him at the sealed the deal for the basket when they tried to Scots. They were 7-of-8 at attack on the offensive end, the line the rest of the way. and throughout the first “We got downhill a lot three quarters they were more often [in the second double-teaming him on the half],” Googins said. “We defensive end. He was man- hit the open shots. aging to score at times and Obviously, we made a lot find open teammates across more shots in the second the paint and on the perim­ half. We didn’t turn the ball eter too. Grandville hit six over as much and we played threes through the first a lot better defense too.” three quarters. Grandville led the game 10-2 after two and a half “I looked at Jaiden, Jaiden knows Cam minutes, prompting a timRegnerus really well, and I eout from Visser. Even said, ‘can you defend him that didn’t get the offense one-on-one, because we righted for a bit. The Scots were just getting killed,” were playing a lot of oneCaledonia head coach Phil on-one basketball on the Visser said. “We were dou- offensive end in the early bling and they were kick- going, and taking tough ing to the weak side, which shots when they did get is what they do, and we near the rim. just couldn’t get there. We Grandville, led 18-10 weren’t X-ing out and cov­ after one quarter. It was ering that next guy out well about 30 seconds into the enough. [Jaiden] said, second quarter when the ‘yeah I’m up for it, let’s Scots recorded their first go.’ assist of the bailgame. They “We stopped the double, had four more assists before kind of stayed a little more the half, none bigger than true to what we usually do one from Googins with half defensively.” a minute to go in that sec“I play against [Regnerus] ond quarter. He kicked the a lot,” Googins said, “so I ball out of the paint to a Caledonia junior forward Jaiden Googins works to get a shot over Grandville junior center Cameron Regnerus in the post during the first half Tuesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) wide open Theren Sanders in the right comer. Sanders drilled a three-pointer from there to cut an 11-point Bulldog lead to 8 at the intermission. “Once we started moving it, we were able to get downhill, kick a little bit, step into a few shots,” Visser said. The Scots’ ball move­ ment continued to be better in the second half. Rather than lunging at the basket and trying to flip shots around Regnerus, the Scots were better as the game progressed at hitting the floor with two feet and moving the ball to open teammates while distract­ ing the Bulldogs’ shot blocker. “If we aren’t moving it we get stagnant,” Visser said. “We stand around and we watch. That’s on me. I’ll take the blame for that in regards to not having them prepared and ready to go. We’ll put a few things in to make sure we move the ball a little bit better to get us rolling early in the game.” Behind Googins, VanderWoude finished with 11 points for Caledonia. Holt had 8, McKenzie 7 and Sanders 5. Caledonia also had senior forward Kaden VanHorn take his turns as a defender in the paint, and he hit a key three-pointer early in the second half. Caledonia is now 1-1 in the OK Red Conference this season. The Scots fell 64-60 in their conference opener Friday against visit­ ing Hudsonville, another ballgame in which the Scots started a bit sluggish and had to fight back to make it a ballgame. The Scots moved to 3-3 overall with the win. They were slated to go on the road to Grand Haven in the conference Friday night, Jan. 13. They will be on the road twice in the OK Red in the week ahead, at West Ottawa Tuesday and at East Kentwood Friday, Jan. 20. The loss dropped Grandville to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the OK Red Conference. The Bulldogs opened conference play with a five-point win at West Ottawa last Friday, Jan. 6. Your local agent insures your Lake Estate 1 Caledonia junior point guard Elijah Holt keeps an eye on Grandville guard Quinton Hendrickson out­ side the three-point arc during the second half of their OK Red Conference contest at Caledonia High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia senior Kaden VanHorn is whistled for a foul as he tries to thwart a shot by Grandville’s Cameron Regnerus above the rim during the second half Tuesday night at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) I J USED PARTS-PICK UPS* ONI TOMS’ VMS • SUVS • JEEPS • 4X4S FULL SERVICES YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 WO FARM BUREAU MB, Mictyatug INSURANCE* !!^^B.. M^^BB..;; MF MF -MF MF . MF MF MF J USED PARTS Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville Wjj*i MF Cofftpajuj, (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com USEDTIRES f^gEO Mzo *«F. fi j l RK ', •.’ �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14, 2023 Bengals start defense of title winning at CERC Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Barry County Barracudas were just ten points behind the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Champions from Ottawa Hills at the conference meet a year ago. Based on the opening con­ ference dual of the season Thursday in Hastings, the Barracudas are still chasing the Bengals in the pool. Ottawa Hills scored a 104­ 76 win over the Barracudas at the Community Education and Recreation Center pool in Hastings. “We went pretty had the last couple week. I think they’re still a little sore and not worked into true race pace yet, but they’ve improved,” Barry County head coach Tyler Bultema. “They improve every week, which is what we want. Doing a good job as a team and accepting the new kids, which is what you want. They keep working. They show up every day to work.” Ottawa Hills has five all-conference swimmers back this winter and those guys led the Bengals to wins in the first three races of the night. The team of junior Ryan Yon, senior Zeke Deblaay, junior Matias Rizkalla and senior Ethan Shi won the 200-yard med­ ley relay for the Bengals in 1 minute 48.07 seconds. Senior Spencer McClure followed that up by winning the 200yard freestyle in 2:03.41. Deblaay added a win in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:11.79 next. Those races followed the diving competition, which was moved to the front ofthe sched­ ule due to some timing equip­ ment issues that were solved by CERC hero Kurt Schaaf. He didn’t quite get things fixed up before the Bengals and Barracudas could team up to kill some time by performing the wave around the edge of the pool and getting in a few moments of a dance off. The camaraderie between teams and teammates, wheth­ er from Ottawa Hills, Delton Kellogg, Hastings or Thomapple Kellogg was on full display during the delay. The Delton Kellogg/ Thomapple Kellogg/Hastings co-op known as the Barry County Barracudas, teaming up for its 19^ season, got its first win in the 50-yard freestyle with the team’s own all-conference athlete Jack Kensington touching the wall in 23.17 seconds. Kensington added a win­ ning time of 52.23 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle and later teamed withjunior Riley Shults, junior Blake Barnum and junior Jameson Riordan to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:41.44. Riordan had a great leg to make up most of a small gap in the relay and then Kensington pulled in front of the Bengal anchor and went on to the win. Coach Bultema said not having any divers earn a full score certainly is a challenge. Freshman Ethan Magnuson is working his way towards scoring for the Barry County team in the event, but the Bengals earned the first and second place points in the Barry County senior Mason Cross speeds through the water during the 200-yard freestyle race against Ottawa Hills Thursday evening in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) event - a 10-0 advantage. Sophomore Christian Ramos won that competition with a score of 168.25. The Barracudas had one other victory. Senior Devin Pacillo took the 100-yard backstroke in 1:03.03. The Bengal team had Rizkalla take the 100-yard butterfly in 1:04.42, McClure win the 500-yard freestyle in 5:50.38, Shit take the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:03.68 and the team of Deblaay, McClure, Shi and Yon win the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3”45.34. Barry County got runner-up points in most ofthe races the Bengals won. Mason Cross was second in the 200-yard freestyle, Shults second in 200-yard individual medley and Donald Kuck second in the 100-yard butterfly. The Barry County 400yard freestyle relay team of Kuck, Nolan Send, Hunter Tietz and Pacillo was second in 3:56.22. Pacillo, Shults, Kensington COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the December 13, 2022 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on January 10,2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. B'smfstp Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — fComplete Collision Service ✓ Frame Repairs State & I-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies ^NFIB (FsW wmbAi Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawlo ski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Barry County senior Jack Kensington swims to a victory in the 100-yard freestyle during his team’s OK Rainbow Tier II dual against visiting Ottawa Hills in Hastings Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) and Riordan, the four return­ ing all-conference athletes for Barry County, placed second in the 200-yard med­ ley relay in 1:52.61. “These are quizzes,” Bultema said of the early season conference duals. Our big test is at the end of the year. We’ll see how it goes.” Barry County is hosting its annual Delton Kellogg/ Thornapple Kellogg/ Hastings Relays today, Jan. 14, at the CERC. The team will be back in action at home Tuesday taking on Marshall and Thursday, Jan. 19, facing Grand Rapids Catholic Central. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, January 9,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 1 -2023, “Poverty Guidelines” for the Board of Re­ view. 4. Approved motion to hire three new POC/part-time TIES members. 5. Approved motion to spend an amount NTE $75,000 from GL# 101-900-974.000 for clos­ ing costs on two trail expansion properties. Meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visit­ ing our website at https://thornapple-twp.org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Barry County senior Devin Pacillo gets moving again after completing his first turn in the 100-yard backstroke Thursday during the Barracudas’ dual with visiting Ottawa Hills at the CERC in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14, 2023/ Page 13 Defense leads to offense for CHS girls as they knock off Grandville Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia got its first OK Red Conference victory ofthe season Tuesday night knock­ ing off the Bulldogs in Grandville 60-43. The Fighting Scots were solid throughout and stretched the lead from 8 points to 17 in the fourth quarter. ’We probably played our best game ofthe season when it comes to sharing the basketball and just getting a lot of people involved in making plays,” Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said, “and not just scoring but creating chaos defensively, and rebounding the basketball, and making assists.” Caledonia had 17 assists on its 24 made field goals, and shot the ball well. “Our offense played a little bit more in a rhythm, especial­ ly in the second half,” Bloemers said. A number of those shots weren’t too tough thanks to an outstanding defensive effort Gracie Gortmaker had a gamehigh 26 points while shooting 55 percent from the floor. She had 11 deflections and 5 steals on the defensive side. “[Gortmaker] is really good in the open court. She is finish­ ing a little better around the basket right now. She is not settling. She is really forcing the issue and attacking the basket whether it’s in the half­ court or the open court,” Bloemers said. As a team the Scots had 25 deflections and 15 steals. Kendall Benson, Teresa Abraham, Mackenzie DeVries, Cadence Bommarito and Kiana Haywood had two steals each. The Scots scored 20 points off of Bulldog turnovers. Benson had 16 points including 12 in the fourth quarter. DeVries finished with 7 points and Haywood had 5 to go along with a team-high 8 rebounds. Abraham had 7 rebounds. Point guard Avah Winstrom finished with 6 assists and no turnovers. Coach Bloemers said that Benson ended up being the one in scoring position against the Grandville defense as it scrambled to try and catch up late in the ballgame and her teammates found her again and again. Caledonia led the ballgame 12-9 after one quarter and 26-19 at the half. If there was one bugaboo, the Scots had a tough 9-of-18 performance at the free throw line. It’s something the team continues to work on. The Scots opened the OK Red Conference season with a 54-34 loss to visiting Hudsonville last Friday, Jan. 6. Caledonia’s girls were set to visit Grand Haven Friday night, Jan. 13. They will return to play at home against West Ottawa Tuesday and then will be at East Kentwood next Friday, Jan. 20. Short struggle in second quarter for TK and Wildcats pounce Brett Bremer takes and took the lead into Sports Editor half. Other than that two to Even a lapse ofjust a couple three minute stretch, we minutes was a little too much played them even.” for the Trojans to overcome in The Wildcats ended up out­ an OK Gold Conference con­ scoring the Trojan s_26-14 in test at Wayland Tuesday eve­ that second quarter to take a 37 ning. -29 lead into the half. The Thomapple Kellogg TK had four scorers in dou­ varsity boys’ basketball team ble figures. Kyle VanHaitsma fell to 0-6 on the season with a led the way with 12 points and 73-60 loss to the host Wildcats. 7 rebounds. Tyler Gavette had TK held a 15-11 lead after 11 points and 4 rebounds. one quarter and still led midway Jaxan Sias chipped in 10 through the second quarter. points and 16 rebounds. Jacob “A two to three minute run Draaisma added 10 points and in the second quarter hurt us 2 rebounds for TK. where we struggled to take The Trojan team also got 8 care of the ball and make points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals shots,” TK head coach Joshua from Ethan Bonnema and 5 Thaler said. “Even with the points from Jakob Rodriguez. mistakes we had, we still had Thornapple Kellogg enough opportunities to shoot opened the OK Gold from outside well enough to Conference season with a get back into the game, but 76-57 loss to visiting Catholic didn’t make them. They capi­ Central last Friday, Jan. 6. talized on the misses and mis“Similar to Wayland, we played Catholic tough in the box score outside ofa two-min­ ute stretch,” Thaler said. ‘We had a couple turnovers and missed shots and they scored offthem in the first quarter.” The Cougars ran out to a 23-9 lead and then stretched their advantage to 24 points by the half. The two teams both scored 35 points in the second half. VanHaitsma and 17 points and 3 rebounds for TK. Sias had 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Draaisma added 7 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Bonnema had 7 points and 2 boards and Wiersma added 6 points and 4 rebounds. Rodriguez had 6 points too. TK was scheduled to host South Christian Friday night, Jan. 13, and will be back in action at home against Cedar Springs Tuesday and Kenowa Hills Thursday in the week ahead. CLS opens OK Red swim season with solid swims at Jenison Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia/Lowell/ South Christian (CLS) varsity boys’ swimming and diving team was bested 172-102 in its OK Red Conference opener at Jenison Thursday evening. The 100-yard breaststroke was one of the top contests of the night, with Jenison’s Gavin Haight edging the Vikings’ Connor Cammet by only about halfa second. Cammet touched the wall in 1 minute 14.38 sec­ onds. Haight won in 1:13.87. The CLS team had a hand­ ful ofrunner-up finishes on the evening. Luke DeJager swam well for the CLS team in the 100-yard butterfly, turning in a time of 59.94 seconds. Jenison’s Noah Eggleston won that race in 54.09. Anders Foerch took the run­ ner-up points in the 100-yard backstroke for the Vikings. CLS also had the number two scoring times in the 200yard freestyle relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay at the end of the night Eggleston and Brady Sweedyke both had two indi­ vidual victories for the Wildcats. Sweedyke took the 100-yard backstroke in 1:02.64 and the 200-yard freestyle in 2:00.99. Eggleston added a winning time of22.24 in the 50-yard freestyle. CLS competed with Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Forest Hills Central at a tri Tuesday. FHC bested the CLS boys 125-44. The Catholic Central Cougars edged the Scots 87-85 in their match-up. FHC was 2-0 on the day with a 122-52 win over the Cougars. DeJager had the fastest 100yard butterfly time ofthe night. He won the race in 1:02.11 for the Vikings’ lone victory. CLS will be back at it in the OK Red Conference Thursday, Jan. 19, at West Ottawa. Scots score some medals at two Saturday invitationals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia’s Maddie Hayden and Halle Stout earned top three finishes in girls’ divisions at the Adam H. Provencal Invitational hosted by Grand Haven Saturday. Hayden won the 155pound weight class with a 3-0 decision over Howell’s Brynn Green in the champi­ onship match. Hayden pinned Holt’s Riley Smith 52 seconds into their semifi­ nal match. Stout was third in the 100/105-pound division. She closed her day by pinning Holt’s Molly-Lynn Root. All four of Stout’s matches on the day ended in pins. She was on top for two of those, starting her day by sticking Brandywine’s Anabel Ocampo. There were a dozen girls’ weight classes contested Saturday in Grand Haven. Much of the rest of the Caledonia team was compet­ ing in Hastings’ 61st Annual L.H. Lamb Invitational. The Scots placed sixth on the day. Dylan Meduna at 175 pounds was the runner-up at his flight, and the Scots had Logan White at 113 pounds and Will Sheely at 138 both place third. The Hastings varsity team kept its undefeated streak to start the season going by scoring 243 points. Sparta was second with 185.5, ahead of Otsego 179, Ionial08, Hastings ‘Blue’ 56, Caledonia 55, East Lansing 43, Kalkaska 24.5, ‘Rainbow’ 6, and Bellevue 0. Meduna pinned Hastings’ Tate Warner to get to the championship match where he was edged 5-3 by Gabe Gair from Sparta. White pinned Hastings’ Troy Hokanson 57 seconds into their third-place match at 113 pounds. Sheely won his match for third when East Lansing’s Julian Terranova had to default due to an injury. Caledonia also had Jacob Kadzban place fourth at 190 pounds. Of the 14 Hastings varsi­ ty Saxons, 13 placed in the top four of their flight with nine of those wrestling for first and second place at the end of the day to power their team to the champion­ ship. The Hastings varsity team had six champions including Isaac Friddle at 215 pounds, Lanny Teunessen at 190, Cohen Smith at 144, Keegan Sutfin at 132,Zach Chipman at 120 and Jordan Humphrey at 106. Haiden Simmet at 150 pounds, Robby Slaughter at 157 and Parker Roselund at 285 were all second at their flight. Humphrey, Sutfin, Teunessen and Friddle all recorded pins in their cham­ pionship round matches. Chipman edged Sparta’s Zach DeKone 8-6 in their 120-pound final and Cohen Smith nudged East Lansing’s Romeo Washington 6-2 in the 144-pound final. Slaughter was bested 12-11 in a tough 157-pound final against Sparta’s Kyle Larson. Both guys were undefeated on the season heading into the bout. Both guys were on their back at one point or another during the match. Caledonia opened the OK Red Conference season against Rockford last Friday, Jan. 6, and fell 78-0 to the Rams. Meduna and Hayden were the only two Scots to make it six minutes against the Rams. Meduna was bested 4-0 by Louis Bosscher in the 175-pound match. Hayden fell 4-0 in her 157-pound bout with Rockford’s Logan Hammingh. Rockford scored eight pins in the dual and the Scots’ forfeited four weight classes. Caledonia has contests at Alma and Northview on the schedule for today, Jan . 14. The Scots will return to OK Red Conference action at East Kentwood Friday, Jan. 20. The next home meet for the Scots is a quad on Jan. 25. TK ladies fall in first Gold games It was a tough start to the OK Gold Conference season for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball team. Catholic Central scored a 59-31 win over the TK ladies in Middleville Jan. 6 and the Trojans fell to visiting Wayland 71-35 Tuesday night. TK was scheduled to host South Christian last night, Jan. 13. The TK ladies will be back in action at Cedar Springs Tuesday and then will host Kenowa Hills Thursday evening. The Trojans went into that match-up with South Christian with an 1-7 overall record. 193922 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, Ml NOTICE OF POSTING OF MAJOR PUD AMENDMENT FOR 3500 & 3540 60th STREET FOR SITE LAYOUT CHANGES IN PHASES ll-IV AND A MODIFICA­ TION OF THE SETBACKS FOR RIVER BIRCH PUD At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, January 9, 2023 the Township Board approved a major PUD amendment for 3500 & 3450 60th Street (parcel numbers 41-22-02-100-072 and 41-22-02-100-073) for site layout changes in phases ll-IV and a modification of the setbacks for River Birch PUD. A true and complete copy of the major PUD amendment for 3500 & 3540 60th Street (parcel numbers 41-22-02-100-072 and 41-22-02-100-073) for site layout changes in phases ll-IV and a modification of the setbacks for River birch PUD can be inspected or obtained in the office of the Township Clerk at the following location: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Charter Township of Gaines Michael A. Brew �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023 Red Hawks get the better of TK bowling teams in Rockford son. They also knocked off two team points with scores of 160 and 157. Emily Podbevsek Kenowa Hills 18-12 in the conference action this week, had games of 128 and 127 and earned one team point TK also Monday at Hastings Bowl. The TK ladies were pow­ got a 100 from Addison Bont, a ered by solid victories in the 97 from Sidney Ripley, a 95 two Baker games Monday from Jenna Robinett, an 85 against the Knights. They won from Keeley-Palmbos, an 84 the first 156-106 and then took from Savannah Rehfeldt and a 65 from Ashleigh Norman. the second 128-112. Rehfeldt and Podbevsek The two teams split the team scores in the two regular won one team point each. In the match with Cedar games. TK took the first 564­ 556, but fell 621-534 in the Springs, Willshire had scores second to give the Knights the of 147 and 145 for TK. overall pinfall in the two Podbevsek rolled a 132 and a 111. Robinett rolled a 127, games. Sara Willshire had a strong Rehfeldt a 126, Kenzie afternoon for TK. She earned Chapin-Dyer a 121 and Bont a 117 to lead TK. The Trojans also got a 79 from Ripley and a 58 from Norman in the dual. The TK boys and Kenowa Hills boys went back and forth all afternoon Monday in Hastings. The TK boys won the first Baker game 156-150 and then fell 169-143 in the second. In the two regular games, the TK boys fell 890­ 836 and then rallied for a 863­ 809 win in the second game. Wyatt Jacobson took two team points for the Trojans in the individual match-ups with scores of 235 and 173. Ethan Kriekaard rolled a 213 and a 191 to pick up one team point. Wyatt Barnes and Z Moore won one team point each as well. Barnes had games of 179 and 172. Moore rolled a 164 and a 146. The Trojan team added scores of 132 from Andy Liu Thornapple Kellogg’s Sidney Ripley gets set to and a combined 94 from Liu throw a shot down the lane during the Trojans’ win and Landen England in the over visiting Kenowa Hills at Hastings Bowl Monday. match. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The results were the same Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was a tough end of to a week of OK Gold Conference duals for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity bowling teams Wednesday at Rockford Lanes. The Thomapple Kellogg boys suffered their third con­ secutive 16-14 loss in OK Gold Conference action in their dual with the Red Hawks. The TK ladies had a four dual winning streak brought to an end by a 30-0 loss to the Red Hawks. The Thomapple Kellogg girls are now 4-2 in confer­ ence matches so far this sea­ CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, Ml in the end against Cedar Springs Wednesday, a 16-14 defeat This time TK fell in the two Baker games 179-146 and 179-153. The TK boys rallied in the regular games for 884-823 and 921-904 wins, but the Red Hawks managed to eek out the victory. Kriekaard won two points for the TK team with scores of 222 and 192. Moore earned two too with a 216 and a 211. Jacobson rolled games of 226 and 152 for the Trojans. Barnes scored a 183 and a 173. Liu rolled a 109 and Liu and England teamed up for a 121. The TK boys are now 3-3 in the OK Gold this season. The TK boys were seventh and the girls 13^* last Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Jenison Invitational. TK rolls again at Park Center Lanes against Grand Rapids Catholic Central Monday and will head to Rock ‘N’ Bowl to face Wayland to start the sec­ ond half ofthe conference sea­ son Friday, Jan. 20. Thornapple Kellogg’s Wyatt Barnes steps into a shot during the Trojan varsity boys’ bowling team’s two-point loss to visiting Kenowa Hills Monday at Hastings Bowl. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK’s Jenna Robinett fires her ball down lane 2 at Hastings Bowl Monday during the Baker competitions against Kenowa Hills. (Photo by Brett Bremer) NOTICE OF POSTING OF ORDINANCE TO IMPOSE A SIX (6) MONTH MORATORI­ UM ON THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ZONING APPROVALS, REZONINGS, PERMITS, LI­ CENSES OR OTHER APPROVALS BY THE TOWNSHIP FOR A NEW OR EXPANDED RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL (rl-10) ZONING DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP, AND A PROHIBITION ON THE CREATION, CONSTRUCTION OR INITIATION OF CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL (rl-10_ ZONING DISTRICT WHILE THE MORATORIUM IS IN EFFECT. At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, January 9, 2023 the Township Board approved an ordinance to impose a six (6) month Moratorium on the issuance of any zoning approvals, rezonings, permits, licenses of other approvals by the Township for a new or expanded residential housing develop­ ment within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District pursuant to the Gaines Charter Town­ ship Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and a prohibition on the creation, construction or initiation of certain residential housing developments within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District while the moratorium is in effect. A true and complete copy of the Ordinance imposing a six (6) month Moratorium on the issuance of any zoning approvals, rezonings, permits, licenses or other approvals by the Township for a new or expanded residential housing development within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District pursuant to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and a prohibition on the creation, construction or initiation of certain res­ idential housing developments within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District while the moratorium is in effect, can be inspected or obtained in the office of the Township Clerk at the following location: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 618-698-6640 Charter Township of Gaines Michael A. Brew Thornapple Kellogg’s Ethan Kriekaard begins his approach for a shot during the Trojans’ dual with Kenowa Hills Monday at Hastings Bowl. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14,2023/ Page 15 Miller caps TK win over Wildcats in final bout Brett Bremer Sports Editor It wasn’t the recipe for suc­ cess that the Trojans would have expected to use back in November, but they found the ingredients they needed to knock off their toughest OK Gold Conference rival. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team improved to 2-0 in the confer­ ence with a 36-29 win over visiting Wayland Union Wednesday in Middleville. At the start ofthe season the Trojans would have expected to have seniors Tyler Bushman and Austin Chivis in the lineup for their toughest confer­ ence dual as they chase an eighth straight championship. They wouldn’t have been expecting to be rooting for three-time state medalist Zack Gibson to be fighting for an escape point to avoid losing out in a major decision. And they would have certainly expected to see 1989 TKHS graduate and Wayland coaching staff member Jody Tyner instructing wrestlers on the bench along the edge ofthe mat. In between the Trojans’ senior night ceremonies and the opening bout of the dual, there was a moment of silence for Tyner who suffered a stroke in December and passed away Dec. 31, 2022. Tyner served in the United States Marine Corps, after graduating from TK. He served as a first responder and firefighter in the Delton Fire Department and Thomapple Township Fire Department He also taught 8th grade history at Wayland Union Middle School for 16 years and spent time coaching in both the Wayland Union and Delton Kellogg wrestling programs. The Wildcats wore black warm-up shirts urging every­ one to “Love Like Coach Tyner. Wrestle Like Coach Tyner. Be Like Coach Tyner.” Both teams certainly wrestled like they wanted to be the 2023 OK Gold Conference champions Wednesday. The dual wasn’t clinched until Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Christien Miller pinned Wayland freshman Colton Keena 70 seconds into their 106-pound bout - the 14th and final weight class of the eve­ ning. Miller spent the whole dual looking forward to the chance to close things out for his team, and did exactly as he had planned once he got to step into the middle ofthe circle. He got a quick pin. “It was stressful, but I knew I had to do it for the team,” Miller said. “[Everybody] amped each other up and go the hype going. I loved that. It got my energy going. It was amazing. All their energy just gave me energy,” he added. Miller is one of the top Thomapple Kellogg senior Austin Pitsch holds Wayland’s Eugene Wierckz on his back before earning a pin in their 120-pound bout Wednesday night at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) returnees for the Trojans this winter. He came up one win why of qualifying for the MHSAA Individual State Finals as a freshman at 103 pounds last season. TK had just taken a 30-29 lead in the dual with senior heavyweight Noah Rosenberg scoring a 5-2 decision in a tough bout with Wayland senior Nick Erlanger. The Trojans got off to a good start in the dual. TK’s 113-pound freshman Dylan Pauline got a few key back points late in the second peri­ od of the first match of the night and then finished off a 15-8 win over Wildcat junior Danny Keena. Trojan senior Austin Pitsch turned Wildcat junior Eugene Wierckz on his back a couple times in the first period oftheir 120-pound match and then finished offthe pin half a min­ ute into the second period to push TK to a 9-0 lead. The teams went back and forth on the scoreboard from there. The lead changed hands six times in the dual. In the end, TK won eight weight classes and the Wildcats took six. The Trojan team got pins from senior Kyron Zoet at 138 pounds and senior Andrew Middleton at 144. Those 12 points had TK ahead 21-12 six matches into the dual. Wayland had just gotten pins from Freshman Rex Emmorey at 126 pounds and senior Lucas DeWeerd at 132. TK senior Maverick Wilson got two nearfall points late in the second period ofhis match with Emmorey, and had a 7-6 lead after an early escape in th© third period, but Emmorey caught him for a take down and put him to his back half a minute into the third period and eventually secured the pin. Wilson was doing his best to make it a six minute match at the very least and that was the goal for fellow Trojan senior Kenny Simon at 150 pounds, but Wayland sopho­ more Lane Button managed to get Simon on his back and score the pin late in the first period of their bout to tighten See WRESTLING, next page 16 193802 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 CALEDONIA I Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 OWNSHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing for a rezoning of 20.32 acres from AG to R2 on February 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m at the Caledonia Township Hall, located at 8196 Broadmoor SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316. Parcels are legally described as follows and located at 5903 84th Street, Parcel number: 41 - 23-17-300-039. Kent County Web Map The Wayland Union varsity wrestling team huddles in its ‘Love Like Coach Tyner Wrestle Like Coach Tyner Be Like Coach Tyner’ warm-up shirts before a moment of silence in honor of 1989 Thornapple Kellogg alumnus Jody Tyner who passed away Dec. 31, 2022. Tyner, an 8th grade teacher in Wayland, coached in the Wayland Union and Delton Kellogg wrestling programs over the years. (Photo by Brett Bremer) All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the posed rezoning. Written comments concerning the requested rezoning may submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the e of the public hearing. : January 9, 2023 Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Christien Miller works to turn Wayland’s Colton Keena in the first period of their 106-pound bout Wednesday in Middleville. A pin by Miller finished off a 36-29 TK victory. (Photo by Brett Bremer) PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 14, 2023 WRESTLING, continued from page 15 Thornapple Kellogg senior Maverick Wilson fights for a reversal during his 125pound match against Wayland’s Rex Emmorey at Thornapple Kellogg High School Wednesday night, (Photo by Brett Bremer) up the dual once again - with TK leading 21-18 at the mid­ way point. Button was the Wildcats’ lone individual state qualifier a year ago. He wrestled at 135 pounds at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual State Finals a year ago, the same bracket as the current Trojan senior Gibson last season. Neither the 170-pounder Chivis or the 132-pounder Bushman has wrestled for TK since getting injured at the Kent County Classic in mid-December, and that has caused some shuffling. Gibson wrestled at least one match at 144 pounds this win­ ter, while spending most ofthe season in the 150-pound flight for TK. He was up to 157 to face Wayland senior Emmet Manning Wednesday and Manning managed an 8-0 major decision that bumped his team into a 22-21 lead at the time. Manning got a first period take down, and Gibsonjust ran out oftime as he worked for an escape late in the opening peri­ od. Manning managed to get Gibson on his back for three nearfall points and a 5-0 lead in the second period. Manning added two points with a rever­ sal in the third period and then a worn down Gibson was hit with a stalling penalty that gave Manning an eighth-point with halfa minute to go. It’s the first loss ofthe season for Gibson. Senior Jackson Curtis ral- Thornapple Kellogg senior Tyler Bushman (right) escorts his parents Jason Bushman and Suzanne Bushman along the edge of the mat during the Trojans’ senior night ceremony prior to their OK Gold Conference dual with Wayland Wednesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) lied the Trojans with a big 5-4 win in over Wayland senior Dustin Loomans in the 165pound bout that followed. sophomore Trent Sikkema in Curtis tried to hit a quick the 175-pound match. throw with both guys down on Senior Lane Cross wasn’t the mat battling tied 2-2 a min­ happy to suffer a 21-7 loss to ute into the third period, but it Wayland Cainon Fenn in the turned into a take down for 190-pound bout, but it was Loomans. A locked hands better than a 15-point defeat penalty against Loomans got that would have meant a tech­ Curtis one of those two points nical fall and certainly better back with 28 seconds left, and than being pinned. Fenn nearthen the TK senior bumped in ly got him, earn five near fall front 5-4 with a reversal and points with a couple turns late rode out Loomans over a in the third period after he’d drawn out final half minute. started pushing for points rath­ That win had TK in front er than a pin. That four-point again at 24-22. major decision left TK leading Jayce Curtis, a sophomore, 27-26 with three weight class­ pushed TK in front 27-22 with es to go. a 6-2 win over the Wildcat If TK freshman Derious We Accept A DELTA DENTAL* Keep Your Teeth for a LIFETIME! Robinson learned anything in his 215-pound bout with Wayland senior Bronson Huyck, who had the edge on Robinson by a dozen pounds at the vety least, it was to not make him angry. Robinson mostly fought off Huyck for three periods. A quick escape point in the third period had Huyck ahead 3-2 and the match hung there until Robinson’s hand got caught up in Huyck’s headgear momentarily with half a minute to go. Huyck charged Robinson and drove him down to the mat like a defensive tackle sacking a quarterback on the football field, and with his adrenaline pumping turned Robinson right to his back. The buzzer saved Robinson from being pinned by fractions of a second, and Huyck had to settle for an 8-2 decision that had Wayland with a 29-27 lead overall. It was as position the Trojans were okay with though. The only disappointment for the orange and black the rest ofthe way was Rosenberg’s own that he wasn’t quite able to clinch the victory with a pin at 285 pounds, but his decision was enough allow Miller to finish offthe Wildcats. The Trojans were in action last weekend too. TK won the Adam H Provencal Invitational hosted by Grand Haven Saturday, by two points over runner-up Edwardsburg. Zack Gibson won the 150pound championship for TK with an 8-2 decision over Grand Haven’s Dylan Cummings in the championship round. Emma Gibson won the 125-pound girls’ title for TK with a 6-4 win over Wayland’s Alexis Hozeska in their championship match. TK also had Zoet second at 132 pounds. Jackson Curtis at 157 pounds, Rosenberg at 285, Miller at 106 and Pauline at 113 each placed third. Jayce Curtis at 165 and Cross at 175 were both fifth. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush DLL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Plant To Keep. One-Stop Dentistry! (IDe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients.. Call today for appointment! We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan V DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Thornapple Kellogg’s Lane Cross tries to break free from the grasp of Wayland’s Cainon Fenn during their 190-pound bout Wednesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-01-21.pdf 0738e485b8b043c13d10ff942257b8f1 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 3/ January 21, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Contract approved for Welch to take over as managing director of Barry County Road Commission Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry County Road Commission board Tuesday approved a contract for Jake Welch to become the road agency’s new managing director, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The three-member board unanimously approved the three-year contract for Welch, who is currently the Road Commission’s assistant managing director. Current Managing Director Brad Lamberg, who announced late last year his plans to step down from the role he has held since October 1998, will stay on in that capacity through the end ofthis year. “This allows us to get some other pieces in play. I would say that it’s very unusual to do it this early, but this will allow us to have a seamless transition to the public — to allow things to operate as normal, and keep construction moving forward scheduled,” as Road Commission board Chairman David Soules said. Welch, 39, was offered the managing director job in December after commission­ ers interviewed him and two other candidates. However, The Barry County Road Commission board Tuesday approved a contract for Jake Welch to be the new managing director effective Jan. 1, 2024. Pictured from left, front row, are commissioners David Dykstra and David Soules. Back row is Commissioner Frank Fiala and Welch. (Photo by Greg Chandler) details of the contract had to successful, that expectation be worked out. here that’s been set very Welch doesn’t expect to clearly, all the way from our see much change in the way employees to our contrac­ the Road Commission oper- tors, across the board. That’s been something that’s come ates. down from the board level to “As far as the day-to-day operation of the Road Brad and from Brad to our Commission, we intend on employees, and I intend to continuing to be one of the . maintain that.’ Welch takes over at a time top-performing road com­ missions in the state,” he where Barry County’s road said. “That’s my goal ... I network is ranked among the think that’s what’s made us best in the state, as measured by the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council, which provides independent data on the condition of the state’s roads and bridges. In the most recent assessment of roads that are under the Road Commission’s jurisdiction (not counting state high­ ways), only 9.3 percent are rated in poor condition, the See JAKE WELCH, page 3 Caledonia schools put $61 million bond issue on May ballot Greg Chandler Staff Writer Three years after passing an $88.1 million bond issue, Caledonia Community Schools will go back to the voters for another bond pro­ posal this May. The district’s Board of Education Monday voted unanimously to put on the ballot a proposal for a $61 million bond issue. The elec­ tion will take place on Tuesday, May 2. The centerpiece ofthe new bond is construction of a new 60,000-square-foot Dutton Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin outlines the $61 million bond issue that voters will decide on May 2 at Monday’s Board of North Education meeting. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Elementary School, to be built at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. It would replace the current Dutton Elementary on 68th Street, which is sur­ rounded by commercial and industrial uses. If approved, district officials will allocate $35 million to $40 million of the new bond to the Dutton project. The new Dutton Elementary was to have been part of the May 2020 bond. The district had allocated $21 million of bond proceeds for construction of the school, but a combination of an unprecedented spike in steel prices, supply chain pressures and inflationary price increases for both labor and materials resulted in bids for the project coming in at $30.3 million, more than $9 million over budget last fall. The 2020 bond also made possible the construction of Caledonia the new Community Center, which will include a competition swimming pool for the high school swim team as well as serve as the new home of the Caledonia Resource Center, home of the district continu­ ing education and enrich­ ment programs. Bids for that project came in $6.1 million over the originally budgeted amount of $24.9 million. “With the past 18 months, we have experienced a signif­ icant rise in inflation - nearly about 40 percent in many areas,” Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin said. “That See BOND ISSUE, page 2 145th year Gaines Township Board selects new township manager James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Charter Township Board voted 6-0 Monday night to hire Georgetown Charter Township Assistant Superintendent Roderick Weersing as its next township manager. It is contingent on both sides negotiating a contract and signing it. The vote came during a special board meeting at the Gaines Township Hall that was primarily scheduled so board members could inter­ view publicly the two final­ ists for the position. After the interviews were conducted, the board went into closed session in a conference room before returning to open ses­ sion and taking the vote. One board member was absent from the meeting. Weersing would replace former township manager Jonathan Seyferth, who left in November after being hired as the new city manager in Muskegon. Seyferth had worked since May 2021 for Gaines Township, where he was earning a $110,000 annual salary. Nineteen people applied for the job, and the township board initially narrowed it down to six candidates after reviewing resumes. Following a first round of private interviews in December, the list was whit­ tled down to two finalists: Weersing and Albion City Manager Haley Snyder. They were interviewed publicly at Monday night’s meeting. “I’d like to thank the (township) personnel com­ mittee,” trustee Dan Fryling said. “I think they did a great job. I think both of these (candidates) would have been great for our township. I’m glad I’m not having to be the one that tells Haley, ‘Thank you, but no thank you.’ I think she’s an excellent per­ son, but I think Rod is a bet­ ter fit.” “We did have two very good candidates. Either one of them could have done the job for us,” Township Supervisor Rob De Ward said. The township will submit a first draft of a potential con­ tract offer to Weersing right away so he can review it and making any modifications he prefers. After the tweaked contract comes back to the township for review, De Ward said a final draft could be drawn up. If everything goes smoothly with negotiations, the contract might be ready for the township board to review and vote on at its Rod Weersing, seen here speaking at his public interview on Monday night at the Gaines Hall, Township will become the new township manager. (Photo from See TOWNSHIP MANAGER, page 5 Laurie Lemke) • Cal school board names new treasurer • Middleville DDA to try Shop Local passports • TK boys have first back-to-back victories since February of 2021 • Caledonia girls knock off previously unbeaten West Ottawa Panthers • Caledonia senior Isaac Clark among finalists for scholar-athlete award �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023 BOND ISSUE, continued from page 1 has left the district with inad­ equate bond funds to com­ plete all the projects as origi­ nally planned and envisioned. “As much discussion (has taken place) around various value engineering approaches as well as other cost-saving measures, the board has deter­ mined that we would go for­ ward with a supplemental bond ... to complete a new Dutton, renovate our stadium, do an expansion of CalPlex, the play space for our future Fighting Scots, along with other items to best move for­ ward to complete the vision as planned.” Martin and other CCS offi­ cials with the district’s bond counsel last fall to assess their options with regard to a bond issue. The superintendent said the new bond will not raise the district’s debt service millage. “With the current market, the district has the capacity for up to $125 million without increasing the tax levy, set at 7 mills,” Martin said. The Michigan Department ofTreasury issued a letter Jan. 13 that authorized CCS to pur­ sue the bond issue. In a presentation to the school board last November, Martin said the new Dutton building would be a fourstrand building, “with ample classroom (space) for four (classes of) kindergarten, first, second, third and fourth grades, as well as ample space for (physical education), cafe­ teria, library, breakout rooms for working with small groups as well as class for special ed.” After receiving bids for die Dutton project last fall, the school board looked at cost-cutting measures to try to stay within the 2020 bond parameters, such as building a smaller school, having a com­ bined gymnasium and cafete­ ria, and having only one entrance into the building. Ultimately, the board decided against those options and looked toward a new bond proposal. The new bond proposal also seeks $6.5 million for renova­ tions to the bleachers, press box, locker rooms and conces­ sion stands at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium. That does not include installation of a new synthetic turf field at the stadium. The board is expect­ ed next month to approve a contract for the new turf and its installation, using funds from the 2020 bond. The district had allocated $1.9 million from that bond proposal for the new turf and its installation, but bids for the project have come in well below that estimate. The board by consensus Monday agreed to have the district has send a letter of intent to AstroTurf of Michigan to complete the work. The company submitted a bid of slightly more than $1.05 million, $28,000 less than a competing bid, said Matt Hess, the district’s exec­ utive director of operations and transportation. “We’ve chosen to go with a designer and a vendor who can do a ‘design-build’ solu­ tion to the installation,” Hess said. “This has shortened our timeline by a great deal. It’s also kept our costs down, as we’re not involving a third and a fourth party architect” The new turf is expected to be ready for use by the start of the .football season this fall, Hess said. The new bond proposal also includes $3 million for Phase 2 improvements to CalPlex, which will include new baseball and soccer fields. It also calls for a variety of facility reinvest­ ments. They include (with pro­ jected costs in parenthesis): - Replacing the roof over sections of Duncan Lake Middle School and Early Childhood Center ($1.5 mil­ lion). - Replacing the 7W entrance and facade at Duncan Lake, as well as extend the cafeteria ($1.2 million). - Replacing the turf at Scotland Yard, as well as upgrading the bleachers and replacing dugouts and storage buildings ($1.4 million). The current turfsurface at that field is about 16 years old, while the typical useful life of the sur­ face is 15-20 years, Martin said. - Technology improve­ ments ($3.6 million). - Purchase of new buses, which has typically been a general fund budgeted item ($1.6 million). “We felt like this was a great time to fast­ track the ability to upgrade pur fleet,” Martin said. - Demolition of the current Dutton Elementary building on 68th Street once the new school is built ($750,000). - Additional parking and parking flow improvements at Kettle Lake Elementary School ($750,000). - Replacing the playground surface at Paris Ridge Elementary School for safety reasons ($400,000). - A secure storage area for band equipment and instru­ ments ($300,000). The 2020 bond issue made possible the expansion and renovation of Duncan Lake Middle School as it transi- Caledonia Community Schools Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess discusses remaining projects from the May 2020 bond issue at Monday’s school board meeting. (Photo by Greg Chandler) tioned to a school serving stu­ dents in seventh and eighth grades; expansion and renova­ tion of Kraft Meadows Intermediate School as it tran­ sitioned to a school serving grades five and six; and the addition of air conditioning at Caledonia and Kettle Lake elementary schools, Hess said. Other projects remaining to be completed from the 2020 bond include classroom additions at Caledonia Elementary School, play­ ground additions at three ele­ mentary buildings, comple­ tion of a connector at the high school complex, con­ struction of an athletics train­ ing facility, installation of a site security gate at the high school, and replacing the door system at Emmons Lake Elementary School, Hess said. Caledonia school board changes treasurer on split vote Greg Chandler Saidoo was supported by StaffWriter Marcy White, Dr. Brittany The first meeting of the Barber Garcia and Katie Isic. year for the Caledonia Morris, who chairs the school Community Schools Board of board’s Finance and Education Monday produced Operations Committee, was a change in board leadership, joined in support by the and perhaps an early indica­ board’s two newest members, tion of differences among John Brandow and Jennifer board members. Nichols. The three had run On a 4-3 vote, the board together as a ticket in the named Jason Saidoo, a mem­ November election on a plat­ ber ofthe board since 2019, as form of increased parental say its treasurer, replacing Tim in district matters. Morris, a 10-year board veter­ Morris downplayed the out­ an who won re-election last come of Monday’s vote, and November. said he would support Saidoo “in any way possible.” “I’ve been through officer elections 11 times now,” he wrote in an e-mail to the Sun and News. “Monday night’s vote for treasurer was no dif­ ferent than previous years. I’m simply not popular with four trustees (now 2023 officers) because of my outspoken commitment to parents rights. I don’t serve the trustees, I serve the families of Caledonia, and that will not change.” White was re-elected presi­ dent, Barber Garcia was elect­ IMPORTANT! RUUD ^255^ I Equipment is changing ... Get it before the New Prices come out! HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8 900 Locally owned business. The company ed vice president and Isic sec­ retary, all unanimously. Isic asked White to read a statement that preceded her vote opposing Morris’ reap­ pointment as treasurer. She said that Morris had not pro­ vided minutes of the Finance and Operations Committee meetings in a timely manner. “Since November 2021, I’ve requested committee meeting minutes that you present during the regular board meeting be provided to the board, but especially the finance committee at the same time as we receive the agenda, or at least 24 hours in advance of the board meeting,” Isic said. “This has not happened once, and should be a minimal task for a committee chair.” Morris reads aloud the min­ utes from those committee meetings at each board meet­ ing. Isic also took issue with what she saw as delays in approving a contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin last year. “The Finance and Operations Committee was tasked with the discussion of a contract extension for Dr. Martin in January 2022. It took until June 2022 to bring this to the full board, which is not reasonable for this task,” she said. “To follow this, in October of this previ­ ous year, after (he received) our highly effective rating for the third year in a row, you were asked to discuss a pay increase and any neces­ sary contract changes in the Tim Morris Jason Saidoo language that would be staff in Caledonia is amazing appropriate. While the infor­ beyond words ... I do not mation provided to all might feel as though you have acted have been lost or misplaced, as a leader in creating an it was still ignored or put environment for our excel­ aside. lent staff, to feel valued and “After it was brought to respected for the difficult your attention, this item had to work that they do every day. be addressed by another board They need to feel supported, member to get it taken care of as they lead the charge to with the existing board, with educate our most valuable complete disregard to every­ assets.” one else. We didn’t receive the Morris wrote in his e-mail correct version of the amend­ that he was not surprised by ments until just prior to the Isic’s statement. start of the December meet­ “As a community leader, I ing.” expect to face adversity,” he Isic also spoke out against said. “Her colorful perfor­ what she saw as Morris over mance assessment won’t focusing on the recent adop­ deter me from raising ques­ tion of the district’s social tions when a concern arises, studies curriculum. Morris as in the curriculum resource had raised concerns about orie case. The community has an of the authors of the new cur­ expectation (that) their Board riculum last fall, citing a possi­ of Education trustees ask ble connection to critical race questions and receive theory. answers.” “These actions, along with In other action Monday, the others, have created a lack of board voted to move its trust and did not show pro­ February meeting to Tuesday, fessionalism in the role in Feb. 21 at 6 p.m., due to the which you were entrusted by federal holiday the Monday this board,” Isic said. “Our before. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023/ Page 3 JAKE WELCH, continued from page 1 third-lowest among Michigan’s 83 counties. A decade earlier, that figure was at 26.2 percent. The son of a civil engi­ neer, Welch grew up in the Detroit suburb of Walled Lake, where he was a threesport athlete in high school. He initially attended Ferris State University on a foot­ ball scholarship, but a fourth knee surgery ended his playing career after one Jake Welch season. Welch then trans­ ferred to Western Michigan “I liked what they were University, where he earned doing. I liked that they were his bachelor’s degree in an accountable government, business administration in and I liked Brad, I liked the 2008. team that they had. I joined, Welch worked at and I couldn’t be happier,” Kentwood Excavating in Welch said. the Grand Rapids area after Within two years of his graduation. In 2013, he hiring, Welch was promotapplied for and was hired as ed to director of operations. a project manager position Welch was named the engi­ at- the Road Commission. neering director for the Road Commission in 2021 and then promoted to assis­ tant managing director last year. Welch expressed his grat­ itude for Lamberg’s support in his professional develop­ ment. “He’s been a professional mentor, a life mentor. He’s been amazing for me as a professional and personal friend,” Welch said. “It’s been very nice working with him. I’ll miss working with him. I’m looking for­ ward to the next chapter, but I’m also very apprecia­ tive that I’ve been given the opportunities that I have since I’ve been here, to be able to grow into the posi­ tion where it can be seam­ less. “He’s been here 26 years, so for someone else to come in and allow that to be a seamless transition, there had to be a lot ofwork that went into that, and there has been. That’s been done and will continue over the next 10 to 11 months. I fully intend on the public notic­ ing nothing.” Lamberg called Welch “an asset to the Barry County Road Commission since he started” and a “dedicated public servant.” Besides his role with the Road Commission, Welch has been active in the community. He recently served a year on the Thornapple Kellogg Schools Board of Education and currently chairs the Zoning Board of Appeals in Yankee Springs Township. He has also been a volunteer football coach, both at Thornapple Kellogg High School and in the Middleville youth football program. Welch will receive a starting salary of $117,000 as managing director. He also will receive health insurance, 25 days of vaca­ tion and 12 sick days during his first year in the -role. In addition, the Road Commission will furnish him with a four-wheel drive vehicle with unlimited use, and will cover all vehicle expenses including fuel, insurance and maintenance, according to the contract document. “I thought it was a very generous, very high-quali­ ty, very detailed contract,” Commissioner Frank Fiala ofYankee Springs Township said. The contract may be ter­ minated by the Road Commission board for just cause prior to its expiration. It also calls for Welch to provide 60 days’ notice should he choose to step down from the position. * But Welch says he’s in for the long haul. “I love being in Barry County. I think it’s very unique. It’s a diamond in the rough... I love Hastings, I love Middleville, I love Nashville,” he said. “I wanted to be here. I wanted to be in Barry County. I didn’t know it’d be this quick, but I’m thrilled to have the oppor­ tunity to stay in Barry County for a long time. I plan to finish my career here. I’m not a guy that jumps jobs and moves around. I’ve had two (jobs) since I graduated college. I intend on being here until I retire.” Caledonia Twp. ponders future township manager search Greg Chandler Staff Writer One of the major issues facing the Caledonia Township board this year is finding a new township manager. The board on Wednesday discussed what steps it wants to take with regard to the manager position. The discussion was part of an jpyejraJl hoard dialogue on the township’s strategic plan. Township Treasurer Dick Robertson has served as township administrator and manager since 2015. In October 2020, the board approved a township man­ agement organization plan for the next four years that gave Robertson the title of manager, along with a sig­ nificant pay increase. The Sun andNews report­ ed at that time that Robertson would stay on in the role of manager through the end of 2023, assuming positive job performance reviews, and that the town­ “From that, I think the tim­ ship would begin looking ing is going to be whenev­ for a full-time township er that committee comes manager in the summer of back with a recommenda­ 2023. tion to the board, we vote “We’re looking now to on it and then we go from transition from having Dr. there and put an applica­ Robertson perform those tion out. duties as administrator ... “I think the process is to a professional manager,” going to take longer than Township Supervisor Bryan we think it is.” Harrison said. “When we Trustee Greg Zoller sug­ retained hjs services for this gested the hiring of a head­ term, we said that 2023 was hunter to aid the township the year that we were going in its search. to (make that transition). “There’s people out there Now would be the time to looking for jobs right now, discuss the timing, process, and there’s other munici­ structure and participants - palities that are going to be looking for people,” Zoller do we hire a firm to do that, do we want to do it our­ said. “Let’s talk to those townships and see what selves?” Trustee Dale Hermenet their pay range is.” suggested the formation of Robertson asked for clar­ a committee to discuss what ification on how long he is expected in a new town­ would continue to stay on ship manager as well as as manager. compensation. “It’s my understanding “I say we probably need that the position would to start on that sooner rath­ carry through to the end of er than later, and get that 2023,” he said. “I just need to confirm that’s going to going,” Hermenet said. Two injured in Thornapple Township crash Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two Freeport teenagers were injured in a single-car crash early Wednesday morning in Thornapple Township. Michigan State Police from the Wayland post report the crash occurred about 7 a.m. on Bender Road, just south of Finkbeiner Road. A prelim­ inary investigation showed a Chevrolet Tahoe was headed south on Bender when it left the road and struck a tree. The driver, an 18-yearold male, and the passen­ ger, a 16-year-old female, were trapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by Thornapple Township Emergency Services. The two victims were taken by TTES ambulance to Helen De Vos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids for what is described as “serious but non-life-threat­ ening” injuries. Names of the two have not been released by state police. MSP troopers were assisted at the scene by TTES, the Barry County Sheriff’s Department and Caledonia Fire and Rescue. The crash remains under investigation at this time. be the case or not.” Hermenet was unsure how long it would take for the board to find a new manager. He said Robertson raised a fair question with his request for confirma­ tion. “I’d want to know the same thing, too. I say we still want to get the com­ mittee together, talk about what we’re looking for and ask that the committee develop what we’re looking for,” Hermenet said. “I say that’s going to answer ... where we’re at, here’s where it’s targeting. I have no idea when we’re going to find somebody or how that process will work.” Zoller proposed the com­ mittee consist of himself, Harrison and Hermenet. Robertson has been township treasurer since 2004. In other action Wednesday, the board: - Approved expanding the township water district to include the property at 76th Street and Patterson Avenue where the new Dutton Elementary School is planned to be built. It will also include property that was originally acquired for the school but is now being set aside for residen­ tial development. - Approved a three-year contract with Josh Wickham of Wickham Cemetery Care to be the township cemetery sexton from April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2026. Wickham has served as cemetery sexton the last two years. The township will pay Wickham $2,273 per month, up from $2,067 per month under the previ­ ous contract. “He has been fantastic. He has taken great care of our cemeteries, (he) has fixed several issues that we found in the past,” Township Clerk Joni Henry said. - Approved spending up to $5,000 for the pouring of concrete pads for five benches at the township cemeteries. - Tabled a decision on purchasing two Apex table ensembles with benches and sun shades for the splash pad at the Community Green park that is under construction. - Approved a contract with Caledonia Community Concerts LLC to put togeth­ er a concert series at the Community Grepn amphi­ theater in the amount of $6,000. “The amount remains the same (from past years) - we’ve paid $1,000 per concert to cover the cost of reserving the park, of the sound system, of hiring the band. They take care of the rest as far as promotion. They do all the recruitment of food trucks,” Harrison said. B'smrar Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us on Facebook to keep up to date until the, new edition is printed! — State of the Art Systems — </ Complete Collision Service ✓ Frame Repairs / State & I-CAR Certified Technicians Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies NFIB (fWS) IWMBAI GOLD CLASS Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023 Catherine Leonard Catherine Louise (Einig) Leonard, age 82, of Alto, MI resides in peace on Sunday, Jan. 15,2023. She was preceded in death by Marcella M. Leonard and her son, Michale A. Cook. Cathie is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, Frederick; seven remaining children blended into one fam­ ily, Loretta, Sherwood (Dawn), Richard (Pat), Robert (Lori), Diane (Bruce), Sue, Doug (Christy); 27 grandchil­ dren; 20 great grandchildren; Shirley Leone Smith Shirley Leone Smith, age 83, ofMiddleville, MI passed away on January 11, 2023. Shirley was bom on November 15, 1939 in Reed City to Walter and Lucille (Johnson) Oberg. She worked for the State of Michigan for over 30 years. Her faith was very import­ ant to her and she was a very active member of Good Shepherd Church. She will be remembered for having a lovely singing voice. She was passionate about the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and proudly served on their Board of Directors. In her spare time, Shirley enjoyed travelling to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island with her husband and family. She also loved searching for and col­ lecting Petoskey stones. Shirley loved living on Jordan Lake and water ski­ ing. She had a soft spot for animals, especially her dogs. Most important to Shirley was her family, especially her grandkids, whose events she loved attending. Shirley is survived by her daughter, Christy (Tim) Tape; grandchildren, Darrin (Becca) Tape, Nick (Alyssa) Tape; great grandchildren, Maddox Greenfield, Kash Tape, Jordan Tape, Easton Tape; siblings, Carl Oberg, Sandy (Richard) Montri, Shari (Dan) Wessels; and several nieces and neph­ ews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; hus­ band, John Smith; children, Paula Smith, Garrick Smith; grandson, Bradley Scott Tape and brother, Ted Oberg. A memorial service for Shirley will take place in the summer. Memorial contributions may be made to MADD or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condo­ lence message for Shirley’s family. and two great great grandchil­ dren; and her remaining sib­ lings, Carl and Judy. Middleville TOPS 546 The Jan. 14 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Two more fish jumped into the fishbowl. Maryellen read an article titled “How Poor Sleep Can Wreck Your Eating Habits.” Sleep experts say an adult should be getting 7. hours of sleep each night. The brain changes and more sugars and snacks are wanted with little sleep. Those with poor sleep increase their chances of becoming obese by 26 per­ cent. Turn off electronic devices at least 1 hour before going to bed and practice Church Mom/Cathie, ment many different things to her family and those who knew her. She had the most beautiful smile of delight, was a force to be reck­ oned with, and will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023 at St Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft Ave. SE, Caledonia, with Rev. David Miller officiating. Burial will be held at Holy Comers Cemetery. Relatives and friends may greet the family Wednesday, Jan. 25,2023 from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial contribution to The Shriners Hospital for Children, office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL, 33607 or online at lovetotherescue. org. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Business Services Help Wanted WATERPROOFING, EPOXY PRESSURE INJECTION. concretestopleak.com 269­ 758-3312. CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits. 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd, Clarksville, MI MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Cah 269-804-7506. getting at least 6 hours of sleep a night. Maryellen won the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908­ 3731. The first meeting is free. alas BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. CONSTRUCTION: ADDITIONS,REMODELING,Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. Pets YORKIE PUPPIES- VERY cute! 1st shots and de-wormed $575.00. 517-726-0706. church curc Community Notice NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE- Please notice Red Dot Storage 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledo­ nia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default ofpayment. This sale will occur online via www. storageauctions.com on2/2/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated other­ wise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit num­ bers are as follows: #354; #453; #454. All property is stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details. Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM - Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledohiaUnitedMelhodist committed followers ofJesus Christ who will Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel comerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am [FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 9:30 a.m. http:/igoodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg comerstonemi.org/weekend HOLY FAMILY IO CATHOLIC CHURCH (269) 795-2391 Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY CHURCH Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou .10:30 10:30 AM Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday School...............9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Sunday 10 am & 6 pm ' Wtzfc/r our servicesfrom our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & y pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilIeFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship................... Community Group............................. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a,m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www-tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023/ Page 5 TOWNSHIP MANAGER, continued from page 1 February meeting. In assisting the superin­ tendent with the daily opera­ tion of Georgetown Township the past eight years, Weersing said he has worked with thie Parks and Cemetery Department, the Department of Public Works, the township’s library, the public library and more. If he comes on board as Gaines’ new manager, Weersing will be moving to a township that has nearly halfthe number ofpeople as the one for which he cur­ rently works. Georgetown Township, in Ottawa County, had a popu­ lation of 54,091, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. Gaines Township, which is Kent County’s second-larg­ est, had a population of 28,812. Prior to his work in Georgetown, Weersing — a Hudsonville resident — was in banking for 18 years, hav­ ing worked at Grand River, Chemical and West Michigan Community banks, according to his linkedin.com website pro­ file. Before that, Weering worked with Fox Jewelers for 12 years. His wife, Kristi, has been a longtime teacher atGlenwood Elementary in the Kentwood Public Schools district. Before that, she worked .at Crestwood Middle School for KPS. During Monday’s final interview, trustee Bob Terpstra asked Weersing what his initial priorities would be ifhired as the new township manager. “I’m a people person, rela­ tionship builder. So, starting with focusing on the people, township staff and depart­ ment heads would be key to that, ofcourse, because those will be the people I’m work­ ing with on a daily basis,” Weersing said. He continued, “Getting to know the board better, because would be the group I’d be working for. So, that would be very important. And, engaging with the pub­ lic. Getting to know the res­ idents, getting out to the business community.” Weersing has extensive experience with various chambers of commerce, including work as a Grand Rapids Chamber ambassa­ dor. He said he would also want to get familiar with township facilities and properties after being hired, and learn more about the Gaines Township budget and its five enterprise funds. “I would need to learn quickly the office processes and procedures. How things work here as opposed to what I’m used to in Georgetown,” Weersing said. “Township ordinances and policies would be very important. As the manager, I believe one of my responsibilities would be to help Gaines Township board members also gave Albion City Manager Haley Snyder high marks after her inter­ view for the manager position. (Photo from Laurie Lemke) enforce the ordinances.” He said he would also want to learn the township master plan that is being finalized this winter, and the parks and trails master plan adopted by the township board earlier this month. And Weersing said he also would need to get familiar with the Byron-Gaines Utility Authority that operates and administers the water and sewer systems in Gaines and Byron townships. Plus, the joint fire services agreement between the two townships concern­ ing the Cutlerville Fire Department. Weersing said he would do a lot of that research on his personal time, while focusing during his work hours on the people he’ll be dealing with in the township on a daily basis. “I found during my transi­ tion to municipal work the best way to learn about the township and what’s going on is to start taking those upset-resident phone calls. That was one ofthe reasons I was hired at Georgetown. And I’ve learned a lot very quickly. Because, if I didn’t have the answer I had to get it,” he said. Gaines Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke asked Weersing how he would handle the township budget. He replied that he would spend a few months “digging into” the budget to figure it out, then he would begin engaging with depart­ ment heads to determine needs for the following year. “And, of course, work closely with the board on what direction they see things going as far as staff­ ing, purchasing and putting that all together for draft proposal,” Weersing said. De Ward asked him during the interview how he would approach evaluating the township’s current staff. “As a relationship builder, I would start by getting to know them,” Weersing answered. “Then, oversight. Watching them. Part of the process is learning proce­ dures, as I need to know what everybody does and how they do it. So, that would give me insight into how they’re working, the things they’re doing, accura­ cy, quality, quantity.” Several board members said Haley Snyder inter­ viewed well, and that is why it took them more than a half-hour in a closed confer­ ence room to deliberate which of the two candidates to choose. As city manager in Albion, Snyder said she is the chiefoperating manager who oversees all the dayto-day operations for the city. She supervises six department heads. Snyder said she has been with the city about 4.5 years. She started there as the deputy clerk/treasurer and has been Albion city manager since March 2021. Prior to that, she worked in the administrative office of the t Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority. As the interview was con­ cluding, DeWard told Snyder that the township’s reference checks all came back very favorable. “They all said they don’t want to lose you, so that’s the risk you take. But they were willing to say, ‘We want what’s best for her.’ That was kind of the final analysis,” he said. 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! LETTERS FROM OUR READERS To the editor: pect it is. Printing a press release Paragraph 5 characterizes as a news story is OK if the the speaker’s action as a topic is a TOPS meeting, a “bitter act of retribution blood drive, or an award, mixed in with some cheap but not if the topic is con­ political theater.” The arti­ flict regarding a partisan cle does not characterize Rigas’s own withholding of political figure. These examples are all the routine courtesy of a from the January 14 issue vote to seat the Speaker as of the Sun and News, which “bitter” or as “cheap politi­ has an unsigned story titled cal theater,” and it does not “Caledonia Republican print a reply from the Angela Rigas snubbed from Speaker,, or any indication serving on House commit­ that the Speaker was offered tees this year.” That is opportunity to reply. indeed a newsworthy devel­ Paragraph 8 reverses the opment. But it requires headline and first paragraph investigation and critical (which say that Rigas was not appointed to any com­ analysis. “Snubbed” in the head­ mittees) to say that Rigas line may or may not be a was b’elatedly notified that prejudicial term, but the she was appointed to a sub­ article itself is at best committee, but it character­ uncritical. In fact it appears izes the subcommittee as to be pro-Rigas propagan­ “obscure” and as “having da, probably a press release no clear direction.” The committee is not named, from Rigas herself. Paragraph 4 states as and no source or evidence fact that Speaker Joe Tate’s is given for this pejorative agenda does not align with characterization of its importance. I assume that citizens of this district. Maybe that is true of many this is Rigas’s own charac­ terization. The article pro­ residents of this district, and perhaps most, but it is vides no analysis of or certainly not true of our response to this assertion. The final paragraph of population en masse. The article provides no sup­ the article reports that Rigas porting evidence, nor does is “disappointed” because it identify this as Rigas’s she was hoping to improve own assertion, which I sus- the state’s education sys- tem, and because she believes that educating children is important. Again, this is Rigas’s own self-representation. In fact during the recent campaign season, neither Rigas nor the candidates whom she endorsed in various school districts presented any posi­ tive, constructive ideas for improving the schools. She herself launched the cam­ paign season by slandering the Caledonia school dis­ trict in an open meeting on May 15, 2022. She and her school board candidates were aligned with and sup­ ported by a PAC funded by a billionaire with a long record of trying to divert public education funding to private ventures that are not accountable to the public and not required to serve all students (which is against the Michigan constitution), and their campaigns fea­ tured unsubstantiated com­ plaints about the schools and homophobic dog-whis­ tles (or “speaking in code”). An argument could be made that it would not have been reasonable to seat a person with Rigas’s tight connections with an anti-public-education movement on the commit­ tee that oversees public education. A competent news article would have explored that angle. In a recent blog post I praised the Sun and News as an example of a local news­ paper with excellent, unbi­ ased reporting of local civic news. I believe that is true of signed articles in the Sun and News: the reporters and the reporting are excellent. I hope that in the future the editors will take more care to preserve the journalistic integrity of this true gem of a local newspaper by declining to serve as a pro­ paganda channel for parti­ san politicians. James Ernest Caledonia Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-U2 to 6 years. (We will assist with toilet training) WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION iulie@stpaulcaledonia.org Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Join us for a special worship service on Sunday, January 22 5:00-6:00 pm Caledonia Christian Reformed Church 9957 Cherry Valley Ave. SE | Caledonia, Ml 49316 - Nursery will be available ~ We gather to celebrate the value ofeach and every human life and remember the loss of more than 62 million unborn children since 1973. ----- enste-----Sponsored by Caledonia I Middleville Area Right to Life www.calmidrtl.com �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21,2023 David Dykstra wraps up long tenure on Barry County Road Commission; Potential successors interviewed Greg Chandler and Jayson Bussa Sun and News David Dykstra attended his last Road Commission board meeting on Tuesday, ending a 24-year run as a member of the board. Just hours later, the Barry County Board of Commissioners convened its Committee of the Whole meeting, where it conducted interviews to name Dykstra’s replacement. As the sun sets on a decades-long tenure with the Commission Road for Dykstra, the Committee of the Whole will recommend to the board of commission­ ers that Jim James be appointed to the six-year term as one of three road commissioners for Barry County. James is a recognizable face around Barry County with years of public service under his belt. He currently serves as Director of Facility Services for Thomapple Manor. But before James takes the seat, Dykstra had an opportunity to reflect on his long history with the Road Commission during his final meeting. “It has been a real pleasure working with you guys,” the Thomapple Township resi­ dent said to his colleagues at the conclusion of the meet­ ing. “Twenty-four years. We got done a lot ofthings that I wanted to do when I came here. We got a lot of trees cut (for road projects).” Dykstra, 83, owned Dan Valley Excavating in Thomapple Township for 30 years before retiring in 2008. He also played a leading role in the development of Middleville’s industrial park on the village’s northeast side. “I’ve learned that you’re not a man of many words, but when you’re speaking, it’s time to listen,” Road Commission Managing Director Brad Lamberg said. “You’ve been good for the County Road Barry Commission and it’s been glad to have you.” Meanwhile, at the Committee of the Whole meeting, six candidates lined up for interviews in front of the county board, vying for Dykstra’s open spot. The Road Commission is one of several department boards that county commissioners will make appointments to, paving the way for what will likely be marathon meetings for the next few weeks. Tuesday morning’s meeting lasted just shy of four hours as commissioners chatted with applicants. Dykstra’s bloodline was well represented amongst the six candidates for road com­ missioner. Rob Dykstra, David’s son, and Phil Corson, David’s nephew, were in the mix. Rob Dykstra commented that he did not tell his neph­ ew, Corson, that he would be. running. It wasn’t until the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting came out that the two family members found out they were running against each other. Still, James found favor amongst the board receiving five votes and earning the spot as the next road com­ missioner pending a vote from the county board of commissioners. For James, a lifelong resi­ dent of Barry County who currently resides in Rutland Township, being appointed as road commissioner brought his community ser­ vice full circle. “My passion for serving our community started back in 1987 when I was summer help for the Barry County Road Commission,” James said in front of the Committee of the Whole. “It was interesting to see the activities taking place (back then). My mom was also involved with township government and county government and she had made the importance of serving the community a family event.” James maintains a busy schedule even before taking on the responsibilities of road commissioner. He cur­ rently serves on the board of directors for the YMCA of Barry County and for Leadership Barry County Board through the Barry Community Foundation. “There are choices to make,, and I know that, to balance my time,” James said. “...It’s a priority to me to make time for my family and make time for my com­ munity. I have no concerns Rob Dykstra, son of long-time road commissioner David Dykstra, fields ques­ tions on Tuesday morning as he interviews for the vacant seat left behind by his dad. Jim James was eventually selected for the role. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) over the time allotment that it will take to fulfill this seat.” James said he was impressed at the current state of the Road Commission, saying it was “absolutely at the top of their game.” His goal is to provide support for leadership in order to keep it that way. “Great allocation of funds,” James said, citing reasons why the Road Commission has been so efficient and successful. “... They are way ahead of the game of knowing what’s in their pipeline. They’re not looking at a product today, they’re looking at the Barry County roads as an intricate force for communication and safety for our entire county and people communicating within or out of our county.” James received votes from commissioners Bruce Campbell, Catherine Getty, David Hatfield, Bob Teunessen and David Jackson. Mike Callton and Mark David Dykstra attended his last Barry County Road Commission meeting Tuesday. A Thornapple Township resident, Dykstra served on the Road Commission board for 24 years. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Doster cast their votes for a new face in Juli Sala. Sala is a Prairieville Township resident that works mostly remotely for Shelby Township-based civil engineering firm Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick Inc. Sala brings with him 12 years of civil engineering experience in site develop­ ment, road design and con­ struction administration. Mark Bonsignore also received a vote from com­ missioner Jon Smelker. Thornapple Players announce new show, leadership changes With the start of a new year comes a new musical and new organizational leadership for the Thomapple Players. The Thomapple Players, a community theater program based in Hastings, will be performing “Into the Woods” as this year’s spring musical. “We are doing a show we have wanted to do for a long time,” said board member Terry Dennison. “This is a tough show to do, but we are up for the challenge and excited to present this here in Hastings.” Dennison, a long-time board member of the Players and cast member of many past productions, said he does not know yet whether he will have a role in this production. In addition to an exciting and challenging production, the Thomapple Players are undergoing some organiza­ tional restructuring. Michael Moray, another long-time board and cast member, has taken over the role of presi­ dent of the board. He said the group will be starting a stra­ tegic planning process soon, and working on the 2023-24 season schedule as soon as “Into the Woods” has fin­ ished. The Thomapple Players will also continue long-time programming staples such as their Youth Theater Program, Summer Drama Camp, Fridays at the Fountain per­ formances, and their fall and Christmas shows. More information on the Thomapple Players can be found by calling the Thomapple Arts Council, the Players’ program partner for many years, at 269-945­ 2002. The Thomapple Players Board of Directors gather in the Dennison Performing Arts Center of the Barry Community Enrichment Center to talk about the details of their upcoming production of “Into the Woods.” Pictured are (from left) Carol Svihl, Angela Seeber, Julian Kratochvil, Michael Moray and Terry Dennison. (Photo provided) �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21,2023/Page 7 Gaines Township Board to hold workshop on proposal to move Gannon Schoolhouse to Prairie Wolf Park James Gemmell south of the township hall. Nor Contributing Writer has it made a decision on the If supporters of a proposal proposal that an outdoor edu­ to move the 139-year-old cational center be set up in the Gannon Schoolhouse to park. Prairie Wolf Park want to see “I think it’s something we it become a reality, they will could look at as two separate have to “put your money (phases),” Lemke said. where your mouth is.” “Maybe the house is one So said Gaines Township phase, and maybe the educa­ Board supervisor Rob De Ward tional center is another phase. at a meeting of the board on And take it not as one big Monday, Jan. 16, at the town­ package but break it down ... ship hall. two ways.” In October, the Gaines De Ward agreed that roiling Township Parks & Trails out the project in two phases Committee pitched to the might be the way to go. The township board possibly mov­ first phase could be to move ing the historic school build­ the house to the park and the ing from its current location at second phase would be to 10034 Kalamazoo Ave., on the establish the Outdoor southeast comer ofKai am azoo Education Center at a later Avenue at 100th Street, to the date, after the necessary funds park on Kalamazoo Avenue are raised to support that por­ south of 84th Street tion ofthe project The house is owned and Lemke noted the outdoor lived in by township trustee education facility would be Kathy Vander Stel. Previously, fairly large in size. it was used as a public school ““The Theonly onlyway wayIIsee seeititbeing being building until 1960. Ifmoved funded funded is is if ifit it’’ss going going to to be be aa to the park, it would serve as a rental building for weddings museum showcasing township and parties ... that’s the only history. way they’re going to be able to Parks & Trails Committee sustain that type of a building. Committee Chairwoman Dana Because the educational (part) Lehmann said at the October isn’t going to bring in that township board meeting the money,” she said. former schoolhouse could Lehmann said in October serve as the new home for the the project may need to raise Gaines Historical Society, ifit a minimum of $5 million, were to accept the donation of although project organizers the building from township are not calling for any town­ trustee Kathy Vander Stel. ship money to be spent. And Lehmann said Vander Stel she also said she would like a would also pay to have the Gaines Historical Society schoolhouse moved to Prairie foundation to be established WolfPark to pay for management and Vander Stel was not present upkeep ofthe education cenMonday’s meeting. at meeting. ter. The Historical Society is Township attorney Clifford a nonprofit organization and Bloom said in a 2020 letter to separate from the township. • “Some of our schoolteachDeWard that it would be a conflict of interest under ers have said they would like Michigan law for Vander Stel to partner with us in getting to participate in township dis­ this done, running it and main­ cussions about the proposal. taining it,” Lehmann said last Lehmann said her group of fell. But Lemke said Monday project supports would also like the facility to be used as she feels the people pushing an outdoor educational center. for the project have a lot of Clerk Michael Brew said he leg-work ahead ofthem before thinks township officials need the township board would be to meet with Historical Society inclined to approve it. members and reach a However, trustee Bob Memorandum of Terpstra said maybe township Understanding on exactly how staff needs to do some legthe project could be carried work of its own. He pointed out that several township out. He noted that, in a Jan. 9 township board meeting, board members had spoken in Lehmann had called out some favor of the project at the officials involved in the town­ November meeting, so long as ship parks and trails master sufficient funds could be plan that was adopted by the raised. He said that gave projboard that night. ect organizers the impression “We were taking a lot of things were moving in the blame ... there were a lot of right direction. “They walked out of here accusations made. But I think we ought to sit down at soipe with a complete flip-flop from work session ... and lay (the when they walked in,” Terpstra project) out so everybody’s on said. “They thought it wasn’t going to happen and they the same page,” Brew said. De Ward agreed and said he walked out with, ‘Oh, Kathy would try to set up the work has a house, we can move it. We’re going to (move) the session within two weeks. Treasurer Laurie Lemke Historical Society, we’re pointed out the township board going to fund this.’ They got has not made a decision yet on all yes’s. And I didn’t feel like whether it wants the Gannon we had done enough of that Schoolhouse moved to the park, which is immediately (leg-work).” But DeWard said the town- ship issued a directive to proj­ ect organizers last fall to pro­ vide the township board with a plan of action, including the fundraising portion. “We’ve not seen that plan yet,” he said. “Is it our respon­ sibility to come up with that plan, or is it theirs? The board had directed them to do it ... We paid $5,000, at their request, because they said ‘We can’t raise money because we don’t have pictures to show people.’ So, we said, ‘Alright. We’ll pay for an architect to draw up designs and stuff.’ We paid for it, they have their designs and now they’re com­ ing in and saying, ‘Well, we can’t raise money because we The 139-year-old Gannon Schoolhouse could be moved to Prairie Wolf Park, if a proposal gains traction. (Photo by James Gemmell) don’t have a place to put it.’ You have a place to put it Put in on Gaines property.” DeWard said the group pitching the plan originally had agreed to raise the money for the project when- it was first broached in 2020. “But they haven’t raised the first nickel, that I can tell. Nothing. And this has been years,” he said. “And you can keep kicking the can down the Some project renderings were brought before the township board last fall. road, but we really do need to (Provided by Parks & Trails Committee Committee Chairwoman Dana Lehmann) come that conclusion.” DeWard said he has heard ing. Setting up a foundation is assuming the township is notified him in a recent email that the Outdoor Education one possibility. going to pay for those costs?” that she would be willing to Center may cost close to $8 “If there’s not a funding DeWard asked. “I hear rum­ withdraw her request to have million to build, because of source for the Historical blings of a (possible) millage her house moved to Prairie inflation and rising construc­ Society to do it, then it’s going for parks and trails. Is that WolfPark, ifit comes to that. tion costs. He said he would to fall back on Gaines what their thought is? That IfVander Stel plans to live in not oppose a two-phase proj­ Township and the township we’re going to do a millage the schoolhouse once it is ect where the schoolhouse general fund,” trustee Tim and pay for it with that? I moved to the township-owned would be moved first, and the Haagsma said, adding that the wouldn’t support it” park, Bloom has said she DeWard said it would be would have to either resign educational center built some- funding portion should be time in the future as phase spelled out in-the Memo of beneficial to find an investor from the township board or willing to donate a large sum the Gaines Historical Society two, after the fundraising is Understanding. completed. DeWard said water, sewer of money to get the project would have to cover the costs associated with Vander Stel “I keeping hearing so many and electric utilities would going. “The trick is, you have to living there and running the people are in favor of it,” have to be connected to the DeWard said. “Well, put your site. That might require the find somebody with a passion education center. Lemke said all these ques­ money where your mouth is extension of a water line or a for what you’re trying to do. then. Ante up.” well being dug. A drain field Because there’s plenty of tions need to be answered “I think what I was under- might have to be built because opportunities to give money before the proposed project for a lot of different tilings. can take the next step. standing was that they’re not no sanitary sewer is nearby. “A workshop is called for,” going to raise money until we Parking space also would have And you’re competing against she said. “This is a big deal, that,” DeWard said. give them some direction that to be built “Are (project organizers) DeWard said Vander Stel what this plan is.” we’re going to let them do it, and move (the house). And we’ve never done that,” Terpstra said. “We’ve always debated it and never said, ‘Raise the money- and we’ll move it.’ So, it’s a chicken­ and-egg thing. They can’t raise a dime until we say we’re willing (to move the house onto township1 property).” DeWard said maybe the township board can commit to that as part of the workshop conversation that is planned. “That’s what Mike (Brew) is talking about. Let’s get together and have that conver­ sation,” DeWard said. Under the proposal put forward by Lehmann and other project planners, trustee Vander Stel would continue to live in the schoolhouse after it is moved to the park and serve as the caretaker for the build­ ing, the artifacts and the future HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS WE’RE Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers outdoor educational center. DeWard said another ques­ tion that would have to be answered is who would pay for maintenance of the build- DeWeerd eeer () (68) HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC, INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 LENNOX BBS. ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21,2023 Middleville DDA to give Shop Local Passports program a whirl James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Downtown Development Authority’s Small Business Saturday promotion was a hit in November, so now the DDA Board wants to try a similar program later this winter. The board voted 6-0 at its Tuesday night meeting to spend up to $500 in print advertisements and promo­ tional materials, ifnecessary, for a winter Shop Local Passport program. But there would have to be sufficient support from local merchants for it work. The minimum budgeted for the program is $100. The word-of-mouth pro­ motion would help support local businesses and vendors in the Middleville area, whether in the DDA’s down­ town district or outside ofit. The idea is to encourage peo­ ple to shop, dine and visit retail and specialty shops during the traditionally slow­ er time ofthe year for many businesses in late winter. The Shop Local program would be patterned after the Small Business Saturday event, where local businesses are promoted on a DDA punch card distributed to customers. The businesses would donate a small item that could be put into a prize box that could be awarded after a drawing is done. Customers would visit par­ ticipating businesses and get their cards stamped, punched or stickered. Afterward, the cards would be turned into the DDA to be entered into the drawing. The winning customers would each get a small prize, and the grand­ prize winner would receive a gift basket or something sim­ ilar. “Maybe all the restaurants want to be in, or Crafted Leaf (Cannabis). Anybody can be in it,” DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim said. “We would have to decide ifwe’re going a week or two weeks, but that would be up to the com­ mittee that takes this over.” DDA board member Joe Mancini was appointed to form the planning committee that will organize and admin­ ister the Shop Local pro­ gram, if there is enough com­ munity interest. The commit­ tee would determine whether the promotion runs for one week or two, likely at the end ofFebruary or the beginning ofMarch. “I think it’s a good idea,” Mancini said. “The Small Business Saturday was really good, and I think all the ven­ dors liked it. I’m willing to go around and see how many people, how many business­ es want to do it. Let’s get a list together ofwho wants to do it and go from there.” DDA Board looking to fill opening Only six members were present on the DDA board Tuesday evening. It normally has nine members, but for­ mer DDA member Johnny DeMaagd left after being elected to the village council in November. Lauren Manzer and Michal Ann Enders were also on the DDA board last year, but their terms in office expired. Chairwoman Kim Jachim said they would have to re-apply and be approved by the village council, ifthey want to be re-appointed to the DDA board. If they return, there will be one opening to fill. Jachim asks anyone in the public who is interested to apply for mem­ bership. Wilkinson Sound asks to run sound system for summer concerts Middleville-based Wilkinson Sound is seeking to contract with the Middleville DDA to operate the amphitheater sound sys­ tem for this year’s Riverbank Music Series. The free con­ certs fun every Friday eve­ ning from mid-June to mid-August at Sesquicentennial Park, along the east bank of the The Middleville DDA board met Tuesday night at village hall. Left to right: board member Joe Mancini, Village President Mike Cramer, Vice Chairwoman Kristen Fisher, DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim, board members Andrew Beck, Eric Schaefer. (Photos by James Gemmell) Thomapple River. Local accoustic jazz gui­ tarist Lew Russ told the DDA board that Wilkinson Sound ran the sound system for him the first- time he played at the music series a few years ago. He recommended the DDA sign a contract with Wilkinson Sound owner Bob Wilkinson to run the sound for the entire series. “The professionalism is incredible,” Russ told the DDA board. “And a great sound will make people get up and dance, have a good time, and then they talk about it. So, from Friday to Friday through the summer, I would like to be the advocate for Wilkinson Sound. Let that be a foundation to negotiate the acts that you bring, and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got this sound guy that’s top class, so you don’t have to worry about that.’ It gives you an edge when you negotiate the pric­ es that they may present.” “(I) would thoroughly enjoy coming back and being able to provide that service to the DDA and the community again,” Wilkinson said. Kim Jachim asked Wilkinson to provide to the DDA his written offer for running the sound system for the entire 2023 season of the Riverbank Music Series so it can be reviewed at a later date. New Year's Special Join Pennock's Health and Wellness Center for the month of January for $0! Want to check us out? Mondays are FREE for the community all January! Use the fitness floor, enjoy various fitness classes, the hot tub and pool! Wilkinson Sound owner Bob Wilkinson addressed the DDA board, saying he’would like to run the amphitheater sound system for the 2023 Riverbank Music Series. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! Regular monthly enrollment fee begins Feb. 1. Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Spectrum Health At Tuesday’s meeting, local musician Lew Russ endorsed Wilkinson Sound to operate the sound system for this year’s Riverbank Music Series. Jachim appoints committee to interview candidates for DDA director Tuesday’s meeting was the first since DDA Director Katherine Bussard abruptly resigned earlier this month. Village President Mike Cramer told his fellow DDA board members that the pay rate for the next director should be scruti­ nized as part of an upcoming rate-compensation study. The duties of the director will be examined as part ofthat process. The Middleville Village Council voted in December to hire Municipal Consulting Services to conduct a com­ prehensive job classification and compensation study for village employees. That will begin by late winter or early spring. “We’re still going to be looking at that (DDA direc­ tor) position, as well,” Cramer said. “And trying to figure out what kind ofjob description that’s going to entail so there’s a more clear­ cut definition ofthe position. I think that will alleviate some of the problems we’ve had in the past, is having that consistency and expectation set before the person’s hired.” Jachim said she would appoint herself, DDA Vice Chairwoman Kristen Fisher and DDA board member Andrew Beck to the commit­ tee that will interview candi­ dates for the directorjob. “So then, we will meet ourselves, we’ll meet with the village, figure but that criteria. We know we’re not going to have our description yet. But we need to move forward and find a new director,” Jachim said. She thanked clerk Glorimar Ayala, deputy clerk Rhonda Van Polen and oth­ ers who have stepped up during the transition to a new DDA board. I can’t thank this board enough or the village staff for how they have rallied around to make this DDA keep going. And it’s smooth right now,” Jachim said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023/ Page 9 Caledonia releases high school honor roll Caledonia High School has released its honor roll for the first semester of the 2022-23 academic year. Students earn­ ing a grade point average of 4.00 or above are recognized as summa cum laude. Those with a GPA of 3.50-3.999 as magna cum laude, and those with a 3.30-3.499 GPA as cum laude. Students qualifying in the most recent semester include: Ninth grade Summa cum laude Mackenzi Anes, Brooke Bender, Madison Bergs, Brecken Byrd, Adam Ciminski, Addison Cook, Gavin DeFields, Saylee De Vries, Brennan Donnelly, Sophia Douglass, Larissa Dudicz, Sophia Fata, Katelyn Ferris, Landry Hammond, Alysse Harper, Madeline Hayden, Adam Haynes, Brady Humbarger, Noah Kaplan, Ian Kimbrell, Parker Knoop, Hellen Komera, Adelae Lucas, Allison Nadiia Wells, Ella Wickens, Yelena Wilks, Anna Windsor, Elliot Winger, Dakota Winters, Luke Witvoet, Ryne Wysocki, Bryce Younce. Cum laude Abram Barker, Kyla Brown, Elliot Clark, Tana Coates, Elysa De Vries, Anna Dunlop, Nolan Ed, Anders Foerch, Charlie Gauthier, Cohen Gregory, Gillian Guzman, Andrew Hanna, Emma Horton, Aveline Jordan, Jonathan Kellogg, Elijah Marchido, Teagan Markham, Liam Moore, Caleb Parlin, Madelynn Pittman, Camden Quigley, Savannah Robinson, Adam Smith, Nina Stiver, Claire Timmerman, Tyler Rosalyn Triebel, VanStrien, Payton Walker. Tenth grade Summa cum laude Luke Atheam, Michael Berger, Greta Betz, Brecken Bloemers, Ethan Buer, Carson Malone, Jayden McCoy, Conroy, William Cook, Noah Moberly, Angel Par, Nathen Cox, Adysen Daman, Derick Prichard, Isabella Rea, Malia Deese, Noah DeRosia, Joshua Resma, David Ella DeRuyter, Drew Diebolt, Robinson, Isaac Robotham, Hannah Dupuis, Dalton Ed, Abigail Skibinski, Evelynn Aidan Edgar, Alexa Elliot, Slomp, Ethan Snapper, Amber Fairchild, Sophia Chelsea Tran, Helena Truong, Gauthier, Jennifer George, Kaden VanRyn, Maya White, Silas Haan, Alexandra Heaton, Rydik Wrubel, Keagan Paige Henion, Elizabeth Yenna, Elliott Ziegler. Hilton, Noah Irish, Kathleen Johnson, Lukas Keson, Gretel Magna cum laude Knipping, Colin Kowatch, Joelyn Abraham, Parker Nirdhvaitha Kumar, Olivia Anderson, Madelyn Anes, LaHaie, Mason Langeland, Erica Angell, Marina Aylo, Danielle Le-Tran, Jessica Alivia Baareman, Hannah Maier, Joshua Maier, Hailey Backhus, Andrew Barnum, Markwat, Tyler McAllister, Lillian Bender, Hannah Cameron Myers, Alivia Bennett, Abigail Bradley, Neubauer-Keyes, Peter Wade Cawson, Kyla Charles, Paarlberg, Erin Peckham, Robert Day, Peyton DeHom, Georgia Pennington, Owen Hudsen Derengowski, Charlie Petersen, Thomas Platschorre, Doan, Maxwell Doll, Allie Poe, Kayli Price, Joshua Samantha Dunham, Audrey Raboum, Finn Radtke, Logan Duong, Garrett Fales, Katelyn Reimbold, Rian Restau, Farstvedt, Anna Garcia, Sebastian Rissley, Addison Yasmeen Ghannam, Eliana Russell, Meghan Ruthven, Grinstead, Caleb Harrison, Juliana Ryder, Nicholas Ayden Sarver, Maquder Shindegual, Samuel Hoag, Hoisington, Katherine Owen Straight, Andrew Tava, Honhart, Hazel Homing, Hailey Tiers, Justin Trees, Jonas Howell, Zoey Hunter, Adela Turpin, Patrick Kay Hurst, Raymond Huynh, VanderKolk, Kenna Vanlente, Benjamin James, Alyssa Susanna Vire, Emily Vu, Jemigan, Paityn John, Lyla Isabella Wierzbicki. Keller, Jolie King, Olivia Magna cum laude Langeweg, Kohen Lapekes, Madelyn Abraham, Molly Liggett, Gabrielle Linker, Avarey Lippert, Parker Ashleigh Adams, Isabelle Lipsman, Marian Listen, Anderson, Sophia Anderson, Addison Luxford, Keira Brody Benjamin, Madison Marshall, Jocelyn Martinez, Bernal, Keira Bommarito, Easton Miller, Ella Kay Miller, Joseph Briseno, Mya Burgess, Zoe Miller, Christian Moorlag, Gabrielle Bums, Isabelle Benjamin Moss, Kortney Buysse, Caroline Callaway, Muller, Sergio Munoz, Cole James Carrow, Parker Chapp, Nyman, Addyson Olin, Jenna Clapper, Rory Cobb, Rebecca Remy Cortez, Samantha Lauren Parker, Pezzato, Sophia Phillips, Daley-Fell, Kaylee DekkingaNathan Purvis, Miguel Rodas- Weller, Mary Depetro, Evan Reyes, Dillan Roosien, De Young, Isabella Ellis, Andrew Rossman, Abigail Francesca Fanco, Ethan Fisher, Landon Fleming, Kaeler Fox, Schnurstein, Ella Schultetus, Gavin Senneker, Mya-Rose Alaina Franklin, Cambria Slosser, Luke Smith, Ryan Gaier, Aiden Gieseler, Presley Snider, Bradyn Snow, Austin Gyorki, LeighaHall, Alexandra Soper, Standley, Hance, Neal Hargrave, Leyla Evan Summer Tague, Brooklynn Hazel, Alexis Henney, Simon Catherine VanArtsen, Eli Veiling, Hilton, Hires, Abigail VerBurg, Brayion Alexander Hochwarth, Ellie Hudson, Micah Jacobson, Walma, Samuel Walma, Samuel Jones, Rachel Judd, Kaelin Kalacanic, Mason Kern. Eden Korb, Elena Lafranca, Isabella Leason, Austin Licari, Ellery Lienesch, Samuel Lusaya, Adalynn Masselink, Vincent Mauriello, Samantha McCormick, Brennan McVey, Sawyer Mertz, Samuel Miersen, Shaun Milanowski, Elise Miller, Nathan Montross, Andrew Moore, Cole Morgan, Mason Morrell, Tucker Murray, Josie Noble, Copelin Okrangley, Andrew Oldfield, Sakura Otto, Alaina Palmer, Lukas Palmitier, Emerson Pattock, Eliza Pehrson, Ada Petersen, Ethan Petz, Ragaz Piromari, Ella Plummer, David Potgeter, Caydence Reed, Alaina Russell, Addison Saidoo, Madison Savin, Jacob Sensing, Yoga Sharma, William Sheely, Henry Simon, Ranveer Singh, Taylor Sorsen, Olivia Stauffer, Gabriel Stevens, Ayden Taylor, Philip Taylor, Alexis Tell, Colton Timmerman, Isabella Treib, Ryleigh Vander Berg, Addysen Vanderlaan, Carly Vander Roest, Aiden VanDeWeert, Leah Van Hall, Luke Veldman, Reed Vogeler, Christina Waldmiller, Trevor Walter, Cameron Weibel, Leah Williams, Lauren Wnuk, Cameron Wright Cum laude Omar Aganovic, Kiley Bommarito, Kaylin Bums, Teagan Chu, Anthony Daley, Cody De Vries, Christian DeYoung, Taylor Doss, Leighton Fink, Ella Frederick, Katelyn Guernsey, Brady Hilaski, Claire Hoop, Rebecca Homacek, Lily Keech, Benjamin Kieliszewski, Avalynn Klapmust, Jenna Labun, Myah Lapekes, West Larson, Abagail Layton, Molly Lieske, Zoey McLeod, Jayden Minton, Dinh Nguyen, Crew Paalman, Marshall Pederson, Allison Pellerito, Alana Pettenger, Axel Price, Jack Rife, Makenna Smiertka, Hayden Stanley, Emma Stein, River Swanlund, Natnaiel Tewoldemedhin, Kort Thompson, Annika Vander Eide, Talen Verburg, Ella Wierenga, Joslynn Wilcox. Eleventh grade Summa cum laude Teresa Abraham, Tyler Ambrose, Peter Andrulis, Kala Bisterfeldt, Aidan Bozym, Grace Bryant, Alyssa Bursch, Megan Bushart, Alisha Bykerk, Noah Creguer, Mackenzie DeVries, Benjamin Diegel, Katherine Eardley, Ian Fedewa, Rishi Garigipati, Reese Geister, Sydnie Greene, Angela Harney, Jaiden Higgins, Jaxson Higgins, Kloe Kimbrell, Sarah Kirk, Kylee Kirkbride, William Knipping, Bedi Komera, Lauren Kosiorowski, Jackson Kozak, Katie Langejans, Zachary Miller, Micah Nagel, Daniel Parker, Allison Perna, Langley Peterson, Jared Porter, Collin Pyper, Emery Rewa, Alexandria Sensing, Emily Sorstokke, Christopher Streit Maeson Strzyzewski, Owen Sufoma, Keira Sundstrom, Carter Tufts, Kamrin Van’t Hof, Kyan Vanderwoude, Jack Van Ess, Ryan Walbeck, Taylor Walter. Magna cum laude Davanee Balczak, Mya Baldwin, Landon Battey, Blake Benjamin, MarliAnna Berman, Cadence Bonter, Maya Brower, Ella Canup, Thomas Clarey, Riley Collins, Brayden Cramer, Adrielle Crothers, Jazlynn Dana, Alyssa DeFields, Kiersten DeHaan, Tucker Dion, Kaylee Dunwoody, Abigail Duong, Sophia Durkee, Courtney Dyer, Jaxson Engelberg, Isabel Fata, Leah Felker, Allison Felt, Sela Fitzell, Ricardo Garcia, Ammar Ghannam, Whitney Graham, Suzannah Green, Sadie Grimes, Rylyn Groeneveld, Chloe Groves, Owen Hager, Richard Harms, Amaya Hawkins, Adrian Heiser, Ryan Helmholdt, Anastasia Herbst, Lilly Hess, Lydia Hilton, Charlie Hoag, Caleb Hofstee, Elizabeth Honhart, Cassandra Honsberger, Audrey Howell, Jenna Huizenga, Reagan Hurst Aidan Johnson, Kerstin Johnson, Marisa Kohn, Summer Kopec, Ava Krebill, Haden Lienesch, Nathan Maas, Kendall Maynard, Pennelope McGarvey, Gabriel Melo Bezerra, Sydney Miller, Carter Moorlag, Levi Moss, Paige Mulder, Mackenzie Myers, Mason Osterhouse, Alexa Pearson, Derek Pennington, Mary-Joe Perkins, Emerson Powers, Corbin Raffler, Addison Rapa, Ethan Rea, Chloe Reese, Cadon Reynolds, Natalie Richardson, Claudia Rissley, Addison Roe, Ethan Royce, Ali Salih, Kirsten Schutte, Grace Siekman, Nicklas Slater, Brayden Smith, Hailey Smith, Andrew Sova, Joshua Sprague, Madison Suttorp, Daniel Swartz, Sheldon Thomas, Cade Tidey, Dakota Tomac, Nina Trupiano, Lily VanDeraa, Barbara VanderMaas, Owen VanderZand, Brenden VanGessel, Taylor Venhuizen, Jason Volpe, Joseph Volpe, Daniel Vranjes, Michael Waldo, Dharius Walker, Analis Wilks, Molly Winger, Brody Woodwyk. Cum laude Lauren Ashton, Kyle Barthel, Carson Beach, Thomas Blowers, Carter Bom, Isabelle Bravata, Kyler Bunker, Nicholas DeBoer, See HONOR ROLL, page 10 We Accept A DELIA DENTAL* Keep Your Teeth for a LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush RLL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You _ Want To Keep,____ One-Stop Dentistry! (UJe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com _ �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023 HONOR ROLL, continued from page 9 Annabelle FraherMatuszynski, Tabitha Gove, Jaden Grace, Kylie Greenlee, James Heath, Sarah Huebner, Allen Johnson, Abigail Kramer, Nola Langeweg, Kelsey Lavalley, Cameron Mealey, Mia Nelson, Christopher Paoletti, Samuel Pugh, Micah Ressler, Alicia Rice, Anthony Russo, Connor Sebel, Hunter Soyka, Asher Straw, Brayion Swartz, Ryan Tafelsky, Sierra Tague, Isabella Teelander, Tyler Tell, Brock Townsend, Aubrey Van Artsen, Leah Weaver, Adia Whisler. Twelfth grade Summa cum laude Allyson Abraham, Erin Asper, Holly Barker, Kendall Benson, Cadence Bommarito, Taryn Briones, Jacob Byanski, Connor Cammet, Thomas Carey, Isaac Clark, Hailey Clarke, Jonathan Collins, Matthew Collins, Gabrielle Dark, Abigail Dean, Tyler Dean, Matthew DeGraaf, Addison Deveney, Michael Douglass, Macey Douma, Emma Dunn, Lydia Ed, Anna Eliassen, Blake Elliot, Madelyn Fennema, Jack Finlan-Hitt, Sara Flynn, Ethan Folkersma, Madison Fortune, Clea Frederiksen, Lea Ganthaler, Grace Geer, Emersyn Geik, Gabriela Gonzalez, Isabel Grinstead, Stella Haan, Caroline Hadaway, Benjamin Hadzic, Avery Hallo, Noah Hanna, Ryan Hautala, Kiana Haywood, Jocelyn Herrema, Aaron Hileman, Austin Hurley, Nathan Huynh, Reagan Huyser, Henry Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Gavin Kern, Elise Klein, Megan Larsen, Gavin Long, Sydney Lopez, Levi Lucas, Camren Martin, Zachary Maurer, Raven Medina, Sydney Mertz, Jonathan Miedema, Anna Mince, Adam Morris, Annabelle Munson, Meadow Neubauer-Keyes, Justin Nguyen, Mystique Niles, Jordan Nyland, Starr Palermo, Avery Palmateer, Quinn Pehrson, Selena Pham, Dilyn Pratt, Ethan Pyscher, Rae Radtke, Megan Russell, Anna Salmon, Theren Sanders, Deanna Sanker, Devin Scanlan, Katherine Schwartzfisher, Mariana Segura Poyato, Lane Shepard-Hatfield, Wyatt Snitzer, Taylor Somerville, Matthew Spoehr, Uja Svems, Zachary Tennant, Ella Theaker, Halle Theaker, Leo Thomas, Leah Thompson, Livia Ubaldo, Marina Valverde Gaya, Caden VanderBerg, Canyen Veldhouse, Katelyn Veldman, Kanika Verma, Isaac Vire, Colson Visser, Alexandra Walker, Allison Weibel, Paige Williamson, Avah Winstrom, Jay Woltjer, Kalen Zuiderveen. Magna cum laude Noah Abdelkader, Clara Acton, Makenzie Allen, Sydney Allen, Parker Anderson, Sophia Arendsen, Akira Beaulieu, Joshua Behm, Alyssa Bischoff, Gabrielle Blowers, Eve Bram, Ethan Brown, Tyler Burd, Zachary Bumis, Averil Byrd, Genevieve Calhoun, Camilla Cariello, Caden Chu, Paul Dailey, Alexander Daley-Fell, Alex DeGraaf, Kaden DeHom, Jordan Domany, Lindsay Duell, Miranda Dunham, Emerson Dykema, Antoinette Fanco, Maddox Gaier, Evan Geelhoed, Joseph Geglio, Omar Ghannam, Ulyana Goerbig, Kendall Graves, Evelyn Gray, Amber Greenhoe, Hassan Hag Ali, Andrew Hager, Reese Irons, Robert Johnson, Claire Johnston, Hailie Jurmu, Lauren Kingsbury, Tanner Knoll, Spencer Konwerski, Aiden Lane, Anthony Lawlor, Logan Lucas, Madison Maas, Lauren Mahoney, Molly Mandsager, Lauren McKenna, Mason McKenzie, Dylan Meduna, Lillian Merlo, Rilana Michel, Hadley Montague, Jillian Moore, Diana Moreno Santos, Kyla Nelson, Reese Nething, Phoenix Oldfield, Josephine Orosz, Meghan. Osborn, Morgan Osborn, Mackenzie Parker, Trinity Perez-Ferner, Eli Peterson, Immanuel Pierce, Erica Postma, Austin Purvis, Levi Redmond, Natalie Reach, Mario Roeske, Alyson Roush, Brayden Russo, Joseph Russo Michael Russo, Brendan Scheid, Luke Shuster Quinn Silverman, Benjamin Smith, Colby Smith, Faith Smith, Mitchell Smith, Anna Stone, Megan Stukey, Ayden Sulzener, Gianna Sumner, Arianna Swanson, Saylor Tague, Avery Talley, Natalia Ulloa, Simona Umschaden, Trevor VanderMolen, Jackson Vanderwal, Lauren VanMiddelkoop, Elizabeth VanOstran, Josiah VerBurg, Luke Vogeler, Jenna Waggoner, Alexander Watterson, Neele Westphal, Amanda Wolf, William Yared, Loukas Young. Cum laude Carl Aquino, Angelica Araya, Ryan Arne, Jimena Asenjo Lopez-Pazo, Carlo Aybar, Samuel Baldwin, Gerri Bartnick, Jimmie Floyd, Bryseida Gonzalez, Evan Graham, Brett Guzman, Johnathan Hagy, Elijah Holt, Mason Morgan, Emma Morris, Tyler Oliver, Cameron Pellerito, Natalia Quigley, Seth Reifler, Michael Rexford, Alexander Skibinski, Eric Sorrell, Adam Spees, Madelynn Sturman, Charles Timmer, Anders Vander Eide, Kyle Winters. Kristen Cove returns to her role on Barry County Central Dispatch Board Jayson Bussa Editor An incumbent will be returning to her post on the Barry County Central Dispatch Board pending final approval from the county’s Board of Commissioners. On Tuesday morning, the county’s committee of the whole considered two candi­ dates to take a citi­ zen-at-large position on the Central Dispatch Board to serve a four-year term. Kristen Cove has held the position for five years and skated through the interview process to receive the nod from county commissioners to continue serving for another four years. The 11-member board, per the department’s rules, must feature two members ofthe general public. Hastings Charter Township resident Kenneth Windes also put his hat in the ring to be considered. Windes was unable to attend the Committee ofthe Whole meeting on Tuesday morn­ ing when commissioners were conducting interviews. With Windes not being pres­ ent, the board mulled over how to proceed. “It seems odd that we’re being asked to pick someone out when we haven’t heard anything from the other party,” commissioner Bruce Campbell said. While county board vice chair David Hatfield agreed with Campbell’s sentiment, he added: “We have an incumbent that we think, and I feel, has done an outstanding job and she’s served in leadership capacities. I personally can’t imagine hearing anything from another candidate that would make me feel that outweighs the service she has provided.” With majority support, the committee moved for­ ward and is recommending Cove to be appointed by the Barry County Board of Commissioners. Cove is a former school board president for Thomapple Kellogg Schools. She has also served as the chair of Central Dispatch’s personnel committee for the last three years. When asked by commis­ sioners what some of her concerns were for the department, Cove cited staffing issues. “Staffing just like for any­ one else ... but for Central Dispatch it’s more critical,” Cove said. “We need people answering those calls.” “Frankly, (employees) could make more elsewhere for less stress,” Cove added. “So it’s making sure we have competitive wages and benefits to retain those staff members once they’re suffi­ ciently trained.” Dr. Dedrick Martin named Superintendent Communicator of the Year Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin has been named the Michigan School Public Relations Association’s (MSPRA) 2022 Superintendent Communicator ofthe Year. The award recognizes a practicing superintendent for outstanding leadership in school public relations and communications. Martin received the sur­ prise honor during Monday’s Board of Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Education meeting. “This award is a testa­ ment to the collective effort of talented administrators, teachers, and staff who are focused on building a posi­ tive climate and culture at CCS and creating an open-minded environment where change can take place,” Martin said. “I am honored to receive this award and am fortunate to work alongside dedicated colleagues who successful­ ly build and foster safe, quality learning environ­ ments for all students to thrive.” In presenting the award, MSPRA Awards & Recognition Committee member Katie McClintic said, “It was clear to MSPRA’s expert panel of judges that Dr. Martin understands the value of a year-round, ongoing com­ munication program, invests in communication tools, strategically works with the district’s commu­ nication professional, prac­ tices communication man­ agement techniques and demonstrates excellent per­ sonal communication skills such as ethics, honesty, openness and active listen­ ing.” Martin joined Caledonia Community Schools in 2018 during a period of rapid community growth and changing demograph­ ics. He immediately recog­ nized the need to build trust with all stakeholders to help collaboratively establish the district’s new direction and launched multiple ini­ tiatives that centered on purposeful communication. Under his leadership, Caledonia Community Schools has developed new branding standards, added a district communications position, and invested in a new app to better connect students, staff and families. “Dr. Martin is a thought­ fid and ethical leader who understands and demon­ strates the crucial role that an effective communica­ tions strategy plays in the success of a school dis­ trict,” said Dirk Weeldreyer, former interim superinten­ dent at Caledonia Community Schools. “He has transformed the effec­ tiveness of Caledonia’s interactions with its core constituencies, moving the district in an exciting and positive new direction.” Over 40 years experience brucesframe nnm From left to right: Josh Traughber, Director of Elementary Education; Darrell Kingsbury, Assistant Superintendent; Sara DeVries, Chief Financial Officer, Katie McClintic, Art & Communication Specialist (KISD); Dr. Dedrick Martin, Superintendent; Dr. Camela Diaz, Director of Secondary Education; Wendy Dubuisson, Director of Special Programs. �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21,2023/ Page 11 CLS guys bested in West Ottawa pool by undefeated Panthers Brett Bremer Sports Editor West Ottawa handled the Caledon ia/Lowell/South Christian varsity boys’ swim­ ming and diving team in an OK Red Conference dual in Holland Thursday. The Panthers took a 186­ 96 win to improve to 4-0 in OK Red Conference duals this season. West Ottawa was third last year at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Swimming and Diving Finals. Luke DeJager had a couple pretty good swims for the Vikings. He placed fourth in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 24.55 seconds. Later he added a second-place time of 1 minute 1.44 seconds in the 100-yard butterfly. West Ottawa junior John Kuiper swam to a win in that 100-yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.3. Brody Menghini took the 50-yard freestyle for the Panthers in 22.59 seconds. Joseph Engle had a pair of individual victories for the Panthers. He took the 100yard backstroke in 55.17 sec­ onds and the 200-yard indi­ vidual medley in 2:03.33. Engle was sixth in the 200yard freestyle and the 500yard freestyle at the state finals a year ago and Menghini was a state qualifier in the 200yard IM and the 100-yard free­ style. Teammate Owen Carlson, a state qualifier in the backstroke a year ago, won the 200-yard freestyle Thursday in 1:52.44. The CLS team got run­ ner-up points thanks to Anders Foerch’s time of6:15.27 in the 500-yard freestyle, Ethan VanderVeen’s time of 1:16.27 in the 100-yard backstroke and Connor Cammet’s time of 1:19.15 in the 100-yard breast­ stroke. The CLS team will be at Grandville for a dual Tuesday and Grand Haven Thursday. TKHS grapplers knock off pair of OK Silver foes at crossover quad The Thornapple Kellogg varsity wrestling teams took wins over Comstock Park and Sparta in an OK Gold/Silver Quad it hosted Wednesday in Middleville. The Trojans bested the Comstock Park Panthers 54-21 and took a 49-25 win over the Spartans. Christien Miller, Austin Pitsch, Maverick Wilson, Kyron Zoet, Andrew Miller, Jackson Curtis and Jayce Curtis all pinned their Comstock Park oppo­ nents for TK. Dylan Pauline and Zack Gibson won by forfeit for the Trojans. In the dual with Sparta, TK got pins from Miller, Middleton and Jackson Curtis, Noah Rosenberg won by injury default for the Trojans and Derious TK teams end first half of Gold season with losses to Cougars tafljf Ityblttil ’feiiif Stox istflpil ttyttsft I’ k Grand Rapids Catholic Central bested both the Thomapple Kellogg boys’ and girls’ varsity bowling teams in OK Gold Conference duals at Park Center Lanes Monday. The Cougars took a 24-6 win over theTK ladies, drop­ ping the Trojans’ 4-3 to close the first half of the confer­ ence schedule. The two teams tied for the overall pinfall in the two Baker Games. The Cougars won the first 123-121 and the Trojans took the second 161-159. The Cougars were domi­ nant in the two regular games however, outscoring the TK ladies 880-587 and then 680­ 552. Sara Willshire picked up one point for the TK game. She had games of 149 and 146. TK also got a 148 and a 128 from Emily Podbevsek, a 126 from Savannah Rehfeldt, a 101 from Jenna Robinett and a 92 from Kenzie Chapin­ Dyer. Keeley Palmbos, Sarah Ripley and Ashleigh Norman contributed for the Trojan team as well. The TK boys were downed 25-5 by the Cougars and are now 3-4 in OK Gold duals on the season. The Cougars won the two Baker games and both to the regular games as well to tally their first 20 points. Z Moore took two points for TK with an outstanding afternoon. He had games of 215 and 209. The Trojan team also got scores of 212 and 160 from Wyatt Jacobson, 185 and 145 from Ethan Kriekaard and 151 and 111 from Wyatt Barnes. Barnes won two points for TK with his scores, and Andy Liu won a point for the Trojans with his games of 144 and 129. TK is scheduled to head to Rock ,‘N’ Bowl to start the second halfofthe conference season against Wayland Monday and then Tuesday will take part in the Zeeland Baker Invite at Fairlanes. The OK Gold Conference season continues Wednesday, Jan. 23, when TK plays host to Ottawa Hills at Hastings Bowl. !®tt® Robinson took a forfeit vic­ tory, as did Zoet and Gibson. In he middle weights, TK got a 9-2 win from Aiden Foy, at 126 pounds, and a 13-3 major decision from Wilson at 132 pounds. TK was at the Rockford Duals last Saturday and wrestled to a 3-2 day. The Trojans beat Edwardsburg 48-31, a Rockford team 66-15 and St. Joseph 46-29. They were bested 47-24 by Whitehall and 45-21 by Jackson Northwest. Zoet and Gibson were CHS girls roll to 15-15 draw in OK Red dual with the Wildcats Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ and girls’ bowling teams battled OK Red Conference foe Jenison at Spectrum Lanes in OK Red Conference action Wednesday with the girls’ unable to come to a result at the end of the afternoon. The Fighting Scot ladies finished in a 15-15 tie with the visiting Wildcats. The Caledonia girls were powered by a sweep of the ten Baker points. Sophomore Kaelin Kalacanic and junior Kala Bisterfeldt each rolled a season best individual game. Kalacanic scored a 183 and Bisterfeldt a 213 for the Scots. Seniors Lindsay Duell, Ryleigh Sturman and junior Emma Whitman also con­ tributed to the draw for the Scots. “The girls have been com­ petitive in nearly every match this year and have a winning record in conference,” Caledonia head coach Blair Hoenk said. “They were also runners up in the Jenison Invitational two Saturdays ago out of 20 teams.” The Caledonia boys’ team had some personal bests of their own Wednesday despite the young team falling 29-1 to the Wildcats. Senior Ayden Sulzener, far and away the Scots’ most experi­ ence bowler on the boys’ side, rolled strikes through Wfafa itiito illiW mi to oink it ■to flip i it stWi> w tyO0 CHS senior Clark among MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists The 120 finalists for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2022-23 school year, pre­ sented by Farm Bureau Insurance, have been announced and Caledonia senior Isaac Clark is among the honorees in Class A. Clark was as member ofthe state runner-up Caledonia var- Wtto hili liitfii' rktoi lim« iSj^ ;l» 0 Caledonia senior Isaac Clark (60) has been named one of 120 MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award Finalists from the Class of 2023, sity football team this fall. Clark is one of 120 finalists, out of 1,440 applicants, to still be in the running for 32 schol­ arships. The male and female Class A winners will be announced Feb. 21. The program, in its 34^* year, has recognized stu­ dent-athletes since the 1989­ 90 school year and again this winter will honor 32 individu­ als from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a post­ season tournament. Farm Bureau Insurance underwrites the Scholar­ Athlete Awards and will pres­ ent a $2,000 scholarship to each recipient. Since the beginning ofthe program, 896 scholarships have been award­ ed. Scholarships will be pre­ sented proportionately by school classification, with 12 scholarships to be awarded to Class A student-athletes, six female and six male; eight scholarships will be awarded to Class B stu­ dent-athletes, four female both 5-0 for the day. Robinson, Jackson Curtis and Rosenberg had four victories each. The TK team is sched­ uled to visit Coldwater for a quad Jan. 25 and will be at the Leslie team invitational Jan. 28. and four male; six scholar­ ships will be awarded to Class C student-athletes, three female and three male; and four scholarships will be awarded to Class D stu­ dent-athletes, two female and two male. In addition, two scholarships will be awarded at-large to minority recipi­ ents, regardless of school size. Every MHSAA member high school could submit as many applications as there are scholarships available in its classification and could have more than one finalist. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood has four finalists and Kalamazoo Loy Norrix and Midland Dow have three finalists this year. LtifeH fftetUKUtee, Compajaj, Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com the first eight frames on his way to a 252. Hoenk, who took over the program this winter, said that the guys’ team also got strong performances from junior Noah Creguer and freshman Brady Humbarger in the dual, as well as a personal best score of the- season from junior Bryton Luxford. The Caledonia teams are scheduled to host Grand Haven for an OK Red Conference dual at Spectrum Lanes Monday and then host Rockford Wednesday in the week ahead. Synopsis Irving Township Board of Trustee Meeting 1/17/2023, 2023, 6:30 PM 3425 Wing Rd, Hastings Ml 49058 Present: Mike Buehler, Dean Bass, Jamie Knight, Sharon Olson, Doug Sokolowski, and 20 members of the public. Motion-Knight; Second Bass to approve the agenda with one change of order. Motion- Knight; second- Buehler to approve the 12/20/2022 minutes. Village of Middleville manager requested increase in maintenance fund for public trail. Barry County Road Commission presented annual report. Motion by Sokolowski to appoint Lorraine Bush as alternate for Board of Review. Seconded by Buehler. 4 “Yes”. Bass "No” Motion by Sokolowski to con­ tract for records room work, Second Knight. Roll call all “Yes” Motion by Sokolowski to move fireboard appointments to February meeting. Seconded by Knight. Motion by Sokolowski to pur­ chase postage paid envelopes from USPS for $1472.00. Seconded by Knight. Roll call vote all “Yes”. Fire, Assessor, Cemetery and Treasurer reports were presented and are on file for review. Motion to pay bills $5455.74 by Knight. Seconded by Bass. Roll call vote all “Yes”. 2 members of the public made comment. Upcoming dates: Budget work­ shop-1/25/2023, 6:30 PM. Board meeting-2/21/2023,6:30 PM. Full minutes will be available on­ line at www.irvingtownship.ore or by calling 269-948-0633 for a copy. Prepared by Clerk, Sharon Olson; attested to by Supervisor, Jamie Knight. 194221 �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023 TK has back-to-back wins for First time since early 2021 Brett Bremer Sports Editor “That was fun,” Thomapple Kellogg head coach Joshua Thaler said. The Trojans have needed some fun. The TK varsity boys’ bas­ ketball game rallied from a 7-point hole entering the fourth quarter to score a 57-55 win over Kenowa Hills in OK Gold Conference action in Middleville Thursday. The Trojans have now won two in a row after having held on for a 36-33 win over visiting Cedar Springs Tuesday. The last time the TK boys won back-to-back ballgames was in February of 2021. The Trojans were bested in their first seven ballgames of this season including a 61-29 loss to visiting South Christian last Friday. Kenowa Hills falls to 6-5 overall this season with the loss. “It is something we have been working towards,” Thaler said Thursday. “Tuesday was a good win, but this was a high-caliber team I think. That is some­ thing we have been trying to work for since last year after Hastings [in December of 2021]. It is fun to see that work paid off for those guys, especially the seniors who kind of had a rough season with the 1-and-whatever record last year.” Junior guard Kyle VanHaitsma drilled a three-pointer from the left wing to put TK up 50-49 with 3:50 to play in the bail­ game with Kenowa Hills Thursday night. The Knights had led 48-41 entering the fourth quarter. It was the first of three times in the fourth that one of his buckets took the Trojans from a deficit to a lead. He converted off an assist from junior guard Ethan Bonnema on a nicely run offensive set to put TK up 52-50 a minute later. Thornapple Kellogg sophomore guard Brody Wiersma flips in a reverse lay-up after getting by Kenowa Hills’ Sutton Tutas in the paint during the fourth quarter Thursday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) VanHaitsma put TK in front for good with 18 sec­ onds to play with a right-handed scoop shot after dribbling by the Knights’ Javion Otten and then avoid­ ing Kenowa Hills’ 6-foot-6 senior Nolan Thayer near the rim. VanHaitsma had 7 of his 10 points in the fourth quar­ ter. Junior center Jaxan Sias got TK off to a decent start by scoring 9 points in the opening quarter. He finished with a team-high 15 points. Junior guard Tyler Gavette had 13 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Coach Thaler said Gavette has been playing really well lately, and that the Trojans are getting better at taking advantage of opponent’s inability to match-up with Sias in the paint. He was also pretty excited to see VanHaitsma stand out. “I thought Kyle had one of his better games lately,” Thaler said. “He played on balance and was making smart decisions. He was forcing some shots up and now he is being more patient, playing smarter and trusting his teammates more. “I’ve been telling him, he is the toughest match-up on the floor if he wants to be, offensively and defensively, because he can drive, he can shoot, he can post up, he can defend smalls, he can defend bigs. We’re working on put­ ting those pieces together.” Gavette’s departure with foul trouble put a little extra pressure on senior Jakob Rodriguez, Bonnema and sophomore Brody Wiersma to close out the game with the ball in their hands and they handled it well for the most part. In all, nine of the ten Trojans scored and all ten contributed to the victory. Otten powered the Knights with a game-high 33 points, but the Trojans mixed up their defense a bit in the fourth quarter and Otten only managed 5 points in the fourth. He had just a single field goal in those final eight minutes. Thornapple Kellogg junior guard tosses up a shot to put TK in front 55-54 with 18 seconds to play in the Trojans’ 56-54 win over visiting Kenowa Hills Tuesday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: Summary of Request: Request for a Use Variance to construct two monument signs on one parcel in tl Office-Service (O-S) zoning district and a Dimensional Variance to allow the electronic portion of a sign to exceed forty (40) percent of the permitted sign fei Property Address: 1200 60th Street, Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Parcel Number: 41-22-05-201-004 Applicant: Tricia Chapman, Kentwood Community Church Date and Time of Hearing: February 8th, 2023, at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Caines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected during regular business hours Monday through Friday, at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices or contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship. org. To be entered into the public record, signed written comments must be received by 5 PM on February 8th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact info@gainestownship.org or (616) 698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. Thornapple Kellogg junior guard Tyler Gavette scans the floor as he’s defend­ ed by South Christian’s Sam Weiss at the top of the key during their OK Gold Conference match-up in Middleville Jan. 12. (Photo by Brett Bremer) That field goal was a big one though. He got the ball to the rim with'just under a minute to play and TK cling­ ing to a 54-52 lead. He missed not once, not twice, but three attempts at a bucket before tipping the ball through the hoop while being fouled. He drilled the free throw to put the Knights up 55-54 with 52.8 seconds to go. The Knights missed a pair of free throws 20 seconds later to keep it a one-point game. Coach Thaler was really happy to see his guys not only respond well to playing with a lead, but to bounce back once that lead had been taken away. “We played a lot better with a lead today,” Thaler said. “On Tuesday we kind of started panicking and had some mistakes. We had some turnovers and forced some bad shots. Playing with a lead is something we kind of talked about in practice, but it’s something they just have to experience. I mean, it’s the second tune being in that position since their JV year.” After VanHaitsma’s big See SPORTS, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21,2023/ Page 13 7K BOYS, continued from previous page bucket with about 18 seconds left put TK in front 56-55, he came up with a big play on the defensive end to reject one of the Knights’ last shot attempts near the rim. Sias followed up by stymieing a shot by Otten in the paint The ball squirted free to the Trojans. Bonnema hit a free throw with half a second to play to create the final two-point margin. The TK coaches were happy with the job Bonnema did focusing on Otten much of the night The Trojans had a little extra inspiration Thursday. Thaler said assistant coach Bobby Roush made some big calls defensively to help swing the momentum in TK’s favor - including altering the focus on Otten late. Roush had chal­ lenged the TK guys to five “120 percent in whatever they do” before the bailgame according to coach Thaler. Trojans stick hurried round two, finish tops at first league contest Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans led by almost five points after the first round. The lead was a little more than ten points after round two. Round three bumped the Trojan lead over 20 points. Thomapple Kellogg’s varsity competitive cheer team opened the 2022-23 OK Gold Conference season by winning the opening conference jambo­ ree at Forest Hi 1 Is Eastern High School in Ada Wednesday night. The Trojans outscored the defensing conference cham­ pions from Cedar Springs 747.82-726.72 at the top of the day’s standings. TK had the highest score in each of the three rounds even with a little unanticipated adversity before their round two performance. “We ended up sprinting to the mat for round two,” TK head coach Amanda Nichols said. “The girls got no warm-up, no walkthrough, some of them did their first skill that day out on the competition mat We were standing in the warm up room when another coach came running up to me and said ‘Catholic Central is offthe mat you’re next’ That must have been the quickest 10 minute break between rounds ever.” The Trojans made a mad dash to the gym and hoping to calm some nervousness and the sudden adrenaline rush Nichols yelled to her team, “this is where champions are made!” Everybody got on quick deep breath in before the Trojans took the mat. The highlight of the round was the back tucks. They all hit. “I had told the girls prior I had gotten a gut feeling earlier while I was getting ready for the com­ petition that all tucks were going to stick today,” Nichols said. “It was truly an electric moment The whole gym lit up. Definitely my favorite part ofthe day.” TK had a round two score of 215.62. The Trojans started the day by earning a score of 226.5 in round one. They closed it by scoring 3205.7 points in round three. TK was the only team above 300 in round three. “We had a strong showing in all three rounds,” Nichols said. “We got some good feedback to take home. We’ll test out a few changes this weekend and get back to conference next Wednesday [Jan. 25] at Kenowa Hills.” Cedar Springs had the sec­ ond best score in each round at FHE. The Red Hawks scored 221.8 points in round one, 209.82 in round two and 295.1 in round three. Kenowa Hills was third in the day’s standings with an overall score of 663.94, ahead ofForest Hills Eastern 641.68, Wayland 605.6 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 533.1. Thursday would have been Bobby’s brother Army Cpl. Nicholas R. Roush’s 35*^ birthday. Nicholas died serv­ ing in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in the summer of 2009. The TK boys are back in action Saturday afternoon, Jan. 21, at Grand Rapids Covenant Christian. Sias had 17 points and Gavette 11 in the win over Cedar Springs Tuesday. The Trojans led that ballgame 30-16 before a Cedar Springs run in the fourth quarter made things interesting in the end. South Christian kept its OK Gold Conference record per­ fect and moved to 7-2 overall with a 61-29 win over the TK boys in Middleville last Friday, Jan. 12. The Sailors started the bail­ game on a 17-0 run. A three by TK sophomore Jacob Draaisma finally ended the Trojans’ scoring drought five and a half minutes into the ballgame. TK’s next bucket was a three by Wiersma two and a half minutes into the second quarter. The Sailors’ offense was a potent combo of 6-foot-6 senior Sam Medendorp in die paint and skilled outside shooters who are also capable ofputting the ball on the floor and getting to the basket Medendorp fin­ ished with 9 points. Sophomore guard Carson Vis had a game-high 16 points for the Sailors. Junior Jake Vermaas had 11 points and senior Jacob DeHaan 10. Gavette led TK with 7 points. Sias had 6 points and Draaisma finished with 6. South Christian has since improved to 8-2 overall and 4-0 in the conference. The Sailors defeated Kenowa Hills 64-34 Tuesday at South Christian High School. CHS wins one at Alma tourney Brett Bremer Scots got pins from White onship with three pins. She second at 190 pounds. She Sports Editor and Meduna. never went beyond the had two pins before get­ The Caledonia varsity Caledonia also had a trio first period in any of her ting put on her back by wrestling team won one of of girls in action at the matches. She stuck Marcellus’ Gabriella its five duals at the Alma Northview Girls Rockford’s Hailee Budrick Allen in the finals. Team Tournament Invitational Saturday. in the championship round. Halle Stout went 1-2 in Saturday. Maddie Hayden won the The Scots also had her three matches for the The Fighting Scots 155-pound flight champi- Kiersten DeHaan place Scots at 100 pounds. knocked off Midland Dow 45-24 for their one victo­ ry. Logan White at 113 pounds, Dylan Meduna at 175, Connor Sebel at 190 and Jacob Kadzban at 215 pounds all earned pins for the Fighting Scots in the win. Caledonia also got three points thanks to James Carrow’s 9-5 win over Dow 126-pounder James Carrow. Eli Hughes, Owen Fynewever and Weston Atwood had forfeit wins for the Scots. The Scots were bested 63-18 by Alma, 61-16 by Reeths-Puffer, 60-24 by Comstock Park and 64-12 by Portland at the tourna­ ment. Sebel, Carrow and Logan White had wins in the dual with Alma for the Scots. William Sheely, Meduna and Kadzban had wins for the Scots in the dual with Reeths-Puffer. White, Sheely, Fynewever and Meduna had pins for Caledonia’s Maddie Hayden is on the top step of the medal stand after the Scots in the contest winning the 155-pound weight class at the Northview Girls Invitational with Comstock Park. In Saturday. Rockford’s Hailee Burdick, Frankfort’s Paige Willman and Traverse the dual with Portland, the City West’s Brynn Smith were the three other medalists at the flight. Barracudas handily outscore Redhawks in non-league duel Brett Bremer Sports Editor In a look at the Hastings/ Delton Kellogg team’s Interstate-8 Athletic Conference future the Barry County Barracudas which include Thomapple Kellogg student-athletes for the rest of this season, took on Marshall at the Community Education and Recreation Center Tuesday and scored a 98-68 win over the Redhawks. Barry County dominated the meet. The team of Hunter Tietz, Heath Hays, Donald Kuck and Blake Barnum won the 200-yard medley relay in 2 minutes .32 seconds. Isaac Stanton, Riley Shults, Barnum and Luca Perotti teamed to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:44.98. The Barry County team of Owen Bailey, Nolan Send, Jameson Riordan and Shults had had the top time of 3:58.21 in an exhibi­ tion race ofthe 400-yard free­ style relay. Barry County had five dif­ ferent guys win individual events. Shults won the 200yard freestyle in 1:59.20. Tietz took the 200-yard indi­ vidual medley in 2:25.63. Devin Pacillo won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.47. Barnum won the 100-yard freestyle in 58.94 seconds. Hays won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:14.86. The Barracudas hosted their annual Delton Kellogg/ Thornapple Kellogg/ Hastings Relays Saturday, Jan. 14, at the CERC. The Barry County boys were third behind a pair of OK Rainbow Tier II Conference foes. Wayland took the championship with 528 points, ahead of Ottawa Hills 526, Barry County 504, Grand Rapids Union 400, Mona Shores/Muskegon 274, Fremont 202, Kalamazoo Central 168 and Ionia 94. The Barry County team closed the meet strong with two of the top four four­ somes in the 400-yard free­ style relay. Kuck, Riordan, Pacillo and Jack Kensington won the race in 3:36.05, beating out the top team from Ottawa Hills by about half a second. The Barracuda team of Send, Tietz, Mason Cross and Barnum placed fourth in CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the December 7, 2022 Township Board of TYustees Meeting which were approved on January 18,2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. 3:53.16 - with Ottawa Hills second and Wayland third between the two Barracuda teams in the race. There were runner-up fin­ ishes for the Barracudas in the 500-yard freestyle relay progressive and the 200-yard backstroke relay. The team of Barnum, Riordan, Kensington and Shults placed second in the 500yard relay in 4:39.72. In the 200-yard backstroke relay the team of Send, Kuck, Tietz and Pacillo was second in 1:56.14. Wayland won both of those races. The Wildcats won seven of the day’s ten events. Caledonia Schools is accepting bids for the provision and installation of a stadium digital scoreboard. The RFP, information, and contacts can be found on our website at www.calschools.org/2020-bond/request-forproposals-and-bids/. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023 Trojans second to Mason at their TK Invitational Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are bigger goals out there for the host Trojans than earning the champion­ ship trophy at their own Thornapple Kellogg Invitational. They’re still counting down to the Division 2 State Finals. The Trojans opened the OK Gold Conference season with a win in the first conference jamboree Wednesday at Forest Hills Eastern High School. While last year the Trojans were second to one (Cedar Springs) in the OK Gold, they are working to be sec­ ond to none this year. TK was second only to Mason at its own TK Invitational Saturday in Middleville. The Mason Bulldogs had the best score in each of the first two rounds, and their round three was enough for them to stay in front ofthe Trojans despite a very solid performance of a very difficult round three routine by the TK ladies. “They did their job,” Thomapple Kellogg head coach Adrian Nichols said. The Trojans had the day’s top round three score of 311.20 points, which was 5.8 points better than the Bulldogs in that last round, and allowed TK to leap Thornapple Kellogg senior Lydia Berg and her teammates throw their back tucks during round two Saturday at the TK Invitational in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Forest Hills Northern and Lakewood in the standings. “They stuck their round three,” Nichols said. “That is a hard round. They are, I believe, more than 75 points over where they need to be to max the round out. That’s a hard round round, to the point where I was being looked at like I was a crazy person [by other members of the coaching staff] at the beginning of the season because it is so hard. “That is a hard round three, and they make it look very easy, and I think people forget about that. I am proud of what they did today, but it definitely lights a fire for conference Wednesday.” Mason won the champion­ ship in a field of ten teams with an overall score of 753.18. TK was second at 748.56, ahead of Forest Hills Northern 728.26, Lakewood 720.14, Bay City Western 709.48, Hopkins 626.32, Whitehall 608.54, Hamilton 595.10, Zeeland East 524.00 and Lee 302.10. TK had scores of 230.30 in round one and 207.06 in round two. That round two score was impacted by an eight-point deduction for a missed back tuck. “I would like to see all of our tucks land for sure in round two,” Nichols said, “which is definitely possible. Our stunts hit, just little tim­ ing issues and a little bit of motion work issues at the beginning of round one. Nothing major, just small things that add up very fast.” Mason had scores of 232.30 in round one and 215.48 in round two, and then closed out the day with a total of 305.40 in round three. Lakewood has sights set on a conference champion­ ship, in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference (GLAC), and a state finals appearance this winter too. Lakewood had scores of 224.80 in round one, 213.24 in round two and 282.10 in round three. Viking head coach Kim Martin said her girls seemed to lack some energy and focus Saturday. Lakewood won the first Greater Lansing One of the highlights of Activities Conference jam­ boree of the season last the day for the Vikings was Wednesday at Stockbridge foreign exchange student Jette Jurgensmeier throwing High School. a handspring in round two “Round two I thought was after doing it for the first better than Wednesday,” Martin said. “The skills were time herself on Thursday. Lakewood heads to St. better. Round one was proba­ bly similar, but it didn’t have Johns for an invitational Monday. The next GLAC the voice it had on Wednesday. Round three, you’ve got to jamboree is Jan. 25 at Maple have correct technique and if Valley. It was the first contest of you aren’t going to have the correct technique then stunts the new year for the TK aren’t going to hit, and every ladies, who last competed at girl and every group strug­ the West Catholic Invitational Dec. 16. It was the first time gled on that today. “There is much to clean this season that the Trojans up, thank goodness we have finished second to anyone a week to do it before our having won both of their December contests. next meet.” 194044 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised that the Village ofMiddleville PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on February 7, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. or after that to consider a SPECIAL LAND USE APPLICATION. The property to be considered for the Special Land Use Application is located at parcel #08-41100-025-20 (also known as Middleville Marketplace). The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Planning Commission meeting, which any interested person can attend at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 and via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.usZj/89348948409 , Meeting ID 893 4894 8409, Passcode: Village. Thornapple Kellogg senior Presley Hall and junior Kenady Smith shout out to the crowd during the Trojans' round one performance Saturday at the TK Invitational in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Special Use Application to be considered seeks Planning Commission approval for consideration of an indoor recreation establishment at 4624 N M-37 Suite B. An indoor recreation establishment is permitted in the C-2 High­ way Commercial District as a special land use per Sec. 78-323(10) and subject to the standards in Sec. 78-544 and 78-564. Any interested person may offer comments to the Planning Commission. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain information about the Special Land Use application or to offer comments to the Planning Commis­ sion. A copy ofthe Special Land Use application is available for inspection at Village Hall located at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333, or via email request to the Village Clerk, at ayalag@villageofiniddleville.org. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day ofthe hearing and may be addressed to the Planning Commis­ sion at PO Box 69, Middleville, MI 49333 or by email to ayalag@villageofiniddleville.org. Respectfully submitted, Glorimar Ayala Village Clerk in the arms of their stunt groups during their round three performance at the TK Invitational Saturday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �I.V .V The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023/ Page 15 Sailors shoot TKHS ladies out of their comfort zone Brett Bremer K & to a 54-29 OK Gold Conference win in Middleville Friday. TK head coach Brandi James said she certainly hasn’t had a TK team play a half of man-to-man defense this season - and not most seasons. “I am a very much a zone coach who likes to change up the zones,” James said, “but when you dig yourself into a hole and won’t find a body on a box-out, my hand is forced. “We were supposed to be focused on rebounds tonight, and we got outrebounded by quite a bit. Those are effort plays, and I expect more out of Desperate times call for my girls. But also, we desperate measures and the went man because were Trojans were ready to try weren’t talking through anything - even playing the rotation of our zone man-to-man defense for the properly. We were giving whole second half. them wide open corner Things improved a bit. threes. To their credit, The Trojans got a body on they knocked down one of Sailors and boxed out a lit­ the hardest shots on the tle bit better. They got out floor. Three comer threes on shooters a little more in the first quarter is a often. dagger, but we have to South Christian hit six mentally recover better three-pointers in the first after runs like that. We half, many from the open only lost the fourth quar­ comers against the TK ter by four.” zone, built a 21-point halfThe three early threes time lead and then cruised had the Sailors out to a 13-3 advantage. They would lead 17-3 by the end of that first quarter and then they Thornapple Kellogg junior Brittney Roodvoets fires up a free throw during her pushed their advantage to team’s OK Gold Conference loss to visiting South Christian Friday, Jan. 12, in 34-13 at the half. Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Ashley Thomasma 194036 paced the Sailors with 18 VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE points. She had 14 points in the first half. Lizzie COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN Wolthuis, a freshman NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE guard, hit three three-pointers in the first AND SUMMARY half and finished with 17 points for the Sailors. Lily OF THE REGULATORY EFFECTS THEREOF Nitz chipped in 9 points. South Christian had 22 offensive rebounds in the PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 10, 2023, bailgame. Wolthuis had 8 the Village Council of the Village of Middleville (the “Village”) adopted boards and Ashley Raredon Village Ordinance No. 2130_(the “Ordinance”), which amends various pro­ added 7 overall. visions ofthe Village’s Code ofOrdinances (the “Village Code”). The prin­ The Sailors improved to 2-1 in the conference and cipal provisions ofthe Ordinance are summarized as follows: 6-4 overall with the victory. Section 1 of the Ordinance amends Section 70-101(h) of Division Senior Alana Compton had a team-high 7 points for 3 ofArticle II of Chapter 70 ofthe Village Code to provide that a ten per­ TK. Freshman Jordyn cent penalty shall be added to the impaid balance ofwater supply rates and Pranger and senior Peyton charges ifthey are not paid on or before the due date. Pratt had 5 points apiece. “We have made a lot of Section 2 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 70-101 (j) ofDivision 3 big improvements [this ofArticle II ofChapter 70 ofthe Village Code to provide that water supply season],” James said. “Our rates and charges are considered delinquent ifthey are unpaid for six months ball movement was a lot or more. It also provides that the village finance director shall certify annu­ Thornapple Kellogg senior center Alana Compton better [Friday]. We pulled ally all water supply rates and charges that are delinquent as of December runs into South Christian’s Ashley Raredon (11) as South out of their zone in 31, on or before the following March 1 of each year to the tax assessing she moves through the paint Friday night, Jan. 12, in that first half because we Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) passed through it really officer of the village. The Ordinance also provides that the tax assessing well. We knew that they officer shall enter the delinquent water supply rates, charges, interest and were going to run that penalties with an additional fifteen percent penalty on the next tax roll. jumping, 2-3 half-court defense and we had a plan Section 3 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 70-268 ofDivision 4 of for it.” Article III of Chapter 70 of the Village Code to provide that a ten percent The Sailors did manage a penalty shall be added to the unpaid balance of sewer rates and charges if few takeaways. Thomasma they are not paid on or before the due date. had a team-high 4 steals for the Sailor defense. Section 4 of the Ordinance amends Section 70-270 of Division 4 James said she did like of Article III of Chapter 70 ofthe Village Code to provide that the village some of the shots her girls finance director shall certify annually all sewer rates and charges that are have been getting lately, but that everyone just needs delinquent as ofDecember 31, on or before the following March 1 of each to be mentally ready to year to the tax assessing officer ofthe village. It also provides that the tax knock them down. assessing officer shall enter the delinquent water supply rates, charges, in­ The Trojans are now terest and penalties with an additional fifteen percent penalty on the next 1-10 overall this season. tax roll. They were bested in a pair of conference contests this Section 5 of the Ordinance provides for the severability ofthe Or­ week. Cedar Springs pulled dinance in the event a portion of the Ordinance is determined to be unen­ out a 45-41 win over the forceable. visiting Trojans Tuesday night and the TK ladies fell Section 6 ofthe Ordinance provides that the Ordinance is effective 41-29 to visiting Kenowa upon publication ofthe Ordinance or upon publication of a summary of its Hills Thursday in Middleville. provisions in a local newspaper ofgeneral circulation in the Village. TK is now 0-5 in the OK A copy of Ordinance No. 2130 may be examined or purchased at Gold Conference. The Trojans are sched­ the Village offices, 100 East Main Street, within the Village, during Village uled to host Covenant office hours. Christian today, Jan. 21, at Thornapple Kellogg junior guard Katie Comeau 1 p.m. The Trojans return to brings the ball up the court for the Trojans during the conference action at Forest VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE Dated: January 10, 2023 second half of their OK Gold Conference bailgame Hills Eastern Tuesday and VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE against visiting South Christian Friday, Jan. 12, in ait Ottawa Hills Friday, Jan. Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 27. Sports Editor �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 21, 2023 Comeback bid by CHS boys just short against Panthers in Holland Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team battled back from a 12-point first half defi­ cit Tuesday night, but its comeback fell just short as the Fighting Scots dropped a 55-51 decision to West Ottawa on Holland’s north side. The loss dropped Caledonia to 1-3 in the O-K Red Conference and 3-5 overall, while the Panthers (1-3, 3-8) snapped a five-game losing streak. The Scots were to face East Kentwood on the road Friday night The Fighting Scots never led in the contest. West Ottawa hit 4 three-point shots in the game’s first 6-and-a-half min­ utes in jumping out to an early 14-5 lead. The Panthers extend­ ed their lead to 25-13 late in the first half, but a basket by senior guard Elijah Holt and a put­ back of a missed shot byjunior guard Ky VanderWoude brought Caledonia within eight at the half at 25-17. The Scots then carried the momentum into the early stag­ es of the second half, as VanderWoude scored seven points during an 11-4 run, capped off by a driving layup that cut the West Ottawa lead to 29-28 with 4:16 remaining in the third quarter. But the Panthers responded with a run oftheir own to close out the quarter, extending their lead to 40-33 heading into the fourth quarter. Caledonia kept battling. Senior guard Mason McKenzie found a streaking Vander Woude driving toward the bas­ ket, and VanderWoude’s layup cut the West Ottawa lead to 42-40 with 4:30 left. But that would be as close as the Fighting Scots would get the rest of the way. With the score at 47-44 and less than 90 seconds remaining, Beetham hit a dagger 3-pointer from the right wing and 6-foot-9 center Jackson Wiegerink added a layup to ice the win for West Ottawa. “You’ve got to score buck­ ets to win,” Caledonia coach Phil Visser said after the game. “16-of-49 from the field and 16-of-28 at the free throw line is not going to win you very many (games). I was frustrat­ ed with our ability to finish. “It’s one of those where you’ve gotta show up in the OK Red and you’ve gotta be ready to play every night We weren’t focused and didn’t finish in the first quarter, and dug ourselves a little bit of a hole and couldn’t dig ourselves out of it” VanderWoude led the Scots with 22 points, 13 of them in the second half. He had two 3-point baskets and made all six ofhis free throws. Junior forward Jaiden Googins added 15 points, 11 of them in the second half. Holt chipped in nine points. Bosma led the Panthers with 17 points, while Wiegerink added 13 and Beetham 11. The Scots have now dropped two in a row. They fell 69-49 at Grand Haven last Friday, Jan. 12. The Buccaneers were 9-1 overall heading into this week­ end’s action. Scots hand West Ottawa ladies their first defeat Brett Bremer Sports Editor West Ottawa isn’t undefeat­ ed anymore. The Caledonia varsity girls’ basketball team brought an end to the Panthers’ 11-game win streak to start the season by scoring a 54-39 win in their OK Red Conference match-up at Caledonia High School Tuesday night. “I am so proud of our kids. From the opening tip we had so much energy and bounce and just unity together on the floor,” Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said. “You could see that our girls had kind of refo­ cused after a kind of disap­ pointing effort the previous Friday against Grand Haven.” Caledonia moved its record to 5-6 overall this season and 2-2 in the OK Red with the win. The Scots fell 44-35 at Grand Haven last Friday, Jan. 13. West Ottawa is now 11-2 on the year after falling to Rockford Thursday and 3-2 in the OK Red. “We accepted the chal­ lenge. It’s easy to get up when you have a team that is unde­ feated and ranked in the area, and one ofthe girls who is one of the top rated in the area [junior guard Gabby Reynolds].” Bloemers said. “We really tried to focus on us before this game more so than our opponent. We have been a little inconsistent. We had a really nice game against Grandville where it was a well-balanced team effort, then we went to Grand Haven on Friday night and it was kind ofthe opposite. ‘We took the time and prac­ ticed on Sunday and Monday to really try to figure out what we need to do to bring the best out of each other. That took a little bit of team building and team bonding. I think it just reinvigorated the girls and got them excited about being together and playing together.” On the court Tuesday they gathered together around Reynolds, who Bloemers said had been averaging close to 30 points per game so far this season. The Scots limited her to 16 points on 6-of-23 shoot- ing. Avah Winstrom and Mackenzie DeVries led the defensive effort on her, but they had a lot ofhelp. “Strategically, we wanted to make Gabby Reynolds play in a crowd and not allow her to be the great playmaker she is off the dribble,” Bloemers said. Offensively, Caledonia shared the load. The Scots had 16 assists on 23 field goals. Grade Gortmaker had 11 points and what coach Bloemers called her best allaround game of the season. She added 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. The Scots also were ener­ gized by 10 points, 9 rebounds The Fighting Scots are all smiles after scoring a 54-39 OK Red Conference win over West Ottawa at Caledonia High School Tuesday. West Ottawa came into the contest with an 11 -0 record. and 3 assists from Kiana Haywood. Kendall Benson LOCK OH ¥©TO UPCOMING CONFERENCE GAB® SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR TEAM SPONSORS had 12 points despite foul trouble limiting her in the sec­ ond half. Winstrom finished with 4 points and 3 rebounds. Sophomore guard Lily Gortmaker had 5 points and 5 rebounds, and sophomore cen­ ter Lakely Bottom chipped in 2 points and 3 rebounds. Teresa Abraham tacked on 2 points. Reynolds was limited a bit by foul trouble as well. She picked up her third foul in the second quarter. The Scots stretched a seven-point led to 29-18 by the half and then improved on that advantage in the third quarter. Coach Bloemers was pleased with his girls’ efforts to get back on defense and communicate well throughout the night.. The Caledonia girls were scheduled to visit East Kentwood Friday night. They will be back in action Tuesday against OK Red leading Rockford at Caledonia High School. The Rams knocked off West Ottawa 54-39 Thursday to get to 5-0 in the OK Red. The Rams are 11-1 overall. The Fighting Scots are also looking forward to a couple ob special upcoming contests at home. The Cal Slams Cancer Night is set for Friday Feb. 10 when the Scots take on Grand Haven. Caledonia will host senior night Feb. 17 when it takes on East Kentwood. The Scots are currently sell­ ing Cal Slams Cancer T-shirts as part of the event fundraiser. They can be purchased online at calslamscancer23.itemorder.com/shop/home/. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-01-28.pdf 92c831369f80221b737dba5db1e29ceb PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 4/ January 28, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year New planning and zoning administrator named in Middleville A project is slated to get underway in the spring of 2025 to rebuild and widen M-37 from north of 76th Street to south of 92nd Street. The intersection at M-37 and 84th Street (pictured) is particularly noto­ rious for traffic back-ups. (Photo by Greg Chandler) MDOT to hold open house on M-37 project in Caledonia Twp. Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia-area residents will get an opportunity next week to look at plans for rebuilding and widening M-37 from north of 76th Street to south of 92nd Street. The Michigan Department of Transportation will hold an open house on the project on Wednesday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE. “MDOT officials will provide project details, cur­ rent scheduling information and an overview of the upcoming environmental study,” said John Richard, spokesman for MDOT’s Grand Region. “The public is invited to stop by any­ time during the meeting to learn more about the project and provide comments.” The project, which is slated to get underway in the spring of 2025, calls for extending the boulevard that now ends just north of 76th Street all the way to 92nd. Currently, that stretch is a two-lane road, and traf­ fic backups are common­ place during both morning and afternoon rush hour. More than 22,000 vehicles use M-37 in that area on a typical day, Richard said. “M-37 really is our Main Street,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said in a video previewing the open house that can be found on MDOT’s YouTube page. “It’s where many of our businesses are. It’s the street that you can’t avoid if you’re trying to go See M-37 PROJECT, page 3 James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville’s new plan­ ning and zoning administra­ tor is coming to the village from Indiana, but he hails from the Battle Creek area. The Middleville Village Council voted 6-1 6-1 on Tuesday night to hire Douglas Powers, who was the planning director in East Chicago, Ind., the past two years. Trustee Makenzi Peters, cast the lone dissent­ ing vote. Technically, the council vote was to increase the bud­ get for the salary of the plan­ ning and zoning administra­ tor from $65,000 annually to $75,000. The increase would be contingent on a positive job review after the first 90 days on the job. Powers will become the village’s first full-time plan­ ning and zoning administra­ tor since former administra­ tor Brian Urquhart left the village in June to become the city planner in Grand Haven. Former co-village manager Duane Weeks handled many of the duties after that, but retired at the end of 2022. A council committee com­ prised of Village President Mike Cramer, Manager Craig Stolsonburg and vil­ lage planning consultant Nathan Mehmed of the Williams & Works engineer­ ing firm had narrowed the list of 12 candidates for the position down to five. One person bowed out. After conducting a second round of interviews of the five finalists on Jan. 12, the committee chose Powers. “Mr. Powers was head and shoulders above everybody else we interviewed,” At right, Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg endorsed Douglas Powers to become the village’s new planning and zoning administrator. Also shown in the photo, starting from the left: Ann Williams, Kevin Smith, Johnny DeMaagd, deputy clerk Rhonda Van Polen. (Photo by James Gemmell) Stolsonburg said. “Very, very knowledgeable, good personality. I think he’d work very well with me and the rest of the staff in the office, including planning commissioners and ZBA (zoning board of appeals). He knows his stuff.” Middleville Planning Commission Chairman Jason Holzhausen said a full-time planning and zoning admin­ istrator is urgently needed in the village. “It’s going to get hectic, and it would be really nice to have the extremely qualified candidate that’s been offered the job, in the seat,” Holzhausen said. Stolsonburg told the vil­ lage council that Powers already knows details about Middleville’s master plan. “He’s very excited to move back to Michigan,” Stolsonburg said. Powers is an Air Force and Air National Guard veteran with a master’s degree in Suspect in shooting at mobile home park in Gaines Township charged James Gemmell Contributing Writer A shooting victim in Gaines Township says it was a drug deal gone bad that resulted in him not only being shot in a mobile home park early on the morning of Jan. 21, but then being chased and shot at on an expressway. It all unfurled in the Grand Village Mobile Home Park off South Division Avenue, just south of M-6. That is in the Cutlerville area of the township. It was around 1:30 a.m. and the location was the 100 block of Northbrook Drive. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office confirms the victim, whose name was not released, drove there with some friends early Saturday morning, allegedly to sell Urban & Regional Planning to conduct a village employ­ from Michigan State ee job classification and University. Powers was a compensation. planner in Elkhart County, “I’d like to keep good, Ind. in 2019-20. Prior to that, quality people, granted,” he worked at MSU as a Peters said. “However, we’re research assistant helping looking at across-the-board communities apply for grants. increases potentially, and He interned with the City of we’d be able to have a pro­ Battle Creek in 2016-17, fessional person or agency reviewing and assessing data coming in and telling us if including the city’s master our rates are competitive plan. with current situations. Stolsonburg said Powers is “Therefore,” she contin­ seeking a $75,000 annual ued, “I’m not really con­ salary, significantly more vinced on the $75k that he’s than the $65,000 that the vil­ asking for. I’d be thinking lage council was planning to more appropriately for the pay for the planning and zon­ inflation that we’re seeing ... ing administrator position. a 3- to 5-percent increase of Stolsonburg said the higher that $65k. And then, seeing salary is warranted in the where (the job-market study) currentjob market. goes first, before we commit But trustee Peters noted to a 90-day increase to that that Powers has only three full $75k.” years of “out of college” Trustee Richard Hamilton experience, not including his agreed, saying that salary military background and request is “way out of internship work. She pointed bounds.” out that the council recently hired a consulting company See POWERS, page 2 • Middleville seeks new vendor for EV charging station • Caledonia Republican Rigas declares ‘Gas Stove Appreciation Day’ • Fighting Scots run into cold shooting, drop one to East Kentwood • Caledonia hockey earns lopsided win on a night dedicated to worthy cause some marijuana to Marquice Fields Jr. He was in another See SUSPECT, page 2 Marquice Fields �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023 POWERS, continued from page 1 “I’m not trying to nitpick this person ... but it seems to me that the person has all the textbook answers for the job, but he doesn’t have the col­ lege of hard knocks in the job,” Hamilton said. However, Cramer said he was on the interview com­ mittee and was impressed with Powers. “The first thing that struck me that really said this guy was worth the $75k, is he provided us with a master plan that he had completed the edit on. And gave us suggestions on how to trim all the fat in ours,” Cramer said. “Right out of the gate, without even being asked.” Cramer also mentioned Powers’ first-hand experi­ ence working on redevelop­ ment grants. “He can literally step in and do the job tomorrow, without having to be taught. And right now, with what we have on the horizon, that’s what we need,” Cramer said. He added that hiring the wrong person for the job can be catastrophic for a commu­ nity. Cramer said the wrong planning administrator was hired a decade ago and it took eight years after the zoning ordinance was amended in 2013 to bring 1,000 houses back into con­ formity. He said that was because the planning admin­ istrator made changes to the ordinance without looking at all the other things that hap­ pen when you change the wording. Trustee Kevin Smith said he noticed that Powers “has a short runway in terms of experience.” However, Smith cited Powers’ experience as a staff sergeant in the military. “I think that’s enough from the school of hard knocks. I would hire him on that point alone,” Smith said. He also pointed to Powers’ master’s degree. “He’s clearly methodical, he certainly uses foresight, he comes prepared to inter­ views. Again, I would hire him on that alone ... Lastly, he’s a quality individual,” Smith said. But Peters recalled a council conversation in December about the pending village employee job classi­ fication and compensation study. “We were talking about increases for village staff, and what a heated discussion that was,” she said. “And we were talking about fair wages and market values on wages, and things like that. And now, we’re looking at a sala­ ried position that’s $10,000 to $20,000 over market value with his job experience. I think that warrants a candid conversation from all mem­ bers.” Stolsonburg agreed that one purpose of the compen­ sation study will be to look at job classifications and how each village position should be paid. But he said fair mar­ ket value has to be consid­ ered, as well. The study will entail settingjob descriptions and coming up with a rea­ sonable pay scale for each position. victim’s vehicle was fired upon multiple times. The radiator was shot and the car became disabled at the Hall Street exit. A Good Samaritan hap­ pened along a moment later, and gave the victim a ride to the hospital. No one else was injured. The Sheriffs Office says the 22-year-old Fields, of Wyoming, Mich., was arrest- ed the next day. “With the assistance of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety tactical team, (police) were able to execute a search warrant in the City of Wyoming,” Brunner said. And on Monday, Fields was formally charged in 63rd District Court with armed robbery and assault with attempt to murder. Bond was set at $100,000. There was no update at the time of publication on the search for the other man inside Fields’ vehicle, nor information about who accompanied the victim to the mobile home park. The KCSO said it remains an active investigation and detectives are searching for others involved in the inci­ dent. Meanwhile, the victim, from Gaines Township, is slowly recovering from mul­ tiple gunshot wounds. Kent County Sheriffs investigators ask that you call them at 616-632-6125, if you have more information about what happened that morning. Also, you can call Silent Observer at 616-774­ 2345 or email silentobserver. org to report information anonymously. SUSPECT, continued from page 1 vehicle. “We do believe that these two groups were known to each other, and that they spe­ cifically met up,” Sgt. Eric Brunner told the Sun and News. “So, it’s not like a random person was targeted in the shooting.” The victim got out of his vehicle and jumped into Fields’ car. But someone inside Fields’ vehicle shot the 21-year-old man, who then got out and took off running. He made it back to his own car, and sped away, first heading south to 68th Street, then west to U.S. 131 and north towards a hospital in downtown Grand Rapids. But police say the suspect’s vehicle caught up to the vic­ tim’s in a high-speed chase on the expressway, and the Middleville DDA continues search for new director, tightens up job description to avoid ambiguity James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Downtown Development Authority Chairwoman Kim Jachim updated the village council on progress in the search for a new DDA director. Former director Katherine Bussard resigned in early January, citing contentious­ ness with DDA leadership. A disagreement about time­ card procedures was one of the bones of contention. The DDA also is looking to fill an open position on its board created when former member Johnny DeMaagd left the DDA after being elected to the village council in November. This week, Jachim said she and Clerk Glorimar Ayala posted public notices about those positions. Village Council trustee Kevin Smith noted some Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O J). OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND; 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED ambiguity in the rules, regu­ lations and vacation time for the DDA director position. He asked if the village could provide more clarity about that in an employee hand­ book. “I’ve been working with Craig (Stolsonburg) on that,” Jachim replied. “On having the new DDA director sign­ ing the village handbook. And then, we will have a contract that spells out things much better than ‘you get to work 40 hours a week at your pleasure.’” She added, “Hopefully, we will get some good candi­ dates in. We already have two board-position candi­ dates in. And that (posting) just went up last week. The other one went up today.” Trustee Makenzi Peters pointed out that the specifi­ cations of the DDA direc­ tor’s role will be included in a village employee job clas­ sification and compensation study that will be conducted in a couple months by Municipal Consulting Services. DWAM grant approval contract with the state. The village must replace about 370 lead and galva­ nized service lines in resi­ dential units within the next 20 years to comply with the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act of 2018. The granting of the award means the village can reallo­ cate its first-round American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding of $181,861 that it was planning to use to pay for the study. About $165,000 of it had been ded­ icated to replacing the lead water lines, anyway. Stolsonburg said the vil­ lage found out in December that it will be receiving a $165,375 Drinking Water Assessment Management grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The village will use the grant monies to pay for a contractor to conduct a study identifying all of the lead service line connections in the village. The village council voted 7-0 to authorize the village manager to sign the grant Michigan’s Only Winter Auto Show! MIRide, Discover Yours! A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO Katherine Bussard addresses the Middleville Downtown Development Authority board shortly after the board accepted her resignation at a special board meeting early this month. Bussard had been the vil­ lage’s DDA director for nearly two years. (Photo by Greg Chandler) FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS TUESDAY, MARCH 7,2023 -7 PM PRESENTING SPONSOR GENTEX CORPORATION FORD COMMUNITY & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - DEARBORN Call 313-943-2354, online: www.dearborntheater.com DeVos Place, Grand Rapids February 2-5,2023 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8,2023 - 7 PM RED ROOM at the DOW EVENT CENTER SAGINAW DATES & TIMES Thursday, February 2,11am-9:30pm Saturday, February 4,10am-9:30pm Friday, February 3,11am-9:30pm Sunday, February 5,10am-5pm GRAuioShow.com Tickets at the Dow Box Office or online: ticketmaster.com THURSDAY, MARCH 9,2023 - 7 PM MACOMR CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - MACOMR Call 586-286-2222 or visit www.macombcenter.com «- • RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023/ Page 3 M-37 PROJECT, continued from page someplace else. “It’s really an important street to us, with the improvements that were done a decade or more ago, bringing us a boule­ vard almost to the center of our community, were appreciated but it really did create a bottleneck and troubles to people travel­ ing to and through our community.” Harrison and other local officials had campaigned for improvements to the corridor for years. In December 2021, planners from the Grand Region included the boulevard con­ cept as one of three options for expanding M-37. Earlier proposals had suggested a five-lane road with a center turn lane, which Harrison opposed. In March 2022, the state Legislature approved a $4.8 billion infrastructure proj­ ect that included $40 mil- lion for the M-37 project. Former state Rep. and cur­ rent state Sen. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, played a significant role in that pas­ sage as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the legisla­ tion into law. “We have a historic opportunity to improve infrastructure in communi­ ties across Michigan, and some of the most vital proj- ects are right here close to home,” Albert said after the legislation passed. “The M-37 project is important for anyone driving to and from Grand Rapids.” “We’re really excited that the legislature has approved these funds, that we can look forward to some improvements to move people around,” Harrison said in the video. The purpose of the M-37 project is to address traffic congestion, safety and operational issues for both motorized and non-motorized traffic. It also projects future traffic growth and addresses pavement and culvert conditions, Richard said. An environmental assess­ ment that is required for the project is set to begin this spring, Richard said. “This study will identify potential impacts and help with mitigation measures,” he said. The environmental assessment will be complet­ ed in 2024 and will include opportunities for public input, Richard said. The M-37 reconstruction and widening follows a resurfacing project on a 6-mile stretch of the high­ way from 92nd Street south to the north village limits of Middleville that was com­ pleted in the summer of 2021. Middleville Council considers ChargePoint as village’s new EV service provider James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Village Council has agreed to search for a new vendor to operate an electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the park­ ing lot behind village hall. At its meeting Tuesday night, council trustees voted 7-0 to authorize village staff to search for a vendor to install new EV chargers. The measure also calls for removal of the old Blink Charging devices and to place them into safe storage. The council voted unani­ mously against a second motion that would have seen the village purchase and install temporary outdoor-rated chargers after the Blink Charging equipment is removed. It would have been a stopgap measure until the new vendor is hired and installs permanent commer­ cial-grade chargers. The decision means the charging station will be capped after the Blink equipment is removed, and won’t be oper­ ational until a new vendor installs new chargers. Village President Mike Cramer had suggested an outlet with a weather-proof cover could be installed during the interim, until a new charging provider is found. The village council voted unanimously in August to send Blink Charging a notice of contract termination. The Miami-based company has been operating an EV-charging station in the parking lot behind village hall for about five years. But village officials cited alleged poor customer service and expensive rates as some of the reasons for ending the contract with Blink. Sending the notice of ter­ mination in advance prevent­ ed an automatic rollover into a new three-year contract upon expiration of the origi­ nal contract in November. The two Blink-owned EV Antenna Men chargers mounted behind vil­ lage hall will be removed. “We can remove them now, if we like,” Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said prior to the council vote. “We can leave them there and let people charge with them. We’ve never received a dime from the electricity that was used from Blink. Ever.” The council discussed the possibility of having Middleville-based Cherry Valley Plumbing & Electrical remove the chargers. “They (Blink) claim in their contract that, at our own peril, we would remove that gear,” trustee Kevin Smith said. “So, I think maybe we should be very clear in our agreement with Cherry Valley when they remove it, that the equipment is treated with the utmost care. Because they have at their pleasure the ability to charge us for that gear. And, if I’m not mistaken, that was not an insignificant amount of money.” Planning Commission Chairman Jason Holzhausen recommended the council consider hiring Californiabased ChargePoint Inc. as the village’s pew EV vendor. “I was not thrilled when the (Blink charging station) originally went in,” he said. “If you’ve ever seen a map, the next-closest Blink char­ ger is in Lansing. And so, everybody in West Michigan that drives a plug-in car has a ChargePoint account, and most likely not a Blink Charging account.” Most of the municipalities that have a ChargePoint sta­ tion own the chargers and set the rates for their use. The company typically sends an electrical subcontractor to a community to install the chargers and power them up. “You can set your own prices. And anybody around here that owns a plug-in has got the (Radio Frequency Identification) card to tap and use it already,” Holzhausen said. Cramer said he liked the recommendation to contact ChargePoint. “I like the idea of (the vil­ lage) owning the equip­ ment,” he said. “I think it would be huge being able to see the contract in front of us and seeing what ChargePoint’s offering.” Holzhausen said he drives an electric vehicle and fig­ ures having chargers in Middleville is an asset to the village. “It’s a connection point between the few chargers in Hastings, the two that we have here and ... you’ve got plenty of chargers north of us,” he said. Smith said he drives an electric vehicle, too, and thinks ChargePoint connec­ tions are more accessible Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Help us support veterans and community functions. Saturday, February 4th and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, * Menu subject to change Adults $12.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 than Blink’s. “Certainly, they have way better coverage. So, I agree with the assessment that ChargePoint might be the better vendor. But I would say that, if we go with who­ ever, that maybe we give them the opportunity to remove that old gear,” Smith said. Before the vote was taken, Cramer said if ChargePoint were hired to be the new provider of EV charging in the village, Cherry Valley Plumbing & Electrical could remove the Blink chargers and install the new ChargePoint devices at the same time. He said that would be a better option than taking the Blink char­ gers out now and leaving the village without any charging infrastructure until new equipment is installed in the future. “And then, we can just box them up. Put the Blink chargers in the back room. And when Blink wants to come pick them up, they can write us a check for the elec­ tricity they owe us for,” Cramer said, noting the orig­ inal contract stipulates that Blink is supposed to reim­ burse the village for the elec- After voting to terminate its contract with Miami Beach-based Blink Charging, the Middleville Village Council is searching for a new vendor to operate an electric vehicle charging station. California-based ChargePoint Inc. is a name that has emerged in that search. (Courtesy photo) tricity used. “Since they have not held their end of the bargain, I think we kind of hold all the chips in this one,” he said. Stolsonburg said the max­ imum cost he feels comfort­ able with the village paying to replace the old charging machines and install new ones would be $3,000. “If you wanted to pull their (Blink) equipment out and just put two home-use 240-volt chargers sitting there for anyone to use, then you’re not losing the (on-site) infrastructure,” Holzhausen said before the vote. “You could have Cherry Valley remove them, install a couple other ones, and then you’d have all the time in the world to get chargers that are on a network ... a charger is better than a stump.” But the council voted to cap the charging station until the new, permanent chargers are installed. B'smrar ___________ Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — 7 Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs J State & I-CAR Certified Technicians JDirect Repair Facility * Most insurance companies Coffee For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 Donated by b^NFIB ® GOLDCLASS Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, Ml Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Digital TV Antennas 616.891.0150 Ceil Phone Boosters Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 269.967.8241 TV ANTENNA & TOWER INSTALLATION www.theantennamen.com Lesonal 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023 Thornapple Kellogg students earn honors at BPA regional contest Elizabeth Helen Finkbeiner Elizabeth Helen Finkbeiner, age 86, of Caledonia, MI went to be with her Lord on Saturday, Jan. 21,2023. For most of Liz’s life here on earth she was a homemak­ er. In her younger years Liz loved raising her family, spending time with her two boys and her husband. She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age. Attending church with her family and bible study with her sister were both very important to Liz. She had a passion for researching genealogy and was involved with the Caledonia Historical Society. Some of Liz’s favorite hob­ bies were quilting and sewing. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Gene; brother, Bernie Rodgers; sister-in-law, Diane Rodgers. She will be lovingly remem­ bered by her children, Ross Finkbeiner, Brian Finkbeiner; grandchildren, Joseph Finkbeiner, Sylvana Finkbeiner, Hunter Finkbeiner, Ronie and Josh Gipe, Keara and Andrew Anderson; great grandchildren, Hadley Gipe, Joshua Gipe, Jr.; siblings, Joyce and Dick Jensen, Sue Rodgers, John Rodgers; extended family and friends. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and a private graveside service for the family was held Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 at Lakeside Cemetery. A celebration of Liz’s life will be held later this spring. Elizabeth will be deeply missed by friends, family and all those who knew her! In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association in Liz’s Memory. Condolences may be sent online at www. mkdfuneralhome.com Middleville TOPS 546 The Jan. 21 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. One new fishjumped into the fish­ bowl and two jumped out. Chris’s program was titled “Hacking our Happy Hormones.” Find your happy place — it can help you live longer. Positive feelings derived from exercise, eating a favorite food, or laughing releases a hormone pool to bathe in. Practicing gratitude, generosity, recognizing bless­ ings, giving compliments or spending time with friends can also be effective. Members were given a work­ sheet to be returned next week in which they will make lists of what makes them smile and be happy. Lori lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908­ 3731. The first meeting is free. Thomapple Kellogg High School had a strong showing at the regional Business Professionals of America (BPA) competition on Jan. 13. All 10 students who com­ peted at the BPA regional competition earned placings in the top 10 of their fields and eight qualified to move on to the state BPA finals. Of the students competing, seven finished first in their events and five of those stu­ dents also finished second in an additional event. Any stu­ dent earning a placing of fifth or higher in different fields are eligible to compete at the state level in March. Thomapple Kellogg students earned 17 state qualifying finishes. Students earning honors at the regional BPA contest are as follows: - Natalie Alden: First in Basic Office Systems; second in Prepared Speech; third in Management, Marketing and Human Resources; fifth in Business Spelling —Emalyn Cartwright: Third in Fundamental Word Processing — Audrey Guikema: First in Health Administration Procedures; second in Basic Office Systems; eighth in Administrative Support Concepts - Kaden Hamming: First in alasg 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip Thomapple Kellogg High School students earned many honors at the regional Business Professsionals of America competition and eight are eligible to com­ pete at the state level in 17 different categories. Pictured in front from left are Emalyn Cartwright, Natalie Alden, Audrey Guikema, Evan Liu (back row) Kaden Hamming, Parker Stewart, Andy Liu, Thea Zellmer, Cameron Phillips, Tyler Voss, (photo provided) Digital Media Production; sec­ ond in Database Applications - Andy Liu: First in Computer Programming con­ cepts; fourth in Python Programming; fifth in Java Programming -Evan Liu: 10th in Computer Programming Concepts - Cameron Phillips: First in Fundamental Word Processing; second in Fundamental Accounting; sixth in Business Spelling - Parker Stewart: First in Graphic Design; second in Digital Media Production; 10th in Digital Marketing Concepts - Tyler Voss: Seventh in Computer Programming Concepts; lOthinParliamentary S Sunday Senrices: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Sunday Service 10:30 AM Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend c H U RC H @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 (269) 795-2391 Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: Church: NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/1 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com uvestream: raceDook.com/tirstbaptfstrniddleville FB0V1IDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 @thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School--------- 9:30 AM Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 1 LOO a.m. .10:30 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor WWr ourservices from our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Sunday Worship Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach ourcommunity with the Gospel FIRST BAPTIST —Caledonia United IL Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin committed followers ofJesus Christ who will comerstonechurch Procedures - Thea Zellmer: First in Presentation Management Keith Hamming is the TKHS BPA advisor. Business Professionals ofAmerica is a national, career and technical organization founded nation­ ally in 1966. Students com­ pete at regional, state and national levels in more than 60 workplace skills assessment program events. Michigan has more than 4,000 members. According to the Michigan BPA web site, the mission of the organization is to develop and empower students to dis­ cover their passion and create opportunities in learning, pro­ fessional growth and service. HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 ajn. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY BCHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023/ Page 5 TKHS releases firstsemester honor roll Thomapple Kellogg High School has announced honor roll students for the first semester of the 2022-23 school year. Students qualify for the honor roll by earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Those with a GPA of 3.7 to 3.97 are named to the high honor roll, and those earning 3.98 or above are named to the highest honor roll. Students earning honors this semester include: 12th grade Highest honor Natalie Alden, Kaitlyn Baldry, Haden Bovee, Tahlia Choiniere, Lane Cross, Benjamin Cuison, Jackson Curtis, Anna Davis, Catherine Densham, Mia Dickman, Mark Douglas, Tag Fortuna, McKenzie Gorman, Lainey Guikema, Maggie Harmens, Ethan Hey, Avrey Hicswa, Adam Johnson, Luke Kaiser, Zuzana Kosova, Gabriel LaJoye, Keely Lambert, Dylan LeClaire, Andy Liu, Matthew Lozada, Emelia MacDonald, Manon Mercier-Perucchetti, Andrew Middleton, Clemence Murzyn, Calvin Myers, Madison Nagel, Connor Newland, Amber Niemi, Elaina O’Riley, Otomo, Mariko Ella Palazzolo, Journie Scheltema, Monica Serrano Aguilar, Molly Shepard, Pietra Soares de Oliveira, Payton Stahl, Graysen Stahle, Emma Thompson, Zachary Timm, Dakota Troseth, Ellie Vandefifer, Lucy VanDemark, Hope Vander Heide, Aislinn VanDommelen, Lindsey Veiling, Tessa Wenger, Thea Zellmer, Kyron Zoet, Grace Zube. High honor Olivia Beckering, Adrian Bickford, Ethan Biltawi, Dakota Boelter, Dillyn Bowers, Katie Burkhead, Tyler Bushman, Austin Chivis, Alana Compton, Carly Cook, Lindsey DeJong, Emilia Egeman, Nicol Figuereo Reyes, Diego Garcia, Zackary Gibson, Ava Grummet, Audrey Guikema, Morgan Hoffman, Hannah Johnson, Autumn Klinge, Samantha Kruisenga, Lukas Linkfield, Casey Lopez, Stephany Lopez Tapia, Tapia Lee Marentette, Aaron Michalk, Elizabeth Mohr, Anna Niemi, Austin Pitsch, David Quist, Olivia Renner, Kylee Rison, Alejandro Rodas, Rachel Shoemaker, Josie Smith, Gavin Snelling, Andrew Swift, Emily Veenstra, Corbin Vroman, Kaleb Walker, Julia Walker, Antje Wessoleck, John Wieringa. Honor roll Myah Andrus, Logan Archambault, Wyatt Barnes, Zackary Bennett, Carsen Burbridge, Jacob Chapman, Hunter Cisler, Kyla Fields, Elizabeth Gaunt, Carmen Gonzalez Martin, Preslee Hall, Ryann Hautau, Liberty Hess, Corey Holt, Austin Huntington, Jacob Kadrovach, Evin Lamance, Zachary Maring, Cameron Phillips, Carly Postma, Nancy Raab, Anastasia Saba, Kaylie Sayer, Ian Sonza, Parker Stewart, Cadence VanOoy. 11th grade Highest honor Noah Anderson, Dylan Bailey, Travis Barton, Tyler Bentley, Tyne Bufka, Holly Carpenter, Hayden Chatman, Kendra Coe, Landon Conroy, Joselyn DeBoer, Jessie Drenten, Hailey Dudik, Bailey Eden, Seth Fabiano, Mallory Hagemann, Kaden Hamming, Kyan Haywood, Cade Hicswa, Laine Hinton, Kira Holzhausen, Keagan Jarvie, Austin Jones, Isaac Kimbel, Nathan Koester, Benjamin Koster, Grant Middleton, Elizabeth Middleton, Mollie Moore, Charlotte Nelson, Ainsley Parsons, Katherine Powers, Emilia Rickert, Shelby Robinett, Whitney Ruger, Amelia Schultz, Alexandra Segoviano, Drake Snyder, David Temple, Samuel THORNAPPLE KELLOGG SCHOOL DISTRICT Trudell, Lucas Van Meter, Lucy VanDuine, Cailin Wodrich. High honor Adam Boguslawski, Ethan Bonnema, Bayleigh Bruce, Tristan Chambers, Blake Dykstra, Emily Fliearman, Jeffrey Marian Frei, Gielincki, Justin Goggins, Alexander Hess, Ava Jahnke, Sara Johnson, Madelyn Labelle, Dylan Lawrence, Seth Astrid Mahler, Hannah Mendoza, Middleton, Clayton Mohr, Sydney Myers, Megan Norman, Darby Nutt, Grady Palazzolo, Madeline Pauline, Lilly Pease, Owen Petrak, Colton Rabley, Brooke Reurink, Margaret Richards, Sydney Robertson, Brianna Sharp, Madison Shattuck, Elizabeth Shrontz, Jaxan Sias, Logan Snelling, Kyle VanHaitsma, Holly Veiling, Julee Walkinshaw. Honor roll Daniel Beckering, Nevaeh Cubano, Abraham FiguereoReyes, Logan Garrett, Tyler Gavette, Adam Gunnink, Mali Holland, Trent Huebner, Matthew Jore, Oliver Klerk, Emilie Landry, Sophia Marcukaitis, Ava Myers, Taylor Olds, Alivia Raak, Lucas Sanchez, Sabrina Schellinger, Emma Schut, Noelle Smith, Danica Smith, Jaelyn Thomas, Kenna VanElst. 10th grade Highest honor Raini Braska, Evelyn Callahan, Madilyn Chivis, Ava Crews, Kaitlyn Cuison, Jacob Sarah Douglas, Draaisma, Aidan Dudik, Charlotte Dykstra, Blake Hardy, Brooklyn Harmon, Aubrey Hawks, Kylee Hoebeke, Addyson Hoffman, Evan Johnson, Evan Liu, Lucas McNabnay, William Nathan, Kameron Nichols, Cole Novak, Andres Ruiz, Michael Sager-Wissner, Isabelle Schilthroat, James Seaben, Rylee Seguin, Ryan Skidmore, Gary Skiles, Valerie Tamez, Hudson Thomas, Tyler Voss, Lukas Walters, Clyde Watson. High honor Sophia Bowerman, Tanner Buxton, Dawson Clous, Chiya Mari Collantes, Mackenzie Coppess, Owen Comer, Josalyn Cramer, Jayce Curtis, Abigail Dumond, Case Dykhouse, Emma Dykhouse, Owen Forbes, Ryan Frizzell, Emma Geukes, Kaylee Green, Jalyn Grimes, Naomi Grummet, Faylene Guy, Cohen Hautau, Claire Holmes, Connor Kennedy, Brooke Kimbel, Kennedy Kimmel, Brady Laven, Ailana Leos, Seth McColley, Lilly McKeown, Graycelin Meaney, Ayden Meek, Kyra Monroe, Lance Ogden, Kylan Pratt, Wraith Rehfeldt, Aiden Robbins, Audrey Rose, Gabriel Rose, Benjamin Scott, Gabriella Smith, Alyssa Spurgeon, Nathan Stariri, Hannah Starr, Ethan Teachout, Hunter Tietz, Camie West, Elizabeth Wieringa. Business Services Honor roll Montana Baker, Kaelyn Bell. Raeann Borrink, Nolan Bowers, Natalie Culver, Tanah Danh, Skylyr Davis-Dunn, Noleigh Lampton, Olivia Nash, Kyle Porritt, Wakefield Sandborn, Lydia Schilthroat, Caden Strait, Caleb Summerhays, Jude Webster. Ninth grade Highest honor Paige Abshagen, Elizabeth Baranek, Devon Barnhill, Zarah Bierenga, Natalie Borrink, Adalyn Cook, Elise DeBoer, Noah Donker, Briella Dykstra, Alexander Frizzell, Trygg Hicswa, Mia Hilton, McKenna Hoebeke, Kenzie Jarvie, Makenzee Knight, Joseph Krystyniak, Abigail LaJoye, Tai Le, Jacob Newland, Thomas Poll, Aaralyn Pruis, Emma Reaser, Jenna Robinett, Lilian Rubert, Israel Sherk, Franklin Wilkinson. High honor Addisan Aardema, Luke Archer, Shaelyne Bennett, Mackenzie Chapin-Dyer, Erik Cove, Kaylie Cross, Grace Draaisma, Zachariah Eldridge, Ella Fischer, Sophia Fockler, Tanner Gauthier, Avery Hagemann, Madison Kietzman, Claira Kovich, Oliver Lietz, Adam Lozada, Charlie Manrose, Blake Peter, Jordan Pranger, Kaitlyn Rose, Loren Saba, Emilia Sanborn, Nathan Shoemaker, Jersey Sias, Cami Stahl, Luciana Teunessen, Megan VanDenBrink, Aaron VanderWulp, Jacob Welch Jr., Ava Zellmer. Honor roll Reese Braska, Karina Guerra Parra, Natileigh Merchant, Bryson Moore, Samantha Pederson, Benjamin Postma, Kara Smith, Malachi Vanengen. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. WATERPROOFING, EPOXY PRESSURE INJECTION. concretestopleak.com 269­ 758-3312. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. CaU 269-804-7506. Pets WESTIE, TERRIER, JACK Russen Mix Puppies- 1st shots & wormed. Very cute. $250.00, 517-726-0706. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES, Up to date on shots and dewormed, very cute. $350, 517-852-3007. MINIATURE RAT TERRIER Puppies for sale- 1st shots and wormed. WiU stay smaU, $100. 269-223-9194. Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. IMPORTANT! RUUD Get it before the New Prices come out! High Efficiency Furnace & Air Helping Kids Know Jesus in a Fun, Safe Environment! $400 OFF with this coupon. E Expires 2124123 cornerstonemi.org/kids HEATING 8 COOLING 0 East Man Street Caledona 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. Furnace FuneUp �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28,2023 Rep. Angela Rigas declares ‘Gas Stove Appreciation Day/ weighs in on the heated debate Happy Gas Stove Appreciation Day to all who celebrate. It’s safe to say that State Representative Angela Rigas does. Earlier this week, the Caledonia Republican, who represents the 79th district of Michigan, released a com­ memorative resolution that declared Tuesday, Jan. 31 as “Gas Stove Appreciation Day.” The announcement from Rigas and her office is one of the latest in a debate that has erupted over gas stoves in homes and whether or not they are safe or should be banned. The debate originated from words spoken by Richard Trumka Jr. who serves as the commissioner of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In an interview with Bloomberg, Trumka dis­ cussed the hidden health and safety hazards that come with this time-honored appli­ ance. “This is a hidden hazard,” Trumka said. “Any option is on the table. Products that can’t be made safe can be banned.” Still, no concrete actions were enacted to ban the sale of, or seize existing, gas stoves. It did, however, prompt fears that gas stoves might be in the crosshairs of a potential ban by the federal government. “Pardon the expression, but this is obviously just another example of gaslight­ ing from our federal govern­ ment,” Rigas said in her announcement earlier this week. “The feds had every intention of banning this immensely important prod­ uct, but when things got too hot, people tried to blame Republicans.” “Gas stoves provide a reli­ able and affordable cooking solution for many Michigan families,” Rigas added. “People are also able to still cook with gas stoves during a power outage, which elec- Rep. Angela Rigas trie ranges don’t allow. Ifthe federal government wants to take away our gas stoves, I’d like to see them try.” Start of ski season finally arrives for Fighting Scots Brett Bremer Sports Editor The plan is for the Southwest Michigan Ski Conference to finally open its 2022-23 season on the hill at Timber Ridge. The Caledonia varsity boys’ ski team got a look at the challenge it faces ahead in the conference as it com­ peted Cadillac Invitational Friday, Jan. 20, at Caberfae Peaks. The host Vikings took the day’s championship with 80 points while the Fighting Scots’ SWMSC rivals from Mattawan/Paw Paw were second with 86 points. The Scots did meet their goal of a top three finish, ending the day third with 126 points. Mt. Pleasant was fourth with 145 points, ahead of Clare 168, Onekama 178, Saginaw Heritage 202, Grand Haven 257 and Harrison 261. “One of our team goals is to fi nish in the top three at all of the invitationals that we compete in and we achieved the first part of that goal at the Cadillac Invitational,” Caledonia head coach Duane Petrosky said. “We knew that there were some great teams at this race. Mattawan Paw/Paw entered the race ranked seventh in the state, Mt. Pleasant was ranked eighth in state and Cadillac is always one of the best teams in the state, so we knew that this would be a great way to see where our team is at the start of the season. “Our guys came out and really skied well today and we are super proud of all of their efforts.” Tyler Dean earned a medal in both events for the Caledonia boys. He was sixth in the slalom and tenth in the giant slalom (GS). 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-1/2 to 6 gears. (We will assist with toilet training) WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION Sean Rice was fifth in the GS for the Scots. “We knew we could end up in the top three, but how we did it makes this race special. We were solidly in third after finishing the GS,” Petrosky said. “Luke Shuster and Tyler Dean each put down great slalom runs, but Sean and Brayden [Smith] both had to climb on one of their runs, which happens when you push yourself to have great times. “At this point, I talked to DJ Potgeter and Ben Diegel and told them that the team needed them to push it hard, but they needed to ski with­ out any mistakes so our team would have a chance to fin­ ish well in the race and they both came through with great times to secure the team’s third place finish. “Today was a great example of our team’s depth, our starters are all capable of putting down times that can put us in contention at a race and today we proved it by scoring with our fifth or sixth seed on a very challenging slalom course.” In the GS, the Caledonia boys had Smith 20th and Luke Shuster 25th. Shuster was also 14th in the slalom. Potgeter finished 21st in the slalom and Diegel was 25th. The Caledonia girls were sixth on the day - happy to beat out their conference rivals from Mattawan/ PawPaw. Your local agent insures your Retfcremen Ask about our annuities and IRAs iulie@stpaulcaledonia.org F4JIN BUREAU INSURANCE' Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.’’ Proverbs 22:6 Cadillac won the girls’ meet with 21 points and had a ‘B’ team place third with 116.5 points. In between was the Grand Haven team that finished with 76 points. Clare was fourth with a score of 166, ahead of Mt. Pleasant 169, Caledonia 228.5, Harrison 254, Mattawan/Paw Paw 272 and Onekama 278. The Cadillac girls come into the season ranked second in the state by the Michigan High School Ski Coaches Association. They won the 2022 MHSAA Division 2 State Championship. “We are extremely proud of the effort that our girls put forth today,” coach Petrosky said. “This was the first invi­ tational for most our them and the first race for several. We are re-building the team and are trying to get as many of our new skiers experience as we can. “My returning starters (Erin Peckham, Mya Baldwin and Kyleigh Thompson) really skied well and are doing a great job leading our new skiers. Mya and Kyleigh are really stepping up in their leadership and in their skiing this year and we are excited to watch them in their new roles as team captains.” Baldwin was 14th in the GS and tied for 17th in the slalom. Thompson was 26th in the slalom and 31st in the GS. The Scot team also had Peckham 31st in the slalom and 35th in the GS, Kayli vAfui fnmraMA Cottf>a*& Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com * FarmBureaulnsurance.com Price 35th in the slalom and Liz Hilton 39th in the GS. Caledonia’s ski teams trav­ eled north last Sunday, Jan. 22, to train and stayed north to race on Monday in the Benzie Central’s Bryan Groenevelt Memorial Invitational at Crystal Mountain. The race honors Bryan Groenevelt who tragically died while ski racing at Crystal Mountain several years ago. “Our guys really worked hard in extremely tough con­ ditions at this race. Any time you have sugar snow and rock solid ice it is challeng­ ing and overall we did pretty well. We took fifth and were only two points away from being fourth in a very talent­ ed field of teams and any time you end up at the mid­ dle or higher in this group you are skiing well. We learned a lot that is going to help us when we start our conference racing in the very near future.” Dean earned a medal with his seventh-place slalom fin­ ish. He was also 16th in the GS. Shuster earned his first invitational medal with a 14th-place time in the sla­ lom. Rice scored in the GS with a 28th-place finish. The Scots also had Potgeter 23rd in the slalom and 24th in the GS. Brayden Smith was 22nd in the GS and Cohen Broomfield 29th in the slalom to score his first varsity points. Onekama won the boys’ contest with 95.5 points, ahead of Mt. Pleasant 109, Grand Rapids Christian 113, Clare 16,2 Caledonia 163.,5 Grayling 16,5 Glen Lake 181, Benzie 188 and Harrison 284. Coach Petrosky said expe­ rience played a role in his girls’ ninth-place finish on the Buck slope at Crystal Mountain. He said the snow was a combination of sugar snow and ice. “The course maintenance crew struggled to keep up with the piles of sugar snow that we bermed up on turns and anyone that gofwide had trouble,” he said. “Our newer skiers struggled with' the conditions but we are proud of their effort. It was a chal­ lenging day for every skier.” Baldwin earned a medal for the Caledonia girls with a 12th-place finish in the GS. Thompson led the Scots in scoring with a 21st-place fin­ ish in the GS and 24th-place slalom performance. The Caledonia team also had Peckham 24th in the slalom and 33rd in the GS. Hilton was 39th in the slalom and Price 42nd. Jessica Maier was 49th in the GS for the Scots. The team title went to Grand Rapids Christian and its 42-point performance. Grayling was second with 97 points, ahead ofMt. Pleasant 145, Benzie 160, Glen Lake 160, Clare 162, Onekama 191, Harrison 248 and Caledonia 254. LIGHT TRUCK PARTS HSEB MHTVHCK BPS * ONE TONS'HNS* SUITS •KEK*4MS HusBnncEangrvuii 269-381-2300 r-- . J USEDPARTS In ' USED TIRES nSRfcns �r The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023/ Page 7 Scores down, but lead grows for TK ladies in Gold cheer standings Brett Bremer Sports Editor With a different day and different judges scores were down for the most part at the second OK Gold Conference competitive cheer jamboree of the season Wednesday at Kenowa Hills High School. That didn’t hold for the host Knights. Kenowa Hills improved its overall score by more than 22 points from confer­ ence meet one to meet two, but it wasn’t nearly enough for the Knights to catch the conference leaders from Thomapple Kellogg and Cedar Springs. The Trojans won for the second time in two tries int eh conference this season, putting up an overall score of 726.54. That total was about 20 points fewer than the TK ladies scored at the opening jamboree of the season, but the gap between the Trojans and the run­ ner-up Red Hawks actually grew. Cedar Springs was second Wednesday with an overall score of 700.96, ahead of Kenowa Hills 686.72, Forest Hills Eastern 644.18, Wayland 587.6 and Catholic Central 519. The TK ladies had the best score in each of the three rounds the only team over 220 in round one, over 200 in round two and over 300 in round three. TK had a round one score of 220.5. The Trojans followed that up with a 205.14 in round two and a 300.9 in round three. Cedar Springs was second in each of the three rounds. The Red Hawks tallied 218.5 points in round one and 194.66 in round two. They closed their day with a 287.8 in round three. The Cedar Springs girls will be the one with the home mat advantage to close out the conference season. They The Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team is all smiles after scor­ ing its second victory of the season in OK Gold Conference action by winning the league jamboree hosted by Kenowa Hills Wednesday. host the final conference meet Jan. 31. TK will prep for that one more time at the LMCCOA Invitational host- ed by Byron Center today, Jan. 28. TK boys limit turnovers, after falling behind early against FHE Brett Bremer Sports Editor Forest Hills Eastern scored its tenth victory of the season Tuesday, knocking off the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team 86-55 in an OK Gold Conference contest in Middleville. While the Hawks improve to 10-3 overall this season with the win, and 4-3 in the OK Gold, TK is now 2-9 overall and 2-4 in conference play. The Trojans were set to finish offthe first run through the conference schedule on the road at Ottawa Hills Friday night, Jan. 27. “We had a slow start and FHE came out hot!” TK head coach Joshua Thaler said. The Hawks outscored TK 31-3 in the opening quarter and extended the lead to 54-20 by the half. The Forest Hills Eastern guys were 14-of-30 from behind the three-point line. “We took care of the ball better and had our season low in turnovers,” Thaler said. “We dug ourselves in too low of a hole to get out of in the first.” Corey Holt led TK on the scoreboard with 10 points. Kyle VanHaitsma had 9 points and 5 rebounds. Brody Wiersma chipped in 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. TK also got 5 points each from Jakob Rodriguez and Ethan Bonnema. Bonnema added 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Hayden Chatman and Jaxan Sias had 4 points each. The Trojans were on the road last Saturday, Jan. 21, taking on Covenant Christian. The Chargers took control of the bailgame with a 21-9 surge in the third quarter to add to their 7-point halftime lead. They went on to a 69-52 non-conference victory. TK managed to force a season-high 26 turnovers against the Chargers, who Thaler said his team matched up well with. Those turn­ overs led to 21 TK points. TK struggled to take care of the basketball itself how­ ever, and the TK coach said his guys didn’t rebound con­ sistently enough. VanHaitsma had a teamhigh 12 points for TK. Wiersma added 11 points and 3 steals. Tyler Gavette had another solid all-around game with 10 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Rein Pranger chipped in 8 points and Bonnema had 6 points to go with 3 assists. TK is scheduled to host Ionia for a non-conference bailgame Tuesday, Jan. 31, and will start the second half of the OK Gold Conference season against league-lead­ ing Catholic Central in Grand Rapids Feb. 3. The Catholic Central Cougars were 6-0 in the con­ ference and 8-3 overall head­ ing into the weekend after scoring a big 71-67 win over South Christian Tuesday. Both teams were undefeated in conference play heading into that match-up at GRCC. Be "SENSIBLE" about your water! 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Authorized S 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 ,On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-5:30piii and Sat. 8:30; PRO’S PICK* Dealer AlA 0 89f 1! ! 030Vr3 WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28,2023 South Christian no match for Trojan bowling teams at Spectrum Lanes Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ and boys’ bowling teams both made it 2-0 against both South Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Christian and Ottawa Hills with wins in OK Gold Conference duals this week. The TK ladies ran their record on the conference lanes to 6-4 with the two victories. They bested South Christian 26-4 Wednesday afternoon at Spectrum Lanes. The TK ladies took nar­ row victories in the Baker games to get things started. They won the first 116-112 and then took the second 141-133. The gap was big­ ger in the two regular team games with TK taking wins by the scores of 719-548 and 625-527. Emily Podbevsek took two team points for TK with scores of 182 and 128. Jenna Robinett rolled a 160 and a 110 to earn a team point for TK too. Sara Willshire, Savannah Rehfeldt and Ashleigh Norman also won head-tohead match-ups to earn points for the Trojans. Willshire had games of 143 and 140. Rehfeldt FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones rolled a 140 and Norman a 135. The Trojan team also had Addison Bont score a 109 and Kenzie Chapin-Dyer score a 97. The Thornapple Kellogg boys outscored the Sailors 29- 1 on the day. The TK boys took the first Baker game 158-112 and then stepped up for a 179-165 win in the second. TK won both of the regu­ lar team teams. It took the first 811-660 and the sec­ ond 864-731. Wyatt' Jacobson, Ethan Kriekaard, Z Moore and Wyatt Barnes each won two team points for TK. Jacobson had games of 224 and 206. Kriekaard rolled a 194 and a 157. Moore scored a 192 and a 185. Barnes rolled 146 twice. Andy Liu won one point for the Trojans. He had games of 126 and 99. The TK ladies took a 30- 0 win over Ottawa Hills Monday at Hastings Bowl and the TK boys won 28-2 over the Bengals. TK came out hot at the start of the boys’ contest with a 225-104 win in the opening Baker game. They scored a 145-115 win in the tially keep growing. But giv­ en your income, how can you contribute to a Roth? You may want to consider what’s known as a “backdoor Roth” strategy. Essentially, this involves contributing money to a new traditional IRA, or taking money from an existing one, and then con­ verting the funds to a Roth IRA. But while this backdoor strategy sounds simple, it involves some serious con­ siderations. Specifically, you need to evaluate how much of your traditional IRA is in pretax or after-tax dollars. When you contribute pretax dollars to a traditional IRA, your contri­ butions lower your annual taxable income. However, if your income is high enough to disqualify you from con­ tributing directly to a Roth IRA, you may also earn too much to make deductible (pretax) contributions to a traditional IRA. Consequently, you might have contribut­ ed after-tax dollars to your traditional IRA, on top of the pretax ones you may have put in when your income was lower. (Earnings on after-tax contributions will be treated as pretax amounts.) In any case, if you convert pretax assets from your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, the amount converted will be ful- ly taxable in the year of the conversion. So, ifyou were to convert a large amount of these assets, you could face a hefty tax bill. And since you probably don’t want to take funds from the converted IRA itself to pay for the taxes, you’d need another source of funding, possibly from your savings and other invest­ ments. Ultimately, then, a back­ door Roth IRA strategy may make the most sense if you have few or no pretax assets in any traditional IRA, including a SEP-IRA and a SIMPLE IRA. If you do have a sizable amount of pretax dollars in your IRA, and you’d still like to convert it to a Roth IRA, you could con­ sider spreading the conver­ sion over a period of years, potentially diluting your tax burden. Consult with your tax advi­ sor when considering a back­ door Roth strategy. But if it’s appropriate for your situa­ tion, it could play a role in your financial strategy, so give it some thought. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Finan­ cial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC The Caledonia varsity bowling teams had a tough night at Spectrum Lanes Monday in an OK Red Conference dual with Grand Haven. The Buccaneers took a 28-2 win over the Caledonia boys and a 27-3 win over the Caledonia girls. Bryon Luxford had two of his personal best scores of the season for the Caledonia boys’ team. second. In the two team games, TK took an 836-572 win and a 679-666 victory. Jacobson, Moore and Kriekaard won two team points each. Jacobson had games of 236 and 219. Moore rolled a 206 and a 155. Kriekaard scored a 136 and a 129. Barnes won a point for TK with a 139. The Trojan team also got a point from Li’s 126. Landen England New 108"& 45" Cottons... Make stunning quilts Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station Open the (back) door to a Roth IRA There aren’t many draw­ backs to having a high income — but being unable to invest in a Roth IRA might be one of them. Are there strategies that allow high-income earn­ ers to contribute to this valu­ able retirement account? Before we delve into that question, let’s consider the rules. In 2023, you can con­ tribute the full amount to a Roth IRA $6,500, or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older — if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $138,000 (ifyou’re single) or $218,000 (if you’re married and filing jointly). Ifyou earn more than these amounts, the amount you can contribute decreases until it’s phased out completely if your income exceeds $153,000 (single) or $228,000 (married, filing jointly). A Roth IRA is attractive because its earnings and withdrawals are tax free, pro­ vided you’ve had the account at least five years and you don’t start taking money out until you’re 59!^. Further­ more, when you own a Roth IRA, you’re not required to take withdrawals from it when you turn 72, as you would with a traditional IRA, so you’ll have more flexibili­ ty in your retirement income planning and your money will have the chance to poten- Grand Haven bowling teams best Scots in OK Red duals Pray For Our Country QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; 8P* Saturday 9 am-3 pm AA AAAAAAA Ayden Sulzener had a good night for the Scots too with scores of 201 and 238. The Caledonia girls were led by Emma Whitman who rolled games of 189 and 207. The Fighting Scots are home again Monday at Spectrum Lanes to take on East Kentwood and then will go on the road to face Grandville Wednesday. and Travis Shotly also con­ tributed to the team win for TK. The top individual games by the TK girls on the after­ noon included a 124 from Podbevsek, a 122 from Robinett, a 105 from from Rehfeldt, a 111 Ripley, a 106 from Norman and a 106 from ChapinDyer. TK is scheduled to host Forest Hills Eastern at Hastings Bowl Monday afternoon and then take on Kenowa Hills at Westgate Bowling Center Wednesday in OK Gold duals. The TK boys were edged 16-14 by both the Knights and the Hawks the first time through the conference schedule, while the TK ladies scored wins in those duals. The Trojan team will also play host to Wyoming Friday, Feb. 3, at Hastings Bowl for a non-conference dual and then go to the Hudsonville Eagle Invitational Feb. 4. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 HDEEA NDITIONING, INC. 269-792-2234 LENNOX ACCREDITED BUSINESS �The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023/ Page 9 Rams and Falcons find their way by CHS defense Brett Bremer The Fighting Scots’ come­ Sports Editor back bid only made it about Through 11 ballgames to half way at East Kentwood open the 2022-23 season, the High School Friday night as Caledonia varsity girls’ bas­ the Falcons took a 65-43 win ketball team gave up more over Caledonia Friday, Jan. than 50 points one time - in a 20. 54-34 loss to Hudsonville to East Kentwood led by 20 open the OK Red Conference points at the half. The season. Caledonia team worked its East Kentwood and way back to within 11 points Rockford both went over that late in the third quarter, but number in back-to-back ball- that was as close as the games with the Fighting Scots Fighting Scots would get. to drop the Caledonia girls to Falcon senior guard Tianna 5-8 overall this season and 2-4 Daye was able to get to the in the OK Red Conference. basket and finished with a Caledonia fell 58-32 to vis­ team-high 23 points. Senior iting Rockford Tuesday night forward Jaevyn Montgomery after a 65-43 loss at East was a force in the paint and Kentwood last Friday, Jan. 20. finished with 12 points. “We haven’t given up 65 Gortmaker led the Fighting and 58 points this season,” Scots with 25 points. She hit 3 Caledonia head coach Todd three-pointers and was 6-of-10 Bloemers said. “For us, I think at the free throw line. it isjust getting back to finding Sophomore guard Lily our identity on defense, and Gortmaker chipped in 8 points playing with unity on the for Caledonia and senior for­ Fighting Scot sophomore center Lakely Bottum offensive end. I think ifwe can ward Kiana Haywood finished attacks the basket while being defended by East get back to doing those two with 4. Kentwood’s Aanzhenii Dandrige during the second things here in this next stretch The Caledonia girls had half of the Falcons’ OK Red Conference win over the of games for us we have a another tough night at the free Caledonia girls Friday, Jan. 20, at East Kentwood chance to right some wrongs.” throw line, they were just High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Caledonia girls were 13-of-24. scheduled to host Jenison The Falcons got out on the Falcons had their lead up to 20 take advantage of defensive Friday night to close out the Scots early, building a 21-5 points for the first time. breakdowns and overhelping first half of die OK Red lead in the opening quarter “Kentwood, I have to give and losing a shooter who is Conference season and will before Lily drilled a three-point- them credit. They came out getting hot” visit non-conference rival er at the end of tire quarter. with energy and enthusiasm East Kentwood’s pressure South Christian Tuesday. Sophia Wozniak answered right from the start. We were defense sped up the Scots, and The Scots felt like they with one of her own at the down 21-8 right at the end of turnovers and foul-trouble hurt were in good shape against the opening of the second and by the first quarter and Tianna Caledonia’s chances all eve­ Rams until a couple the middle of the second the Dye hit three three-pointers to ning. three-pointers late in the first quarter helped push Rockford to a 20-11 lead at the end of the first eight minutes. The Rams’ lead was 11 points at the half. Rockford took off in the third quarter, opening the sec­ ond half on a 16-4 run. They led 47-24 at the start of the fourth quarter. Bloemers said the special challenge in trying to slow down the Rockford offense is that the Rams can put five players on the floor who and attack the basket and hit shots from the outside. The Rams hit ten three-pointers in the ballgame, but the focus especially to open the second half was to limit the Rams’ dribble drives. “We really just wanted to stop them from getting that initial attack, getting downhill in the paint, which forces you Caledonia senior Kiana Haywood pushes the attack for the Scots during the to have to help,” Bloemers said. “Then you’re losing a first half of their OK Red Conference ballgame at East Kentwood Friday night, player in the comer or turning Jan. 20. (Photo by Brett Bremer) your back on a player in the comer and they’re cutting to 194438 the basket” Grace Lyons hit 5 three-pointers and led the Rams with 23 points. Alyssa Wypych chipped in 13 points. Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Caledonia got 12 points from Grade Gortmaker and 6 The Village of Middleville is seeking a qualified applicant for the Downtown from Lakely Bottum. Development Authority (DDA) Director position. This position is full-time, with 40 “[The Rams] change flexible hours per week, with a competitive benefits package. Application instructions defenses well and they did a and a completejob description are available at the Village Office, 100 East Main goodjob ofkeeping us in front Street, Middleville, Michigan, 49333, or on the Village website at and making us have to press www..villageofiniddleville.org. The position will stay open until filled. from the offensive end, and that just led to difficult shots Please submit a cover letter, resume and completed employment application to Kim which produced struggles in Jachim, DDA Chairman, PO Box 402 Middleville, MI 49333. transition and an inability to stay matched up on defense.” Caledonia junior forward Teresa Abraham puts a shot over East Kentwood’s Sophia Wozniak in the paint during their OK Red Conference bailgame at East Kentwood High School Friday, Jan. 20. (Photo by Brett Bremer) COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the January 10, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on January 24, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHI­ GAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on February 14, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Gun Lake Community Church, 12200 W M-179 , Wayland, Ml 49348, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Mich­ igan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Town­ ship. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also pro­ vide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeals’ consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson (ethompson(5>pcimi.com) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Town­ ship Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson at 616-877-2000. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the follow­ ing: 1. ZBA 23-2-001 PARCEL ID # 08-16-155-009-00. 1944 Parker Dr. Wayland, MI 49348. A. 2. A request by Jim TenHaaf Builder for property owner, Jim and Heather Heyboer, for relief from the setbacks established by section 12.4 “Required Setbacks”. i. The subject site is approximately .103 acres in size. The property is currently zoned Gun Lake Residential Front (GRLF) and the applicant is requesting relief to allow for the construction of rebuilding a portion of house that fails to meet the required setbacks. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board ofAppeals. The Yankee Springs Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendment® at or following the public hearing. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Town­ ship Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS By: Jacob Welch, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023 Smaller rounds lead to larger scores for CHS cheer Brett Bremer Sports Editor If it was a fireworks show, no one could have blamed the spectators for thinking they’d just seen the grand finale about three quarters of the way through round three. The Grandville girls wowed in scoring the highest round three score of the sea­ son yet in the OK Red Conference, and the highest overall score yet for that matter, during the confer­ ence’s Midseason Meet at East Kentwood High School Thursday. Grandville made it two for two following its win at the conference’s Preseason Meet two weeks ago with a win Thursday at the Midseason Meet. The Bulldogs put up an impressive point total of 790.28. Jenison was second with a score of 773.64, ahead of Hudsonville 767.7, Rockford 757.18, East Kentwood 745.78, West Ottawa 724.14, Caledonia 658.96 and Grand Haven 541.2. While working to compete in one of the toughest com­ petitive cheer conference’s in the state, the Fighting Scots put up some fireworks of their own Thursday. Caledonia had its best over­ all, score of the year and its top-scoring round two and three performances. The Fighting Scots made a tough decision over the weekend to push for more consistency on the mat in hopes of boosting their scores. Head coach Lauren Hermenet decided to trim the Scots’ numbers on the mat from 12 in each round to 6 in each round. “The timing was incredi­ ble today,” Caledonia head coach Lauren Hermenet said of her team’s round two performance. “We actually put back hand- springs in for the first time today, which is a huge win for us. It’s the first time in the last two seasons that we have been able to do that. We’re not the highest scoring team here, obviously. The highest thee of four scores of the season is an incredible improvement.” The Scots have been improving as a whole the past two seasons under Hermenet and the rest of the Scots’ coaching staff. She said her girls came into this season already ready to score more points than they would typically at the end of the 2021-22 season. Caledonia’s overall point total Thursday was about 57 points better than it was two weeks ago at the first con­ ference get-together. The round two score was the tops of the season at 188.56 despite that score including a ten-point deduction for having fewer than the Jocelyn Martinez and Ella Wickens perform in unison during the Fighting Scots’ round two routine at the OK Red Conference Midseason Meet at East Kentwood High School Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 194436 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinance which would amend Section 4.2 ofthe zoning map, has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and has also been posted on the Town­ ship’s website, the address of which is www.caledoniatownship.org . The amendment would rezone land commonly known as 8558 Patterson Ave SE from A-Agricultural District to the R2 Medium Density Single Family District. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading.at a public meeting ofthe Township Board held on January 18, 2023 and is expected to be considered on Second Reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on February 1, 2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township Division 1 required 12 com­ petitors in the round. “Today we actually com­ peted with six girls as opposed to 12 in all three rounds,”” Hermenet said. rounds, “We really just took out girls to make it cleaner and tighter and more effective score­ wise. “Consistency I think [was a big improvement],” she added. “We’ve had a lot of injuries so far this season. I have ten freshmen out of my 19 girls competing on varsity. They really are a super, hard-working class. Really, what it comes down to is having to keep it consistent for the girls. Hard-work and consistency have been big factors in improving our scores.” Obviously, there was some disappointment in hav­ ing fewer girls compete, but Hermenet said her girls took it well. They just started implementing the change Monday. The Scots were less than two points off their top round one score of the season Thursday with a score of 201.3. Caledonia closed the com­ petition with a score of 269.1 in round three. Grandville had the top score of the day in every round. The Bulldogs scored 237.5 points in round one, 232.68 in round two and 320.1 in round three. Every day and every set of judges is different, but that round one score is right in line with that the Bulldogs put up at the MHSAA Division 1 Competitive Cheer Finals a year ago, and the round two and three scores were better. The Bulldogs were seventh at the state finals a year ago, one spot ahead of fellow OK Red member Hudsonville. Hudsonville had the sec­ ond bet round two score of the day Thursday at 235.1, just ahead ofJenison’s 234.8 and Rockford’s 234.6. Rockford moved into sec­ ond place after round two with a score of 229.28 in that second round. Jenison was in third place heading into round three after a round two score of 226.84. Hudsonville put up a score of 224.8 in round two. Jenison jumped into the runner-up spot with a round three performance that earned the Wildcats 312 points. Hudsonville had a score of 307.8 in round three. Rockford closed out the day with a 293.3 in round three. The hosts from East Kentwood jumped West Ottawa into fifth in the day’s standings with a score of 304 in round three. That is the challenge that is ahead ofthe Fighting Scots every time they step out on the OK Red Conference mats. “What I have come to find is that everythingjust derives from really building the cul­ ture and making that culture strong and something the girls really want to be a part of,” Hermenet said. “We have started doing things that we didn’t do last year, like taking time to watch film and breaking video down for the girls. We used to feel we were taking time away from practice, but we have just learned that it has helped us so much. “From our first competi­ tion this year, we never looked that good last year or scored as well as we have this season at all.” The conference got a little extra cheering in at the end of the night - with teams competing for fun in a hand­ stand contest and a liberty stunt contest. Madelyn Sturman and Isabel Grinstead, two of the Scots’ five seniors this season, per­ formed well in the contest to see who could hold a hand­ stand the longest. The OK Red Conference Final will be held Feb. 3 at West Ottawa. Caledonia is competing again Saturday, Jan. 28, in the Lake Michigan Competitive Cheer Officials Association Invitational at Byron Center High School. Seniors Isabel Grinstead (front) and Madelyn Sturman put a flourish on the end of the Scots’ round two routine Wednesday at the OK Red Conference Midseason Meet hosted by East Kentwood High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Caledonia stunt group of Bella Wierzbicki, Sierra Tague, Taylor Johnson and Isabel Grinstead spins around the mat during round three of the OK Red Conference Midseason Meet at East Kentwood High School Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �V fyllLlA aSnudn N aenwds N, Sewatsu,rdSaayu,r ytu, rJdanyu, aJrayn 2u8a,ry202283,2/ e STuhne uneanun aenws,ewasu,r anyu,araynua,ry , 0P2ag3e/ age Page ag 11 k?? Shooting woes hit Scots in middle of OK Red slate Vv Brett Bremer Sports Editor Shooting woes plagued the Fighting Scots for a sec­ ond straight bailgame and the Falcons swatted away their fair share of Caledonia attempts Friday night, Jan. 20, too. The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team fell 56-41 at the home of the Falcons. The Scots also had a tough time putting the ball in the basket the previous Tuesday at West Ottawa. They were just 17-of-48 from the floor Friday night. They were 16-of-49 against West Ottawa. “It’s just not going in right now. As a coaching staff, we’ll see what we can do to improve that and put them in situations in practice to give ourselves an opportunity to score a little bit more,” Caledonia head coach Phil Visser said Friday. The Scots got offto an 8-2 lead, but the Falcons ran a full line change that brought Darryl Thompkins Jr., Marshaun Flakes, Jamell Hatchett, Nathaniel Cobbs Am a! Mm ttfy and Christian Humphrey to the floor. That top unit had the Falcons’ deficit down to 8-7 within two minutes. The Falcons took control of the ballgame with a 10-1 run in the middle of the third quarter. Flakes scored eight straight Falcon points. He tied the ballgame at 27-27 with a bucket and then put his team in front 29-27 with two free throws with 5:48 to go in the period. The lead grew to four when Thompkins took the ball from the Scots and chucked a pass most of the length of the court for Flakes who went in for a lay-up. Flakes also went end-to-end himself after a steal. A buck­ et by Rasheed Watkins had Caledonia head coach Phil Visser calling for a time-out with his team now trailing 35-28 with 3:16 to go in the period. Junior Jaiden Googins sty­ mied the Falcon surge Caledonia senior guard Mason McKenzie rises to momentarily with a bucket in the basket for two points during the Scots’ loss to the the paint, but the Scots Falcons at East Kentwood High School Jan. 20. couldn’t buy a basket the rest (Photo by Brett Bremer) of the period. East Kentwood went int to the fourth quarter up 40-30 and the lead slowly grew to the final margin of 15 from there. “We know what we’re getting into when we play Kentwood,” Visser said. “It’s a fast pace. You have got to handle the pressure. We talked all about playing with composure. We talked all about the zone. Watching them on film, teams had some success playing zone, so we put in a different zone to make sure we had a couple options to throw at them. Sitting there after the game, if you hold a team to 56 points you’ve given yourself a chance to go out there and win. Unfortunately, when you only score 41 it i? tough to win games. “I am proud of our kids’ effort. They got after it. They did everything they could. I don’t have the stats on how many blocks they had, but we Caledonia senior forward Kyle DeHorn attempts to slow down East Kentwood forward Christian Humphrey at the rim during their OK Red Conference bailgame at East Kentwood High School Friday, Jan. 20. (Photo by Brett Bremer) got there [to the rim] and their height and athleticism took care of a few of those close ones that we had that we weren’t able to capitalize on.” Flakes finished with a game-high 22 points. The Falcons also got 11 points from Hatchett, 10 from Landon Storms and 9 from Humphrey. Junior guard Ky VanderWoude led the Scots with 11 points in the hectic bailgame and Googins fin­ ished with 10. Senior point guard Elijah Holt managed 7 points. Senior guard Mason McKenzie had 6 points. “Obviously, they were try­ ing to speed us up,” Visser said. “That puts you in situa­ tions where it might be a little out of control, but in general we had guys stepping into shots we want them shooting. It is one ofthose where some­ times the ball rolls out and doesn’t go in and sometimes it does roll in. Itjust happened to be one of those nights that they didn’t roll in.” East Kentwood was 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the OK Red Conference heading into this weekend’s action, tied atop the conference stand­ ings with an 8-3, 5-1 Grandville team. Caledonia is now 3-7 overall this season and 1-5 in the conference, in a three­ way tie in the league stand­ ings with the Grandville team it defeated and the Jenison team it was set to face Friday night, Jan. 27. Rockford knocked off the visiting Scots 54-45 Tuesday night in conference play. 194437 Caledonia junior guard Ky VanderWoude dribbles past pressure from East Kentwood’s Jamell Hatchett during the second half of their OK Red Conference bailgame at East Kentwood High School Friday, Jan. 20. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 194446 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia TOWNSHIP . I Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on February 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316. The public hearing is to receive comments regarding the application of Jeff and Linda Hirt, for a Group Adult Foster Care facility with up to 16 residents (beds) at 8546 Whitneyville Avenue, Caledonia, Michigan 49302. The parcelnumber is: 41-23-23-200­ 041. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed special land use. Written comments concerning the request may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time ofthe public hearing. Dated: January 23, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 . TOWNSHIP > CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA. COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinance which would confirm that the Township is the designated authority to administer and enforce the State Construction Code throughout the Township and will enforce Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code and adopt the current flood insur­ ance study and rate map has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and has also been posted on the Township’s website, the address ofwhich is www.caledoniatownship.org. The amend­ ment would update the Charter Township’s floodplain management to be in line with the necessary government provisions. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting of the Township Board held on January 18, 2023 and is expected to be considered on Second Reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on February 1, 2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, January 28, 2023 Charity wins as Scots topple Falcons twice on ice Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maybe next time taking pledges for per goal donations might be a good idea, or at least it would have turned out well this winter. The Caledonia varsity hockey team took part in a Hockey Fights Cancer week­ end with the East Kentwood Falcons at Kentwood Ice Arena Friday and Saturday, with the two squads that share the same home ice teaming up to raise funds for cancer awareness and Beautiful You by Profile, a nonprofit organi­ zation whose mission is to help women and girls under­ going cancer treatment look and feel beautiful, provide a community of support, share resource awareness and engage with their ongoing wellness. The Caledonia team took an 8-0 win over the Falcons Friday, in a game in which the Scots were the home team, peppering Falcon goalkeeper Braxton Ewer with 50 shots on goal. The Fighting Scots followed up that win with a 13-0 victory Saturday after­ noon. The Fighting Scots are now 7-13 overall this season and improve to 4-3 in the Fisher Division ofthe OK Conference with the two victories. Alex Skibinski notched a hat-trick with his third goal at the 12:40 mark of the second period Friday night, pushing the Scots to a 6-0 lead at the time. Russell Langenburg had 4 points in the win with 2 goals and 2 assists. Caledonia also got goals from Jack VanEss, Aidan Wilson and Henry Simon. Simon had 2 assists as did teammate Zach Schneider. Brayden Cramer, Aidan Wilson, Edward Reoch, Logan Himes and Hunter Wilson had 1 assist each. Goalkeeper Finn White earned the shut out in goal for the Scots making 10 saves. Ewer had a tremendous 42 saves in goal for the Falcons. Aidan Wilson scored his first goal of the season in the Friday night victory, and a handful of other Scots got their first goal in the Saturday afternoon contest in which the Falcons played host. Edward Reoch, Ryan Bultema, Charlie Hoag and Camden Johnson each notched their first goal of the season Saturday. Caledonia senior defensem­ an Schneider recorded a hat­ trick, finding the back ofthe net twice on an extended power play at the opening of the sec­ ond period to finish offthe feat Caledonia also got goals Saturday from Skibinski, Drew Sova,' VanEss, Caleb Summerhays and two from Griffin Wolverton. East Kentwood is now 5-9 overall this season and 0-6 in the Fischer Division. The Falcons were also work­ ing Saturday to highlight con­ genital heart disease, a cause brought to the attention of the program by Joey Williamson, the social media manager for the Kentwood Ice Arena, who has survived three heart surger­ ies due to the disease. The two teams raised over ’ $1,500 for the Beautiful You M organization over the week­ end. This year’s Hockey I Fights Cancer Game was be I played in support of Susan * Reoch, the secretary of the Caledonia Hockey Board who was diagnosed with triple neg­ ative breast cancer in May of 2022. She had the opportunity to select where the proceeds from the event’s 50/50 raffle would be donated. A mother of five with three young hock­ ey players currently on area teams, Reoch is heavily involved in the Grand Rapids area hockey community. Junior forward Charlie Hoag (center) celebrates a goal with Caledonia teammates Jack VanEss (left) and Andrew Moore (right) during the second period of their 13-0 win over East Kentwood at Kentwood Ice Arena Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) We Accept A DELTA DENTAL Keep VourTeeth fora LIFETIME! Caledonia junior forward Brayden Cramer fires a shot towards the East Kentwood goal during the Fighting Scots’ 13-0 win over the Falcons at Kentwood Ice Arena Saturday. Caledonia also took an 8-0 win over the Falcons Friday night as the two teams host­ ed a Hockey Fights Cancer Weekend to benefit the Beautiful You charity. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? \ You Don’t Haue to Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You _______Want To Keep.________ One-Stop Dentistry! (LUe do Implants) We especaze specialize inn the e preven prevention, on, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Caledonia freshman defenseman Austin Osborn pushes through center ice with the puck during the second period against East Kentwood at Kentwood Ice Arena Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-02-04.pdf 93981ccde8a9e456df2582bb3e058fb4 PDF Text Text (Slews Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 5/ February 4,2023 Published by J.-A.d. G_raphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 146th year Informational open house on M-37 project attracts flood of local residents Greg Chandler StaffWriter They arrived early, and poured out into the lobby of the Caledonia Township hall Wednesday afternoon. More than 100 township residents turned out for an open house on the planned $40 million reconstruction and widening of M-37, from north of 76th Street to south of92nd Street. The project isn’t sched­ uled to begin until the spring of 2025, but the open house gave Michigan Department of Transportation officials a chance to hear how residents feel about the project. “It’s needed. It’s desper­ ately needed,” said Tom Piechocki, who lives near Duncan Lake. I (got in a traffic jam) on the way here. It’s veiy frustrating. It proba­ bly could go a little further south, in our opinion.” The main option being proposed by MDOT is an extension of the boulevard that now ends just north of 76th, with two lanes in each direction. MDOT engineers say the project will reduce congestion and commute delays, as well as vehicle crashes. “I’m excited — for an expansion ofthe road to alle­ viate some ofthe congestion we’ve been fighting for many years,” said Diane Cutler, who has lived in the town­ ship for more than 25 years and serves on the township planning commission. The most recent traffic count from MDOT, taken in 2018, showed a daily aver­ age of 22,300 vehicles on M-37 in the 76th to 92nd area. Traffic is often backed up during peak rush hour periods in the morning and late afternoon. MDOT engi- Operators of ski slopes and resorts were under­ standably happy to see the weather finally turn snowy and cold. Bittersweet Ski Resort in Otsego was among them. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright) A Michigan Department of Transportation concept of the intersection of M-37 at 84th Street. The intersection is expected to include Michigan turn lanes on either side of the intersection. (Photos by Greg Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer neers say the current twoFive-year-old Sadie lane configuration is inade­ Spartz smiled wide as she quate for both current and talked about what she likes future expected traffic vol­ best about skiing down the umes. slopes. While some believe the “Going fast,”, she giggled project will solve the traffic while standing in the snow bottleneck, there are others, at Bittersweet Ski Resort in such as Tom Schulz, who Otsego. think the project will create Her dad, Michael Spartz, more problems than it will remembers her first day on solve. the slopes. Schulz, who moved to “A week after she turned Caledonia Township from 3, she got on the slopes for Midland three years ago to the first time,” he said. “It be near his children and was awesome.” grandchildren, says the proj“I like S-turns,” Sadie ect will only serve to push said. “They slow me down.” the bottleneck further south Her dad laughed. by two miles. “Do S-tums give you “To me, it’s a $40 mil­ more control, Sadie?” lion project, of taxpayer Spartz asked. money, that’s going ... to “Yes,” she said with a big move the constraint farther smile. down,” Schulz said. “It’s You can’t blame father also going to end up having and daughter for wanting to an environmental impact hit the slopes at the first on wetlands that have Michigan Department of Transportation project opportunity - after all, there already been marked that engineer Tyler Kent, right, explains the M-37 project haven’t been many opportu­ to Caledonia Township resident Jeremy Bergwerff at nities throughout the sea­ See M37 PROJECT, page 3 Wednesday’s open house at the township hall. son. Ski slopes throughout Caledonia Township board recommends liquor license approval for new restaurant Greg Chandler StaffWriter A restaurant planned along M-37 near 100th Street has been recommended to receive the first of four new liquor licenses allocated to Caledonia Township. The Township Board on a As snow falls and temps drop, area ski resorts see more business - finally 6-0 vote Wednesday voted to recommend the Michigan Liquor Control Commission award an on-premise liquor license to Butcher Block Social BBQ at 9900 Cherry Valley Ave. SE. The board’s approval is contingent on the restaurant’s owners signing a reversion agreement that allows the township to take the license back if the estab­ lishment does not open with­ in a year. The new licenses were allocated to the township as a result of population growth that was documented in the ■ ■ ■ • > < ■ > • > <.(' .■ last census. Butcher Block Social is one of several estab­ lishments that have applied for a liquor license, and last October received preliminary approval from the township. “We’ve set about the stan- SeeNEW RESTAURANT, page 3 many areas of the state have been at a virtual standstill throughout most of January when unseasonably warm weather crept in. The weather turning frig­ id and snowy has been a welcome sign for ski resort operators and an opportuni­ ty for everyone to enjoy some winter fun. Like Spartz, Theresa Yonker from Alto brought her kids to the slopes at Bittersweet along with stu­ dents from Caledonia. Yonker runs the ski club program for Caledonia schools, which has both high school and middle school programs. Yonker buys passes from Bittersweet and sells them to Caledonia students and families so they can get a 50 percent discount on the ski lift and rentals. Plus, the students get two free les­ sons on their passes. “The kids who enjoy the snow absolutely love to ski See SKI RESORTS, page 2 • MDOT makes changes at dangerous Bowne Twp. intersection • Crews uncover termite damage at Yankee Springs Township Hall • CHS football have five ink their collegiate football plans • TKHS cheer team second to none in conference this winter • Dakota Tomac and Patriots have Fighting Scots behind them in win �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023 SKI RESORTS, continued from page 1 and board and appreciate the program,” said Yonker, who has been running the Caledonia Ski Club pro­ gram for three years. “I have loved running our pro­ gram.” The lack of bussing ser­ vices does not keep the Caledonia Ski Club from gathering on the slopes. Younker says she appreci­ ates that the parents, along with her, pitch in with transportation and bring the ski club students to the slopes. She said she and the ski club are excited about a big snowfall. They are not alone in anticipating a significant snowfall; many area ski resorts are counting on snow through the rest of the winter to bring in business. Nick Ross, the general manager of Bittersweet, is ready for the crowds. “Right now, the only thing we can do is just kind of focus on the snow’s coming,” Ross said. “This year is down from the past two years. I would say quite a way. We haven’t had a bad year like this since 2010.” Linda Rantz, the account­ ing manager for Timber Ridge Ski Area, in Gobles, agreed with Ross that con­ centrating on the snowfall ahead will bring in busi­ ness. Timber Ridge offers several different slopes, including beginner hills, intermediate slopes, wood­ ed trails, snow tubing, expert runs and two terrain parks. “They just love our new conveyors,” said Rantz, referring to the conveyors that families can use to ride up the snow tubing hill and Pine Rope, the ski hill for beginners. “It’s like a magic carpet ride.” Rantz said business is picking up and hope it con­ tinues. “We want more snow like all other ski resorts in A significant snowfall at Bittersweet Ski Resort on Thursday, Jan. 26. prompted families to continuously the area.” filter in through the doors out to the slopes as the snowfall grew heavier throughout the day. On Thursday, Jan. 26, families filtered in through thickened throughout the was time to buy another agree with Ross as snow “So, we spent last year up the doors of Bittersweet as day. one.” fell on both of them atop here and this year, and it’s the newly fallen snow Skiers lined up at the “When the high speeds the ski slope. In her bright been awesome. I get to high-speed Sweet Express are not running, every­ pink helmet, Sadie bright­ spend all this time with chair lift, waiting their turn body’s complaining. As ened up the ski mountain her.” to ride to the top of the hill. soon as we did that back in and fit perfectly in front of Bittersweet Ski School “The high-speed chair­ 2000, it spoiled the indus­ her dad trailing closely Director Valerie Marsh lift is to help get people up try, I think, “Ross said. behind as the two glided encourages all ages to learn the hill faster,” Ross “It’s definitely helped us together. how to ski and snowboard. explained. “It goes twice stay competitive. But, of They reached the bottom She said she likes to do the speed of all the rest of course, plenty of snow of the hill. With Sadie on both, but snowboarding is a the chairs that we have. So, does, too.” her skis next to Spartz, as little harder to learn than we can actually push a Michael and Sadie Spartz he towers over her, he said, skiing. group of people up a little “In skiing, the average bit faster than a normal person we can get stopping chairlift would.” and turning and maybe Eight-year-old Ezekiel even riding a chairlift with­ Falcon waited in line with in an hour,” Marsh his new snowboard and is explained. “Snowboarding trying it out for the first is a little bit more difficult, time at Bittersweet. “I like so the average person to go up and down fast,” he might need two or three said.” lessons to get good at stop­ Although it’s a fun and ping and turning on the fast ride for kids, Ross said snowboard.” he thinks it brings in more Snowboarding is new for business. Rachel Schwartz, 13, who Bittersweet Ski School Director Valerie Marsh “We’ve had the Sweet was excited to be at encourages all ages to learn how to ski and snow­ Express here since 2000. Bittersweet. She came all board. She said snowboarding is more challenging to That one has been very the way from Fort Wayne, learn than skiing. good to us, so we decided it Ind., to snowboard for the first time. “I’ve been waiting for the snow,” she said. B'sntrsKP ______________ Caledonia, MI_________ Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — Complete Collision Service y Frame Repairs State & I-CAR Certified Technicians Theresa Yonker, left, and her 11 -year-old daughter Olivia. Yonker, from Alto, takes her kids on the slopes at Bittersweet along with students from Caledonia schools. She runs the ski club program for Caledonia schools, which has both a high school and middle school program. Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Digital TV Antennas Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. Cell Phone Boosters 1 -800-267-7868 www.SlLawrenceCruiseLines.com 2B9.967.824I TV ANTENNA & TOWER INSTALLATION www.theantennamen.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023/ Page 3 NEW RESTAURANT, continued from page 1 dards (for a liquor license) in the site or having a lease ofat an ordinance, saying what we least three years. were looking for, geographi­ “They are now near or at cally, service-wise, ameni­ where we can remove those ty-wise,” Township conditions, and we can make Supervisor Bryan Harrison a recommendation without said. “We’ve also created a conditions to the state,” preliminary or conditional Harrison said. approval, so if someone is Butcher Block Social is seeking to meet those stan­ the vision of Justin Heyboer, dards, they can receive prelim­ Mike Saladino and Brian inary approval. One of those Witvoet. Heyboer and his was granted to ... Butcher wife, Kelly, own Wildwood Block Social for a restaurant” Family Farms. The 9900 When the township Cherry Valley location had approved the preliminary been an Italian restaurant application for Butcher many years ago, and more Block Social, it gave the recently housed Boondocks restaurant one year to meet Motor Sports. such conditions as getting Butcher Block Social is site plan approval from either planned to have 356 seats, the township planner or plan­ plus a large stage. “We’re ning commission. In addi­ looking to have live music tion, the applicant needed to on Fridays and Saturdays,” show proof that the license is Heyboer said in a phone tied to the Cherry Valley interview with the Sun and location, either purchasing News Thursday. Heyboer hopes to open Butcher Block Social in late April or early May, and is confident the LCC will approve the liquor license in time for its opening. Another applicant for a license, Hoff Holdings, which owns the building that formerly housed the Vault Cafe & Bakery at 203 E. Main in the village of Caledonia, also received pre­ liminary approval from the township last October for a license, and was given a year to meet conditions such as site plan approval. Hoff Holdings principal Chris VanderHoff said he is cur­ rently marketing the Vault building to prospective restauranteurs. VanderHoff had told the board last year that having a license in hand would aid him in marketing the building. Pictured is a vacant facility at 9900 Cherry Valley in Caledonia, the future site of Butcher Block Social. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) M-37 PROJECT, continued from page 1 are in the (Lepard) Nature Preserve - they’re plan­ ning to take about 80 to 100 feet as an estimate, they don’t know yet, of old-growth trees that they’re going to cut down, and then they have to end up bringing in a huge amount of fill to raise (the road), because the road lit­ erally drops off (at 76th).” “You’re also bringing a tremendous amount ofnoise to the neighborhoods that are close to (the highway). It’s already loud. We can feel the big trucks, and now it’s going to make it even worse,” Schulz added. Caledonia Village President Jennifer Lindsey also raised concerns about the project. While saying the project has “potential,” Lindsey is concerned about the impact on businesses along the M-37 corridor leading into the village. “My concern is the shop­ ping (areas) along M-37. There’s no resolution to the issues that we have, and it doesn’t go to 100th and all of our commerce along that way,” Lindsey said. “I did talk to the guy at MDOT, and he was kind of lost to answer my questions. He did say (the proposal) was preliminary and that there’s still some work to be done. I’m hoping my concerns were heard.” Township officials have campaigned for improve­ ments to M-37 for years. In December 2021, plan­ ners from MDOT’s Grand Region office included the boulevard concept as one ofthree options for expand­ ing M-37. Earlier propos­ als had suggested a fivelane road with a center turn lane. In March 2022, the state Legislature approved a $4.8 billion infrastructure project that included $40 million for the M-37 project. Former state representative and cur­ rent state senator Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, played a for MDOT’s Grand Region, significant role in that pas­ said he was pleased with sage as chairman of the the turnout for the open House Appropriations house. Committee. Gov. Gretchen “This gets the ball rolling. Whitmer signed the legisla- Anytime you add roadway tion into law. capacity like this, it’s a feder­ The project has also ally required step to have an received funding assistance environmental assessment,” from the Grand Valley Richard said. Metropolitan Council and A public comment period the Kent County Road on project impacts would Commission. take place in the fall of this John Richard, spokesman year. The environmental assess­ ment process is expected to list into midway through 2024, MDOT project engi­ neer Tyler Kent said. “We have six months to finish the design, assuming we have a preferred alterna­ tive,” Kent said. While the primary propos­ al calls for the extension of the boulevard, there is a so-called “no build” option that was also on one of the conference room tables, which basically would widen M-37 to four lanes without a boulevard. Such a plan would require less right-ofway than the boulevard con­ cept. To find more information about the M-37 project, including conceptual plans, design alternatives and information on the environ­ mental review, visit michigan.gov/mdot/projects-studies/studies/traffic-and-environmental-linkages-studies/m-37project. RUUD Caledonia Township resident Tim Schulz, right, points out his concerns about the impact of the pro­ posed M-37 project Wednesday afternoon, as Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison, left, listens. Equipment is changing... Get it before the New Prices come out! High Efficiency Furnace & Air dents having to wait in the lobby before they could come in. Your local agent insures your RUUD BusinUss O $400 OFF with this coupon. E Expires 2124123 FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Insurance CoKtf>aw> HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Locally owned business. Furnace Tune-Up �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023 Marion (Cook-Frye) Zasadil — Our beloved Marion (Marble, Cook, Frye) Zasadil, wife, mother, grandmother and great­ grand-mother, sister, aunt and friend, has gone to be with her Lord. She joyfully entered her eternal home on January 15, 2023, at age 91. She made her transition at home in Orlando, FL. Throughout her life she lived faithfully and abun­ dantly, enjoying family and friends. To God be the glory for all He has done. Marion’s love for God was reflected in her love and her concern for the welfare of all. She was bom to the late Carl O. and Bernice A. (Brady) Marble on February 5, 1931. Middleville and Wayland (Barry County), Michigan were her summer homes and Bradenton and Orlando, Florida her winter homes. She loved living in both of her states. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Jim Zasadil. Marion had three devoted daughters and sons-in-law; six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Dawn (Cook) and Frank (deed) Healey of Hattiesburg, MS; Stacie (Ed) Phillips and Chadwick (Andrea) Healey); Christina (Cook) and Jeff Lee of Orlando, FL; (Stephanie (Jordan) Jones and Miranda (Thomas) Anzelone); Carleen (Cook) and Owen Sabin of Bowens Mills, (Sarah Sabin (deed) and Owen J (Melissa) Sabin); along with 15 great-grand­ children, and six great-great grandchildren. Her sisters are Norma Ormiston of Zephyrhills, FL, Nyla (Leo) Fifelski of Irving, Gaye (Russ) Patterson of Middleville; along with many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She also had a large extended family of in laws, stepchildren, step grandchildren and many friends, all of whom she loved deeply and are too numerous to mention. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her gentle heart and goodness will be with us forever. Marion was married to Neal H. Cook in November 1948. Neal passed away 41 years later in 1989. Five years after Neal’s death, she married Ronald J. Frye in July of 1994. They were married for eight years when he passed away in October of 2002. Four years later in November of 2006, she married Jim D. Zasadil who passed away July 19, 2021. All three were very happy marriages. She was a loving, faithful and dedicat­ ed wife, she was caregiver to Neal for 18 years and two years for Ron arid saw Jim through four bouts of cancer. Marion was a woman of deep Christian Faith, she took Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at age 5, in 1935, and has lived for Him ever since. For many years she was very busy teaching Sunday School, Beginners Church, working with Youth for Christ, along with leading Bowens Mills Kids Bible Club and play­ ing the piano and/or organ for special music in church. In Bradenton, FL, she held Sunday Church Services for 30 years along with many Memorial Services in Lincoln Arms Park, where she wintered. She spent many hours visit­ ing nursing homes and hos­ pitals as well as holding or helping with inspirational services there. She was a living example of uncondi­ tional love to her family and friends. She cherished all the wonderful memories she made with everyone she knew. Marion was a veritable writer, leaving her four books as an inheritance for her children, grandchildren and great-grand-children along with other family members and friends. All her books were well docu­ mented histories and stories of her life with her family and her beloved Yankee Springs Township and Barry County Area. Marion’s extraordinary effort of the restoration of Historic Bowens Mills and its Historic Park is a trea­ sured legacy she leaves to her family, as well as to the people of Barry County and the State of Michigan. In the last few paragraphs in one of her books (Living Twenty Years in a Historic Mill) she writes: “It is so satisfying to me now, as I look back over the years, to alaska 7240 68°’ Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Ourmission Is to worship God and equip know I had the privilege of preserving a part of the history of Barry County and Yankee Springs Township, for future gen­ erations to learn from and enjoy. It was a labor of love. A legacy from me and my family, to all who come and benefit from Historic Bowens Mills and its history... I worked hard­ er, got dirtier and more worn out with my work there, than I ever had before in all my life. But, oh my, how intriguing and how rewarding it all was... when I lived for 20 years in that Old Mill where The Past Lives Again.” Her books along with her restorations will carry her memory, talent and grace to many generations to come. It is difficult to capture a person’s life in words, but she was a woman who loved deeply and was deep­ ly loved. Her dedication to the Lord was the mainstay of her life, but she was also totally devoted to her lov­ ing family arid friends. Another legacy is the love and kindness she shared with so many. Marion was strong in her convictions and righteous in her ways. She had a jovial spirit, an easy laugh, and a generous heart. baptist (church Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service 10:30 AM Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaIedoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfanrilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass .................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com comerstonemi.org/weekend Join us for our traditional yet casual worship Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach ourcommunity with the Gospel FIRST BAPTIST Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study committed followers ofJesus Christ who will comerstonechurch In her own words, Marion said, “I received a song in my heart from my mother, who loved to sing and I obtained a love of learning from my father, who was a self-taught man; from my husbands and my children, I learned love. I learned to play from my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; my friends taught me grat­ itude; from living life. I achieved all this, plus a wonder-filled life. From such richness, my cup run­ neth over... but a new life now beckons me.” It is fit­ ting that she now resides with her Lord in heaven, where there is no sorrow, no tears, nor pain, and where she may rest from her labors of this life. Marion’s family will receive guests on Thursday, June 1, 5 to 8 p.m. at Beeler-Gores Funeral Home, 914 W. Main Street, Middleville, MI 49333. A memorial will be held at Historic Bowens Mills Gathering Place, 55 Briggs Road, Middleville, MI, 49333, on June 3, 2023 at 2 p.m. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condolence message for Marion’s family. (269) 795-2391 Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY 5r. TauA c H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 eratrCfiurcfi NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 @thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School Sunday Worship -9:30 9:30 AM ..10:30 10:30 AM LhMtS Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter-616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org ©CHURCH THORN APPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.cotn �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023/ Page 5 Marilyn A. Stafford many years, Marilyn was employed by The State Bank of Caledonia for 40 1/2 years, retiring in 1994. Marilyn enjoyed baking, cooking, going to craft shows, traveling, and bus trips, espe­ cially to Branson, MO to see shows. She was an avid Detroit Marilyn A. Stafford, age 89, Tigers fan and loved to watch of Wayland, MI, formerly of them play. Middleville, MI passed away While working as a waitress on January 25,2023. at Gehl’s Restaurant in Marilyn was bom on Caledonia, she met a regular October 27,1933 in Caledonia, named Harry Stafford who the daughter of William and, became the love ofher life, they Florence (Brearley) Lind. An married on July 28,1953. Harry active member of Parmelee preceded her in death in 2016. United Methodist Church for Marilyn is survived by sis­ ter, Mary Lou Cisler, several nieces, nephews, brothers-inlaw and sisters-in-law. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Darlene Sisson; broth­ ers- in-law: Paul Sisson and Robert Cisler Sr. Marilyn’s family received friends on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home where her funeral service was conducted on Friday, Feb. 3,2023. Pastor Tony Shumaker officiating. Private burial took place in Mt Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions to Parmelee United Methodist Church or Green Acres of Wayland will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memo­ ry or to leave a condolence message for Marilyn’s family. Charges filed in fatal M-37 crash involving three vehicles Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Charges have been filed in response to a fatal crash involving three vehicles that occurred on M-37 Highway, south of Middleville, last week. The crash happened at 1:05 p.m. Friday on M-37 near Whitmore Road, accord­ ing to a Facebook post from the Barry County Sheriff’s Office. A preliminary inves­ tigation from the office a showed Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck head­ ed east crossed the centerline and struck a Ford Transit van headed west. A GMC Envoy following the Silverado struck the pickup truck before coming to a stop. Police reported the driver of the van, 62-year-old Jenison man Matthew Fuller, was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers of the truck and van suffered minor injuries. The Michigan Department ofTransportation Grand Region office report­ ed the road was closed for two and a halfhours after the crash. Police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash. The Barry County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges Monday morning against a man involved in the crash, Scott Raymond Handley. He is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. Mercy EMS, Hastings Fire Department, Michigan State Police, Barry County Central Dispatch, Goldsworthy’s Towing, Spencer’s Towing, MDOT, Ottawa County Victim Service Unit and Western Medicine Office of the Medical Examiner assist­ ed the Sheriff’s Office in responding to and clearing the crash. MDOT addresses deadly rural intersection near Caledonia, Alto Greg Chandler StaffWriter A Bowne Township inter­ section where three people died in a two-vehicle crash last September has been converted into a four-way stop. Crews from the Michigan Department of Transportation installed stop signs on 92nd Street at Alden Nash Avenue on Tuesday, making it a four­ way stop. “Stop ahead” signs were also installed several hundred feet on either side ofthe inter­ section, and red “all way” signs were installed under­ neath the stop signs as an added reminder that all four directions must stop at the intersection. An overhead blinking traffic signal will flash red in all four directions. MDOT was involved in the installation because M-50 runs south on Alden Nash from the city of Lowell to 92nd Street, then turns east on 92nd toward the Lake Odessa area. A Waldron couple, ages 79 and 82, and a 55-year-old Freeport woman died Sept. 12, 2022 when their vehicle, which was southbound on Alden Nash, pulled into the path of a vehicle headed east on 92nd. The Freeport woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Waldron cou­ ple died later at a Grand Rapids hospital. “We took traffic volume counts and determined that it didn’t meet a warrant for a signal, but that adding an all­ way stop would increase safe­ ty and not add significant delay to the intersection,” MDOT Grand Region spokes­ man John Richard wrote in an email to the Sun and News. “So we got together with the Kent County Road Commission, as the west leg of 92nd Street and the south leg of Alden Nash is under their jurisdiction, and sched­ uled the install.” Crash statistics provided by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office show a total of 53 crashes occurred at the 92nd/ Alden Nash intersection from 2012 through Jan. 26 of this year. Ofthat number, 11 result­ ed in injuries and one resulted in fatalities, the crash that occurred last September, according to the report. Eight people were treated for what was believed to be serious injuries from crashes at the intersection, while five others were treated for what was believed to be minor inju­ ries, the sheriff’s office report showed. In 13 of the crashes, an older driver (defined as age 65 or older) was involved. Cell phone or other distracted driv­ ing was cited in three crashes, while drug use was a factor in two mishaps, the report said. The crash statistics were provided by the Sheriff’s Office after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Sun and News. LEntRS fROM OUR READERS Paul Henry trail extension project a waste of taxpayers’ money Thomapple Township approves spending. Really? Is it really necessary to extend the Paul Henry trail forjust a half-mile north? I can think of lots ofways to use the $75,000 in our township than going to all that work tojust get another half-mile oftrail. The future upkeep costs; the destruction of more trees -just to give people another half­ mile when they already have a fantastic 13.7 mile oftrail just in Middleville. Parking lots, many hours and dollars being spent to maintain what they already have. I could understand it ifthey could obtain the trestle part so that it would meet up with the Caledonia trail. But ifI were the owners ofthat beautiful location on the river, I wouldn’t sell it as long as I lived there, or have a bunch of people walking past my house. So, for sometime, I think it’s rather unlikely that piece will be sold for a trail. Think about it as a taxpayer who doesn’t use the trail but does live on a road that needs improvements. Or, has a yard that floods because rain run­ off. Or, in the winter, you need your road plowed or what ever problem you wished the town­ ship would fix. Do you want your taxes spent to add such a short distance for such an ongoing expense that isn’t really needed at this time? Even ifI didn’t have a prob­ lem with it, I’d like to think that if the township has so much money that they can “set it aside” for future trail develop­ ment They could reduce taxes or set it aside for a purpose that would benefit the whole town­ ship - notjust a few. Now, some may be asking why I even care. Well, it’s because part of that half-mile does go right past where we live. And years ago, I walked that part of the old track and there is not much ofthe river you see at all. Yes there is some of it, but most of what people will see is open field or a com field. But then many seem to be very content seeing a factory with parts of water heaters all over as they start out at the Crane Road/ Bradford White starting point. I would like to think that our township’s elected/appointed officials would have more sense than spending $75,000 for closing costs. How much are they paying for the property asphalt. Things are just too on top ofthat? Hey, but users of expensive right now, which the trail will have gained almost will take even more of ‘our’ a whole mile, as 13 miles isn’t money that, as a taxpayer, I enough to get fit on. could spend to take care ofmy And I will spare readers how own property. I’d like to see my the township/village obtained taxes lowered, not wasted. the Crane Road land for the Will the purposed project parking lot that was put in. I am happen? Sure, why not. It’s not just asking that the township their money they are spending. stops, thinks and asks ifthis is Give any one ofus that much the right thing to do for ALL of money and we’d pay off debt, the residents of the township, get those badly needed repairs especially now with the cost of and have fun with some of it. things rising. Even ifpeople do So, is getting that extra half­ volunteer to cut the trees, gas mile really worth it? has gone up, as has the cost of Cindy Herweyer surveys and putting down Thornapple Township SNYDER MONUMENTS, LLC Respectful, Quality Memorials Consulting, designing and installing quality monuments. SNYDER MONUMENTS, LLC 10% OFF with this coupon Expires 5/1/23 Caledonia, I • 616-291-2425 • snydermonuments.net Helping Kids Know Jesus in a Fun, Safe Environment! cornerstonemi.org/kids �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023 Yankee Springs board approves termite repairs as part of township hall renovation Greg Chandler Staff Writer As renovation work con­ tinues on the Yankee Springs Township Hall, construction crews are finding little sur­ prises - such as termite dam­ age to the meeting hall por­ tion ofthe building. The township board at a special meeting Tuesday approved spending about $7,500 to remove items dam­ aged by termites, and replace it with new materials. The approval was part of nearly $30,000 in change orders for the hall renovation that the board passed. “There’s termite damage in a block building, a concrete block building,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. “(The damage) is (to) the (wooden) furring strips on the inside of the building that support the drywall and the insulation on the walls.” The termite damage was discovered while the ceiling tiles and insulation were being removed from the hall. The damage did not affect the rafters of the building’s roof. In addition, the old office portion ofthe hall was not damaged, and Cunningham said that por­ tion may have been treated for termites in the past. “The treatment may have stopped it from going through into the office,” Cunningham said. Three of the four walls in the meeting room portion of the hall, including the dry­ wall, furring strips and insu­ lation, have been demolished at a cost of $2,964. The west wall of the hall, where the kitchen is located, was planned to remain intact. “There’s termite damage in that wall also. It hasn’t been demo’d yet,” Cunningham said. New furring strips and drywall are planned for that wall, Cunningham said. “We wouldn’t have known about the termites if they hadn’t happened to see it when they started working on (the renovation),” he said. Other change orders approved included: - Relocating the door con­ necting the hall to the office to east of the existing pilas­ ter, at a cost of $8,000. The change would keep the hand­ icap-accessible ramp between the hall and offices intact, and is thought to work best with the current setup for township elections. - Addition of insulation over the restrooms, storage room and hallway at a cost of $10,357, a move Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said will make future kitchen and restroom renovations easier, will save energy and will keep water pipes from freezing. - Relocating the old office gas line from the south wall of the treasurer’s office at a cost of $1,928. The line would have been in the mid­ dle of the new conference room if it was not relocated. - Adding a load-bearing header on the east exit door leading into the conference room at a cost of no more than $700. The hall renovation and expansion, which got under­ way last July, had an initial estimated cost of nearly $1.08 million. Mugen Construction of Dorr is the project contractor. When completed, the hall meeting room will have a raised plat­ form for the board, a new heating and cooling system, an audio visual system and new closet space. In other business Tuesday, the board interviewed a can­ didate for the township’s planning and zoning adminis­ trator opening. Joseph Shea is a retired attorney and small business owner who has lived in the township since 1995. A township subcommittee consisting of Heethuis and Trustee Larry Knowles, a former planning and zoning administrator for the town­ ship, interviewed six candi­ dates who submitted applica­ tions for the 25-hour-a-week position, and had Shea come in to interview with the full board. Shea was a self-employed attorney locally for 22 years, specializing in wills and other probate issues. He also The Yankee Springs Township Hall addition project in its early stages, photo­ graphed in September of 2022. This week, the township board approved nearly $30,000 in change orders for the renovation. (File photo) worked six years as a staff attorney for the Oakland County Circuit Court in metro Detroit. He currently has an online business called Michigan River Tables where he makes and sells coffee tables. The board is expected to decide at its regular meeting next Thursday whether to hire Shea for the position. Next Thursday’s meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at Gun Lake Community Church, 12200 M-179. The Caledonia Twp, approves purchase of tables, sunshades for Community Green splash pad Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Board of Trustees Wednesday approved the purchase oftwo table ensem­ bles with benches and sun­ shades for the splash pad at the Community Green park. The board approved the purchase at a cost of $29,196 - $14,598 per unit WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 ] HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWjiERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS - an amount that initially caught township officials off guard when it was first presented to the board last month. Pittsburgh-based Forms & Surfaces Inc. is the supplier. “We were surprised by the cost, so we asked for more information,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. Township engineer Todd Boerman wrote in a memo to Clerk Joni Henry dated Jan. 26 that the splash pad tables and benches, which come with aluminum slats, were more expensive than the tables and shades at the pavilion of Community Green, which were pur­ chased in 2019 at a pretax cost of $10,648 each. Inflation was also noted as a reason for the higher-than-expected cost, Boerman wrote in the memo. Henry reported that a local company offered to install the anchors for the tables and benches into the concrete at an additional cost of $1,250$1,500. However, township maintenance worker Jeff Patterson said he could han­ dle the installation. Construction on the splash pad began last fall, and the project is expected to be completed by this summer. The splash pad is located on the west edge of Community Green, across from the Kent District Library Caledonia branch. In a related note, the board Wednesday discussed the next move in the plan to build a maintenance building at Community Green. The board last fall shelved con­ struction ofthe building after bids for the project came in significantly higher than budgeted. The board agreed to review design standards for the new building over the next 90 days and then seek proposals for building the structure either in June or July, with a goal of having it built by next winter. The township has allocat­ ed $400,000 out of its fund­ ing through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the Community Green main­ tenance building. church will be the location for township board, planning commission and zoning board of appeals meetings for the next few months while the meeting room por­ tion of the township hall is being renovated. Business Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, lia­ bility & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818­ 7793. " MATT ENDSLEY, FAB­ RICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. Pets F2 GOLDENDOODLE PUP­ PIES: 5 females, 4 males. Ready week ofFebruary 27th, vet checked, de-wormed, flea & tick treated. Deposit required, $1,100. Mom and pups raised in home. For any information Call or text - 269­ 331-1300. Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no ex­ perience needed, competi­ tive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023/ Page 7 INTERNATIONAL PLAY DATE: Local kindergartners participate in Global School Play Day Emmons Lake Elementary School kindergartner Beckett Grammar plays with a race track during Global School Play Day on Wednesday. (Photos cour­ tesy Melissa VanGessel) Levi Richardson and Isaac Griswold put together a puzzle. On Wednesday, kinder­ for students in schools garten students at Emmons around the world. In year Lake Elementary School in one, more than 65,000 stu­ Caledonia participated in dents participated. Since Global School Play Day. 2015, over a million and a The first installment of half students from 75 Global School Play Day nations were given the gift was held on Feb. 4, 2015 of unstructured playtime. For the eighth year in a row, kindergarten students at Emmons Lake participat­ ed in the event, joining stu­ dents in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and as close to home as Cedar Springs. The full day of play featured activities design to teach students lessons such as problem solving, taking turns, teamwork and collabora­ tion, math skills and responsibility. Brynlee Hallamon and Skylar Smith play a game. MSU Extension and Corewell Health partner to offer free chronic disease management workshop Michigan State University Extension in partnership with Corewell Health Pennock is offering a “Personal Action Toward Health” (PATH) for Chronic Disease workshop for the community. The workshop is free and meets weekly for six weeks. Information presented in the in-person workshop can help attendees become empowered to improve their quality of life. Participants will learn important skills such as goal setting, dealing with pain and fatigue, communicat­ ing with health care profes- sionals and managing medica­ tions. Participants will also receive a copy of the book “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions.” Those living with chronic disease like arthritis, fibromy­ algia, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, chronic pain and more can all learn helpful skills for managing life with chronic illness. The sessions will be held on Thursdays beginning Feb. 23 through March 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Spectrum Health Wellness Center (main floor), 1009 W. Green St. in South digs out of CHS boys knock hole for win over off FHN boys Caledonia girls and Jenison The Fighting Scots were bested by non-conference rival South Christian at South Christian High School Tuesday, 44-36. Caledonia is now 5-10 overall this season. South Christian moved to 10-5 with the win. The Fighting Scots had a 10-1 lead to open the bail­ game, but the Sailors had clawed back in by halftime. Ashley Thomasma led the Sailors with 15 points. She was one of three in double figures for South Christian. Ashley Raredon had 13 points and Lizzie Wolthuis 11. Caledonia got 18 points from Gracie Gortmaker. Caledonia was 2-5 in the OK Red Conference heading into Friday night’s ballgame at Hudsonville. The Scots were bested last Friday, Jan. 27, 56-42 by visiting Jenison. The Scots will be at home in conference action twice in the week ahead, taking on Grandville Tuesday and Grand Haven Fridays The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team put together back-to-back wins for the first time since December by scor­ ing close recent wins over Jenison and Forest Hills Northern. The Fighting Scots knocked off the Forest Hills Northern boys 51-43 in overtime Tuesday night to move their record to 5-7 overall this season. The Caledonia boys moved to 2-5 in the OK Red Conference this sea­ son with a 62-60 win over visiting Jenison last Friday, Jan. 27. Caledonia was sched­ uled to visit Hudsonville Friday, Feb. 3. The Scots return to action at Grandville Tuesday and then will play host to Grand Haven Friday, Feb. 10. Hastings. Organizers ask that participants plan to attend all sessions. Those interested in signing up or receiving more informa- tion can call Laura at MSU Extension, 269-908-9803. Registration can also be com­ pleted events.anr.msu.edu/ PATHFeb2023Barry/. Bruce's Frame and Alignment] Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023 North Country frail Association announces hiking challenges The Chief Noonday Chapter or all three North Country of the North Country Trail Trail counties in the Chief Association is encouraging Noonday Chapter during the outdoor enthusiasts to take calendar year by registering at part in the “Hike the County hikethecounty@gmail.com. Participants are asked to email Challenge.” when they complete a county. United States is home to 11 National Scenic Hiking Trails Each time a county is hiked totaling 24,600 miles. Ofthese through, participants will 11, the North Country National receive a patch. Hikers can also simultane­ Scenic Trail has the most hik­ ing trail miles. It stretches ously complete the “Hike 100 4,800 miles across eight states Challenge” within the same in the Midwest, including calendar year by registering at Michigan. Lowell, located at northcountrytrail.org/hike-100the midpoint ofthe trail, is the challenge/signup/ . Participants National Headquarters for the of this challenge will receive a North Country Trail commemorative patch and cer­ Association and Michigan has tificate upon completion. For those who want a head the most hiking trail miles of all eight states, clocking in at start on both challenges, the Chief Noonday Chapter is 1,150 miles. Enthusiastic hikers can take hosting a Chief Noonday the “Hike the County Potawatomi Hike Saturday, Challenge” and hike one, two March 11. Hikers will meet at NED’s Restaurant in Hickory Comers at 10 a.m. and set off to visit Chief Noonday’s gravesite. The hike will be a total of 4 miles out and back. Lunch at NED’s will take place following the hike for those interested. The North Country Trail Association/Chief Noonday Chapter’s mission is to build, maintain, protect and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail. Volunteers have poured thousands of hours into the trails, maintaining and protecting 58 miles of the North Country Trail in Calhoun County, 13 in Kalamazoo County and 48 in Barry County. The association welcomes anyone to join the Chief Noonday Chapter by signing up at northcountry­ trail .org/trail/michigan/cnd/. Barry County is home to a leg of the North Country Trail, a National Scenic Hiking Trail. This year, the Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has several challenges and hiking opportunities for avid outdoors enthusiasts to enjoy. (Photo provided) Meijer Gardens’ 28th annual butterfly exhibition provides up-close experience with thousands of tropical butterflies Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition will bring 7,500 tropical butter­ flies to West Michigan, beginning March 1. The high­ ly-anticipated exhibition, tak­ ing place every March and April, is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation. This year’s exhibition shingles—200 to 600 per highlights the microscopic square millimeter. Attendees detail and beauty of butter­ will tune their senses to the flies. The magic is in the tiny as they explore with curi­ details, say organizers. osity and wonder. Newly hatched caterpillars Approximately 60 colorfill of some butterfly species are butterfly and moth species only about 2 millimeters in journey from butterfly-rich length—smaller than a grain regions of Costa Rica, ofrice. A butterfly’s wings are Ecuador, the Philippines and covered in fragile, microscop­ Kenya to fly freely in the ic scales, overlapping like roof five-story, 15,000-square- foot Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. At 85 degrees and 70 percent humidity, this balmy environment mimics the tropical regions the butter­ flies call home. Throughout, butterflies can be viewed drinking nectar from the flowering plants and feeding stations, flying freely within the towering tropical conser­ vatory. The blue common morpho, whose iridescence impresses in flight, as well as brush foot varieties such as the clearwing, lacewing and zebra mosaic are expected to make appearances. Approximately 1,000 chry­ salides are delivered to Meijer Gardens each week of the exhibition. Guests can watch delicate chrysalides and cocoons being placed in the Observation Station, where these unique and fascinating creatures transform and spread their wings for the first time. Gliders such as the emperor, ruby-spotted and orchard swallowtails will add to the diverse assortment. “We invite and encourage you to dig deep into the details for an up-close experi­ ence—zooming in on the beauty of these unique crea­ tures through the ‘micro. Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will host its 28th annual butterfly exhibition next month. The exhibit will last until April. (Photo provided) scope.’ theme,” said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture. “We’ve added new Exploration Stations in the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, where guests can use magnifying glasses to enjoy a unique view ofthe plant material that helps butterflies thrive.” Exhibition rules Please do not touch the but­ terflies. During the butterfly exhibi­ tion, tripods are not allowed in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Monopods may be used, but organizers ask that you please be courteous to other guests. Per USDA regulations, no butterfly or plant materials may leave the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Membership Members ofFrederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park enjoy unique members-only events and exhibition open­ ings, valuable discounts, and reciprocal benefits to more than 300 gardens nationwide. Exclusively for members, Meijer Gardens is open early the first full weekend of each month on Saturdays from 8 am.. to 9 a.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. toll a.m. Online ticketing Members and guests can visit MeijerGardens.org/tickets to reserve and purchase tickets online. When on-site, head directly to the Entry Desk near the DeVos-Keeler Gift Shop for easy entry. Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! If your friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.9483139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectrumhealth.org Spectrum Health Thousands of butterflies will call the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory home next month. (Photo provided) �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023/ Page 9 Gaines Township seeks consultant to craft new zoning ordinance James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Planning Commission will post a public Request for Proposals notice in early February seeking a consul­ tant to help it develop a new township zoning ordinance. Community Development Director Dan Wells announced that at the Jan. 26 planning commission meet­ ing. He hopes the overhaul of the zoning ordinance will be completed by the end ofthe year. “We’re anticipating the whole process will probably take anywhere from eight months to a year,” Wells said. “We’re going to open it up to bidders.” The zoning ordinance will be developed after a new township master plan is com­ pleted. The township board budgeted $50,000 last year for hiring a consultant and doing the work associated with revamping of the ordi­ nance. The master plan is a pol­ icy document that guides the physical development of a community. The yearlong process to draw up the Gaines Township master plan is approaching the final stages and may be fin­ ished by spring. It includes a future land use plan and will serve as a guidepost for how residential, commercial'and'industrial develop­ ments are to be plotted in the township over the next 10 to 15 years. Under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, a municipality’s zoning ordi­ nance is the legal document regulating land use, parcel sizes, setbacks for various uses, building forms and placement. The zoning ordi­ nance must be based on a master plan. Violations of a zoning ordinance can result in a civil infraction ticket, fines and criminal charges. “It’s a very detailed docu­ ment and it has to be comprehensive,” Wells said. “It has to get down to the nitty gritty of ‘how does this actually get built?”’. and Assistant Wells Planner Natalie Davenport have been poring over the existing zoning ordinance, which Wells said has a lot of flaws and contradictory lan­ guage. It had been amended several times over the years. “Every day, I run into something that I’m like, ‘Why is this this way? It doesn’t make any sense,”’ Wells said. “Or this doesn’t work right, or it’s so outdated that it’s invalid at this point compared to current law. So, rather than hunt and peck chapter by chapter, I discussed during the budgeting process just setting aside enough money to do a total overhaul.” After bids are received, the township will hire a consultant to oversee construction of the new zoning ordi­ nance, ’which will use the new master plan as a guiding document. A steering com­ mittee will be formed. It will be comprised of some town- ship board and planning commission members and, possibly, some interested cit­ izens. “They will work closely with the consultant to go chapter by chapter and page by page,” Wells said. He added that the town­ ship’s signage ordinance also needs updating to bring it into compliance with some recent Michigan Supreme Court rulings. Development guidelines will be brought into accord with some of the newer ele­ ments of the master plan, so that mixed uses are compati­ ble in the new zoning ordi­ nance. “So, we may well have a little bit more complicated code when it comes to devel­ oping, say, in a village resi­ dential area and in a mixeduse area. How do those mixed-use areas interface? What kind ofsetbacks do we have for commercial proper­ ties next to residential prop­ erties?” Wells asked. As for the master plan, it will be the township’s first comprehensivemaster plan since one was drawn up in 2002 andupdated in2008. The finalized draft master plan recently was sent out by the township for a 42-day review by area agencies and jurisdictions. Township plan­ ners will use that public input The Gaines Township Planning Commission discussed development of a new township zoning ordinance at its Jan. 26 meeting. (Photo by James Gemmell) to make any necessary tweaks to the master plan before it goes to the planning commission for review. It would then make a recom­ mendation to the township board for final approval. A public hearing on the master plan likely will take place at the planning com­ mission’s Feb. 23 meeting. The public had opportunities to provide input at open houses the township held last year and through a commu­ nity survey that was posted on gainestownship.org. Visitors can click on a tab on the homepage to view the proposed master plan. “I just want to make sure we include the (township) board all the way along, because I don’t want to get through planning commis­ sion and go to the board, and have some major issues blow up in our faces,” Planning Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo said. “Because they will have the ultimate authority on what gets passed.” “I’m sure we’ll have board involvement on any commit­ tees that we have,” Wells replied. “I don’t want to be too long without the zoning ordi­ nance matching the master plan,” Giarmo said. “So, that’s our big concern, that we need to move forward quickly.” “By the time that the mas­ ter plan is actually going through the final approval, hopefully we’ll have a con­ sultant who is already reviewing what we have. So, they can start doing that immediately,” Wells said. The new master plan like­ ly will call for a mixture of housing types in future planned unit developments that are designed to be more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional single-style housing that was ubiquitous in the township before PUDs became more prevalent. Planners will determine how the housing language will be codified in the zoning ordi­ nance. We Accept -epUB T0 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING c°UKvi'r THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Keep YourTeeth fora LIFETIME! MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. Please be advised the Thornapple Township Planning Commission will hold public hearing on February 27, at 7pm or as soon thereafter as possible. The public hear­ ings will take place in the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville. The public hearing will address the following: Public Hearing #1 Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments: Outdoor Wood Furnaces Provisions Section 21.41 The pro­ posed zoning ordinance amendment would address changes to the Township’s standards regulating outdoor wood furnaces found in subsection D. Minimum lot size: Non-EPA certified outdoor furnaces shall be permitted only on lots of three (3) acres or more, and EPA certified outdoor furnaces shall be permitted only on lots of one and one-half (1.5) acres or more; and 2) subsection E. Minimum setbacks: Non-EPA Certified outdoor furnaces shall maintain existing setback and EPA Certified Outdoor Furnaces shall be setback not less than sev­ enty-five (75) feet from the front lot line and twenty-five (25) feet from the rear and side lot lines, and not less than one-hundred (100) feet from the nearest dwelling on adjacent property. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? Vou Don’t Haue To Brush RLL YourTeeth, Just The Ones You Plant To Keep, Any interested person may attend the public hearing to learn about the ordinance and to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the ordinance noted above may be examined in the Township offices at the address noted above during regular business hours. Monday - Thursday 9am- 4pm Written comments regarding the above ordinances may be addressed to: Secretary, Thornapple Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. Sandy Rairigh, Commission Secretary or submitted via email to: supervisor@thornapple-twp.org Americans with Disabilities Notice Persons with special access needs should contact the Township Clerk at 269-795-7202 no less than 72 hours before the hearings. Cindy Willshire, Thornapple Township Clerk One-Stop Dentistry! (LUe do Implants) We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No o dental ena insurance? nsurance Sign up for our special payment plan | Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023 CHS football has five ink their collegiate football plans Brett Bremer Sports Editor Their final football game for the Fighting Scots was a state championship game, and now they’ll spread around the state, and the country, for their next com­ petitive football games. Caledonia High School hosted a signing day event for five seniors making plans to play football on the colle­ giate level Wednesday. The group signing their National Letter of Intent recently included quarterback Mason McKenzie who is headed to Saginaw Valley State University; senior wide receivers Evan Graham and Kyle DeHom who are head­ ed to Hope College; senior kicker Luke Vogeler who is headed to Cornell University; and senior lineman Carlo Aybar who will continue his playing days at Davenport University. The M-6 pipeline from Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia to Ray and Sue Smith Stadium on the cam­ pus of Hope College in Holland has had a steady flow in recent years. Former Caledonia line­ backers Luke Mandsafer and Benjamin Norris, defensive lineman Caleb Paarlberg, and Graham’s big brother, free safety Owen Graham, were all freshmen on the Flying Dutch roster last fall. “I’m excited because our Caledonia family is just kind of moving over there,” DeHom said.” Last year was so special with that group of guys, and this year was so special. It is good to just keep the teammates with me.” DeHom has a family lega­ cy at Hope as well. “I went to junior day last year [at Hope] and it just seemed right from the start. Coach [Peter] Stuursma, he makes it feel like home there,” Dehorn said. “I am excited to go there. My grandpa coached there for a while and my dad was a quarterback there. I just knew I wanted to go there.” His grandfather, James DeHom, coached football at Allendale High School from 1970 until 1997, spending 16 seasons as the varsity head coach, and then joined the Hope College coaching staff. He joined Allendale after graduating from Hope in 1970 where he lettered in both football and wrestling. He coached Hope’s wrestling program from 19801982. Kaden’s father, Kyle DeHom, graduated from Hope College in 1997. Kaden hopes to continue playing wide receiver at Hope, but he’d be open to bulking up and giving tight end a shot too he said. The Caledonia team had a combined 22-4 record the last two seasons combined with this group on the varsity. The Fighting Scots closed the 2022 season with a 12-2 record as the state runners-up in Division 1. “I think our offseason is what is most important, to build us as football players and get us ready for the college level,” Kaden said. “We work so hard over the sum- The Caledonia varsity football team hosted a signing day celebration for seniors Evan Graham (clockwise from front left), Luke Vogeler, Kaden DeHorn, Carlo Aybar and Mason McKenzie, with head coach Derek Pennington (seated center) Wednesday at the high school. The five seniors all recently signed their National Letters of Intent to compete on the collegiate level, McKenzie at Saginaw Valley State University, Graham and DeHorn at Hope, Vogeler at Cornell and Aybar at Davenport. (Photo by Brett Bremer) mer, and I think we’re build­ ing our character as well throughout the season with the lessons we learned. Even this season, making it all the way to state this year we learned what it takes to make it there.” Vogeler was an all-confer­ ence soccer player in the OK Red Conference this fall. Coach Pennington made no bones about how much his team missed Vogeler and his booming kick-offs and punts when he was forced to miss the Fighting Scots’ regular season finale against Rockford where the Rams handed the Caledonia varsity football team its only defeat of the season until they were bested by the defending state champs from Bellville in the MHSAA Division 1 State Final. Vogeler hit a pair of field goals in the Scots’ 14-13 district championship victory over the Rams in Rockford two weeks after the loss on senior night in Caledonia. McKenzie and Aybar were among the eight Caledonia players named first team all-conference in the OK Red this fall, and both were among seven Scots honored as all-region performers by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. McKenzie was named first team all-state at quarterback by the MHSFCA at the end of the season. McKenzie threw for 1,453 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in his second full season starting for the Fighting Scots. He rushed for 1,683 yards and 19 touch­ downs, averaging 9.5 yards per carry. He also handled the kicking duties when Vogeler was out against the Rams, drilling the only extra­ point he attempted. “It is awesome. It is a thing I have dreamt about my whole life,” McKenzie said. “To go and play college foot­ ball, it is something I have dreamt about my whole life. This is just a really special moment for me and these guys to go on and do some­ thing not a lot of people get the opportunity to do.” He’s hoping to get bigger, stronger and faster and be ready to play if he’s needed as a freshman. Aybar was a leader on both the offensive and defen­ sive line for the Fighting Scots and will find a spot in the trenches with the Davenport Panthers. He was credited with 19 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss during his senior season. Graham had 9 receptions for 233 yards and 3 touch­ downs this fall, averaging 25.9 yards per reception. DeHom had 13 receptions for 229 yards and two touch­ downs. Barracudas chase after Wildcats in OK Rainbow Tier II contest Brett Bremer Sports Editor A talented Wayland team took a 99-84 win over the Barry County Barracuda 194815 varsity boys’ swimming and diving team at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings Thursday. The Barracudas got one victory in the 12 events in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference dual, with JanId Petch winning the 1 GO- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dan Wells Gaines Charter Township Community Development Director, 616-980-6188 REVIEW OF THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP 2023 MASTER PLAN UPDATE The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2023 Master Plan Update. The hearing will be held at 7:00 PM during the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the Township office located at: Township Hall Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Current CDC COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. The draft 2023 Master Plan Update is available for review at Gaines Charter Township Hall, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316, and online at https://www.gainestownship.org/. For additional information, please contact Dan Wells, Community Development Director, at 616-980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org . Any interested persons are invited to attend and participate. Persons with disabilities needing any special accommodations should contact the Township offices one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual, or any other assistance. yard breaststroke in 1 min­ ute 8.99 seconds. He was nearly five seconds ahead of his nearest competitor in the race. Senior Zachary Jenison had a big night for the Wildcats. He as better than the Division 1 state qualify­ ing time in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle; pushed by Barry County senior Jack Kensington who was the runner-up in both races. Jenison won the 50 free­ style in 21.90 seconds and Kensington touched the wall in 22.99 in that race. Jenison won the 100 freestyle in 48.90 with Kensington second in 51.66. Jenison was as part of four wins for the Wildcats. He teamed with Eddie Oudbier, Josh Rose and Aidan Ketchapaw to win the 200-yard medley relay in 1:48.39. Jenison, Ketchapaw, Travis Koon and Oudbier won the 400yard freestyle relay in 3:39.48. The Barracudas were hot on the heels of the Wildcats in that 400-yard freestyle with the team of Riley Shults, Donald Kuck, Devin Pacillo and Kensington sec­ ond in 3:40.66. Petch was also second in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:22.82 behind the time of 2:17.53 from Oudbier. Shults was second for the Barracudas in the 200-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. The Barracuda team of Devin Pacillo, Blake Barnum, Shults and Kensington was second in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:27.76. The Wildcat foursome of Oudbier, Rose, Koon and Payton Williamson won that race in 1:36.18. Hunter Tietz had a run­ ner-up finish in the 100yard backstroke in 1:05.04. Oudbier won that race in 1:05.04. The Barry County team was coming off a Tuesday night conference win over Catholic Central at the GERC. The Barracudas scored a 117-63 win over visiting Cougars The Barracuda team had five different guys win individual events, including Kensington who took two. Kensington won the 200yard freestyle in 1 minute 57.92 seconds and the 100yard freestyle in 51.73. Barracuda freshman diver Ethan Magnuson upped his point total in the diving competition to 107.10 to win that event over Cougar freshman Josh Geer. Shults won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:20.96. Nolan Send took the 500-yard freestyle in 5:50.87. Tietz won the 100-yard backstroke in 1:07.20 and Petch took the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:08.15. The Barracuda team scratched its top team from the 400-yard freestyle relay after winning the first two relay races. Tietz, Jan-Id, Kuck and Barnum won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:56.16 and Barnum, Perotti, Jameson Riordan and Kensington won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:40.27. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4, 2023/ Page 11 TK has three place in top four at Ovid-Elsie girls’ tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ wrestling team took part in the Ovid-Elsie girls’ tournament Friday, Jan. 27, and had three of its four wrestlers place in the top four in their respective weight classes. The Trojans’ Kara Smith placed second in the 135pound B weight class, Emma Gibson was fourth at 120 pounds and Kayleigh Brown placed fourth at 145 pounds. Smith pinned Midland’s Emily Klassen in the semifi­ nals and then fell to Virginia Chapates from Eaton Rapids in her championship match. Gibson lost out in a couple of tough one-point decisions. She pinned her first opponent from Shepherd in the quarter­ finals, but then was bested 3-2 by Eaton Rapids’ Symiah Stone in the semifinals and Hastings’ Dezarae Mathis in the match for third place. Mathis opened her day with a pin ofWhittemore-Prescott’s Alyssa Burr, but then was pinned by Bark River-Harris’ Madalynn Corrigan in the third period of their semifinal match. That decision by Mathis in the match for third against Gibson was the only bout all evening that didn’t end in a pin one way or the other for the Saxons. The Hastings Saxon team had ten girls competing and five earned spots in the top six in their weight class. The top finishes came from Calin Redman at 125 pounds, Mathis at 120 and Cass idee Easey at 235. They each placed third. TK’s Brown was 2-2 with two pins in the 145-pound weight class. She stuck Whittemore-Prescott’s Shaelyn Vyner to start the day, but then fell to St. Charles’ Lydia Roope in the semifinals. Brown rallied to pin Montrose Hill-McCloy’s Lia McDowell in the third period oftheir con­ solation semifinal match. Vyner and Brown met again in the match for third and this time Vyner came out on top with a first period pin. Whittmore-Prescott took the team championship with 147 points. DeWitt was second with 108 points, ahead of Fowlerville 100.5, Midland 91.5, Eaton Rapids 89, Hastings 69, Grand Blanc 58, Bark River-Harris 52, Dansville 52 and Ovid-Elsie 50 in the top ten. Thomapple Kellogg had its girls’ program place 11** ** 1*1*A with 41 points. Thomapple Kellogg’s Emma Gibson and Hastings’ Dezarae Mathis square off in the match for third place Friday, Jan. 27, in the 120-pound weight class at the Ovid-Elsie Giris Individual Tournament. Mathis took a 3-2 win in the bout. Gibson was one of three TK girls to place in the top four in their weight class. (Photo by Mr Gaskill Photo) Hastings’ Redman pinned Lee’s Emily Jimenez in the opening period of their 125pound quarterfinal match, but then was pinned herself by DeWitt’s Jaime Cook in the semifinals. Redman bounced back with another pin in the match for third, sticking Midland’s Abigail Shellnut in 28 seconds. Easey stuck Shepherd’s Ash Wilson in their thirdplace match in the 235-pound weight class. Easey was pinned by Farwell’s Tailyiah Thursh in their semifinal bout, but she rebounded to earn her spot in the consolation final by pinning WhittemorePrescott’s Shelby Holtz. Hastings also had Sophia Sunior place sixth at 190 pounds and Claudia Palumbo place sixth at 170. Palumbo was 1-2 on the day and Sunior went 2-2. TK teams split their OK Gold duals with Hawks and Knights Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ bowling team scored a 29-1 victory over Forest Hills Eastern at Hastings Bowl Monday afternoon. The TK boys and TK girls were both 1-1 in conference duals this week. The TK boys were downed by Kenowa Hills Wednesday at Westgate Bowl. The TK girls were downed by the FHE girls Monday, but answered with a win over the Knights at Westgate Wednesday. The Thomapple Kellogg boys swept the team points in their victory over Forest Hills Eastern at home Monday, winning the Baker games 166­ 151 and 217-105, and then taking the two regular team games 914-825 and 966-809. Wyatt Jacobson, Ethan Kriekaard, Z Moore and Wyatt Barnes all won two points for the TK team. Jacobson had games of 247 and 207. Kriekaard rolled a 233 and a 191. Moore scored a 216 and a 182. Barnes rolled a 199 and a 178. Liu took one team point with games of 93 and 134. The TK boys are now 6-5-1 in conference duals this season and the TK girls are 7-5. Forest Hills Eastern bested the TK girls 18-11 Monday. The Hawks won the two Baker games 109-100 and 117­ 95, and then took the opening team game 629-528. TK won the second team game 642-564 to take the overall pinfall in those two games. Sara Willshire won a point and a half for the Trojans with games of 179 and 129. Emily Podbevsek rolled a 158 and a 135 to win one team point. Jenna Robinett won two points with scores of 134 and 116. The Trojan team also got a point from Ashleigh Norman who rolled a 99. Kenzie Chapin-Dyer had games of 95 and 90 for the Trojans and Sidney Ripley bowled a 75. The TK girls bested Kenowa Hills 28-2 Wednesday. The TK girls took both Baker games and the wins in both of the regular team games. Podbevsek and Savannah Rehfeldt won two team points each. Podbevsek rolled games of 133 and 118. Rehfeldt rolled 122 twice. Willshire took one point for the TK team with solid games of 142 and 130. The TK team also got a point from Chapin-Dyer thanks to a 128, one from Ripley who rolled a 97 and one from Norman who scored a 91. Robinett tallied a 100 game for the Trojans. The TK boys fell 26^4 to the Knights. The Kenowa Hills boys were outstanding in the Baker games winning 214-113 and 153-124, and the Knights took the two regular team games too. Jacobson and Kriekaard both took points for TK, and Barnes won two. Barnes had games of 178 and 149. A 7-0 run by the Chix in the one quarter and then stretched final two and a halfminutes of its advantage to 18-9 in the the first halfmade things inter­ second before the Chix man­ esting Tuesday, but the aged a the run that got them Thomapple Kellogg varsity within two by the half. girls’ basketball team led from TK kept pushing in the sec­ start to finish at Zeeland East ond half and led by double High School. figures throughout much of The Thomapple Kellogg the fourth quarter. girls scored a 39-30 non-conIt was the second straight win ference win over the Chix. for the TK ladies who improved TK had a 10-8 lead after to 3-11 overall this season with the victory. Their last win came in December over Plainwell. The Trojans got their first OK Gold Conference win of the season last Friday at Ottawa Hills, outscoring the Bengals 54-36. The Trojans were scheduled to visit Grand Rapids Catholic Central last night, Feb. 3. They will be at Wayland Tuesday, Feb. 7, and at South Christian Feb. 10. Moore, a 148 from Liu and an 81 from Travis Sholty. TK will head to the Hudsonville Eagle Invitational today, Feb. 4. 194814 GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold three public hearings to consider the following requests at the February 23, 2023, 7:00 PM meeting: 1. Request to rezone one parcel from Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) to Gen­ eral Commercial (C-2). a. b. c. 2. Property Address: 34 Coleman Street SE Parcel Number: 41-22-07-305-006 Applicant: Elvir Omerasevic, Triple Crown Buildings LLC Special Land Use request to allow a 400-square-foot accessory building in the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District. a. b. c. 3. TK ladies knock off Bengals and Chix for their first wins of 2023 Jacobson rolled a 235 and a 172. Kriekaard scored a 203 and a 147. The TK boys’ team also got scores of 181 and 118 from Property Address: 6581 College Ave SE Parcel Number: 41 -22-06-401 -013 Applicant: Samantha Tobin A tentative preliminary plat for Thornapple Farms, a proposed single-family residential subdivision with 172 lots in six development phases. a. b. c. Property Address: 7307 Hammond Avenue SE & 3316 68th Street SE Parcel Numbers: 41 -22-11 -176-002 & 41 -22-11-101-012 Applicant: Mike West, Green Development Ventures Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposals. Information related to these requests may be inspected, by appointment, during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices. For information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@ gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, signed written com­ ments must be received by 5:00 PM on February 23, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at (616) 698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual, or any other assistance. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP OFFICES, BOARD ROOM, 8555 KALAMAZOO AVE., SE, CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023 Trojan girls and CHS boys second at first SWMSC races Brett Bremer Sports Editor Mattawan/Paw Paw’s Ian Bradley and Anna Roethlisberger took individ­ ual victories in both the sla­ lom and the giant slalom as the Southwest Michigan Ski Conference finally got to open the 2022-23 season at Timber Ridge Monday. Plainwell/Thor nappie Kellogg Trojan Ski team senior Lucy VanDemark was the runner-up to Roethlisberger in the girls’ slalom and added a fourth­ place performance in the GS. Teammate Madison Nagel joined her in the top ten in the slalom with a sev­ enth-place finish in that event. The Portage girls’ team had four scorers in the top ten in both events and their team took the victory Monday with 49 points. Plainwell/TK took the run­ ner-up spot in the girls’ standings with 81 points, ahead of Mattawan/Paw Paw 102, Hackett/Vicksburg 131, Kalamazoo United 137, Caledonia 172, Hudsonville 235 and South Haven 293. The Caledonia boys team was second on the day behind only the Mattawan/Paw Paw boys. The Caledonia boys and Trojan girls were both second again as the confer-, ence got together a second time Wednesday at Bittersweet. Portage’s Abigail Liddell led her team in both events Monday, placing second in the GS and third in the sla­ lom. She had runs of 17.25 seconds and 17.19 in the GS. Roethlisberger won with times of 17.04 and 17.28. Liddell’s teammate Avery Parlin had the fastest single run in the GS, getting down the hill in 17.02 on her first attempt. She was third over­ all in that event with a sec­ ond run time of 17.56. VanDemark was fourth in the GS with runs of 17.81 and 17.53. Nagel placed 11th with times of 19.53 and 19.69. The Trojan team also had Second quarter runs by Bengals and Bulldogs power them past TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor A single poor quarter was a hiccup for the Trojans in back-to-back losses against Ionia and Ottawa Hills recently. The Ionia Bulldogs scored a 54-38 non-conference win over the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team in Middleville Tuesday eve­ ning. The Bulldogs upped a one-point lead to double figures with a 20-9 run in the second quarter to lead 27-15 at the half. Rein Pranger had 8 points. Kyle VanHaitsma had 8 points and 5 rebounds. The Trojan team also got 7 points from Jacob Draaisma and 5 points and 6 rebounds from Jaxan Sias. The Trojans were miss­ ing junior guard Tyler Gavette Tuesday night, and TK head coach Josh Thaler said that especially hurt Trojans cut their deficit to because Gavette has been seven going into the playing some of his best fourth quarter. They were within three points in the basketball recently. Gavette did a little bit of fourth quarter, but a cou­ everything in a 63-50 OK ple missed shots and turn­ Gold Conference loss at overs allowed Ottawa Ottawa Hills last Friday, Hills to extend its lead in Jan. 27. Gavette had 6 the end. points, 6 assists, 4 steals Sias had 4 points and 7 and 4 rebounds. rebounds in the loss. TK The Bengals had a big also got 8 points and 4 second quarter Friday night, rebounds from Brody scoring 22 points to lead Wiersma, 5 points from 37-20 at the half. Corey Holt and 4 points TK rallied in the second each from Draaisma, half. The Trojans outscored Pranger and Hayden the Bengals 18-8 in the Chatman. third quarter. The two losses drop VanHaitsma had 15 TK’s record to 2-11 over­ points and 5 rebounds in the all this season. TK was loss. Coach Thaler said scheduled to visit OK VanHaitsma had a great Gold leading Grand third quarter. Rapids Catholic Central “VanHaitsma helped cre­ Friday, Feb. 3. The Trojans ate easy offense off tipped will be back in action passes,” Thaler said. Tuesday at home Tuesday TK also got some big against Wayland and then rebounds from Sias during will visit South Christian the run in which the Friday, Feb. 10. 194813 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 v TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on January 18, 2023, the Township Board of the Charter Township of Caledonia adopted an ordinance amending the Caledonia Charter Township Water Connection, Use and Rate Ordinance. The principal provisions ofthe amending ordinance are as follows: 1. Section 1 ofthe Ordinance amends Appendix I ofthe Water Connection Ordinance, to substitute the former map with a new map showing the boundaries ofthe Water Supply Service District. 2. Section 2 of the Ordinance provides that if any section, paragraph, clause or provision of the Ordinance is held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, clause or provisions shall not affect any of the other provisions of the Ordinance. Further, the paragraph headings in the Ordinance are furnished for convenience ofreference only and are not considered a part ofthe Ordinance. 3. The third section of the ordinance provides that a true copy or a summary ofthe Ordinance shall be published within thirty (30) days after its adoption and recorded in the Ordinance Book ofthe Township and such recording authenticated by the signatures ofthe Township Supervisor and Township Clerk. The Ordinance will become effective on February 5, 2023. A copy of the Ordinance may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: February 5, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Ella Way 15th with runs of his team closed the night 19.96 and 20.15 and Whitne with 45 points. Caledonia Johnson 16th with times of was second with 77, ahead of Portage 141, Plainwell/TK 20.39 and 20.20. 151, Kalamazoo United Portage had Kelly 160.5, Hudsonville 171.5, Overheul seventh and Kennedy Sanborn tenth in South Haven 238 and the GS. In the slalom, Lidell Hackett/Vicksburg 247. was third, Parlin sixth, “A couple weeks ago, we Overheul eighth and Sanborn raced against Mattawan at tenth. the Cadillac Invitational so Roethlisberger had the we knew that they were fast fastest marks in the two girls’ and that we have the poten­ slalom runs with times of tial to beat them,” Petrosky 20.99 and 21.31. said. “They have a great VanDemark was second in team and their performance each run with times of 22.38 is pushing my guys to ski and 21.96. Nagel was sev­ better. Today they were a enth overall with times of little faster, but we are going 24.15 and 23.24. Way placed to work hard to get ahead of 12th in the slalom with times them at the next race.” of 24.84 and 26.56. Johnson Bradley had runs of 16.22 placed 14th with times of and 16.33 to win the GS and 25.83 and 26.20. 20.57 and 20.33 to win the Mya Baldwin had the top slalom. single finish for the Kalamazoo United’s Sam Caledonia girls’ team, plac­ Oberlee was the only guy to ing ninth in the slalom with beat Bradley in a run down times of 24.53 and 25.12. the hill. He had a time of Kyleigh Thompson was 11th 20.43 the first time down in with runs of25.72 and 25.67, the slalom and then was sec­ Erin Peckham 24th with ond overall with a second times of 30.01 and 29.46, run time of 20.71. and Liz Hilton had times of Tyler Dean led the 33.19 and 31.69. Caledonia boys to their run­ Thompson led the ner-up finish. He was fifth in Caledonia girls with runs of the slalom and Sixth in the 19.96 and 19.59 in the GS GS. Teammate ; Sean Rice which was good for 12th was fifth in the GS and tenth overall. Peckham was 25th in the slalom for the Rice had with runs of21.56 and 21.89. the fastest GS inn for the Hilton was 29th with times Caledonia boys with a time of 23.31 and 22.13 and of 16.67 on the second run Jessica Maier placed 35th which was the third fastest with runs of25.68 and 25.11. second run time in the event. Baldwin had the fastest He had a time of 17.24 on his single run for the Scots in the first go down. Rice put GS, flying down the hill in together times of 16.75 and 19.01 which was good for 17.03. eighth overall after one run, In the slalom, Dean had but she took a DNF her sec­ runs of 21.58 and 21.93. Rice ond time down the hill in the went - down in 22.55 and race. 23.63. “We are extremely proud Also for the Scots, Luke of our girls and how well Shuster placed 12th in the GS they skied at our first and 14th in the slalom and SWMSC meet of the year. junior Brayden Smith was Our goals coming into the 12th in the slalom and 13th in meet related to improving the GS. Shuster had times of our performance and we 22.99 and 23.46 in the slalom achieved the goal,” and Smith had times of 23.03 Caledonia head coach Duane and 23.28. In the GS, Shuster Petrosky said. “Kyleigh had times of 17.77 and 17.34 Thompson, Mya Baldwin and Smith 17.72 and 17.52. and Erin Peckham are pro­ The Trojan team was led viding great leadership and by Liam Troutner who was are leading the team on the eighth overall in the slalom. slopes with our new varsity He had times of 23.07 and skiers really stepping up and 22.83. Mark Gielincki was helping with their times. 17th with runs of 24.43 and “The conference has a lot 24.24. Elijah Korrek was of very fast girls in it this 20th in 24.79 and 24.54. year and every team has one Travis Barton was the team’s or two girls that could win fourth scorer in the event, the meet, so it is fun to watch placing 27th with runs of our skiers push themselves to 27.13 and 26.75. be in that elite group of ski­ Troutner was also eighth ers. Our fastest skiers are in the GS with times of 17.42 right in the mix of things and and 17.20. Korrek had runs they are fun to watch ski.” to 17.85 and 17.51 to place Bradley led the Mattawan/ 14th. Ryan Donovan earned Paw Paw boys to a victory as a 28th-place finish with runs CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the January 18, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on February 1,2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. of 19.61 and 19.34 for the and teammate Trojans, Robby Jones placed 29th in the GS with times of 19.39 and 19.58. Mattawan/Paw Paw had Canyon Keller second, Lucas Bedau seventh and JT Roethlisberger tenth in the GS. Behind Bradley in the slalom, the team had Keller sixth, JT Roethlisberger sev­ enth and Bedau 11th. The order of the boys’ standings Wednesday at matched Bittersweet Monday’s meet. Mattawan/ Paw Paw won with 56 points, ahead of Caledonia 62.5, Portage 133, Hudsonville 153, Plainwell/TK Plainwell/TK 184, 153, Kalamazoo United United 185, Kalamazoo Hackett/Vicksburg 214 and South Haven 277. The Caledonia boys were the fastest GS group of the day with five guys in the top ten. Rice was third, Dean fourth, Smith seventh, DJ Potgeter eighth and Shuster tenth. In the slalom, Dean was sixth, Smith ninth, Shuster 12th and Potgeter tied for 13th. The Plainwell/TK team had Korrek ninth in the GS, Troutner 11th, Gielincki 23rd and Jones 24th. In the slalom, Gielincki was 15th, Barton 24th and Troutner 30th for the Trojans. Kalamazoo United’s Oberlee was the fastest guy in the slalom with runs of 33.96 and 34.55. Bradley, from Mattawan/Paw Paw had the best score in the GS with runs of26.62 and 26.46. While the Plainwell/TK girls were second again Wednesday, it was a different team in front of them. Mattawan/Paw Paw won Wednesday with a score of 83 points. The Trojans were just three points back with a total of 86. Portage, the team that won that opening meet, placed fourth. Hackett/Vicksburg was third with 102 points ahead of Portage 114, Caledonia 129, Kalamazoo United 192, Hudsonville 225 and South Haven 258. The Trojan girls were the best team in the slalom Wednesday. VanDemark was third in that event, Nagel sixth, Way 12th and Johnson 14th. In the GS, VanDemark took the victory with runs of 27.788 and 27.59. Johnson was 14th, Way 17th and teammate Clem Muryzn 19th. Portage’s Abigail Liddell won the girls’ GS with runs of 34.99 and 35.88. The Caledoina girls’ team, which was sixth at the first conference jamboree, moved up to fifth in the standings Wednesday. Baldwin was eighth in both events for the Scots. Thopmson placed ninth in both events. The Caledonia team also had Peckham 19th in the slalom and 28th in the GS and Hilton 22nd in the slalom and 26th in the GS. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023/ Page 13 TK and New Lothrop tie atop tourney leaderboard Brett Bremer Sports Editor A group of 20 teams took part in the Todd Steam Blackhawk Invitational at Leslie High School Saturday and at the end of the day New Lothrop and Thomapple Kellogg were tied with 159 points at the top of the stand­ ings. The Trojan team had four guys reach the championship round and Kyron Zoet and Zack Gibson won titles. Zoet took the 138-pound title with an 11-10 win over Manchester’s Blake Sloan in the championship round. Zoet had opened his day with a pair of pins. Both Zoet and Sloan now have just three losses this season. Zoet moved to 35-3 on the season with his Saturday performance. Sloan is now 38-3. Sloan came out strong, getting two takedowns and three nearfall points in the opening period to build a 7-3 lead. Zoet rallied with a late reversal in that first period. He then tallied a pair of take­ downs of his own in the sec­ ond period to even the match at 8-8 heading into the third period. Sloan started the third period in the bottom position, and Zoet managed to put him on his back for three nearfall points in the first halfminute of the period to take control on the score­ board. ^iC1» !1-; ; B|sg? 5- ■. i»:iS A late reversal by Sloan got him within a point in the end. Gibson scored a 9-2 win over Flat Rock’s Andrew Given in the 150-pound championship match. Gibson got a takedown in the open­ ing period and eventually he went into the third period with a 3-2 lead. Gibson managed an escape in the open­ ing seconds of the third period and then scored a takedown and three nearfall points in the final minute to secure the win. Gibson is now 34-1 over­ all this season. He had a pair of pins to start the day and then took an 11-2 win over Olivet’s Landen Bartley in the semifinal round. Jackson Curtis and Jayce Curtis were Thomapple Kellogg’s two runner-up fin­ ishers, Jackson reached the 157-pound championship where he was bested 6-0 by Olivet’s Tyler Schofield who moved his record to 33-0 on the season with the win. Jayce scored a pair of pins to get to the 165-pound cham­ pionship where he was downed 7-2 by East Jackson’s Colton Raffensburger. TK senior Andrew Middleton scored his IGO1*1 varsity victory Saturday on his way to a third-place finish at 144 pounds. He pinned his first two foes, Olivet’s DeShonte Lindsey and •si:•• : ;S:'.5 Wk II ■. CnT L’jj'C. ; : / .■ :,P’; r? ■ • Baker sweep starts CHS girls on their way to win over EK Brett Bremer Bisterfeldt in the defeat. Sports Editor Bisterfeldt had a two-game The Caledonia varsity series of 427. girls’ bowling team picked up The Caledonia boys were an OK Red Conference victo­ bested by both the Falcons ry at Spectrum Lanes and Bulldogs this week. They fell 27-3 to the Monday, knocking off the East Kentwood girls 21.5-8.5. Falcons from East Kentwood The Caledonia girls swept Monday. Caledonia got its all the Baker game points to points thanks to individual propel themselves to the vic­ wins from Noah Creguer, tory. Brady Humbarger and Emma Whitman had the Ayden Sulzener. Humbarger high-game of the day for the rolled a 222, one of his high­ Scots with a 202. Kaelin est games of the year. Kalacanic won a pair of Sulzener rolled a 203 in his points for the Scots in the second game of the day. regular team games. In the dual with Grandville, Teammate Ryleigh Sturman the Caledonia boys were had a season-best score of bested 25-5 Wednesday. 166. Bryton Luxford, The Scots were 1-1 in Humbarger and Sulzener their OK Red duals this scored points for the Scots week. Grandville bested the and Luxford rolled his best Caledonia girls 19-11 score of the season. The Scots are scheduled to Wednesday at Station 300 in Grandville. take part in the Hudsonville Caledonia won the total Invitational at Hudsonville pins in the individual match­ Lanes today, Feb. 4. They es, and got points from return to Hudsonville Lanes Lindsay Duell, Kalacanic, to face the Eagles in an OK Whitman and Kala Red dual Wednesday, Feb. 8. Addison Mosely to start the day, and then was pinned himself by Homer’s Alex Miller in the third period of their semifinal match. Middleton took a forfeit win in the match for third. The Trojan team had Dylan Pauline place fifth at 113 pounds, Maverick Wilson fifth at 126 and Noah Rosenberg sixth at 285 pounds. The Martin/Climax-Scotts team was third with 152 points, ahead of Manchester 149, St. Louis 147, Reading 130.5, Homer 114.5, Napoleon 100, Olivet 97 and Springport 89 in the top ten of the days standings. New Lothrop had three finalists. Parker Noonan took the 144-pound title, pinning Miller in the third period of their championship match. New Lothrop also had Colton Symons second at 175 pounds and Grayson Orr sec­ ond at 285. The TK team will host the OK Gold Conference Championship today, Feb. 4, in Middleville. The postseason starts Wednesday, Feb. 8, when TK heads to Wayland for its MHSAA Division 2 Team District Tournament. TK takes on Otsego in the open- Thornapple Kellogg senior Andrew Middleton is joined by his parents Luke and Jami Middleton as he celebrates recording his 100^ varsity victory for the TK wrestling team Saturday at Leslie High School. ing round at 5:30 p.m. while Plainwell and Wayland are squaring off in the district’s other semifinal match-up. The Trojans go to Allendale next Saturday, Feb. 11, for its MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament. TK took two lopsided vic­ tories in a non-conference tri at Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek Wednesday. The TK team bested Coldwater 73-3 and Harper Creek 63-18. In the win over Coldwater, TK got pins from Gibson, Karl Dittmann, Derious Robinson, Christien Miller, Pauline and Middleton. Austin Pitsch and Jackson Curtis earned technical falls for TK. Zoet added a 4-2 win over the Cardinals’ Tre’a Miller in their 138-pound bout. In the Harper Creek dual, TK got pins from Gibson, Dittmann, Robinson, Miller,Pauline, Pitsch, Wilson and Zoet. Rosenberg took a 4-3 win over the Beavers’ Ricky Johnson in a tie-breaker period in their 285-pound match. Caledonia East Village Sub Area Plan OPEN HOUSE February 22, 2023 | 4:30 - 6:30 pm | Caledonia Township Hall Caledonia Township is looking to the future. Growth in our area and the planned expansion of M37 will continue to transform our community. While we continue work to preserve open space and support agriculture, we must have strong community standards in place when these properties develop. With that in mind, we are creating a vision and development standards for an area we are calling "Caledonia East Village." The Township seeks input from property owners, businesses, and residents on the draft plans, concepts, and designs. Please join us, take a look, and share your insights. For questions, please contact the Township at 616-891-0070 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023 TK second to none in OK Gold this winter Brett Bremer Sports Editor Their round three uni­ forms are trimmed in silver, but the Trojans’ final perfor­ mance Tuesday was worthy of gold. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team finished off an unde­ feated 2022-23 season in the OK Gold Conference by out­ scoring the two-time defend­ ing conference champions from Cedar Springs on the Red Hawks’ mat at Cedar Springs High School. “Now they know what it feels like a little bit,” TK head coach Adrian Nichols said. “The pressure was on and they got the job done. That’s the important thing. These kids are young. They’ve been doing it their whole life, but it is different when it is a different style and the pressure is on. I needed to see today that they can handle the pressure. That is the most important thing for me today, as a coach, is that they can handle it. “Now, they just proved to themselves ‘okay, we can handle it.’ That might not have been a great day. We were down by three, but you don’t lose in the first round. You have to be strong in all three rounds. I am happy that they got the job done today. “I think they needed it to believe that it is real. I always give them these goals and they talk about it, but I think they needed to hold the tro­ phy and they needed to hear that conference champion­ ship, that sentence. They just needed to hear that sentence, because that is the most vali­ dation they have had yet.” It is the first conference title for the Trojans under Nichols, who is in the midst of her third season leading the program. The Trojans last won an OK Gold Conference title in 2020, before the most recent round of OK Conference realign­ ment which brought Cedar Springs and Kenowa Hills into the conference among others. The Red Hawks outscored the TK ladies by three points in round one, 225.3 to 222.3, in front of a raucous home crowd, but the Trojans came roaring back with the top round two and three scores of the evening to finish more than 28 points ahead of their hosts. Nichols said she doesn’t typically share scores with her girls, but she let them know they trailed Cedar Springs by a couple points after round one. It was the first time anyone had out­ scored the TK girls in the opening round in the confer­ ence this season. “A lot of us get really ner­ vous and we huddle up in the locker room or in the hall­ way and we just sit there and talk about what we want to do in the round and on the mat,” Trojan senior Presley Hall said. “We just are moti­ vating each other the whole time. We always tell each other we can do it.” Hall does some work motivating herself too. She performs in all three rounds, and has to psyche herself up for her back handsprings in rounds two and three. “I have had a mental block on those for a couple years,” Hall said. “I finally got them back and I am very confident in them, but right before I go on I get very nervous and I have really bad anxiety on the mat. I go on the mat and I whip it out and everything is fine, and I’m like okay, well the rest of the round is going to be great because that is the only thing that bothers me.” Hall was pretty confident in the performance of the TK stunt groups in round three, and other than one small bobble on a stunt that third Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer coach Adrian Nichols presents her team with the 2022-23 OK Gold Conference championship trophy after her team finished off a sweep of the conference season by win­ ning the league finale at Cedar Springs High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) round showing was clearly enough to clinch the confer­ ence title for the Trojans. TK outscored Cedar Springs 207.76 to 198 in round two and then 304.5 to 293.2 in round three. Cedar Springs had the second best score ofthe day in those final two rounds. TK closed the meet with an overall score of 734.56 points, ahead of Cedar Springs 716.5, Kenowa Hills 686.3, Forest Hills Eastern 649.7, Wayland 628.6 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 552.9. While the feeling of win­ ning a conference title is new for these Trojans, the feeling of being out on the mat isn’t and Nichols reminded her girls of that throughout the evening. “I had to look at a lot of them today and say, ‘you’ve been doing this your whole life. Just take a breath, because you have,”’ Nichols said. “All of our flyers have literally done this since they were itty, bitty babies - two freshmen and one junior [junior Ava Jahnke and freshmen Mia Hilton and Claira Kovich]. Literally their whole lives.” “We did a lot of breathing.” Overall, it wasn’t a flaw- less performance, leaving work to do in preparation of the state tournament, which starts for TK at the MHSAA See CHEER, next page 194812 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia township „ Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on February 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The public hearing is to receive comments regarding the application of Lakeside Community Church (Cindy Keson) through Dan Vos Construction Company (Shawn Bates), for a petition to amend the special land use for an addition to the existing church building to include a welcome center, nursery, and classrooms at 6201 Whitneyville Avenue, Caledonia, Michigan 49302. The parcel number is: 41-23-02-126-006. Kenady Smith and Lydia Berg perform a jump with their teammates during round two Tuesday at Cedar Springs High School. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed special land use. Written comments concerning the request may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia has CANCELLED the following public hearing on February 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316. The CANCELLED public hearing was to receive comments regarding the application of Jeff and Linda Hirt, for a Group Adult Foster Care facility with up to 16 residents (beds) at 8546 Whitneyville Avenue, Caledonia, Michigan 49302. The Dated: January 30, 2023 parcel number is: 41-23-23-200-041. PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA 194845 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Dated:^ February 2, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023/ Page 15 CHEER, continued from page 14 Division 2 District it will host in Middleville Feb. 17. Winning a conference title was goal number one on the Trojans’ to-do list this win­ ter. A district championship is goal number two. TK has dealt with some ill­ nesses and injuries lately. The Trojans didn’t perform their back tucks in round two Tuesday, but coach Nichols said she is hoping to have those back as part of the rou­ tine Saturday when the Trojans take part an invitational hosted by Forest Hills Northern. Hie Trojans have a couple more tune-ups before the start of the state tournament. Their round one countdown to the state finals was at four weeks during Tuesday’s perfor­ mance. The Trojans are sched­ uled to be a part of a meet at Jenison Feb. ,8 and one at Byron Center Feb. IL TK went into the confer­ ence final on a high after win­ ning the Division 2 competi­ tion a the LMCCOA Invitational at Byron Center Saturday, Jan. 28. The Trojans outscored the Mason Bulldogs by 2.3 points for the top spot. TK won with an overall score of 745.72, ahead of Mason 743.42, Northview 712.96, St. Johns 711.28, Thornapple Kellogg flyer Ava Jahnke is held up by her stunt group which includes base Mali Holland, backspot Olivia Bouchard, base Monica Serrano Aguilar and front spot Kella LeClaire. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Reeths-Puffer 709.32, DeWitt 708.88, Zeeland West 688.42, Lowell 675.22, Forest Hills Eastern 661.22, Sparta 612.5, Wyoming 582.2 and 522.4. Thomapple Kellogg was 9.5 points back of the Mason Bulldogs heading into round three and outscored everyone Presley Hall and the Trojans move in unison during their round one performance Tuesday at the OK Gold Conference Final at Cedar Springs High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) in the round with a score of 297.8 points. TK had the second best score in each of the first two rounds. Mason outscored TK 235.9 to 235.8 in round one and then 221.52 to 212.12 in round two. Scots end season of OK Red conference duals with one victory Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity wrestling team closed out the season ofOK Red Conference duals falling 63-3 at Grand Haven Wednesday evening. Caledonia got its three points from William Sheely in the 138-pound bout. He pulled out a 5-4 win over Adan Little. The OK Red Conference was set to gather at Caledonia High School Friday, Feb. 3, Logan White 7-6 in the 113.for the conference tourna­ pound match. The ment. Buccaneers also got a 9-8 The Fighting Scots were win. from Bode Wilson in his 1-6 in conference duals this 175-pound bout with the winter. Scots’ Dylan Meduna. Sheely’s win was one of Grand Haven got pins three bouts decided by a sin­ from Brody Dora at 132 gle point Wednesday. The pounds, Eli Hanna-at 190 and Buccaneers took the other Ethan Riggs at 215 pounds, two. and took forfeit victories at Grand Haven’s Alex 106, 120, 144, 150 and 165 Scanlong edged the Scots’ pounds. fri the 126-pound match, Grand Haven’s Logan Vining pulled out a 7-2 win over the Scots’ James Carrow. Maddie Hayden took the mat against the Buccaneers’ Wyatt Sieniarecki at 157 pounds and was bested 7-0. Caledonia placed 12® out of21 teams last Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Greater Berrien County Invitational. Meduna won his 175-pound weight class, scoring a 7-2 win over Constantine’s Julian Hawthorne in the finals. Meduna also scored a 7-4 win over Niles’ Julian Means-Flewellen in the semifinal round. It took Meduna just about a minute to pin each of his first two foes at the tournament. The Caledonia team also had James Carrow place fourth at 132 pounds, and Logan White at 113, Sheely at 138 and Connor Sebel at 190 each place sixth. Stevensville Lakeshore took the day’s championship with 192.5 points. Constantine was second with 150, ahead of Edwardsburg 146, St Joseph 146, Lawton 133.5, Niles Brandywine 127, Paw Paw 118, Mattawan 87.5, Decatur 85 and South Haven 75 in the top ten. Caledonia girls compete with some of state’s best at LMCCOA Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity competitive cheer team placed 14® in the Division 1 standings at the LMCCOA Invitational hosted by Byron Center Saturday. Rochesterjoined a number of the top teams from the west side of the state for the competition and put up the top score in each of the three rounds to finish the day with an overall score of 785.98. Grandville out of the OK Red Conference was second with a score of776.98 points, ahead of Hartland 775.8, Hudsonville 758.5, Jenison 756.02, Mona Shores 749.34, Rockford 738.4, East Kentwood 733.02, Byron Center 721.8, West Catholic 703.96, Portage Central 703.1, West Ottawa 701.64, Portage Northern 682.48, Caledonia 651.5 and Kalamazoo Central 626.2. The Fighting Scots put together scores of 207.8 in round one, 179.2 in round two and 264.5 in round three. The stand-out Rochester girls put together scores of 238.1 in round one, 232.68 in round two and 315.2 in round three. 194438 DDA Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director The Village of Middleville is seeking a qualified applicant for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director position. This position is full-time, with 40 flexible hours per week, with a competitive benefits package. Application instructions and a completejob description are available at the Village Office, 100 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan, 49333, or on the Village website at www.villageofiniddleville.org. The position will stay open until filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume and completed employment application to Kim Jachim, DDA Chairman, PO Box 402 Middleville, MI 49333. Grandville and Hartland tied for the second best round one score at 236.9. Grandville was tops in round two with a score of 230.78. In round three, the Bulldogs tallied 309.3. The second best round two score of the day came from the Hudsonville team with tal­ lied 312.7 points. Grandville, Hudsonville, Caledonia and the rest of the OK Red Conference were set to meet for the OK Red Conference Final at West Ottawa Friday, Feb. 3. The Scots return to Byron Center for the Byron Center Invitational Saturday, Feb. 11. �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 4,2023 Tomac and Patriots have Scots behind them in win Brett Bremer Sports Editor After years of being behind the student-athletes of Caledonia High School, the Fighting Scots were behindjunior Dakota Tomac, literally, Sunday afternoon at Patterson Ice Center. The glass behind Tomac, the Patriots’ goalie, shook two minutes into the contest when he made his first save and members of the Caledonia varsity hockey team and other classmates continued to hammer the glass every time Tomac smothered or turned aside the puck. Tomac, a Caledonia High School sophomore with cere­ bral palsy, and the West Michigan Special Hockey Association Patriots defeated the Detroit Motor City Stars 6-4 Sunday. “It was way over my expectations,” Tomac said of the support from his class­ mates. “When I got here and saw all the students behind the glass I thought, this is what I have been waiting for,” he added. Tomac has spent time assisting the Caledonia High School basketball teams, the Caledonia varsity softball team and the Caledonia var­ sity football team in any way that he can over the past few years - whether it be keeping score at the softball diamond or keeping the varsity foot­ ball team’s turnover chain ready for a celebration. “Many of you know how much I love sports,” he wrote in an Instagram post in the lead-up to Sunday’s contest. “Not only do I love sports because of the competitive­ ness that it brings, I also love sports because of the fact that it brings so many people together. Some of my favor­ ite memories in high school is sitting on the sidelines at football games or on the bench at at basketball games and hearing the roar of the crowd behind me. One ofmy biggest dreams is to be able to play a game in front of a crowd like that. I know that I will never be able to step on the court and make a three like Ky VanderWoude and throw a touchdown like Mason McKenzie.” He was able to do his best Dominik Hasek imperson­ ation Sunday though. Because of his cerebral palsy, Tomac isn’t able to skate, but he is able to con- Dakota Tomac makes one of his 17 saves in goal for the West Michigan Special Hockey Association Patriots during their contest with the visiting Detroit Motor City Stars at Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) tribute in net. He made a handful of saves, including a West Michigan Special Hockey Association Patriots goalkeeper Dakota Tomac, a Caledonia High School junior, is surrounded by classmates and friends’ following his Patriots win over the visiting Detroit Motor City Stars at Patterson Ice Center Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) couple on 1-on-l opportuni­ ties by the Motor City team, and his Patriots built a 5-1 lead in the contest. Motor City did manage to sneak three shots by him in the span of about three min­ utes late in the game to get within 5-4. His mother, Angel Tomac, leaned through the doorway from the stands and shouted, “Dakota! Come on! You got this!” Dakota encouraged the crowd to get fired up moments later, and his Patriots managed to put in one more insurance goal with 56 seconds left to play that sealed the victory. Tomac finished the contest with 17 saves. “You give up three goals in the third period. Finish the game would ya,” Caledonia varsity football defensive coordinator Whitney Bell said to Dakota with a smile and a wink as a stream of well-wishers went by after the contest. The Motor City team was no pushover. That is why Tomac had Sunday’s game against another special hock­ ey team highlighted on his schedule. The Patriots typi­ cally have games against youth hockey teams from the Grand Rapids area. “I knew it would be a competitive game. That was really the reason why I want­ ed everybody out,” Tomac said. He said he wasn’t nervous through the week heading into the game, but once he was in the locker room and it was actually reality he started to feel the butterflies a bit. Dakota has been playing hockey for about eight years now. The Patriots practice on Sundays and have six Sunday games on the schedule for this season. They are sched­ uled to face the Hawks Feb. 5 and the Blades March 5. “Thank you so much to Caledonia,” Dakota said. “I love how it’s big, but it feels small because it is a commu­ nity.” “This is just what I want­ ed.” Patriots’ goalkeeper Dakota Tomac fires up the crowd late in the final period of his team’s win over the vjsiting Detroit Motor City Stars Sunday afternoon at Patterson Ice Center. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-02-11.pdf b8d55946a4ccac0659b8b76b49c14ce8 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 6/ February 11,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Indoor golf center opens in Middleville Greg Chandler Staff Writer Golfing aficionados now have a place to go to in Middleville to practice their game year-round. The village Planning Commission Tuesday approved a special land use permit for M-37 Hackers Golf, which opened last month in the Marketplace Plaza at 4624 M-37, Suite B. The new business, owned by Jacob Bennett and Scott Richter, features golf simu­ lators, a practice net, golfthemed video games, a practice putting green and several sitting areas. “We’re bringing in the young kids Saturday morn­ ings, we’ve got the (Thomapple Kellogg) High School golf team in Tuesdays and Thursdays. I feel like kids need some­ thing to do without having to drive to Grand Rapids to do it,” Bennett said. “It’s not real elaborate. It’s basic and simple. Everyone seems to be liking it,” Bennett added. Members of the TKHS boys golf team say they love the new facility. “It’s pretty sweet,” said Jordan Parks, a junior on See GOLF CENTER, page 3 Yankee Springs Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis, left, calls Thursday’s township board meeting to order. Township meetings are being held at Gun Lake Community Church during the renovation of the meeting room at the township hall. Also pictured are Township Trustees Larry Knowles, center, and Dave VanHouten, right. Yankee Springs eyes seeking ARPA funding for water system expansion Thornapple Kellogg High School junior Jordan Parks, a member of the Trojans’ boys golf team, takes a practice swing on the golf simulator at M-37 Hackers Golf Thursday afternoon. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Greg Chandler and Jayson Bussa Sun and News Staff Some Yankee Springs Township leaders are asking Barry County commissioners to approve a portion of the county’s second round of funding from the'American Rescue Plan Act for infra­ structure improvements to the township’s water system. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis came before the county board Tuesday, ask­ ing commissioners to approve $950,000 in ARPA funding to upgrade the town­ ship’s 32-year-old water sys- tem. Heethuis shared a letter made or anything else, but he from township engineer Don promised me another meet­ DeVries of Fleis & ing with himself and some VandenBrink, outlining the (other) people, and we’ll see what happens,” Heethuis need to upgrade the system. “I thought it was very well said. A five-member group has accepted,” Heethuis said at Thursday’s township board been meeting for the past meeting that was held at Gun year to discuss the proposed consisting of Lake Community Church. “I project, think the commissioners Heethuis, DeVries, Township Trustee Larry Knowles, were very positive about it.” commissioners Heethuis told the township county board that he met with coun­ Catherine Getty and Mark ty board Chairman David Doster. In addition to being a Jackson after the Tuesday township trustee, Knowles is commissioners meeting to also director ofthe Gun Lake Area Sewer & Water further discuss the project. “There were no promises Authority (GLASWA). Middleville officials listen to preliminary proposal for redevelopment of blighted Baby Bliss site James Gemmell Contributing Writer Some private developers are seeking to add affordable riverfront housing in Middleville that would be built on, and adjacent to, the former Baby Bliss manufac­ turing site. John Runquist, one of the principal investors in Ada­ based 975 Ventures LLC, made his first public pitch of a preliminary redevelopment proposal at the village coun­ cil’s Committee ofthe Whole meeting on Tuesday after­ noon. He made the same preSee BABYBUSS, page 2in The project would double Yankee Springs’ arsenic treatment capacity, which would in turn increase its water capacity from the system’s two wells by 40 per­ cent. In addition, it would add a 2,000-foot water main loop along Payne Lake Road to improve water quality and reliability of the system, Heethuis said. Heethuis told the board that the current arsenic treatment system “is reaching its designed capacity and needs to be expanded.” In addition, See WATER SYSTEM, page 5 • TK teacher settling into role as TAPRC director • Yankee Springs approved fire contract with Wayland • Thornapple Kellogg and Caledonia cheer teams tally highest scores yet • Trojan wrestling program'wins its eighth consecutive conference title • Barracudas outrace Vikings in non­ conference dual in Hastings The former Baby Bliss building at 120 W. Main St. Middleville. (Courtesy photo) �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023 Thornapple Kellogg film students earn honors Three Thornapple Kellogg High School film students earned honors at the recent Compass College High School Film Competition. Their films were named among the top 15 films in the annual competition that attracts short films created by stu­ dents from around the state. Parker Stewart received a $750 scholarship to Compass College of Film for Best Lighting. Jace Averill also received a $750 scholarship to Compass College for Film for Best Sound. Their film entitled “Followed” was also named to the top 15 films submit­ ted. Cameryn Ames also had his film called “Just How Life Is” in the top 15 and received a $500 scholar­ ship. His film finished fifth overall in the competition. The TKHS films were among 40 films submitted from 11 high schools around the state. TKHS entered four films in the contest with two making it onto the top 15 list. photo) BABY BLISS, continued from page 1 blighted property. It is “Right now, the way it’s Strategic Fund, which is unclear if the village would drawn up, we’ve got our par­ administered by the Michigan Development be responsible for having the cel plus there and the addi­ Economic soil tested for contamination tional two parcels. It’s a little Corp. That would be for site work, utilities and infrastruc­ before the redevelopment over four acres,” he said. project might move forward. The village owns roughly ture. Another option might He added the project would nine total acres on the river­ be to seek a state grant the MEDC’s incorporate two adjacent vil­ front site, and about seven through Community lage-owned properties near acres are considered devel­ Michigan Program where a lift station pump opable. The undertaking has Revitalization to be large enough in scope (MCRP). The program pro­ house is located. “So, right now it’s just a to make it financially viable vides grants, loans or other preliminary discussion to for developers to recoup the economic assistance for proj­ talk with you, to see ifthere’s proposed $15 million invest­ ects located on properties an appetite by the council of ment on the potential $20 that are blighted, contaminat­ ed or functionally obsolete. potentially selling these million project. “The more blighted the properties for redevelop­ If approved, state grants ment,” Stolsonburg told the would be used to cover the property, the more potential we have as a community to Committee ofthe Whole. remaining costs. Village President Mike Melissa Weaver owns the (be awarded) some brown­ Cramer said the original idea property formerly occupied field grants and CRP mon­ many years ago was to poten-by the Baby Bliss company. ies,” Van Gessel said. “We tially relocate the village She said in an interview after just submitted a grant (appli­ offices to one of the vil-the Committee ofthe Whole cation) to the land bank last lage-owned parcels near the meeting she is considering week for the (former) Baby Baby Bliss site. But he said selling that portion of the Bliss site for demolition.” that was not deemed to be property to the developers He added the property is economically feasible at the for a price that has not been unique in its prime riverfront time and was scrubbed. made public. location. However, Van Gessel res­ “I hope it moves forward “Not many municipalities urrected the possible reloca-and what they’re going to do in West Michigan have tion of the village offices at is going to look a lot better something like this,” Van the Committee ofthe Whole than what’s there right now,” Gessel said. meeting. Weaver said. The preliminary proposal “There could be ways to River Run Flats has made envisions a five-building work together to relocate an offer to purchase an adja­ development with the poten­ these offices,” he said. cent property at 118 W. Main tial for 90 market-rate apart­ Runquist mentioned the St, a smaller parcel owned by ment units. The elevations development group put under a local resident. plan submitted by developers a contractual option last The developers are asking to the village include several summer 1.21 acres just north the village to work with them vertical stair towers, as of the proposed site near to acquire the rest ofthe land opposed to horizontal run­ Waters Street. needed for the project. ways. That provides more “I saw this as an opportu­ separation between apart­ nity to take a riverfront site ment units. and do something with it,” “So, we can maximize the Van Gessel said. “There were amount of square footage going to be some challenges, that we can use for density but with it being blighted for the actual units,” Runquist there could be potential for said. “It allows you the aes­ grants and everything.” thetic to vary. So, it doesn’t So, the developers would look like a standard apart­ pursue a Transformational ment complex. It’ll look like Wheel Alignments Browhfield Plans (TBP) row houses, townhouses or grant through the Michigan somewhat ofan upscale unit. Auto Glass Installation sentation to the Middleville Planning Commission later that night. Joining him during the presentations was Grand Rapids-based NorthStar Commercial real estate bro­ ker Jack Van Gessel. NorthStar is working with 975 Ventures on the project, which might include daycare facilities. The combined entity pro­ posing the redevelopment is called River Rim Flats LLC. It is seeking an option to either purchase 4.5 acres of village property or for a donation of the land. The affordable housing would be designated as a planned unit development (PUD) and be situated on about six acres. The project cost might exceed $15 million. The location is in the 100 block of W. Main Street, adjacent to the Thomapple River. The 10,000 square­ foot building is where the Baby Bliss company once made baby clothes. Prior to that, it was occupied by an auto sales and service com­ pany, Bennett Chevrolet. The manufacturing site was abandoned years ago. A few years ago, it was rezoned from medium-density resi­ dential use to a central busi­ ness district designation. City Manager Craig Stolsonburg said it is now a Biuee's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • Insurance Work Welcome • Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience bruffisframe.com Your local agent insures your C ops FARM BI/BE41/ INSURANCE* fuSWMt Contpa/uj, Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jpantsfsnbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com It allows us to unitize the opers that building 90 apart­ construction, so we can ment units on the six-acre reduce our price to make it as site would exceed the per­ acre density requirements competitive as possible.” The plan includes the orig­ recommended in the village’s inal 1.2-acre parcel, plus the master plan. The developers’ two village-owned parcels. A preliminary proposal calls nature walk would be built for about 15 units per acre, or 18 units for each of the five along the western edge ofthe riverfront north of the Main buildings. “The concentration is Street bridge and heading into downtown. On the north super high,” Smith said. end of the property is a lift “Double, almost, the last station off from Waters request that got fierce (pub­ Street. It services the village lic) pushback.” west of the Thomapple River. He asked the developers if A bridge possibly could be they would be able to keep built to cross over from the the density closer to eight lift pump site to the existing apartment units per acre to comply with the village zon­ canoe landing. Part of the property lies ing ordinance. within a 100-year Federal “I think we could, espeEmergency Management cially ifwe’re able to expand Agency-designated flood north,” Runquist replied. “If plain, but not the portion of we go along the river. I think the village-owned site where that gets a little bit lower. We the lift station is. Still to be could build on the high side determined is how much of back ofthe land.” the property can be devel­ Van Gessel said the state oped, as opposed to being would need to see a large wetlands only. enough project that meets a “The state and the community need in order to (Environment Protection support it with grant funding. Agency) get real particular “It’s easier for them to sometimes about what is advocate a bigger place-mak­ wetland and what is not,” ing project than a smaller Van Gessel said. “There’s a project,” he explained. natural spring over there. But Smith countered that There’s a little creek that the council has learned from runs through it. So, there’s experience that the public some real natural beauty would have significant conthere. It’s just identifying cern with the high concentra­ what the village can and tion of residential units as can’t do with it” currently proposed. Developers are looking at “I love the idea, but I don’t possible site amenities to want that to be a point of construct whether it be new contention as we continue to village offices, a small vil­ move down the line, and as lage building, the nature trail we commit to further or a daycare facility. research and so forth,” Smith “We’ve talked to some said. daycare developers,” Van Van Gessel said “$500,000 Gessel said. “I think, with property-tax projects” are our current layout, it’s a little not often offered to commu­ small for what they’re look­ nities the size ofMiddleville. ing for. We’ve got 7,000 “It seems that this is a square feet. They’re looking chance for the village, this for 10-to-12,000 square community, to capture some­ feet.” thing that the state really is Runquist said River Run focused on — small, rural Flats has received “enor­ communities like this — mous” support from the right now. Especially, after MEDC on the potential proj-the (COVID-19) pandemic,” ect. he said. “It’s quite amazing ... it Several years ago, an entiseems like everybody wants ty called Middleville Group to move something forward LLC purchased the former here. And we’re trying to Baby Bliss property and pro­ work in conjunction with posed transforming it into a everybody to figure out how brewery or restaurant with that works and what it does,” outdoor seating that would he said. provide views of the river However, village trustee and dam. However, those Kevin Smith told the devel- plans did not materialize. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023/ Page 3 The sign adorning the front of M-37 Hackers Golf in the Middleville Marketplace Place. The golf simulators at M-37 Hackers Golf measure driving distance. From left to right, Dan Burbank, Scott Richter and Jacob Bennett are three main people behind M-37 Hackers Golf. Richter and Bennett are the business’ co-owners while Burbank also works there. the Trojans’ roster, after he took some practice swings on a simulator Thursday. “It’s pretty nice we have a simulator here in Middleville, and get some swings in (during) the win­ ter.” as a permitted use in the C-2 (highway commercial) zone district. No one spoke during the public hearing Tuesday, and no objections to the request were raised by commission­ ers. The only condition com­ and party rentals are also available. For example, someone has rented the facil­ ity for the Super Bowl on Sunday, Bennett said. The owners are both TKHS graduates - Bennett in 1993 and Richter in 2003. Village Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers explained to com­ missioners that the special land use permit was needed because the village zoning ordinance does not specifi­ cally address golf simulators missioners attached to the special land use permit was that the business needs to notify the village if it plans to serve alcohol anytime in the future. M-37 Hackers Golf offers leagues and memberships, A third person, Dan Burbank, also works at the business. He, too, is a 2003 TK gradu­ ate. M-37 Hackers Golf is open from 3 to 11 p.m. week­ days and from noon to 11 p.m. on weekends. Thornapple Kellogg teacher takes on TAPRC program director role Greg Chandler StaffWriter Nathan Fischer likes to run. A lot. So much so, he has run at least 5 kilometers - a little over 3 miles - every day for more than five years. It all started as a challenge. “My wife (Lyndsey) post­ ed on a Facebook challenge five years ago - hey, anyone want to run a 5K every day for a month?” said Fischer, a second-grade teacher at Lee Elementary School. “So I did it for a month. And then it turned into two months, and then I thought, let’s see what happens next. It just kept going. Now it’s year by year.” Fischer, 40, says he has run on holidays. He’s run on a broken toe. When his family went on a cruise, he found time and space to run. Besides the physical bene­ fits of running, Fischer says the daily routine is important to his mental health as well. “I’ve never finished my run and (said), ‘why did I do this?’ It’s always a positive experience,” he said. a bigger role in TAPRC, so Fischer admits to having that’s why I jumped on taken a couple of days off board,” Fischer said. from his daily routine at the So right now, Fischer’s role five-year mark - “my body is to promote TAPRC’s base­ needed a little time to recoup” ball and softball programs. - so he would walk on those He’s expecting about 350 kids to play in those programs days. Fischer’s interest in fitness this spring. feeds into his new role as pro­ “I’ve been advertising our gram director for the registration. People are sign­ Thomapple Area Parks and ing up and I’ll take that reg­ Recreation Commission, a istration and form teams, position he started last month. along with the coaches of “I am so happy to have course,” he said. “Most of Nathan join us as the new our teams will be playing in program director,” TAPRC the Tri-Com League, so I’ll board president Catherine have to figure out schedules Getty said. “He loves kids with them. We have Dorr and and wants to create the best other communities (in that possible baseball and softball league).” experience for them. Nathan Fischer is also trying to served on our TAPRC board coordinating responsibilities a few years ago, so he was able to hit the ground run­ ning and is going to do a greatjob.” Getty and former TAPRC chairwoman Emily Dock approached Fischer about taking on the program direc­ tor role after the board recent­ ly approved a reorganization plan. “I liked the idea of having for maintaining the fields at Crane Road and Spring Park, and he’s also helping out the softball program at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School. Fischer says his greatest need for TAPRC right now is for volunteers. “We need (volunteer) coaches, umps. We’ll connect with the student council at the high school, because they do that Day of Caring. They will come out and help us out with cleaning up the sheds and what not,” he said. Player evaluation and coaches clinics are planned for Saturday, March 4. The baseball player evaluation and coaches clinic will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Nathan Fischer Thomapple Kellogg High School gymnasium, while the softball player evaluation and coaches clinic will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at the McFall Elementary School gymnasium. Anyone interesting in sign­ ing up for the TAPRC base­ ball and softball program can do so online at taprc. teamsnapsites.com. hottest stars TONY ORLANDO FRIDAY, MARCH 10 GABRIEL "FLUFFY" IGLESIAS BACK ON TOUR THURSDAY, MARCH 16 FEB 15-19,2023 Over 400 Boats from 25 dealers! RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com Fishing Boats! Ski & Wake Surfing Boats! • Docks & Lifts! . Lake Michigan Yachts, • Antique & Classic Boats! • Beach & Boatware Sale! Cruisers, Center Consoles, Trawlers, Pontoons! DATES Wed, February 15,2-8pm & TIMES Thu, February 16,12-8pm Fri, February 17,12-9pm ZZ TOP FRIDAY, APRIL 7 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. Tubers Sale! Skis, Surf Boards and Vests! Sat, February 18,10am-9pm Sun, February 19,10am-Spm GRBoatShow.com GET YOUR VlSfiFoN” iTfl F f0E ™ S ■• U BATTLE CREEK I-94 to Exit 104 I 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21. or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023 Alvin Julius Post Della Sherman Buesche Della Sherman Busscher; age 80, of St. James City, FL. passed, away December 26, 2022. She is the daughter o the late Isaac and Jeanette Sherman. Della attended Thomapple Kellogg High School in Middleville MI, graduating in 1960. Della married her husband, Ronald Busscher and went on to have two daughters Deborah and Rhonda. Della and her fami­ ly moved to Pine Island FL in 1978. During her life she was a business owner, real estate agent and worked for and retired from the USPS. Della was an active member of ABWA for many years. She held the ABWA national con­ vention in Ft. Myers FL while president and was nominated Women of the Year several times. She was a Women of the Moose Charter Member of the Pine Island Moose Lodge and was passionate about vol­ unteering for organizations within her community. Della was an accom­ plished women, wife, mother and grandmother. She lived a full life enjoying time with her family and close friends. She enjoyed the beach, boat­ ing, traveling, painting, dancing and gardening. To say that her family and friends will miss her greatly is an understatement. Della will be dearly missed by her daughters, Rhonda Robertson (Darrell), Deborah Hord (Greg); grandchildren, Travis Robertson, Julia Robertson, Ronnie Buckley and Nathan Carter; sister, Janice Rogers-Thiss (Dennis); nephews, niece, great niece, Charlotte; her Cookie bird, extended family and dear friends. Della was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald Busscher; brothers-in-law, Michael Rogers, Kendall Busscher, James Busscher; sister-in­ law, Glenda Busscher and her beloved kitty, Kernel. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. On Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, Alvin Julius Post, age 82, went home to be with his Lord and Savior. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Al was a lifelong farmer in Dutton. He was devoted to his wife, chil­ dren, and grandchildren, and leaves them with a wonderful legacy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Celia Post; sisters and brothers-in-law, Marian and Arnie Noorman, Joyce and Ray Steenwyk; father­ in-law and mother-in-law, Abe and Lucille Postema, sister-in-law, Karen Lanning; brother-in-law, Dan Postema; and grand­ son, Samuel Post. Al will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Jeanne; children, Robert and Ellen Post, Michael and Theresa Post, Brenda and Rob Helmus; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren with two on the way; sister, Dorothy Uiterdyk; broth­ ers-in-law and sisters-inlaw, Joe and Arlene Postema, Rosemary Sester, Susan and John Pluger, Sarah and John Doesburg; Vernon and Flo Lanning; many nieces and nephews. The family will greet visitors on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 1—3 and 6-8 p.m. at Stroo Funeral Home, and Friday, February 10, from 10-10:45 a.m. at Caledonia Christian Reformed Church, 9957 Cherry Valley SE, where the funer­ al service will take place at 11 a.m. Rev. Merle Buwalda and Rev. R. Scott Greenway will officiate. Interment will be in Dutton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Dutton Christian School. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 11 Timothy gTade”. Rodney loved to share jokes and a cold Coors Light with the guys in his man cave. He enjoyed golf­ ing, boating, family cookouts and his winters in Florida, along with his cot­ tage on Jordan Lake in the summer. He also loved to tell people he made a great bloody mary. Rodney had a great sense of humor, style, and kind­ ness. He enjoyed a beauti­ ful and fulfilling life, we will miss him dearly. Tremendous thanks and love to the staff of Spectrum Health Hospice, their car­ ing and compassion was invaluable. Special thanks to Terry Sleeman, his long time buddy. The family will greet friends on Monday Feb. 13 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A private family burial will take place on Tuesday at Holy Comers Cemetery. A Celebration of Life for Rodney will be cel­ ebrated on Sunday, Feb. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. with all of Rodneys favorite food and beverages at Nighthawk “Grille & Bar 6950 Whitneyville Rd Alto, MI. In lieu of flowers memo­ rial contributions are sug­ gested to Spectrum Health Hospice or the American Heart Association. Rodney Wanzer Rodney Wanzer, age 80, of Alto, MI, passed away on Feb. 8, 2023 surrounded by his family. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra (Kelly) Wanzer; son, Robin (Jenni) Wanzer and one grandson, Tanner Wanzer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Monique Wanzer along with his parents, two sisters and his brother, Raymond Wanzer. Rodney was a self made man that owned Moniques Restaurant, Nighthawk Restaurant & Bar and Whitneyville Self Storage. Prior to owning his busi­ nesses he was a landlord Ch With who owned numerous prop­ erties and worked at H & H Plastics. He was proud of the fact he was self-made and use to say “Not bad for a guy who only finished the tenth ig,i,?i! alask Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68“’ Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM - Youth Group 6:00.PM -Adult Bible Study committed followers ofJesus Christ who will Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: / igoodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com uvestream: tacebook.com/tirstbaptistmiddleviile FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach ourcommunity with the Gospel comerstonechurch ^—Caledonia United L Methodist Church (269) 795-2391 HOLY FAMILY {•J/C ATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY C H U R C Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. H Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 www.stpaulcaledoiua.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School.............. .9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship .......... .10:30 10:30 AM AM Watch ourservices from our website (see above) 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd 8< 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11 :Q0 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023/ Page 5 Edward Fischer Edward “Ed” Fischer, age 84, of Caledonia, MI passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Grace; children, Timothy Fischer, Cheryl and Thomas Vodry; grand­ children, Andrew and Marissa Fischer, Michael Fischer. He retired from Jet Electronics/BF Goodrich, after 42 years. Ed enjoyed spending time with his fami­ ly, his sheep hobby farm, collecting toy trains, photog­ raphy, reading, and going to Disney. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Middleville TOPS 546 The Feb. 4 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. Three new fish jumped into the fishbowl and 3 fish jumped out Chris talked about how folks can “Get Fit! Even when we sit” Colder weather pairs with watching more TV. What can Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia. Relatives and friends may greet the family Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. WATER SYSTEM, continued from pagel the loop along Payne Lake Cunningham said. “We’ve Road has been recommend­ been talking about expand­ ed by the Michigan ing the water system, maybe Department of with a well and arsenic Environment, Great Lakes (treatment), it makes sense and Energy, the supervisor for future growth, but there’s said. other ways that loop can be The Yankee Springs water done.” system was installed in 1991 Trustee Dave VanHouten because ofgroundwater con­ favored the proposal. tamination of wells in “I think it’s a real good Section 19 ofthe township. idea to put (the loop) in there “The original system was ... I don’t think they should designed to only deliver be shy about wanting to drinking water to the resi­ include it,” VanHouten said. In the first round ofARPA dents and the businesses of that area,” Heethuis told the funding allocated by the county board on Tuesday. county board in January of “The township has been last year, commissioners making steady improve- approved $1.33 million for ments to the system to construction of a accommodate the service 200,000-gallon water tower area’s growth and meet state in Barry Township, which requirements. That included township officials said was an elevated water tank built critical to attracting new in 2003 and the arsenic treat­ growth in the Delton area. ment system installed in Cunningham asked 2007 to remove arsenic Heethuis when the county found in the township’s two board might make a decision water wells.” on allocating ARPA funding. Concerns about water “I have no idea,” Heethuis quality in the township were said. “There was no talk of exacerbated when EGLE decisions, there was just talk tests found high levels of ofanother discussion.” arsenic and nitrates at Yankee “What we’re talking about Springs Mobile Home Park is whether we continue to in the fall of 2021. That led investigate this path,” to discussions between Yes Knowles added. Cunningham said the Communities, the owner and operator ofthe mobile home township board should take a park, and the township about position on whether to back expanding the water system the ARPA funding request, and even suggested the idea to serve residents there. However, those discussions of a special meeting to condid not result in any project sider such a measure. “(The county board) can’t moving forward. About 750 residents are make a decision ifthey don’t on the township water sys- know the township has tem at present Heethuis said approved it,” Cunningham that greater interest is being said. Knowles moved to have shown by businesses along Heethuis continue discus­ M-179. While there appears to be sions with the county on the support among board mem­ ARPA funding “with no bers for the arsenic treatment commitment from Yankee Springs or the water sysimprovements, not everyone is on board with adding the tem.” The motion passed unanimously. Payne Lake Road loop. “I promise you, I will con­ “I don’t support putting the loop (in) as part of it,” tinue the discussion, given the Township Clerk Mike opportunity,” Heethuis said. one do to keep fit? Chris sug­ gested choosing “trigger words” that make you move. Do exer­ cises during commercials. These can be chair exercises or standing exercises. Find exer­ cises that are fun to do and require little time, such as bicep curls with soup cans, marching in place, seated arm circles or walking around your house. Maryellen lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., fol­ lowed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzz­ er for entry. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908-3731. The first meeting is free. New Veterans Affairs Committee sets sights on outreach to local vets Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County commis­ sioners met with, and inter­ viewed, a handful of candi­ dates striving to serve on the county’s Veteran Affairs Committee during a Tuesday morning Committee of the Whole meeting. --- T--h-e- Veterans Affairs office, which operates through the Barry County United Way, is poised for a significant shake-up at the board level as two full-time terms and one partial term are up for grabs on the five-person committee. Just one incumbent, Shannon Szukala, was in the mix for a seat on the commit­ tee. He has served two previ­ ous terms. Incumbent Tim McKay opted not to renew his seat after serving a full term and Michael Spangler resigned during his term on the com­ mittee, which opened up the partial-term seat. Still, the county board found a solid talent pool in which to pick from, as has been the case with most of the other department boards it interviewed candidates for this year. Six applicants vied for the three spots on the Veterans Affairs Committee. And, after interviewing all six applicants, the Committee of the Whole voted to fill the full-time terms with the incumbent Suzkala in addi­ tion to Irving Township res­ ident Charles Alexander, who is a long-time member of the American Legion Post 45 in Hastings and its chap­ ter of Disabled American Veterans. Shawn Ricketts, who lives in Rutland Township and works for the Department of Defense, received the nod to serve the partial term. All of their appointments are pending a final vote by the Barry County Board of Commissioners next week. Because all applicants must be veterans themselves, the stable of six candidates provided helpful insight and perspective into the needs of Barry County veterans along with assessing what the VA office might be able to do better to more effectively reach a large number of vets. Outreach was a recurring theme among interviewees, many of them citing various we’re also big babies,” said Ricketts. “We’re scared. We’re afraid to go to the VA because maybe Big Brother is watching or who knows what’s going to happen? I’ve taken a couple guys from our community, we have not dealt with the VA locally because they refuse. “I’ve gotten them to the VA and gotten them care ...I’m not doing it through Charles Alexander fields questions from members the (processes) that ya’ll of the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday morning. would like to see or that ya’ll Alexander was one of three candidates selected to strive for with your VA pro­ serve on the Barry County Veterans Affairs Committee. grams, but I think, as far as (Photos by Jayson Bussa) an outreach goes, we need to reach out more with a big reasons why veterans might that. But I’ve had to reach brother hand — maybe not be hesitant to reach out to the out to Veterans Affairs always the nicest. The guys local VA office for help. myself before for help. I’ve helped, I’ve been an ass “One of the biggest prob­ That’s what they’re here for. to them because they’re lems — and it’s a problem We served our country and being selfish.” everywhere — in Barry the Veterans Affairs is there Rickett’s interviewed County and in everywhere to serve us.” turned from light-hearted to around the state and the Rocha gave a nod to the serious when he underscored country is (veterans) just Veterans Affairs Office in one of the most pressing don’t know where to go or Barry County for providing needs in the veteran commu­ who to contact,” said Jon quality services, but stressed nity. Rocha, a veteran of the that the outreach and notori“A lot of mental health Marines who also ran for ety of those services was stuff,” Ricketts said. “You hear the comments ‘well, Michigan State equally as important. Representative this year. He Szukala echoed Rocha’s you don’t look disabled’ or ‘you don’t look like you need currently works with the sentiments. Barry County Sheriffs “It’s always a question help.’ And these guys, you office. about outreach - how can we hang out with them for a lit­ “That’s something I see reach the veterans more flu- tle bit and they’re a train as the vision going forward, idly, more constantly?” said wreck.” “And that’s the thing that especially for people com­ Szukala, a disabled veteran ing back from service. We that has been deployed to gets me,” Ricketts added as he got choked up. “My dad need to interject and out- both Afghanistan and Iraq. Ricketts provided insight killed himself so...I’m reach more,” Rocha contin­ ued. “Veterans are a very on what sort of approach sorry.” More information on the proud group of people and might prove most effective services offered they don’t want to ask for in connecting veterans in many Barry County help and they don’t want to need with VA-provided ser- through reach out and they don’t vices. Veterans Affairs can be want to be a burden to soci­ “We’re kind of a bunch of accessed at barrycounty.org/ ety. Every veteran knows badasses sometimes but veterans_affairs. Helping Kids Know Jesus in a Fun, Safe Environment! cornerstonemi.org/kids �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11,2023 Caledonia Twp. planners table proposed 47-home development Greg Chandler StaffWriter A developer is proposing to build 47 single-family homes on a little more than 16 acres off Kraft Avenue in Caledonia Township. Mike West of Westview Capital presented a prelimi­ nary site condominium plan to township planning com­ missioners Monday night. While commissioners are generally supportive of the proposal, they tabled the pro­ posal because they would like greater detail on how the project would be developed. “I do like the concept of it. We just to make sure, it’s right before we send it on up to the board, so they don’t send it back to us,” Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis said. “It’d be nice to see maybe a little bit more development on the ... storm (sewer) system and land­ scaping so we can under­ stand what’s being irrigated and what’s not being irrigat­ ed. I’d like to see the light­ ing, what you plan on doing for the lighting.” The property at 7237 and 7295 Kraft Avenue is zoned for medium density residen­ tial use, with single family homes and duplexes allowed. However, all of the homes planned for this development would be single-family resi­ dences. An existing home on the property will be carved out from the 17.34 acre site, with slightly more than 16 acres remaining for the subdivi- sion, West said. Under the preliminary site condominium resolution, the township can set forth condi­ tions that the developer must meet, Township Planner Lynee Wells said. “If you recommend approval of the preliminary plan, the applicant goes back to do final engineering that includes all of the grading and drainage plans. It will include the irrigation plan, it includes a landscaping plan. They can only make changes to the plan according to what you condition. If they want to do any other adjustments, it has to come back to you,” Wells told commissioners. Sidewalks are planned on both sides of the street. Wetlands run from northwest to southeast on the property. No building will take place on the wetlands but there will be two crossing points for the roads and utilities on the site, West said. A looped private road will serve the development. Overnight on-street parking will not be allowed. “Each home is going to have a two-car garage and an associated driveway, so there should be adequate space for parking, especially overnight parking,” West said. Homeowners will not be able to build detached acces­ sory buildings behind their homes, West said. The plan could come back to commissioners when they meet again on Feb. 20. OPINION: M-37’s future fix needs sound data behind it Fred Jacobs CEO J-Ad Graphics Inc. I sometimes wonder how much research Apple con­ ducted before introducing the latest iPhone 14 or even the data they used in 2007 to launch the first mobile device with a 3.5-inch screen and just 16 gigabytes of storage. One thing is certain: Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of the company, could see the future — and he didn’t risk one dollar on something new until he had rock-solid research in hand. Too bad state officials and engineers at the Michigan Department of Transportation don’t have the same commit­ ment to updated data as they seem poised to fumble away an opportunity to finally modernize the M-37 corridor going into Caledonia. Anyone driving M-37 from Barry County into Kent County wouldn’t have to be an engineer to know the flow of traffic has increased beyond the capacity of the present road system. Last week, an informational meet­ ing was held at the Caledonia Township Hall to discuss with residents the MDOT expansion project that will begin in the spring of 2025. It looks to be a nice plan if for no other reason than the state is finally addressing a troublesome and long-dan­ gerous traffic route. But think back to Steve Jobs and his demand for rock-solid research before moving for­ ward at Apple. The problem I see with the M-37 project is that it’s based on five-yearold research. According to MDOT, the most recent traffic count taken in 2018 showed a daily average of 22,300 vehicles on M-37 between 76th Street and 92nd St. But those num­ bers don’t take into account all the business and industri­ al expansion that’s taken place since that traffic study of five years ago. The other flaw in the pro­ posed plan is that it only extends the existing boule­ vard that now ends just north of 76th St. to 92nd St., dump­ ing traffic as it enters Caledonia back onto a twolane road in the busiest part of the community’s business section. Good roads are imperative arteries through which the economy can grow and pros­ per. They link producers to markets, workers to jobs, students to schools and the sick to hospitals. Roads are vital to any development and The intersection of M-37 and 84th Street produces frequent traffic back-ups, which will hopefully be alleviated following a restructuring of M-37. (Photo by Greg Chandler) to the safety ofthose who use them. For MDOT officials not to consider extending the proj­ ect through 100th St. puts even more pressure on a busy section of road where people are getting on and off to fre­ WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd fcs HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS quent retail stores, restau­ increased passenger use, traf­ rants and other businesses. fic count numbers will take Caledonia Village President off like a Learjet. Jennifer Lindsey says the In March 2022, the state project has “potential,” but Legislature approved a $4.8 she’s also concerned about billion infrastructure project its impact on businesses that included $40 million for along the M-37 corridor the M-37 project. But state leading into the village. leaders weren’t considering “My concern is the shop­ the current growth explo­ ping areas along M-37, sion; they were also not plan­ Lindsey said. “There’s no ning for the exponential resolution to the issues that numbers that seem to be sig­ we have — and it doesn’t go naled with every car turn to 100th St. with all our com­ signal and horn beep. merce along that way.” MDOT officials said they Township officials have expect to hold another public campaigned for improve­ comment later this fall. ments to M-37 for years. “We have six months to While state officials talked finish the design, assuming about the need to fix the we have a preferred alterna­ problem, nothing has been tive,” said MDOT project done to alleviate the traffic engineer Tyler Kent. growth along the corridor, While the primary propos­ especially with all of the al calls for the extension of growth just north of the boulevard where it ends Caledonia bringing all kinds just north of 76th St., there of traffic to the two-lane was still a troubling, so-called highway. “no-build” option on one of Since the outdated “bench­ the conference room tables at mark” traffic study of 2018, last week’s hearing in development has exploded in Caledonia. That option the area. There are now two would essentially widen mega Amazon plants off M-37 to four lanes without a M-37 and, with the recent boulevard. Such a plan announcement of a $110 mil­ would require less right-oflion expansion at the nearby way than the boulevard con­ Gerald R. Ford International cept. Airport to accommodate The benefit of a boulevard is it’s supposed to keep traf­ fic moving and reduce acci­ dents. Every year crashes on Michigan roads cause devas­ tating injuries, deaths and economic losses. In fact, sta­ tistics show that, in Michigan, a person dies in a traffic crash every eight hours and seven minutes. Road safety should be a major consider­ ation in developing a plan to keep traffic moving safely, especially when the volume of traffic continues to grow. MDOT needs to plead with state officials, who apparently have some extra cash that is burning a hole in their pockets, to give this project the additional money it needs to properly solve the traffic crisis along the M-37 corridor. Just as important, MDOT needs to establish set-back zoning for future and proper expan­ sion all the way to 108th St. This discussion has been a long time coming. It’s incumbent on our leaders to make the right decisions to properly fix the road for one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, especially when it could be years before MDOT officials take another look at the M-37 roadway. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023/ Page 7 Middleville Council to consider major road and bridge projects James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Committee of the Whole has moved dis­ cussion of some proposed road and bridge projects on to the full village council for con­ sideration at its next meeting. The committee voted 7-0 Tuesday afternoon to let the council decide whether to approve a proposed agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation to accept grant funding so that preven­ tive maintenance repairs can be made on both Crane Road bridges. The resolution also would authorize the village manager to sign any docu­ ments related to the agree­ ment. The estimated project cost is $290,000. The total tab for the Local Development Finance Authority is $130,000. Another $30,000 might have to be paid out ofthe fiscal year 2023 Major Streets fund. Alec Belson, the village’s assistant village manager and Department of Public Works director, said the project has gone out for bid through MDOT. “It just came back about 3 percent over engineer esti­ mates. So, total project cost for the village would be about $95,000; the LDFA would cover most of that from last year’s funding,” he said. It was necessitated after a 2019 inspection by the Williams & Works engineer­ ing firm discovered that multiple maintenance repairs would be needed on the bridges. Concrete repair, re-painting, inspection work and some scour protection underneath. The estimated cost for the Crane Road bridge repairs include $120,000 for the bridge over the Thomapple For Rent FALL CREEK APART­ MENTS, Formerly known as Brookside Apartments, have efficiency apartments available for $700 a month, including utilities plus $1050 deposit and $35 application fee. Call 269-945-4182. Automotive FOR SALE: 2005 Power Wag­ on 4x4 2500 Crew cab, 5.7 Hemi, 215,000 mikes, runs great, transmission good, 4x4 works, P. W., P.L., leather heat­ ed power seats. Tires good, body rusty. Call 269-908-7445, Asking $6,800 Business Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. River, and $80,000 to fix the bridge over Spring Creek. Village staff and Williams & Works secured a grant through MDOT to perform the repairs. The grant required a 25-percent match from the vil­ lage, or $50,000. An addition­ al cost of $85,000 not covered by the grant will pay for the preventive scour protection to help alleviate potential erosion at bridge abutments. Reconstruction bids for Third Street and Dearborn Street The Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to authorize village staff to send out for bids on reconstruction projects for Dearborn and Third streets. Some lead ser­ vice lines would be replaced and improvements made to the existing roads, water mains, sanitary sewer and storm drains. A major break occurred in the Dearborn water main last fall, causing a 100-foot section ofroad to buckle. “At a bare minimum, that section of road has to be tom up and redone,” Belson said. “That entire block of road, about 600 feet from Larkin to Russell Street, is in very poor condition to begin with.” Since a large section of the road would have to be rebuilt, anyway, village staffis recom­ mending replacement of the aging water main, as well. Village engineering firm Williams & Works is working on final blueprints for each project. The original estimated cost for the Third Street proj­ ect was $828,582, and the Dearborn project was pegged at $538,204, factoring in the installation of curbs and side­ walks on both sides of the road. The combined estimated MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Pets F2 GOLDENDOODLE PUP­ PIES: 5 females, 4 males. Ready week of February 27th, vet checked, de-wormed, flea & tick treated. Deposit required, $1,100. Mom and pups raised in home. For any information Cah or text - 269-331-1300. cost for the projects would have been $1,366,786. But vil­ lage staff is now contemplat­ ing removing sidewalk on the south side of Third Street and only having a sidewalk on the north side ofthe road. And for Dearborn Street, a sidewalk would only be placed on the south side of the road. So the cost estimates will be reduced accordingly. “My thought process on Dearborn is the north side of that parcel is Main Street. That is where commercial develop­ ment should happen,” Village Village attorney Mark Nettleton talked to the Committee of the Whole about President Mike Cramer said. changes to the Middleville Council’s rules and procedures. “And if we do have that commercial development, we $75,000, contingent on a posishould allow (developers) - if tive job review after Powers’ they buy that parcel - to first 90 days on the job. upgrade the streetscape on that side. Rather than the village do Exemption of ORV it - the landscape is up and ordinance down, there’s a culvert there By consensus, the that’s in bad shape, we would Committee ofthe Whole voted have to boardwalk it - it’s just to move on to the full council not something we want to for consideration an ordinance maintain. Whereas, if some­ exemption for off-road vehicle one buys and develops it, they enforcement during certain can push that dirt back and Middleville events. That bring it level when they’re would mean a temporary sus­ doing site-grading. Then, it’ll pension of enforcement relat­ be a lot easier and cost-effec­ ed to the use of ORVs on New Middleville Planning and Zoning Administrator tive to put sidewalk in because closed village streets during Doug Powers was introduced to council members. it would be on our dime.” parades and approved special events such as the village-or­ We’re going to be getting cedures based on recom­ Douglas Powers intro­ ganized spring and fall color them dropped at the DPW mendations made by staff duced to council members tours. garage the day before.” and council members. Many New Middleville Planning ORVs are allowed on walk­ The village sold the old fire- of the alterations were tech­ and Zoning Administrator ing trails and a provision ofthe bam property at 115 High nical revisions on such Doug Powers was introduced village code covers transporta­ Street last summer to Acorn things as preparation of to council members Tuesday. tion ofthe vehicles from where Treehouse Ventures LLC. agendas, remote participa­ He had been the planning they are stored to the trails. “So, we have DPW opera­ tion of council trustees at director in East Chicago, Ind., Golf carts can be operated by tors who are equipment opera­ meetings, and when the the past two years. He is the village employees or vil­ tors that are insured under our Committee ofthe Whole can village’s first full-time plan­ lage-designated volunteers. insurance policy to operate make final decisions on var­ ning and zoning administrator “Right now, (the golf carts) equipment on public streets. ious matters instead of let­ ting them be decided by the since Brian Urquhart left the are getting dropped off at the That’s fine,” Cramer said. village last June to become the old fire bam the day before (an full council. city planner in Grand Haven. event),” DPW Director Belson Council rules of A motion was approved The council voted last month said. “DPW staff are driving procedures unanimously by the to boost the salary for the posi­ them from there to the pavil­ Village attorney Mark Committee of the Whole to tion from $65,000 annually to ion. Not a very far distance. Nettleton discussed a draft move the discussion on to Next time this year, we’re not of some proposed changes file full council for consid­ going to have the fire bam. to the council’s rules of pro­ eration at a future meeting. Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., ClarksviUe, MI. �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11,2023 Shea named Yankee Springs planning and zoning administrator Joe Shea was voted in Thursday as planning and zoning administrator for Yankee Springs Township. Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Yankee Springs Township board Thursday approved the hiring of Joe Shea to be the township’s new plan­ ning and zoning admin­ istrator. Shea, who begins his new duties on Monday, was selected from among six applicants who interviewed last month with Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis and Trustee Larry Knowles, a former planning and zon­ ing administrator for the township. Shea, who has lived in the township since 1995, was a self-employed attor­ ney in the area for 22 years, specializing in wills and other probate matters. He also provided legal ser­ vices to his wife’s medical practice. He also previous­ ly worked for six years as a staff attorney in Oakland County in the Detroit area, where he worked on zon­ ing law and other civil and criminal matters. Shea cur­ rently has his own business where he builds coffee tables and sells them online. In a related move, the Shea’s community involvement includes mem­ board approved retaining bership in the Knights of Knowles to serve as a men­ Columbus Council 3447 at tor for Shea while he learns St. Rose of Lima Parish in the ropes of his new job. Hastings, as well as volun­ The township will pay teer work for the weekly Knowles the code enforce­ food drive at United Way of ment officer rate of $23.51 Barry County and at Habitat per hour for his work. The township had been for Humanity of Barry County. He also served five using Professional Code years on the St. Rose school Inspections of Hastings for planning, zoning and build­ board from 2007 to 2012. Shea will be paid $36 ing issues the past several an hour for the 25-hour- years after Knowles stepped a-week position and will down as planning and zon­ go through a perfor­ ing administrator in mance evaluation at six November 2018. months. Yankee Springs board approves new fire contract with Wayland Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township will continue to contract with the city ofWayland for fire protection services through the end of 2027. The Township Board Thursday unanimously approved a five-year inter-local agreement for Wayland to provide fire ser­ vice to Yankee Springs. This follows a similar three-year contract between. the two municipalities. Under the first year of the new contract, Yankee Springs will pay Wayland $6,000 per year in adminis­ trative fees, up from $5,000 under the previous arrange­ ment. Starting next year, the administrative charge will increase by $25 every quarter, or $100 per year, up through the end of 2027, Township Trustee Dave VanHouten said. The contract calls for a minimum staffing level role and reports to Wayland of 10 part-time paid Fire ChiefJim Stoddard. on-call firefighters to Other changes to the con­ work at the Yankee tract were extremely minor, Springs Fire Station. At VanHouten said. present, there are 16 fire­ The contract now must approved by the fighters who work out of be the' Yankee Springs sta­ Wayland City Council. The tion, according to the council is expected to rati­ contract document. fy the agreement at an The leadership ofthe sta­ upcoming meeting, City tion will be provided by a Manager Josh Eggleston deputy fire chief who will told the Sun and News in a work 30 hours a week. Dan phone interview Friday Miller currently holds that morning. Cal schools schedule Dialogue with Doc sessions on bond issue Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools has scheduled a series of Dialogue with Doc sessions with Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin to dis­ cuss the upcoming May sup195085 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 plemental bond issue. Families are encouraged to come to the session to ask Martin questions about the $61 million bond proposal that will be on the May 2 ballot. The proposal would fund construction of the new fields at the CalPlex sports Dutton Elementary School and recreation complex, at the southeast comer of replacing the roof over sec76th Street and Patterson tions of Duncan Lake Avenue. It would also fund Middle School and Early renovations at Ralph E. Childhood Center, technoloMyers Football Stadium, gy improvements, replacenew baseball and softball ment of the turf at Scotland Yard and replacing the play­ ground surface at Paris Ridge Elementary School. Phone: 616.891.0070 Caledonia Fax: 616.891.0430 The proposal would not . TOWNSHIP . raise the district’s debt ser­ vice millage. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that on February 1, 2023, the Township Board ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia, Kent County, Michigan, adopted an ordi­ nance addressing the floodplain management provisions ofthe State Construction Code, being Ordinance No. 2023-02. The regulatory effect ofthe ordinance can be summa­ rized as follows: 1. Designation of Agency to Enforce Michigan Construction Code. The ordinance designates the Township’s Building Inspector as the enforcing agency responsible for discharging the Township’s requirements and responsibilities under the State Construction Code and thereby makes the Township eligible to participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program. 2. Code Appendix Enforced. The ordinance enforces Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code. 3. Designation of Regulated Flood Prone Hazard Areas. The ordi­ nance adopts by reference, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Insur­ ance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the purposes of administering the State Construction Code. 4. Effective Date. The ordinance will become effective on February 11, 11 2023. A copy ofthe ordinances may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charte Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: February 11, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Five sessions have been scheduled at various times to provide flexibility for fami­ lies. Here are the dates, times and locations for the dia­ logues: - Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7-8 a.m., at Sprinkles Donuts, 9365 Cherry Valley Ave. SE. — Monday, Feb. 27, 6-7 p.m., at CCS administration office board room, 8948 Kraft Ave. SE. - Tuesday, March 14, 6-7 p.m., at CCS administration office board room. — Thursday, March 23, noon-1 p.m., at CCS admin­ istration office board room. - Wednesday, April 12, 6-7 p.m., at CCS administra­ tion office board room. You can read more about the bond proposal on the dis­ trict website at calschools. org/2020-bond, and click on the link for the 2023 supple­ mental bond. 94979 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 Caledonia .TOWNSHIP . Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County - Michigan 2023 March Board of Review Tuesday: March 7th, 2023 Org. Meeting - 8:00AM Appeal dates: Monday: March 13th, 2023 9:00AM - 3:00PM Tuesday: March 14th, 2023 3:00PM -9:00PM All reviews will be heard by appointment only For appointments call:(616) 891-0070 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia Ml 49316 Written appeals must be in the Twp. office by Thursday, March 9, 2023 The 2023 equalization tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for the Charter Township of Caledonia will be as follows: Agricultural: Commercial: Industrial: Residential: Personal: Supervisor: Bryan Harrison Assessor: Laura Stob Tentative Ratio 47.92 46.63 43.52 44.95 50.00 Estimated multiplier 1.0434 1.0723 1.1489 1.1123 1.0000 �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11,2023/Page 9 Gun Lake Idol competition holds qualifying rounds at bars in Middleville, Caledonia Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer Eighteen semifinalists in the Gun Lake Idol sing­ ing contest will battle it out under the spotlight at the master semifinals at 6 p.m. on Feb. 15 at Gun Lake Casino’s Stage 131. Judges will pick the top 10 to advance to the finals. The event is free of charge. Those top 10 will — once again — take center stage, but this time starting at 10:40 a.m. at the Gun Lake Winterfest on Feb. 18, held at Yankee Springs State Park. All 10 performers will be vying for the first place spot to win $800 while sec­ ond place receives $500 and third place will take home $200. Idol contestant Calvin Hinds will join 17 other contestants in the master semifinals. The 20-year-old musician sings, plays guitar and writes his own songs. “I’ve been writing songs since I’ve been 10,” Hinds That audition will con­ notes impressing the judg­ said after he auditioned at clude a series of idol com- es. Moulenbelt, Hinds and One More Grill in Dorr. petitions at five West Zachery walked away as Hinds has competed in a Michigan bars that began three semifinalists who will song competition once last month. Reds Sports Bar move on to the master semi­ before. & Grill in Middleville was final competition. “I did one when I was 14 the first to ignite the series Joining them as semifi­ and I placed 11th.” of idol competitions. A nalists will be Mel Dever, So why is he doing it crowd filed through the John Peebles and Jim again six years later? doors to hear approximately Burghdoff after wowing the “I’d like to meet more 10 contestants belt out their judges out of 14 contestants musicians in the communi­ favorite times and waited on Feb. 4 at the Elks Lodge ty and get out and play for until judges picked three #1965 in Hastings. some people here,” Hinds semifinalists, Mark Holt, Three more contestants, said. “I’m kind of new to David Kinsey and Amanda Roger Jones Jr., Ebony the area.” Harp. Cummings and Tony Hinds is from Otsego but Four days later, three Morris, owned the stage grew up in Mattawan. more contestants out of and the judges while each Out of 16 contestants at approximately 12 walked performed at the Twisted the audition, Hinds was out ofTantrick Brewery Co. Bull in Grand Rapids. All among two others chosen to in Allegan as semifinalists. three walked away as semi­ head to the semifinals at the Adam Johnson, Shay finalists among 19 other Gun Lake Casino. The other Beeson and Micah Arce contestants. two semifinalists who audi­ impressed the judges as Participating bars have tioned with Hinds at OMG they sang to a big crowd one night under the spot­ were Shawn Moulenbelt during their audition. light. Before this year, and Timothy Zachery. On Feb. 2, One More area bars would designate But before that can hap­ Grill in Dorr drew in a big one day for contestants to pen, one more idol audition crowd to listen to 16 con­ drop in and perform for will take place on Saturday, testants sing, with some hit­ weeks leading up to the Feb. 11, at 8:30 p.m. at the ting the high notes and master semifinals. Not Family Tavern, 114 W Main some not, but the three left anymore. St. SE in Caledonia. standing hit all the right “We chose to do a differ- From left to right, Mark Holt, David Kinsey and Amanda Harp are heading to the master semifinals of Gun Lake Idol after auditioning at Red’s Sports Bar & Grill in Middleville on Jan. 27. (Photo provided) ent format this year to get each venue more business,” said Liz Roscoe, a co-chair of the Gun Lake Winterfest planning committee. “This way has proven to be extremely beneficial to the bars,” Roscoe continued. “Every night has been a packed house. The bars have been very happy with this format.” One bar has the final cur­ tain call. Family Tavern gets to open its doors on Feb. 11 to the last set of contestants vying for a top spot that will shoot them through to the master semi­ finals adding three more to the already chosen 15 semi­ finalists. Middleville council rejects Placer.ai program James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Committee of the Whole members all agreed that now is not the right time for the Village of Middleville to participate in an information-sharing com­ puter program called Placer, ai. Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance President/CEO Jennifer Heinzman original­ ly pitched the national data software program to the Middleville Downtown Development Authority in September. Proponents say it is a way to boost business and economic development. The Placer program pro­ vides real-time information about consumer spending habits derived from mobile apps, retail stores, and advertising agencies. The Chamber holds the local license for the program, controls the computer access and distributes requested data to its paying partners. It is asking area businesses and municipalities to partner with it in sharing the region­ al cost of participation. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg noted that Thomapple Township had agreed to contribute up to $2,500 toward the project, if the Middleville Council and DDA also would con­ tribute to it. “The DDA Board met and did not come to a con­ clusion one way or the other,” he said. “I think they’re going to have anoth­ er discussion on it.” Trustee Kevin Smith said the village doesn’t have a user to fully take advantage of such a program. “I look at this as a fairly sizable investment ... we likely will never use that software,” he said. “When we get a new DDA director and they see the need to revisit this next year, it might be a good idea,” Stolsonburg said. Village President Mike Cramer said two people have applied for the DDA director’s position formerly occupied by Katherine Bussard, who resigned in for now early January. They have not been interviewed yet. We Accept A DELTA DENTAL* Keep Vour Teeth for a LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. 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Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11,2023 Police catch up with suspects accused of stealing from vehicles at Amazon fulfillment center James Gemmell Contributing Writer Four police agencies teamed up on Sunday night, Feb. 5, to arrest a pair of sus­ pects they say were stealing from vehicles in the Amazon Fulfillment Center parking lot in Gaines Township. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office said it had received a call from Amazon security around 9 p.m. that night about the thefts at 4500 68th St Deputies set up around the parking lot and saw a silver vehicle driving slowly through the lot with two suspects walk­ ing along and opening unlocked vehicle doors. When deputies closed in, the vehicle took off. Police say the two suspects tried to get back in the vehicle, but it was too late. So, they ran away. One of them appeared to be carrying a gun, according to Sgt. Eric Brunner. “That firearm was not locat­ ed. But based upon our dash­ cam video and the deputies’ observations, it did indeed look like the suspect that was running on foot may’ve had a pistol in his hand, as well,” Brunner said. Later, a witness reported to police seeing someone run across 68th Street. So, depu­ ties followed tracks in the snow to locate and arrest a 16-year-old suspect from Grand Rapids. Moments later, a Grand Rapids Police dog helped track down and arrest an 18-year-old suspect nearby. Meanwhile, deputies ended up chasing the getaway vehi­ cle westbound on 68th Street. It ran over some spike strips but kept going. Police say the vehicle had been stolen in the City of Grand Rapids a few hours earlier. Eventually, the suspect in the car stopped near 41st Street and Division Avenue and took offrunning. Deputies caught the 18-year-old suspect from Wyoming. “He was able to be taken into custody by deputies, and a firearm was located in the Police retrieved a gun from inside the stolen vehicle seen Sunday night in Gaines Township. (Photo provided by KCSO) vehicle,” Brunner said. The KCSO says he was booked into jail on charges of possessing a stolen vehi­ cle, carrying a concealed weapon (stolen firearm), resisting and obstructing A suspect tries to jump in a stolen getaway car leaving the Amazon parking lot in Gaines Township, as seen on police dashcam video. (Screenshot from Kent County Sheriff’s Office) police, and fleeing and elud­ ing in the third degree. A pistol was retrieved from the stolen vehicle. Helping the Sheriff’s Office with the arrests were the Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Walker police departments. Residential zoning recommended for Caledonia Township site once proposed for church Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Planning Commission Monday voted to recommend rezoning of a wooded 20.32acre parcel on 84th Street, between M-37 and Kraft Avenue, from agricultural to medium density single-family residential. However, some neighbors say the property at 5903 84th St SE was never meant to be rede­ veloped for residential. They say a church was supposed to have been built on foe site. Duwane Suwyn is seeking foe rezoning. No specific development plan for foe site has been presented to foe township. “Right now, foe applicant is simply requesting to modify foe zoning category of this property, consistent with what our overall land use plan shows for this area,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said. While foe property is on 84th Street, there is no plan to develop a road off of that street to serve any residential development. Rather, foe pro­ posed access to foe develop­ ment would come from extending Valley Point Drive, a private road that comes off Broadmoor Avenue/M-37, further west, Wells told com­ missioners. Adjacent land uses to foe site includes offices, residen­ tial, places ofpublic assembly, and even an old gravel pit that is not actively being mined, Wells said. In addition, compatibility with foe natural environment is also considered as a factor in the rezoning decision. Wells told commissioners that the property includes wetlands and a creek, and that the applicant has been in touch with foe Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), which has said he does not have to seek permitting from the agency based on the future development plan that was presented to them. Any development proposal offoe site would have to come back for site plan review before foe Planning Commission and possibly foe township board as well, Wells said. Jim Anderson, who lives in a 100-year-old farmhouse east and south offoe property pro­ posed for rezoning, told com­ missioners that foe parcel had been given to Brightside Community Church “in faith that they were going to build a church there. Brightside Church turned around ... and they sold it.” ‘T am not opposed ofdevel­ opment or anything like that, but foe family members offoe original homestead live all around us - a daughter is here 195147 (at foe meeting), foe brother­ in-law, there’s several entities that live on foe outskirts ofthat property right there, and that development is going to be touching them,” Anderson said. “The only thing that I ask that foe developers do is that they take recognition that foe property was supposed to be used for worship.” Commissioner Stan Bosscher said there was noth­ ing foe township could do to address Brightside’s handling offoe property. “As far as what was prom­ ised from foe family before to where we are now, legally (there isn’t anything we can do),” Bosscher said. “It’s a tough one.” “We understand that. It’s something that we just wanted to say,” said Lisa Anderson, Jim’s wife. Betsy VanKooten, who lives just west of foe site on 84th, questioned foe rezoning for medium density residen­ tial. “Most of foe plots around (foe site) are multi-acre plots, so I’m just curious why foe rezoning goes straight to an R-2, which goes all foe way down to half-acre to 1-acre lots, and could put 20-40 houses in a subdivision back there?” VanKooten asked. ‘Ts there any chance you would consider something else, like a rezoning to an R-l (low densi­ ty residential) or plotting it out into 4-to-5-acre lots versus going to full rezoning ... that puts a subdivision right behind a whole lot of property owners who are on multi-acre lots?” “We’re bound by foe master plan that was last updated in 2018,” Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis responded. “It’s reviewed every five years ... we’re coming up on a review ofthat. At that time, and I think prob­ ably since prior to 2018, this has always been (planned for) higher-density housing units.” Matt Cole of Roosien & Associates, foe owner’s engi­ neer, confirmed foe developer has no plans to build an entrance off 84th to access foe development, but rather foe access would come from extending Valley Point. “The businesses on that pri­ vate street (have) to sign offon a document that says we can extend (to foe west),” Cole said. Commissioner Tim Bradshaw moved for recom­ mending approval of the rezoning, and foe measure passed on a 5-0 vote, with commissioners Jodie Masefield and Jennifer Lindsey absent. The rezoning must now go through two readings with foe township board before it is adopted. 195163 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.89L0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 1, 2023, the Township Board of foe Charter Township of Caledonia adopted Ordinance No. 202301Z. The principal provisions ofthe ordinance can be summarized as follows: 1.8558 Patterson Avenue SE Rezoning. Section 4.2 ofthe Zoning Ordinance, the Zoning Map, has been amended to rezone the following described lands from the A- Agricultural District to the R2 Medium Density Single Family District: 8558 Patterson Avenue SE N 300 FT IG S 1800 FT OF W 450 FT OF NW 1/4 * SEC 19 T5N R10W 2. Effective Date. Ordinance No. 2023-01Z shall become effective on February 18, 2023 A copy of the ordinances may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: Februaty 11, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinance which would amend Sections 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15 ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia Cemetery Ordinance has been posted in the office of the Township Clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and has also been posted on the Township’s web­ site, the address ofwhich is www.caledoniatownship.org. The amendment adds regulations regarding columbarium and niches including definitions, purchase prices, markers, interment regulations and other related regulations. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting ofthe Township Board held on February 1,2023 and is expected to be considered on Second Reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on February 15,2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 14,2023/ Page 11 What winter? Michigan farmers, anglers hit hard by warm temperatures Janelle D. James Bridge Michigan While you might be put­ ting your heavy coat in the back of your closet this week, Michigan’s mild win­ ter has industries that rely on the cold scrambling to adjust to warmer temperatures. Temperatures in southeast Michigan are expected to hit the mid-50s on Thursday, compared to an average high of about 38 degrees. It’s been a bust for snow as well: 19.3 inches this season in south­ east Michigan, down from 29 inches at this time last year. Even in the Upper Peninsula, temperatures are 7 degrees above average. Some are celebrating, but it’s a problem for cold-weath­ er businesses dependent on snowy winter like ski hills and fishing — while fruit farmers are worried about their crops. Nearly $30 billion a year is generated from outdoor winter activities unique to Michigan, according to the Great Lakes Business Network. “When we have a warm winter where there isn’t snow in everybody’s back­ yard or they get a big dump of snow and it all goes away, year, that’s how bad it was,” it’s not easy on the industry,” said Jon Keast, 32, of Spring said Mickey MacWilliams, Lake in Ottawa County. He executive director for said the weather was too Michigan Snowsports warm and that “the lakes Industries Association. never really froze over unless “We have learned how to it was very small pockets of adapt to that kind of thing. water.” Snow making has gotten so The U.S Coast Guard much better over the years. recently rescued more than a So that when we have warm­ dozen people who were er temperatures, as soon as it stranded on a sheet of float­ drops back down again we ing ice along the Saginaw make snow and there’s snow Bay, the agency confirmed. on our slopes.” The group had been ice All but two of Michigan’s fishing and became stranded 39 ski resorts in Michigan when the piece of ice broke. make snow, MacWilliams They were rescued 2 Yi nau­ said. The state has the sec­ tical miles offshore near ond-most ski hills in the Thomas Marine. country following New York Although ski resort opera­ which has 52, according to tors can work around the the National Ski Areas mild winters, fruit farmers Association. can be hit hard by fluctuating “We have phenomenal temperatures. snowmakers that know how “It takes a lot to bring the to work with the tempera­ trees out oftheir deep sleep,” tures and humidity to make said Nels Veliquette, chief good snow, but the differ­ financial officer for Cherry ence is when people get KE Inc., a cherry farm in snow in their backyard ... Kewadin, just north of new skiers tend to come Traverse City. out,” said Mary Dawson, Michigan is the nation’s spokesperson for Pine Knob top producer of tart cherries Ski Resort. and the third producer of It’s another story for ice apples, according to the U.S. fishing. Department of Agriculture. “I haven’t even gone this Typically, apples and cherry trees “hibernate” during the winter and start to bud during the late spring and early summer. But if temperatures are too warm during the winter, they can start to bud too early, putting the flower at risk of freezing when the temperature fluctu­ ates back down. “When they’re just there barely asleep because it hasn’t been that cold, we can basically lose all the viable flowers before they even These wind machines help regulate the tempera­ come on the buds,” ture of the apple trees when they bud too early so Veliquette said. that the apples can grow properly during harvest Warm winters now devas­ tate crops every eight to 10 season. (Courtesy photo) IMPORTANT! RUUD Get it before the New Prices come out! D High Efficiency Furnace & Air $400 OFF with this coupon. Expires 2124123 E Apple trees have to be closely monitored to ensure that they don’t bud too early. (Courtesy photo) years, which is more fre­ quent than they did in the 1970s and 1980s, he said. “The bigger issue here is we also have a loss of mar­ ket,” Veliquette said. “If we don’t have a fairly stable supply of cherries in our inventory for customers to purchase, then they end up purchasing other fruits, and it’s hard to get back into the ... store shelves.” Many retailers that rely on Michigan farmers to supply their stores will outsource to other states or even other countries during a bad har­ vest year, he said. Riveridge Produce Marketing in Sparta uses various techniques to prevent a bad harvest season for its apples, said Trish Taylor, marketing manager. “There are times in the spring where we are running wind machines ... that will push the wanner pocket of air down to the trees to try to keep air temperature warm where they need to be to blossom,” she said. With temperatures reach­ ing the mid 50s this coming week, Veliquette and Taylor both said that they will pay close attention to the trees but it is too early to predict how the trees will bud and if the season will be fruitful or not. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Could you cope with long-term care costs? We all want to stay healthy and live independently throughout our retirement years. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible for some of us, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for health-related challenges — such as the need for long-term care. As you may know, long­ term care covers a variety of services, ranging from occa­ sional visits from a home health aide to full-time resi­ dency in a nursing home. But while these types of care may vary in duration and intensity, they all have one thing in com­ mon — they’re expensive. Genworth, an insurance com­ pany, reports these median annual costs: • Over $100,000 for a pri­ vate room in a nursing home • Over $60,000 for the ser­ vices of a home health aide Furthermore, Medicare typi­ cally pays very few of these expenses, which means the burden of payment will likely fall on you — or, even worse, on your adult children if you can’t afford the care you need. Of course, you could hope that you will avoid these costs simply by not requiring any type of assistance — but the odds aren’t necessarily in your favor. In fact, someone turning 65 today has an almost 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services in their remaining years, accord­ ing to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. So, how can you protect yourself from the potentially enormous costs of long-term care? You could decide that you’ll pay out of pocket — if so, you’ll need to incorporate into your retirement budget a reasonable estimate of poten­ tial long-term care costs, and you may need to make some significant changes to your saving and investment plans. And the earlier you begin, the " better. Your other option is to pur­ chase some form of long-term care insurance. Essentially, three types of coverage are available: • Traditional long-term care insurance - A traditional long-term care policy covers long-term care expenses in your home or at a nursing facility. But policies will differ in terms of what services are covered and how benefits are paid. And you may also be able to choose whether you want inflation protection. Also, with some policies, you can deduct the premiums from your state and federal taxes. (Your tax advisor can evaluate a policy you’re considering for potential tax benefits.) • Hybrid long-term care insurance - In addition to pro­ viding coverage for home health care or a nursing home stay, a hybrid long-term care policy also offers a death ben­ efit, so ifyou never need longterm care, your family could benefit from the policy’s pro­ ceeds. • Life insurance with a long-term care rider - You can find a life insurance policy that lets you add long-term care coverage through a “rider,” or optional add-on. With this type of policy, you can use some of the death benefit to pay for your long-term care needs. Which policy is best for you? There’s no one right answer for everyone. A financial professional can help you evaluate all your options with­ in the context of your overall investment and protection strategies. 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Edward Jones, member SIPC �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023 Caledonia skiers head north to get some runs in Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots are doing their best to get a ski season in. “Our past few weeks have been crazy,” Caledonia varsity head coach Duane Petrosky said “Four invitationals, hun­ dreds ofmiles traveled to train and race, two conference races and a bunch oflate nights. Our whole season has been con­ densed due to the lack of win­ ter weather and we have been taking advantage of every opportunity to train and race to prepare for our regional race, which is February 14^. “We raced at Cannonsburg Saturday, traveled north Sunday to train at Schuss and then raced on Monday.” The Caledonia boys and girls took part in the Clare Invitational Monday at Schuss Mountain. The Caledonia boys placed third in a tough field that was led by Mt. Pleasant, the eighth ranked team in the state in Division 2 coming into the season. Sean Rice led the Caledonia boys with a 12^ place finish in the GS and a 13^* place finish in the slalom - earning medals in both events. “It has been fun watching Sean Rice progress from a beginning skier when he start­ ed in 7th grade with our middle school program to being a cap­ tain as a senior,” coach Petrosky said. “His path in our sport is very typical for our skiers in Caledonia, they start late by ski racing terms but are dedicated hard working athletes that push themselves and can compete at the state level by the time they are sophomores orjuniors.” His teammates weren’t far behind. Luke Shuster placed 18th in the slalom and 20^* in the GS. DJ Potgeter was 19^* in the slalom and the GS both. Tyler Dean scored a 16th-place GS finish and Brayden Smith was 22”d in the slalom. Onekema beat out Mt. Pleasant for the day’s champi- 194981 PUBLIC NOTICE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS January 09,2023 1. Reviewed the Consent Agenda. 2. Approved the Meeting Agenda 3. Held a public hearing on Parks and Trails Plan, River Birch Planned Unit Development (PUD) Major Amendment, and RL-10 Moratorium 4. Approved the Consent Agenda 5. Residents spoke about housing trends, increased approv­ al of Planned Unit Developments in Gaines Township, and ef­ forts made to provide dense housing for future residents which increase the need for and use of public services. They also spoke against the Township Board decision approving the con­ sent judgement in Caleydonia LLC v Gaines Charter Township and statements which appeared in the Sun and News paper. Others spoke in support of purchasing additional decorative light poles for Division Avenue. 6. Approved Metro Act Application Uniti Fiber LLC. 7. Purchased decorative light poles for Division Avenue 8. Adopted the waiver of Just Compensation 84m and Ka­ lamazoo round-a-bout. 9. Tabled 6197 Hanna Lake Avenue payment in lieu of side­ walk. 10. Adopted the Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule. 11. Approved the 151 distribution of the Master Plan. 12. Adopted the Parks and Trails Master Plan 13. proved the River Birch Planned Unit Development (PUD) major amendment. 14. Approved the ordinance placing a moratorium on RL-10 properties. 15. Discussed the Gannon School project. 16. Adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 9:55 pm PUBLIC NOTICE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS January 16,2023 The Gaines Charter Township Board held a regular meeting on Monday, January 16,2023 and took the following actions. 1. Approved the Meeting Agenda 2. Interviewed Rod Weersing. 3. Interviewed Haley Snyder. 4.Entered closed session to discuss confidential employee discussion according under the rules of the Open Meetings Act at 7:17 pm. 5. Entered open session at 8:06 pm. _6. Adopted the resolution to accept payment in lieu of side­ walk for 6197 Hanna Lake Avenue. 7. ted to extend the invitation to Rod Weersing to be­ come Gaines Charter Township Manager per acceptance of a contract. 8. Discussed meeting on the Gannon School. 9. Adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 8:39 pm A complete copy of the minutes of these meetings and any resolutions or ordinances adopted at the meeting are on file and available for review at the Gaines Charter Township office, 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316. Ordinanc­ es, meeting schedules, meeting minutes, and other Township information are also available at www.qainestownship.org. Michael Brew Gaines Charter Township Clerk onship 78-130 at the top of the standings. Caledonia had 139 points in third place, ahead of Benzie Central 140, Grayling 157, Clare 167.5, Saginaw 181, Maple City Glen Lake 187 and Harrison 259. Grayling won the girls’ championship with 42 points, ahead of Benzie Central 108, Glen Lake 117, Clare 138, Onekema 153, Mt. Pleasant 174, Caledonia 231 and Harrison 242. “Sometimes improvement doesn’t show up in the final score and today was one of those days,” Petrosky said. “My girls’ confidence went up and their skiing showed signs of growth. All of the girls fin­ ished all oftheir runs on one of the steepest slopes in Michigan which is a feat that doesn’t always happen at this race. “The first step in improving as a team is believing in yourself and these girts are doing just that I heard them all say that they were ready for the 550 feet of vertical on the FACE and after their runs they said that it was fun, which is going to help when we head back to the 250foot vertical ofTimber Ridge on Monday for our next conference race. When I took over the pro­ gram 8 years ago, the first thing that we did was add as much big hill up north racing to our sched­ ule as possible, so our skiers would gain skiing experiences that can only be had on steep Caledonia’s Sean Rice and Mya Baldwin celebrate medal winning performanc­ es at Monday’s Clare Inviational at Schuss Mountain. complicated slopes.” Mya Baldwin led the Caledonia girls in the slalom with a ninth place finish. Kyleigh Thompson was 1in the slalom and 20^ in the GS. Liz Hilton placed 35^ in the slalom and 32n<^ in the GS. Hie Caledonia team also had Jessica Maier in the slalom, Erin Peckham 37^ in the GS and Adia Whisler 43*^ in the GS. Caledonia was a part of the Norm’s GS Invitational at Cannonsburg last Saturday, Feb. 4. “This year, the race had a team focus instead of a grade level individual focus which was a welcome change for all of the team that have been strag­ gling to reach the four start threshold for regional eligibili­ ty,” Petrosky said ofthe event’s new format “Cannonsburg is a unique place to race for our team since it is so different than where we train. It is a little steeper, has much more terrain variation and tons of fall away to its slopes versus the steady pitch and consistent slopes of Bittersweet “Today we skied pretty well but learned a few things that we have to do differently on February 14th at regionals, if we want to have a chance to move on to the State Finals.” The Caledonia boys were sixth out of ten teams. Rice was ninth, Dean 13^, Shuster 26^ and Smith 34^. The Caledonia girls were eighth. Baldwin led the way in 15^ place. Thompson was 28^, Hilton 39^ and Peckham 41st. Grand Rapids Christian took the boys’ championship with 39 points, ahead ofForest Hills Northem/Eastem 44, West Catholic/Catholic Central 46, Forest Hills Central 74, Rockford 74, Caledonia 82, Spring Lake 102, Northview 191 and Grand Haven/Black River NTS. The Grand Rapids Christian team won the girls’ title too with 45 points, ahead of Rockford 58, Forest Hills Central 60, Catholic Central/ West Catholic 74, Spring Lake 79, Forest Hills Northern/ Eastern 79, Caledonia 123, Northview 174 and Grand Haven/Black River NTS. The Southwest Michigan Ski Conference contest planned for Feb. 8 was post­ poned. TK ladies put up highest score as district tourney on home mat nears Brett Bremer Sports Editor Just as planned, the Trojans are hitting their highest num­ bers of the season yet in February. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team put up its highest overall point total ofthe season, with its top round two and three scores, to win the Division 2 competi­ tion Wednesday at the Jenison Invitational. The Trojans are at the Byron Center Invitational today, Feb. 11, and then will have the week to prepare for the MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament they are hosting in Middleville Friday, Feb. 17. Tk finished the day with an overall score of 758.66 at Jenison. That included scores of 217.16 in round two and 314 in round three. Zeeland West was second in the D2 competition with an overall score of 713.06 and Zeeland East third at 566.5. The TK ladies had a solid round one performance Thomapple Township is seeking a qualified resident to appoint as Township Clerk. The statutory responsibilities of the Clerk are to manage all Township records, maintain the General Ledger, record the minutes of the Township Board meetings and administer elections. The Clerk l would also process the Township payroll, accounts j payable, manage the human resources process, I employee benefits, information technology, web site maintenance, cemetery management and oversee the maintenance of all Township facilities. Wednesday too with a point total of 227.5. A handful of Division 1 teams competed Wednesday as well, and the host Wildcats and Rockford Rams were the only ones to outscore the TK ladies. Jenison won the DI competition with a score of 770.46, ahead of Rockford 762.32, Mona Shores 742.76, East Kentwood 741.52 and Grand Haven 557.4. A 315.8 in round three by Jenison was the only round three score better than that of the TK girls. The TK ladies went into that meet having just scored a second-place finish at Forest Hills Northern’s North Star Invitational Saturday, Feb. 4. The Trojans were a little better in round one with a score of 228.3, but had an eight-point deduction in round two, and they were outscored by the host Huskies in each of the three rounds. TK put up a score of206.72 in round two and 307.8 in round three. Forest Hills Northern won with a total score of770.12. TK was second at 742.82, ahead of Cedar Springs 732.84, Lowell 703.1, DeWitt 698.42, Kenowa Hills 694.08, Wayland 662.32, Sparta 638.9, Forest Hills Eastern 636.16 and Zeeland East 526.7. FHN earned scores of 231 in round one, 221.12 in round two and 318 in round three. | j I j j | Please email resumes to: office@thornapple-twp.org. Thornapple Township 200 E. Main Street Middleville, Ml 49333 (269) 795-7202 The Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team shows of its hardware after winning the Jenison Invitational Wednesday. The TK girls put up their highest score of the season in the victory. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11,2023/ Page 13 Barracudas outrace Vikings in non-conference dual in Hastings Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Barry County Barracudas built on the momentum of winning Ottawa Hills Invitational in Grand Rapids Saturday, Feb. 4, by outscoring the Caledon ia/Lowell/South Christian (CLS) Vikings 89-80 in a non-conference dual in Hastings Tuesday. The Barracudas got off to a good start against the Vikings, winning the first four events. The Barracudas opened the meet with the top two performances in the 200- yard medley relay. The team of Devin Pacific, Heath Hays, Jack Kensington and Blake Barnum won the race in 1 minute 55.36 seconds and teammates Hunter Tietz, Isaiah Randall, Donald Kuck and Riley Shults swam to a runner-up time of 1:58.30. Four different guys won the next four events for the Barracudas. Mason Cross took the 200-yard freestyle in 2:06.53. Shults won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:21.18. Barnum won the 50-yard freestyle in 25.05 seconds. Ethan Magnuson won the diving competition with a score of 109.50. Barnum also scored a run­ ner-up point total of 102.20 for the Barracudas in the div­ ing competition. Cross took a second victo­ ry in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:53.99. Isaac Stanton won the 100-yard freestyle for the Barracudas in 58.64. CLS senior Gabe Verlin gave the Barracudas a couple good battles in the freestyle sprints. He was second in the 50-yard freestyle in 25.95 and second in the 100-yard freestyle in 59.91. The CLS team got its first first-place points fromjunior Luke Dejager in the 100yard butterfly. He put togeth­ er a winning time of 1:00.31. Dejager also won the 100yard backstroke with a time of 1:07.72. Dejager, seniors Josh Behm and Verlin and fresh­ man Anders Foerch had a first place time of 1:44.51 in the 200-yard freestyle relay and the CLS team of fresh­ man Austin Tufts, senior Ethan Vanderveen, senior Micah Patterson and Foerch had a first-place time of 4:30.90 in the 400-yard free­ style relay. CLS also got first place points thanks to a win by senior Connor Cammet in. the 100-yard breaststroke who had a time of 1:17.62. The Vikings were back at it in the OK Red Conference Thursday falling in a tough dual at Hudsonville 173-104. Verlin had a victory for the Vikings in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of26.07 seconds. CLS also won the 200yard freestyle relay in 1:45.24. Micah Patterson earned the first place points for the Vikings in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:20.07. CLS is back in action Monday at Rockford. The OK Red Conference Meet is Feb. 23-25 at Grand Haven High School. The Barry County Barracudas don’t have anoth­ er meet scheduled until the Feb. 24-25 OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet in Hastings. Caledonia cheer earns its best score at final OK Red competition 7 ^7 % JL Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity competitive cheer team scored its highest round one and three scores ofthe season at the OK Red Conference Postseason contest Friday at West Ottawa High School earning its top overall score ofthe season so far. The Caledonia girls were seventh overall at the meet. Grandville clinched the con­ ference championship with an overall score of783.34 points. Jenison placed second with a score of 771.84, ahead of Hudsonville 767.72, Rockford 756.6, East Kentwood 721.44, Caledonia 661.76 and Grand Haven 540.4. “We compete in a tough league, so we really are trying to push the idea that we are focused on beating ourselves each week and increasing our scores - not beating other teams,” Caledonia head coach Lauren Hermenet said. “It’s nearing the end ofthe season, and we just want this to con­ tinue to be a space the girls look forward to coming to every day.” The Scots had scores of 206.5 in round one and 278.7 in round three. The Scots’ round two score of 176.56 included a ten-point deduc­ tion, but Hermenet said the round continues to score higher than it had prior to the conference mid-season tour­ nament when the Scots decid­ ed to put a few less girls on the mat. Grandville had the top score in each of the three rounds Friday. The Bulldogs scored 236.5 points in round one, 229.94 in round two and 316.9 in round three. Jenison earned its run­ ner-up finish with scores of 231.4 in round one, 226.54 in round two and 313.9 in round three. The Caledonia girls, the rest of the OK Red Conference and a few more teams will be a part of the MHSAA 1 Division District Tournament at Rockford High School Saturday, Feb. 18. “This week and next week we are really focusing on cleaning things up, drilling our skills, going over film and comparing it with judge’s notes to help appear more prepared,” Hermenet said. The top four teams from districts advance to the regional round of the state tournament. Grandville stymies CHS ladies’ momentum early on in overtime * 19$ I® ijswik tawtoB® rak IW® Brett Bremer Sport Editor Grandville avenged a January loss to the Caledonia varsity girls’ basketball team with a 60-54 win over the Fighting Scots at Caledonia High School Tuesday in OK Red Conference play. Fighting Scot senior Kiana Haywood drilled a three-point­ er as time ran out in the fourth quarter to tie the ballgame, but the Scots had a couple ofrough possessions to open the over­ time and the Bulldogs quickly took a two possession lead. “It was back1 and forth,” Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said. “We started out early kind of setting the tone and did a really good job of playing with energy. We could not convert a lot ofclose shots in the first half.” Grandville was. led by Gracy Rakosky who had 21 points. Gracie Gortmaker had a team-high 15 points for the Scots as well as 5 rebounds. Teresa Abraham added 7 points and 6 rebounds. Kendall Benson chipped in 8 points and 4 rebounds. Haywood had 7 points and 8 rebounds. Avah Winstrom had a strong defensive game for the Scots and finished with 4 steals as well as 5 points. The loss drops Caledonia to 2-7 in the OK Red Conference and 5-12 overall this season. Hudsonville drilled 13 three-pointers and took a 77-38 win over the visiting Fighting Scots last Friday, Feb. 3. “It was just one of those nights where as hard as we worked and scrapped to get back in the game, the ball was flowing off their hands early and often,” Bloemers said. “A few times they got us scram­ bling and got' some clean looks, and they made some contested shots from well behind the three-point line.” Maddie Petroelje hit five of those threes and finished with 23 points. The Scots got 8 points from Lily Gortmaker and 7 from Gracie Gortmaker in the loss. Haywood and Addison Roe had 6 points each. The Scots were set to host their Cal Slams Cancer event Friday night while taking on Grand Haven. The Caledonia girls are back in action Tuesday at West Ottawa and then will host East Kentwood Friday, Feb. 17. Be "SENSIBLE" about your water! 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Kenowa Hills and South Christian were both sporting 7-2 conference records, a game behind the Wildcats, head­ ing into this weekend’s action. TK will be home Tuesday to take on Cedar Springs and then will travel to Kenowa Hills Friday, Feb. 17. • No iron stains • No hard water stains Clean & clear water Stop in for your free water test! Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O J). OPTOMETRIST Stop staining laundry, sinks and showers. Call Today! — 2 LOCATIONS— • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Authorized PRO’S PICK’Dealer 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pni WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDIT1ONING.COM �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11,2023 TK wrestlers make it eight straight league titles Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team clinched its eighth consecu­ tive conference title Saturday by winning the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville. Of the 14 Trojans compet­ ing, 13 placed in the top four at their weight class. Seniors Zack Gibson and Austin Chivis both won their fourth individual conference cham­ pionship, and sophomore Christien Miller won his sec­ ond. “It’s nice when you come in here and see the wrestling banner, and you can see it has way more than all the other sports,” Chivis said of keeping the conference title streak going. “Ifyou actually look at the years, you can see the four years that my class has been here. It’s cool to see it keep going back-to-backto-back and stuff and keep going up the years.” It was a welcome return for Chivis who was competing for the first time since being injured back in December at the Kent County Championship. He was more focused Saturday on making sure he was ready for the state tournament ahead than keeping his own personal conference winning streak alive. “It was nice. I was trying to get the feel for it again after being out for so long, that is all,” Chivis said. “Just get some mat experience before Wednesday [when the Trojans were set to head to Wayland for their MHSAA Division 2 Team District Tournament].” He only had to wrestle two matches to win his flight. He pinned Forest Hills Eastern’s Jaiden Austin 30 seconds into their semifinal match and then he followed that up with a 4-0 win over Wayland’s Trent Sikkema. He scored his four points with take downs in the first and third period, and he worked on top of Sikkema for the entirety of the second period. “I have gone to soccer practices as much as I can, and before I could start doing contact wrestling I was doing all the running with them,” Chivis said. “I sat out for a good four-week period just to let my elbow heal, and the last week I’ve been back doing contact stuff like nor­ mal.” The Trojans rolled through a perfect season of confer­ ence duals and won Saturday with 198.0 points. Cedar Springs was second with 174.5 points, ahead of Wayland 149, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 112, Forest Hills Eastern 88.5, Kenowa Hills 84.5 and Ottawa Hills 7. “This one was actually a little closer than in year’s past,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said. “Wayland and Cedar Springs, they had goals of winning it too. It definitely helped that we only had three champs, but all the rest came back and scored points for us.” Noah Rosenberg (285 pounds), Dylan Pauline (113), Kyron Zoet (132), Andrew Middleton (138), Lucas McNabnay (150) and Jayce Curtis (165) all had runner-up finishes for TK. Jackson Curtis was third at 157 pounds and Derious Robinson was third at 190 for TK. The Trojan team also had Austin Pitsch at _ 120 pounds and Maverick Wilson at 126 place fourth. Gibson earned his 150th varsity victory for TK at the tournament and the Trojans celebrated Jackson Curtis’ 100th varsity win as well. Gibson is now 38-1 during his senior season. He pinned Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS‘PICK UPS* ONE TONS-VANS‘SUITS‘JEEPS *4K4S | FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 4k 4* 269-381-23# 0& 0& a BL if j fl a The Thornapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team celebrates its eighth consecutive conference championship after winning the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville Saturday. TK had 13 of its 14 wrestlers place among the top four in their weight class. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Kenowa Hills’ Harley Bentley 1:13 into their semi­ final match and then pulled out a 7-4 win over Wayland’s Lane Button in the 144pound championship. Gibson had a 5-0 lead after a take down in the opening seconds of the third period and then held on for the three-point victory. “He has a positive attitude. In practice every day, he is working hard to motivate the team,” coach Fletke said of Gibson. “He’s trying to stay healthy, eat right, sleep and do all those things he needs to do.” Miller won his 106-pound conference title with two quick pins. He stuck Cedar Springs’ Brandson Wood in 59 seconds in the semifinals and then pinned Catholic Central’s Ayden Ringler 47 seconds into their champion­ ship match. “Christien, he came out and the Catholic kid [Ringler] upset the Wayland kid to get into the finals and Christien came out and went to work really. He stuck him in that cradle. He was on a mission, you could tell in his eyes that he was ready to wrestle. That was pretty cool,” Fletke said. Cedar Springs matched TK’s four individual cham­ pions. The Red Hawks’ Wyatt Cooper pulled out a 2-1 win over Rosenberg in the 285-pound final to start the championship round. Cedar Springs also had Luke Egan win the 120-pound championship, Keaton Klassen the 126-pound title and Carter Falan win at 190 pounds. Catholic Central had three champs and each one ofthem took a victory over a TK wrestler in the championship round. Dale Grant took the Cougars’ first title of the day by pinning TK’s Pauline midway through the 113pound championship match. The other two were nail-bitters. The Cougars’ Michael Wilson held on for a 4-2 win over TK’s Zoet in the 132-pound final, with Zoet starting to dig out of a 4-0 hole in the middle of the third period Nahum Krussell won the 138-pound championship for Catholic Central with a 4-3 victory over TK’s Andrew Middleton in the finals. Middleton scored a take­ down with a minute left in See GOLD, next page Thornapple Kellogg ‘s Derious Robinson tries to trip up Wayland’s Cainon Fenn during their 190-pound semifinal match at the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) I Antenna Men^*± Digital TV Antennas Cell Phone Boosters l8tlLAKE$T.,KALAMAZ00 2Bfl.9B7.8241 TV ANTENNA & TOWER INSTALLATION www.theantennamen.com Thornapple Kellogg’s Austin Chivis works on top of Wayland’s Trent Sikkema on his way to a 4-0 win in the 175-pound championship match Saturday at the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 11, 2023/ Page 15 CHS senior Meduna wins OK Red championship at 175 pounds Brett Bremer • Sports Editor Caledonia senior Dylan Meduna pulled out a pair of close decisions in the final two rounds to win the OK Red ' Conference Championship at 175 pounds Friday, at the conference tournament hosted by the Fighting Scots. Meduna pulled out his second one-point win of the season over Grandville’s Max Herrema in the 175pound championship match outscoring him 9-8. Herrema had the early lead after getting a take down 80 seconds into the opening period, but Meduna rallied with an early reversal in the second period. After some back and forth, Meduna had Herrema on his back late in the second period and led 7-6 going into the third. Herrema evened the match at 7-7 with a quick escape in the third period, but Meduna found an opening midway through the period for a take down that put him in front for good. He rode Herrema for most of the third period before giving up an escape point in the final seconds. Meduna was one of two Fighting Scots to place in the top four of his weight class. James Carrow was fourth in the 126-pound weight class. He opened the tournament with a pin of West Ottawa’s James Foster and earned a pin later in the consolation semifinals against Hudsonville’s Lincoln Troyer. James Diel from Rockford outscored Carrow 9-2 in the match for third place. Rockford captured the OK Red Conference champion­ ship by winning Friday’s tournament with 206 points. Grandville was second with 175.5, ahead of Hudsonvill 157, Grand Haven 132.5, East Kentwood 49, Jenison 43, West Ottawa 35 and Caledonia 34. Rockford had 13 top four finishers in the 14 weight classes. Braylenn Aulbach at 120 pounds, Elijah Bums at 132, Jak Keller at 144 and Ryan Ahem at 190 took indi­ vidual titles for the Rams. Caledonia’s team season came to an end Wednesday as the Fighting Scots were bested 55-18 by East Kentwood in the MHSAA Division 1 Team District Semifinals at Byron Center High School. The Scots go their 18 points thanks to a pin by Meduna and forfeit victories by Owen Fynewever and Benjamin Moss. The Falcons went on to fall 45-24 to Grandville in the district final. The Grandville team bested Byron Center 31-28 in its district semifinal match. The Fighting Scots are in action today, Feb. 11, at their MHSAA Division 1 Individual District Tournament hosted by Grand Haven. The top four in each weight class advance to the regional round of the state tournament next Saturday, Feb. 18. The MHSAA Girls’ Wrestling Regionals will be held Feb. 19. GOLD, continued from page 14 — the second period to lead 3-2 and held that one-point lead until the final seconds of the match. Krussell started in the bottom position in the third period and Middleton held him down for a minute and 58 seconds before Krussell worked a reversal that gave him the victory. Other conference champi­ ons included Kenowa Hills’ Jake Jonker, who bested McNabnay in the 150-pound championship match, Wayland’s Emmet Manning at 157 pounds, and Wayland’s Dustin Loomans at 165. Loomans beat out TK’s Jayce Curtis in their final 12-3. Forest Hills Eastern’s Dylan Langdon took the 215-pound championship. The TK wrestlers were best­ ed by fifth-ranked Plainwell in the MHSAA Division 2 Team District Final at Wayland Union High School Wednesday. TK will be at Allendale Saturday for its MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament Trojan upset bid comes up just short against No. 5 Plainwell at D2 district Brett Bremer Sports Editor Plainwell was able to save its best for last, and senior Trammel Robinson finished off the Thomapple Kellogg Trojans. Robinson pinned TK’s Jayce Curtis in the 165-pound bout to clinch the blue and white Trojans’ 39-27 victory in the MHSAA Division 2 Team District Final at Wayland Union High School. Robinson, a three-time state qualifier who earned a spot on the medal stand at the individual state finals as a sophomore, improved his record on the season to 38-1 with the victory. The final outcome was still in doubt with the final two weight classes to wrestle in the district final after TK’s own three-time state qualifier Zack Gibson improved his senior season record to 39-1 pinned Plainwell’s Mason Meert in the 150-pound match. Gibson’s pin had TK and Plainwell tied at 27-27. TK senior Jackson Curtis got the initial take down in the first period of his 157-pound bout with Plainwell’s Matthew Beck, but was injured and unable to continue - giving the Plainwell team a six-point lead with just the 165-pound match to go - meaning Jayce needed to pin Robinson to pull TK back to even on the scoreboard. The TK team had just been inching back to full health. Senior Austin Chivis won an OK Gold Conference title last Saturday at the conference tournament after having not competed since December and the Trojans welcomed back senior Tyler Bushman Wednesday. Bushman was injured at the same December tournament as Chivis. Chivis opened the district final with a 6-2 win over Plainwell’s Luke Lyons for TK at 175 pounds. TK’s 3-0 lead was quickly wiped away as Plainwell 190-pounder Tyler Preuss and Landon 215-pounder Schuhmacher both scored first-period pins to put their team in front 12-0. Adin Young, a 2022 state qualifier for Plainwell, pulled out a 5-3 win over TK’s Noah Rosenberg at 285 pounds. Young had take downs in each ofthe first two periods to build a 5-0 lead. A reversal in the second period gave Rosenberg some life. He inched within 5-3 with an escape in the third period, but was unable to get a match tying take down in the end. Chrisfien the Miller, Trojans’ 106-pounder, started the lightweights on a run that put TK back in front on the scoreboard - although the Plainwell guys were able to fight to save a couple points. Miller took a 23-7 technical fall against Plainwell’s Tristan Starett. He had Starett on his back in each period, but couldn’t quite manage to get the referee to signal a pin. At 113 pounds, TK’s Dylan Pauline built a 9-0 lead, but Plainwell’s Thomas Almaguer rallied for a third-period take down that got him within 9-3 in the end. Austin Pitsch capped offthe run for the TK lightweights by pinning Dayman Sutherland a minute into the second period of their 120-pound match. Sutherland had a 5-0 lead on Pitsch in the second period, having just scored three nearfall points, when Pitsch managed a reversal and put Sutherland to his back. For the moment, TK had a 17-15 lead. Plainwell went back in front with Austin Gyorkos pinning Aiden Foy a minute into the second period of their 126pound bout Bushman had the first take down in his 132-pound bout with Plainwell’s Michael Gonyeau, but Gonyeau man­ aged an escape and would get the next five take downs ofthe match on his way to a 12-8 win that pushed his team to a 24-17 lead. Back and forth they went from there. Kyron Zoet took a 12-2 major decision at 138 pounds for TK to earn four points for his team, but Plainwell’s Steele Madison managed to fight off being pinned despite Zoet earning nearfall points on four differ­ ent occasions through the sec­ ond and third period. Plainwell had a 27-21 lead through 11 bouts after Marco Vega pulled out a 4-2 over­ time win over TK’s Andrew Middleton in the 144-pound match. Middleton had a first-period take down, but Vega managed a reversal in the third period to even the match and then got the over­ time takedown to win it Plainwell went into the dual ranked fifth in the state in Division 2. The Plainwell team defeated Wayland 57-12 in its district semifinal match­ up. The Plainwell team will compete in the Feb. 15 MHSAA' Division 2 Team Regional round of the state tournament TK knocked off Otsego 43-27 in its semifinal. Chivis, Pauline, Gibson and Jackson Curtis had pins for TK in the semifinal win over the Bulldogs. Miller and Pitsch both won by forfeit The TK team also had Rosenberg score a 3-2 win over Otsego’s 285-pounder Zachary Spence and Zoet best Jaydon Watson 15-4 at 138 pounds. The four teams from the district will be together again in Allendale today, Feb. 11, for their MHSAA Division 2 Individual DistrictTournament Thornapple Kellogg’s Lucas McNabnay looks for an opening during the first period of his 150-pound championship match against Kenowa Hills’ Jake Jonker at the OK Gold Conference Tournament in Middleville Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 194982 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised that the Village of Middleville PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on March 7,2023, at 7:00 p.m. or after that to consider a SPECIAL LAND USE APPLICATION. The property to be consid­ ered for the Special Land Use Application is located at parcel #08-41-022-41000 (also known as 472 Arlington Street). The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Planning Commission meeting, which any interested person can attend at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 and via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/iZ89348948409, Meeting ID 893 4894 8409, Passcode: Village. The Special Land Use Application to be considered is an addition to the special use approved on December 6, 2016, to allow for five additional Self-Storage Units to be located at 472 Arlington Street, zoned C-2. Village Code Section 78-323 allows for Self- Storage Facility in the C-2 Highway Commercial Zon­ ing District as a Special Use in accordance with the standards found in Sec. 78-544. Any interested person may offer comments to the Planning Commission. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain information about the Special Land Use application or to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy ofthe Special Land Use application is available for inspection at Village Hall located at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333, or via email request to the Village Clerk, at ayalag@villageofiniddleville.org. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day ofthe hearing and may be addressed to the Planning Commission at PO Box 69, Middleville, MI 49333 or by email to ayalag@villageofiniddleville.org. Respectfully submitted, Glorimar Ayala Village Clerk �Page age 16/The e Sun un and an News, ews, Saturday, a ur ay, February eruary 11,2023 , Wayland first quarter onslaught gets it win at TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor It seems obvious, but when the Trojans got to play defense they held their own against the Wayland Wildcats. It was the times the Wayland defense turned into easy offense that the Trojans’ couldn’t keep up with. That’s the way the Wildcats like it. Wayland scored 23 points in the opening quarter and then held, a seven to ten point lead throughout the evening in Middleville to score its second OK Gold Conference win of the season over the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team Tuesday. The Trojans fall to 2-13 overall this season with the loss and 2-7 in the OK Gold heading into this weekend’s action. It was the third consecu­ tive win for the Wildcats who moved their record to 9-6 overall and 4-5 in the conference. Thomapple Kellogg’s 2-3 zone made the Wildcats work for points when the Trojans could get it set up, but the Wildcats’ own trap­ ping defense created just enough turnovers that getting back into the defense wasn’t always easy. The Wildcats pushed at every opportunity. “We just started slow. We Thornapple Kellogg senior Rein Pranger looks for an opening as Wayland junior guard Drew Lyon keeps an eye on him during the third quarter Tuesday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) had some good shots, missed them,” TK head coach Josh Thaler said. “They leaked out and got a couple easy ones. You talk about fourpoint swings. We had a handful of those even in the second half where we would have an open shot, not just wide open but even right in front of the basket, and miss it and they’d go the other way.” Wayland had nine differ­ ent guys score in the bail­ game. They had seven differ- Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! If your friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.9483139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectrumhealth.org Spectrum Health ent guys score in that open­ ing quarter in which the Wildcats built a 23-10 advantage. Brett Bultsma, a senior guard, led the Wildcats with 15 points. Junior guard Kaharrie Pureifoy had 12 points and senior guard Elijah Maas finished with 10 points. Junior forward Warren Smith added 9 points. TK only allowed 37 points the rest of the way, and that included a couple buckets by the Wildcats in the closing seconds when the outcome was already decided. “Tyler Gavette and Ethan Bonnema, when those two guys start playing defense that brings some energy for everybody, and then Kyle [VanHaitsma] gets into it and Jaxan [Sias] and every­ body. Those two guys espe­ cially at the top of that 2-3 did a good job of clouding things up. They got a lot of tips and got a few steals off of it.” The Wildcat lead was 33-23 at the half. TK got within seven points in the first three minutes of the sec­ ond half thanks to a couple buckets by VanHaitsma. He drilled a three that had TK within 35-28. The Wildcat lead was never less than that though. VanHaitsma finished with 15 points. TK also got 9 points from Gavette, 8 points from Sias and 6 from sophomore Jacob Draaisma. Sias found some success scoring inside in the second half. Gavette was limited a bit by foul trouble, picking up a couple tough ones in the sec­ ond half. Gavette and junior guard Ethan Bonnema did a pretty good job of taking Thornapple Kellogg junior guard Ethan Bonnema pressures Wayland junior guard Kaharrie Pureifoy during the third quarter of the Wildcats’ OK Gold Conference win in Middleville Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg sophomore guard Jacob Draaisma fires up a jump shot during the second half of his team’s OK Gold Conference loss to visiting Wayland Tuesday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) care of the basketball. The Trojans only had 9 turnovers in their unofficial stats at the end of the night. Wayland was 8-of-9 at the free throw line in the second half to shield itself from the Trojans’ comeback bid. The Trojans were bested 73-43 in conference action last Friday, Feb. 3, at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Draaisma led TK in the loss to the Cougars with 15 points. VanHaitsma and Rein Pranger had 6 points each. Catholic Central took a 19-10 lead in the opening quarter and then pulled away with 25 points in the second and 24 more in the third. Kaden Brown led the Cougar with 20 points. Durrail Brooks added 19 and Carter Meerman had 12. The Trojans were sched­ uled to visit South Christian Friday night, Feb. 10. They will be on the road in the conference two more times next week at Cedar Springs Tuesday and Kenowa Hills Friday. The Trojans got their first two conference wins over the Red Hawks and Knights earlier this sea­ son. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-02-18.pdf 03e1bf5a2a777a868dc575f62adb8c70 PDF Text Text No. 7/ February 18, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. * 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Helen’s Kitchen and Bakery serves up diverse cuisine in Caledonia Jayson Bussa Editor When customers walk into Helen’s Kitchen and Bakery in Caledonia, it’s not uncom­ mon for them to feel like they’re walking directly into a residential kitchen to grab a homemade meal. And that’s exactly how owners Diane Poff and Sharon Farrell want people to feel. “People like to watch us — it’s like you’re in our kitchen while we’re cook­ ing,” Poff said. “We’ll roll pita bread out and cook it right then and there,” echoed Farrell. The made-from-scratch meals that are steeped in family tradition are another big reason why customers might feel like they’re grab­ bing a bite to eat directly from the home kitchens of Poff and Farrell, who are sisters. Helen’s Kitchen and Bakery, which hasn’t been open for business for more than a year and is located at 6920 Whitneyville Ave. in Alto, centers on Mediterranean cuisine that was passed down from sev­ eral generations to Poff and Farrell, who now provide it as a culinary option in the Caledonia area, where exotic cuisine is not exactly the norm. The daily menu offers things like Sfeeha, Lebanese meat pies that feature a combination of beef and lamb along with onion, lemon and garlic, in addition to fresh- Along a stretch of M-37 between 84th and 100th streets in Caledonia township, spacious tracts of farmland collide with bustling areas of business and amenities. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Open house set to consider concepts for M-37 subarea Sisters Diane Poff (left) and Sharon Farrell (right) opened Helen’s Kitchen and Bakery in Caledonia last April, serving up a diverse line-up of food and baked goods. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) made hummus and also Spanakopita, which is Greek spinach pie. It’s a unique dining expe­ rience, all the way down to the Talamee, which are Syrian bread rolls. The sisters also provide specials throughout the week in addition to a steady lineup of traditional baked goods — cookies, brownies, cheesecakes and more. Long story short: It’s important to keep an eye on the restaurant via social media because when inspira- tion hits these sisters, they put it into action. It’s all in an effort to pre­ serve the food culture that they enjoyed throughout their lives, which was passed down by their grandparents, who were originally from Damascus, Syria. “Our mother passed away when she was 61, so if we wanted to have the Arabic food, we had to learn how to cook it,” said Poff, who, like her sister, has lived in Caledonia nearly all her life. “Living in Caledonia...for holidays, we would give the teachers Baklawa. Or give the cheese bread, so every­ one has had our food pretty much because we have been feeding people (for a long time).” Knowing that few custom­ ers will have knowledge of this food, the sisters take time to chat about each dish and provide a little education. “People are interested in trying everything,” Farrell said. See HOMEMADE MEAL, page 3 Treasurer, clerk to step down from Thornapple Township board Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two members of the Thomapple Township board will be stepping down from their roles at the end of March. Township Treasurer Deb Buckowing, who has served on the township board for 20 years, submitted her letter of resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. That comes on the heels ofa simi­ lar letter that was turned in by Township Clerk Cindy Willshire in late January. Willshire has served as clerk for the past six years. Both resignations are effective March 31, although Willshire wrote in her resig­ nation letter that ifthe board finds a suitable replacement before then, “my end date can be changed.” Buckowing wrote in her resignation letter that she and her family will soon be moving out of Thomapple Township, necessitating her decision to step down. “Trust me when I say this move is bittersweet, since we truly love this beautiful township and village that we have called home for almost 25 years,” she wrote. Buckowing joined the township board in 2003 when she was appointed to replace Shirley Eaton as a trustee on Deb Buckowing Cindy Willshire See RESIGNATIONS, page 2 Greg Chandler StaffWriter On the west side of M-37, between 84th Street and 100th Street, you see businesses, medical offic­ es, and an entrance to a large residential area known as Glen Valley. On the east side of the highway, you see farm­ land. But what will that east side look like in the future? Caledonia Township officials are trying to put a plan in place in case some or all ofthat land becomes available for develop­ ment. They will hold an open house from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Township Hall to give residents and busi­ ness owners an opportuni­ ty to view conceptual ideas of what that area could look like and pro­ vide feedback. “Growth in our area and the planned expansion of M-37 will continue to transform our community,” a flyer promoting the open house reads. “While we continue work to preserve open space and support agriculture, we must have strong community stan­ dards in place when these properties develop.” There are presently eight parcels, comprising 790 acres, that make up what officials call “the Caledonia M-37 Corridor Sub-Area” east of the highway. The properties are currently zoned agricultural. Township Supervisor Biyan Harrison wants to make sure if these proper­ ties are developed, that they are done so in a way that enhances the commu­ nity. “When these develop, do we want themjust to devel­ op in a generic commercial-condos-(single) family (configuration), or do we want to look at something where we can create an overall look?” Harrison said after Wednesday’s township board meeting. Representatives from Beckett & Reeder Inc., the township’s planning con­ sultant, will preside over the open house. “There will be a scroll- See M-37 OPEN HOUSE, page 2 • Gaines Charter Twp. inks contract with new manager • TKHS students present “Shrek the Musical” • VanDemark skis her way to MHSAA Ski State Finals for the second time • Scot senior Meduna earns place in Division 1 wrestling regional • Thomapple Kellogg has six guys earn spots in Division 2 wrestling regional �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023 Hearing adjourned for Middleville man accused in fatal drunk driving accident Greg Chandler StaffWriter A hearing for a Middleville man accused in a fatal crash on M-37 earlier this year has been put on hold until early March. Scott Raymond Handley, 53, appeared Wednesday via video from the Barry County Jail. He had his probable cause hearing adjourned by Judge Michael Schipper. He is now sched­ uled to appear for his hear­ ing March 8. Handley is charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death in the Jan. 27 crash on M-37 near Whitmore Road that killed 62-year-old Matthew Fuller ofJenison. A preliminary investiga­ tion from the Barry County Sheriff’s Office showed a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck crossed the centerline and struck a Ford Transit van that was driven by Fuller. The Silverado was then struck by a third vehicle. Fuller was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash closed the highway for two-and-ahaif horns, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Grand Region office. Thornapple Kellogg Middle School students shine in Elks Lodge essay writing contest Jayson Bussa Editor A handful of students from Thornapple Kellogg Middle School penned essays on what their American dream looked like, and their writing has been selected to advance in a long-standing contest. This was part of a long-running essay writing contest put on by Elks Lodges nationwide, designed to promote patrio­ tism amongst young stu­ dents belonging to fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The contest features local, district, regional, statewide and national stag­ es. On Tuesday afternoon, representatives from the Elks Lodge in Hastings From left to right, Elks Lodge representatives Barb Coppins and Alma Czinder gathered together winning join Thornapple Kellogg Middle School students Matalie Underhill,,, Emery Cisler, essayists from its local Manuel Lopez-Tapia, Exley Roon and Chayse Meek. Additional Elks representacompetition. The competi- tives Corey Gilbert and Kathy Lane are also pictured. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) tion was open to students from all area schools, but all of the winning essays were written by students at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School. Winning writers includ- $15.00 Adults (3 pieces offish) & $10.00 Children 12 and under (2 pieces offish) Dinner Includes: 3 pieces (adults) ed sixth graders Matalie chair for the competition. Underhill, Emery Cisler “It was really just their own and Manuel Lopez-Tapia dream and what America and seventh graders Exley might be like when they Roon and Chayse Meek. grow up.” These five students will Essays at the local level advance to the district were judged by representa­ stage and potentially fur­ tives from the Elks Lodge. ther. The winning batch of essays Prizes become available stood out for several reathe further that students sons. advance in the competition. “The majority of the National winners receive winners talked about, not $1,000. just their personal dream, The topic for this year’s but their dream for America batch of essays is “What is — freedoms, independence your American dream?” and things like that,”, said “There is no wrong Barb Coppins, secretary answer,” said Kathy Lane, for the Elks Lodge in chaplain at the Elks Lodge Hastings. “That was a neat in Hastings and the district thing.” 2 pieces (children) Battered Fresh Cod Loins prepared, Tarter Sauce, French Fries, Coleslaw & Homemade Bread & Butter Coffee & Lemonade No other Food Menu Available. For those who do not want fish dinner, outside food may be brought in. Open to Public All Are Welcome RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, Ml Call 616-891-1882 for more info Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.ccom M-37 OPEN HOUSE, continued from page 1------------------------ing presentation. There will be opportunities to talk with the design team, and there’ll be boards with the plan concept,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said at a township planning commission meeting earlier this month. Harrison sees a poten­ tial mixed-use retail and office hub that is integrat­ ed with walkable residen­ tial neighborhoods. He envisions the creation of a street similar to 29th Street in Kentwood that might serve such a devel- opment and might also help to alleviate traffic on M-37. He also suggests the possibility of extend­ ing Main Street to the east of M-37. Whatever happens to that area isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. “This may be 20-30 years (away). One of the farms is being actively farmed by a family, with no intention of selling,” Harrison said. The Township Hall is located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE. RESIGNATIONS, continued from page 1---the board. She was then elected treasurer the follow­ ing year, and then was re-elected four more times, mostly recently in 2020. “These 20 years ofserving my community have been some of the most rewarding of my life, and I am very grateful to have- had this opportunity,” she wrote in her letter. “I have worked with some extraordinary individuals while at the township, and consider myselfblessed for each resi­ dent I have had the honor to meet and serve over the years.” A possible replacement for Buckowing as treasurer is current deputy treasurer Laura Bouchard, who has held that role since 2016. “While I, personally, will not have a vote in the appointment of my succes­ sor, Laura would be an excel­ lent choice for the appoint­ ment,” Buckowing wrote in an e-mail to the Sun and News. “Laura is well trained in the duties ofoffice oftrea­ surer, and very dedicated to ensuring that the residents of Thomapple Township are served to the best ofher abil­ ity.” Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer wrote in an e-mail that Buckowing has had a lot of time to prepare Bouchard to handle all aspects of the treasurer’s role. “It is my feeling that the board- is fully prepared to appoint Laura to the office of treasurer, once Deb’s resig­ nation has been accepted,” Schaefer wrote. Willshire wrote in an e-mail to the Sun and News that she is stepping down to accept a job opportunity “that offers me more flexibil- ity for personal time.” She said the decision had no con­ nection to the ongoing inves­ tigation by Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf into the 2020 election. “My resignation had nothing to do with any busi­ ness at the township. It has been a great privilege to work for Thornapple Township. I have enjoyed my 19 years there,” Willshire wrote in her email. Willshire joined the town­ ship as deputy treasurer in 2004, working under Buckowing, and was elected its clerk in November 2016. She thanked the voters of Thomapple Township for the opportunity to serve as clerk in her resignation letter. “Thomapple Township is continuously growing and I wish this board success to see the township flourish in it,” she wrote. The township is currently accepting applications for the clerk’s position. The stat­ utory responsibilities of the position are to manage all township records, maintain the general ledger, record the minutes of township board meetings and administer elections. The clerk’s office also processes the township payroll, accounts payable, manages human resources functions, employee bene­ fits, information technology, maintains the township web­ site, manages the cemetery and oversees maintenance of all township facilities, according to the township website. Resumes for the clerk’s position may be submitted to office@thomapple-twp.org. Applicants must be Thomapple Township resi­ dents. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18,2023/ Page 3 HOMEMADE MEAL, continued from page 1 “We pull it all out of the fridge and show them what it looks like,” she added. “Because they don’t know what it looks like until they see it” While Poff and Farrell have been cooking and baking this diverse range of food for the better part oftheir lives, this is the first experience they’ve ever had working inside a restaurant. Opening Helen’s comes on the heels of long careers, Farrell as a nurse and Poff as an employee with Caledonia Community Schools. The laundry list of to-do items required to open Helen’s was understandably long, especially since the small space they’re in now original­ ly came with nothing but a hand sink. “We had to sit down and figure out what we wanted to do and go to the equipment salespeople and he helped us lay it out,” Poff said. Helen’s Kitchen and Bakery is located at 6920 Whitneyville Ave. and dishes out food that was been passed down for generations. Helen’s is housed in the very cozy confines that once was home to Paradise Pizza before the establishment made the move to the M-37 corridor of Caledonia. Because of the limited space, customers can’t sit down and eat at Helen’s — only grab and go. Poff said that, in some situ­ ations, she’s more than happy to deliver food when needed. The facility had sat vacant near a wooded area for around six months following Paradise Pizza’s exit Poff said that it Funding increases for special ed, at-risk kids boost TK finances Greg Chandler StaffWriter Increased funding for spe­ cial education and at-risk students has bolstered the financial picture for Thomapple Kellogg Schools. Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie updated the TK Board of Education Monday on the district’s financial status, and the board approved the first bud­ get amendment for the 2022­ 23 fiscal year. LaHaie is now projecting the district will end the fiscal year with a surplus of $120,901, up from the $84,592 surplus that was projected when the school board adopted the 2022-23 budget last summer. “We didn’t have a whole view of what the budget would come in at. We didn’t know all the parts of the state’s final budget in June when we adopted (our budget) and we certainly didn’t know our enrollment,” LaHaie said. The district has received $1,329,456 in revenue above the originally budgeted revenue figure of $41,985,391, with additional expenditures of $1,293,505 above the original budgeted spending amount of $40,505,810, LaHaie said. “On (a budget of) $41-43 million, I call that ‘budget neutral,”’ LaHaie said. “We’re doing a good job, I think, of spending what we have and putting it in the classroom for the kids and on the roads with the buses.” If the surplus holds, it would be the 10th consecu­ tive year that TK ended the fiscal year with revenues exceeding expenditures. tion programs. In addition, The district entered the the district received a 2022-23 fiscal year with a $368,000 grant on Thursday fund balance ofnearly $639 to be used for school safety million, representing about initiatives, LaHaie said. 15.3 percent ofthe district’s About 85 percent of the expenditures. The district TK budget goes to pay sala­ ended the 2021-22 fiscal ries and benefits for employ­ year with a surplus ofmore ees, LaHaie said. than $438,000, LaHaie said. LaHaie also pointed out “That was more than eight that while TK saw a slight districts (in the Kent enrollment dip this school Intermediate School District, year, the district is only one of which TK is part of) and four districts in the Kent less than 11. We’re right Intermediate School District there in the middle,” he said. - Byron Center, Kentwood “I think we’re being good and East Grand Rapids are stewards of our dollars. the others - that saw an over­ School districts are not all enrollment increase over banks. We want to make sure the past five years. This we have a comfortable year’s enrollment at TK is amount (of reserves) for a 3,153 students. rainy day.” In other business Monday, Categorical grants - grants the school board approved not connected to any state the appointment of Catherine revenues allocated to the dis­ Getty and Kristen Cove to be trict based on enrollment - the district’s representatives account for more than $10 on the Thomapple Area Parks million of IK’s budget this and Recreation Commission. year. Some ofthat funding is Getty, who is the former from the Elementary and TAPRC director, had been a Secondary Secondary Emergency Thomapple Township repre­ ReliefFund (ESSER), a fedsentative on the board when eral program that provides she was zoning administrator funds to schools tied to the for the township. Cove is a COVID-19 pandemic. former TK school board pres­ “These are grants that are ident. They will replace Brian often one-time dollars,” Hammer and Nick Iveson, LaHaie said. “They have an who resigned their seats but end date, an expiration date. will continue to serve TAPRC We have to spend them on a in an advisory capacity, said specified thing. We have to Anne Hamming, a school spend them by a specified board member who also serves on the TAPRC board. date.” Among the revenue The TAPRC board con­ boosts the district received sists of nine members - three that had not been budgeted each from the school district, Thomapple Township and because the state budget had not been settled by last the village of Middleville. Getty’s appointment as a summer include $280,000 for educating at-risk stu­ school representative will allow Thomapple to appoint dents and another $183,000 in state aid that was ear­ a new township representa­ marked for special educa- tive. needed some TLC when they purchased the building and her husband pitched in with reno­ vations* taking the building down to the studs for a full remodel. While the sisters are enjoy­ ing their debut in the restau- The grandmother of Diane Poff and Sharon Farrell is featured in the far right of this photo, which is dis­ played at Helen’s Kitchen and Bakery. The photo illustrates the rich history behind the food that the restaurant serves. rant industry, the formula for knowing when to quit is fairly simple. “When we’re sick of it, we’ll be done,” Farrell said with a shrug. Gaines Township Board approves new manager’s contract James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Charter Township Board voted unani­ mously Monday night to approve a two-year employ­ ment contract with new town­ ship manager Rod Weersing. His annual salary will start at $120,000. That is $10,000 more than what former township manager Jonathan Seyferth was earning before he left in November to take the city manager’s posi­ tion in Muskegon. Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said Seyferth had also received an additional $5,000 to attend national township manager association meetings. The contract calls for Weersing’s salary to go up to $125,000 annually after six months. And it will rise to $130,000 after one year on thejob. That is $30,000 more per year than what Seyferth was earning in 2021 when he was hired as Gaines Township manager. “Jonathan said, before he left, ‘If you guys want a manager, you’re going to have to pay at least $120,000 to get what you want’ And so, we followed his recommendation,” DeWard said in a post-meeting interview. The township board voted in January to hire Weersing, who had been the Georgetown Charter Township Assistant Superintendent. Nineteen peo­ ple applied for the township manager position in Gaines Township, and Weersing and Albion City Manager Haley Snyder were the two finalists. Prior to his work in Georgetown, Weersing — a Hudsonville resident — was in banking for 18 years, hav­ ing worked at Grand River, Chemical and West Michigan Community banks. Before that, Weersing worked with Fox Jewelers for 12 years. His wife, Kristi, has been a longtime teacher at Glenwood Elementary in the Kentwood Public Schools district. Rod Weersing Caledonia American Legion POLISH MEAL FAT TUESDAY, FEB. 21 • $15.00 FRESH KIELBASA KAPUSTA (Sauerkraut) * GOLAMPKI (Cabbage Roll) RYE BREAD PIEROGIES (Potato & Cheese Dumplings) SERVING NOON - 7PM (Or Gone) DINE IN OR TAKE OUT REGULAR KITCHEN MENU NOT AVAILABLE THIS DAY 9548 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, Caledonia • 891-1882 �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023 Middleville TOPS 546 The Feb. 11 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. One new fish jumped into the. fish­ bowl. Chris distributed Daniel Plan books to everyone last week. The chapter will be looking at this faith-based diet plan as a group. They watched the first video and Carolyn A. Fische Carolyn Ann Fischer, bom September 18, 1945, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2023 at the age of 77. Carolyn was bom in Leighton Township. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Fischer; son, Vincent (Michelle) Fischer; daughter, Lisa (Steve) Kent; grandchil­ dren, Brady (Christina) Fischer, Hailey (Jeff) VanDuyn, Hillary (Rick) Blain, Austin (Laura) Fischer, Andrew (Lauren) Kent; great grandchildren, Oliva, Kenzie, Mia, Wesley, Cason and Kingsley. Carolyn is also survived by her sib­ lings, MaryKay (John) Wierenga, Bonnie (Carl) Hofstra, Pat Drake and Keith Bowen and Sue Gentry and many nieces and nephews. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Marian Misak; her brother, Richard Misak and grandson, Trent Fischer. Carolyn lived the majority of her life in Caledonia where she was a beautician and had a small beauty shop in her home. She did hair for over 30 years for many cli­ ents which became some of her very dearest friends. Carolyn enjoyed being out­ side gardening and golfing and was a great cook. She enjoyed being with her kids and espe­ cially loved her grandkids. We were blessed with so many great memories. There were many summer days sit­ ting by the pool with family and friends, Sunday dinners with the entire family, watch­ ing the grandkids play in the Tee Pee, her making her famous fried chicken for the week of county fair, making maple syrup in the sugar bush, deer hunting at the log cabin and all of holidays we all spent together. Carolyn and Tom retired enjoying their golden years in Northport, MI. Carolyn will be missed dearly by her family. A private family burial took place, Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023 at Holy Comers Cemetery. Condolences may be sent on-line at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. took notes. Virginia gave a recap on the resume from 2022. The chapter lost a total of 70.4 pounds. Division 2’s biggest loser was Sue, with a total loss of 15.2 pounds. Division 3’s biggest loser was Alice, with a total loss of 14.6 pounds. Division 4’s winner was Linda, with a total loss of 29.6 pounds. Virginia lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed immediately by the meeting. A mask must be worn when in the build­ ing, and attendees must be vaccinated. Social distancing is practiced. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908­ 3731. The first meeting is free. Gun Lake manufactured home community gets facelift after acquiring longtime restaurant Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer New construction is underway at the site of longtime restaurant the Circle Inn, which closed its doors late last year in Orangeville Township. The restaurant closed up shop on Sept. 30 after 65 years in operation. Gun Lake MCM Communities, a manufac­ tured housing operation, acquired the property from the former owner of 20 years, Don Cote. MCM already had a mobile home community behind the restaurant with about a hun­ dred residents, according to MCM Communities man­ agement. “We’re going to not put anything where the Circle Inn restaurant was,” said a company spokesperson. “We’re simply going to upgrade the view to the lake. There are going to be amenities.” Some of those amenities include a playground, dog park, new docks and a pick­ leball court. The construc­ tion project is expected to cost $1.5 million according to a spokesperson from MCM Communities. Before the construction began, MCM Communities obtained a soil erosion per­ mit on Oct. 18, allowing them to take down the Circle Inn restaurant and reroute the driveway to the mobile home park, accord­ ing to Barry County Planning and Zoning Director Jim McManus. “Eventually, they will get way.” Right now, MCM manag­ a permit for a gazebo that will be on the west side of ers are expecting the whole the driveway,” McManus project to be completed this spring in either April or said. “The soil erosion permit May. The docks will be was issued because it is installed in April. within 500 feet of the lake “Specifically, where that and is a state-mandated per­ restaurant used to be is mit that allows work and going to be an open space excavation to be done with­ for the community to enjoy,” said an MCM in 500 feet of a lake,” McManus added. “We spokesperson, referring to approved the project for the former Circle Inn. “It’s MCM on Nov. 28.” a landscaped yard — a Within two weeks after large, 20-person, open-air approval from the county, pavilion that overlooks the lake.” the Circle Inn building was demolished. MCM Communities “Construction will start plans on upgrading the moving fast,” MCM’s docks and installing a Assistant Manager of swimming platform, adding Marketing Strategies kayaking slots and a big Ashley Crawford said. “I See NEW CONSTRUCTION, page 6 already used the new drive- Caledonia United Methodist Church alaska church 7240 68a' Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist committed followers ofJesus Christ who will Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach ourcommunity with the Gospel cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middlerille (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 comerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: (269) 795-2391 HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass ................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY StJ’aufZHtgmin Churc/i Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. CHURCH Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch & Preschool SERVICE TIMES: . Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyvilie Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastor Jonathan DeCou Sunday School ..9:30 9:30 AM Sunday Worship......... 10:30 10:30AM AM Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm MIDDLEVILLE 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 __________www.stpaulcaledonia.org 8655 Whitneyvilie Avenue, Alto ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group ............................ 10:00 a.m. h-qq a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilieFelldwship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023/ Page 5 TKHS students to perform "Shrek The Musical Haden Bovee, as Shrek, and Parker Stewart, as Donkey, rehearse a scene together. Thomapple Kellogg High School will present three performances of “Shrek The Musical” on March 2, 3 and 4. All shows start at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. This is a family-friendly show filled with comedy, music, dancing and acting that’s “ogre-the-top fun.” The show also features a cast of35 students, musicians and an active set and crew. The show is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animated film. It brings all the lovable characters you know from the film to life on stage. It’s creative and fun and something that all ages will enjoy. Set in a mythical “once upon a time” sort of land, “Shrek the Musical” is the story of a hulking, green ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life, finds his swamp home invaded by a gang of homeless fairy-tale characters who have been evicted by the vertically challenged Lord Farquaad. After striking a deal with Lord Farquaad, Shrek sets out on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey to rescue a feisty princess in order to get his swamp back. The cast of “Shrek the Musical” gathers for a photo. (Courtesy photos) Throw in a cookie with an attitude, over a dozen other fairy-tale misfits, a dragon, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a true hero. “Shrek The Musical” is a Tony Award-winning pro­ duction, as well. Tickets will be available for purchase online at tkschools.org and TK social media sites. Tickets can also be pur­ chased at the door each night of the show as available. Tickets are $5 for students and senior citizens and $7 for adults. Members of the cast rehearse a scene from “Shrek the Musical.” Caledonia Fire Department responds to fewer calls in ’22: annual report Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Fire Department saw a 9-percent decline in the number ofcalls it responded to last year. The department handled 1,191 calls during 2022, a drop from a record-high vol­ ume of 1,307 calls that it responded to in 2021, Fire Chief Scott Siler said Wednesday in presenting the department’s annual report to the Township Board. About 72 percent of the calls received by the fire department last year - a total of 848 calls - were emergen­ cy medical responses. The department received 105 false alarm calls, 90 “good intent” calls and 63 hazard­ ous incident calls. A total of 46 fires were reported in the township, Siler said. “As always, the biggest issue for us is answering calls for service in a timely manner and having the personnel needed to do that,” Siler said. “We’ve been very fortunate with equipment acquisitions and trainings we’ve been able to do, but it is still a constant battle to make sure we have enough people.” The department had 184 overlapping incidents last year - defined as a second call that comes in while firefighters are on the scene of an initial call. That’s down from 229 such incidents in 2021, Siler said. “It’s challenging during the day,” the chief said. “During the day, we have our fire inspector and myselfare here, so we handle overlapping calls during the day. On the weekend, we’ve broken up our training to have two peo­ ple come in on Saturdays and Sundays, all weekend long throughout the month to help us with staffing shortages.” The southwest quadrant of the township — defined as south of 84th Street and west of the Thomapple River saw the greatest amount of activity for the year with 398 calls, while the northwest quadrant had 379 calls. In 2021, the northwest quadrant was the busiest with 421 calls, while the southwest quadrant had 414 calls, the report said. The southeast quadrant south of 84th and east of the Thomapple - was the only quadrant that saw an increase in calls, from 106 in 2021 to 121 in 2022, the report said. Last year marked the addi­ tion ofthe department’s first full-time fire inspector, as Capt. Brad Bender was pro­ moted to fill that role. Bender conducted 95 inspections. In 33 instances, a failure was noted that needed a re-in­ spection. Among some ofthe issues Bender encountered was a kitchen cart that was blocking the only emergency exit in a local restaurant and a heating and cooling unit that had been installed right under a sprinkler, Siler said. Last year also saw the addition of Engine 71, the department’s newest fire truck. The truck responded to 429 calls for the year, the report said. In other business Wednesday, the board: — Approved the purchase of $10,000 worth of exercise equipment for the fire depart­ ment, including a treadmill, elliptical equipment and a sta­ tionary bike. The funds were donated by a local couple. — Approved the hiring of Wyatt Frank as a part-time firefighter, pending passage of a physical examination. — Gave final approval to an ordinance regulating the operation, maintenance and management ofcemeteries in the township. The passage comes as the township recently purchased colum­ bariums for its cemeteries. The ordinance sets a burial space rate of $300 for resi­ dents and $600 for nonresi­ dents, while a columbarium niche has a rate of $500 for residents and $1,000 for non­ residents. No person can pur­ chase more than four burial spaces unless approved by the township. —Approved for first read­ ing a rezoning request rec­ ommended by the Planning Commission for a 20.3-acre parcel of land at 5903 84th St. SE. The applicant is Duwane Suwyn. — Approved oversizing of the water main for the sec­ ond phase of the Morgan Woods West subdivision. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023 Committee to review Caledonia village manager, public works job descriptions Greg Chandler Staff Writer For the third time, the vil­ lage of Caledonia will pay Village Manager Jeff Thornton $2,000 a month for the next 90 days to fulfill the role ofpublic services direc­ tor as the village has been unable to find a permanent director. The Village Council Monday approved having Thornton, who has served in the interim capacity since July 1 of last year, continue in that role. The council also appointed a five-member committee that will review the job descriptions for both village manager and public services director, and recom­ mend whether changes to the village ordinance that includes those job descrip­ tions needs to be changed. The committee will con­ sist of Thornton, Village President Jennifer Lindsey, Council Trustee Karen Hahn, Planning Commissioner Kim Peters and local resident Eric Speers. The committee is expected to come back with a recommendation to the council at its May 8 meet­ ing. The $2,000 a month salary is in addition to what Thornton is paid as village manager and clerk. Monday’s meeting fea­ tured a lot ofback and forth between Thornton and Lindsey about his role with the village. Thornton pointed out that he has taken on responsibilities that ideally would be filled by public works employees. “What I was getting paid for and what I was doing are two different things,” Thornton said. “I was not getting paid to drive a plow truck. I was not getting paid to vacuum up leaves.” Thornton has hired two public works employees, but one has only been on the job six weeks and the other was to have started on Tuesday. Lindsey questioned whether the village needs two separate management positions. “I don’t think we’re a big enough community to have a public services director and a village manager,” Lindsey said. “You had one (public ser­ vices director) when I started here,” Thornton responded. When Thornton took on the village manager position in June 2019, Roger Loring was the Department of Public Works, director “Sometimes (Loring) was hourly and sometimes he was salaried. We can debate that all day,” Lindsey said. “Are you looking to change my job description?” Thornton asked. “When we were hiring you, there was a lot of back and forth as to what we need­ ed,” Lindsey said. “I think when you were hired, we thought we were getting the ... catchall. I think that this is a whole big conversation that needs to happen, and again, a revision ofthe ordinance.” Thornton pointed out that when the village was looking for a manager in 2018, it included public works responsibilities in the job description. The village was unable to fill the position at that time, and the public works duties were removed from the job description during the second search that led to Thornton’s hiring. “In (the) advertising (for the position), it did not say it was inclusive ofthat respon­ sibility,” Thornton said. “When I started here, it was explained that we had that person in the person that was next door at that time. When I started here, I asked about that, because in a very short time, the job description got changed. I was informed the director of public services was excluded from the posi­ tion, now you’re wanting to include it.” The village attempted to hire a DPW director last summer at a salary of between $47,840 and $52,000, and was unable to fill the position. According to the village ordinance, the public ser­ vices director “shall have responsibility for all matters pertaining to the construc­ tion, management, mainte­ nance and operation of the physical properties ofthe vil­ lage. Such responsibility shall include the streets, side­ walks, parks, sewers, sewage treatment facilities, drains, planting and removal oftrees and related matters, except as specific authority for any of such matters may otherwise be delegated by the Village Council.” In addition, the director “shall have responsibility for such repair and improvement of the streets, sidewalks, alleys and other public grounds within the village.” Meanwhile, some of the village manager’s responsi­ bilities, according to the vil­ lage ordinance; include: — Attending all meetings of the Village Council and, as necessary, meetings ofthe Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and similar village boards and commissions. — Be responsible for staff supervision, including office and DPW staff. — Assist village officials in preparation of the annual village budget. — Assist the public with requests for information, and with making application for land use, licensing, or other village approvals. — Assist the village with the procurement, including competitive bidding ifneces­ sary, for supplies, equipment, or services. — Sign contracts, pur­ chase orders, and other docu­ ments on behalf of the vil­ lage, but only with the prior specific authorization of the Village Council. Lindsey recommended the village establish the commit­ tee to work on the job descriptions. It passed on a 5-0 vote, with trustees Dan Erskine and JeffNiles absent. “It forces us to act. We have to work on this. We can’t be lazy about it,” Council Trustee Gerrianne Schuler said. In other business Monday, Lindsey reported that the vil­ lage needed to purchase a replacement snowplow blade at a cost of $9,714 out ofthe village’s capital outlay. “Our snowplow (blade) broke on the white truck, which is our main snowplow for cul-de-sacs and side streets and all of that,” Lindsey said. The previous snowplow blade had been previously repaired, but the company that the village had pur­ chased the blade through was no longer in business, lead­ ing to the need to purchase a new blade, Lindsey said. Thornton did the research on a replacement blade and Lindsey approved the pur­ chase. Thornton said the new blade is similar to those used by the Kent County Road Commission and several local municipal public works departments. “We’re not done with winter. People think we’re done, we are not,” he said. “Even if we were able to live through the fest ofwin­ ter (without any major snowfalls), we all know that if it came (time) to purchase this thing next fall, it’s going to be more money.” The council also approved a three-year contract with LT. Right for the village’s information technology ser­ vice needs at a cost of$4,800, The village had previously used LT. Right for technolo­ gy services on a time and materials basis in the past. The company has since come under new ownership and said it could no longer serve the village unless it had a contract, Thornton said. will make a significant improvement to the mobile home community. Access to the park and a wider, clear­ er driveway is going to be great for public safety and fire response;” he said. “That will help improve the area around the lake. The gazebo should be a nice addition. From my understanding, there will be a walkway out to a dock. So that will be a much more aesthetic part ofthe proper­ ty. So, it should be a marked improvement. I think every­ body will be pleased with it.” NEW CONSTRUCTION, continued from page 4 open lawn, a playground, pickleball courts and a dog park. There will be approx­ imately 20 docks. “The new entrance is almost done right now, and the retaining walls and sur­ face for the gazebo will be done in the next three weeks,” said the company spokesperson. “They’re excited,” said Crawford referring to the raniD residents of the Gun Lake MCM community. “It’s going to be a big change. People are constantly ask­ ing where everything is going. It’s a new process.” Gun Lake MCM Communities was acquired in 2020. “The first year that they owned they did not make any real changes,” Crawford explained. “Now, they are just starting to redo the whole community and make all the changes.” The new space and ame­ nities are just for the resi­ dents of the MCM commu­ nity. McManus has a few rea­ sons why he thinks the new construction project for Gun Lake MCM communi­ ties is innovative. “I think, in this case, it Equipment is changing... Get it before the New Prices come out! RUUD Gun Lake Manufactured Home Community, owned by MCM Communities, is located in Shelbyville. (Photo by Karen TurkoEbright) Construction is underway at the site and is expect­ ed to move quickly, per a spokesperson with MCM Communities. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) High Efficiency Furnace & Air $400 OFF with this coupon. Expires 2124123 E ! HEATING 8 COOLING 0 ast an Street aeona 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. Furnace Tune-Up This rendering illustrates the finished project that Gun Lake MCM Communities has planned for the newly-acquired property that once housed the Circle Inn. Themanufactured home community was once located directly behind, the restaurant. (Courtesy rendering) �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18,2023/ Page 7 Middleville Council approves purchase of a police vehicle, appoints new DDA board member James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Village Council has authorized the approximate $60,000 pur­ chase ofa new police vehicle. The all-wheel-drive 2023 Tahoe from Berger Chevrolet will cost $39,636 and the equipment cost is $21,136, for a total of $60,772. On a 6-1 vote Tuesday night, the council approved an adjustment to the village’s fiscal year 2023 budget to transfer the money from the general fund to the motor­ pool fund to pay for the ful­ ly-equipped 4x4 Tahoe. Trustee Kevin Smith cast the only ‘no’ vote. Moments before, he had said he would vote in favor ofthe resolution. “Either way, whether it’s a lease or a purchase you have my ‘yes’ vote right now,” he said. But Smith proceeded to explain why he felt leasing the patrol vehicle would be better for the village than purchasing it. “If we lease it, we’re offsetting a lot of other expens­ es that were unaccounted for when this budget was made initially. Especially, at a 5 percent interest rate,” he said. Smith also mentioned, “It’s more fiscally responsible for us to offset those payments in smaller incremental amounts, because we retain control over more funds at that point. We can then build in a main­ tenance program or a number ofother things.” But Village President Mike Cramer pointed out the shortage of new vehicles available right now. “If there’s a car available, we need to jump on it so we can get that extra deputy,” he said. The council had previous­ ly approved funding for an additional police officer to patrol the village. The officer has yet to be chosen but will be assigned to the village soon. “We have the potential for a new deputy in the very near future,” Cramer said. “So, we would need a Village third vehicle,” Manager Craig Stolsonburg told the council. “The Barry County Sheriff’s Department ordered three, with the inten­ tion of reserving one for the village. They need two for themselves ... They don’t anticipate them being avail­ able for two or three months.” Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Ware, whose assigned duty area includes the village, pointed out before the vote was taken that there are not a lot ofvehi­ cles available for purchase right now. He said Undersheriff Jason Sixberry reserved three vehicles with the anticipation that the village would either approve buying one of them, or leasing one. “They’ve purchased two ofthem. The third one is still on reserve,” Ware said. “In my personal opinion, I think it would be quicker and easi­ er ifthe village just paid for it themselves.” Before it was tweaked, the original contract with the sheriff’s office specified that the county would buy the vehicle and supply it to the village via a lease agreement. Or, ifthe Sheriff’s Office had purchased the vehicle with the intention of turning around and selling it to the village, the title would have to be transferred to the village. And that would’ve taken more time. “If you want to wait, you may not get the vehicle until next June,” Ware told the council. “So, that’s where the time constraint comes in.” The village had the option of leasing a vehicle from the county. “The cost would then be deferred. We wouldn’t have nearly $100,000 taken out of our fund,” Smith said. Sgt. Ware said having the village purchase the vehicle was a better option than leas­ ing it, from the county’s perspective, because there would be less cost upfront for the county. “If we’re talking about how long can Berger (Chevrolet) hold that vehicle, versus when they’re going to give it to the next person asking for it, that was part of the discussion I had with Undersheriff Sixberry,” Ware said. “If we were to do the lease option, he then has to get (county administrator) Michael Brown’s approval to bring it in front ofthe (coun­ ty) commissioners and the commissioners would have to vote on it.” Stolsonburg said he favored a one-time purchase, rather than extending the vil­ lage’s budget over the sever­ al years that would be stipu­ lated in a lease. “We (previously) did talk at length about leasing, but this situation doesn’t lend itself to it,” Cramer said. “But that doesn’t mean that next cruiser or cruisers wouldn’t be. So, it’s not out of the question. It’s just this situation requires a faster action than what the lease that we had originally talked about is going to get us.” Because the village is buy­ ing the patrol vehicle, the purchase does not require county approval. The village council then moved on to a related item on the agenda: a contract with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office. Potential amendments will be dis­ cussed before it is renewed for fiscal year 2024. “It is my understanding, Sgt. Ware, that you are all in favor of leasing vehicles from the county and includ­ ing that in our contract,” Cramer said. “I am,” Ware replied. “So, moving forward as we roll these vehicles out of service, we would have something in place that everybody’s agreeing with so this doesn’t have to be a longer discussion. It can be approved before the vehicles are reserved?” Cramer asked. “I think ifyou can get that language in the contract and have, both sides agree to it, I don’t see that there would be any issue with that,” Ware responded. EV charging station to be removed Department of Public Works director Alec Belson said the Blink Charging devices in the parking lot behind village hall will be removed by a local electrical contractor later this month and put in storage. The village council voted last month to authorize staffto search for a vendor to install new EV chargers. Last fall, the council opted to end its contract with Blink because ofalleged poor customer service, among other issues. Belson said he has received several quotes from service providers and he will present those options to the council for consideration at its Feb. 28 meeting. Meanwhile, the village has yet to hear back from Blink after it notified the Miami­ based company of the con­ tract termination. Council approves new DDA board member On a unanimous voice vote, the Middleville Council appointed local resident Justine King to the Downtown Development Authority board. She works at Thomapple Credit Union. King will replace Johnny DeMaagd, who left the DDA board after being elected to the village council in November. King will serve a four-year term ending on Feb. 13, 2026. The DDA still needs to fill two vacant seats on its board made available when former members Michal Ann Enders and Lauren Manzer opted not to re-apply this year. Any adult who lives in the DDA district can apply to serve on the board. “Justine was recommend­ ed by the DDA board to be approved,” Stolsonburg said. match from the village, or $50,000. An extra $85,000 cost not covered by the grant will be used to pay for pre­ ventive scour protection to prevent potential erosion at bridge abutments. That brings the total project cost to about $290,000. The Local Development Finance Authority would cover $130,000 of the project cost It currently is out for bid. MDOT agreement for Crane Road bridges project On a 7-0 roll-call vote, the village council approved a res­ olution authorizing the village manager to sign the Michigan Department of Transportation agreement for the Crane Road bridges project. The estimated cost for maintenance repairs on the bridge over the Thomapple River is $120,000, and the cost to fix the bridge over Spring Creek is pegged at $80,000. The village’s engineering firm, Williams & Works, recently worked with village staffto obtain a grant through MDOT to cover the cost. The grant required a 25-percent 90-day job performance review for village manager The Middleville Village Council will be filling out evaluation forms ahead of the March 7 Committee of the Whole meeting regarding Stolsonburg’s performance after 90 days on the job. The 48-year-old Thomapple Township resident started working for the village on Nov. 1. His annual salary is $78,000. “Like I told everybody, I really enjoy my time here,” Stolsonburg said in an inter­ view after the council meet­ ing. “Hopefully, (I’ll) contin­ ue for a long time; and staff has been amazing.” Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg (left) and Barry County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Ware discuss the purchase of a patrol vehicle at Tuesday’s council meeting. (Photos by James Gemmell) murar Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — Complete Collision Service Frame Repairs State & I-CAR Certified Technicians Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies Lesonal WaterBourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com The Middleville Council meeting at village hall on Tuesday night. �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023 Variable snowmobile trail conditions reported across Michigan Portions of some trails may be less-than-ideal for riding After several days of above-40-degree tempera­ tures and widespread rain showers, Michigan Department of Natural Resources trails officials are cautioning snowmo­ biles to anticipate poten­ tially poor riding condi­ tions. “The recent weather con­ ditions have had a detri­ mental effect on trails across the region,” said Ron Yesney, DNR Upper Peninsula trails coordina­ tor. ^“Trails aren’t closed but may be in less-than-ideal condition.” Trail grooming is not typically practical when temperatures are above freezing. Weather conditions recently changed, with tem­ peratures dropping signifi­ cantly and snow showers in several places. This is expected to make trails icy. Ice can be difficult to groom. “We encourage snowmobilers travelling to a region to check with snowmobile clubs and tourism associa­ tions to make sure trails are still being groomed in areas where they want to ride,” Yesney said. As a reminder, off-road vehicles are not legally per- mitted on many snowmo­ bile trails. Half of all snow­ mobile trails are on private land where permission is granted for snowmobile use only. With deteriorated trail conditions the DNR encourages all snowmobilers to “Ride Right” by decreasing speed, riding on the right-hand side of the trail, riding sober, anticipating and yielding to groomers and riding safe so you make it home safely to family and friends. More safety tips on snowmobiling can be found at Michigan.gov/ Snowmobiling. A trail section in poor condition is shown from just south of Marquette, along the Lake Superior shoreline. (Photo provided) IOTERS FROM OUR RISERS State rep too blinded by partisanship to show compassion over latest mass shooting Again with the killings. Again, a person who under any sane regulatory system would not have been permit­ ted to own and carry firearms wreaks havoc and sheds blood. New reports tell us that respon­ sible Democrats called for— not the banning of gun owner- ship, or any other Draconian reaction—but for legislation for which polls show majority, bipartisan support. Responsible Republican lead­ ers called for bipartisan coop­ eration to find solutions. But... “Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Caledonia, offered a more confrontational response Tuesday afternoon.” (A quotation from an MLive article) Our representative cannot even express sorrow at these deaths without pivoting instantly to state even more emphatically her anger at anyone who advocates even moderate, broadly popular measures to make such shootings less likely. If the students who died were your relatives or friends, you have her condolences. And if you even think about working together across the partisan Search Facebook to find me here: Walter Bujak Kent County Commissioner District 21 Get regular updates! See coolpictures! Follow me on myjourney to “serveyou”. I thinkyou will like what Lam doing on Facebook. Walter Bujak Kent County Commissioner District 21 Office: 616-632-7157 walter.bujak@kentcountymi.gov Office ofthe Board ofCommissioners Kent County Administration Bldg. 300 Mongo^Ayeruie N.W. Grand &&& M^503-2206 - or - ^a^er Bujak, 6639 Thornapple River Dr., Alto, MI 49302 divide to seek sane, conser­ vative measures to prevent the next such killing ram­ page, you can expect to be the target of her bitter rage. This is the pattern thus far. Hie person who is supposed to be representing our district in Lansing is instead so given over to maligning her opponents—and now also battling moral and legal accusations, not from her political oppo­ nents but from her own closest allies—that she is unable to do anything constructive for us. The gun queen specializes in shooting herself in the foot. Whatever you were hoping Angela Rigas would accom­ plish, whether your goals are conservative, liberal, or any shade in between, she shows ho sign yet of accomplishing anything, because all her ener­ gy is going into alienating everyone. Look at her Facebook pages, jukeboxes that play only two tunes: “I Love Guns” and “I Hate Democrats. People who voted for the can­ didate whose postcards said ‘Tam a Christian” might have been -hoping ttrhear a little love of neighbor and even love of enemy. A few anarchists among us may be pleased, but I can’t believe that what we are get­ ting is what most people who voted for her were hoping for. It isg however, what many of us who voted aga|nst her feared.' Her unwisp and unhealthyresponse to this lat­ est ^bootin^ spree cornea as no surpnsb. Surely shWis capable of better. Ultimately, there are only two ways. The way of unre­ strained negative emotionali­ ty fosters anger and hate, which bring death; as Jesus taught, to hate is to murder. We have seen murder again on the campus of MSU. How about if we all tried urging each other to respond in the other way, the way of love? James Ernst Caledonia • New Caledonia schools bond issue will help to further grow the community Vote ‘yes’ on CCS bond to help ensure a bright future for our students, community A couple of years ago, my family moved here to raise our children in a place with small-town values and an incredible school system, both in academics and athlet­ ics. This community has exceeded our wildest expec­ tations, which is why I feel a sense of responsibility to ensure all Caledonia voters know about the Caledonia Community Schools (CCS) Supplemental Bond proposal on the May 2 ballot. I’m ask­ ing you to vote ‘yes’ because this bond will positively affect every school in our district, enhance athletics from youth to high school, and will bring this communi­ ty together to build a better Caledonia, all without rais­ ing tax rates for residents. Here are some of the key initiatives included in this bond that are crucial to our growing community: - Make necessary repairs to buildings and facilities, from replacing outdated school buses to upgrading parking lots; replacing roofs to elevating safety measures, increasing band storage to enhancing our children’s playgrounds. - Upgrade district technol­ ogy; helping Caledonia stay competitive, and enable our students to receive realworld, hands-on experiences to better compete in the glob­ al marketplace, including skilled trades jobs. - Renovate the stadium with improvements to seat­ ing, sound, bathrooms, con­ cessions and improve the walking track for all of our community members. — Complete another phase of improvements to Calplex by adding fields arid parking. •- Replace current- Dutton Elementary with a brand new elementary school to serve our community. As a parent, it’s very important to me that my chil­ dren have all the resources they need to be successful in this world, no matter what path they choose to pursue after graduation. After speak­ ing to dozens of families about the bond, they agree; They are voting Yes for many reasons, which goes to show this bond benefits our entire community no matter your unique circumstances. Some families were passionate about critical improvements being made to every school in our district, some valued the peace ofmind from increased security measures, and some loved the investments in tech­ nology and trade programs. Even people that have no connection to the school sys­ tem appreciate the relation­ ship between school quality and home values. That said, I smile thinking of more parking at Calplex, Friday nights in a beautiful football stadium, replacing the tin roof above our early childhood center and more safety for our students. At the same time, I am fiscally conservative by nature, which is why funding these improvements without an increase in our property tax rate is even more impressive, and has my vote! Please join me in voting “Yes” on the May 2 ballot, or on your requested absentee ballot, to support our stu­ dents, schools and the entire Caledonia community. We will see the benefits of investments made now for years to come. To get involved in our efforts to pass this bond, please visit Friends of Caledonia Community •Schools on Facebook. Mallory Walsh Chairperson ofFriends of Caledonia Community Schools �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023/ Page 9 Thornapple Kellogg HS students pitch in to help local chapter of United Way Thomapple Kellogg High School students are joining forces with Barry County United Way this month to help support their communi­ ty. Students in teacher Cary Saxton’s Advanced Placement Language and Composition class are orga­ nizing the efforts with a fundraiser dubbed Trojans Through Time, where the students aid past, present and future Trojans. This project arose as a way for Saxton’s 11 th grade AP students to learn about rhetoric from a real-world standpoint. Saxton encour­ aged her students to help their community and use the rhetorical skills they learned in a real-life situation that could help people in a mean­ ingful way. The Barry County United Way has been helping the community for more than 100 years. They fund proThornapple Kellogg High School students sell grams to assist families in candy at school with proceeds going to the Barry need via their food pantries, County United Way. Pictured from left are Oliver backpack program, econom­ Klerk, Michael Sager-Wissner, Austin Jones, Elizabeth ic support program, home­ Middleton, Ava Myers and Brianna Sharp. less prevention and emergen­ cy assistance. The United — Faro’s Fundraiser Night here are really limitless.” Way is a non-profit that is on Monday, February 27 This project is Saxton’s completely reliant on dona­ from 4 to 8 p.m. way of showing students tions to fund their programs — The Trojans Through how her class can be used in and continue helping Barry Time Facebook page has a real life. County. The students have link to a GoFundMe page, Many businesses in the divided themselves into where all of the proceeds groups to each organize their will be given to the United own events that would raise Way. money (or other donations) The Trojans Through that the Barry County United Time Fundraiser social Way can utilize to help those media pages can be found in need. under the username @troSince the United Way has jansthroughtime. Social been helping for so long, TK media has given the students students felt it was time to a new way to spread aware­ return the favor - and they’re ness for their fundraiser. The turning to the community for Instagram and TikTok help. accounts provide updates on Community members are how the students are supwelcome to participate in porting The Barry County any and all ofthe events. United Way. The following is a list of Students are putting all the events: this together while also — Donating non-perish­ learning about rhetoric, able food located at the First which can be described as Presbyterian Church youth “the art of effective or per­ group. This food will be suasive speaking or writing.” given directly to the Fresh In AP Composition, students Food Initiative food bank. learn to use the rhetorical — On Feb. 22 from 6 to 9 triangle, a set of three stratep.m. Parent’s' Night Out gies that can be used in order located in the TKHS cafete­ to convince people of what ria. Parents can leave their you are talking about. kids in the hands of teachers Ethos is credibility, pathos and responsible babysitters. is emotion, and logos is fac­ There is a form to register tual evidence. your child that can be found These three strategies in the office ofthe elementa­ make up a large portion of ry school buildings or on the what students learn in the TK Facebook page. year during AP Comp. ■— Thrifted Threads. Saxton says that students Reselling in-style clothing are “going to be engaged in items from 4 to 7 p.m. on so many useful pursuits Feb. 24 during the TKHS figuring out how to capture basketball game. Donations the attention of a large audiare accepted from February ence; harnessing the power 21-24 during both TKHS of visual, video, written and lunches. Clothing donations spoken communication to will be rewarded one ticket convince and entertain; col- Students sort clothing donations for the Thrifty Threads resale event. Pictured from left are Jessie Drenten, Holly Carpenter, Kate Powers, Alivia Raak and Lucy VanDuine. community have donated their money, time and resources to help Thomapple Kellogg students with this project. Students spent time traveling around Middleville asking businesses to become sponsorship partners for the fundraiser. These students used their AP rhetoric skills to try and convince business­ es to aid their cause. Student Lucy VanDuine is organizing the Thrifted Threads Fundraiser. She went to businesses and asked them to donate gift cards as rewards for the raf­ fle. When asked about how she used rhetoric to con­ vince the business she said “We used ethos, because it’s for school. We also used pathos because it’s a charity that they’re donating to and it would be good for their brand image.” The rhetorical triangle was used to convince all of the sponsors to donate and con­ tribute in order to help the United Way. Sponsorship partners include Thomapple Credit Union, Design Wear, Westen’s Carpet & Flooring, Otto’s Turkey Farm, Barlow Florist, Faro’s Pizza, and United Bank. Other busi­ nesses like Opus, Vintage Haven, Left Field and My Sister’s Closet donated gift cards. Thornapple Kellogg High School students Brianna Sharp and Cash Rabley wrote this story on behalfof their school We Accept & DELTA DENTAL* Keep VourTeeth for a LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? per item for a raffle. The winning raffles include gift cards to My Sister’s Closet, Left Field, Vintage Haven laborating in and across peer groups; proposing ideas to and Opus. possibilities for education administrators, the press, and local business owners. The Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep, We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan D DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18,2023 Amazon appeals property tax assessment in Gaines Township James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Board is not taking Amazon’s appeal of its 2022 property tax assessment lying down. At its meeting Monday night, the board agreed to examine whether the e-commerce giant is in breach of contract with the township over the appraisal process, and ifthe board should con­ sider taking the matter to court, if there is no settle­ ment. Amazon opened its $150 million fulfillment center at 4500 68th St. SE in March 2020. That is immediately west ofPatterson Avenue. At its meeting Monday night, the board added an item to the agenda to dis­ cuss the contract it signed with Amazon a few years ago providing the technolo­ gy company with an Industrial Facilities Exemption certificate. The certificate provides the global company with an annual abatement that reduces its property taxes by about 50 percent. Township assessor Megan VanHoose noted in a memo to the township board that this is the second appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal on the property since the building’s construction was completed in 2020. The 2020 appeal was settled out of court at an approximate cost of $6,000 in township attor­ ney fees. VanHoose said in her let­ ter to the township board that if an appraisal of the property were sufficient to settle the appeal, the town­ ship’s attorney fees would likely be around $5,000. But ifthe case goes to a full Tribunal hearing, the costs would increase significant­ ly The township receives about $24,700 annually from the Amazon property, based on the township millage and a 1 percent administration fee. VanHoose pointed out that, ifthe township were to accept Amazon’s appraisal it would lose about $4,300 annually. Caledonia Public Schools would lose $80,000 in revenue and the Kent Intermediate School District would lose about $17,500 annually. The township board voted 7-0 to approve a motion to spend not more than $16,000 in fees to appraise the property in the tax tribunal case. The Michigan Strategic Fund provided a $4 million performance-based grant for the regional distribution cen­ ter in 2018. The grant was o(j AANMwiflijC COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the January 24, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on February 14, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. Amazon’s $150 million fulfillment center at 4500 68th St. SE in Gaines Township. (Courtesy photo) triggered when Amazon met employment goals set by the Michigan Employment Development Corp. The 1 million-square-foot ware­ house and distribution center was built on about 100 acres ofvacant land that Steelcase owned. “We do have a contract that, when we awarded that tax abatement, there was a process for (Amazon) to appeal, and they’ve kind of deviated from that process right from the get-go,” DeWard said. He said Amazon was dis­ puting up to $30 million in the value ofthe building. The Sun and News emailed Amazon public relations for a comment, but had not heard back by the time this article went to press. “It’s crazy ... but we, as a township, bear the burden of these kinds of appeals, and we’re one ofthe least to ben­ efit from it,” DeWard said. IRVING TOWNSHIP BOARD OF REVIEW The 2023 Board of Review for Irving Township will meet as follows: • • • Tuesday, March 7th at 11:00am - Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13th from 3:00pm-9:00pm Wednesday, March 14th from 9:00am-3:00pm Written appeals will be accepted by March 14, 2023. The tentative equalization ratios for computation of SEV of real property are as follows: Classification Of Real Property Agricultural Residential Commercial Industrial Timber-Cutover Developmental_________ PERSONAL PROPERTY Commercial Industrial Utility Irving 2023 Ratios and Multipliers Ratio _-______ Real Property ____ 44.12% 42.11 % 48.43% 41.04% None in Class None in Class 50.00% 50.00% 50.00% Multiplier 1.1307 1.874 1.0324 L2183 1.000 1.000 1.000 This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1076 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA 41.72A (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Irving Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities upon seven (7) day notice to the Irving Township Board, such as signer for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials to be presented at the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the clerk at (269) 948-0633. Jamie R. Knight, Supervisor, Irving Township “They’re in breach of the agreement,” trustee Tim Haagsma said. “In my opin­ ion, if we’re going to spend dime one, we ought to spend dime one on an attorney because this thing is null and void because they didn’t (meet) their end ofit. “Megan said she contacted them via letter, ‘Let’s come together. The agreement says we agree on a joint appraisal and we split the cost ofthat.’ She said she contacted them and hasn’t heard back. In my opinion, that’s a breach of contract. And once you breach a contract, the whole contract is null and void.” The township board pro­ ceeded to vote unanimously to authorize Supervisor Rob DeWard, township manager Rod Weersing and the town­ ship assessors to study whether the contract has been voided by Amazon’s actions. Ifthat is the case, the township could potentially seek in Kent County Circuit Court a motion to have the tax abatement terminated, and to inform the affected school districts. “If we really wanted to push it, we would need to take circuit court action,” DeWard said. “I’d like to just kick this thing out and maybe we’ll be done with it,” Haagsma said. “Maybe we’ll get their atten­ tion that way.” “That’s what I was going to suggest, as well,” treasurer Laurie Lemke said. “I’d rec­ ommend the same thing.” “I’ve had it about up to here with Amazon,” Haagsma said. “If you sign an agreement with somebody and you thumb your nose at somebody you signed an agreement with, then I think it behooves us on behalf of the township to call them on it. And then, we can fight the tax tribunal thing later.” “The schools will make a lot more money,” DeWard said, if the tax abatement is discontinued. “If we’re going to spend $20,000 on an appraisal and on attorney fees, I’d rather spend it on this,” Haagsma said. DeWard said the attorney fees could cost the township as much as $50,000. Township staffhad recom­ mended approval ofthe esti­ mated $14,850 cost to obtain an appraisal ofthe property. “When (Amazon) said they were going to invest $122 million, and now they say it’s worth, what, $45 mil­ lion, it’s like like ‘what’?” Haagsma said. “Then they were going to have $ 174 mil­ lion and change in personal property on site. I know stuff depreciates, but seriously? Not that fast, and not the property. Maybe personal property.” “The promises made early on... we’re a long ways from there,” DeWard said. He added that he would like Amazon executives to meet with he and Weersing soon to see ifthey can reach an agreement before the township considers possibly filing a lawsuit. “It is getting old,” De Ward said. The Sun andNews emailed a request for comment to Amazon, but did not hear back as of time of publica­ tion. Police chase that begins in Cutlerville ends in Allegan County with two teenagers arrested James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says two teenagers were taken into custody early Tuesday morning after leading police on a chase from Cutlerville into Allegan County. Sgt. Eric Brunner con­ firmed to-the Sun and News that deputies spotted a stolen Kia traveling southbound on S. Division Avenue near 76th Street around 3:30 a.m. That is on the border of Gaines and Byron townships. The KCSO said the vehicle did not stop when deputies tried to initiate a traffic stop and, instead, led them on a chase into Allegan County. “Allegan County and Wayland Police assisted with the pursuit and were able to deploy spike strips and disable the vehicle,” Brunner said in an email response for this article. “The driver and passenger both ran from the car, but were later apprehended by Allegan County law enforcement in the City of Wayland.” The KCSO says it took into custody a 16-year-old female and a 15-year-old male from Grand Rapids. Information about where and when the vehi­ cle was stolen was not pro­ vided. No further informa­ tion was provided about charges against the two teenagers. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023/ Page 11 \ T Trojans and Scots TK cuts 18-point deficit down to one Bh' pB rep for districts at 1 yron Center meet Brett Bremer Sports Editor Cedar Springs protected its home court Tuesday, avoiding Brett Bremer Bulldogs had scores of 236.4 a sweep of the OK Gold Sports Editor in round one, 231.48 in round Conference season series by The Thomapple Kellogg two and 318.5 in round three. the Thomapple Kellogg varsi­ and Caledonia varsity compet­ Grandville added scores of ty by holding on for a 57-56 itive cheer teams tuned-up for 230.66 in round two and 314.9 win over the Trojans. this weekend’s MHSAA in round three. TK won the meeting in District Tournaments by com­ The Trojans were fourth Middleville early in the season peting in the Byron Center among all the teams in round by three points. An impressive Invitational Saturday, Feb. 11. three with a score of 310.6. TK comeback bid that came in The TK girls were fifth and the opened the day with a 232.6 waves by the Trojans came up Fighting Scots tenth in a group of score in round one and then just short in the end Tuesday. 11 Division 1 and 2 teams. added 208.8 points in round two Kyle VanHaitsma hit a Brighton took the day’s after an eight-point deduction. three-pointer with nine secchampionship with a score of Caledonia had scores of207.8 onds left to get TK within a 786.38 points, ahead of in round one, 172.02 in round point after the Trojans had Grandville 782.76, Hudsonville two and 278 in round three. trailed by as many as 18 points 764.54, Rockford 763.1, TK was set to host its in the second half. Thomapple Kellogg 752, MHSAA Division 2 District Cedar Springs led by five Byron Center 725.24, Zeeland Tournament in Middleville last points at the intermission and West 700.8, Caledonia 657.82 night, Feb. 10. The top four and Zeeland East 570. teams from districts across the Grandville opened the day state this weekend earn spots in with a score of 237.2 that had the regional round of the state the OK Red Conference cham­ tournament next weekend. pion Bulldogs in the lead, but Caledonia is at Rockford Brett Bremer Brighton had the top round tonight, Feb. 18, for its Sports Editor two and three scores of the MHSAA Division 1 District The Thomapple Kellogg meet to pull in front Brighton’s Tournament. varsity wrestling team has six guys who will be wrestling in today’s (Feb. 18) MHSAA Division 2 Individual Regional Tournament at Lowell High School after their top four fin­ ishes in Allendale last Saturday, Feb. 11. Thomapple Kellogg seniors Kyron Zoet and Austin Chivis won championships at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual District Tournament hosted by Allendale. TK also got run­ ner-up finishes from Christien Miller, Zack Gibson and Jackson Curtis and a fourth­ place performance from Dylan Pauline. The top four in each weight class Saturday in Lowell earn spots in the March 3-4 MHSAA Individual State Finals at Amelia Boersma of Miss Jonker’s second grade Ford Field in Detroit. Zoet class at Lee Elementary and her classmates take part and Gibson will be wrestling in the final Jump Rope for Heart session Tuesday after­ to be four-time state qualifi­ noon in Middleville. Led by physical education teacher ers. Zoet is a two-time state Samuel Thaler, Lee students raised $24,234 for the medalist and Gibson has American Heart Association during the annual event. ended each of this three var- then quickly pushed its lead to double figures in the third quarter. The lead grew to as many as 18 points, but TK knocked that down to eight at 47-39 at the end ofthe third. The Red Hawks bumped their advantage back up to 12 points early in the fourth. Thomapple Kellogg sopho­ more Jacob Draaisma scored in transition with a little over five and a halfminutes to play to get the Cedar Springs lead back down to ten and then he was fouled a minute later shooting a three and drilled three free throws to cut the deficit to seven. The Red Hawks’ lead stayed in single digits the rest of the way. Defense spurred the Trojan comeback A Red Hawk turnover led to a lay-up for TK’s Tyler Gavette with a little over two and a halfminutes to play, and TK got another quick bucket off asteal by Kyle VanHaitsma. The Red Hawk lead was down to four points with 2:22 to go. The deficit was two points, 55-53, after Gavette attacked the rim for another basket with 35 seconds remaining, but the Red Hawks answered with an open lay-up behind the TK press to boost the advantage back to four points at 57-53 with 26 seconds to go. Gavette missed a comer three at the other end, and a Trojan foul had the Red Hawks inbounding the ball behind their own basket in the back-court. VanHaitsma snagged a wild inbounds pass that was tipped by Gavette to get his chance at the late triple that got his team within one. By the time Cedar Springs inbounded the ball and the Trojans got a foul there were only eight tenths of a second left. The Red Hawks just fired the ball into the TK back-court to run offthe final ticks. It is the first conference win ofthe season for the Red Hawks who improved to 1-10 in the OK Gold and 3-14 overall. TK saw its record fall to 2-9 in the conference and 2-15 overall with the loss. The Trojans were sched­ uled to visit Kenowa Hills Friday, Feb. 17. They will visit Forest Hills Eastern Tuesday and then host Ottawa Hills Friday in the week ahead. TK has six earn spots in D2 regional Lee students jump for heart health during annual fundraiser mlH it Mi Wtiki jl Thornapple Township 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW Notice to all township taxpayers: The 2023 Board of Review lor the Townshap of Thomapple will meet at the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville, Michigan on these dates: w March 6 - Organization Day 9am Monday, March 13, 2023 9 a m to 12 Noon, 1 to 4.00 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2023 8am to 12 Noon; 6 to 8pm CALL 269-795-7202 To make appointment with the Board of Review (Written appeals accepted until March 16, 2023) li’M The tentative recommended equalization ratios and estimated multipliers (factors) necessary to compute individual state equalized values of real property in the Township of Thornapple, Barry County: RATIO(%) AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL PERSONAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTAL TIMBER-CUTOVER 195302 44.09% 47.65% 49.89% 42.31% 50.00 MULTIPLIER 1.1340 1.0493 1.0022 1.1818 1.00000 None in Class None in Class Eric Schaefer, Thornapple Township Supervisor sity wrestling seasons so far on the medal stand at the finals. Zoet took his district title in Allendale with an 8-1 win over Otsego’s Lane Blanchard in their 132-pound champion­ ship match. The win moved Zoet’s record to 43-4 this sea­ son. His toughest match ofthe tournament run was a 9-5 win over Holland’s Luis Barajas in the district semifinals. Chivis qualified for the state finals for the first time last sea­ son. He moved his record to 17-1 this year by winning the 175-pound championship Saturday. He took an 8-0 win over Plainwell’s Luke Lyons in the semifinals Saturday and then pinned Jeremy VanderMolen from Allendale in the first period of the 175pound championship match. In the 144-pound bracket, Gibson pinned his first two foes but was upended 4-1 by Wayland’s Lane Button in the championship match. Gibson is now 41-2 on the season while Button upped his record to 42-2. Both ofGibson’s loss- es this season have come against Wayland wrestlers, but Gibson defeated Button in their previous meeting this season in the OK Gold Conference Tournament. Curtis, another returning state medalist for the Trojans, reached the 150-pound cham­ pionship with two pins fol­ lowed by a 13-3 major decision over Coopersville’s Logan Bennett Saturday. Allendale’s Harrison Meekhof won by injury default over Curtis in the championship round. Miller, a sophomore, and Pauline, a freshman, will be wrestling in Lowell for their first state finals appearances. Miller was the runner-up at in the match for third. TK sophomore Jayce Curtis reached the blood round at 165 pounds, but came up one win shy of qualifying for regionals. He was bested by Allendale’s Joshua VanderMolen in their conso­ lation semifinal 14-4. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING | MINUTES Monday, February 13,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved 106 pounds in Allendale. He as amended with the addition of: 1/19/23 Special Meeting Minutes, needed just 19 seconds each Attachment to the EMS Com­ time to pin his first two foes, mittee Meeting Minutes, and the but he was bested 7-3 by Township Clerk's letter of resigAllendale’s Jaxon Ramos in nation. 3. Approved motion to enter the 106-pound title bout. into an agreement with the VilPauling edged Wayland’s lage of Middleville for the cost of Danny Keena 7-5 in the blood $1,900.00 for 2023 to maintain a round, the consolation semifi-portion of the trail in the township. , 4. Approved motion to send nals, to secure his regional Bryan Finkbeiner to the annual place and then fell 10-2 to MRWA conference for an amount Allendale’s Payton Paguada NTE $1,100.00 for the purpose of maintaining his operator’s license and to be paid from the Duncan Lake Sewer O & M account. 5. Approved motion to pur­ chase a wire tracer for the Dun­ can Lake Sewer System for a cost Charter Township of Gaines, County of Kent, Ml NTE $3,400.00. 6. Approved motion to adopt Policy # 01 -2023 to replace Policy The Gaines Charter Township Board of Review for March 2023 will be held at the # 01 -2021. The new policy allows Township Office located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml to hear for “Single Source” items. appeals regarding 2023 assessments. 7. Approved motion to hire one part-time EMT/Firefighter. The Gaines Charter Township March Board of Review will meet on the fol­ 8. Approved motion to allow lowing dates: Medical Management to process cost recovery for the Fire Depart­ • Tuesday, March 7, 2023,9:00 AM: Organizational Meeting ment. • Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Appeals Hearings 9. Approved motion to replace the brush truck’s bed and tail gate • Thursday, March 16, 2023,1:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Appeals Hearings at a cost NTE $7,200.00. The Board of Review will meet as many more days as necessary to hear protests 10. Addition from the January and equalize the 2023 assessments. By Board resolution, taxpayers may protest 9,2023, board meeting: Approved by letter sent to 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 or by email to motion to appoint Vance Hoskins, Steve Baldry, Dave Kiel, and Mar­ megan.vanhoose@gainestownship.org, provided the protest is received before 5:00 tin Wenger (alternate) to a 2-year PM Thursday, March 16, 2023. term on the Board of Review. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Prepared by and personal property for 2023 are as follows: Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. 46.47 1.0760 Commercial 46.38 1.0781 Agricultural Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric 1.1343 Developmental NC 44.08 NC Residential Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes 1.0645 Personal Property 50.00 46.97 1.0000 Industrial are available upon request from Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Notice the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapThe Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with dis­ ple-twp.org/meeting-minutes/ Of­ abilities at the Board of Review meetings upon seven (7) days’ notice. fice hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Contact Kim Triplett at 616-504-4332 195382 2023 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023 An abundance of shots helps Bucs beat the Scots Junior Jaiden Googins pushes the attack for the Fighting Scots during the second half as Grand Haven's Eli Wachter (20) gives chase Friday, Feb. 10, at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Grand Haven senior Harrison Sorrell drilled a three-pointer to close the first quarter and another to open the second to turn a tie game into one where the Buccaneers had a six-point lead Friday, Feb. 10, at Caledonia High School. The Fighting Scots were held scoreless for much of the first four minutes of the second quarter and the Buccaneers led the rest of the way in a 67-49 OK Red Conference victory. The Buccaneers outscored the Scots 20-9 in that second quarter and led 40-26 at the half. Sorrell finished the ball­ game with 28 points. Those were the only two threes he hit on the night. “Harrison is a great play­ er,” Caledonia head coach Phil Visser said. “He shakes my hand before the game and says, ‘one last hurrah here,’ and I’m like ‘man, I am going to be glad to not see you across from us next year.’ “Mason [McKenzie] has his hand right in [Sorrell’s] face and he buries it. He comes back and Mason was even closer and he buries it again. It’s one ofthose things where you can’t ask our kids to do any better than what we’re doing. He just hit real­ ly two tough shots back-toback, then when you go out there he can take you off the dribble. He scores 20-plus a Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com game for a reason. He is a really good player. I thought we did a pretty good job on him.” The Buccaneers also got 17 points from senior guard Joey Basil who hit three three’s and 8 points from senior Eli Wachter. Caledonia cut the 14-point halftime deficit in half in the first 80 seconds of the sec­ ond half with three quick buckets, but the Buccaneers put it back to a double digit lead before long and held it in double figures for most of the remainder of the bail­ game. As of Friday, the Scots were still adjusting to miss­ ing senior center Kaden DeHom, who is out for the remainder of the season with an injury. “Now we have to figure out how we’re going to take care of rebounding and take care of the ball,” Visser said. “Those are two big points of emphasis we’re working on. We have to take care of the ball. We have to rebound. “We just aren’t there right now,” he added. “I Caledonia junior Micah Ressler puts a shot up in the lane over Grand Haven’s Nate Stump during their OK Red match-up in Caledonia Friday, Feb. 10. (Photo by Brett Bremer) told the guys afterwards, we were blessed to have Kaden underneath cleaning up the boards for the first two thirds of the season. Now we have to figure out who is going to step up and help us out next to take care of that part of the game for us.” Between some rebound­ ing issues and 15 turnovers, Grand Haven put up 22 more field goal attempts than the Scots did on Friday night. The Buccaneers had 10 offensive rebounds as a team. The Scots had some of their best success offensively with senior point guard Elijah Holt and junior guard Maddox Greenfield taking advantage of their speed off the dribble. “Eli is quick. He can get by people and get downhill, which is basically how we get rolling in our offense,” Visser said. “Grand Haven did a good job of just col­ lapsing and making sure he couldn’t get through there. Then, they have big kids down there, and you have to try and land on two and kick and then try and get down­ hill again. Maddox did a great job getting downhill and had a couple big baskets for us.” Visser said his guys actu­ ally shot the ball really well Friday, hitting over 50 per­ cent of their field goal attempts, there just weren’t enough attempts. Junior forward Jaiden Googins led the Scots with 14 points. Holt finished with 12 points and junior guard Ky VanderWoude had 11 points. Caledonia is now 5-11 overall this season and 2-9 in the OK Red Conference after a 65-61 loss to visiting West Ottawa Tuesday. The Scots were set to host East Kentwood last night, Feb. 17, and will be back in action in the week ahead tak­ ing on Rockford in Caledonia Tuesday and at Jenison Friday, Feb. 24. Your local agent insures your termJ F4ffM BUREAU INSURANCE* insurance CotKpa^, Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Fighting Scot guard Elijah Wood disrupts a breakaway attempt at the hoop by Grand Haven’s Jacob Derenne (10) with a foul during the first half of their OK Red Conference ballgame in Caledonia Friday, Feb. 10. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18,2023/ Page 13 Scots struggle to put it through hoop in loss to Bucs Caledonia senior Cadence Bommarito looks to pass the ball ahead after steal­ ing it away from Grand Haven’s Maddie Schopf during the second half Friday, Feb. 10, at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer It was even a rough night at that on the floor, but there are Sports Editor the free throw line. The Scots also times where we are revert­ There are things the Scots were just 3-of-10 at the line in ing to back to some things that can do to get easier shots, but the first half. we are better than, that we have there were also plenty of easy The Buccaneers led 24-7 at moved past. When you’re ones that just didn’t go down the half, and the Scots were struggling sometimes that is Friday night, Feb. 10, in a 47-25 never able to get the deficit what you do. It is your mecha­ loss to visiting Grand Haven in below 15 points in the second nism for coping. Trying to just OK Red Conference action. half. do everything. Ifyou’re down That was the lowest scoring “Basketball is such a diffi­ eight you try and get an eight­ output of the season for the cult sport to play,” Bloemers point play instead of realizing Scots, who are now 5-14 over­ said. “It just is. There are so that it isjust four possessions of all and 2-9 in the conference many skills, and the mental great basketball that is what following a 64-57 loss at West piece and everything. It is such you need. You need to lock in.” Ottawa Tuesday, Feb. 14. a challenge. I think we need to Haywood led the Scots with A single free throw by senior just continue to face that chal­ 8 points in the loss. Gracie guard Kiana Haywood was the lenge with an attitude where Gortmaker had 5 points and only score for the Fighting we want to leam and grow, senior center Kendall Benson Scots through nearly nine min­ and we want to get better from finished with 4 points. Senior Heidi Berkey led utes to open the ballgame our mistakes. “Right now, there are times Grand Haven with 16 points. against the Buccaneers. Senior guard Gracie Gortmaker had a where we show glimpses of Junior Maddie Schopf fintough miss inside in the open­ ing moments and Haywood had a steal and a break that was thwarted at the rim. “Those are such confidence boosters, because it trims the lead, but it also gives you more bounce in your step on defense,” Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said of the shots that wouldn’t fall around the basket Friday. “When you’re making baskets you’re more likely to be a great communicator and more engaged. I just credit our girls for continuing to grind and show grit and just try to play tough when nothing was going well. “I credit Grand Haven they’re a physical and wellcoached team, and I think they did some tilingsjust keeping it busy abound the basket with a Caledonia senior Kendall Benson puts a shot up in lot of high hands, and they’re pretty physical on your body. the paint over Grand Haven’s Heidi Berkey during the Sometimes [missing shots] is first half of their OK Red Conference bailgame in what happens ifyou focus on Caledonia Feb. 10. (Photo by Brett Bremer) what is going on more around the basket than focusing on finishing the play.” Grand Haven led 7-1 at the end ofthe first quarter and 11-1 into the second before Gortmaker scored 58 seconds into the second quarter. A cou­ ple more free throws from Haywood and a bucket by sophomore guard Lily Gortmaker in the closing moments ofthe half accounted for all tiie rest of the Scots’ scoring before the intermission. That last bucket camejust after Lily was unable to convert at the basket after the Caledonia press led to her getting a steal. Caledonia senior guard Kiana Haywood is hampered from all sides by Grand Haven’s Grace Harrison (21) and Eden Smith (22) as she tries to get a shot up in the paint during the first half of their OK Red Conference bailgame at Caledonia High School Friday, Feb. 10. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ished with 9 points and junior Emersen Berndt added 8. Grand Haven went into this weekend’s action with a 14-5 overall record and a 6-5 mark in the OK Red. “We want to be playing better basketball,” Bloemers said. “We can’t chase score- boards. We just want to chase our best. I think that ifwe can focus on doing that and we can just channel our energy into making the extra pass, being fundamental in our rebound­ ing and communicating on defense I think our girls will see a world ofdifference in the outcome ofthose efforts.” Caledonia was set to host East Kentwood last night, Feb. 10, and will be back in action in the conference to close out die regular season in the week ahead. The Scots visit Rockford Tuesday and then travel to Jenison Friday, Feb. 24. Scots find scoring touch in third period of loss to Northview Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity hockey team rallied as best it could in the third period Wednesday, but couldn’t come from behind to beat the Northview Wildcats at Griffs Icehouse. Northview took an 8-5 Fischer Division win over the Fighting Scots, scoring five goals in the opening period. The Wildcats car­ ried that five-goal lead into the third period where the two teams combined for eight goals. The Fighting Scots got three power play goals from Henry Simon in the third period, with two coming off assists from teammate Russell Langenburg. Alex Skibinski and Zach Schneider both scored for the Scots in the third period as well. Harmon Esch had two assists for the Scots, and Alex Skibinski, Drew Sova and Hunter Wilson added one each as well. The Fighting Scots were 7-16 overall this season heading into this weekend’s action. They were set to visit Grand Haven Friday night, Feb. 17, and will be on the road at Hudsonville this afternoon, Feb. 18. Last weekend, East Grand Rapids took a 9-1 win over the Scots at Kentwood Ice Arena. Skibinski had the lone goal for the Scots with assists going to Logan Himes and Aidan Wilson. East Grand Rapids was powered by two goals and two assists from Tyler Sikkenga. Charlie Hoekstra scored twice for the Pioneers too. 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Byron Center High School. their tournament run come to Meduna got a quick escape of of his his own own in the third period and the two tw battled on their pulling out a 5-4 win over feet for a minute before Ottow Byron Center’s Blake Ottow scored a take down that gave in the semifinals. M . e duna needed him a 4-3 lead with 50 sec­ Finals. The points onds left to wrestle. Ottow Meduna wrestled to a run­ Ottow came in the for 40 ner-up ns in n the 175-pound finagl tenysseconds oftheir semi­ held Meduna down f the MHSAA f f i i nal l ten seconds before the Scot senior weight class at final match. m Meduna scored a scored the reversal that put Division 1 Individual District poerwiond.a Omminute ttionwuteanininto stwoetrthe heed him in in ffront for good. Tournament hosted by Grand tfairkset d aturiday.d Etwith a quick escape and thenThat victory clinched Haven last Saturday. Meduna pinned East VanDemark earns The top four in each weight class today earn a spot in the March 3-4 State Finals. Forest Hills Northern’s Chris Arrington took a 10-1 win in over Meduna in the 175- an CCarrow end.ow reached eched the ute the quarter­ pound final. Caledonia’s James Carrow in the 126-pound weight class came close to joining Meduna Meuna in the regional. He reached the finals of the championship bracket with a pm of Grandville’s Cole Gritter to start the day, Grand Haven s Logan Linoghaisn Vining took a 7-0 win in his quarterfinal match with Carrow. Carrow rebounded by round. Caledonia also had Connor Sebel and Logan White score wins at the district tourna- pm- ment. Caledonia will also be sending participants to the MHSAA Girls’ Red 1 Regional in Grayling Sunday, Feb. 19. irettWur11n1 t”rip“ to MHSAA Ski Finals ■ wtW111 Roethlisbergerr 13th and 4** ild’s teammate t Abby I in the GS. He was only Peckham was <** Ulbrich placed 18th to earn re gional t title with 43 points, ’t’tHimes of 45.56 and 44.75. 19 hundredths of a second, i Brett Bremer the last state qualifying spot. just st ahead of Bast Grand over the course of two runs 36 seconds the second time Hilton was 43rd in that event Sports Editor The SWMSC got one Rapids which finished with 4 The opening events were points. Grand Rapids Christian and just one place, behind down put her in seventh place and Kayli Price 49th. through on the boys’ side, $ At the beginning of the adventurous ones for a cou­ was third with 86 points. In the the last of the state qualifiers overall in the end. Mattawan/Paw Paw s Ian Madison season, our goal was to see Bradley who was the runple of the area’s top skiers. Fellow senior boys’ contest, East Grand in the event. our ner-up Rice had runs of 28.93 piainwell/Thornapple far behind improvementt in each of coach p in the slalom. He had id 28.78 seconds Nagel wasn ’ t too Lucy Rapids won the regional title seconds and skiers and we did,” ds Kellogg senior runs of33.60 and 32.28 which Jl£ her for the Trojan team in the , ahead of Grand Petrosky said of his girls. I VanDemark qualified for the wRiatphi5 d3s poCihnrtsis, GS, putting him m left him still nearly three sec­ slalom. The Trojans were seocroned Rapids Christian 79.5 and in14ththeplace know tenth t place is not onds behind East Grand overall with a state finals for the ;j0 West Catholic 132.5 in the top total time of 57.71. Of the fifth as a team in the event. something we have seen in a year in a row with a seventh Rapids’ Quinn Irwin, the Nagel had runs of 38.48 and top 12 racers, nine were from 37.42 that put her in 19th while, but we haven’t had a re gional champ, in the race. place finish in the slalom at three. East Grand Rapids did a team this young either. My the MHSAA Division 2 Ski Irwin had runs of 32.13 the race and the three state qualifying hosted by East greatjob hosting overall. s from East Grand place Regional a P c l e ai o n v w er e a ll/ . T K also had jaunndioartss led the way all season and 30.88 in the slalom. He an even better job keeping Rapids, Grand Rapids and at regional? their leaderGrand Rapids at Cannonsburg the slopieb lcoindithion 5s5asd good Christian and West Catholic, Whitney also won the t GS with runs of hitney Johnson 31st with >,k through. Mya Ski Area Tuesday. ns of 44.36 and 42.15 and s B h a ip ld w c i a n m e 27.49 and 27.19. atesm ppoesrsaitbulree inm tohree 5s5uitdeedg rfeoer allowing 13th-place finishers and Kyleigh allowing 13th-place finishers Ella Way 35th with runs of Baldwin VanDemark was a state Behind the top three in the more iit® Thompson have proven medalist in the giant slalom taembapseerbaatullre Connor Anderson from 4554 and 4564 Thomps ’’s team standings were a baseball asea gameora game or a tennis enns the slopes and [ [ b F o o y re s tiifc PlainwelV themselves on Cadillac to advance as well. N . l ld . h . Pli lV themselv at the 2022 Division 1 Ski Forest Hills Central with 201 Nagel led the match according to Caledonia off the slopes. Even when Anderson had identical runs I Finals. Now she’ll compete head coach Duane Petrosky. tough run, they points, Mattawan/Paw Paw troutnaslI TK girls in the GS with runst of 28.76 seconds for a toa in both events at the 2023 “1 arvee ca 208, Caledonia 215, Cadillac of 29.85 and 32.57 that putt tahreey thhe “Everyone at the meet was lift are there cheering on their Division 2 Ski Finals aret time of 57.52. 228.5, Spring Lake 238, lot of bright her in 27th-pla ce ov era ll. pleasantly surprised how ill II mates and are ready for “We had a scheduled for Feb. 27 at VanDemark had a tough team mates Lowell 240, Hackett/ well the snow held up for the1 spots in the race, including their next event. Boyne Mountain. Vicksburg 386.5, PlainwelV first run that ended in a race,” Petrosky said. “I did “Mya had a great first slaThe top three teams in the race,Petroskysaid.Idid taking fourth in GS [as a 49th-place time of 34.12. Her TK 432, South Haven 486 not have one course report of boys’ team],” Petrosky said. lom run and then on her secpiB boys’ and girls’ standings a rut or hole developing and “Our guys really like GS and second trip down the the GS GS run run ond run clipped a gate with her and Northview 561. rip down Tuesday earned spots in the Iill Behind Rice in the GS for our kids skied really well. excel at it even though 90 was the eighth fastest second e girls’ regional with ski causing it to cosm neot othffe. the Caledonia boys, Tyler. Iiikt excel at it even though 90 state finals, as well as the top run of the girls ’ regional with We had trained hard every percent of our training this Even though this was ten iindividuals in both the n was withBrayden runs of a time of 29.79. That combo result she had hoped for, Mya D29e64 chance we had this season year and22nd 2900 year has been slalom. The slalom and giant slalom. in 36th overall at the and my skiers were ready. cour really matched had her in cleared her head and finished . an . . rayen course sets r There was also a minimum tied for 30th with runs end of the event Johnson We skied our hearts out but s oonf the race leading our team in Smith the training that we had the of four individual state qual­ of 29.92 and 29.93. Luke placed 39th with runs o were just not fast enough to Clem GS. Both Baldwin and Shuster placed 33rd with int previous day and the guys ifiers in each event not from 31.71 and 33.04. move up beyond 6th place in nailed down great runs. did Murzyn was fourth in the Thompson have been the times of 29.73 and 30.15. the state qualifying teams. the pack of 13 teams.” founldatiotn b ofour rdebuildf tahnd I Caledonia was eighth in Rice’s performance VanDemark was the lone nil scoring ing for the Trojans with With the girls on the sla­ could not be prouder of these state qualifier from the him a spot on the all-re­ times of 31.87 and 33.15 that 1M1 the slalom as a boys’ team. lom slope to start the day earn two woousanngyounga outstanding young ladies. es. Dean led the Trojan Ski teamss or the led athned the way with runs u® Tuesday, the boys were on gion team. putB heehri nind 4 3trhde o vtehrraelle. state DaEroaostg Ge rlaendd aR Papi oindes’erH gainrnlsa Dean Dofea3n7.l1e5d Caledonia varsity teams. The VanDemark of course of 37.15 and 35.68 that had tn Plainwell/TK girls and the the GS run. earned all-region honors as qualidfiying teams in the girillls’ team that had all six girls; 1 h1 imd ifn tha tdie for 21st at the Caledonia senior Sean •tri Caledonia boys both earned well for her slalom finish. She ssCCtan tdinllgs hh,, d F1o7r4es5t Hiiltls among the top 14 in the sla- 'eewnnd idth oof rfu tthe nhse odday. fa Rice was 39th Rice just missed earning one Hill 35.33 second run her tandin gs among had a sixth-place finishes. s of 37.70 and 37.41. of the additional state finals’ Central had 174.5 points,t the slalom wt runs Cadillac won the girls’ DJ Potgeter placed 30th with Spring Lake 229, PlainwelVrt lorinth. Stihe wonf with times of 33.74 and TK times of 39.44 and 36.00. TK 237, 237, Mattawan/Paw Mattawan/Paw Paw Pawr 33.10 and placed third in the 194979 Phone: 616.891.0070 291 Hackett Catholic Prep/ Smith rounded out the scorUn Fax:616.891-0430 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Vicksburg g 321, Grand GS.Cadillac had the fastest isncgorger othua pt with a 35th-place lift Caledonia, MI 49316 score that included runs off M Rapids Catholic Central GS squad on the day led by 330..5,, Caledonia 331, 39.19 and 38.36. champion Charter Township of Caledonia Northview 381 and South individual “Slalom at Cannonsburg is Georgette Sake who had Kent County - Michigan tough due to the flat area Haven 457. led times of 26.15 and 28.47. from the start to the head­ Mya Baldwin 2023 March Board of Review The GS was a good race Caledonia in the GS with wall,” Petrosky said. “The for the Southwest Michigan times of 31.04 and 32.66 that March 7th, 2023 Org. Meeting - 8:00AM teams that race here all the Ski Conference girls as three Tuesday: put her 35th overall. Kyleigh time have a big advantage, members of the conference Thompson had runs of 31.44 that includes the Trojans and but bhuatr dour o aunrd gsus ukyies really pushed Appeal dates: March 13th, 20239:00AM - 3:00PM and 32.94 that put her in hard and skied it well at this Monday: Fighting Scots qualified for 37th. The Caledonia team March 14th, 2023 3:00PM -9:00PM the state finals in the event. face.” Tuesday: also had Liz Hilton 51st and Liam Troutner led the Prep/I Plainwell/TK team Hackett Catholic Wild in the Erin Peckham 52nd. Vicksburg’s Lauren Thompson was at the front GS, an even in which he was tenth in the GS, 8196 Broadrno°^^tfpS S offi^by Thursday, March Ma 9, 2023 of the Scots’ slalom pack placed 25th overall with runs Mattawan/PawPaw’s Anna Written appeals must be in with runs of 43.64 and 41.97 of 29.49 and 29.47. The The 2023 equalization tentative will ratios estimated multipliers for the Lhader ?ow qnshipot Caledonia be and as foll Trojan team also had Elijah l be as follows. ■ThARTERTOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Korreck 46th, Mark Gielincki 55th and Travis BOARD OF TRUSTEES Fstimated multiplier s Tentatiyg-RatiQ Agricultural: Commercial: Industrial: Residential: Personal: 47.92 46.63 43.52 44.95 50.00 1.0434 1.0723 1.1489 1.1123 1.0000 overall. ffiirrsstt t tiimee downtthe hiilll,, whiicch was the sixth fastest first run among the t girls. Her time of 3w4thh w wiitthh w’ Meeting Minutes The minutes for the February 1, 2023 Township Board of on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. Supervisor: Bryan Harrison Acc-pcgor: Laura Stob ____ Barton 57th. Korreck and Sam Bacon were the only two Trojan _~guys to complete both sla­ lom runs. Korreck placed 41st and Bacon 52nd. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 18, 2023/ Page 15 §< Vikings plan for plenty of PR’s at OK Red Championship Brett Bremer 1>> ' WW. IL Sl!» l! s '»< toWjj, *% Si 1 »Ll. rttai 'total IfoiKh toltjiljt Trilli I Mita si Ml* am M miijii KlbtJi'H injrii 'MW ftrlKlk '.RictwB jjtoM jjaUiS IldM tak® i# W*< Sports Editor Todd DeJong pulled a small red box of Choceur chocolates out of his bag Monday night at Rockford High School. He was only going to have to hand out two of them to members of his Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian var­ sity boys’ swimming and diving team after a tough 166-102 OK Red Conference loss to the host Rams, but that’s okay. He’s planning on passing about a bunch more the weekend of Feb. 24-25 when Grand Haven hosts the OK Red Conference Championship Meet. “Every race, I give out these little chocolate bars,” said DeJong, the first-year head coach of the CLS boys’ program. “It is nothing great. They don’t get ribbons. They don’t get medals. There are three different flavors. I tell them you drop your time and you get one of these. They fight for them.” Austin Tufts earned one by dropping his time to 1 minute 3.59 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle in a per­ formance that earned him the runner-up points in the race. Teammate Ruben Baker fol­ lowed up with a season-best time of 7:33.44 in the 500yard freestyle which put him in fourth place in that race and dropped his previous best by more than 10 sec­ onds. “We’re doing great,” DeJong said. “We are doing great. Our times are drop­ ping. This is the one meet where our times did not drop. That’s okay, because we’re coming to conference the 24^ through the 25^, and this is the time we’re going to taper. We’re going to take all that hard work, we have pushed them hard, and now we can taper and take it into that conference meet. “I told them from the beginning we’re not going to win meets guys. We’re just going to go against the clock and then when we taper we’re going to watch our­ selves really hit it hard. This is not our year. This is the first year that I am coaching. It’s a young team. Some of the kids on this team, they have never swam before. We’re just trying to make a bigger team. We’re trying to build it and make it more.” The Vikings were 0-7 in their OK Red Conference duals this season, with teams like Rockford often keeping the scores respectable limit­ ing their depth a bit by hav­ ing guys capable of scoring swim exhibition races throughout a dual. The Vikings weren’t at their peak Monday, and they weren’t planning to be. DeJong said the guys told him the first week ofpractice that he had them doing twice the work they’ve done in recent seasons. The Viking coach said he’s really been pushing them lately. “When you’re doing your sets you’re not going to get much rest. You’re doing say 20 100’s,” DeJong said describing a tough practice session. “You’re going to have to do them in such a way that maybe you have five seconds and then you’re on the next one, you’re on the next one, you’re on the next one. You’re not going to have a chance to get the body to relax and rest, you’re just kind of beating it down so that when you do relax with the . taper then you can go strong.” DeJong is looking forward to growing the program in the years to come, and all the Vikings have their sights set on the day that the Caledonia Schools pool currently under construction is ready for racing. “The best thing about this, these guys enjoy each other,” DeJong said. “ They like being with each other. They push each other. They’re just great sportsmen, and for a team that loses as much as they do, it doesn’t bother them. They know how to look at the other aspects of it and really get a lot out of it. Every bit of it. They’re a team that’s wonderful. I couldn’t ask for a better team. Some people would love a winning team. I will, but it’s going to be. a few year. This is the beginning. They have started the begin- ning of what is going to become a great, great team.” Rockford already has a great team, and the Rams had their greatest diving perfor­ mance ever on Monday eve­ ning. Julian Cardenas broke the Rockford High School pool and school records for a 6-dive competition by put­ ting up a score of 373.55. Cardenas capped off his performance with reverse dive with 1.5 somersaults and 2.5 twits that earned an 8.0, an 8.0 and a 7.0 from the three judges and scored him 69.00 points — and it wasn't even his highest scoring dive of the competition. “He’s on tonight,” one of his teammates whispered over to another on the bench after his first dive of the eve­ ning. The CLS team doesn’t have a' diver to compete in the OK Red this winter. Corbin Herrington won two individual events for the Rams, taking the 200-yard freestyle in 1:55.72 and the 500-yard freestyle in 5:11.72. Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian’s Anders Foerch was the runner-up in the 500yard freestyle with a time of 6:06.19. Rockford had the top three scoring performances, at least, in each of the first six events of the night, before Tuft got the runner-up points in the 100-yard freestyle. In that opening slate of races, Sam Jones led CLS in the 200-yard freestyle with a fifth place time of 2:20.44. Connor Cammet led the way in the 200-yard individual medley with a fourth place time of in 2:42.31, Foerch had a fourth place time of 27.63 seconds in the 50-yard and Ethan freestyle Vanderveen was fifth in the 100-yard butterfly in 1:12.71. Vanderveen had a run­ ner-up time of 1:17.01 in the 100-yard backstroke and Cammet was the runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:18.37. The CLS team of Josh Behm, Foerch, Jones and m®$itH* uilk iati* ,0 irf1* j|l® yii / *» CLS’s Austin Tufts races to a sixth-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle during his team’s OK Red Conference dual at Rockford Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Senior Connor Cammet competes in the breaststroke leg of the 200-yard med­ ley relay to open the Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian team’s OK Red Conference dual at Rockford Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) CLS senior Ethan Vanderveen races through the water in the butterfly leg of the 200-yard individual medley Monday at Rockford High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian senior Josh Behm swims the backstroke leg of the 200-yard individual medley during his team’s OK Red Conference dual at Rockford Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Gabe Verlin placed second in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:46.28 and the team of Coen Crocker, Sam Lusaya, Corey Sandman and Baker had a winning time of 5:06.61 in the 400-yard freestyle relay. The senior Cammet and junior Luke DeJager, who just might be the team’s most talented swimmer but was unable compete Monday, are the two Viking captains that coach DeJong is thankful for this winter. The Rockford team of Jake Herrington, Andrew Lepech, Ben Seymour and Will Cheney won the 200yard medley relay to start the night Monday in 1:43.03. Cheney added a victorious time of 2:10.59 in the 200yard individual medley. Seymour won the 100-yard freestyle in 50.87 seconds. Jake Herrington added a winning time of 1 ”00.45 in the 100-yard backstroke. The Rams also had Nate Gerhard win the 50-yard freestyle in 26.18, Jake Hopkins win the 100-yard butterfly in 59.72, Slavic Yuguy win the 100-yard breaststroke in 1:11.13 and the team of Lepech, Cheney, Hayden Hindman and Logan Stevens win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:34.32. Caledonia Community Schools has two Request For Proposals published for consideration: High School Weight Room Flooring and Middle School Classroom Furniture. The RFP, information, and contacts can be found on our website at https://www.calschools.org/ departments/business-services/request-forproposals-bids/ �Page 16/T|j£.§gn and News, Saturday, February 18,2023 Youngsters help lit girls to second OK Gold win The minutes that she had she. Sports Editor made the most of them, and Playing at home for the she earned her starting first time in more than three spot.” She got her first start in a weeks, the Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ bas­ conference contest at Forest ketball team scored its sec­ Hills Eastern last month, and ond OK Gold Conference spent time at the top of the win of the season Tuesday Trojans’ zone as it went to .ffl^W^fprinss night, j. j, < ; night The TK ladies avenged a January loss at Cedar Springs by scoring a 42-36 win over starting freshman, led rhe'5 the Red Hawks in Trojans with 14 points in the win oyer {he Hed Hawks. Middleville. “They• are very, very Some things have changed for the Trojans since they fell strongfor their age,” James said of her underclassmen. by four points in that Jan. 17 meeting between the two “We’re a young team; We’re trying to learn, and grind, teams. Freshman guard Tealy and get it done. Our senior Cross has worked her way leaders have been great to into the starting line-up. That kind of pass the torch and puts two freshmen and a kind of keep it smooth. I am sophomore in the starting proud of them.” line-up along with senior She is trying not to give point guard Peyton Stahl and the youngsters too many senior center Alana Compton. responsibilities. Pratt’s skill­ Freshman Jordan Pranger set might be more of a shoot­ and sophomore Emma ing guard or small forward, Geukes have been with the but her experience and poise Thornapple Kellogg guard Peyton Pratt looks to TK varsity since the start of have had her running the keep the passing lanes filled between Cedar Springs’ the season. point for much of this season Sophia Alvarez (4) and her teammates during the sec“This team is special,” for the Trojans. ond half in Middleville Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett TK head coach Brandi “Our younger girls are our Bremer) James said. “I am starting point guard of the future, but two freshmen and a sopho­ Pratt is doing a fantastic job Pratt to be the one making Cross had 7 points more. There is a lot good to of leading by example and decision against pressure in Tuesday. Compton finished say about the future of our taking care of it and doing the back-court and knows with 11 points for TK. program because they are so the one’s job right now so that her ability to penetrate The Trojans led strong. We pulled [Cross] that I don’t have to ask that and pass on the offensive end Tuesday’s bailgame from up from JV for a couple of of an underclassman,” James of the floor makes things start to finish. They had a fifth quarter games and then said. much easier on the shooters 19-15 lead at the half and she really proved herself. The Trojan coach trusts around her. quickly pushed the lead to 30-16 in the third quarter by knocking down a few free throws and getting back-toback three-pointers from Geukes and Pranger in the first half of the quarter. A couple of Trojan misses inside, a couple Cedar Springs offensive rebounds and a TK turnover or two in the first half of the fourth quarter allowed the Red Hawks to cut the TK lead to 9 points with three minutes to go. Senior Cylie Bums banked in a three-pointer to cut the TK lead to 5 points with 2:40 to go. Cedar Springs got as close as 38-34 with 2:08 to play after a couple free throws by Bums following a Trojan technical foul. Pranger arid senior Payton Stahl both knocked down a pair of free throws in the final two minutes to help TK preserve a two-possession lead the rest of the way. “We needed that,” James said. “Our conference is so tough. We rallied together as Brett Bremer Members - bring a f riend for FREE in February! Ifyour friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.9483139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off right and enjoy all -that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectnifnhealth.org Spectrum Health a team against all of our opponents, but it is good to have a victory over a team that has already beaten us this season and show improvement. We focused on improving what we can control tonight, and it showed. “The teamwork, and ball movement, and taking care of the basketball [were bet­ ter than the first meeting]. This [Cedar Springs] team is very feisty when you play against them. They will Thornapple Kellogg sophomore guard Emma Geukes puts a shot up during her team’s OK Gold Conference win over visiting Cedar Springs Tuesday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg freshman Tealy Cross is knocked across the arm by Cedar Springs’ Jessa Patin in the paint as she tries to get a shot up during the second half of the Trojans’ OK Gold Win over the Red Hawks Tuesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) jump passes. They’re going to anticipate. They’re going to do the little disciplined things oil defense, so we need to be disciplined on offense with our passes and not just throw it quick and play hot potato. We did a good job of settling into our offense, taking our time and that got us good scoring rather Senipri than j^ie^oring. .^y all records. TK sat at 2-9 in the OK Gbld Conference: after the Win and Cedar Springs was 3-8 -in confer-ence play heading into this) weekend’s action. TK was set to visit Kenowa Hills Friday night. The Trojans will be home against Forest Hills Eastern Tuesday and then play host to Ottawa grills Friday,JaKjAtttocloap CedarSprjh^swilh;12points :’-Sou outh'Christian-scored a Sophdffl W^r^^^FW^^^enYojans Scheuneman had 8 and Burns finished with 7 points. Both teams came out of the ballgame with 4-15 over- in Byron Center last Friday, the Sailors second win of the season over the TK ladies. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-02-25.pdf 45b3da9cae11495453a7eed150d795d1 PDF Text Text Thessaa -I jjjl1. R-WTW Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 8/ February 25, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Superintendent questioned on Dutton bond proposal at first Dialogue with Doc’ session Greg Chandler StaffWriter Early on a Wednesday morning at Sprinkles Donut Shop in Caledonia, Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin stood in front of a large blackboard, speaking to a small gathering of about a half-dozen residents, making his case for community sup­ port of the upcoming May bond issue. The 7 a.m. gathering was the first of five Dialogue with Doc sessions, where Martin explained the ratio­ nale for the $61 million bond issue that includes construc­ tion of a new Dutton Elementary School at the southeast comer of 76th. K Street and Patterson Avenue. The proposal goes before voters on May 2. Martin said that the size of the current Dutton building - it’s the smallest of Caledonia’s elementary buildings - along with its location on 68th Street where it is surrounded by compa­ nies such as Amazon Inc. make its replacement neces­ sary. “There’s been so many add-ons and tweaks that it’s really out of step for what we are sending the rest of our kids to,” Martin said. But when Martin opened the floor for questions, the number one issue went back to the $88 million bond issue that voters approved in May 2020, which originally was to have paid, for construction of the new Dutton building. Two of the residents that came Wednesday morning questioned why the district didn’t make Dutton a higher priority than the Caledonia Community Center, which is now under construction. The school board put the Dutton project on hold last fall when bids for construction came in $9 million higher than the $21 million that had been budgeted when the bond issue was put together. “In 2019, when we built our numbers (for the bond issue), there was enough money in the pot (for both Dutton and the community center). When we started seeing an escalation in prices (for materials and labor) in 2021 ... we started the com­ munity center because that was the biggest, largest and more complicated project, we started that first,” Martin said. “Why the community cen­ ter first and not the elementary school?” one resident asked. “You’re telling me this is the oldest elementary school, far below any other elementary in the district, and you chose a community center before an educational Proposed Riverbank Music Series 2023 at Sesquicentennial Park Amphitheater June June June June 2 - Special Guest 9 - Skeletones 16 - Lew Russ 23 - The Caribbean Soul Experience June 30 - Don Middlebrook Duo July 7 - Left on Main July 14 - Chick and the Boomers July 21 - Fat Animals July 28 - Tony & Dog Aug. 4 - Erika Scherry Band Aug. 11 - Three of a Kind Aug. 18 - Out of Favor Boys Middleville DDA board unveils tentative Riverbank Music Series lineup Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin answers a question about the upcoming May bond issue at a Dialogue with Doc session Wednesday morning at Sprinkles Donut Shop. (Photo by Greg Chandler) site.” bond, you cannot go past “Because of the complexi- your five-year window. It ty of building the community has to be completed.” center,” Martin responded. Martin went on to explain “We have a five-year win­ that the first year of projects dow to do all of this work. in that five-year window That was the one that our focused on major renova­ construction team felt like tions at Duncan Lake Middle we needed to get this process started first. When you pass a See DIALOGUE WITH DOC, page 3 Planner: Proposed Ttactor Supply store too big under Caledonia Twp. zoning rules Greg Chandler Planner Lynee Wells told StaffWriter commissioners that in its cur­ Plans for a Tractor Supply rent form, the Tractor Supply Company store in Caledonia Company proposal falls Township do not meet cur­ within the township’s defini­ rent zoning standards, tion of a “big-box” store, according to the township which she says is not allowed under the property’s zoning planner. The township Planning classification of C-2 general Commission Monday night business. Wells’ review fol­ tabled the special land use lowed an email she had and site plan review request received from the project from DMK for the proposed engineer earlier on Monday. “We do list retail stores 21,930-square-foot store at 10344 Cherry Valley Ave., (as) a permitted use (in that near Stone Point Park condo­ zone district), but then it stip­ miniums and Caledonia ulates not including big-box Storage. DMK is a company (stores),” Wells said. “After that has built several other reading that email from them Tractor Supply stores in West (Monday) and learning more Michigan. •»*.* > about the business model, it 145th year just raised this red flag.” Wells said the zoning ordi­ nance defines a big-box store as “a very large retail or other store, usually with a physical layout that resembles a large square or box when viewed from above, and including more than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area.” In addition, the ordinance says a big-box store: - Has a very large offstreet parking area. - Offers a wide variety of merchandise for sale and may provide some services as well. It may offer its mer­ chandise at discounted prices. See PLANNER, page 2 Caledonia Township Planner Lynee Wells explains the challenges of Tractor Supply Center’s proposed store versus a township zoning ordinance provision against so-called “big box” stores in an area zoned for general business erase Monday night. (Photos by Greg Chandler) James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Downtown Development Authority has announced most ofthe artists that will be performing this year at the annual Riverbank Music Series, contingent upon final approval from the Village Council. The free summer concerts run every Friday evening from early June to mid-Au­ gust at the Sesquicentennial Park amphitheater, along the east bank of the Thomapple River. This year’s hours will See SUMMER CONCERTS, page 3 The proposed line-up for this year’s Riverbank Music Series in Middleville features Kalamazoo-based blues band Out of Favor Boys on Aug. 18. (Courtesy photo) • Middleville DDA mulls moving director’s office • Synthetic turf approved for Ralph E. Myers Stadium • Caledonia hockey opens D1 state tourney with overtime winner again • Scots’ Hayden and TK’s Gibson earn places in Girls’ Wrestling State Finals • TKHS wrestling team gets five of six regional qualifiers through to Finals �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023 PLANNER, continued from - May also be referred to as a superstore or super cen­ ter. It is frequently part of a national or regional mer­ chandise company with mul­ tiple store locations. Tractor Supply came before the township in December of last year pro­ posing construction of the store, along with additional open-air sales space, both in front of the main entrance and behind the building. Commissioners had raised concerns about the open-air portion ofthe business at the December meeting. “Right now, because of this information related to their national retail chain opera­ tions and having that in writ­ ing and understanding what is in our definition that I read to you, I believe this use is not permitted, as presented, in the C-2 district, whether or not they have open-air sales or not,” Wells said. The property is governed by a 2001 consent judgment that was entered into between the township and Clearview, a project developer. While the property was initially zoned industrial at the time of the judgment, the landowner and township have since agreed to allow other uses, including general business. The consent agreement stipulates different require­ ments for the property and the township than allowed under traditional zoning. Zoning regulations for an overlay district for the area along Broadmoor and Cherry A rendering of the proposed Tractor Supply Company store in Caledonia Township. (Courtesy rendering) Valley avenues (M-37) are superseded by terms of the agreement. Wells said that DMK has made several modifications since its initial application, including placing the side­ walk around the west facade ofthe building that will face the street, a pedestrian con­ nection through the front parking lot, adding decora­ tive faux windows to the west facade and moving the bulk propane tank filling sta­ tion to the fenced-in enclo­ sure. DMK had asked for a 16-foot-high fence, but said it would be willing to abide by a township regulation allowing for an 8-foot-high fence around the open-air sales area. However, it is asking for the fence to be it until we have that question made of mesh, which Wells answered,” Commissioner Jodie Masefield added. opposes. “I’m concerned that mesh “That’s a waste oftheir time in Michigan is not going to and our time.” Curtis said that it’s likely be something that is sustain­ able. Soon we will see that the township attorney will fraying and blowing in the have to review the request, wind,” she said. “I’m con­ considering that the consent cerned about the long-term judgment is already in effect. “We want to get it right,” look and feel and aesthetics and the ability ofthe material he said. “I think until we get to withstand the test oftime.” those questions answered, But as far as commission­ we’re going to have to table ers are concerned, the num­ it. There’s still too much out­ ber one issue is the size of standing.” the building. Project engineer Steve “The .big question (is), is Witte of Nederveld Inc. this even an allowable build­ appealed to commissioners ing in this space?” Planning to consider other factors Commission Chairman Doug besides the building size. Curtis asked. “There’s other factors “(We aren’t) going to related to Tractor Supply spend a ton of other time on that, quite frankly, are just as Project architect Steve Witte of Nederveld Inc. shows a rendering of the proposed Tractor Supply Center store to the Caledonia Township Planning Commission Monday. important as the 20,000 square feet,” Witte said. “My fear is that if you table me tonight, we come back next month, and you say, okay, the building size needs to change or it’s okay, I’m still going to have ... these three or four huge items for Tractor Supply that we’re going to then have to talk about.” Curtis responded, “I’ve said this to many applicants who have come in before you - tell us why you don’t think you need to meet our standard. Keep that in mind, because that is the question you’re going to be asked if you don’t meet the standard ... That’s where we need to focus. That’s where you need to focus. Our concern is our standard, whether that’s what Tractor Supply’s standard is or not. This is Caledonia Township’s standard. This is what the standard shall be in Caledonia Township.” Tractor Supply Company bills itselfas the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, with more than 2,000 stores in 49 states across the country, according to its website. The company was founded in 1938 in Minot, N.D. Ice storm cancels M-37 subarea open house Greg Chandler StaffWriter The winter storm that socked West Michigan on Wednesday resulted in the cancellation of an open house at Caledonia Township Hall on conceptu­ al ideas for the east side of M-37 between. 84th Street and 100th Street. The open house has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 28, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE. The idea behind the open house is to give local resi- dents and business owners a picture ofwhat the Caledonia M-37 Corridor Subarea, as it’s referred to, might look like if some or all ofthat land is developed. There are eight parcels, totaling about 790 acres, to the east side of the highway that are primarily HI'SBUOYSHOP Caledonia, MI “Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — Officials in Caledonia Township are arranging an open house to develop ideas for the rural farm land located on the east side of M-37 between 92nd and 100th streets in Caledonia. (File photo) Your local agent insures your Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs H#me S State & I-CAR Certified Technicians DirectRepair Facility * Most insurance companies WaterBourne System FARM BUREAU INSURANCE' Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Muskgans 6tgta^utce> Gompan^, 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com J Jason Parks 121 E. Main-Street Downtown Middleville (269)795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com used for farming at present. Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said after a recent township board meeting that if those properties are devel­ oped, he would like to see it done in a way that enhances the community. Representatives from Beckett & Reeder Inc., the township’s planning consul­ tant, will preside over the open house. There will be opportunities for residents to speak to members of the design team, and there will be boards with the plan con­ cept. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25,2023/ Page 3 DIALOGUE WITH DOC, continued from page 1 School and additions at Kraft Meadows to prepare for that school’s transition to an intermediate school serving fifth and sixth grade stu­ dents, with Duncan Lake transitioning to a seventh and eighth grade building. That left four years remaining to get the remaining projects done, and the district’s archi­ tectural team recommended proceeding with the commu­ nity center because it would take longer to build than a new Dutton building, Martin said. Martin added that if the district had chosen to shift gears to the new Dutton building after construction prices spiked, the district would have lost about $10 million in upfront costs tied to the community center project that it could not have recouped. The resident wasn’t con­ vinced. “There’s a point, at some point, somebody decided that the community center seem­ ingly was more important than the elementary school,” he said. The Caledonia Community Center will include a compe­ tition swimming pool for the high school swim team as well as serve as the new home of the Caledonia Resource Center, home of the district’s continuing edu­ cation and enrichment pro­ grams. It will also include a leisure and therapy pool, run­ ning track, multi-use gymna­ sium and fitness center. Bids for that project last year came in $6.1 million higher than the originally budgeted amount of $24.9 million. About $40 million of the new bond issue would be allocated for the new Dutton building. It would also fund renovations at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium, new baseball and softball fields at the CalPlex sports and recre­ ation complex, replacing the roof over sections of Duncan Lake Middle School and Early Childhood Center, tech- nology improvements, replacement of the turf at Scotland Yard and replacing the playground surface at Paris Ridge Elementary School. The proposal would not raise the district’s debt service millage. Four more Dialogue with Doc sessions are scheduled before the May election. The next one will take place Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the board room of the dis­ trict’s administrative offices, 8948 Kraft Ave. SE. Additional sessions will be held at the district offices on the following dates and times: - Tuesday, March 14, 6-7 p.m. - Thursday, March 23, noon-1 p.m. - Wednesday, April 12, 6-7 p.m. You can read more about the bond proposal on the dis­ trict website at calschools. org/2020-bond, and click on the link for the 2023 supple­ mental bond. Caledonia Township planners approve church addition An architect’s rendering of Lakeside Community Church, with the addition that was approved Monday toward the front. (Courtesy rendering) Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Caledonia Township Planning Commission Monday gave the go-ahead for a local church to build an addition that will include a welcome center, nursery and classroom space. Commissioners unanimously approved the special land use and site plan amend­ ment for Lakeside Community Church at 6201 Whitneyville Ave. SE. The project will add about 3,000 square feet on the northwest side of the building, Township Planner Lynee Wells said. It’s the second addition to the church, which was origi­ nally built in 1983. Lakeside added to its building in 2000, church administrator Cindy Keson said. Wells explained that because of the size of the expansion, the church had to come back before the plan­ ning commission for approv­ al ofthe project. “Typically, we can approve minor additions to existing buildings (administratively, without having to come back to the planning commis­ sion),” Wells said. “However ... we have a 10 percent threshold, and the size ofthis (addition) exceeds 10 per­ cent of the overall footprint of the church, requiring the special land use.” Commissioner Tim Bradshaw, who is the town­ ship board’s representative on the planning commission, SUMMER CONCERTS, continued from page 1 be 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. “We’ve had a lot of requests to go past the 8:30 p.m. time - that people were getting down there later,” DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim said. “And I’ve been told that every band brings their own sound system, with their own sound (engi­ neer).” The DDA Board roll-call voted 7-0 to accept the pro­ posed concert dates and fees, with the total cost to the vil­ lage not to exceed $7,000. Village Council approval is still required. Galesburg­ based Ambassador David’s Productions LLC would be the producer for all but one ofthe concerts. The business is owned by David Bauman. Jachim said local acoustic jazz guitarist Lew Russ like­ ly will not be contracted through Ambassador David’s, because he was contracted directly by the village last year. Russ had recommended to the DDA Board in January that it con­ tract with Wilkinson Sound to run the sound system for this year’s entire summer series. Jachim said she will find out ifRuss will need an additional person to run his sound board the night ofhis concert. “I’ll have to clarify ifhe’s going to need the additional money and if he expects us to absorb it all,” Jachim said, noting that Russ sometimes plays with an ensemble. If so, the DDA board will take up at a future meeting whether to approve the adjusted cost. “This budget is in line with what we spent last year,” DDA Vice Chair Kristen Fisher said. asked if the addition would necessitate more parking space for the church. Wells said no. “I did not believe that would require additional parking, because often the same people who are coming (to church) are bringing their children, or if they were doing more of that focused education activity, often that’s not at the same time as the service,” she said. Shawn Bates of Dan Vos Lakeside Community Church administrator Cindy Keson addresses the Caledonia Township board Monday as project engineer Shawn Bates of Dan Vos Construction listens. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Construction, the project civil engineer, assured com­ missioners that the church will have adequate spaces for handicap accessible parking. “We did a pilot study with the church to make sure that it was enough on any given Sunday,” Bates said. Commissioners put in as a condition ofapproval to have the architect review final details of the addition with Wells. They also require the township to approve any changes in the church’s light­ ing plan. Shrubs and land­ scaping are to be replaced to comply with the township’s landscaping standards, she said. More than 100 families attend Lakeside Community Church on a typical Sunday, Keson said. IMPORTANT! RUUD Equipment is changing... Get it before the New Prices come out! High Efficiency Furnace & Air $400 OFF with this coupon. Expires 3/11/23 E 1 HEATING & COOLING RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com Locally owned business. Furnace Tune-Up �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023 Wesley C. Daniels Wesley C. Daniels went to be with his Lord and Savior after a long illness with Parkinson’s on February 20, 2023. Preceding him in death were his parents, Stanley and Alice Jane; and his brother, Danny. Surviving is his loving wife of 46 years, Sue (SchutteDaniels); daughter, Allison; sis­ ters, Dianne Connell (Joe, Colleen and Danny), Sue Hoffman (Amy and Keirsten); one brother, John (Kris) Daniels; sister-in-law, Marilyn Schutte; brother-in-law, Rudie Schutte; sister-in-law, Sandy Schutte (Steve, Mark, Tim); brother-in­ law, Darrel (Peggy) Schutte (Angie, Luke, Jodi); and sister­ in-law, Louise Desotell (Pam and the late Penny). Wes also leaves behind nieces and nephews who were there for special occasions, who helped with Wes’s care and cheered him up in spirit; Jason and Angie Sixberry (Travis and Sarah), Jared and Nellie Schutte (Brendan and Kirstie), Justin and Sarah Pratt (Maddie, Micah, Jon), Leanne Pratt and David Corradini (Jack, Evar), and Kyle and Alisha Schutte (Lyla, Liana). Wes worked for many years as a heavy duty truck sales­ man. He started his career at Weiland Sales in Midland and ended his career at Duthler Truck of Grand Rapids, he enjoyed his job immensely. Wes’ joys in life were his Lord and church, family and country, and a little golfing and fishing. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 25,2023, at the Alto Apostolic Church, 7157 Wingeier Ave., Alto Mi 49302. Committal service is at Bowne Center Cemetery. Meal following at the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice, httpsV/www. spectrumhealth.org/foundation The family would like to add a special thanks to Debbie, Sarah, and Richard of hospice care. The family would like to thank and is extremely grate­ ful to all others who came to visit and care for Wes in his final days. Hgerst www.gcrstfancralhomcs.com Middleville TOPS 546 The Feb. 18 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. One new fish jumped into the fishbowl. One fish jumped out. Chris led the chapter in the discussion questions at the end of chapter one of the Daniel Plan. Linda won the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., fol- lowed immediately by the meeting. A mask must be worn when in the building, and attendees must be vacci­ nated. Social distancing is practiced. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908-3731. The first meeting is free. Church Auditions for Thornapple Players’ Into the Woods’ set for March 13 The Thomapple Players are kicking off the 2023 season of shows with “Into the Woods” slated as the spring musical. The Players are hosting open auditions for “Into the Woods” Monday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the Dennison Performing Arts Center, 231 S. Broadway, Hastings. “Into the Woods” is based on stories that parents have told their children for genera- tions. There are a variety of female and male roles for a cast of 17. Rehearsals will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with the possibility of additional rehearsals as deter­ mined by the director. The mandatory technical rehearsal will be Sunday, April 30. The Players will perform “Into the Woods” March 4-7, Automotive MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Most affordable tree service. Licensed and insured. 269-838-1782. FOR SALE: 2005 Power Wagon 4x4 2500 Crew cab, 5.7 Hemi, 215,000 mikes, runs great, trans­ mission good, 4x4 works, P.W., P.L., leather heated power seats. Tires good, body rusty. Call 269­ 908-7445, Asking $6,800 Business Services BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Pop­ lar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, li­ ability & workman's comp. Fet­ terley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. alaska Pets AKC PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI, beautiful and adorable pups. 1st shots and dewormed. $600. 517-852-3007. POMERANIAN/TOY FOX TERRIER Cross Puppies- Very cute, will stay small, 1st shots & wormed. $300.00,517-852-4881. F2 GOLDENDOODLE PUP­ PIES: 5 females, 4 males. Ready week of February 27th, vet checked, de-wormed, flea & tick treated. Deposit required, $1,100. Mom and pups raised in home. For any information Call or text - 269-331-1300. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $500,269­ 223-9194. jchur'ch 7240 68“' Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission fc to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM—Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am BAPTIST Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service 10:30 AM 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/1 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 W OURNEY CHURCH CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch vvMe Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School Sunday Worship @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! MIDDLEVILLE: 9:30 9:30AM AM .10:30 10:30 AM .ImJidSp Watch ourservices from our website (see above) NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 wwwjstpaulcaledonia.org KS Whitneyville / Fellowship Church Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm H anted PART TIME CUSTODIAN desired for Caledonia United Methodist Church, 250 Vine St., Caledonia. If interested, please contact the church of­ fice at 616-891-8669 for a job description and application. ANIMAL CARE/KENNEL ASSISTANT: ISTANT: Seeking part time help (10-15 hours/week) for a private show dog kennel. Responsibilities will include cleaning kennels, feeding/ walking ng dogs and other daily care. Flexible working around school/sports schedules, weekends/occasional holidays will be required. Will train on alll t tasks! Pay is competitive with other entry level jobs. Located south of Middleville. Please contact by email, kaybelter@ gmail.com or text 616-808-6460. CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. Caledonia United Methodist Church "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship Community Group Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving — Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel FIRST Help Rev. Christine Beaudoin committed followers ofJesus Christ who will cornerstonechurch and will have an open-to-thepublic dress rehearsal May 3. Those interested in audi­ tioning that can’t attend the auditions must contact the Players before March 13 at thornappleplayers @ gmail. com to find a different time. Questions can be answered by emailing the Players, by visiting their Facebook page or by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. 10:00 a.m. 11;OO a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org HOLY FAMILY \J/CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023/ Page 5 DDA discusses moving director’s office back to village hall New Middleville DDA member Justine King partic­ ipated in her first board meeting Tuesday night at village hall. (Photos by James Gemmell) infcllii MCM xQte* fc-faj. M IB In, Oto IB itatof s—* jfliilU waCto iiiito 0 |I*L l/ James Gemmell Contributing Writer The DDA board is consid­ ering whether to move the DDA director’s office from the Mix Coworking Studio at 125 E. Main St. back to the village hall, at 100 E. Main St. The tenant lease runs until October 2023, but DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim said Mix Coworking Studio will release the future DDA director out of the office lease, if another occupant comes along to fill the space before then. “However, it is my goal to move us back down here so that we’re more of one unit,” Jachim said at Tuesday’s meeting. “Instead ofbringing our new DDA director in and starting them up there away from everything, we’d be much better to bring them back down here so that they could work with staff ... whoever might be in here, rather than running back and forth.” A DDA committee has been conducting applicant interviews and recently identified a finalist to become the next DDA direc­ tor, but contractual details still have to be worked out. And village council approval will be required. Former DDA Director Katherine Bussard’s resignation took effect Jan. 17. Jachim said moving the future DDA director out of Mix Coworking would save the village $500 to $4,000 in rent this year, depending on how quickly that business space is filled by a new tenant. At one time, the DDA office at village hall was shared with the Planning and Zoning office, before it moved to the site at Mix Coworking. But Middleville’s fast growth has led to the old space at village hall being filled. Some DDA board members are now eye­ ing the village president’s office in the village hall as possible office space for the DDA director. Jachim noted that the president’s office has not been extensively used since former President Charlie Pullen died in Nov. 2020. But new village president Mike Cramer said he does use the president’s office, mainly in the early morning. And if he should need to have a meeting, he said he should be able to use that office in village hall. Cramer, who also is a DDA board member, pointed out that village staff talked last year about moving the DDA director’s office to the Middleville Train Depot, once interior refurbishing of the historic building is com­ pleted this fall. Hastingsbased Vintage Building & Restoration has been work­ ing on that project, and com­ pleted an exterior renovation of the 116-year-old depot last fall. “There was hopes to move it there but there are a lot of dynamics to figure out on that yet, as far as who’s going to pay the heat and the rent ... Who’s going to pay internet?” Jachim asked. Cramer mentioned that Bussard had made clear when she was the DDA director that she was not a village employee. Nor would the incoming DDA director be. “And to have someone that’s not staffed, in the office, would be kind of dif­ ficult because they’re not (going to be) coming and going on our hours, and so forth. So, I think it would need to have a further discus- The Middleville DDA Board met on Tuesday night, holding discussion on whether or not to move the DDA director’s office back to village hall. sion and an agreement in place before that was to happen,” he said, suggesting the matter should be sent to village attorney Mark Nettleton for review. “I think the idea was just to create some cohesiveness and support for the DDA director,” Vice Chairwoman Kristen Fisher said. A DDA committee comprised of Jachim, Fisher and Beck has been conducting the applicant interviews for the DDA director’s position. Six people applied and one withdrew from consider­ ation. “We believe we have made a selection, and I would like to meet and go over fur­ ther details of the contract with (village attorney) Mark Nettleton, so we know what we’re doing this time,” Jachim said. The DDA board voted 6-1 to authorize her request. Cramer cast the lone dissenting vote. “We’ve been receiving applications, wanting to make sure that person steps off on the right foot,” Fisher said. The finalist’s name was not disclosed at the meeting. Meanwhile, the DDA board voted unanimously to authorize Village Manager DDA board welcomes new member The village council recent­ ly appointed Justine King to the DDA board. She received a warm welcome from board members at her first meeting Tuesday night. King is the branch manager at the Thomapple Credit Union in Middleville. In a post-meet­ ing interview she explained why she applied for a DDA position. “I really just love how much they’re doing in the village and just bringing a lot of newness and keeping it great, really,” King told the Sun and News after the meeting. “imen’s cornerstonemi.org/Men ICORNER 84th St Campus 1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml Austin Speaks at 6:30pm Basketball games and food from Noon to Midnight • Sweet Liberty & Bleu de France Collections by ®Modaa • New 108" Cotton Prints • Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station___________________ SidtenA 218 E. State St., Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm won’t change,” Cramer said. “But if we get an intern, that use might change.” “I hope that all parties understand that we’re attempting to just bring a better culture to everyone, and make sure that everyone can work together. As the DDA, clearly here we sit as a subsidiary of the village, “ Fisher said. “So, just trying to create some camaraderie.” cornerstone MAR • 20 °/o offFabrics (excludes sale items) w (a day)?” Jachim asked Cramer. “I didn’t say that,” he responded. “We have the potential of a planning and zoning intern who might use that space. We’re looking long and hard at that, so we can get some more economic development downtown. We don’t know what that space is going to be used for. I didn’t say no. I said it war­ rants a discussion and an agreement, if we’re going to move forward with it.” “No offense, but you skirt­ ed around it. Now, by me bringing it forward we’re not going to skirt around it,” Jachim said. Cramer denied he skirted around the matter in private conversations with Jachim. Fisher then made a motion to set an appointment soon to discuss the matter further with the stakeholders involved to determine what the best use of the office space would be. “I think ifwe have a short­ term lease agreement, that would be fine. So, the next six months that use probably 16 February Sale QUESTIONS: ASK US... Craig Stolsonburg to discuss with Nettleton a potential lease agreement or options for use of the village hall space currently used by Cramer. Board member Joe Mancini noted that the hours Cramer currently spends at the village office are early in the morning, before 6 a.m., and the incoming DDA director would likely work a later shift from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that would not conflict with Cramer’s hours. But Fisher said she does not like the idea of having -two people sharing the same office space. “I have my own office and my workspace, and I would feel uncomfortable if some­ one else shared a space,” she said. The conversation got slightly heated after that, between Jachim and Cramer. Jachim said Cramer previ­ ously said he’s only using the office space to sign checks. “You’re going to deny us a 40-hour employee because you want to use it two hours Iffi «O*AA***W*AA*A4**»*A*AAA« Join us for pulled pork, hot dogs, piles of wings, fried food, and more! Register ahead or at the event for a chance to win Dude Perfect tickets, basketball gear, and other prizes. Open to all men ages 14 and up. Austin Hatch, former U of M basketball player, will speak on overcoming adversity and empower men to choose how to respond to life’s challenges. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023 LETTERS EROM OUR REFERS Caledonia gave me a great education - it’s time to pay it forward This supplemental bond is needed because of the high inflation we are all experi­ encing, which nobody could have predicted. Because of this, the prices of building materials and labor have increased greatly, making it difficult to complete the projects under the current bond. Dutton Elementary was one of those projects. I believe it was a correct deci­ sion by the board to delay grown, the need for a larger and safer school has emerged for students. This bond will As a 1965 graduate of help CCS make repairs to Caledonia High School, I can buildings and facilities, say it was, and is, a great including things from replac­ school. The community has ing outdated school buses to always supported their upgrading parking lots and school system when it is replacing roofs among many needed. Caledonia other improvements. It will, Community Schools is ask­ most importantly to me, pro­ ing for our support on the vide the necessary funds to supplemental bond. build the new Dutton As the community has Elementary. and not lower standards because they want a school that will last 60 to 100 years. I believe every child deserves a great public edu­ cation in facilities that meet their needs - the teachers’ needs and community needs. Our schools have truly invested in lifetime learning, and it shows in our proven track record of success inside and outside ofthe classroom. I am very proud to know we have a high-achieving school district in which students consistently score above the state and county-wide aver­ age. Investing in our facili­ ties, including our buildings, roofs and parking lots, as well as making updates to technology will keep Caledonia a place where people want to live, work and play. I have always said that the community paid for me to have an excellent educa­ tion, I can pay for current and future students. Remember, this bond will not increase yearly tax rates for residents. As an old timer of the community, from a pioneer family, I urge everyone to vote yes on the supplemental bond on the May 2 ballot. Linda Crumback Caledonia New turf approved for Caledonia High School football stadium Greg Chandler Staff Writer When the Caledonia High School football team hits the field next fall in hopes of making another run to the state high school finals, the Fighting Scots will be playing on a new surface. The Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education Monday approved the instal­ lation of new synthetic turf surface at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium. The board approved a contract with AstroTurf of Michigan with the total cost of the project expected at about $1.4 mil­ lion, $500,000 less than what the district had allocated Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED E water! y Over 40 years of experience aynard 's WATER CONDITIONING MAYNARD'S WATKM CONDITIONING Hellenbrand Authorized Dealer Make the Right SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL An architect's rendering of the new synthetic turf surface that will be installed at Caledonia’s Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium in time for the 2023 Caledonia High football season. AstroTurf of Michigan will provide and install the new surface that will replace the current grass field at the stadium. (Courtesy image) from the 2020 bond issue for the new turf and its installa­ tion. Costs for the project includes installation of the field, as well as electrical and water system work under­ neath the field surface, CCS Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess said. The board had approved SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS Simple to Buy, Simple to Own, Simple to Love... Call Today! sending a letter of intent to AstroTurf to move ahead with the project in January, but final approval ofthe con­ tract was still needed Monday. “We’ve chosen to go with a designer and a vendor who can do a ‘design-build’ solu­ tion to the installation,” Hess told board members at the January board meeting. “This has shortened our Bmce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop Authorized PRO’S PICK’ Dealer • • • • Bathrooms Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com & Baths Food Preparation 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8;3t0am-5:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pm Household Pets Personal Hygiene 616.89Ta3V3 WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM 4io zna • Middleville timeline by a great deal. It’s also kept our costs down, as we’re not involving a third and a fourth party archi­ tect.” The district had identified installation ofa synthetic turf surface at the stadium as part of the remaining 2020 bond proceeds, as members ofthe community had emphasized preserving the heritage ofthe stadium as opposed to build­ ing a completely new stadi­ um, school officials said. AstroTurf will design, supply and install the field. The company has engaged the civil engineering firm of Katerberg-VerHage to assist in the project. “These firms, together with the district, are looking forward to the installation of a high quality, safe, durable, and great looking stadium field,” Hess said in a news release. Work on the stadium field will begin in the middle of May, with completion expected in August, Hess said. The turf project is sepa­ rate from a proposed $6.5 million renovation of the stadium, which has been included in the $61 million supplemental bond issue that will go before voters May 2. That project includes renovations to the bleachers, press box, locker rooms and *concessicftrstands.‘'~'‘ “ �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023/ Page 7 Discussion continues on potential changes to Middleville’s off-road vehicle regulations James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Village of Middleville has been con­ sidering amending its off­ road vehicle (ORV) and golf-cart regulations to make driving side-by-sides easier. ORVs are allowed on walking trails and a provi­ sion of the village code covers transportation of the vehicles from where they are stored to the trails. Golf carts can be operated by village employees or vil­ lage-designated volunteers. DDA Board member Andrew Beck said ORVs are becoming more popular in communities surrounding Middleville. They are legal as long as a municipality has an ordinance in place regulating their use. The village only restricts unlicensed vehicles on its streets. So, licensed ORVs and golfcarts are allowed in Middleville. Drivers on village roads must have a driver’s license and a vehicle with standard safety equipment such as mirrors, a tail light, wind­ shield wipers, a horn, brakes and safety belts. “It does not impose any extra liabilities on top of the village; none at all,” Beck said. “From seeing all the different shops and stores in Middleville ... I think we should have the right to drive side-by sides. I believe it would promote our businesses ... (but) by putting limitations on it, you’re scaring people away more than you’re welcoming people.” However, Village President Mike Cramer said ORVs do create legal liability for the village, unless they are being driven by insured Department of Public Works staff. That prompted a verbal exchange between Cramer and Beck. “If you’re operating that vehicle under the DDA umbrella and you hit some­ one, they’re going to go after us,” Cramer said. “But they’re legal every­ where in Barry County and the State of Michigan,” Beck said. “They’re legal, but not as they’re being used in the village,” Cramer countered. “There’s always going to be one that messes it up,” Beck replied. “But we don’t take cars away from peo­ ple.” “No, we don’t. We regu­ late them. A car has to be regulated and insured,” Cramer said. “We already pay high taxes around here, Mike. Why do we got to pay more taxes for something that we’ve already purchased?” Beck asked. Jachim halted the conver­ sation, noting the village council has purview on the matter. The DDA board took no action on it Tuesday night. The village council will consider a draft resolution on ORVs and golf carts at TK Jazz Band takes top honors its Feb. 28 meeting. It streets during parades and includes an ordinance approved special events exemption for off-road such as the village-orgavehicle enforcement during nized spring and fall color certain Middleville events. tours. That would allow the use of “What we’ve had in the ORVs on closed village past is non-compliance,” Cramer said in an interview after the meeting. “We’ve had them setting up when the streets are open. And our current ordinance that we passed a while ago doesn’t allow for that.” FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Can you count on Social Security? The Thornapple Kellogg High School Jazz Band earned first place in Class B at the Central Michigan University Jazz Festival earlier this month on Feb. 10. In addition, the rhythm section was selected as the outstanding section in Class B and senior drummer Journie Scheltema received the honorable mention for drum­ mers in Class B. The band is directed by Ray Rickert. (Courtesy photo) If you’re getting closer to retirement, you might be thinking more about Social Security. Specifically, can you count on it to contribute part ofthe income you’ll need as a retiree? There’s been an increase in alarming language surround­ ing the solvency of Social Security, but in reality, its prospects are not nearly as gloomy as you might have heard. Here’s the story: Under current law, Social Security is estimated to exhaust its trust funds by 2035, after which benefits could be cut by 20%, according to the 2022 Social Security Trustees report. However, the large cost of living adjustment (COLA) (8.7%) for 2023 could cause the trust funds to use up their resources sooner. But this outlook may repre­ sent a worst-case scenario. For one thing, the cost ofthe 2023 COLA will be some­ what offset by higher taxes on workers contributing to Social Security. The maximum amount ofearnings subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax jumped from $147,000 in 2022 to $160,200 in 2023. And in looking down the road, further increases in this earnings cap may also help reduce the gap in the trust funds. Increasing the payroll tax is another possibility for rity, you’ll also need to draw boosting funding to Social on other sources of funding. Security. So, while you are still work­ And here’s a political reali­ ing, it’s a good idea to keep ty: Social Security is a popu­ contributing to your IRA and lar program and it’s unlikely 401(k) or other employ­ that any future Congress er-sponsored retirement plan. wants to be blamed for reduc­ The amount you contribute ing benefits. Of course, there should depend on your over­ are no guarantees, but it all financial strategy and your seems fair to say that you can financial needs, so, for exam­ reasonably expect some bene­ ple, you probably shouldn’t fits from Social Security put in so much into your when you retire. retirement accounts that you But perhaps the bigger feel significant stress in your issue is just how much you monthly cash flow. But when should depend on Social you do get a chance to invest Security for your retirement more in these accounts, such income. On average, Social as when your salary goes up, Security benefits will provide you may want to take advan­ about 30% of a beneficiary’s tage ofthe opportunity. preretirement earnings, Ultimately, you should be according to the Social Secu­ able to count on Social Secu­ rity Administration. But the rity as part ofyour retirement higher your earnings before income. You may want to you retire, the lower the per­ consult with a financial pro­ centage that will be replaced fessional to determine when by Social Security. taking Social Security makes Still, you’ll want to maxi­ the most sense for you and mize the benefits that are how you can also get the most available to you — and that from your other retirement means deciding when to start accounts. You’ll want a retire­ taking Social Security. You ment income strategy that’s can begin as early as 62, but built for the long run. your monthly payments could be as much as 30% lower 'This article was written by than your normal (or “full”) EdwardJonesfor use byyour retirement age, which will localEdwardJones Financial likely be between 66 and 67. Advisor. Even if you were to wait Edward Jones, Member until your full retirement age SIPC before collecting Social Secu- �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023 Handful of CHS students named to all-state choir CHS choirs bring talents to state festival Seven Caledonia High School choir students were selected to the Michigan All-State Choir this year. The choir features the top 80 high school singers from the state of Michigan and will per­ form at the All-State Festival in May. These students include (left to right) Alyssa Bursch, Cerys Smith, Taryn Briones, Christian Moorlag, Emery Rewa and Meghan Ruthven. Not pictured: Leah Thompson. After a solid showing at the district festival earlier this month, Caledonia High School choirs will be well represented at the upcoming State Solo and Ensemble Festival coming up in March. On Feb. 4, CHS choirs sent 21 events to participate in the MSVMA District Solo and Ensemble Festival. Nineteen of these events qualified to participate in the state meet. Pictured is (back row, left to right): Landon Fleming, Ayden Taylor, Benjamin Molda, Christian Moorlag, Morgan Vredevoogd, Allison Malone, Brianna Weber, Emery Rewa, Alyssa Bursch, Taryn Briones, Evan DeVault. (Front row left to right): Leah Thompson, Emery Rewa, Grace Geer, Emilee Diemer, Lily Goerbig, Addison Cook, Susanna Vire, Mystique Niles, Riley Soper, Katelyn Ferris, Adeline Wolters. Not pictured: Angelica Araya Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHI­ GAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on March 14, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Gun Lake Community Church, 12200 W M-179 , Wayland, Ml 49348, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Mich­ igan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Town­ ship. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also pro­ vide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeals’ consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson (ethompsongapcimi.coml or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Town­ ship Zoning Administrator, Eric Thompson at 616-877-2000. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the itemfs) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the follow­ ing: Mg...... ZBA 23-3-002 PARCEL ID # 08-16-045-010-00. 726 Perch Cove Ct. Middleville, MI 49333. A. 2. ZBA 23-3-003 PARCEL ID # 08-16-065-002-00. 10784 Shady Ln. Middleville, MI 49333. A. 3. A request by property owner, Joy Aten, for relief from the setbacks established by section 12.4 “Required Setbacks”, i. The subject site is approximately .15 acres in size. The property is currently zoned Residen­ tial Lake Front (RLF) and the applicant is requesting relief to allow for the construction of rebuilding a portion of house with a new addi­ tion and roof system that fails to meet the required setbacks. A request by property owner, Paul & Leslie Nowaczyk, for relief from the setbacks estab­ lished by section 12.4 “Required Setbacks”, i. The subject site is approximately .167 acres in size. The property is currently zoned Gun Lake Residential Front (GRLF) and the applicant is requesting relief to allow for the construction of a new home that fails to meet the required set­ backs. Orangeville road projects OK’d by Road Commission Greg Chandler StaffWriter _ The Barry County Road Commission board Tuesday approved a resolution putting in place a schedule ofimprove­ ments to roads in Orangeville Township for the next four years. The township will pay the Road Commission $250,000 annually at its share ofthe cost of the improvements during the four-year window, with the Road Commission to share in the costs as well. “Our cost sharing program with all of the townships has about a 50-50 split in cost Thornapple Township 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW Notice to all township taxpayers: The 2023 Board of Review ior the Townshap of Thomapple will meet at the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville, Michigan on these dates: Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary rea­ sonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or ser­ vices should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS By: Jacob Welch, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 ___________________(269) 795-9091_________________ at a cost ofnearly $247,000. A 3-mile section of Lindsey Road, from 9 Mile Road to Pine Lake Road, will receive double slag seal work at a cost of$108,000. Other2024 projects include: - Marsh Road, 3.04 miles from Graham Road to South Boulter Road, slag seal - Bever Road, 2.04 miles from Norris Road to Enzian Road, slag seal - Lewis Road, 0.59 miles from Lindsey Road to Marsh Road, slag seal - Saddler Road, 1.48 miles from Marsh Road to Patterson Road, slag seal - South Boulter Road, 0.5 miles from Marsh Road to Saddler Road, slag seal - Norris Road, 2.72 miles from 700 feet south of Guernsey Lake Road to Pine Lake Road, slag seal — Keller Road, 2.61 miles from Marsh Road to Norris Road, slag seal - Lindsey Road, 1.02 miles from Mullen Road to Keller Road, slag seal - Lindsey Road, 0.99 miles from Keller Road to 9 Mile Road, slag seal - Norris Road, 1.05 miles from Keller Road to 700 feet south of Guernsey Lake Road to west, double slag seal - Norris Road, 1.03 miles from Keller Road to Mullen Road, slag seal - Cambridge and Damon streets, slag seal - Wildwood Road, 2.78 miles from Marsh Road east to town line, slag seal - Wildwood Road, 0.37 miles from Norris Road west to town line, slag seal Public Notice March 6 - Organization Day 9am Monday, March 13, 2023 9 a m to 12 Noon, 1 to 4.00 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023 6 to 9 p.m. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board ofAppeals. TheYankee Springs Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendments) at or following the public hearing. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. share between the (Road Commission) and township on most work items,” Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch said. The 2023 repair schedule in Orangeville will be light, con­ sisting primarily of gravel work ($25,000), dust control ($13,500), line painting and crack seal work on Cambridge and Damon Street. More than $784,000 of projects are planned for 2024, with the big-ticket item being resurfacing and slag seal work on a nearly 1.9-mile stretch of Marsh Road from Wildwood Road to South Boulter Road, To the residents of THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP Thursday, March 16, 2023 Sam to 12 Noon; 6 to 8pm CALL 269-795-7202 make appointment with the Board of Review (Written appeals accepted until March 16, 2023) To The tentative recommended equalization ratios and estimated mul tipliers (factors) necessary to compute individual state equalized values of real property in the Township of Thornapple, Barry County: CLASS AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL INpUSjR|AL RESIDENTIAL PERSONAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTAL JlMfifef^UTOVER 195302 RATIO(%) MULTIPLIER 44.09% 47.65% 49.89% 42.31% 50.00 1.1340 1.0493 1.0022 1.1818 1.00000 None in Class None in Class Eric Schaefer, Thornapple Township Supervisor Thornapple Township will be appointing an individual to fill a vacancy on the Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission (TAPRC). The appointment to the TAPRC would be to fill the remainder of the four (4) year term that expires December of 2023 as one of the three (3) Township’s representatives to that organization. Those interested in being considered as a candidate for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to: Thornapple Township, 200 E. Main St., P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333 or e-mail to supervisor@thornapple-tWD.Org by Monday, March 13, 2023. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023/ Page 9 Gaines Township getting close to adopting master plan James Gemmell De Ward said. “The time Contributing Writer it’s taken to get this process After a year of public has just been slow. I mean, input and tweaking, adop­ here we are sending out tion of the new Gaines surveys in different lan­ Charter Township master guages so we have good plan may come up for a representation. And we get vote at the March 13 town­ them back and not one per­ ship board meeting. son responded (to the for­ But that is not certain. A eign-language versions),. draft of the plan was pub­ And we lost months fooling lished in December and around with getting inter­ then sent to various stake­ pretations and getting them holders and surrounding out ... we need to get mov­ jurisdictions last month for ing on this thing. It’s been a 45-day review. The pub­ over a year.” lic-comment period ended The Kentwood Public Schools translated the Monday, Feb. 20. “We have not had any 33-question survey for the comments thus far, other township into Bosnian, than individual land owners Burmese, Nepali, Spanish coming in to discuss what and Vietnamese. Township planners have they want their specific properties designated,” been diligent in giving the Color-coded dots were placed on a township map by residents to indicate where they would like to see Community Development public every chance to development go over the next 20 years in Gaines. (From gainestownship.org) Directo Dan Wells wrote in provide input. A pair of a Feb. 21 email reply for open houses were held last spring, and residents were this story. There is a tab on the able to place on a map colgainestownship.org homep- ored sticky dots to indi­ age that you can click to cate where they would like view the draft master plan. to see various kinds of The township has not development go. They did adopted a completely the same using a web­ new master plan since based GIS mapping tool 2002. It was last updated that was posted on social media. in 2008. The master plan is a A public survey was long-term planning docu­ posted on the township ment that provides a con­ website for residents to ceptual layout of how res- respond to a variety of The Gaines Township Board discusses the draft master plan at its Feb. 13 meeting. Left to right: Dan idential, commercial and questions about such things Fryling, Bob Terpstra, Kathy VanderStel, Michael Brew, Supervisor Rob DeWard, Laurie Lemke, Tim Haagsma. industrial developments as transportation needs, (Photo by James Gemmell) are to be plotted in the entertainment, parks and so township over the next 20 forth. In addition, flyers years. The new master were posted in several plan will include an updat- businesses, apartment businesses, ed Future Land Use Plan complexes, mobile home that establishes the intend­ parks and nonprofit organi­ ed locations of those zations. The flyers includ­ developments, as well as ed a QR code that people recreational areas, public could scan with their facilities, open space and SmartPhone in order to environmental conserva­ respond. The QR code for tion. the surveys ' also was Township planners also included with the summer are planning to update the tax bill that was sent to township ordinance this residents. More than 330 year. That is the legal docu-_ residents responded to the ment governing how the survey. development can be carried In the survey, residents out. expressed an interest in At the Feb. 13 board having the township’s meeting, Tim Haagsma told industrial and business his fellow trustees to pay growth go in the northeast particular attention to the section of the township, Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. master plan map that is with mixed uses running being proposed, including along the Division Avenue Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the the village centers, the resi­ corridor, and residential time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and dential retail locations and development in the cen­ treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? their descriptions. tral portion of the town­ “Because those are far ship. different than anything we There also has been currently have in any of our interest in creating more Don t HaueTo Brush zoning,” he said. community events and Your Teeth, Just He noted that the current places where people can Keep._____ master plan includes resi­ gather socially in the town­ dential designations like ship. We specialize in the prevention, RL-10 and RL-14. The planning commis­ diagnosis and treatment of the oral “But we don’t have sion reviewed the draft cavity, including the teeth and gums. these village centers. master plan Thursday night Those are things that at its monthly meeting. No dental insurance? (LDe we’ve done in sub-area Wells is not certain whether Sign up for our special payment plan plans a few places, but the township board will that’s a significant devia­ take a final vote March 13 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. tion from anything that we on whether to adopt the currently have as far as new master plan. Kentwood, Mi 49508 land-use designations,” “There may be concerns DEVRIES Phone 616-554-2100 Now accepting new patients. Haagsma said. that they have not brought DIN 1 Al devriesdentalmi.com Call today for appointment! “I’ve been very frustrat­ to my attention that will ed with this whole master need to be dealt with,” plan,” Supervisor Rob Wells said. We Accept A DELTA DENTAL* Keep VourTeeth fora LIFETIME! You One-Stop Dentistry! do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS HLL The Ones You __ LUant To ’ �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25,2023 • *8* • TOWNSHIP OF THORNAPPLE BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN RESOLUTION NO. 02-2023 (NOFFKE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FILING AND PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL TO THE TOWNSHIPBOARD; NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WHEREAS, the Township Board of the Township of Thomapple (the “Township”), pursuant to Act 188 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan of 1954, as amended (“Act 188”), has resolved its intent to make certain public improvements to Nofike Drive located within the Township, consisting of the milling, paving, sealing and restoration ofapproximately 24,500 square yards of roadway comprising Nofike Drive, from approximately 108th Street, SE, south to West Nofike Drive, and the financing thereof; and WHEREAS, the Township Supervisor has prepared and certified a special assessment roll for the purpose of specially assessing that portion of the cost ofthe public improvements (more particularly hereinafter described in Exhibit A) (“Public Improvements”) to the properties specially benefited by said Public Improvements, and the same has been presented to the Township Board. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT: 1. The special assessment roll shall be filed in the office of the Township Clerk and shall be available for public examination or inspection. 2. The Township Board shall hold a public hearing on March 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Township offices located at 200 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, for the purposes ofreviewing the special assessment roll and for hearing all persons interested in the special assessment roll and any objections to the roll. 3. The Township Clerk shall cause to be published a Notice of the Public Hearing in the Sun and News, a newspaper of general circulation within the Township, at least two (2) times prior to the public hearing, with the first publication at least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing. Proofs ofpublication ofsuch notice shall be filed with the Township Board. 4. The Township Clerk, at least ten (10) days prior to the date ofthe public hearing, shall also send a Notice ofthe Public Hearing by first class mail addressed to each record owner, or party in interest, ofeach parcel ofland to be assessed, at the address shown for such owner or party in interest upon the last Township tax assessment records or roll for ad valorem taxes, as supplemented by any subsequent changes in the names or addresses of the owners or parties listed therein, except in the case of railroad companies, who shall be mailed a Notice ofthe Public Hearing by registered mail within five (5) days after the first publication of the notice described in Paragraph 3 above. If a record owner’s name does not appear on the Township tax assessment records, then the notice required by this paragraph shall be given to the record owner at the address shown by the records ofthe Barry County Register of Deeds. 5. The form of the Notice of the Public Hearing to be mailed and published, as required herein, shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit B hereto. 6. All actions heretofore taken by Township officials, employees, and agents with respect to the Public Improvements and proceedings under Act 188 are hereby ratified and confirmed. 7. All resolutions or parts ofresolutions in conflict herewith shall be and the same are hereby rescinded. 8. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately. YEAS: Buckowing, Schaefer, Rairigh, Selleck, DeMaagd, Campbell NAYS: None ABSENT: Willshire RESOLUTION NO. 02-2023 DECLARED ADOPTED. Cindy Willshire Thomapple Township Clerk I, Cindy Willshire, certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the Thomapple Township Board at a public meeting held on February 21, 2023, and that public notice of said meeting was given pursuant to Act No. 267 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan of 1976. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed my official signature this 21st day ofFebruary, 2023. Cindy Willshire Thomapple Township Clerk EXHIBIT A DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Certain public improvements consisting of the milling, paving, sealing and restoration ofapproximately 24,500 square yards ofroadway comprising Nofike Drive, from approximately 108th Street, SE, south to West Nofike Drive. Without limiting the foregoing, the public improvements will include milling and hauling asphalt as well as installing new asphalt. The Public Improvements will further include, but not necessarily be limited to: legal work and fees, annual administrative efforts, design and other engineering work, project management costs, financing costs, and similar matters. EXHIBIT B TOWNSHIP OF THORNAPPLE BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN (NOFFKE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW AND POTENTIALLY CONFIRM THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Township Board ofthe Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, having resolved its intention to proceed to make certain public improvements in the Township, has made its final determination of a special assessment district which consists of the following described lots and parcels of land which are benefitted by the improvements and against which all or a portion of the costs of the improvements shall be specially assessed. NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that a special assessment roll has been prepared and presented to the Township Board for Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, pursuant to Act 188 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan 1954 (as amended) (“Act 188”) for the purpose ofdefraying the cost ofthe Nofike Drive improvements, from approximately 108th Street, SE, south to West Nofike Drive (the “Public Improvements”). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT the Township Supervisor has made and certified a special assessment roll for the special assessment district, which roll sets forth the relative portion ofthe costs ofsaid Public Improvements which is to be levied in the form of a special assessment against each benefited lot and parcel of land in the special assessment district. The NOFFKE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT shall consist ofthe following described lots and parcels ofland (all with direct frontage or access to Nofike Drive in Thomapple Township), against which all or a portion ofthe costs ofthe Public Improvements shall be specially assessed: PROPERTY TO BE ASSESSED: 14-080-015-00 MUIR JOHN O TRUST 6341 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-030-00 VAN ZEE-HEETHUIS CAROLYN H 7497 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-014-00 DEYOUNG DANIEL A & KAREN M 6359 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-018-00 POSTMA DONALD A JULIE 7504 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-031-00 14-085-009-00 OSTROWSKI DAVID A CHERYL 6368 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-013-00 VISSER KENNETH J A CINDY K 6377 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-032-00 DOOD ALAN B A SUZANNE E 7507 N NOFFKE DR TRUST PETTING A JEFFREY R A ARLENE 7517 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-008-00 VUGTEVEEN STANLEY L & 6382 N NOFFKE DR JOANNED DORLAND GREGORY J A 6393 N NOFFKE DR BARBARAJ 14-060-019-10 ON EIL TYLER 7520 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-033-00 DEKRAKER A WAYNE A BARBARA 7529 N NOFFKE DR 1 < 050 034 00 TOOKER ROBERT L A PHYLLIS A 6400 N NOFFKE DR TRUST HALES DAVID A & CONSTANCE M 7539 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-007-00 14-050-035-00 VUGTEVEEN TROY C & TERI R 6413 N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES KILGORE THOMAS P A KRISTINE P 7549 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-011-00+A15 :K171 14-050-035-10 14-080-010-00 BURMAN JOEL M & KIMBERLY 6431 N NOFFKE DR BLANCHARD JAMES A & 7559 N NOFFKE DR CHERYL L 14-080-009-00 FINSES GREG A KIM 6449 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-036-00 NAUSIEDA RICHARD A VICKI 14-085-006-00 SM1TTER TRENTEN 6450 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-037-00 14-080-008-00 BECKETT-VANDERH ART ROBIN L 6467 N NOFFKE DR TORRES ALBERT L A DEBORAH 7581 N NOFFKE DR K 7591 N NOFFKE DR LANDMAN TODD 14-080-007-00 KATHMANN FAMILY TRUST 6485 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-039-00 BABITZ RONALD J A RONI S 7601 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-006-00 HURLEY TAMMY R TRUST 6505 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-60 COOK NICHOLE & ANDREW 7604 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-005-00 HADZIC ORHAN 6510 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-20 STU RM WILLIAM A A LINDA A 7606 N NOFFKE DR HALES JUSTIN D & JENNIFER R 7621 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-012-00 14-050-038-00 7571 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-004-00 SOLIS SHAD C & WINDY R 6512 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-040-00 14-085-003-00 CLARK JOSHUA & SARAH 6514 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-041-00 WILKINSON SAMUEL F A 7631 N NOFFKE DR MAGGIE J 14-080-005-00 POLI. WINNIFRED L TRUST 6517 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-042-00 14-080-004-00 ELZINGA STEVEN C & MARIE C 6539 N NOFFKE DR KOLTUNCHIK LINDA S A WARD PETEM 14-085-002-00 BROWN JAMES M TRUST 6550 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-30 14-080-003-00 BIGELOW PATRICIA A SYKES 6557 N NOFFKE DR GREG 14-050-043-00 SOKOL KENNETH W A JOANNE 7680 N NOFFKE DR M 7683 N NOFFKE DR N YENHUIS CHAD & KARIE 14-080-002-00 HOFFMAN THOMAS A & 6575 N NOFFKE DR BRENDAS 14-050-044-00 WILTJER DAVID A A REBECCA L 7693 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-045-00 DEMORROW RICHARD D 7705 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-001-00 HAAKSMA MITCHELL A & EMILY 6580 N NOFFKE DR K 14-050-046-00 LIU STEVEN T TRUST 7715 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-025-00 WESTHOUSE JASON 6647 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-047-00 CORNER JOHN & NICHOLE 7725 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-024-00 JACOBSON MARK A 6661 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-048-00 OTTO SHARON L TRUST 7737 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-011-00 TEDROW MARK K & SUSAN 6670 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-50 SEVALD MARK D A DIANE A 7750 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-023-00 KING NANCY J 6671 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-049-00 SEVALD MARK D & DIANE A 7755 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-022-00 STRICKLAND JOEL G & 6679 N NOFFKE DR CRYSTALA 14-005-001-70 BRINKS ANTON & DOROTHY 7760 N NOFFKE DR FAMILY TRUST 7661 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-021-10 WAGNER GREGORY W 6691 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-050-00 HOWE KIM A A JULIE A 7771 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-021-00 FITCH LOYD & EVELYN TRUST 6703 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-051-00 STERKENBURG RANDALL L & 7775 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-012-00 COLES JR JOHN J & BRENDA J 6710 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-054-00 14-070-020-00 DONAGHY MARK A & RUTH M 6715 N NOFFKE DR HULST WAYNE & SALLlE JO 7783 N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES 14-070-019-00 LOCKHART JENNIFER A GREGORY 6727 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-013-00 KEYZER JAMES E & VICKI L 6730 N NOFFKE DR 6739 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-018-00 NYHUIS DONALD H A DEBRA L 14-070-017-00 WALSH DENISE A TRUSTEE 6751 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-016-00 CAMPBELL BRIAN & POLLY 6763 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-015-00 HAGER JOHN W A MARLENE K 14-070-014-00 14-070-013-10 Chris & Carolyn Matthysse 6795 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-016-00 SHAFFER BRIAN & KIMBERLY 6798 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-013-00 SCHAIDT LAWRENCE J III & 6803 N NOFFKE DR GAILL 14-050-052-00 STRATTON BRYAN D & AMANDA 7807 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-91 HULST TODD & DANIELLE 7849 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-35 PAUFLER CHRISTOPHER A & 7900 N NOFFKE DR RACHEL V 14-005-001-65 STRATTON BRYAN 14-005-001-90 HULST WAYNE & SALLIE JO N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES 6775 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-002-10 FREEMAN MARK E & BARBARA N NOFFKE DR HUMPHREY JON A DAWN 6787 N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES 14-060-012-10 VANENGEN JOHN N NOFFKE DR H & N NOFFKE DR 14-070-001-00 DEYOUNG GEORGE A DIANA N NOFFKE DR 14-080-001-00 WALSH JAMES J & GRETCHEN R N NOFFKE DR 14-086-014-00 CAMPBELL BRIAN A POLLY N NOFFKE DR CHRISTINE L 14-070-012-00 RANES ROBERT G JR & 6827 N NOFFKE DR KATHLEEN J 14-086-015-00 HUMPHREY JON & DAWN N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES 14-070-011-00 SNIDER MICHAEL D KIMBERLY 6839 N NOFFKE DR MTTEES 14-086-017-00 RANES ROBERT G JR & N NOFFKE DR KATHLEEN J 14-070-010-00 SYPNIEWSKI RICHARD & 6865 N NOFFKE DR DOROTHYJ 14-086-018-00 FINK LAWRENCE K N NOFFKE DR 14-086-019-00 NOBLE JARED A DARCY 14-086-020-00 NOBLE JARED N NOFFKE DR 14-086-022-00 SCHUURMAN JOHN N NOFFKE DR 14-086-023-00 DEYOUNG GEORGE G N NOFFKE DR 6874 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-009-00 BOLT HARLAN A SANDRA 6881 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-008-00 DENHOF MELISSA 6895 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-007-00 DEVRIES JANE L TRUST 6907 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-021-00 HILL-LEE SELINA M & LEE 6916 N NOFFKE DR JONATHAN E 14-070-006-00 KIM DERREK J & KATHLEEN M 6919 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-005-00 CAMPBELL CURTIS C & PATRICIA A 6931 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-004-00 LAFAVE TRUST 6943 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-003-00 SCHUURMAN JOHN H 6955 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-002-00 DEYOUNG GEORGE 6981 N NOFFKE DR TRAUM HEIDI 12184 CREEKVIEW DR 14-006-002-00 GREEN DANIEL & KELLY J 7025 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-003-00 OOSTERHOUSE BRIAN J A CARA 7045 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-005-00 WEI MA JEFFREY & BERNICE 7055 N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES 14-006-004-00 WRIGHT WILLIAM M & PATRICIA 7077 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-004-10 KNAPP ROBERT A & LAURA K 7101 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-431-00 DIERSCH ASHLEY 7115 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-002-00 MATHEWS CLINTON L & 7125 N NOFFKE DR CASSIDI J 14-006-001-30 LUCAS ALVIS 7140 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-004-00 WILTJER ROBERT A 7143 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-005-00 MANNING ROBERT J & JEAN M 7165 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-001-20 EICHENBERG KATHIE L 7170 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-006-00 PILLSBURY PAUL E & SANDRA K 7175 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-007-00 WHEELER SUSAN J 7195 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-007-10 WHEELER SUSAN J 7195 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-001-10 MCGILLICUDDY TIMOTHY A WENDY 7200 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-008-00 WRIGHT KAREN 7205 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-009-00 WEBSTER TERACIA L & COREY 7215 N NOFFKE DR R 14-060-001-00 WALSH MILDRED 7220 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-010-00 THOMAS BRIAN & SARA 7225 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-002-00 BRUNINK GINGER 7236 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-011-00 MICKELSON DEAN A A PATRICIA 7245 N NOFFKE DR ETRUST 14-060-003-00 VAN VEGHEL FAMILY TRUST 7250 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-012-00 VER STRATE WALTER & CAROL 7255 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-004-00 DORR KARL W 7260 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-005-00 SCHEID JEFFERY & KATHLEEN 7270 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-013-00 BRINKS DOUGLAS B & MARY E 7271 N NOFFKE DR TRUSTEES 14-060-006-00 FOX JOSHUA T&CRYSTAL D 7280 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-014-00 OOSTERHOUSE HERM & BETTY TRUST 7285 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-007-00 ABBOTT MICHELLE 7310 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-015-00 CARHART KYLE 7311 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-016-00 HAYES CHRISTOPHER J & KIM MARIE 7325 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-009-00 KONOW INGRID G REVOCABLE 7334 N NOFFKE DR TRUST 14-050-017-00 KONOW INGRID G TRUSTEE 7335 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-008-00 FOGG CORY A 7344 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-018-00 CU VA JAY & NICOLE 7345 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-019-00 KNOLL KLAUS TRUST 7355 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-020-00 SIEPLINGA DARYL J & MAklE 7365 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-010-00 HITE DARBY L A JULIE 7370 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-021-00 DEHAAN JAMES W & MARIA C TRUSTEES 7375 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-022-00 VANENGEN JOHN H CHRISTINE L & 7385 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-023-00 GEURINK RANDALL & PAMELA 7395 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-012-20 RICHARDS GARY L & DENISE S 7418 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-024-00 IVESON GLENN N & NANCY A 7419 N NOFFKE DR TRUST 14-060-012-00 BECKER DAVID A 7420 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-025-00 RICHARDS GARY L & DENISE S 7421 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-026-00 GRASMAN RICHARD A & DEBRA 7431 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-014-00 SOMMERDYKE BRIAN J 7442 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-015-00 LEE ADAM & MICHAELA 7446 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-027-00 BARNES ROBERT & LUANNE 7447 N NOFFKE DR TRUST 14-060-016-00 MITCHELL BRIAN H & Deborah 7450 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-017-00 MESECAR MARSHALL D & JOYCE A 7460 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-028-00 VANDERMEER JOHN L A LESA R 7477 N NOFFKE DR TRUST 14-050-029-00 GENTHER KAY A TRUSTEE 7487 N NOFFKE DR PUBLIC HEARING TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board of Thomapple Township will hold a public hearing on March 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm. in the Township offices at 200 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, for the purpose ofreviewing and potentially confirming the special assessment roll and also hearing and considering any and all objections thereto. TAKE NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the amount ofthe special assessment or other matters to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. TAKE NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or may file his/her appearance or protest by letter, on or before the close of the hearing. TAKE NOTICE that any person objecting to the assessment roll is requested to file written objections with the Township Clerk before the close ofthe hearing. TAKE NOTICE that an owner or any person having an interest in the real property subject to the special assessment may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within thirty (30) days after the date ofthe confirmation ofthe special assessment roll ifthe owner or person having an interest in the real property appears and protests the special assessment at the hearing held for the purpose ofconfirming the roll. Michigan Tax Tribunal P.O. Box 30232 Lansing, Michigan 48909 TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment roll as prepared has been reported to the Township Board and is on file with the Township Clerk for public examination or inspection. This notice was authorized by the Township Board ofthe Township of Thomapple. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Thomapple Township 200 East Main Street Middleville, Michigan 49333 269-795-7202 Dated: February 21,2023 Cindy Willshire, Township Clerk �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023/ Page 11 TK bowling teams have handful earn all-conference accolades The Thomapple Kellogg girls placed fifth and the boys sixth at the OK Gold Conference Postseason Tournament Tuesday at Spectrum Lanes. Sara Willshire and Emily Podbevsek from the TK girls’ team both earned hon- orable mention all-confer­ ence awards. Willshire had games of 130, 149 and 141 Tuesday. Podbevsek had scores of 101,124 and 127. Jenna Robinett also rolled three games for the Trojans earning scores of 115, 124 and 98. The TK team had a total pin count of 2,299. That included four Baker games and three regular games. The TK girls’ team also got contributions from Kenzie Chapin-Dyer, Sidney Ripley and Ashley Norman. The TK boys were sixth on the day with an overall pinfall of 2,846. Z Moore earned a spot on the all-tournament team with his sixth-place series of 583. Moore and Wyatt Jacobson earned all-conference honors and Ethan Kriekaard earned an honorable mention all-conference award this season. Moore had games of 181, 193 and 209 Tuesday. Jacobson put together scores of 174,178 and 168. TK also got a 133, 159 and 127 from Wyatt Barnes, scores of 135, 118 and 143 from Kriekaard and scores of 138, 119 and 122 from Andy Liu. The Trojan teams were back in action at Spectrum Lanes Thursday and Friday this week competing in their MHSAA Division 2 Regional Team and Singles competi­ tions. FHE gets buzzer-beating putback for second win over TK boys Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans nearly pulled it offTuesday. Forest Hills Eastern fought back for a 52-50 win over the visiting Trojans in Ada in their second OK Gold Conference ballgame of the season. The Hawks won by 31 points when the two teams met in Middleville last month. The Hawks outscored the Trojans 17-10 in the fourth quarter to erase a five-point Trojan lead and got a buzz­ er-beating putback to go in front in the end. “We’ve been working towards playing a full game and this was nearly it,” TK head coach Josh Thaler said. “We had great offense, limit­ ed turnovers, played solid defense. Currently, we have five or six guys that are able to score 10 or more points a game. The goal at this point of the season is to be playing our best basketball of the sea­ son and that’s what happened. A three-pointer by sopho­ more guard Jacob Draaisma had TK in front 50-43 with 90 seconds to play in the ball­ game. Draaisma finished with 14 points for TK. TK had the ball still up seven with 1:15 to go, but couldn’t break through the Hawks’ press and turned the ball over on a ten second call. Forest Hills Eastern’s Drew Patten sparked his team’s last run with a triple from the top of the key with 58 seconds to go that cut the TK lead to four points. The Trojans turned the ball over in the back-court a cou­ ple times in the back-court against the Hawks’ pressure and Patten fed teammate Aiden Sullivan for another three that had his team within a point at 50-49 with a little over half a minute to play. A technical foul against the Trojans after some physical play in the back-court led a game-tying free throw for the Hawks with 30.8 seconds left. Sullivan hit the second of the two technical foul shots to put FHE even at 50-50 and they got to inbound the basketball. Patten fired up a wild stepback three with four seconds to go that missed the mark but Jaren Culp pulled down the miss and went back up with it at the buzzer for the game-winner. Junior guard Tyler Gavette led the Trojans with 15 points. Sophomore guard Brody Wiersma had 8 points to go with 3 assists. “Sophomores, Draaisma and Wiersma, have been playing solid, scoring a bit opening round and put up 187.7 point in round two. The Scots’ round three score of 268.3 was just off their top marks ofthe season, but it was enough to put them in the top ten at the end of the day. The OK Red Conference champions from Grandville won the district title with an overall score of 784.6. The top four teams at the district earned spots in this week­ end’s regional round of the state tournament. Rockford earned the run­ ner-up score with a total of 779.7 points ahead ofJenison 777.98 and Hudsonville 776.2 in the top four. Mona Shores was fifth with a three-round total of 761.7, ahead of East Kentwood 751.46, West Ottawa 746.62, Byron Center 740.66, West Catholic 727.72, Caledonia 665.8, Grand Ledge 656.98, Holt 585.5 and Grand Haven 567. Grandville had the best score in the first two rounds Saturday with totals of 236.7 and 231.2. The Bulldogs closed the day with a 316.7 in round three which was bested by Jenison’s 317 and the host Rams’ score of 318. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING The Thornapple Township Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed Township Budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 at the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville On Monday March 13, 2023 At 7:00 p.m. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be the subject of this hearing. A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the Township office. Americans with Disabilities Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at this public meeting upon 6 days notice to the Township Clerk. Cindy A. Willshire Thornapple Township Clerk Gavette had 20 points and 4 assists in that one. Draaisma finished with 6 points. Wiersma had 5 points and Sias added 5 points and three blocked shots. Senior Rein Pranger added 4 points. The 2-17 Trojans were set to finish the OK Gold Conference season against Ottawa Hills Friday. TK was 2-11 in OK Gold Conference play going into that one. The Trojans close the regular season visiting Grandville Tuesday and then playing at Lakewood Thursday, March 2. 284 N. BRIGGS ROAD- MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 Scots put up their best point total of the season at DI district Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity competitive cheer team did what it set out to do. The Fighting Scots improved all winter long both in terms ofperformance and in the numbers on the score sheet. Caledonia scored its high­ est point total of the season at 665.8 to place tenth at its MHSAA Division 1 District Tournament hosted by Rockford Saturday, Feb. 18. The Caledonia girls got offto a great start with a sea­ son-best score of 209.8 in the more and playing much more tough,” Thaler said. ‘They’re giving us more and more glimpses of what they can do in years to come. The Trojan team got 5 points and 8 rebounds from J ax an Sias. Kyle VanHaitsma chipped in 4 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The Hawks led the bail­ game 16-9 after one quarter, but TK rallied to move in front 27-24 at the half. The Trojans lost a tough one last Friday, Feb. 17, 55-44 at Kenowa Hills. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Commission of Yankee Springs Township will conduct a public hearing concerning the following matters on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at Gun Lake Community Church, 12200 WM-179 Hwy, Wayland MI in the Township. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include the following: 1. Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Article II, Definitions, Section 2.1 (77) setback; and Article XII, General Regulations, Section 12.4 Required Setbacks regarding encroachments. 2. Such other and further business as may properly come before the Planning Commission at said hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed zoning ordinance amendment can be reviewed at the office ofthe Township Clerk during regular business hours ofregular business days and will also be available at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that written comments will be taken from any interested person concerning the proposed text amendments at the office of the Township Clerk at the address set forth below, at any time during regular business hours up to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and will further be received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the proposed zoning ordinance amendment at or following the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals requiring services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Mike Cunningham, Township Clerk Yankee Springs Township 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, eville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 �Page g 12/The Sun and News,, Saturday, y, February y 25,, 2023 CHS bested by pair of league’s best as Red season nears end Brett Bremer Sports Editor Rockford pulled out a 71 -60 win over the Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team at Caledonia High School Tuesday to stay a game back of the OK Red Conference leaders East Kentwood and Hudsonville heading into the final weekend of the confer­ ence season. The Rams improved to 9-4 jn conference play with their second win of the season over the Fighting Scots. East Kentwood and Hudsonville went into this weekend both 10-3 in conference play. Caledonia fell to 2-1.1 in the OK Red with its loss to the Rams and was set to visit Jenison to take on the 2-11 Wildcats Friday night, Feb. 24. The Scots close the regular season with non-conference ballgames today, Feb. 25, at Pewamo-Westphalia and Tuesday at home against Portage Central. It was a good start for the Fighting Scots Tuesday. They were down just two after the first quarter, but the Rams buried four three-pointers in the second quarter, scoring 24 points total in the period, and led by 12 at the half. Rockford took advantage of an inside-out combination. The Rams had a size advan­ tage in the post and a number of guys capable of hitting shots from behind the threepoint line. “Overall, we competed really hard,” Caledonia head coach Phil Visser said. “We were right there , with them. It was a missed shot that could have gone in on our end and then every time they seemed to have an answer on their end whether it was a three or a couple free throws.” The Scots made a run to get within six points in the fourth quarter, and had the ball, but the Scots couldn’t convert again and a Rockford three pushed it to nine points. Another Scot possession came up empty, and the Rams hit two free throws to push their lead back to double figures. “We put ourselves in a posi­ tion to be right there at the end and unfortunately a few bounces didn’t go well on the offensive end,” Caledonia head coach Phil Visser said. Jaiden Googins and Ky Vanderwoude. had 19 points each for Caledonia. Elijah Holt finished with 10 points. The Rams got 17 points from Michael Dekuiper, 13 from Charlie Deutsch and 12 from Andrew Landis. East Kentwood took an 81-59 win over the Caledonia boys in Caledonia in an OK Red ballgame last Friday, Feb. 17. The Falcons had a solid night from behind the arc against the Scots too. They were just l-of-14 from long range when they met in Kentwood earlier this season. The Falcons spread out six three-pointers over the course ofthe night last Friday. Caledonia went into the contest planning to pack their defense into the paint, fight for rebounds, and to hope that the Falcons weren’t on from out­ side. Visser said the Falcons kind ofpicked apart the Scots’ zone a few times, and then turn­ overs by the Caledonia offense led to a few too many Kentwood buckets. The Falcons built a tenpoint lead in the first half and them pulled away by scoring 49 points in the second half. Vanderwoude had 19 points in the loss for the Scots. See CHS, page 14 Scots hope third time is the charm in district opener with Falcons Brett Bremer %fffy$ports Editor Th# Fighting Scots were much better in meeting num­ ber two with the Falcons. East Kentwood swept its OK Red Conference series with the Caledonia varsity girls’ basketball team by scor­ ing a 61-54 win at Caledonia High School Friday, Feb. 17. The Falcons took a 22-point win when the two teams met in Kentwood last month. The Scots are hoping to be even better next time. The two teams face offto open the state tournament Monday at Caledonia High School in the MHSAA Division 1 District Quarterfinals. The winner of that bailgame moves on to Wednesday’s district semifi­ nals at Wyoming taking on either Thomapple Kellogg or Ottawa Hills. The Scots had a 26-25 lead going into the half last Friday. Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers said the tide kind of turned in the third quarter as the Falcons went on a 20-7 run to take control of the bail­ game. “We just got away from being able to rotate defensive­ ly,” Bloemers said. “We were bouncing back and forth between some man and zone and doing a goodjob ofkeep­ ing them offbalance.” The pace picked up in that third quarter too as a few Caledonia turnovers allowed the Falcons to push the basket­ ball a bit more. Gracie Gortmaker led the Scots with 17 points in the loss. Lily Gortmaker had 11 points. Kendall Benson chipped in 17 points and Mackenzie Devries had 6. The Scots kept fighting through the fourth quarter. They scored 21 points in the final period and attacked the basket to get to the free throw line eight times. Bloemers said it kind of looked like his girls were a bit out of steam Tuesday at Rockford where they were bested 71-25 by the confer­ ence champions from Rockford. The Rams moved their record to 13-0 in the OK Red with the win over the Scots and were 20-1 heading into this weekend’s action. The Rams hit seven three-pointers in the first quar- ter and controlled the contest from the start. They’d finish the bailgame with ten triples. They scored 30 points in the opening quarter. Devries had 10 points to lead the Scots’ offense and Gracie Gortmaker finished with 9 points. Alyssa Wypych led the Rams with 14 points and Anna Wypych had 13. Caledonia was scheduled to close the regular season at Jenison Friday night, Feb. 24. The Scots went into that ballgame 2-11 in the OK Red this season and 5-16 overall. TKHS girls open district play at Ottawa Hills Monday The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball team went into the weekend booke n d e d by meetings with the Bengals. The Trojans were set to host Ottawa Hills in the OK Gold Conference and regular season finale in Middleville Friday. The two teams will square off again Monday in the opening round of the t e s . c om / Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP March 7th, 2023 Org. Meeting - 8:00AM Appeal dates: Monday: March 13th, 2023 9:00AM - 3:00PM Tuesday: March 14th, 2023 3:00PM -9:00PM All reviews will be heard by appointment only For appointments call :(616) 891-0070 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia Ml 49316 Written appeals must be in the Twp. office by Thursday, March 9, 2023 The 2023 equalization tentative ratios and estimated multipliers for the Charter Township of Caledonia will be as follows: Agricultural: Commercial: Industrial: Residential: Personal: Supervisor: Bryan Harrison Assessor: Laura Stob Tentative Ratio 47.92 46.63 43.52 44.95 50.00 195303 Charter Township of Gaines, County Of Kent, Ml Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County - Michigan 2023 March Board of Review Tuesday: met in Grand Rapids, back in late January. The Bengals went into Friday night’s contest in Middleville still chasing their first OK Gold Conference win of the season. The Trojans were 2-10 heading into that match-up and 4-16 overall. The Trojans were bested 49-36 by Forest Hills Eastern in Middleville Tuesday night 2023 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE 194979 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 MHSAA Division 1 District Tournament. The Trojans and Bengals tip-off Monday at 6 p.m. at Ottawa Hills High School. The winner of that game advances to Wednesday’s district semifi­ nals at Wyoming High School against either Caledonia or East Kentwood. The TK ladies took a 54-32 win the last time the two teams Estimated multiplier 1.0434 1.0723 1.1489 1.1123 1.0000 The Gaines Charter Township Board of Review for March 2023 will be held at the Township Office located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml to hear appeals regarding 2023 assessments. The Gaines Charter Township March Board of Review will meet on the fol­ lowing dates: • Tuesday, March 7,2023, 9:00 AM: Organizational Meeting • Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Appeals Hearings • Thursday, March 16, 2023,1:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Appeals Hearings The Board of Review will meet as many more days as necessary to hear protests and equalize the 2023 assessments. By Board resolution, taxpayers may protest by letter sent to 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml, 49316 or by email to megan.vanhoose@gainestownship.org, provided the protest is received before 5:00 PM Thursday, March 16, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2023 are as follows: Agricultural 46.47 1.0760 Commercial 46.38 1.0781 Residential 44.08 1.1343 Developmental NC NC Industrial 46.97 1.0645 Personal Property 50.00 1.0000 Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Notice The Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with dis­ abilities at the Board of Review meetings upon seven (7) days’ notice. Contact Kim Triplett at 616-504-4332 �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023/ Page 13 TK ladies a step away from Finals return Brett Bremer 0 ||)I0 10 P 0 $ 0 (Sil $ J It Sports Editor The countdown continues! “Two weeks til state,” shouted the Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team late in its round one performance Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament in Middleville. It’ll be one week til state when the Trojans compete in Saturday’s MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Kenowa Hills High School, Feb. 25. “This week is going to be the week where we go bon­ kers, because regionals is the last bump that we have to overcome and then we can have everything we have ever wanted,” TK senior Lydia Berg said. She has been focused on getting to the state finals since her sophomore season. “Today we focused on the energy that we were giving off,” TK head coach Adrian Nichols said. “I got them all a little lightning bolt neck­ lace, and it basically said, ‘be electric,’ and that was the punch word we used for the past couple of weeks - was to be electric in their perfor­ mance, as well as their skills obviously, and the overall performance of what that felt like. “I always say to them, I believe in you, but you need to make the judges believe in you. We focused a lot on our performance here.” The TK Trojans had the dominant performance of round one on their own mats Friday and kept pace with the Plainwell Trojans in round two. Berg reached over and slapped hands with junior Kenady Smith in the center of the Trojans’ formation before the start of round three, and they and their teammates put up an electric performance of their difficult round three routine that clinched their program’s sec­ ond ever district champion­ ship. The top four teams from the district earned spots in the regional round of the state tournament, where the top four teams qualify for the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals, which will be held at Central Michigan University March 3. TK last won a district in 2016 and last competed in the state finals in 2015. “It was crazy. After round one, we went into the locker room and we were jumping up and down. We were like, that was the round one that we were waiting for,” Berg said. “We were working real­ ly hard all season and that was the feeling we have been chasing. It was a really great day today.” It was those two teams of Trojans in the drivers’ seat from the start. They were the top two scoring teams in each of the three rounds. The Thomapple Kellogg girls closed the day with an over­ all score of 740.26. Plainwell was second with 731.56 points. TK outscored Plainwell 224.4 to 220.5 in round one. Plainwell inched closer by outscoring TK 210.86 to 210.26 in round two, but TK was pretty pleased with that performance. Mali Holland rushed over to give team­ mate Anna Smith an emphat­ ic hug following the perfor­ mance. Anna Smith has been landing her back tucks all season, but really stuck it for the first time Friday. Coach Nichols said Spanish exchange student Monica Serrano Aguilar had one of her best back tucks of the season at the district too. “Our tuck hit. That was the pivotal moment of this day, was the tuck in round two, for sure,” Nichols said. Thomapple Kellogg went fourth among the 13 teams in round three and put up a score of 305.6 that was going to be tough to beat. Plainwell was excellent in round three too, going ninth in that final round and earning a score of 300.2, but didn’t quite match the skills the Trojan flyers Ava Jahnke, Mia Hiltori and Claira Kovich performed high above the mat. “With round three, we just have to take it slow and real- The Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team celebrate as it is announced as the champion of its MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament in Middleville Friday, Feb. 17. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ly be a team,” Berg, a main base, said. “When we get on the mat and we start rushing and just worrying about our stunt groups, that is when we fall apart. We have to be watching other people’s stunt groups. We have to be mak­ ing sure we are slowing down and listening to each other. Mat talking is really important. When we’re in the stunt you just have to keep saying, ‘halfway through, keep pushing!’ I think our whole team just pushing each other up is really what gets us through round three.” The judges were a bit tough Friday, but fair across the board. Nichols said while the scores weren’t the high­ est ofthe season for her girls, the performance was likely the best of the season. The TK coach was curious to how things would go. The TK ladies didn’t practice See TK CHEER, page 14 Thornapple Kellogg’s Mali Holland (from left), Kenady Smith and Mia Hilton perform during round two of the MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament in Middleville Friday, Feb. 17. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 195669 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Phone: 616.891.0070 ALEDONIA Caledonia, MI 49316 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP^ CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF Anna Smith leads the Trojan vocals from the front of the mat during round one of the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer District Tournament in Middleville Friday, Feb. 17. (Photo by Brett Bremer) SPRAYFOAM SP ” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on February 15,2023, the Township Board of the Charter Township of Caledonia adopted Ordinance No. 2023-03. In summary, the ordinance amended Sections 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12,14, and 15 of the Charter Township of Caledonia Cemetery to add regulations regarding columbarium and niches including definitions, purchase prices, markers, interment regulations and other related regulations. The ordinance will become effective on March 25,2023. A copy ofthe ordinance may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: February 25, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023 TK CHEER, continued from page 13 Thursday because of the weather conditions and then didn’t have school on Friday with it being the start oftheir mid-winter break. “As an outsider, you’d be like whoa all cards are kind of stacked against you there, but it was the opposite. I think they just needed a second and they needed a little break, and clearly it worked out. But I am telling you, the energy was completely different all day long.” The TK girls had a team Thornapple Kellogg senior Lydia Berg and her teammates chomp on their medal as they celebrate their program’s first district championship since 2016 following the MHSAA Division 2 District Tournament in Middleville Friday, Feb. 17. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 2023 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE Yankee Springs Township Barry County The Yankee Springs Township Board of Review for March 2023 will meet at the Yankee Springs Township Office at 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 on March 15 and 16,2023. The Yankee Springs Township March Board of Review will meet on the following dates: Appeals are by appointment Please call 269-795-9091 to schedule an appointment • Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 1 PM- Organizational Meeting • Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1-4 PM and 6-9 PM - Appeal Hearing •Thursday, March 16, 2023, 9 AM - Noon and 1:30­ 4:30 PM - Appeal Hearing The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests, and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By board resolution, taxpayers are able to protest in person, by letter sent to Dan Scheuerman at Yankee Springs Township, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville, Ml 49333, or email danscheuenman@yankeespringstwp.org.. provided protest is received prior to 4 PM on March 16, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2022 are as follows ‘Agricultura ...43.08% ...... 1.1606 •Commercial. ...49.46%. * Industrial... ...49.06%. •Residential.. ...47.47%. ♦Personal Property...50.00%. 1.0109 1.0192 1.1773 1.00000 Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Notice Persons with disabilities that need special assistance, please contact Mike Cunningham, Clerk, at 269-795-9091. Rob Heethuis, Supervisor Dan Scheuerman, Assessor breakfast Friday and were at the gym by 2 p.m. for the meet that started at 6 p.m. “It was insane,” Nichols said. “Normally, I’m a little bit out of it and they might feel good, but today it was every one. Every single one of us, all three coaches and every single girl on the team had just a different mojo. I loved that. That was the best part for sure, and then obvi­ ously a trophy at the end of the day and another number on the banner was the thing that sealed the deal for sure.” Another big battle Friday was for the final two regional qualifying spots behind TK and Plainwell. Gull Lake, Sturgis and Zeeland West were all within a point of each other in the third, fourth and fifth spots heading into round three. That’s where Gull Lake and Sturgis sepa­ rated themselves. Sturgis was third with a final score of 708.08 and Gull Lake fourth at 704.24. Zeeland West finished the day, and its season, in fifth with a score of698.92. Sturgis had a round three score of 295.6, Gull Lake 291.5 and Zeeland West 287.1. Behind those top five teams were Edwardsburg with a score of 641.4, Stevensville Lakeshore 624.9, Wayland 621.3, Mattawan 613.22, St. Joseph 613.22, Zeeland East 570, Harper Creek 559.2 and Wyoming 558.7. Sturgis had a round one score of 210.7 and a round two score of 201.78. Gull Lake scored 216.2 points in round one and 196.54 in round two. Zeeland West was in fifth after those first two rounds in which it scored 216.0 points and 195.82. Meduna set to end senior season for Scots at Individual State Finals open the second period and put his opponent on his back for a quick 4-0 lead. Meduna went on to ad a couple take downs in the third period to clinch the victory. The Caledonia senior had his junior season ended in a one-point defeat in the blood round at districts in 2022. Forest Hills Northern’s Chris Arrington bested Meduna in the match for third place at their weight class, 6-4. Meduna opened the regional by besting Battle Creek Central’s Angelo Williams 8-3, but then fell 7-2 to Holt’s Ty Hafke in the semifinals. Hafke, a senior, was one of two regional champions for Holt. His classmate Sawyer Hosford won the 106-pound regional champi­ onship. Rockford was the only team to have as many as three regional champions on the day in Byron Center. Junior Ryan Ahem opened the championship round by improving his season record to 44-2 with a win over Holt’s Jackson Bremer in the 190-pound final. Rockford junior Elijah Bunn moved his record to 45-2 this season with his 7-1 win over Grandville’s Xavier Caledonia senior Dylan Meduna celebrates with Carpenter in the 132-pound his medal after placing fourth in his 175-pound weight final. class at the MHSAA Division 1 Individual Wrestling Rockford senior Jak Keller Regional at Byron Center High School Feb. 18. is now 44-2 after a 7-1 win of Meduna earned a spot in the March 3-4 Individual his own over Traverse City State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit with his finish at Central’s Dutch Ballan in the the regional. 144-pound championship match. invinu luiiPionir OK Red Conference wres­ tlers won eight of the 14 BOARD OF REVIEW weight classes Saturday. Jenison sophomore Anton The 2023 Board of Review for Irving Township will meet as follows: ‘Ian’ Barynas won the 285Tuesday, March 7th at 11:00am - Organizational Meeting pound championship; Monday, March 13th from 3:00pm-9:00pm Hudsonville sophomore Tuesday, March 14th from 9:00am-3:00pm Conor McAlary won the Written appeals will be accepted by March 14, 2023. 113-pound title; West Ottawa senior Owen Foster was the The tentative equalization ratios for computation of SEV of real property are as follows: 165-pound champion; and Grandville got regional Irving 2023 Ratios and Multipliers championships from Josh Classification Ratio Multiplier Of Real Prooertv Real Prooertv Vasquez at 120 pounds and Justin Gorman at 157 pounds. Agricultural Residential Commercial Industrial Timber-Cutover Developmental PERSONAL PROPERTY Commercial Industrial Utility Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia senior Dylan Meduna won his way to the MHSAA Division 1 Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in Detroit with a fourth-place finish at last weekend’s regional tourna­ ment hosted by Byron Center High School. Meduna ran his record to 34-11 with a pair of victories in the 175-pound weight class at the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Tournament. 44.12% 42.11% 48.43% 41.04% None in Class None in Class 50.00% 50.00% 50.00% It was a 9-3 win over Portage Central’s Xavier Stermer in the blood round, the consolation semifinals where winners advance and their opponents see their state tournament run come to an end, that clinched the spot on the regional medal stand and in the state finals for Meduna. Meduna led that blood round match from the open­ ing moments of the second period. He scored a quick reversal against Stermer to 1.1307 1.874 1.0324 1.2183 CHS, continued from page 12 - 1.000 1.000 1.000 This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1076 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA 41.72A (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Irving Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities upon seven (7) day notice to the Irving Township Board, such as signer for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials to be presented at the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the clerk at (269) 948-0633. Jamie R. Knight, Supervisor, Irving Township 195301 Googins had 18 points and Mason McKenzie finished with 11. “Jaiden just does a really good job of catching and fin­ ishing around the hoop,” Visser said. “Ky attacked and got to the free throw line seven times. He 6-of-7 from the line. He was attacking off the drib­ ble and finishing around the hoop at times too.” Marshaun Flakes led the Falcons with 24 points. Jamell Hatchett had 19 points. �The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25,2023/ Page 15 TK gets five of six regional qualifiers to Finals in Detroit Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg man­ aged to get five of its six regional qualifiers through to the MHSAA Division 2 Individual State Finals, which will be held at Ford Field in Detroit March 3-4. Trojan senior Kyron Zoet scored his 150th varsity victo­ ry and improved to 46-4 by winning the regional champi­ onship at the MHSAA 2 Division Regional Tournament hosted by Lowell last Saturday, Feb. 18. He out­ scored Lowell’s Trevor Boone 5-3 in the 132-pound champi­ onship match. The top four in each weight class Saturday earned spots in the state finals. TK also got a runner-up finish from senior Austin Chivis at 171 pounds, a third-place finish from senior Zack Gibson at 144 and fourth place finishes by senior Jackson Curtis at 150 pounds and sophomore Christien Miller at 106 pounds. The Trojan team also had freshman Dylan Pauline com­ peting at 113 pounds. Curtis dealt the Hastings team one of its blood round the season. He missed the blows, outscoring Saxon entire month of January, and senior Robby Slaughter 9-2 in some time on either end ofthe their 150-pound consolation month, with an injury. semifinal bout. Slaughter ends Gibson suffered just his his four varsity seasons with third loss of the season more than 150 varsity victo­ Saturday. He is now 44-3 after ries. He holds the Saxon his third-place finish at 144 records for most take downs in pounds which included a 10-2 a career, most career pins and major decision over Fruitport’s most take downs in a season. Nash Cooper in consolation He was 43-6 this winter. final. Lowell's CJ Poole Hastings had eight wres­ knocked off Gibson 5-3 in the tlers competing in Lowell, but semifinals after Gibson had only returning sophomore started his day by pinning the state medalist Isaac Friddle, a Saxons’ Cohen Smith. Gibson, 215-pounder, managed to get another guy with over 150 through the regional. varsity wins and three state Curtis, who is now 36-12 medals already, earned his on the season, was pinned by spot in the 2023 Finals by pin­ Lowell’s Landon Miller in the ning Ionia’s Killian Campbell 150-pound consolation final. in the blood round. Miller was the wrestler who Miller defeated Greenville’s put Curtis in the consolation Caleb Lewis 9-2 in the blood bracket in the first place with a round and then fell 4-2 to 5-4 win in the quarterfinals to Lowell’s Mason Saylor in the start the day. match for third at 106 pounds. Chivis won his way to the That was Saylor’s second tworegional final at 175 pounds point win over Miller of the with a pin of Cedar Springs’ day. Miller is now 30-9 this David DeWeese and a 7-1 win season. over Plainwell’s Luke Lyons. Unsurprisingly, Lowell had Lowell’s Carson Crace bested 13 of its 14 regional qualifiers Chivis 14-3 in the champion­ wrestle their way to spots on ship. Chivis is now 19-2 on the regional medal stand. Thornapple Kellogg senior Kyron Zoet is joined by parents Josh and Brandy Zoet to celebrate his 150th varsity win Saturday at the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Wrestling Regional at Lowell High School. Kyron is one of five TK wres­ tlers who earned spots in the MHSAA Division 2 Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field with their medal winning performances Saturday. Crace, Maddox Simcoe at 150 pounds, Poole at 144, Owen Segorski at 138, Jackson Blum at 120, Carter Cichocki at 113 and Jarrett Smith at 106 pounds all won regional titles, with Blum besting teammate Logan Dawson 20-5 in their 120-pound championship match. The Red Arrows are back in action this weekend at the MHSAA Team State Finals at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo. They were sched­ uled to face Birmingham Brother Rice in their MHSAA Division 2 Team Wrestling Quarterfinal Friday. Lowell is going after its tenth consecu­ tive team state title. Scots’ Hayden and TK’s Gibson score spots in Girls’ State Finals ■•Mi ®d&ai W j®i •wdM saaiik: 'Gtoiij^ rafellji idnuifti 2ift»Wiif wTrnnCi tifc Cigspjt Masit tylikl S3 $■* taels inkl tapto iywt gp'S to# H>to lil^ f j»# irf A w (0s 0* Caledonia freshman Maddie Hayden celebrates her regional championship along with coaches Roger Singleton (left) and Jeffrey Alcala after winning her 155pound weight class at the MHSAA Girls’ Individual Wrestling Regional Red 2 at Grayling High School. Hayden earned the right to compete in the MHSAA Girls’ Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field March 3-4. Brett Bremer spot with Hayden in the Sports Editor March 3-4 MHSAA Girls’ Caledonia freshman Individual Wrestling Finals Maddie Hayden ran her at Ford Field in Detroit. record to 21-4 in her first The top four in each varsity wrestling season with weight class at four girls’ three pins at the MHSAA regionals across the state last Girls’ Individual Red 2 weekend earned spots Regional at Grayling High Gibson was 4-1 on the day School Sunday. at the tournament with her Hayden clinched her only loss a 12-2 major deci­ regional championship by sion against Watervliet’s pinning Pine River’s Taylor Woollett in the 120Lillian Pylman just 22 sec­ pound semifinals. Gibson onds into their 155-pound bounced back to pin Pine championship match at the River’s Krystin Nelson in the regional. blood round (consolation This is just the second semifinals) and then took a year that the MHSAA has 6-1 win over Grayling’s hosted a girls’ individual Mandy Andrews to earn the wrestling state tournament. third place medal. Gibson’s teammate Thomapple Kellogg soph­ omore Emma Gibson is the Kayleigh Brown was a state second TK girl to qualify for qualifier a year ago and she the girls’ state finals. She was once again competing wrestled her way to a third- Saturday along with team­ place finish Sunday and a mates Kara Smith. Smith had one win in the 135-pound weight class, a pin in the opening round of consola­ tion. She was bested by Lee’s Marisol Vega 6-1 in the con­ solation semifinal round where the winners secure their spot at the state finals and their opponent sees their tournament run come to an end. Hayden started her tourna­ ment with a pin of Northview’s Timiah DenBoer 39 seconds into their quarterfinal match. She stuck Marcellus’ Carlee Osborn 2:48 into their semi­ final bout. She is undefeated in girls’ competitions so far this season, with her handful of losses to guys in OK Red Conference duals for the Fighting Scot varsity team this winter. She was one of three Caledonia girls’ wrestling Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Emma Gibson (second from right) is joined on the 120-pound medal stand by (from left) Chippewa Hills’ Lindsey Gibson, Watervliet’s Taylor Woollett and Grayling’s Mandy Andrews at the MHSAA Girls’ Regional Red 2 at Grayling High School Sunday. The top four in each weight class at the regional earned spots in the MHSAA Girls’ Individual Wrestling Finals which will be held March 3-4 at Ford Field in Detroit. Sunday, j joined by 170-pounder Kiersten DeHaan and 100-pounder Halle Stout. They were both held without a win at the regional. In all, 134 girls took part in the regional in Grayling Sunday. West Ottawa had the largest contingent, send­ ing nine girls to the event. Manton was the only school with two regional champions. Makayla Gowell took the 170-pound weight class and teammate Kennedi Wahmhoff won the 130pound title. LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PANTS • PICK UPS • ONE TOMS • VANS • SONS • JEEPS • AMS FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 ^U S S 1811LAKEST.,KALAMAZOO �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, February 25, 2023 Scots hope OT win is start of another good run Brett Bremer Sports Editor That is a familiar feeling for the Fighting Scots. The Caledonia varsity hockey team opened the MHSAA Division 1 state tournament with a sopho­ more scoring an overtime goal for the second season in a row Thursday afternoon. This time it was sopho­ more forward Henry Simon taking the puck away from the Kalamazoo Eagles and quickly firing it past Eagle goalkeeper Owen Anderson just 30 seconds into the first eight-minute sudden death overtime period at Munn Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan State University. He gave the Fighting Scots a 4-3 victory and a spot in Friday night’s (Feb. 24) MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal against the top-seeded Eastside Stars back at Munn. “We saw the turnover and I knewhe was going to score right away,” Caledonia senior captain Zach Schneider said. “[Simon] is a big, clutch guy and I had all my faith in him that he was going to score.” It was Aidan Wilson, now a Fighting Scot junior, who scored the overtime winner to start, last season’s state tournament run, which took the co-op of Caledonia, Lowell and Thomapple Kellogg boys to the regional finals. That team doubled its season win total with its two postseason victories, besting the Eastside team in the regional semifinals in Kalamazoo. The Eastside co-op team this season is made up of Okemos, East Lansing, Eaton Rapids, Holt and Haslett. “Coming from a team last year who went 2-22. We’re kind of implementing the same kind of culture,” Scot senior Russell Langenburg said. “We know what it’s like to have nothing, so let’s go win something. Playoffs are something completely different, a different atmo­ sphere where everybody goes as hard as they can.” This year Caledonia entered its the regional semi­ final with an 8-18 overall record. Both Caledonia and the Eagle team, made up of Gull Lake, Comstock, Kalamazoo Christian, Otsego, Parchment, Paw Paw, Plainwell and Vicksburg players, rallied from behind in regulation Thursday; Kalamazoo scored in the game’s opening minutes and then added a power-play goal in the closing minutes ofthe first period to lead 2-0. “I think there were some nerves at the beginning,” Celebrations occur in all directions as the Caledonia varsity hockey team celebrates’ Henry Simon’s goal which clinched a 4-3 victory 30 seconds into the first overtime period of its MHSAA Division 1 Regional Quarterfinal against the Kalamazoo Eagles Thursday afternoon at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. The Scots were set to play their regional semifinal contest against the Eastside Stars Friday night, Feb. 24. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia head coach Jeremy Bultema said. “We were just gripping sticks a little too tight and then they settled down and they started seeing that their hard work was paying off.” The Fighting Scots domi­ nated the second period from start to finish, but only man­ aged to cut that Eagle lead in half. They were undaunted. “It was a good atmosphere. We knew we were going to come back,” Caledonia senior Alex Skibinski said. “We knew it was bound to happen with the amount of shots we were getting and the amount of shots we were getting on the net.” Simon scored two goals on the night. His first was also unassisted, coming right off a face-off in the right circle with the Fighting Scots on a power-play 6:07 into the third period. It tied the game at 2-2. Junior forward Jack VanEss gave Caledonia its first lead of the contest during a 5-on-3 power play with 5:44 remaining in the third period. Sophomore defenseman Logan Himes fired a shot from up high and VanEss was there to clean up the rebound spinning away from the right post to tuck a backhanded shot past Anderson. It was a short-lived 3-2 lead for the Scots. Kalamazoo senior forward Sokari Kollanus scored his second goal of the game 37 seconds later, a short-handed goal. Caledonia still had 1:12 left with the man advantage, but couldn’t make anything of it, and then played two of the final four minutes of the third period a man down itself. Kollanus scored the open­ ing goal for Kalamazoo 5:19 into the opening period off assists from teammates Breckyn Bootland and Isaac Riggs. Ryan Rohrer scored at the 13:46 mark with assists from Henry Ludmer and Zachary Coffinger. It was Langenburg who notched the Scots’ opening goal, 10:56 into the second period off an assist from fel­ low senior Alex Skibinski. Caledonia was in control for that entire second period, even after a roughing penalty 28 seconds in to junior for­ ward Drew Sova. A short-handed charge in on goal by the Scots’ junior for­ ward Brayden Cramer was the best chance of that two min­ utes for either side. As the period went on Logan Himes got a pass out front for VanEss who just couldn’t quite get a stick on it. Ty Lewanowski put one on net that Wilson got a shot at, but his attempt at converting on the rebounded deflected into the side of the net. Sova was turned aside after Simon won a battle in the comer to get him the puck in good position. Even after Langenburg found the goal the Scots kept firing away. Anderson snuffed out a breakaway attempt by the Scots’ Emersen Lippert. Anderson also survived turning the puck over to Cramer right in front of his net. Skibinski had another great shot at a one-timer out front thanks to a nice pass from Sova from behind the Eagle net. Caledonia freshman goal­ keeper Sam Hoag wasn’t nearly as busy as Anderson at the other end, but had a few key stops to give his guys the chance at the come­ back in the end. “It was a good team game from us, something we have kind of been lacking the past three games. The team chem­ istry out there was a lot better today than it has been,” Bultema said. “Guys close on pucks. We have a lot of fun on the bench. The guys are picking each other up. That is when we’re at our best.” The winner of Friday’s regional semifinal will go back to Munn Ice Arena Wednesday, March 1, for the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against either Jackson United or the Capital City Capitals who were set to drop the puck on their regional semifinal Thursday night. Members - bring a friend for FREE in February! If your friend joins, you get a free gift! Call 269.948.3139 today to enroll or get more information. Get your week started off Tight and enjoy all that Pennock Health and Wellness has to offer! spectrumhealth.org ♦w Caledonia’s Aidan Wilson looks to get a shot off as Kalamazoo’s Ryan Rohrer keeps an eye on him in the Eagles’ zone during the second period of the Scots’ 4-3 overtime win in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Quarterfinal at Munn Ice Areana in East Lansing Thursday afternoon, (Photo by Brett Bremer) • * •»< � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-03-04.pdf 1f582b4b5fd4edff60cfa14686b82039 PDF Text Text w?e. Sun and News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 9/ March 4,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. * 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Parents, swimmers appeal to Hastings school board to keep swim co-op with TK/DK alive Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two days after helping his team win a conference cham­ pionship. Hastings High School junior Riley Shults pleaded with district officials Monday night to keep a long-standing cooperative swimming program with neighboring Thomapple Kellogg and Delton Kellogg high schools intact. With his teammates from the Barry County Barracudas - the name of the cooperative team that has its home meets at the Hastings High pool - pres­ ent to provide moral support, Shults’ voice broke as he spoke out in opposition to a decision by Hastings Area School System Superintendent Matt Goebel to end the 19-year-long cooperative arrangement and have Hastings have its own swim teams next year. “I am 100 percent a Saxon. But I’m also 100 percent a Barracuda,” Shults said. “I’ve heard that our administration wants to do the best for Hastings kids. I know that keeping the co-op together is best for Hastings kids. We won’t have a strong program if this is dismantled. “Please, school board mem­ bers. I’m asking you to recon­ sider and please keep the club, the Barracudas team together, until we have a team that can stand on its own. Please, please, please. We need this The old Blink Charging stations that were mounted in the parking lot behind Middleville Village Hall. Village council pulled the plug on Blink’s charging sta­ tions earlier this year. (Photo by James Gemmell) ChargePoint EV charging stations coming to Middleville Members of the Barry County Barracudas cooperative swim team listen to the debate at Monday’s board meeting. team. I need these guys.” The Barracudas won the O-K Rainbow Conference Tier II boys swimming title on Saturday, despite having only one first-place finish in the meet. However, the team’s depth made the difference as they won the conference title for the first time since the co-op was established. Goebel at Monday’s school board meeting outlined his rationale for the decision to end the cooperative arrange­ ment, saying that he “objectively looked into multiple variables” regarding the pro- See SWIM COOP, page 2 Hastings High School junior Riley Shults pleads with the Hastings Area School System board and administration to keep the cooperative swimming program with Thornapple Kellogg and Delton Kellogg High Schools going at Monday’s school board meet­ ing. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Emmons Lake students send notes of care to MSU students Greg Chandler StaffWriter Students at Caledonia's Emmons Lake Elementary School are taking steps to lift the spirits of Michigan State University students impacted by the Feb. 13 shooting on the East Lansing campus. Students at the school have sent at least 75 notes to MSU students, many with ties to the Caledonia and Middleville communities, under the title “Spartan Strong.” The campaign was the idea of Emmons Lake kindergar­ ten teacher Melissa VanGessel. VanGessel shared her idea with her fellow teachers, and many of them hopped on board with the effort. “I collected names (of MSU students) from people on Facebook,” VanGessel said. “I believe a majority of them came from Middleville and Caledonia ... Some were actual students from Emmons who later graduated from Gal. Some were Cal grads and I’m not sure (on) others. ‘To me it didn’t matter. I just wanted to reach as many MSU students as I could.” Three students were killed and five others wounded in the Feb. 13 shooting. The university announced Thursday that the students whb were killed - Arielle Students at Emmons Lake Elementary School Anderson, Brian Fraser, and Alexandria Verner - will wrote, decorated and sent letters of support to stureceive posthumous bache- dents at Michigan State University, the site of a Feb. lor’s degrees this spring. 13 mass shooting. (Courtesy photo) James Gemmell saying “that’s a big cost.” Contributing Writer One member of the village The Middleville Council council was absent from the has agreed to contract with a meeting. new vendor to provide elec­ The council accepted the tric-vehicle charging service quote from California-based in the village. ChargePoint Inc. instead of The council pulled the another one it received from plug on the two Blink California-based Enel Way Charging stations in the vil­ for $8,404. Two Level-2 commercial lage earlier this year. It voted 5-1 at its meeting charging stations will be Tuesday night to accept an installed soon to replace the offer from Richland-based two Blink Charging units that Westside Solutions Inc. to the village recently paid install two ChargePoint Middleville-based Cherry EV-charging stations in the Valley Plumbing & Electrical parking lot behind village to remove. hall on Main Street at an iniThere are three main levels tial cost of $23,000. of chargers. Level 1 provides The cost for each of the charging through a standard charging station ports is household plug. Level 2 about $9,000. The Cloud plan chargers require a 240-volt for internet support is about electrical source, and Level-3 $3,100, the warranty cost is chargers require a 480-volt $2,600, and installation and electrical source. shipping comes to about The ChargePoint level 2 $7,000. stations can charge any EV. The money will be paid They come in both 6-foot and out of the village’s Parking 8-foot-tall models. Lot and Sidewalk Budget. Drivers who plug into a Council member Makenzi Peters cast the only no vote,See EV CHARGING STATIONS, page 3 • Plans pitched for new subdivision near Dutton Shadyside Park • Caledonia students make trip to statewide robotics competition • Cal schools get a boost from federal funding • Barracudas win conference meet for first time in their last shot at it • Caledonia boys have one-point games finish in each direction �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023 SWIM CO-OP, continued from page 1 gram. He said he shared his reasoning with the board “many times over the past year.” “The combined enrollment of Hastings and TK puts our athletes in the largest division in the (Michigan High School Athletic Association),” Goebel said. “Many times over the years, swimmers from Hastings and TK would have qualified for state finals at each school in the division we will be in when we split. We will likely go from Division 1 to Division 3. “This year alone, had our teams been split, Hastings and TK would have had a total of 10 athletes qualify for the state meet - five for the girls, all from TK, and five for the boys, all from Hastings. As a Division 1 program, we had one girl from TK qualify for the state meet The other nine athletes did not get the experi­ ence with this very special event” Goebel went on to say that Hastings currently cannot fully compete in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference under the current co-op arrangement as opposed to other sports the school sponsors. Hastings joined the 1-8 in 2016. “The 1-8 officially wants to add swim and dive as a league sport, and wants our participa­ tion, but not with a 2,000-plus student co-op,” he said. “We have also been invited to par­ ticipate in the Southwestern Central Michigan Swim Conference, which includes several of the 1-8 schools, like Marshall and Harper Creek, as well as other schools very sim­ ilar to us such as Plainwell, Otsego, Sturgis and South Haven. This would be a great fit for us with schools much like us in terms of size and programs ... They would not be interested in us as a 2,000plus co-op, and TK is not interested in leaving the O-K Conference.” Goebel went on to describe the nature of the cooperative arrangement between Hastings and TK. “Although Hastings possesses the pool and assumes the vast majority of costs and responsibility for the team, TK has always been the lead school and makes the majority of the team and scheduling decisions,” he said. ‘TK only contributes (with) the payment of coaches, the coaches’ sti­ pend, and half ofthe transpor­ tation (costs) ... While we do not want to speak poorly of TK administration, we would say that there have been some times, particularly in the last few years, when we feel they could have been much more supportive and much more inclusive in making decisions for the team, and much more supportive to our coaches when dealing with difficult parents.” Goebel said that he has had “several discussions” with TK administration “well in advance, to allow them to develop other swim options for their students.” He said after Monday’s meeting those discussions began at the end of the 2021-22 school year. “We will have a swim team for both boys and girls (at Hastings) next year. That is a guarantee,” Goebel said. “We know some renewed efforts to recruit new members to both the boys and girls team will be needed to boost participation. We feel it is completely feasi­ ble for a school the size of Hastings to support a competitive-size boys and girls teams. We do so now in every other sport we offer, with no co-ops needed.” In an e-mail to the Sun and News, Thomapple Kellogg Schools Superintendent Craig McCarthy said the district opposed ending the cooperative program. “Thornapple Kellogg Schools is moving forward in an attempt to do what is right for our students,” McCarthy wrote in the e-mail. “The pool at TK High School is not reg­ ulation-size and cannot be used for competition. Therefore, we are actively engaging other districts in forming new co-ops for our girls’ and boys’ swim teams.” Goebel said plans to boost participation in swimming include offering a middle school swim clinic this spring and renewed recruitment by Michigan’s longest running Sport Show SPORT SHOW. DEVOS PLACE Hastings Area School System Superintendent Matt Goebel explains his rationale for ending the cooperative swim program. Barry County Barracudas Coach Steve Shults makes his argument for maintaining the cooperative swim program. coaches of current athletes who do not have a sport they compete in during swimming season. In addition, the district is exploring the idea of adding swimming and diving as a middle school sport, he said. But those involved with the swimming cooperative say there aren’t enough swimmers in Hastings to make a stand­ alone swim program work. In a survey of 65 swimmers, par­ ents, coaches and former swimmers that was submitted to the board, 98 percent said the schools would not have enough swimmers to compete ifthey were separated. This season, the coopera­ tive program had 18 swim­ mers on the boys team - 12 from Hastings, including two foreign exchange students, and six from Thomapple Kellogg - and 23 on the girls team - 13 from TK, seven from Hastings and three from Delton Kellogg. Four of the boys and three of the girls from Hastings are graduating seniors, said Steve Shults, who represents a parents’ group that has campaigned to keep the co-op going. “What are we saying to the kids with all of this?” he said. “It’s not just the swim team kids, but all kids. To the people on the inside of the swim years that I’ve been here, we’ve never eliminated a pro­ gram, and we have no inten­ tion of eliminating one now.” Several parents spoke out in support ofkeeping the cooper­ ative, noting its impact on their kids and worried that not enough swimmers will be found to support a Hastingsonly team next season. Erin Merritt, who has a son that is an HHS junior, worried that she may have watched her son’s last swim meet last Saturday. “It’s funny that we refer to the team as the TK/HSS/DK swim-dive co-op. What mouthful that is,” Merritt said. “I don’t think of the team that way. I think ofus as the Barry County Barracudas - one unit­ ed team, no matter what else anybody decides to go by. I was just as surprised as every­ body else when it (said) ‘MTK’ (for Middleville Thomapple Kellogg) on the scoreboard, when it’s always been BCB - Barry County Barracudas. That’s our team. For myself and many other parents, we don’t think in terms of schools, we think in terms of one strong and spe­ cial group of athletes.” “At this point, all the rea­ soning and the excuses behind the decision to dissolve the Barry County Barracudas mean only one thing to me. It means that the HHS (adminis­ tration) is actively and willful­ ly depriving my son and his teammates from participating in the sport they love,” Merritt added. “No matter of what you’ve heard from anybody ... there are not enough boys to have a Hastings team, peri­ od. The numbers don’t add up.” Jamie Hays, a Hastings par­ co-op, it does feel like this is some sort ofweird personality conflict that is not able to be resolved between the two ... We continue to ask that the administration and the school board try and reconsider this decision and then work with the TK administration and TK athletic director to mend fenc­ es and to figure out what’s a great path forward.” Steve Shults also defended the participation ofTK parents and families in helping the cooperative work. “Without them, we would never have been able to do all the things that we do, includ­ ing running all of the meets, being able to host all of the things we do,” he said. “If I look up and down at what they’ve done over the years, it’s often times a majority of the coordination and ability to run the meets, both on the deck and the stuffthat happens after with the team dinners and everything else that happens lots and lots of that organiza­ tion happens and is driven by TK parents, both on the boys’ side and on the girls’ side. If you don’t acknowledge that, you’re missing a big piece of the puzzle.” Michael Schipper, who has coached the local Hammerheads swim club for more than a decade, expressed similar concerns that enough swimmers can be found to support a stand-alone team in Hastings. “You really need 12 swim­ mers to be able to fill all the events in all fields. You need a minimum of 12 ... You’re only allowed to swim two individual events and two relays. There are 11 events and three relays (at a typical meet),” Schipper said. Hastings Athletic Director Mike Goggins expressed opti­ mism that enough swimmers will be found to field a stand­ alone team next year. “We’re making a commit­ ment to field a team, and I believe it’s going to happen,” Goggins said. “I acknowledge your concern, I understand it. We’ve had other sports teams where numbers have gone down, and we’ve been able to rally them back. In the 18 ent whose son has swum for Your local agent insures your Lake Estate the Barracudas for three years, echoed Merritt’s concerns about not having enough swimmers for a stand-alone team. “The claim has been made to just build a team, and as Steve (Shults) said, there will be four Hastings girls and six Hastings boys (returning next season),” Hays said. “How is it going to be possible to build a swim team when there isn’t a team there? It is already diffi­ cult to get athletes in most sports, and I can imagine that it will be even more difficult to build a team where there isn’t one in existence. And after 18-plus years of tins co-op, it would seem that if there was going to be a team built, it would have been built by now.” Board Trustee Brad Tolles acknowledged the benefits of having a cooperative program, but said the board was not in a position to make a decision. “I’m always willing to hear everything, but we have no say in this, honestly. This isn’t our decision to make,” Tolles said. “This is an administrative decision, and we have to sup­ port our administrators, who I think have put in a lot of time and effort... If our superinten­ dent and athletic director feel confident they can get the job done and have a team, (I sup­ port this).” During his speech, Riley Shults said that such issues as being able to qualify for a state meet were not as important to him as winning dual meets and conference meets. He asked his teammates if any of them sup­ ported discontinuing the coop­ erative. No one stood up. He then asked which of his team­ mates want to continue to co-op, and all ofthem stood up. “Look at all those people,” Riley Shults said. “All ofthem are swimmers, on the team, who need to be addressed. We are the people that this is affecting, okay? This isn’t affecting the economy ... this is affecting those kids, right there, us, okay? “We care about this team, we care about people, our team.” , Outfitters Expo March 9-12,2023 Fishing Tackle, Fishing Boats, Fishing Trips * Fishing Features! See Lake Ultimate, the Hawg Trough S the Trout Pond! FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Hunting and Archery gear, Food Plot equipment! Book fishing A hunting trips! Meet the guides and lodge owners! Mictycuts fngweutce Company, RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS DATES 4 TIMES Thursday, March 9,l-8pm Saturday, March 11,10am-8pm Friday, March TO, 12-8pm Sunday, March 12, TOam-Spm UltimateSportShow.com Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023/ Page 3 Developer proposes building Thornapple Farms residential subdivision adjacent to Dutton ShadySide Park Several residents asked questions and presented concerns about the pro­ posed Thornapple Farms residential development at the Gaines Township Planning Commission meeting. (Photo by James Gemmell) moijiijj Waf' bssiife ^nh lifer; piikii itJin Wfe itaaeii Ibwin; 1* ;Wi Jbiii D^ii N8® icise ujit iijiki ®(ii ®jdi ijift 110 i& IW sii> I** James Gemmell Contributing Writer Developers are proposing to build a subdivision of 171 single-family detached homes immediately north of Dutton Shadyside Park. Depending on the econo­ my, the Thomapple Farms project would be built in six phases over seven or eight years, ending around 2030. Mike West with Green Development Ventures and Allen Edwin Homes pitched the tentative preliminary plat proposal to the Gaines Township Planning Commission for the first time at its Feb. 23 meeting. The proposed develop­ ment must receive several approvals from the Kent County Road Commission, a state agency, the planning commission and township board before the project can begin. The site is at 7307 Hammond Ave. The property is zoned by the township as RL-14, single-family resi­ dential. The subdivision would cover 96 acres, and the overall development den­ sity would be 1.78 units per acre. The property adjacent to Shadyside Park is owned by J & Post Family Farm, LLC. The developer discussed with the planning commis­ sion only the site along Hammond Avenue. A parcel resident RL-10 farther to the north at 3316 68th Street is not being considered as part ofthe initial development. “We do have under option the entire property, the entire Post Farms, 134 acres,” West told the planning commis­ sion. “What we’re proposing today is just on the RL-14 zoned portion because there is a temporary stop on devel­ opment on the RL-10.” The halt is in place as planners work to finalize the township’s new master plan. Heretofore, the township’s long-range plan has been to build a town center in the owners association that northern section ofthat prop­ would be established. erty. Ifall ofthe necessary state West said the Thomapple and township approvals are Farms development would gained quickly enough, the include public roads, side­ first phase of the develop­ walks, open space and a park ment could begin by early amenity. Originally, a tradi­ next year. It would entail tional subdivision plat was construction of 27 lots on envisioned by the develop­ about 20 acres. The proposal ers. But after looking at the was submitted to the town­ natural features on the prop­ ship in late February. West erty, they determined that an said the planning commis­ open-space conservation sion has 63 days after the design was a better option submittal date to make a rec­ under the township ordi­ ommendation on the project, nance. and the township board has “That option allows us to 90 days to make a decision slightly reduce those lots on it. (sizes) down from 80 foot Planning commissioners wide to 70 foot wide; and tabled action on the matter from 14,000 square feet until a second hearing can be down to 11,200 square feet held at its March 23 meeting. - in return for open-space That is when it will make its preservation in perpetuity,” recommendation for or against the project. The West said. All of the open space township board will then would be owned and main­ take action on the matter in tained by the residents ofthe subdivision through a home- See THORNAPPLE FARMS, P3g6 7 EV CHARGING STATIONS, continued from Level 2 EV charging station typically can expect to return to a fully charged car in a couple hours. In January, the council authorized village staffto hire a local contractor to remove the two Blink charging sta­ tions mounted behind village hall and put them into safe storage. They will be shipped back to Blink. The council had voted unanimously in August to notify Miami-based Blink Charging that it would be terminating the original fouryear contract upon its expira­ tion in November, citing alleged poor customer ser­ vice and expensive rates. “I still have not had any direct correspondent from Blink themselves, even though I’ve reached out to them several times to let them know we have their charging stations in storage,” Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said. “We spent $370 oftaxpay­ er money to remove some­ thing they said they were going to be responsible for. What’s to stop us from invoicing them?” council member Kevin Smith asked. However, Village President Mike Cramer pointed out that Blink has yet to reimburse the village for the electric bills it incurred while customers were using the Blink charging stations behind village hall. “Did they make money on that?” Smith asked. “I’m sure they did,” Cramer responded. “Did we get paid back for the electricity?” Smith asked. “Never. Not once,” replied Stolsonburg. “Wait a minute. You mean to tell me, we’ve been charging vehicles, Blink’s been getting paid and we’ve been paying for the electrici­ ty?” Smith asked with no small amount of incredulity. “Yes. The entire time,” Stolonsburg replied, refer­ ring to the four-year length of the original contract. Cramer said the village did not negotiate the Blink contract back then and there was staff turnover at that time. He said that is why it was important for the village to negotiate a new contract with a new vendor so that the terms are favorable and the village gets reimbursed for the use of its electricity. “We’ll set the rate for the ChargePoint,” Cramer said. “We could recoup the cost over five to 10 years and still charge for electricity.” President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd said he, also, preferred that the vil­ lage contract with ChargePoint and its affiliated installers instead of any other EV provider. “They have a wider net- work. They’re more wellknown. We’ve seen what working with a second-rate charging company has gotten us in the past. And ChargePoint is the number one name out there,” DeMaagd said. An image of a ChargePoint Level-2 commercial charging station. (Courtesy image) Thornapple Players Bruce's frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com will hold open auditions Monday, March 13, 2023, at 7:00 PM Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 South Broadway St., Hastings Rehearsals: 7:00-9:30 PM | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday *Wednesday rehearsals may be added Tech Rehearsal | April 30th (mandatory) Performances | May 3rd - 7th Director: Julian Kratochvil | Music Director: Dan Braker Questions...Call: 269-945-2002 Email: thornappleplayers@gmail.com or Follow us on Facebook Those interested in assisting with costumes, backstage, hair/makeup, lights, sound, etc., please attend auditions. Presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) ~ Into the Woods ~ book by James Lapine music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023 RichardJames McCarty Shirley Mae Neitzei Shirley Mae Neitzel, age 81, peacefully passed away on February 21, 2023, in Grand Rapids, MI. She was bom May 15, 1941, in Ewen, MI to Theophilus and Ida Koehler. Shirley was graduated from Ewen High School, earned her teaching degree from Eastern Michigan University, and went on to enjoy a 30+ year career teaching in the Caledonia school system. Shirley was a passionate, 46 years; parents, Theophilus and Ida; brothers, Kenneth and gifted writer who authored 13 beloved children’s books. Her Kurt; sisters, Arvilla, Norma, favorite was “The Jacket I and Mae. The funeral service was Wear in the Snow”. She self­ lessly served her community held on Friday, March 3,2023 through numerous organiza­ at Ascension Lutheran Church, Breton Rd. SE, tions including Peninsula 4252 Kentwood, MI 49512. Writers, Ypsilanti Jaycees, Since Shirley is now busy and Society of Children’s tending to her heavenly gar­ Book Writers and Illustrators. Her favorite being the Diaper dens, the family asks that in Depot, a ministry which she lieu of earthly flowers, memo­ rial contributions be made to helped found. Shirley will be lovingly her beloved Diaper Depot to remembered and deeply preserve her legacy. Donations missed by her companion, may be made to Ascension Jim; -daughter, Christine (Joe); Lutheran Church and notated grandchildren, Scott (Diana), Diaper Depot. Jeff (Sarah), Dana, Grace Shirley hopes her favorite (David); great grandchildren, Bible passage will bring peace Steven, Nathan, Aurelia, and comfort to all who loved Rosalynd; sister, June and her. countless friends. “This is the day the Lord Shirley was preceded in has made, let us rejoice and be death by Eric, her husband of glad” Psalm 118:24. Richard James McCarty, age 88, of ' Caledonia, MI went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly; son, Edward Lee McCarty; par­ ents, Edward and Myrtle McCarty; sister, Carolyn Bardwell. He will be lovingly remem­ bered by his children, Craig and Deb McCarty; Scott and Sandy McCarty, Doug and Melissa McCarty; Richard Jr. and Kaye McCarty; grand­ children, Richard III McCarty, Erin McCarty and Ravi Teja, Jamie McCarty, Katie and Derrick Brock, Brett and Breda McCarty, Jacob and Jackie McCarty, Joe and Kara McCarty, Danielle McCarty and fiance, Austin Simmons, Lorrin McCarty, Caitlin and Jake Denison, Kylie McCarty; great grandchildren, Landon Brock, Richie IV McCarty, Caroline McCarty, Olivia Brock, Jiovanni McCarty, with one more great grandson on the way; sister, Mary Jo and Carl Pickard; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Denny Haight, Nancy Muller, Lorraine and Carlos Kirk; many nieces and nephews. Dick proudly served his country in the' United States National Guard. He was a great father and grandfather; he enjoyed going to many sporting events. During retire­ ment, Dick loved farming on his property, his draft horses, watching sports and was an avid Detroit Tiger fan. Thank you to Roger and Fran Wangerin for being friends and dear neighbors. Family would also like to thank Jamie McCarty for his loving care of grandpa during his last weeks ofhis life. United Way accepting nominations for annual Volunteer Awards The Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center has announced that nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Volunteer Awards, which recognize, honor and celebrate residents within Barry County who have given their time and talent for the benefit of the commu­ nity. This event is an opportuni­ ty to celebrate volunteers who work in a variety of areas. Nominations are being accepted for the following awards: Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Mentor Award, Continuing Service Award, Corporate Service Award and the Group Volunteer Award. Nominations must be post­ marked by Friday, March 31, 2023 to be considered. Any organization that uti­ lizes volunteers in Barry County is eligible to submit nominations. This includes nonprofit agencies, service clubs and organizations, churches and even business­ es that are involved in employee volunteering. Winners will receive per­ sonalized awards and all nominees will receive a cer­ tificate of appreciation at the awards ceremony. The 2023 Volunteer Awards will take place alasig church Rev. Christine Beaudoin www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study committed followers ofJesus Christ who will Sunday Service 10:30 AM Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 comerstonemi.org/weekend 9;30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel FIRST BAPTIST Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Barry Community Enrichment Center, 231 S. Broadway in Hastings. Questions can be directed to Morgan Johnson at morgan@bcunitedway.org or 269-945-4010. More information can be found by contacting Johnson or visiting the Barry County United Way’s website, bcunitedway.org. Caledonia United w Methodist Church 7240 68“' Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 comerstonechurch A Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, March 3 at Holy Family Church, 9669 Kraft SE, Caledonia, with Rev. Michael Cilibraise Celebrant. Burial was held at Woodlawn Cemetery. Relatives and friends met the family Thursday at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St. SE, Caledonia and one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. A Rosary service was held at 8 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Holy Family Church or to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Church: (269) 795-2391 HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY H U 5j. TauiLutheran Cfuircfi R C H Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org @thejchurch Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Dufiy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School unay ors p 9:30 AM .10:30 AM IIITiaMTtwSF Watch our services from our website (see above) 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm 'Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11 :oo a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhltneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.01g A THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023/ Page 5 ORV enforcement resolution passes in Middleville; deeper look scheduled for May MCOW meeting James Gemmell Contributing Writer Some citizens have been nance has been violated numerous times. “We’ve got people driving venting about the Village of in traffic, on streets, with an Middleville’s ordinance that unlicensed and uninsured prohibits the operation of off­ vehicle,” he said. “If we road vehicles under most cir­ exempt it for side-by-sides, cumstances. we have to exempt it for They got a small amount of everybody else. And we satisfaction at Tuesday night’s don’t have the legal authority village council meeting when to do that. We don’t have the council members agreed to authority to supersede the discuss at their May State of Michigan. There’s a Committee of the Whole $4 million bridge out there meeting the context of the that we paid $400,000 for. ordinance adopted in 2001 that We paid a 10-percent grant regulates their use. match. And why would we That, after proponents of jeopardize that money for the ORVs, golf carts and side-by­ future maintenance of that sides submitted a petition to bridge by saying, ‘We don’t the council signed by 52 local like your law. We’re just business owners in support of going to ... let people drive the unlicensed vehicles being without insurance.’ That’s Middleville resident and DDA board member allowed to be driven on village not how hat works. Andrew Beck elaborates on the benefits of ORVs streets. Trustee Makenzi Peters said during Tuesday’s village council meeting. (Photos by seems like like aa state law does not require James Gemmell) “This seems no-brainer to me and some­ insurance, but does require thing that should have never licensure and a certificate of “I believe this can be going to be won. A DNR been banned in the first safety. accomplished safely through license is good for the county place,” village resident Katey President Pro-Tempore compromise, without negative and state; it should be good Carrier said during the public Johnny DeMaagd pointed out effects to the village,” said enough for us. And our busi­ comment portion ofthe meet­ that the spirit ofthe resolution Beck, who is also a DDA nesses have spoken. That’s not ing. is to ease restrictions. board member. “Some ideas just 52 people; that’s 52 busi­ But Village President Mike There are no restrictions on would be to create safe-pas­ nesses. You are our voice, sir.” Cramer said the petition licensed ORVs anywhere in sage routes in and out of the “I am,” Cramer said. “And should be sent to the state for the village. But unlicensed and village that are endorsed by there are a lot of (other citi­ consideration, because state uninsured vehicles cannot be the local sheriff and DPW. zens) who are not here. Our law has minimum safety driven on village streets to a And setting up designated legal counsel has advised us requirements that must be met. parade, for example. They parking spots, perhaps, such as that we don’t have the legal For example, drivers on public must be transported there in a the mowed field next to Mill authority to change that regu­ roads but me licensed and trailer. Pond (Drive).” lation. And I believe that’s their vehicle registered. Village Attorney Mark “We don’t exempt motorists sound counsel. I’ve researched “If we exempt it for side- Nettleton said the resolution from state regulations. If we it myself. We’ve asked numer­ by-sides, we have to exempt it makes a distinction between did it for some, we’d have to ous insurance providers ... for everybody else. And we ORVs and golf carts. ORVs do it for everybody. And that’s (who say) that ‘we will not don’t have the legal authority can be operated on closed vil- not a position we can legally insure a side-by-side without to do that. We don’t have the lage streets. On the other hand, sit in,” Cramer said. registration.’” authority to supersede the golf carts can be operated by Beck noted that ORVs oper­ Carrier chastised Cramer State of Michigan,” Cramer village employees on open ate on public streets in for focusing on legal liability. said. streets to get them to a parade, Michigan and in Barry County “You treat and talk about Village Attorney Mark for example. But members of all the time. using these vehicles on roads Nettleton agreed. the public cannot operate their “So, I can’t imagine every- in town like a horribly unsafe “You can’t contradict state golfcarts on open streets to get body’s breaking the law,” he activity,” she said. “Although law,” he said. “It is a regulato­ to an event. said. the entire State of Michigan ry scheme where the munici­ “So, the reason for the sep­ “Let’s be clear. Ifyou don’t and all ofBarry County deems pality can opt out, essentially, aration and distinction is our get pulled over, it doesn’t it completely legal. These ofpermitting it” (Department ofPublic Works) mean you’re not violating the vehicles are safe and reliable And that is what the village staff have either a water or law,” Cramer countered. work vehicles. They’re cov­ did in 2001. sewer license that allows them “And, ifyou are operating on ered by the owner’s insurance, The village council voted to operate equipment in the a shoulder it wouldn’t be an just like anything else motor­ 6-0 to pass a resolution to tem- public right of way, and is issue. But that’s not what’s ized and are treated and taken porarily suspend enforcement covered by village insurance,” happening ... That’s why care oflike any other car. And of the village code regarding Cramer said. we’ve opted out, because there again, sometimes in better Trustee Kevin the operation of ORVs and Smith is not compliance.” “Well, the people want to be golfcarts on village streets and acknowledged the limitations cornerstone under the ordinance, but said opted in,” Carrier replied. “In public ways. "“I MEN’S Under the village council’s maybe a safe-passage route 2001, an opt-out was placed ICORNER ordinance resolution, ORVs could be devised for operators voluntarily, and that’s what we can be operated by village ofORVs to get around legally. are fighting and that’s what is employees on closed public streets to and from a location • Fabricsfor St. Patricks for village or Downtown Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Development Authoritysponsored events. Golf carts Graduations, Birthdays can be driven by village or DDA employees or DDA• Make a tote, pillow, quilt, designated volunteers on vil­ curtains, tablecloth, placemats, lage-owned streets and trails potholders, aprons, more during village- or DDAsponsored spring and fall color • Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station tours. The ORVs can be operated on closed village streets during village-approved parades and 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 other special events by village OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; or DDA officials or by desig­ Saturday 9 am-3 pm ■MM nated volunteers. Cramer said the ORV ordi- d I condition.” Cramer said he has no bias against ORVs, and has used them many times in his life. “I understand your frustra­ tion. But I represent, as well as this board, everybody in town. And to see a side-by-side in a school parking lot where kids could run out and know that’s going to. be a legal battle - not just insurance covering that kid’s injuries - it’s not some­ thing that sits well with me when it’s my responsibility to represent the entirety of the village,” Cramer said. “We are not speaking because we have an opinion for or against it,” Smith said. “We have laws that we have to follow, and we have a position that we have to follow because it’s expected ofus.” DeMaagd said a solution might be able to be worked out in the future. “Crafting something so intricate won’t happen quick­ ly, but the steps to it can still progress,” he said. “I think we have a lot more consensus in this room and on this council than what we might think about this topic.” Cramer said the village could reach out to the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles to get more clarification on the law regard­ ing ORVs before the May Committee of the Whole meeting, when the matter will be brought up again. St Patrick’s Day event at pavilion The village council voice-voted 6-0 to approve a special use permit for a cookout, potentially with live music, on March 17 at the Sesquicentennial pavilion downtown. The event will be hosted by the Middleville Lions and Rotary clubs. Makenzi Peters’ application for the permit indicated there will be an opportunity to have your photo taken with a lepre­ chaun. It will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and organizers are expecting about 100 to 150 people to attend. Food and beverages will be available. “We wanted to liven up the village with some St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans,” Peters said. “I’m hoping to get a band booked. But at the very mini­ mum, there will be a couple leprechauns. Some gold coins thrown around, and a cookout.” She said they are using the umbrella of the Lions’ insur­ ance. And all of the monies raised will go to supplement community fundraising events. Business Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. Pets MINI COCKAPOO PUPPIES for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $450.00 517-852-4881. LAB PUPPIES- VERY cute and adorable! Mom on site. 1st shots and de-wormed. $300.00,517-726-0706. MINI CAVAPOO PUPPIES for sale. 1st shots & wormed. $450.00 269-223-9194. Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. PART TIME CUSTODIAN desired for Caledonia United Methodist Church, 250 Vine St., Caledonia. If interested, please contact the church of­ fice at 616-891-8669 for a job description and application. cornerstonemi.org/Men 16 MAR 84th St. Campus 1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml Austin Speaks at 6:30pm Basketball games and food from Noon to Midnight Join us for pulled pork, hot dogs, piles of wings, fried food, and more! Register ahead or at the event for a chance to win Dude Perfect tickets, basketball gear, and other prizes. Open to all men ages 14 and up. Austin Hatch, former U of M basketball player, will speak on overcoming adversity and empower men to choose how to respond to life’s challenges. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4, 2023 Caledonia students represent school in statewide robotics competition Three teams representing Caledonia EnrichED were among nearly 80 teams that took part in the 2023 VEX Robotics high school state championships on Sunday at Kettering University in Flint Competitors from all around the state battled against each other for top honors and the right to represent Michigan in the VEX Robotics world championship. This state tournament is one of Michigan’s biggest STEM events each year and a great experience for students interest­ ed in technical fields. The stu­ dents have been working since August, designing, building, programming, testing and com­ peting with their robots at local and regional competitions. Team 98271E (Dead Batteries), comprised of juniors Tyler Ambrose, Cohen Broomfield, Ben Diegel, Chloe Groves, and Bryon VanRyn, qualified for the event at Jenison’s Last Chance Tournament on Feb, 1 It, after being ranked first after quali­ fying play and being named tournament finalists. The two remaining teams, 98271B (Stacy’s Mom) with seniors Ethan Brown, Isaac Clark, Maddox Gaier and Sean Rice and 98271F (Battery & Brain) with Vincent Mauriello, Emma Stein and Alexandra VanDrunen, quali­ fied for the event due to their out­ standing skills scores. . Team Dead Batteries, ranked first at Jenison’s Feb. 11 tournament, qualifying for States after being named tournament finalists. Pictured here is (left to right) Cloe Groves, Cohen Broomfield, Ben Diegel, Bryson VanRyn, Tyler Ambrose. Pictured here are the state qualifying teams from Caledonia EnrichED. They include (Back row, left to right) Vincent Mauriello, Emma Stein, Bryson VanRyn, Ben Diegel, Tyler Ambrose, Cohen Broomfield, Sean Rice, Ethan Brown, Maddox Gaier. (Front row with robots, left to right): Alexandra VanDrunen, Chloe Groves, Isaac Clark. (Courtesy photos) Federal funding boosts financial picture for Cal schools Greg Chandler Staff Writer The financial picture for Caledonia Community Schools has brightened considerably since officials projected having to dip into their reserves by nearly $2.4 million when the district adopted its 2022-23 budget last summer. An influx of federal funding tied to the COVID-19 pan­ demic has resulted in the dis­ trict adding more than $3.83 million in revenues above what had been expected when the budget was passed. That means the district is now pro­ jecting a shortfall of $630,888 for the fiscal year that ends June 30, down from the earlier projection of $2,392,876. “We are trending and going in the right direction,” CCS Finance Director Sara DeVries told the Board of Education at a Feb. 20 meeting. The district is now project­ ed to end the fiscal year with revenues of $67,481,351 and expenditures of $68,112,239, DeVries said. If the new projection holds up, the district will end the fiscal year with a fund balance ofmore than $8.41 million, or about 123 per­ cent of expenditures. The earlier projection had CCS with a per­ centage of fund balance versus expenditures of 10.1 percent The school board’s stated goal is having a percentage in reserves of 13 percent DeVries said. The brunt of the additional funding is tied to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, which is of the $1.9 tril­ lion American Rescue Plan Act that was signed into law in March 2021. The district has received $4,590,639 in ESSER funding, which must all be spent by September 2024. “These are one-time funds, and we’ve invested a lot of money with these one-time funds,” DeVries said. There are four different ESSER grants the district will receive in this year’s budget: $728,860 under the ESSER II per pupil equalization grant, $1,619,187 under the ESSER in grant, $2,002,592 under the ESSER Section 1 It grant and an estimated $242,000 under the ESSER 98c grant. DeVries detailed how the district has spent those funds during her budget update presentation. “When we started the bud­ get, we didn’t have the ESSER lit grant built in the budget yet. Things were still unknown (at that time). Those are all factored in this (amended) budget,” she said. The following is a break­ down of how each grant has been or is being spent ESSER D ($790,704 in 2021-22, $728,860 in 2022­ 23): - Professional develop­ ment, $489,646. - Bus fleet camera system, $419,928. - Air quality/HVAC upgrades, $383,580. - Health and wellness, $212,010. ESSER III ($45345 in 2021-22, $1,619,187 in 2022­ 23): - Additional student sup­ port specialists in each build­ ing, $700,500. - Middle school and high school teacher intervention­ ists, $470,969. - Tier I curriculum resourc­ es, $280,900. - Summer and after school programming, $106,818. - Mental health support partnerships, $60,000. - Data warehouse system, $45,345. ESSER lit ($2,002392 in 2022-23, $1,822,632 in 2023­ 24): - K-12 teacher interven­ tionists, $1,374,353. - Summer and afterschool programming, $788,000. - Elementary classroom teachers - multi-tiered system of supports, $594,835. - Student support special­ ists at each building, $550,000. - English Language Learners teacher, resources and translation services, $332,036. - Psychology intern, speech pathology, social worker, $186,000. ESSER 98c: - Elementary classroom teachers - multi-tiered system of supports, $242,000 (esti­ mated). The district has been approved for this funding but has not received that alloca­ tion yet, DeVries said. “Our plan is to utilize this to ... offset some ofour elementary general ed classroom teachers’ (expenses), as they are doing MTSS supports,” DeVries said. “This truly would help offset some of our general fund (instructional spending).” Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin said that CCS has tried to spend the ESSER funds in a responsible manner, recogniz­ ing these are funds that will eventually disappear. “We had to stay within the bounds with what the grant would allow,” Martin said. “We did some things for air conditioning, HVAC systems, bus fleet cameras, professional development - anywhere that we could pay for some big one-time expenses that was allowable, we did, because we didn’t want to set ourselves up for a huge cliff ofpeople hired with no hope of being able to keep some ofthese positions. “There are some positions like ... say, school nurses. We knew that was in our plan moving forward that we want­ ed to add some support in that area. Those are priority posi­ tions that we keep even when ESSER goes away. Some of these other positions, long­ term, we want to do that, too.” Board Trustee Tim Morris expressed concern about what happens with the district when the ESSER funds go away. “As much as we have to have the budget discussion, we should also be talking about how we’re going to modify our practices and still be able to support our kids,” Morris said. “It’s on my mind, and I’m sure it’s on many ofthe board mem­ bers’ minds as well, what this impact will result in.” Martin said there is a nation­ wide effort to push Congress to extend the ESSER program for one more year. He is hopeful the district can maintain as many of the additional posi­ tions created by ESSER fund­ ing as possible through a com­ bination of additional revenues from increases in the state’s per-pupil funding formula as well as conservative spending. “I think it would be improper for me to say today that I feel comfortable that we’ll be able to absorb all that I just don’t see that in the cards,” Martin said. “Hopefully, they do extend it, but if they don’t extend it, I think we will have given it the old college try, that we’re trying to spend all of (our allocation) within the time allotted.” IMPORTANT! 284 N. BRIGGS ROAD- MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN TO: RUUD Equipment is changing. Get it before the New Prices come out! THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: High Efficiency Furnace & Air PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following is a summary of Ordinance No.02-23-2023 which was adopted by the Yankee Springs Township Board at a meeting held on February 23,2023. $400 OFF ORDINANCE 02-23-2023- ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS SECTION I AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XII, SECTION 12,7. This section amends regulations regarding outbuildings, including requirements for special exception use approval and maximum square footage size. SECTION II SEVERABILITY. The provisions ofthis Ordinance are severable. SECTION IH REPEAL, All ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION IV EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take effect eight days after publication after adoption. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text ofthe Ordinance has been posted in the Office ofthe Township Clerk at the address set forth below and that a copy ofthe Ordinance may be purchased or inspected at the office ofthe Township Clerk during regular business hours ofregular working days following the date ofthis publication. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Michael Cunningham, Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, MI 49333 (269) 795-9091 with this coupon. Expires 3124123 FRONTIER HEATING G COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4, 2023/ Page 7 THORNAPPLE FARMS, continued from page 3 April. The developer will have one year to begin installing the subdivision infrastructure so it can begin selling lots to prospective homeowners. That will require approvals from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE), the Kent County Road Commission and the county Drain Commission. The township’s Community Development Director, Dan Wells, said it will likely take three years for the developer to get final plat approval, unless the process is accelerat­ ed. Thomapple Farms would build water and sewer service throughout the development by connecting to the existing utility lines along Hanna Lake Avenue. The project would disclude development on an approxi­ mately 10-acre floodplain and wetlands area. About 20 acres of open space would be pre­ served in that comer of the property. The plan also excludes a Consumers Energy easement area between Hammond and Hanna Lake avenues. Developers are proposing to build five different connec­ tions to the open space area from the subdivision during the six phases ofthe build-out. That includes sidewalks that are defined between the lots in open-space areas. The net­ work of sidewalks will run throughout the subdivision and on the street frontages. Supplemental bond will fund necessities for the community and its students My wife, Adrienne, and I are proud to be members of the Caledonia community. We both grew up in Hudsonville and chose to settle in Caledonia almost 10 years ago because of the school system. We are excit­ ed to raise our family here and for our three young children to attend Caledonia schools. In December, I finished my term on the Caledonia School Board and have since taken on the role as the President of Caledonia Youth Sports Association, overseeing the operations at CalPlex. Adrienne is heavily involved in district activities with our children, and the PTO President at Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center. Like many other Cal families, we see first-hand the impact schools have on our communi­ ty and believe it is critical to invest in improvements for the future. I am writing today to encourage the Caledonia community to vote yes on May 2 to support the Caledonia Community Schools supplemental bond. This $61 million bond will not increase tax rates and is neces­ sary to complete important projects, including: a new Dutton Elementary, replace “This lineal open-space fea­ ture will zigzag through that parcel and, basically, create a continuous loop,” West said. “So, if you’re walking the sidewalk on Hammond in Dutton, you’ll get up to the end. You can loop back through, you can walk that sidewalk through the neigh­ borhood. And then, it’ll even­ tually connect back to the open space.” Some planning commis­ sioners did not like the pro­ posed five-foot-wide sidewalks, though, saying eight- or ten-foot sidewalks will be needed to give people on foot and bicycles room to pass each other. Several neighboring residents expressed concern about the project during the public hearing portion ofthe meeting. Aaron Flom lives on Merriville Court, just west of the proposed devel­ opment. He said building a subdivision in the relatively small community will add to the foot and vehicle traffic in the area. “Dutton Elementary School is also further to the west, and then we have a private school that’s also to the east. So, traf­ fic in the mornings and after school will be quite daunting. And, obviously, adding another (171) homes adds to that,” Flom said. If passed by voters, a $61 million bond issue on the May 2 ballot in the Caledonia Community Schools district would cover the cost to con- outdated buses, roof repairs, band storage, parking lot improvements, CalPlex park­ ing and additional fields, stadi­ um renovations and technology upgrades. We have seen Caledonia Community Schools be good financial stewards ofour 2020 tax dollars and get the most value they could without sacrificing quality. The inflation was an unfortunate hurdle, but I believe we have made the right decision in pursuing an additional bond to complete the projects correctly. I would expect the same financially responsible decisions to be made moving forward. Let’s rally together for the Caledonia Community Schools and for the betterment of our community as a whole. I believe these projects are not wants, but needs for the district community. Dutton and Elementary families need a new school. Other district school buildings need critical repairs and upgrades. Band stu­ dents need adequate storage. Athletics need improved facilities. CalPlex needs more adequate parking and expansion. Pleasejoin us on May 2 and vote yes. Kyle Clement Caledonia Community Schools board member struct a new Dutton Elementary School at the intersection of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. “In general, the roads in that area are built to handle that additional traffic, “ Wells responded. “The road com­ mission probably couldn’t do any widening necessarily. Long term, we do have some plans to do some traffic con­ trols and traffic calming in the Dutton area, as this project goes along. The long-term vision for Dutton really is to try to create more of a walk­ able community.” But Dutton resident Steve VanLaan, who lives on 8th Street, said he doesn’t believe the existing roads can handle the current traffic capacity, let alone future capacity if the development is built. “68th Street can’t handle it,” he said. “Not the bottle­ neck that runs through Dutton. Hammond, Dutton - those roads are not ready for this kind ofcapacity. 76th Street is not, the shoulders. Try to pull out off from Hammond or off from Dutton onto 68th Street, the blind spots that are created, along with the speed and all that.” Wells said roads are under the purview of the Kent County Road Commission, not the township. Some residents asked about possible well-water contami­ nation, run-offand ditch drain­ age, and impacts ofthe devel­ opment on the natural tree line. The township traditional­ ly requires preservation of mature trees. Haley Weesies addressed tire planning commission. She is program coordinator for Plaster Creek Stewards, which works to decrease pollution and increase wildlife habit along the creek, and protect downstream areas from flood­ ing. Weesies said protecting existing trees and planting new ones would help soak up rainwater. “So, we’re grateful for the conservation plan that’s been included with this develop­ ment that is protecting some of the forest, but we really encourage both the township board and the developers to consider protecting all of the forest,” she said. Bsmm Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — y Complete Collision Service S Frame Repairs / State & I-CAR Certified Technicians y Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies ^NFIB WMBAI Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Caledonia M-37 Corridor Sub Area Plan OPEN HOUSE March 28, 2023 | 4:30 - 6:30 pm | Caledonia Township Hall Caledonia Township is looking to the future. Growth in our area and the planned expansion of M37 will continue to transform our community. While we continue work to preserve open space and support agriculture, we must have strong community standards in place when these properties develop. With that in mind, we are creating a vision and development standards for currently undeveloped portions of the M-37 Corridor. Caledonia Township seeks input from property owners, businesses, and residents on the draft plans, concepts, and designs. Please join us, take a look, and share your insights. For more information, contact Lynee Wells, Township Planner, 616.891.0070 or 616.348.3534 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4, 2023 Scots win OK Red finale before bowing out of state tourney Brett Bremer last Friday, Feb. 24, with a 46-34 win at Jenison. Sports Editor “We had an exciting end OK Red Conference foe East Kentwood ended the to the season,” Caledonia Caledonia varsity girls’ bas­ head coach Todd Bloemers ketball season Monday in the said. “Getting our third OK MHSAA Division 1 District Red win against a good opener at Caledonia High Jenison team, who is going to a district final, was School. The Falcons scored a nice. It was really nice for 72-56 win over the Fighting our girls because we got a Scots, their third victory of lead and then after halftime the season over the Caledonia Jenison made a run to bring it girls. East Kentwood was set back, and then the girls to face Byron Center in the showed some resiliency and district final at Byron Center maintained the lead. We didn’t relinquish it I thought High School Friday night, the way that we kind of con­ March 3. The Fighting Scots man­ trolled the pace and just our aged to have a little fun team connectedness and before the season was done effort was awesome in the Jenison game.” though. He liked the energy and Caledonia won two of its first four OK Red Conference enthusiasm coming from his contests this winter, but then bench, and the heightened fell in the next nine before energy helped inspire out­ closing the regular season standing defensive commu­ nication on the court - a key for the Fighting Scots this winter as they transitioned to more zone sets than usual. The win moved the Scots into a tie for sixth overall in the final OK Red standings with the Wildcats. Both teams were 3-11 in conference play this season. The Scots end the year at 6-17 overall. Mackenzie DeVries had what coach Bloemers called her best game of the season Friday. She finished the night with 16 points while going a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line. “When Mac gets going and she plays with bounce and energy and joy on the court it truly becomes conta­ gious,” Bloemers said. The Scots also got 7 points from Kendall Benson and 6 points apiece from Kianna Haywood and Gracie Gortmaker. Lily Gortmaker chipped in 5 points, Lakely Bottum had 4 and Teressa Abraham 2 points. Coach Bloemers liked the way his girls spread the ball around. Jenison had just four girls score in the bailgame. The Scots had 13 assists on their 17 field goals in the contest and scored 24 points in the paint. Gracie Gortmaker capped off her senior season with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the win. DeVries added 4 assists. Caledonia also got 8 rebounds from Haywood. Coach Bloemers said her grit on the boards was awesome. There weren’t as many defensive rebounds to be had as the Scots would have liked in their district ballgame with East Kentwood Monday. The Falcons had four different girls hit two three-pointers each. “Kentwood can be tough to handle man-to-man when they shoot the ball well, which they did Monday night. They are a formidable opponent,” Bloemers said. The Scots started slow and the Falcons attacked from the beginning. The Scots worked to limit turnovers, but still had too many that led to easy scores for the East Kentwood girls. The Falcons led 38-26 at the half and the Scots had the ball down just seven at one point, but a few Scot turn­ overs helped spur a run that had East Kentwood in the lead 62-44 going into the fourth quarter. Offensively, the Caledonia girls shot pretty well. They had an effective field goal percentage of 57 percent. They did struggle from behind the three-point line. The Falcons just got a lot more shots than the Scots when they combined 19 offensive rebounds with 28 Caledonia turnovers. Gracie Gortmaker finished her career with an outstand­ ing effort as a playmaker on both ends ofthe floor accord­ ing to her coach. She had 22 points and was 8-of-10 at the free throw line. She drilled two three-pointers as well. DeVries had 10 points and Haywood and Bottum had 8 apiece. Benson chipped in six points, and Avah Winstrom and Lily Gortmaker had 2 points each. Tianna Daye led East Kentwood with 18 points. She was one of six Falcons with at least 8 points. Santana Eubanks finished with 15, Makayla Porter had 12 and Harmonie Belton had 10. Vikings drop times at OK Red Championship Brett Bremer Sports Editor The goal wasn’t victory over the weekend in the Grand Haven pool. The goal was improvement. The Vikings got that. “Every swimmer had a better time in at least one of their swims. Most of them had it in all of their events which made it a very suc­ cessful meet,” Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian var­ sity boys’ swimming and diving head coach Todd DeJong said following his team’s eighth-place finish at the OK Red Conference Championship Meet Feb. 24-25. Fighting Scot freshman Austin Tufts got a little extra work in to get his best 50-yard freestyle time yet. He managed it in the opening leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay - a time of 26.2 sec­ onds which was a second and a half better than his previ­ ous best in the race. Tufts had a time of 27.72 in his preliminary heat of the 50-yard freestyle, but it wasn’t quite what he was hoping for after a tumultuous start. The race official held everyone on the blocks for an extra beat according to DeJong, and Tufts did a flip into the pool. It slowed down his time a bit. Looking to get Tufts his PR another way, DeJong had him lead off that 200 free­ style relay. That relay team placed eighth for the Vikings in the race with a time of 1:40.91. Luke DeJager had the top scoring finishes for the Vikings. He placed seventh in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 57.56 - a sea­ son best time for him. The Vikings were eighth in all three, relays, earning a time of 4:01.84 in the 400yard freestyle relay and 1:52.28 in the 200-yard med­ ley relay to start the meet. West Ottawa took the meet championship with an overall score of 422 points ahead of Rockford 353, Jenison 352, Grandville 257, Grand Haven 248, Hudsonville 248, East Kentwood 149 and CLS 78. Caledonia Players present ‘The Sound of Music’ Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia High School Players are presenting their spring musical, “The Sound of Music,” today and next week­ end. Friday night marked the opening night for the classic Your 21st District Kent County Commissioner 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Walter Bujak Follow me on myjourney to Office: 616-632-7157 walter.bujak@kentcountyini.gov Facebook! Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN See coolpictures! What does a County Commissioner do? My Facebookpage is theplace tofind out! Pleasefollow me on Caledonia TOWNSHIP, Kent County Commissioner District 21 “serveyou”. performance will be at 7 p.m. and next Saturday’s shows will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50 per per­ son. For more details and to buy tickets, visit the CHS Players’ website at https:// sites.google.com/calschools. org/chsplayers/home. 195920 Search Facebook to find me here: Walter Bujak Kent County Commissioner District 21 Get regular updates! musical written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Performances will take place at the school’s Peter V. DeLille Fine Arts Center, 9050 Kraft Ave. SE. Shows today will be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Next Friday’s Office ofthe Board ofCommissioners Kent County Administration Bldg. 300 Monroe Avenue N. VK Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2206 -or- Call 616.682.7657 Paid for by the CTE Walter Bujak, 6639 Ihornapple River Dr., Alto, MI 49302 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing for a rezoning on March 20,2023 at 7:00 p.m at the Caledonia Township Hall, located at 8196 Broadmoor SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316, regarding an amendment to the existing Conditional Rezoning agreement as offered by the zoning applicant in a voluntary written offer of conditional rezoning. Land is commonly known as part of 6664 Konkrete Drive SE, and is legally described as follows: Parcel: 41-23-06-300-043 PART OF SWFRL 1/4 COM 246.0 FT N 89D 56M 52S W ALONG S SEC LINE TH N 89D 56M 52S W ALONG S SEC LINE 337.80 FT TO ELY LINE OF KONKRETE DR /86 FT WIDE/ TH N 2D 56M 52S W ALONG SD ELY LINE 110.35 FT TH NLY 207.19 FT ALONG SD ELY LINE ON A 3957.0 FT RAD CURVE TO RT /LONG CHORD BEARS N 1D 26M 52S W 207.16 FT/ TH N 0D 03M 08S E ALONG SD ELY LINE 365.02 FT TH S 89D 56M 52S E 248.01 FT TO W LINE OF E 336 FT OF SWFRL 1/4 TH S 0D 52M 10S E ALONG SD W LINE 464.60 FT TH S 89D 56M 52S E 90.0 FT TH S 0D 52M 10S E 217.80 FT TO BEG * SEC 6 T5N R10W 4.39 A. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed rezoning. Written comments concerning the requested rezoning may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. Dated: February 27, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023/ Page 9 Barracudas win first league meet in last shot Brett Bremer Sports Editor Firework spectacles with the greatest grand finales are often a bit bittersweet once they’re finally over. That was certainly the case at the Community Education and Recreation Center pool in Hastings Saturday afternoon as the Barry County Barracuda co-op varsity boys’ swim­ ming and diving team made up of student-athletes from Thomapple Kellogg and Hastings competed, and won, together for what may be the last time. The Barracudas won the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet for the first time in the 19-year history of the co-op program, which also includes Delton Kellogg student-athletes over the years, by outscoring the Wayland and Ottawa Hills teams that bested them during the conference duals this winter. The final explosion of energy came in the meet’s final event: the 400-yard freestyle relay. The Barracuda team of juniors Jameson Riordan and Riley Shults and seniors Devin Pacillo and Jack Kensington beat out the Wayland four­ some of Henry Oudbier, Josh Rose, Aidan Ketchapaw and Payton Williamson by just over half a second for the team’s only victory of the 12-event meet. The Barry County foursome swam to a program record time of 3 minutes 25.74 seconds, with Kensington beating Williamson to the wall in the end. The Wayland team finished in 3:26.27. “I jumped into the water and I swam my heart out.,” Shults said. “I told them when we were about to walk out [for the race] that this is probably the last time we’re going to get to swim this as a team ever. We really held nothing back. Every one of us got out of that pool exhausted. We didn’t care. All we wanted to do was win it as a team and get to the wall. “I think the school record was never even talked about,” he added. “All we wanted to do was do it for the team. When Devin was touching the wall I was screaming at Jack to do it for the team. Do it! Personally, I couldn’t even watch the race I was so nervous. Every one of us was just hugging each other pulling for Jack.” “To me itjust fun to watch the race, tojust take it all in,” Barry County head coach Tyler Bultema said. “It was obviously very exciting. We had a good lead-off swim. We really challenged Jameson to step up his game this week and he really did in his 100 free and in this race as well. Riley has been Mr. Reliable all year. To put him in the second leg, he ran his best time. Devin really stepped up in the third leg and swam his best time.” Ottawa Hills wasn’t far back in third in that race with the team of Matias Rizkalla, Ryan Yon, Ethan Shi and Zeke Deblaay finishing in 3:27.60. That performance helped the Bengals win their third OK consecutive Rainbow Tier II Conference Championship. The Bengals were undefeated in confer­ ence duals this winter. The Barry County co-op took the conference meet championship with a score of 444 points. Ottawa Hills was second with 429.5 points ahead of Wayland 398, Grand Rapids Union 336.5 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 241. The 400-yard freestyle relay was the last of three team record performances by the Barracudas. They also set a record in the 200-yard freestyle relay and junior Thai foreign exchange student Petch Jan-Id set the team record in the 100-yard breast­ stroke with his fourth-place time of 1:06.20. “It was amazing,” Hastings assistant coach Judge Mike Schipper said. “You couldn’t have scripted it any better. The score in the meet went back-and-forth between us and Ottawa Hills. We broke three school records. We won the meet with only win­ ning one event which truly demonstrates a team win. I think every swimmer except for one scored at least a point. And we won the final event, the 400 relay, in one of the most amazing exciting races I’ve ever seen.” He has seen a lot of races over the years between coaching with the high school co-op, leading the area Hammerheads Swim Club and watching his own kids compete. The Barracuda team of Kensington, Shults, Pacillo and junior Blake Barnum placed second in the 200yard freestyle relay in a team record time of 1:32.30, just 31 hundredths of a second behind the winning Wayland foursome in that relay. “It was just fun to watch,” Bultema said. “You yell and scream and hoot and holler and jump up and down and it’s just fun. We knew going in there were going to be a lot of great races this week­ end. We had a lot ofkids that stepped up and moved up a couple places this weekend. ‘Team records were a lit­ tle extra icing on the top of the cake.” Bultema said there wasn’t any talk of breaking school records heading into the twoday conference meet - just personal records and the team had plenty of those. Depth was key for the Barracudas. They weren’t the fastest very often, but they came at the Wildcats The Barry County Barracuda varsity boys’ swimming and diving team made up of guys from Thornapple Kellogg and Hastings High Schools celebrates its cham­ pionship at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings Saturday. It’s the first conference meet victory for the co-op program, which also includes swimmers from Delton Kellogg at times, in the 19-year history of the program. and Bengals in waves. Wayland was third in the final standings despite win­ ning eight events. Grand Rapids Union had two wins on the day. It was a different four­ some earning the Barracudas’ first points of the meet. The team of sophomore Hunter Tietz, Jan-Id, Barnum and senior Mason Cross placed third behind Wayland and Ottawa Hills in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:54.53. Throughout the day the Barracuda team also got points from seniors Evin Lamance, Isaiah Randall, Isaac Stanton, juniors Mason Bailey, Heath Hays and Luca Perotti, sophomores Donald Kuck and Nolan Send and freshman Ethan Magnuson. Wayland senior Zachery Jenison had a big day. He set a new pool and conference record in winning the 100yard breaststroke in 57.06 and he won the 200-yard individual medley in 1:58.03. Both of those times were good enough to qualify him for the MHSAA Division 3 Lower Peninsula Boys’ Swimming and Diving Championship later this month. It was a fast breast­ stroke race. Jan-Id has his record-setting performance. The Barracuda team also had Hays fifth in 1:09.69 in the finals of that race. Jan-Id and fellow exchange student Perotti, from Brazil, were big addi­ tions for the Barracuda team when they joined the pro­ gram in January. Coach Bultema said a number of guys had great swims. Perotti moved up a couple spots from his seed­ ing in the 100-yard freestyle. Lamance did that in a pair of events. Hays’ breaststroke finish had him a couple of spots in that race too. The freestyle sprints were a couple of the best events for the Barracudas. The Waylandjunior Oudbier won the 50-yard freestyle in 22.55 See BARRACUDAS, page 10 196100 WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces • -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 . TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinances which would tpnend Section 4.2 of the zoning map, has been posted in the office ofthe Township clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Town­ ship office hours, and have also been posted on the Township’s website, the address of which is www.caledoniatownship.org. The amending ordinance would rezone proper­ ties commonly known as 5903 84th Street from the A- Agricultural District to the R-2 Medium Density Single Family District. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting ofthe Township Board held on February 15, 2023 and is expected to be considered on second reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on March 15,2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023 BARRACUDAS, continued from page 9 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 49.27 - besting the Division 3 state qualify­ ing marks in both those events. Kensington was the runner-up in both those races. He finished the 50 in 22.94 and the 100 in 50.31. In the 50 freestyle, the Barracuda team also had Barnum seventh in 24.20 and Riordan eighth in 24.59. Top eight medalists in the 100 freestyle for the Barracuda team also includ­ ed Pacillo who was third in 52.12. Kensington and Shults were the two Barracuda captains this winter. Shults had a couple runner-up finishes of his own. He was second in the 500yard freestyle with a time of 5:19.20. Wayland’s Williamson won that race with a D3 state qualifying time of 5:09.79. Shults’ teammate Send was fifth in that one in 5:38.92. Shults was also second in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:54.12, which was one of the Barracudas’ best events. Cross was fourth in 2:003.9 and Send eighth in 2:02.48. That 200 freestyle was one of the four events that the Wayland Wildcats didn’t win. Union junior Caileb Austin won that race in 1:50.75. He later took the victory in the 100-yard but­ terfly with a time of 54.65. Cross was seventh in that race for Barry County with a time of 1:01.88. Austin’s sophomore teammate Major Vance won the diving competition with a score of 267.95 points. Barnum and Magnuson worked through­ out the winter to contribute for the Barracudas in that event and while they placed seventh and eighth respec­ tively in a field of eight divers those performances earned 23 points for the Barry County team. Barnum had a score of 165.30 and Magnuson 148.45. Every point was an important one in a meet decided by 15.5 points in the end. Williamson won the 100yard backstroke for Wayland in 56.98 seconds, but that was another event where the Barracudas out­ scored everyone with their depth. Pacillo was third in 1:01.69, Tietz fourth in 1:01.91 and Kuck sixth in 1:05.42. The Wildcats, who com­ pete in the Division 3 state competition, had a handful of state qualifying perfor­ mances including in all three relay races. They got one in the first race with the 200-yard medley relay team of Williamson, Jenison, Rose and Eddie Oudbier winning in 1:41.61. The Wildcats bested the D3 qualifying time in the 200yard freestyle relay with the team of Henry Oudbier, Travis Koon, Ketchapaw and Jenison winning in 1:31.99. Union’s Austin met the DI state qualifying mark in the 100-yard butterfly. With the added enrollments of TK, Hastings and Delton Kellogg the Barracuda team must also meet the tougher Division 1 state qualifying times to earn spots in the finals, which according to nearly any of the member of the program is a mostly insignificant negative of brining the three schools together to compete. “There isn’t one coach or one parent or one swimmer now or probably in the his­ tory of the program that thinks this is a good deci­ sion, yet it’s a decision that’s probably going to be forced on us,” coach Schipper said of the disso­ lution of the co-op with Thomapple Kellogg by the Hastings athletic depart­ ment and Hastings Area School System Board of Education. Delton Kellogg and Hastings will continue on with their co-op. Thomapple Kellogg High School athletic director Brian Hammer has been working find another high school swim team to join in time for the TKHS girls and boys to compete with next school year, but no official plans have been announced yet. The CERC has been the regular host for OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meets for both the boys and girls since the Thomapple Kellogg and Hastings dis­ tricts teamed up nearly two decades ago. So, the confer­ ence’ remaining teams will be on the hunt for a new home for their conference championship. Whitman and Bisterfeldt roll through regional into DI Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Only a couple scores were higher at the MHSAA Division 1 Individual Bowling Regional than the 226 Caledoniajunior Emma Whitman fired in the fourth of six games Saturday at Station 300 in Grandville. Nobody was more con­ sistently good than Whitman Saturday though as she captured the Individual Regional Championship to earn a spot in the MHSAA Division 1 Girls Individual Bowling Finals at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park. Whitman will be joined at the state finals by junior teammate Kala Bisterfeldt who rolled her way to a sixth place finish at the regional. The top ten bowl­ ers at the regional earned spots in the state finals. The team state finals were scheduled for Friday, March 3, and the individual finals are taking place today, March 4. The regional individual tournament was a tough end to an outstanding varsity career for Caledonia senior Ayden Sulzener from the boys’ team. He placed 11*" in the regional standings, falling in a tie-breaking game with Wyoming senior Nate Vanderbeek. Vanderbeek and Sulzener both finished their six-game series with a total pinfall of 1,235. Sulzener was 44 pins behind Vanderbeek half­ way through the competi­ tion, and outscored him 233-225 in the final game to move into a tie. Sulzener also passed Grandville sophomore Bonham Pulcifer in the final game to earn the shot at the playoff. Vanderbeek had the highest scoring game of the entire regional in that tie­ breaker, rolling a 256. Sulzener scored a 163. Even the top game by the boys’ regional champion, Loy Norrix senior Anthony team also had sophomore Fotis, was only a 251. Fotis Kaelin Kalacanic place took his title with an overall 42nd, senior Lindsay Duell pinfall of 1,364. 47 ■,, senior Ryleigh Sturman 53r^ and sopho­ Whitman was over 200 in three of her six games, more Josie Bums 73. A mostly young opening the regional with a 202 and a 216. She fol­ Caledonia boys’ team got lowed up with scores of its first taste of regionals. 187, 226, 177 and 185. She Freshman Brady Humbarger placed 60^ for the Scots, had a total pinfall of 1,193. Zeeland junior Rylee and Caledonia also had Smith was the runner-up junior Noah Creguer 70 , with a pinfall of 1,160 and junior Bryton Luxford 92§t Grandville sophomore and junior Cam Elmore Paiton Thompson placed 95th. third at 1,1498. Smith was one of five Bisterfeldt had games of individual state qualifiers 210, 196, 192, 171, 172 and from the Zeeland girls’ 202 for an overall pinfall of team. Her squad also had 1,143 that put her in fourth senior Shanna McDonnell place. fifth, senior Alyssa Fortney The last of the ten state seventh, sophomore Hayden qualifiers on the girls’ side, Pompey-Oshkins and junior Rockford senior Emma Briann Fortney tied for Colby, had a score of 1,056, eighth. which was a single pin bet­ ter than Grand Haven junior Savannah Hitsman and sophomore Lauren Prokopec who tied for 11 . The Caledonia girls’ THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING The Thornapple Township Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed Township Budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 at the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville On Monday March 13, 2023 At 7:00 p.m. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be the subject of this hearing. A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the Township office. Americans with Disabilities Notice The township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at this public meeting upon 6 days notice to the Township Clerk. Cindy A. Willshire Thornapple Township Clerk East Kentwood, Wyoming and Rockford each had two individual state qualifiers on the boys’ side. The teams were also at Station300 for their Division 1 Team Bowling Regionals Friday, Feb. 24. The Zeeland girls domi­ nated, finishing more than 100 pins better than the run­ ner-up team from Grand Haven. Zeeland had an over­ all pinfall of 3,259 Friday ahead of Grand Haven 3,142 and Grandville 2,901 in the top three. The top three teams earned spots in this weekend’s team state finals. Byron Center was fourth, just ten pins behind the Grandville girls at 2,891. Behind those teams of Bulldogs came Hudsonville 2,824, Jenison 2,773, Caledonia 2,773, Portage Central 2,657, Portage Northern 2,536 and East Kentwood 2,534 in the top ten. The teams rolled eight Baker games and two regu­ lar games at the competi­ tion. The boys’ regional title was also decided by over 100 pints. The Jenison boys won with a total score of 3,575 ahead of Byron Center 3,473 and Grandville 3,436 in the top three. Rockford was fourth with a score of 3,405 ahead of Zeeland 3,351, East Kentwood 3,309, Hudsonville 3,2144, Loy Norrix 3,202, Mona Shores 3,108 and Grand Haven 3,107 in the top ten. The Caledonia boys were 18th with a total score of 1,834. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR A PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Gaines Charter Township Planning Commis­ sion will hold a public hearing to consider a zoning text amendment. The hearing will be held at 7:00 PM during the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, March 23rd, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the Township office locat­ ed at: Township Hall Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 The proposed zoning text amendment will revise Sections 5.2,6.2, 7.2, 8.2, 9.2, 19.9, 20.11, and 28.2 of the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance to al-, low for the use of child and adult daycares in the commercial and office zoning districts. Currently, daycares are not permitted in the Neighborhood Commercial (C-1), General Commercial (C-2), or Office-Service (O-S) zoning districts. A copy of the proposed zoning text amendment is available for inspection at Gaines Charter Township Hall, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledo­ nia, Ml 49316. For additional information, please contact Dan Wells, Community Development Director, at 616-980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. Any interested persons are invited to attend and participate. Persons with dis­ abilities needing any special accommodations should contact the Township offices one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual, or any other assis­ tance. Current CDC COVID-19 guidelines will be followed. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4, 2023/ Page 11 TOWNSHIP OF THORNAPPLE BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN RESOLUTION NO. 02-2023 14-080-015-00 MUIR JOHN O TRUST 6341 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-030-00 VAN ZEE-HEETHUIS CAROLYN H 7497 N NOFFKE DR 11 OOO 014-00 DEYOUNG DANIEL A &. KAREN M 6359 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-018-00 POSTMA DONALD & JULIE 7504 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-031-00 OSTROWSKI DAVID & CHERYL 6368 N NOFFKE DR DOOD ALAN B & SUZANNE E TRUST 7507 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-009-00 14-080-013-00 VISSER KENNETH J & CINDY K 6377 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-032-00 PETTING A J EFFRE Y R & ARLENE 7517 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-008-00 VUGTEVEEN JOANNED 6382 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-019-10 ON EIL TYLER 7520 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-033-00 DEKRAKER A BARBARA & 7529 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-034-00 HALES DAVID A & CONSTANCE M 7539 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-035-00 KILGORE THOMAS P & KRISTINE P 7549 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-035-10 BLANCHARD JAMES A A CHERYL L 7559 N NOFFKE DR (NOFFKE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT) ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FILING AND PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL TO THE TOWNSHIPBOARD; NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WHEREAS, the Township Board of the Township of Thomapple (the “Township”), pursuant to Act 188 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan of 1954, as amended (“Act 188”), has resolved its intent to make certain public improvements to Noffke Drive located within the Township, consisting of the milling, paving, sealing and restoration ofapproximately 24,500 square yards of roadway comprising Noflke Drive, from approximately 108th Street, SE, south to West Noflke Drive, and the financing thereof; and WHEREAS, the Township Supervisor has prepared and certified a special assessment roll for the purpose of specially assessing that portion of the cost ofthe public improvements (more particularly hereinafter described in Exhibit A) (“Public Improvements”) to the properties specially benefited by said Public Improvements, and the same has been presented to the Township Board. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED THAT: 1. The special assessment roll shall be filed in the office of the Township Clerk and shall be available for public examination or inspection. 2. The Township Board shall hold a public hearing on March 13, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Township offices located at 200 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, for the purposes of reviewing the special assessment roll and for hearing all persons interested in the special assessment roll and any objections to the roll. 3. The Township Clerk shall cause to be published a Notice of the Public Hearing in the Sun and News, a newspaper of general circulation within the Township, at least two (2) times prior to the public hearing, with the first publication at least ten (10) days prior to the public hearing. Proofs ofpublication ofsuch notice shall be filed with the Township Board. 4. The Township Clerk, at least ten (10) days prior to the date ofthe public hearing, shall also send a Notice ofthe Public Hearing by first class mail addressed to each record owner, or party in interest, ofeach parcel ofland to be assessed, at the address shown for such owner or party in interest upon the last Township tax assessment records or roll for ad valorem taxes, as supplemented by any subsequent changes in the names or addresses of the owners or parties listed therein, except in the case of railroad companies, who shall be mailed a Notice of the Public Hearing by registered mail within five (5) days after the first publication of the notice described in Paragraph 3 above. If a record owner’s name does not appear bn the Township tax assessment records, then the notice required by this paragraph shall be given to the record owner at the address shown by the records ofthe Barry County Register of Deeds. 5. The form of the Notice of the Public Hearing to be mailed and published, as required herein, shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit B hereto. 6. All actions heretofore taken by Township officials, employees, and agents with respect to the Public Improvements and proceedings under Act 188 are hereby ratified and confirmed. 7. All resolutions or parts ofresolutions in conflict herewith shall be and the same are hereby rescinded. 8. That this Resolution shall take effect immediately. YEAS: Buckowing, Schaefer, Rairigh, Selleck, DeMaagd, Campbell NAYS: None ABSENT: Willshire RESOLUTION NO. 02-2023 DECLARED ADOPTED. Cindy Willshire Thomapple Township Clerk I, Cindy Willshire, certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the Thomapple Township Board at a public meeting held on February 21, 2023, and that public notice of said meeting was given pursuant to Act No. 267 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan of 1976. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed my official signature this 21st day ofFebruary, 2023. Cindy Willshire Thomapple Township Clerk STANLEY L & 14-080-012-00 DORL ND BARBARA J & 6393 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-007-00 TOOKER ROBERT L & PHYLLIS A TRUST 6400 N NOFFKE DR GREGORY J 14-080-011-OO+A1 5 VUGTEVEEN TROY C & TERI R 6413 N NOFFKE DR :K171 TRUSTEES 14-080-010-00 BURMAN JOEL M & KIMBERLY 6431 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-009-00 FINSES GREG & KIM 6449 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-036-00 NAUSIEDA RICHARD A VICKI 7571 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-006-00 SMITTER TRENTEN 6450 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-037-00 7581 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-008-00 BECKETT-VANDERHART ROBIN 6467 N NOFFKE DR TORRES ALBERT L & DEBORAH K 14-050-038-00 LAN DM AN TODD 7591 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-007-00 KATHMANN FAMILY TRUST 6485 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-039-00 BABITZ RONALD J & RONI S 7601 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-006-00 HURLEY TAMMY R TRUST 6505 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-60 COOK NICHOLE & ANDREW 7604 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-005-00 HADZIC ORHAN 6510 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-20 STURM WILLIAM A & LINDA 7606 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-004-00 SOLIS SHAD C & WINDY R 6512 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-040-00 HALES JUSTIN D & JENNIFER R 7621 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-003-00 CLARK JOSHUA & SARAH 6514 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-041-00 7631 N NOFFKE DR POLL WINN I FRED L TRUST 6517 N NOFFKE DR WILKINSON MAGGIE J SAMUEL F A 14-080-005-00 14-050-042-00 KOLTUNCHIK LINDA S & WARD PETE M 7661 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-30 SOKOL KENNETH W A JOANNE M 7680 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-043-00 NYENHU1S CHAD A KARIE 7683 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-044-00 WILTJER DAVID A A REBECCA L 7693 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-045-00 DEMORROW RICHARD D 7705 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-046-00 LIU STEVEN T TRUST’ 7715 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-004-00 ELZINGA STEVEN C & MARIE C 6539 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-002-00 BROWN JAMES M TRUST 6550 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-003-00 BIGELOW PATRICIA & SYKES GREG 6557 N NOFFKE DR 14-080-002-00 HOFFMAN BRENDAS & 6575 N NOFFKE DR 14-085-001-00 HAAKSMA MITCHELL A A EMILY K 6580 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-025-00 WESTHOUSE JASON 6647 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-047-00 CORNER JOHN & NICHOLE 7725 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-024-00 JACOBSON MARK A 6661 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-048-00 OTTO SHARON L TRUST 7737 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-011-00 TEDROW MARK K & SUSAN 6670 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-50 SEVALD MARK D & DIANE A 7750 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-023-00 KING NANCY J 6671 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-049-00 SEVALD MARK D & DIANE A 7755 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-022-00 STRICKLAND CRYSTALA 6679 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-70 BRINKS ANTON & DOROTHY 7760 N NOFFKE DR THOMAS A JOEL & G FAMILY TRUST 14-070-021-10 WAGNER GREGORY W 6691 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-050-00 HOWE KIM A & JULIE A 7771 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-021-00 FITCH LOYD & EVELYN TRUST 6703 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-051-00 STERKENBURG RANDALL L & 7775 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-012-00 COLES JR JOHN J & BRENDA J 6710 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-054-00 SALLIE JO 7783 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-020-00 DONAGHY MARK A & RUTH M 6715 N NOFFKE DR HULST WAYNE & TRUSTEES 14-050-052-00 STRATTON BRYAN D A AMANDA 7807 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-91 HULST TODD & DANIELLE 7849 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-35 PAUFLER CHRISTOPHER A & RACHELV 7900 N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-65 STRATTON BRYAN N NOFFKE DR 14-005-001-90 HULST WAYNE & TRUSTEES 14-006-002-10 FREEMAN MARK E & BARBARA N NOFFKE DR 14-060-012-10 VANENGEN CHRISTINE L 14-070-001-00 DEYOUNG GEORGE & DIANA N NOFFKE DR 14-080-001-00 WALSH JAMES J & GRETCHEN R N NOFFKE DR 14-086-014-00 CAMPBELL BRIAN A POLLY N NOFFKE DR 14-070-019-00 LOCKHART JENNIFER & GREGORY 6727 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-013-00 KEYZER JAMES E & VICKI L 6730 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-018-00 NYHUIS DONALD H & DEBRA L 6739 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-017-00 WALSH DENISE A TRUSTEE 6751 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-016-00 CAMPBELL BRIAN & POLLY 6763 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-015-00 HAGER JOHN W & MARLENE K 6775 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-014-00 HUMPHREY JON & DAWN TRUSTEES 6787 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-013-10 Chris & Carolyn Matthysse 6795 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-016-00 SHAFFER BRIAN & KIMBERLY 6798 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-013-00 SCHAIDT LAWRENCE J HI & GAILL 6803 N NOFFKE DR H A N NOFFKE DR & 6827 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-015-00 HUMPHREY JON TRUSTEES 14-070-011-00 SNIDER MICHAEL D KIMBERLY MTTEES 6839 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-017-00 RANES ROBERT KATHLEEN J 14-070-010-00 SYPNIEWSKI DOROTHYJ & 6865 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-018-00 FINK LAWRENCE K N NOFFKE DR 14-086-019-00 NOBLE JARED & DARCY 6874 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-020-00 NOBLE JARED N NOFFKE DR 14-070-009-00 BOLT HARLAN & SANDRA 6881 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-022-00 SCHUURMAN JOHN N NOFFKE DR 14-070-008-00 DENHOF MELISSA 6895 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-023-00 DEYOUNG GEORGE G N NOFFKE DR 14-070-007-00 DEVRIES JANE L TRUST 6907 N NOFFKE DR 14-086-021-00 HILL-LEE SELINA M JONATHAN E 14-070-006-00 KIM DERREK J & KATHLEEN M 14-070-005-00 CAMPBELL CURTIS PATRICIA A 14-070-004-00 LAFAVE TRUST 6943 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-003-00 SCHUURMAN JOHN H 6955 N NOFFKE DR 14-070-002-00 DEYOUNG GEORGE 6981 N NOFFKE DR TRAUM HEIDI 12184 CREEKVIEW DR G JR RICHARD & LEE & GREEN DANI EL & KELLY J 7025 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-003-00 OOSTERHOUSE BRIAN J & CARA 7045 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-005-00 WEIMA JEFFREY & TRUSTEES BERNICE 7055 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-004-00 WRIGHT WILLIAM M & PATRICIA 7077 N NOFFKE DR 7101 N NOFFKE DR KNAPP ROBERT A & LAURA K DIERSCH ASHLEY 14-050-002-00 MATHEWS CASSIDI J JR A N NOFFKE DR 7115 N NOFFKE DR & L CLINTON 7125 N NOFFKE DR 7140 N NOFFKE DR WILTJER ROBERT A 7143 N NOFFKE DR EXHIBIT A DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS 14-050-005-00 MANNING ROBERT J & JEAN M 7165 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-001-20 EICHENBERG KATHIE L 7170 N NOFFKE DR Certain public improvements consisting of the milling, paving, sealing and restoration of approximately 24,500 square yards ofroadway comprising Noflke Drive, from approximately 108th Street, SE, south to West Noffke Drive. Without limiting the foregoing, the public improvements will include milling and hauling asphalt as well as installing new asphalt. The Public Improvements will further include, but not necessarily be limited to: legal work and fees, annual administrative efforts, design and other engineering work, project management costs, financing costs, and similar matters. 14-050-006-00 PILLSBURY PAUL E & SANDRA K 7175 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-007-00 WHEELER SUSAN J 7195 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-007-10 WHEELER SUSAN J 7195 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-001-10 MCGILLICUDDY TIMOTHY & WENDY 7200 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-008-00 WRIGHT KAREN 7205 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-009-00 WEBSTER TERACIA L & COREY R 7215 N NOFFKE DR 7220 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-001-00 WALSH MILDRED 14-050-010-00 THOMAS BRIAN & SARA 7225 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-002-00 BRUNINK GINGER 7236 N NOFFKE DR EXHIBIT B 14-050-011-00 MICKELSON DEAN A & PATRICIA ETRUST 7245 N NOFFKE DR TOWNSHIP OF THORNAPPLE BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN 14-060-003-00 VANVEGHEL FAMILY TRUST 7250 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-012-00 VER STRATE WALTER & CAROL 7255 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-004-00 DORR KARL W 7260 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-005-00 SCHEID JEFFERY & KATHLEEN 7270 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-013-00 BRINKS DOUGLAS B & MARY E TRUSTEES 7271 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-006-00 FOX JOSHUA T & CRYSTAL D 7280 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-014-00 OOSTERHOUSE HERM & BETTY TRUST 7285 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-007-00 ABBOTT MICHELLE 73ION NOFFKE DR 14-050-015-00 CARHART KYLE 7311 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-016-00 HAYES CHRISTOPHER J & KIM MARIE 7325 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-009-00 KONOW INGRID G REVOCABLE TRUST 7334 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-017-00 KONOW INGRID G TRUSTEE 7335 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-008-00 FOGG CORY A 7344 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-018-00 CUVA JAY & NICOLE 7345 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-019-00 KNOLL KLAUS TRUST 7355 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-020-00 SIEPLINGA DARYL J & MARIE 7365 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-010-00 HITE DARBY L & JULIE 7370 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-021-00 DEHAAN JAMES W & MARIA C TRUSTEES 7375 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-022-00 VANENGEN CHRISTINE L JOHN N NOFFKE DR 6931 N NOFFKE DR 14-006-002-00 14-006-004-10 G DAWN 6919 N NOFFKE DR C 14-006-431-00 A 6916 N NOFFKE DR LUCAS ALVIS PROPERTY TO BE: ASSESSED: JOHN N NOFFKE DR RANES ROBERT KATHLEEN J 14-006-001-30 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW AND POTENTIALLY CONFIRM THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Township Board ofthe Township of Thomapple, Barry County, Michigan, having resolved its intention to proceed to make certain public improvements in the Township, has made its final determination of a special assessment district which consists of the following described lots and parcels of land which are benefitted by the improvements and against which all or a portion of the costs of the improvements shall be specially assessed. NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN that a special assessment roll has been prepared and presented to the Township Board for Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, pursuant to Act 188 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan 1954 (as amended) (“Act 188”) for the purpose ofdefraying the cost of the Noffke Drive improvements, from approximately 108th Street, SE, south to West Noffke Drive (the “Public Improvements”). NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT the Township Supervisor has made and certified a special assessment roll for the special assessment district, which roll sets forth the relative portion ofthe costs of said Public Improvements which is to be levied in the form of a special assessment against each benefited lot and parcel of land in the special assessment district. The NOFFKE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT shall consist ofthe following described lots and parcels of land (all with direct frontage or access to Noffke Drive in Thomapple Township), against which all or a portion ofthe costs ofthe Public Improvements shall be specially assessed: SALLIE JO 14-070-012-00 14-050-004-00 (NOFFKE DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS SPECIAL ASSESSMENT , DISTRICT) WAYNE H & 7385 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-023-00 GEUR1NK RANDALL & PAMELA 7395 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-012-20 RICHARDS GARY L & DENISE S 7418 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-024-00 IVESON GLENN N & NANCY A TRUST 7419 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-012-00 BECKER DAVID A 7420 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-025-00 RICHARDS GARY L & DENISE S 7421 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-026-00 GRASMAN RICHARD A & DEBRA 7431 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-014-00 SOMMERDYKE BRIAN J 7442 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-015-00 LEE ADAMz& MICHAELA 7446 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-027-00 BARNES TRUST ROBERT & LUANNE 7447 N NOFFKE DR 7450 N NOFFKE DR 14-060-016-00 MITCHELL BRIAN II & Deborah 14-060-017-00 MESECAR MARSHALL D JOYCE A & 7460 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-028-00 VANDERMEER JOHN L & LESA R TRUST 7477 N NOFFKE DR 14-050-029-00 GENTHER KAY A TRUSTEE 7487 N NOFFKE DR PUBLIC HEARING TAKE NOTICE that the Township Board ofThomapple Township will hold a public hearing on March 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm. in the Township offices at 200 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, for the pur­ pose ofreviewing and potentially confirming the special assessment roll and also hearing and considering any and all objections thereto. TAKE NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal the amount ofthe special assessment or other matters to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. TAKE NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or may file his/her appearance or protest by letter, on or before the close of the hearing. TAKE NOTICE that any person objecting to the assessment roll is re­ quested to file written objections with the Township Clerk before the close ofthe hearing. TAKE NOTICE that an owner or any person having an interest in the real property subject to the special assessment may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within thirty (30) days after the date ofthe confirmation ofthe special assessment roll ifthe owner or person having an interest in the real property appears and protests the special assessment at the hearing held for the purpose ofcon­ firming the roll. Michigan Tax Tribunal P.O. Box 30232 Lansing, Michigan 48909 TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the special assessment roll as prepared has been reported to the Township Board and is on file with the Township Clerk for public examination or inspection. This notice was authorized by the Township Board ofthe Township of Thomapple. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Thomapple Township 200 East Main Street Middleville, Michigan 49333 269-795-7202 Dated: February 21,2023 Cindy Willshire, Township Clerk �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023 TK girls complete sweep of Bengals, fall to Falcons TK senior Peyton Stahl (10) is greeted by a big hug from team manger Laura Stolsonburg as she exits the Trojans’ senior night bailgame in the fourth quarter Friday, Feb. 24, in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball com­ pleted a three-game sweep of Ottawa Hills Monday night in Grand Rapids. The Trojans scored a 54-34 win over the Bengals at Ottawa Hills High School Monday in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 1 state tournament after beating the Bengals 44-27 on senior night in Middleville Friday, Feb. 24. Thornapple Kellogg senior Peyton Pratt fires up a shot in the lane during her team’s win over Ottawa Hills on senior night in Middleville Friday, Feb. 24. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Township 2023 BOARD OF REVIEW Notice to all township taxpayers: The 2023 Board of Review ior the Townshap of Thomapple will meet at the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville, Michigan on these dates: March 6 - Organization Day 9am Monday, March 13, 2023 9 a m to 12 Noon, 1 to 4.00 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023 6 to 9 p.m. East Kentwood ended the Trojans’ season Wednesday with a 61-27 win over the TK ladies in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal at Wyoming High School. TK ends the season with a 6-18 overall record. The TK girls closed a 4-10 OK Gold Conference cam­ paign with its second win ofthe regular season over the Ottawa Hills Bengals last week. The Trojans followed the senior night script Friday. Senior guard Peyton Pratt scored the game’s first 4 points and fin­ ished with a game-high 18. The Trojans’ work on the offensive glass early helped balance things on the score­ board when the Bengals’ Gianna Ladomato-Fisher hit a couple first quarter three-point­ ers. TK senior Peyton Stahl had five offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone. The Bengals had a five-point lead four and a half minutes into the game, but Stahl hit two free throws to get TK within 9-5 and went back up with an offensive rebound for two points to trim the deficit to 9-7. Minutes later Stahl knotted the contest at 9-9 with another bucket, off a nice dish from senior center Alana Compton who’d pulled down an offen­ sive rebound ofher own. Pratt drilled a three as the buzzer sounded, putting the TK ladies up 12-11 and they never trailed again. Thornapple Kellogg junior Eliana O’Riley fights through Bengal defenders Ja’Vaeh Sanders and Amere Vinson-Fitzpatrick in the paint during the first half of their OK Gold Conference bailgame in Middleville Feb. 24. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK’s youngsters started doing their thing early in the second quarter as Pratt and Compton were joined by fel­ low regular starters Emma Geukes, Jordan Pranger and Tealy Cross. The Trojans outscored the Bengals 15-2 in the second quarter, and continued to build the lead in the second half by frustrating the Bengals with their defense and being patient for the most part when forced into their half-court offensive sets. An 8-0 tun by the Bengals in the last two minutes made the final score as close as it was. The sophomore guard Geukes finished with 7 points. Compton had 6 and senior guard Elaina O’Riley ended the night with 4 points. The lead was plenty com­ fortable for TK head coach Brandi James to slowly roll her seniors Stahl, Kylee Rison, O’Riley, Compton and Pratt offthe floor together late while finding time on the floor for Maggie Harmens and Antje Wessoleck. The East Kentwood girls who bested TK Wednesday Public Notice To the residents of THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP Thursday, March 16, 2023 8am to 12 Noon; 6 to 8pm CALL 269-795-7202 To make appointment with the Board of Review (Written appeals accepted until March 16, 2023) The tentative recommended equalization ratios and estimated mul­ tipliers (factors) necessary to compute individual state equalized values of real property in the Township of Thornapple, Barry County: CLASS AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL PERSONAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTAL TIMBER-CUTOVER 195302 RATIO(%) 44.09% 47.65% 49.89% 42.31% 50.00 MULTIPLIER 1.1340 1.0493 1.0022 1.1818 1.00000 None in Class None in Class Eric Schaefer, Thornapple Township Supervisor Thornapple Township will be appointing an individual to fill a vacancy on the Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission (TAPRC). The appointment to the TAPRC would be to fill the remainder of the four (4) year term that expires December of 2023 as one of the three (3) Township’s representatives to that organization. Those interested in being considered as a candidate for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to: Thornapple Township, 200 E. Main St., P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333 or e-mail to supervisor@thornapple-twp.org by Monday, March 13, 2023. were set to face Byron Center in their MHSAA Division 1 District Final in Wyoming Friday night, March 3. The Bulldogs outscored East Grand Rapids 63-39 in their district semifinal bailgame Wednesday in Wyoming. CHS hockey falls to Stars in regional semifinal Brett Bremer Sports Editor There was no comeback for the Fighting Scots this time. The Caledonia varsity hockey team was bested by the Eastside Stars in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal at Munn Ice Arena on the cam­ pus of Michigan State University Friday, Feb. 24. The Fighting Scots faced their second two-goal deficit in as many days, after com­ ing from behind for an over­ time win in their regional opener last Thursday. The Stars scored the game’s first two goals late in the second period. Caledonia’s Alex Skibinski pulled his team within one with a goal with 35 seconds left in that sec­ ond period, but a quick third period goal by Jack Monaghan for the Stars sealed the Scots’ face. Nolan Trainor scored the Stars first goal at the 12:44 mark of the second period, off an assist from teammate Evan Warner, and later assisted on Monaghan’s third period goal. It was only a minute and a half after Trainor’s goal that Alex Contreras found the back of the net for the Stars to take their 2-0 lead. Jacob Hornbach and Kyler Raynor assisted on Contreras’ goal. Sam Hoag made 18 saves in net for the Scots. Caledonia did a good job of getting pucks on net in its two state tournament contests. Red Drouare, the Eastside keeper, had to make 32 saves to keep his team in front The Eastside co-op team is made up of players from Okemos, East Lansing, Eaton Rapids, Holt and Haslett The Capital City Capitals, a co-op made up of DeWitt, Laingsburg, Lansing Catholic, Lansing Waverly, Mason, Williamston and Grand Ledge players ended the Stars’ season with a 1-0 six-overtime victory in the regional final Wednesday back at Munn. Senior Spanish foreign exchange student Hernan Esteban scored the game win­ ner for the Capitals in die regional final in what was one of the longest high school hockey games in state history. Tti^Avi^e- COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the February 14, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on February 28, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023/ Page 13 One-point games go either way for Scots in final week Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia junior forward Jaiden Googins scored 30 points Tuesday night in the Fighting Scots’ final home game of the 2022-23 regular I season. He’d have loved 32. Portage Central took a 65-64 non-conference win over the Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team in what was the Fighting Scots second straight one-point bailgame. Googins hit the go-ahead bucket with about ten seconds to play at Pewamo-Westphalia Saturday in a 65-64 Caledonia victory. This time, the Scots had the length of the court to go with 5.1 seconds remaining down one against the Mustangs. Googins got the ball a step over the half-court stripe and found space to pull up for a short jumper just inside the free throw line. The Scots couldn’t have hoped for a much better chance. The ball bounded off the rim a couple times and then off, coming down too late for fellow Caledonia junior Ky VanderWoude to try and tip it back up. Portage Central sophomore guard Payton Porter hit a running threejust before the buzzer at the end ofthe first halfto bump his team into a 38-36 lead. The Mustangs then went ,on a 14-3 run to start the sec-, ond half. That run culminated in a 13-point Portage Central lead after back-to-back threes by senior Nathan Long and freshman Benjamin Johnson. Caledonia clawed its way back into the ballgame from there. The Scots went on an 8-1 surge of their own. They trailed 55-47 at the end of three quarters. Heavy defensive pressure in the final minutes finally got the Scots back in the bailgame. guard Mason Senior McKenzie had a steal for a lay-up that got the Scots with­ in. 61-59 with a little over a minute to go. VanderWoude pushed the ball after a defen­ sive rebound with half a min­ ute to go and fired an assist up to Googins that had the Scots within 63-62. VanderWoude managed a steal at half-court on the Mustangs’ ensuing possession and he was fouled with 14.3 seconds on the clock. He hit both free throws to put the Scots in front 64-63. That lead was short-lived however. Long found space in the paint to rise over everyone for Portage Central’s go-ahead bucket with 6.5 seconds remaining. Long had 14 points for the Mustangs. Junior Alex Beachnau had a team-high 20 points for Portage. They used their height and length to score inside and out. Those two bat­ tled some foul trouble late in the bailgame. “Watching them on film, we knew we’d have a physi- Caledonia senior guard Mason McKenzie pushes the pace for the Fighting Scots during the first half of their non-conference loss to visiting Portage Central Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) cality advantage down low in regards to them trying to stop [Googins],” Caledonia head as a team were 19-of-30. coach Phil Visser said. “They Behind Googins for the had the height advantage, but Scots, VanderWoude finished Jaiden is really good at using with 14 points and McKenzie his body, and being physical, had 12. and finding the right spots. So, Coach Visser was happy to even at halftime we talked see McKenzie attacking the about trying to continue to basket. pound it inside and guys move “I am talking to him a lot well enough.offhim there that about how we need him to be it is just a matter ofcontinuing aggressive,” Visser said. “He to trust him and letting him go has kind of been a little pas­ work there. to down sive in regards to letting other Unfortunately, we came up guys do it. We need him to get one one point point short short of of what what we we down hill be aggressive and needed neededtonight. tonight.”” create for us.” Porter had 15 points on the McKenzie has been averagnight for the Mustangs. ing over four assists a game Googins had 15 of his 30 this season and coach Visser is points in the first quarter, but still hoping the success he coach Visser said his junior shows off shooting the ball felt like he could have done from behind the three-point more to get his team on top. arc in practice is going to show Googins was just 10-of-17 at up at game time. the free throw line. The Scots Monday would be a great day for that. The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team opens the 2023 MHSAA Division 1 state tournament with an open­ ing round district ballgame against Byron Center at Caledonia High School. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Monday, March 6. The winner of that one will face either Wyoming or East Grand Rapids in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinals at Thomapple Kellogg High School in Middleville Wednesday at 7 p.m. East Kentwood will face either Ottawa Hills or Thomapple Kellogg, who meet Monday in Middleville, in the district’s other semifinal match-up in Middleville Wednesday. Caledonia heads into the postseason with a 7-15 overall record. The Fighting Scots closed a 3-11 OK Red Conference sea­ son with a 58-54 win at Jenision last Friday, Feb. 24. Googins had 25 points in that one, going 6-of-7 from the free throw line. The Scots got 9 points from point, guard Elijah Holt and 8 points apiece from VanderWoude and McKenzie. They followed that up with the one-point win in a different Caledonia junior guard Ky VanderWoude is hit from behind by Portage Central’s Alex Beachnau as he attacks the basket in the final minute of the Mustangs’ one-point win at Caledonia High School Tuesday. VanderWoude hit the two ensuing free throws to put the Scots up one with 14 seconds remaining, but Portage Central scored what proved to be the game-winner with 6 seconds to go in a 65-64 win. (Photo by Brett Bremer) kind ofballgame for the Scots - a Saturday night non-conference contest at the home of a talented Division 3 squad at Pewamo-Westphalia High School. Googins had 23 points in the contest with the Pirages. VanderWoude put in 14 points and Holt and McKenzie had 9 points each. Grady Eklund hit six three-pointers and finished with 24 points for the Pirates. Jamison Eklund had 19 points. “It flips around,” Visser said Tuesday night. “It is one of those where you’re on one side ofit one night We were 7-of-7 at the free throw line against Pewamo and then tonight we go 19-of-30. It is one ofthose, I told the guys afterwards is that the frustrating thing about onepoint games is that you go back and look at every little thing that could have gone our way and didn’t “The biggest one is getting to the line 30 times and only converting 19 ofthem.” The Scots closed the regular season Thursday, March 2, with a 71-38 non-conference loss at Forest Hills Central. Thomapple Kellogg Schools in Middleville SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville B&C Clearing, LLC Tree Removal - Tree Trimming - Stump Grinding Skid Steer Work - Demo Work - Standing Timber Buyers Caledonia junior forward Jaiden Googins (2) looks to disrupt a shot by Portage Central senior Nathan Long during the first half of their non-conference ball­ game at Caledonia High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) • • • • Competitively Priced Free Quotes David Case Licensed & Insured (269) 953'3366 Family Owned & operated bandcclearing@gmail.com is hiring for a CLEANER POSITION Position is full-time (2:30 p.m. -11:00 p.m.), school year only. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Please email or call Sherry Gasser with your interest and for additional questions. sgasser@tkschools.org or 269-795-5541. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023 TK cheer ends seven-year state finals drought Brett Bremer Sports Editor They were still getting better with one meet left. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team blew away its top score of the season Saturday, Feb. 25, to finish second at its MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament at Kenowa Hills High School and earn its first appearance in the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals since 2015. “They were so in shock that I had to say, ‘are you excited?’” TK head coach Adrian Nichols said after scores were announced throughout the gym. “I had to legitimately ask. ‘Are you upset that you didn’t win? What is going on?” “They were like, ‘no, we’re excited, but it just doesn’t feel real.’ I feel like I say things to them and they don’t always believe me, or believe that it is pos­ sible.” The Trojans stuck it in every round and only an outstanding Bay City Thornapple Kellogg’s Ava Jahnke (front) and Payton Gater shout out to the crowd during round one at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Kenowa Hills High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Western team finished ahead of the TK ladies. Bay City Western took the regional title with an over­ all score of 776.36. TK’s final total was 772.64 points. TK had the highest round one score of the day with 232 points, then added a season-best round two score of 224.84 and a score of 315.8 in round three. Rounds one and three were just off their season best point totals. The Trojans’ back tucks in round two were the best they’d been all season on the way to a district cham­ pionship and even a little better at the regional. “We made a small change after our tucks [in round two],” Nichols said. “When they throw it they hold it for two counts and they don’t move, and then they stand up and continue. The initial stick and the hold just proves that they can do it and they can do it well.” “The judges have time, they’re human right, so they have time to watch the skill and then watch that no one is literally moving afterwards. That small change right there benefitted us 100 percent.” Mason and Forest Hills Northern are the other two teams from the regional to earn a spot in the state finals, which were set to be held Friday, March 3, at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena in Mt. Pleasant. Bay City Western had scores of 231.9 in round one, 227.86 in round two and 316.6 in round three. Those round two and three Thornapple Kellogg freshman Claira Kovich, junior Mali Holland and exchange student Monica Serrano Aguilar cheer together during round one at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Kenowa Hills High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) BOARD OF REVIEW The 2023 Board of Review for Irving Township will meet as follows: • Tuesday, March 7th at 11:00am - Organizational Meeting Monday, March 13th from 3:00pm-9:00pm Tuesday, March 14th from 9:00am-3:00pm Fans of the Thornapple Written appeals will be accepted by March 14, 2023. The tentative equalization ratios for computation of SEV of real property are as follows: Classification Of Real Property Agricultural Residential Commercial Industrial Timber-Cutover Developmental_________ PERSONAL PROPERTY Commercial Industrial Utility Irving 2023 Ratios and Multipliers Ratio ________Real Property ___ 44.12% 42.11% 48.43% 41.04% None in Class None in Class 50.00% 50.00% 50.00% Multiplier 1.1307 1.874 1.0324 1.2183 Thornapple Kellogg Schools in Middleville is seeking bids for a 40ft x 80ft COLD STORAGE FACILITY 1.000 1.000 1.000 This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1076 as amended (Open Meetings Act) MCLA 41.72A (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Irving Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities upon seven (7) day notice to the Irving Township Board, such as signer for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials to be presented at the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the clerk, at (269) 948-0633. Jamie R. Knight, Supervisor, Irving Township 195301 Bids may be mailed to Thornapple Kellogg Schools 10051 Green Lake Road Middleville, MI 49333 Sealed bids are to be submitted no later thanl:00 p.m. Friday, March 24,2023. Please visit www.tkschools.org/ Departments/Business Office/RFPs for more information. Kellogg varsity competi­ tive cheer team, includ­ ing Gwen Williams, root on the Trojans before the start of round two Saturday at Kenowa Hills High School during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by the Knights. (Photo by Brett Bremer) scores were the tops of the tournament. “We absolutely wanted to win it. That was our goal,” Nichols said. “I had the shoot for the stars land on the moon mentality with that one. We have only seen Bay City Western one other time, at the TK Invite, and we beat them there and we both got beat by Mason. Forest Hills Northern was also in that at one point. T think that they were bugged if you will that they didn’t See CHEER, continued next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023/ Page 15 Trojan ski senior, VanDemark, one spot shy of slalom medal Brett Bremer Sports Editor Plainwell/Thornapple Kellogg senior Lucy VanDemark closed her senior season with her best state finals appearance Monday at the MHSAA Division 2 Ski Finals at Boyne Mountain. VanDemark just missed a spot on the top ten state medal stand with her llth-place finish in the sla­ lom competition. She put together runs of 36.94 sec­ onds and 38.28. Those put her ten spots higher than she’d been in the slalom a the Division 1 State Finals as a junior. The Thomapple Kellogg senior also had a 27th-place performance in the giant sla­ lom Monday with times of 41.62 and 39.70. VanDemark was 16™ after one ruri in the slalom Monday and her time of 38.28 was the best second run time of the day. It was a tumultuous high school ski season in 2022-23 with warm weather and min­ imal snowfall making com­ petitions scarce. Marley Spence from Petoskey had the two fastest slalom runs of the day in the girls’ contest. She had times of 33.26 and 33.52. She also won the GS competition with times of 38.09 and 36.82. Her teammate Cassidy Whitener was the only one to best her on any run at the finals. Whitner had a second run time of 36.56 the second time down the hill in the GS. That combined with a first run time of 40.61 put her in eighth place in that event. Whitener was third in the slalom. That duo couldn’t get the Petoskey team to the stop of the day’s final standings though. The Petoskey boys won a state title, but the Notre Dame Prep girls beat out the Petoskey girls 61-87 at the top of the standings. Cadillac was third in the girls’ meet with 113 points, ahead of Great North Alpine 126, Harbor Springs 159, East Grand Rapids 160, Grand Rapids Christian 192, Marian 244 and Cranbrook Kingswood 279. The top two teams were the same in the boys’ meet, but Petoskey best out Notre Dame Prep 63-83 for the title. Great North Alpine was third with 116 points, ahead of Harbor Springs 128, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 164, East Grand Rapids 171, Grand Rapids Christian 194, Grand Rapids West Catholic/ Catholic Central 278 and Brother Rice 293. Petoskey’s Wyatt Mattson won the boys’ GS with runs of 33.48 and 34.29 seconds and his teammate Nolan Walkerdine took the slalom with runs of 34.96 and 35.91. Walkerdine had the two fast- Plainwell/Thomapple Kellogg senior Lucy VanDemark, pictured at an early season meet, placed 11th in the slalom and 27th in the giant slalom Monday during the MHSAA Division 2 Ski Finals at Boyne Mountain. (Photo by Eric Hodges) est guys’ slalom runs. Both guys won two individual state medals. Walkerdine was third in the GS and Mattson placed seventh in the slalom. mentality that they should work and expect to be qual­ ifying for the state finals on a regular basis. “I think now they under­ stand all the work is paying off,” Nichols said. “I have a freshman, Payton Gater, and she says all the time, ‘nothing will matter when you’re holding the trophy in your hand. Nothing will matter.’ She said that multi­ ple times the day of dis­ tricts and we just kept repeating that today. We didn’t run away with the trophy, but it was close enough and we’re going [to the state finals].” CHEER, continued from previous page take it.” “My kids are very much ‘you might get me once, but you’re not going to get me twice,”’ Nichols added. “They kind of have that mentality, which is how they got here in the first place.” Reeths-Puffer finished fifth with an overall score of 752.32, ahead of Cedar Springs 748.8, Plainwell 746.42, St. Johns 743.66, Gull Lake 731.84, Northview 721.86, Sturgis 715.34 and DeWitt 688.82. Thornapple Kellogg has finished as high as fifth at the MHSAA Division 2 Cheer Finals previously, and Nichols said that will likely be the goal at CMU - a top five finish or bet­ ter. The MHSAA state finals are always tough, and more often than not the regional from the east side of the state sends the most talented four teams to the finals. Nichols was a member of the of the first TK varsity competitive cheer squad to qualify for the state finals in 2012. She is excited to instill in these Trojans the Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 The Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team performs back tucks during round two at at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Kenowa Hills High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Yankee Springs Township Barry County The Yankee Springs Township Board of Review for March 2023 will meet at the Yankee Springs Township Office at 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 on March 15 and 16, 2023. 2023 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE Charter Township of Gaines, County of Kent, Ml The Gaines Charter Township Board of Review for March 2023 will be held at the Township Office located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml to hear appeals regarding 2023 assessments. The Gaines Charter Township March Board of Review will meet on the fol­ lowing dates: • Tuesday, March 7, 2023,9:00 AM: Organizational Meeting • Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Appeals Hearings • Thursday, March 16, 2023,1:30 PM to 7:30 PM: Appeals Hearings The Board of Review will meet as many more days as necessary to hear protests and equalize the 2023 assessments. By Board resolution, taxpayers may protest by letter sent to 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 or by email to megan.vanhoose@gainestownship.org, provided the protest is received before 5:00 PM Thursday, March 16, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2023 are as follows:_______________________________ Agricultural 46.47 1.0760 Commercial 46.38 1.0781 Residential 44.08 1.1343 Developmental NC NC Industrial 46.97 1.0645 Personal Property 50.00 1.0000 Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Notice The Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with dis­ abilities at the Board of Review meetings upon seven (7) days’ notice. Contact Kim Triplett at 616-504-4332 2023 MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING SCHEDULE The Yankee Springs Township March Board of Review will meet on the following dates: Appeals are by appointment. Please call 269-795-9091 to schedule an appointment. • Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 1 PM- Organizational Meeting • Wednesday, March 15, 2023,1-4 PM and 6-9 PM - Appeal Hearing •Thursday, March 16, 2023, 9 AM - Noon and 1:30­ 4:30 PM - Appeal Hearing The Board of Review will meet as many more days as deemed necessary to hear questions, protests, and to equalize the 2023 assessments. By board resolution, taxpayers are able to protest in person, by letter sent to Dan Scheuerman at Yankee Springs Township, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville, Ml 49333, or email danscheuerman@yankeespringstwp.org.. provided protest is received prior to 4 PM on March 16, 2023. The tentative ratios and the estimated multipliers for each class of real property and personal property for 2022 are as follows ‘Agricultura ...43.08% ...... 1.1606 ’Commercial. 9.46%. * Industrial... .49.06%. ’Residential........... 47.47%. ’Personal Property...50.00%. 1.0109 1.0192 1.1773 1.00000 Americans With Disabilities (ADA) Notice Persons with disabilities that need special assistance, please contact Mike Cunningham, Clerk, at 269-795-9091. Rob Heethuis, Supervisor Dan Scheuerman, Assessor �Page 167The Sun and News, Saturday, March 4,2023 Lakewood ends regular season with overtime win over TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor If the plan was to build some momentum going into the postseason, the Vikings got it done. The Lakewood varsity boys’ basketball team closed the 2022-23 regular season with back-to-back wins over Lansing Christian and Kellogg. Thornapple Lakewood will now head to Forest Hills Eastern High School Monday, March 6, to take on Portland in the open­ ing round of their MHSAA 2 Division District Tournament. The Vikings scored a sixpoint win over the Raiders when they met back in December at Lakewood High School. welcomed Lakewood back senior guard Jayce Cusack from an injury for the final two ballgames of the regular season. He had 18 points as the Vikings knocked of Lansing Christian 55-39 in the Greater Lansing Activities Conference finale Saturday evening at Lakewood High School, and then he poured in 28 Monday as the Vikings scored a 55-53 overtime victory over visit­ ing Thomapple Kellogg Thursday. The win moves Lake wood to 12-10 overall this season. APPLY ONLINE Junior guard Blake Price chipped in 10 points and junior Eli Jablonski and senior Montreal Reid had 4 points apiece for Lakewood Thursday. Junior shooting guard Kyle VanHaitsma led Thomapple Kellogg with 19 points. It took some heroics for the Vikings to get the ball­ game to overtime. They trailed TK by ten points with two and a half minutes to go in regulation, and were still down seven with a minute to go. Coming out of a timeout with 13.3 seconds left in reg­ ulation, trailing 48-46, Cusack drove along the right baseline in front of his bench and then flung a shot around big Trojan junior center Jaxan Sias. It didn’t fall, but Jablonski was there on the weak side to put the rebound back up and in tying the game at 48-48 with five sec­ onds left. The Vikings even had a chance to win it in regulation when Reid stole TK’s rushed inbounds pass near half-court and heaved up a long three from the right wing that glanced off the backboard and then the rim. TK led 28-25 entering the fourth quarter and VanHaitsma drilled a long three from the top of the key to double his team’s lead less than half a minute into the fourth. Junior center Jaxan Sias followed up with a three from the right comer that had TK in front 34-25. The TK lead grew to as many as ten points with Sias flipping in a shot in the lane that put his team up 39-29 with five and a half minutes to play. A Trojan turnover led to a quick three by Lakewood senior guard Nathan Willette with 2:04 to go in the ball­ game, trimming the TK lead down to 47-40. It was Willette’s lone bucket of the night, but it was as big one. The Vikings makes were boosted by the Trojans’ misses. TK guys were l-of-7 at the free throw line the rest of the way in regulation. TK missed five consecu­ tive free throws over the next minute, but Cusack was perfect from the line in the end. He buried three free throws to get the Vikings within 47-43 with 48.7 sec­ onds left and then after a Trojan turnover in the back­ court against pressure Cusack nailed a three in the right comer that has his team within 47-46 with 26 seconds to go. VanHaitsma finally hit the back end of a trip to the free throw line to bump TK’s lead up to 48-46 with 13.3 seconds left in the fourth APPLY ONLINE TO GET PRE-APPROVED TODAY Scan the QR Coded to get started SCAN ME Farm Depot I^efs^Grow^ogether! 2690 S State Rd Ionia on M-66 by Meijer 12661 N. US 131 Schoolcraft 7 MI S of 1-94 616-522-5501 269-679-3939 www.farmdepot.biz TK junior guard Tyler Gavette dribbles towards the hoop during the Trojans’ loss to Ottawa Hills in the OK Gold Conference finale in Middleville Friday, Feb. 24. TK will host the Bengals again Monday to open the MHSAA Division 1 Districts. (Photo by Brett Bremer) quarter. TK even had the lead to start overtime. Gavette put in a lay-up after a Viking turn­ over on the first possession of the extra four minutes. A Trojan turnover led to a Cusack three in transition with 2:45 to play though, that put his team up 51-50, and the Vikings never trailed again. Once given the opportu­ nity to seal it at the free throw line, the Vikings did. Price hit a pair with 24.7 seconds left and then Troy Acker, who’d drawn a big charge on the defensive end minutes earlier, was perfect on two free throws with 8.1 to go. The only shot the Trojans got off in the final minute of the overtime was a long three from the top by senior guard Ethan Bonnema that swished through as the buzzer sound­ ed. TK was just 10-of-20 at the free throw line for the rndig.ahgt,cobfiuntantcheo.sceomst/r?uegngtilteysI didn’t include junior guard Tyler Gavette or freshman Lucas Ploeg who were both 4-for-4 in the ballgame. Ploeg, a recent JV call-up to prep for the postseason, hit all four of his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter and finished with eight points. Gavette finished with seven points and so did Sias. TK had five different guys hit three-pointers in the bail­ game, including VanHaitsma in the fourth quarter. He hit four threes. TK led 11-8 after one quarter and the two teams went into the half tied 20-20. The Trojans will host fel­ low OK Gold Conference member Ottawa Hills for its MHSAA Division 1 District opener Monday in Middleville. The Bengals took both conference meet­ ings between the two teams who buried six of them. Cusack was 10-of-12 at the free throw line in the ballgame, going 7-of-9 alone Thomapple Kellogg senior Rein Pranger fires up a three-pointer during his team’s senior night ballgame against Ottawa Hills Friday, Feb. 24, in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) this season. TK closes the regular sea­ son with a 2-20 record. They were 2-12 in the OK Gold Conference this winter. The Trojans closed con­ ference play with an 88-36 loss to Ottawa Hills on senior night in Middleville last Friday, Feb. 24. Grandville took a 71-47 win over the TK boys Tuesday in Grandville. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-03-18.pdf 671f580ee03fa8c414e2b7a5b8d24f74 PDF Text Text IB Th&S&i aggsvews Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 11/ March 18,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Middleville Council approves contract Deputy says for new DDA director and lease Gaines Township agreement for her office in village hall now tops Kent James Gemmell Contributing Writer About two months after Katherine Bussard abruptly resigned, the Village of Middleville has a new Downtown Development Authority director. The village council voted 6-0 at its meeting Tuesday night to approve the appoint­ ment of local resident Emily Lee to the position. She was selected by a DDA board-ap­ pointed committee following a search-and-interview pro­ cess. DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim told the Sun and News after the council meeting Lee’s annual salary will be $55,000. She said there was no end date on the con­ tract. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said about a dozen people applied for the DDA director’s job. Jachim, DDA Vice Chairwoman Kristen Fisher and DDA board member Andrew Beck were on the selection com­ mittee that whittled the number of applicants down to three finalists. They were interviewed by the commit­ tee. “And then, after they felt the best candidate came for­ ward, I had a second inter­ view with them, also,” Stolsonburg told the village County townships in calls for service Emily Lee was appointed as the new Downtown Development Authority director for the Village of Middleville. (Photos by James Gemmell) council. In the past, the village did not prepare a detailed contract for the incoming DDA director to sign. But Stolsonburg had village attorney Mark Nettleton draw up a very specific one for the new manager that spells out details of the new director’s job duties, com­ pensation and other items. A disagreement between DDA leadership and Bussard over her time card procedures was one of the bones of contention that led to her leaving the village on Jan. 17. Bussard wrote in her resignation letter to the DDA board that the working envi­ ronment had become “hos­ tile, unprofessional and, at times, disparate in treatment of staff.” She also referred to “unresolved issues” pertain­ ing to unused compensatory time, personal and vacation time. Meanwhile, a lease agree­ ment also was approved by the village council that will allow the new DDA director (Lee) to work in an office at village hall that once was used by former village presi­ dent Charlie Pullen until he died in Nov. 2020. The office had not been used as much in recent years. Bussard, the former DDA director, worked the past two years out ofthe Mix Co-Working Studio down the road from village hall. “Relationships are established in that (village hall) space, it’s got good oversight, I think it’s going to be great. The DDA and the village are going to be under the same roof,” trustee Kevin Smith said. “ “I’m really looking for­ ward to working with the village andjust all the collab­ oration, and the great work I know that we can do ahead,” James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Charter Township has become Kent County’s busiest when it comes to the number of calls for service from police, fire and rescue crews. Kent County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason VanderMolen apprised the township board at its Monday night meeting that Gaines has surpassed Plainfield Township when it comes to the overall number of service calls. He is the Sheriff’s Office community liaison officer for the town­ ship. “We also, unfortunately, hold the position for highest call volume for Priority 1 and 2 calls,” VanderMolen said. “All those 1 and 2 calls are going to be your homicides, your robberies, your domestic in progress, your stolen vehicle in progress.” See EMILY LEE, page 2 Bouchard picked as Thornapple Twp. treasurer; Denton named interim clerk Greg Chandler the skill set and the knowl­ and make sure we make the ters of resignation to the Staff Writer edge to take the township correct choice ... to carry out township, effective at the end The Thomapple Township forward. the remainder of Cindy of this month. Buckowing board has appointed a new Regarding the clerk’s Willshire’s term,” Schaefer had served on the township township treasurer and tem­ position, “we’re in a position said. board for 20 years, first as a porarily filled the position of now where we want to Buckowing and Willshire township clerk. expand our candidate search recently submitted their let- See NEW APPOINTMENTS, page 3 The board Monday approved the appointment of Laura Bouchard, who has been deputy treasurer for the township since 2016, to replace longtime Treasurer Deb Buckowing, and named former Middleville Village Clerk Elaine Denton as inter­ im township clerk, replacing outgoing Clerk Cindy Elaine Denton was appointed as inter­ Willshire. im Thomapple Township clerk, taking the “I think we’re lucky to place of Cindy Wilshire until a permanent have Laura Bouchard in the Laura Bouchard is the new township clerk can be found. Denton was village position she’s in, having learned from Deb over many treasurer, replacing Deb Buckowing. clerk in Middleville from 2011 to 2020 and years,” Township Supervisor Bouchard has been deputy treasurer for currently serves on the Township Planning Commission. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Eric Schaefer said. “She has the township since 2016. Kent County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason VanderMolen addresses the Gaines Township Board on Monday night. (Photo by James Gemmell) As a result, the Sheriff’s Office is having to assign more officers to handle the calls. That means the town­ ship is paying for two police cruisers to respond to most of the calls, especially on day shift. “There is a little bit of a concern,” VanderMolen said. “It’s getting to that point where we’re going to have to put a two-year plan, five-year plan, 10-year plan out there of what law enforcement’s going to look like here in Gaines Township. And it’s going to be adding spots (positions).” The highest number of Priority 1 and 2 calls is between noon and midnight, seven days a week. “The days that we’re barely hanging on are getting more and more frequent,” he said. Trustee Bob Terpstra asked if the increasing call volume will necessitate adding a third sheriff’s patrol car assigned to the township. VanderMolen said that has not been deter­ mined yet, but he and Lt. Joel Roon have been compiling some preliminary numbers on what additional township coverage would look like. Perhaps it will mean adding a patrol officer to work the noon to midnight shift, or it could require adding a second nightshift car. Or both. The township board voted in Oct. 2021 to approve an See CALLSF0RSERWCE,page3 Of • Caledonia Twp. hires consultant for township manager search • Food service improvements on way for TK schools • Local clubs have good groups headed to MYWAY State Finals • Healthy Kids Running Series returning to Caledonia this spring �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023 EMILY LEE, continued from page 1 Lee said during her formal introduction to the council. Village President Mike Cramer said the new DDA director should focus more around downtown develop­ ment, and not as much as the previous director did on event planning. He said staff time could also be spent reviewing village ordinanc­ es. “To make sure that our ordinances match our vision and our master plan. I feel like we’ve got to get back to development and away from events. Events are better han­ dled by community organi­ zations, not by government,” Cramer said. Smith said he respectfully disageed. “I think that this commu­ nity has benefited tremen­ dously from the activities and the family-oriented walkable, participant-based activities that the DDA has placed before us as a com­ munity. And to your point, we don’t have a lot of out. We have a lot of up to go,” Smith said. He was referring to the shortage ofavailable land for development in the village, but noted that commercial space could be gained by adding more floors to exist­ ing buildings. “I believe that the DDA has done such a tremendous job ofbringing human beings New Middleville DDA director Emily Lee addresses the village council at its March 14 meeting. into the downtown area that is, in and of itself, a form of development,” Smith said. “Ifyou’re looking for larger and more prominent busi­ nesses to show up in the limited amount ofreal estate that we have available to us ... I want to disagree because we are just now getting our sea legs at getting people down here. At a time where, seven, eight, nine years ago it was a bit of a ghost town.” Trustee Richard Hamilton said Cramer and Smith each made valid points. “I think both of you are correct,” he said. “There’s no reason why both those issues can’t be handled by the same DDA. To Kevin’s point, peo­ ple coming down here is an attraction for business to be here'. We certainly shouldn’t throw a blind eye to either one of them. And the DDA should charge itself with doing both ofthose things.” Trustee Makenzi Peters pointed out that business growth is important for attracting new home buyers and new tenants. “And it’s essential to have just as many businesses that complement the community as it is to have residents come and participate in the com­ munity, which does mean community events,” she said. Stolsonburg said he believes Bussard got “burned out” in her role as DDA director. So, Stolsonburg, Jachim and Fisher encour­ aged the new director, Lee, to focus on things that the DDA is already doing well and not to stretch herselfthin by planning too many events. “Maybe turn back some of the events and allow some other people, the Lions (Club) and the Rotary, to take over some of those events. And not necessarily have them all be DDA,” Stolsonburg said. “And the same goes with the number ofsubcommittees. Work with what you can work with and make them manageable so you don’t get burned out. And in that way, it’s manage­ able for the DDA.” President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd said he shared the concern about too much event planning falling on the shoulders ofthe DDA. He suggested that, perhaps, the DDA could hire a market manager or a small-time event coordinator to help with that. Cramer agreed, saying he does not want staff to have to hire another DDA director in the near future. “I want you to succeed,” he told Lee. “I don’t want you to get burned out on it, either. What I see is, we do less of the event planning, and we facilitate the event and let somebody else do the planning. We can sponsor an event because we can pay for someone to put on an event and we can use DDA funds for that, but I don’t want to see your staffhours taken up with this and then us having to try and find another direc­ tor. Lee said she appreciated that. “Something I’m passion­ ate about is working with current businesses, attracting new businesses. I’m looking forward to working with (new planning and zoning administrator Doug Powers) on some of the upcoming projects he has,” Lee said. The DDA has been work­ ing on various economic development projects during file past year, such as adding tiered seating to the Middleville Amphitheater and refurbishing the historic Middleville Train Depot. Jachim said the DDA board already has scaled back or dismanted two events on its planning schedule and has worked in recent months to boost business. She cited the Small Business Saturday Passport program that the DDA successfully ran in November- and the Early Bird into Spring/Pot of Gold Week event that ran March 10 through March 17. Residents were encouraged in each of those events to visit local businesses and collect stamps on their card (“passport”). They then left their passport at the last par­ ticipating business they visit­ ed in order to gain entry into a grand prize gift basket con­ test draw. Each business con­ tributed a something to the gift basket, valued at more than $300. As part of the festivities, the Middleville Lions and Middleville Rotary clubs held a St. Patrick’s Day cookout at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion downtown late Friday after­ noon into early evening. Some leprechauns were on hand as part of the event, with proceeds going to com­ munity fundraising. Peters is a Rotary Club member and has worked recently with the Lions Club, as well. “There’s just a refreshed, energized vibe there. That they just want to take on that mantle and run with some events to help the new DDA director and board, just to ensure we still have activities and not burning someone out. So, there’s just that revi­ talization among those groups,” she said, Caledonia Twp. hires firm to aid in township manager search Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township board will retain an execu­ tive search firm to assist the board in searching for a new township manager. On a 5-1 vote Wednesday, the board approved retain­ ing Walsh Municipal Services LLC, of Okemos, to help the township in the managerial search at a cost of $11,900. Its principal, Frank Walsh, has been the township manager in Meridian Charter Township, just east of Lansing, for nearly 10 years. He also pre­ viously served as city man­ ager in St. Joseph and Cedar Springs. “I think Frank’s experi­ ence and his pricing is defi­ nitely more advantageous (for us as a township), but he also has the experience over here,” said Trustee Greg Zoller, who made the motion to bring Walsh on board. “I was comfortable with him (during a Zoom conversation).” Walsh is currently involved in city manager searches in Plainwell, Watervliet and Buchanan, all in southwest Michigan, as well as the county admin­ istrator search process in Van Buren County, accord­ ing to the firm’s Facebook page. The township is looking for a replacement for Dick Bsnwsnr ______________ Caledonia, MI________________ Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — Complete Collision Service S Frame Repairs State & I-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility *Most insurance companies k? NFIB wmbai Robertson, who is the elected township treasurer, but has also served as administrator and manager for the township since 2015. In October 2020, the township board approved a managerial organization plan that gave Robertson the title of township man­ ager, with the provision that the township would begin searching for a full­ time manager in the sum­ mer of 2023. Four firms had contacted the township to offer their services in assisting with the search process, Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. Robertson, who cast the lone no vote, expressed concern with the board going ahead with a motion to approve Walsh when it was not listed on the agenda as an action item, but a dis­ cussion item. He also felt that with Township Clerk Joni Henry absent from the meeting, the full board should have decided on the motion. In addition, he expressed the view that the township could pursue the search without outside assistance. “Our neighbors in Gaines Township have done this very successfully without a professional finder,” Robertson said. “I talked to their supervisor, Rob DeWard ... about their search. They felt just with the normal postings on township websites and so forth and (Michigan Municipal League) job boards, they had 20 good applications and they had good finalists, and they picked somebody who by reputation I think will work out fine.” “I think there needs to be an effort, an internal effort, not necessarily requiring the expertise of a professional, to clarify what it is that we want out of this job, and then go to a person and say, ‘you find us that person,’ but we don’t need to tell him to tell us what that job Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia * www.edsbody.com RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request ourfree travel brochure. 1-800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com should be,” Robertson added. “The second (recom­ mendation) would be an organizational chart, I think it’s somewhat in place, but I’d like to see some of these things decided internally before we bring in a profes­ sional person.” Harrison said that a job description, an organization­ al chart, a list of qualifica­ tions or qualities will all be “front-loaded” into the search process before the township goes public with it. “I don’t think bringing on a partner prevents us from doing that,” Harrison said. “I think most of them have that incorporated ...as part of what they’re doing. I’m not hesitant to delay that. I don’t have a problem with the Personnel Committee taking the first draft and working with the consultant to bring those to the board and say ‘here’s the job description, here’s the orga­ nizational chart.’ We should also talk to other community staff members on the list of qualifications and qualities we want to see in this per­ son.” The Personnel Committee consists of Harrison, Robertson and Henry. “All of us have our pref­ erences, if not biases, and I think a consultant will help us minimize those, what makes its way into the pro­ cess,” Harrison said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023/ Page 3 CALLS FOR SERVICE, continued from page 1 annual special assessment levy to cover the township’s mounting costs for public safety, which includes police, fire and rescue ser­ vices. The dedicated levy can be adjusted each year up to 1.5 mills, based on the amount needed to cover expenses. The money from the assessment levy fills the gap between the township’s $2 million annual contribu- tion and what the actual public safety costs turn out to be each year. The special assessment levy for public safety in fiscal year 2023 is 0.75 mills. “It is coming at some point here in the real near future that we’re probably going to have to look at adding coverage,” Deputy VanderMolen said. He added that police have been pursuing and arresting a lot ofjuveniles lately who are stealing cars. “We are making some headway there but, literally, you lock two of them up and two more come back and we’re at it again,” VanderMolen said. “It’s a couple times a week that we’re chasing cars. The helicopter’s been out sever- al times from (Michigan State Police) lately.” The MSP chopper helped police arrest a pair ofyoung suspects following a pursuit in late February that ended near 100th Street and Division Avenue. They got out and ran, but were tracked down by police with the help of the aerial spotlight shone on them by the helicopter crew. “They were able to lead us right to where they threw their handguns. They were armed. We’re starting to see more of that stuff, too,” VanderMolen said. Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said he and Township Manager Rod Weersing are planning to meet soon with Lt. Roon to discuss some coverage options. “I know last year we had done the Power Squad thing, and that might be an option for us, too, which is kind of the next step,” DeWard said. “Get some more (police) on the road during the high-frequency times.” “Let’s be as proactive as we can. Protective. And I don’t know what that looks like,” Terpstra said. election. She holds an associate’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College. Denton, 70, has served on the township planning commission since January 2020. She was the village clerk in Middleville from July 2011 until her retire­ ment in March 2020. “Sandy Rairigh, who is one of our board trustees, approached me and asked if I was interested in the permanent (position), and I said no,” Denton said. “But the township was kind of in a dilemma, if they didn’t have a qualified person to step in as clerk, then there’s no need for a depu­ ty clerk. The deputy serves at the pleasure of the clerk.” Amy Brown currently serves as deputy clerk for the township. She is not eligible to become the new clerk because she does not live in the township. Applicants must be town­ ship residents. The new clerk would serve until the 2024 elec­ tion. The township is con­ tinuing to accept applica­ tions for the permanent appointment. Schaefer said he has spoken to several candidates already, and he plans a public interview process before a permanent successor to Willshire is named. NEWAPPOINTMENTS, continued from page 1 trustee and then as treasur­ er since first being elected to the position in 2004. Willshire has been town­ ship clerk for the last six years. Buckowing is mov­ ing out of the township and Willshire has accepted a job opportunity that she says gives her greater flexibility for personal time. Bouchard, 58, has lived in Thornapple Township since 1995. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the areas of accounting and finance. Before Buckowing hired her to be deputy treasurer in 2016, Bouchard was finance manager for a consulting firm. “I’m kind of excited (to be taking on this role),” she said. “I’ve been train­ ing with Deb and working with her over six years now. I definitely know what needs to be done.” In an e-mail she wrote to the Sun and News last month, Buckowing expressed full confidence in Bouchard’s abilities. “Laura is well trained in the duties of office of trea­ surer, and very dedicated to ensuring that the resi­ dents of Thornapple Township are served to the best of her ability,” Buckowing said. Bouchard will serve as treasurer through the 2024 Caledonia Twp. to split cost for parkland purchase Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Township did not allow the rejection of its application for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to prevent the township from acquiring land at the confluence of Thomapple and Coldwater rivers for additional park space. The township board, on a 5-1 vote Wednesday, approved spending $431,487 toward the acqui­ sition of the 6.8-acre prop­ erty owned by the John Thomas Trust at 10435 Whitneyville Ave. SE. Kent County Parks will match the township’s funding in hopes of acquiring the land to expand the Two Rivers Greenspace. “We had identified this property, I’d say, going back at least 5-7 years as having an interest in it,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. The Thomas property would be added to about 261 acres that are already under public ownership along Whitneyville Avenue, between 100th and 108th streets. The county and township began acquiring land for the greenspace in 2007 with the purchase of 91 acres near where the riv­ ers meet. The property has about 3.5 miles of frontage on the rivers and backwaters, roll­ ing fields, upland marshes and forest edge environ­ ments, according to the county parks website.The township and county ini­ tially met with John Thomas to discuss acquiring the land, and continued those discussions with his family after his death. “They continued to show an interest in making this a park property, given (its) uniqueness,” Harrison said. The township and county had sought a $525,000 grant from the state in 2021 to purchase the property. The township would have contributed $150,000 in matching funds for the grant while the Kent County Parks Foundation would have chipped in $75,000. However, the grant request was turned down by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board. Since then, Harrison said, the value of the property has increased. An appraisal of the property put the land value at $756,000, and fac­ toring in closing costs, the amount needed to make the purchase came in at $862,875. Kent County Parks Superintendent Dan DeLooff proposed the county and township split the cost of the acquisition in an e-mail. “This parcel fills the ‘donut hole’ in the existing greenspace,” DeLooff wrote. “Our investment would be substantially increased, as would the county’s, but I think the uniqueness of the property still has merit,” Harrison told board mem­ bers. Township Trustee Greg Zoller said the appraisal price for the property was too high. “There’s other (compara­ bles of nearby properties) that weren’t in there, that would have lowered (the appraised price), based on market,” Zoller said. “It’s a pretty hefty price.” Zoller said he would sup­ port a township contribu­ tion of $200,000-$300,000 for the acquisition. However, he voted against the $431,487 contribution. Harrison said the Thomas family is eager to close on selling the property, and wants to see it be used for park use. “We’ve worked hard to get to this point. I would hate to have to wait a long time to renegotiate or come to a different understand­ ing, and in that time, the family could say ‘we’re going to move ahead (with selling on the open mar­ ket),’” Harrison said. “There’s no option agree­ ment. This has been all done on good faith from all parties involved.” Township Treasurer/ Administrator Dick Robertson expressed simi­ lar concerns about the township possibly missing out on acquiring the land over the cost. “I think years down the road, if we were to let this Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville go by and somebody else were to pick it up, I think maybe not us directly, but the township as a whole suffers in the long term,” Robertson said. “I’m okay with it.” Robertson said because the township had cut its funding for trails, he was comfortable that the town­ ship could handle the cost. Harrison said the land could become part of a future “river trail” along the Thomapple River. “This is a good buy, by the taxpayers both at the county and township level,” he said. In a related action Wednesday, the board approved contributing $30,000 in matching funds toward improvements at the Two Rivers and Thornapple Riverbend greenspace areas. The county board has commit­ ted up to $1 million in funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) toward the development of parking, restrooms, trails and river access at the two locations. The county will contribute $45,000 of fund­ ing at each location while the township will contrib­ ute $15,000 each as match­ ing funds for the ARPA funding. Two Rivers Greenspace in Caledonia. (Courtesy photo) WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers Air Conditioners Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023 Middleville TOPS 546 Teresa Laura Hansen Teresa Laura (Gallup) Hansen was born in Middleville, MI on January 18, 1959 to Cecil and Jean Gallup of Middleville. She died March 11, 2023 after a very short illness. After graduating from Thomapple Kellogg School in Middleville, Teresa enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, training as a jet mechanic. During and Teresa loved her sister-in­ after her four years of service, she married Tom Goularte and law Marie Hall and consid­ had two children while living ered special long-time friend Lynda Wilson part of her in California. Family was always family, naming her “daugh­ important to Teresa; when ter number two.” She is survived by her her marriage ended in divorce, she returned to husband, Kris Hansen; Michigan to be nearer to her daughter, Samantha Gallup family, a move she said she and grandsons, Hayden Thurby and Alekzander never regretted. On June-, 2008 she married Kirtley; son, Mike Goularte the love of her life, Kris and granddaughter, Allison Hansen, in an intimate back Beardslee. Also, her mother, yard wedding and settled in Jean; sister, Marilyn (Ed) Edmore, north of Grand Corson and brothers, Ron Rapids, where she always Gallup, Gary Gallup and enjoyed the area’s rural nature. Mike (Sharon) Gallup. Teresa was proceeded in She exceeded at cross stitch projects and other crafts, creat­ death by her father, Cecil; ing many pieces highlighting niece, Betsy Corson; grand­ births, weddings, favorite pets father and grandmother, Art and much more that she gave and DeEtte Baker and sever­ to family and friends. al aunts, uncles and cousins. Teresa and Kris had a A Celebration of Life for heart for cats, always finding Teresa will be held in June. room for a stray who needed She will be remembered and a forever home. missed by many. The March 11 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Everyone is in the fishbowl. The chapter had a no-gain week Virginia took a headcount as to how many wanted to go to rally on March 25. Virginia led the chapter in a second session of the Daniel Plan. There were video conflicts last week. Maryellen won the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended by marching in place as the group said the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Caledonia Easter egg hunt set The village of Caledonia will hold its annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 8 at 11 a.m. at the Community Green park, 6260 92nd St. SE. Church The hunt will be broken up into three age groups: 4 years old and under, 5 and 6 years old, and 7 years old and older. The Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce is alask 7240 68*h Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Ourmission is to worship God and equip looking for businesses that are willing to serve as event sponsors. Businesses can donate pre-filled eggs, which must be dropped off by 3 p.m. April 4 at the village offices, 250 Maple Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am First church Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM - Adult Bible Study BAPTIST 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship cornerstonemi.org/weekend CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Church: (269) 795-2391 NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. OURNEY 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 www.stpaulcatedonia.org Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvinebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School --9:30 9:30 AM Sunday Worship ...10:30 10:30 AM Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm gp I^g/c/i our servicesfrom our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist HOLY FAMILY /CATHOLIC CHURCH [unday Service 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship Serving - Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel Middleville St. For any questions, con­ tact Village President Jennifer Lindsey at 616­ 528-2100 or email presi­ dent® villageofcaledonia. org. Caledonia United w Methodist Church committed followers ofJesus Christ who will cornerstonechurch Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Chris, 269-908-3731. The first meeting is free. "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group....... 10:00 a.m. 11 :00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.01g 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.oig Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 aan. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30 am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023/ Page 5 Gaines Board recommends three modifications to proposed township master plan James Gemmell Contributing Writer A proposed master plan for Gaines Charter Township is getting closer to being adopted, but first the plan­ ning commission will review some recommended changes to it. The township board voice-voted 7-0 on Monday night to recommend three potential modifications to the master plan draft and sent it back to the planning commission for review at its March 23 meeting. If the suggested revisions are approved and no further tweaking is done, the township board likely will vote April 10 on whether to adopt the new master plan. It includes a future land-use plan update. It would be the town­ ship’s first adopted master plan since 2002. That plan was amended in 2008. The new master plan proposal is posted on the homepage of the gainestownship.org website. The master plan helps steer residential, com­ mercial and development in a community by plotting where township planners, residents and other stake­ holders would like to see growth over the next 15 years or so. j The township held open houses last spring to receive citizen input, mailed flyers to homes and businesses and conducted a public survey on the master-plan process. One proposed modifica­ tion to the draft master plan includes removing proposed apartments that were envi- sioned near the intersection of 100th Street and Eastern Avenue, and possibly add­ ing some neighborhood retail development there, instead. The zoning desig­ nation would be for residential/retail and village resi­ dential. Development would be at least a few years out, because some nearby gravel pits are still scheduled to be mined there for at least a couple more years. The existing Preservation Lakes condominiums and sin­ gle-family homes are locat­ ed at Eastern Avenue and 100th street. Community Development Director Dan Wells noted there are munic­ ipal water and sewer lines in that area, as well. “So, that’s a really key thing for a little more inten­ sive residential develop­ ment, because we have those utilities in place,” he said. “I really would not want to see apartments built there,” treasurer Laurie Lemke said. “And then, for a trade, I wouldn’t mind seeing apartments allowed because they are in demand - on Hanna Lake (Avenue) and M-6.” That would be the second modification to the proposed master plan. The industrial area on the east side of Hanna Lake Avenue immediately south of M-6 would be changed to a multi-family residential (MFR) zoning designation for apartment buildings. “Yeah, just continue that path from the Dutton Mill Village (mobile home park) The Gaines Township Board discusses some modifications to the township’s proposed new master plan. (Photo by James Gemmell) all the way to M-6,” trustee Kathy VanderStel said. Lemke added that she would like to see apartment developments go along the Division Avenue and M-6 corridors. VanderStel and fellow trustee Bob Terpstra agreed with that, noting that there would not be much concern there about whether the buildings are too tall. “In our task-force meet­ ing, we recommended the M-6 corridor piece,” Terpstra said. “I think apartments make total sense up there by M-6,” Wells said. “We’ve seen apartment developments up and down M-6 ... It’ll also help Dutton, with more resi­ dents .in that area. I want to make sure that we’re mak­ ing good pedestrian connec­ tions for* folks that are in apartments in that area to get. down to Dutton. Eventually, that area’s going to redevelop, I think in a positive way. So, we want to get people down there easi­ ly.” There also was discussion about possibly changing the parcel east of the Target store on Marketplace Drive and south of M-6 to greens­ pace instead of residential/ retail. That would be the third proposed modification. “I would love to earmark that as a potential park in that area,” VanderStel said. She added that there is adequate space to the east along 68th Street for indus­ trial development towards Patterson Avenue. Wells said another good area for industrial growth would be in the far southwest comer of the township along Division Avenue between 100th and 108th streets. “There are a few chal­ lenges with running utilities down to that area, but I think at some point someone will take that jump,” Wells said. “And there’s also a small industrial park on the south side of 108 th there in (Allegan County’s) Leighton Township. So, that makes sense.” Although the master plan serves as a guidepost for township development, the legal document that governs it is the township zoning ordinance. That will be overhauled over the next year so that it matches up with what is envisioned in the township master plan. “And we’ll have to codify all of these concepts into an actual implementation,” Wells said. “Ifwe send it back (to the planning commission), I personally don’t want to see any multifamily (residential construction) south of 84th Street,” trustee Dan Fryling said. Wells said there would not be, if the proposed draft modifications are approved as part of the new master plan. TK Middle School presents“The Tragicomedy of Julia Caesar Thornapple Kellogg Middle School will present “The Tragicomedy of Julia Caesar” on March 22 and 23. Shows start at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The show is free to the pub­ lic, but a $5 donation per person is suggested to help continue to grow the middle school program. This is a fun-filled play featuring a cast of more than 30 students. The play is about two people, Sarah and Dave, who think it will be fun to direct a play for drama club. What could go wrong? They will run into some problems including a diva who wants to play the lead, control the story and per­ form a post-death dance number. Rome, in this play, is in Georgia, Brutus is allergic to peanut butter and there might be a giant killer robot on his way to crush Caesar’s enemies. Emma Johnson and Logan Flynn play the two characters who want to direct the play. Adelaide Holderman is cast as Julia Caesar with Karsyn Boersma as Marcia Brutus, her best friend, and Alex Evans as Mark Antony. This play is directed by TKMS teacher Damon Cove. Offering support groups for Grief, Cancer, Children of Divorce, Infertility, and more. Pictured is the cast of Thornapple Kellogg Middle School’s production of “The Tragicomedy of Julia Caesar,” which will take stage March 22 and 23. cornerstonemi.org/support cornerstonechurch �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023 TK board approves food service equipment replacement, cafeteria furnishings Greg Chandler StaffWriter Food service improve­ ments are soon coming to Thomapple Kellogg High School and Middle School. The Thomapple Kellogg Schools Board of Education Monday approved spending more than $464,000 to replace antiquated equipment, pur­ Take a hike! Over 50 hikers joined the Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Trail Association Saturday, March 11, for a morning hike. The hikers met at NED’s Restaurant in Hickory Corners and set off on a 4-mile hike to and from Chief Noonday’s gravesite along Lockshore Road near Gull Lake. Following the hike, some participants gathered for lunch at NED’s. (Photo by Eric Longman) CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the February 15, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on March 15 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. Irving Township Residents Budget Public Hearing Notice The Irving Township Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed township budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 at Irving Township Hall, Monday, March 27 at 6:30pm. A copy of the budget is available for public viewing online at irvingtownship.org and/or by calling the Irving Township Clerk at 269-948-0633. THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDTET WILL BE A SUBJECT OF THE HEARING. This notice is posted in compliance with Michigan's Open Meetings Public Act No. 267 of 1976 as amended MCL41.72a (2) (3) and The Americans With Disabilities Act: The Irving Township board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting upon (7) days of notice to the Irving Township Clerk. Individuals witfi disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Irving Township Clerk by writing or calling the following: Irving Township Clerk, 3425 Wing Road, Hastings, MI 49058, PH: 269-948-0633 Notice complies with MCL 141.436 and MCL 211.24e 196599 1', chase new furnishings and renovate the serving line at the middle school. The funds are being spent out ofthe dis­ trict’s food service fund, which is separate from the district’s general fund that supports instruction and relat­ ed services. “This is all going to be done over the summer. We want to get these in the dis­ trict and installed before June 30,” TK Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. The purchases are necessi­ tated under a Michigan Department ofEducation pol­ icy that requires school dis­ tricts to spend down excess reserves in their food service funds. TK was projected to end the current fiscal year June 30 with a fund balance in the food service fund of more than $757,000. The state only allows districts to have three months’ worth of expenditures in its food ser­ vice fund balance, LaHaie said. “It was revenue earned through food service, it’s rev­ enue that needs to be spent on food service,” LaHaie said. TK and other school dis­ tricts have seen an influx of food service revenues over the last couple of years because of federal funding tied to the COVID-19 pan­ demic that allowed students to eat breakfast and lunch for free. In addition, the state provides school districts a reimbursement rate for every meal they serve, LaHaie said. TK needed to spend down more than $323,000 to meet the MDE reserve require­ ments, and the state has spe­ cific rules on what those funds can be spent on, LaHaie said. “There’s a big list from MDE on allowable items that we can spend it on,” he said. “You can get carts and cabi­ nets, cooking equipment, cleaning equipment, dry storage, computer hardware and software for ringing (up) point of sale, any number of farm-to-school (or) schoolto-garden (food) preparation - blenders, slicers, choppers ... It has to be all food ser­ vice, 100 percent of the time.” The district will spend $88,238 on the purchase of two double-stack combina­ tion ovens at the middle school. They will replace cur­ rent ovens at the school that are more than 30 years old. Another $55,567 will go toward the purchase of a new walk-in freezer and cooler at the high school, LaHaie said. “The walk-in freezer and cooler that we have (now) at the high school (is) from the 1970s. It’s too small and we’re constantly replacing parts, and they’re hard to get parts for. They’re not energy efficient,” he said. HPS Inc. of Middleville was awarded the contract for both the new ovens and walk­ in freezer and cooler. “We love working with them, they’re right here (in town),” LaHaie said. Another $142,973 will be allocated for purchasing items tied to the renovation ofthe food serving line at the middle school. Stafford­ Smith Inc. of Kalamazoo had the low bid for that line item and was awarded the con­ tract. Items to be purchased include two new serving counters, a cold food serving area where students can grab items they want, and two new cashier counters for point of sale purchases, LaHaie said. Finally, the district will spend $177,622 for the pur­ chase of furnishings for the expanded and renovated high school cafeteria. The expan­ sion and renovation work, which is tied to the November 2019 bond issue, will take place over the summer. The board approved the awarding of contracts to two Grand Rapids companies Custer ($122,775) and Interphase ($54,847) through a cooperative bidding process that is available to school districts and govern­ mental units where contracts can be awarded to more than one company ifthey can more efficiently meet a specified need. “(The spend down pro­ gram) allows us to put the dollars where we need to,” LaHaie said. “If we’ve got ovens from the 1990s, we need to replace them. It would be enticing to spend this (in non food-service areas) - we need help with this, we need help with that That’s not the intent.” In other action Monday night, the board approved a resolution authorizing the sale of bonds for the second phase of the 2019 bond issue in the amount of $6.14 mil­ lion. Those bonds will be sold in May. Funds from that bond will go toward such projects as asbestos removal from the high school pool and paving of parking lots. 2023 TK All School Alumni Spring Dinner slated for May 6 Thomapple Kellogg High School alumni are invited to this year's TK All School Spring Dinner, which will be held on May 6 at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School. Social hour will be at 5 p.m. and the dinner will be at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $20 and the meal choices will be smoth­ ered chicken or pot roast served with tossed salad, rolls, roasted redskin pota­ toes, vegetables, dessert, cof­ fee, iced tea and water. The alumni association will be honoring distinguished alumni and sharing memo- ries. Interested parties can mail their payment to Wanita Huizenga, 5285 Stimson Rd., Middleville MI 49333 with a check made out to: TKAA. The mailing must also indicate the names of those attending, the year of graduation, meal choice along with a phone number. The deadline to register for the dinner is April 14. Parties of eight may reserve a whole table. Questions and concerns can be directed to Huizenga at 269-795-9935. Thornapple Twp. board passes salary increases, new budget Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Township board Monday approved a double-digit percentage pay increase for three elected posi­ tions on the board. In separate actions, the board approved resolutions instituting an 11.7 percent sal- ary increase for the supervisor, treasurer and clerk, effective April 1. Supervisor Eric Schaefer’s salary for his statutory duties will increase from $34,586 to $38,633. Schaefer will also receive an increase in pay for his non-statutory duties from $13,068 to $14,597 under the new township budget, although that increase was not part ofMonday’s action. The treasurer salary will increase from $42,150 to $47,082. Laura Bouchard was appointed to the position COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the February 28,2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on March 14, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villageofmiddleville.org. Monday (see related story) to replace outgoing Treasurer Deb Buckowing. The clerk salary will increase from $33,672 to $37,612. The township is looking for a .per­ manent replacement to outgo­ ing Clerk Cindy Willshire. Elaine Denton is serving as interim clerk until a permanent successor can be found. The pay increases are included in the township’s budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which was adopted Monday night. The budget calls for general fund expendi­ tures of $1,028,463 and a sur­ plus of $38,837. Also in the budget is proposed spending of $674,975 in the fire fund, $606,625 in the ambulance fund, $156,050 for sewer and $45,000 for emergency ser­ public hearing prior to the adoption ofthe budget. The board also approved having Deputy Clerk Amy Brown receive a stipend equal to the clerk’s non-statutory wages until a full-time clerk is appointed. The township will pay Brown $524.12 every two weeks in addition to her cur­ rent pay. Schaefer said Brown “has been performing work above and beyond the normal scope ofa deputy clerk.” The board also approved setting the special assessment roll for upcoming road improvements to Noffke Drive. Properly owners will share in the $621,280 of improvements to the road, and will pay those assessments off over a period of 15 years. The vices capital improvements. project calls for milling, pav­ ing, sealing and restoration of No comments were received by the board during a the road from 108th Street south to West Noffke Drive. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023/ Page 7 Council discusses procedures for appointing a new village trustee in Middleville VnJ p w Mb liiljfeSEH tens faiilji &S ift ' tncda tea Mi James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Village Council members will dis­ cuss at their April Committee of the Whole meeting the qualifications they want in their next appointed trustee. As of mid-March, three interested people had sent letters to village officials expressing interest in the position left open with the sudden resignation oftrustee Mike Lytle in early March. Lytle cited health issues as his reason for stepping down from the council position he held for many years. Lytle had served a little more than half of his latest four-year term at the time of his resignation. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said that means whoever is appointed to replace him will fill the remainder ofthe term, which runs until the end of 2024. Trustee Kevin Smith said there has been “pseudo chaos” in the past whenever the village council has gone through the process of appointing a new councilmember. “This is the part that makes me a little skittish,” he said. President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd mentioned there is a lack of clarity in the Michigan General Law , Village Act regarding the proper proce­ dures for doing that. He suggested the village coun­ cil and staff follow Barry County’s model for appoint­ ing the next trustee. “I think that makes all the sense in the world,” Smith said. “We have never fol­ lowed a protocol in my ten­ ure. And it’s silly. I feel like there’s a lot ofwisdom injust deferring to the people who flSP" II# RUUD know better than we do.” The village agreed to pub­ licly post and publish the open trustee position to solicit more applicants. “We’ll bring all the appli­ cants to the April MCOW (Committee of the Whole) meeting,” Cramer said. Village Manager’s compensation approved The Middleville Village Council voted 6-0 at its meeting Tuesday to increase the village manager’s salary by 2 percent annually, from $78,000 to $79,560. The pay raise for Craig Stolsonburg is retroactive to Feb. 1, which marked the end ofhis 90-day new-hire probationary peri­ od. He received high marks in a comprehensive perfor­ mance evaluation done by village council and staff members. “I dove deep into the reviews. I really appreciate all the comments, especially the ones asking for a little bit of. improvement,” Stolsonburg said. “I appreciate everyone’s confidence going forward and I will continue to work on these items.” Village President Mike Cramer asked him about his goals for this year. “A lot of goals the past few months were to complete (unfinished) items and meet with each of the staff members,” Stolsonburg replied. “I was able to do that.” He also helped get approval for a comprehensive job classification and compensa­ tion study that will be con­ ducted by Municipal. Consulting Services next month. Stolsonburg’s salary could be adjusted again in the spring, after the study of each village employee’s position is completed. “I think goals help create accountability, which then, in turn, create a lot of for­ ward momentum. That is a really important attribute that I think we have lacked for a very long time,” trustee Kevin Smith said. Council discusses potential sensors at blind comer Village President Mike Cramer told the council Tuesday there has been some concern mentioned by several citizens about a “blind corner” near near the Sesquicentennial Pavilion, making it a tricky drive for some motorists. He said that fire departments in some communities have a sensor that automati­ cally trips when one of their vehicles are leaving the station, causing a light to flash and alert drivers. Trustee Makenzi Peters said sensors mounted on top of traffic signals at intersections where she lived in Chicago were help­ ful for motorists. And ProTempore Johnny DeMaagd said when he lived in Holland a specific traffic light sequence was used instead of sounding a siren to let motorists know a fire truck was coming. Traffic sensors in some communities also give fire trucks the green light at inter­ sections. But traffic signal pre-emption sensors proba­ bly would be too costly for the village’s budget. But a simple sensor that flashes to let motorists know they need to stop when 'a fire truck is pulling out onto a road from a blind comer would not be. Equipment is changing. Get it before the New Prices come out! High Efficiency Furnace & Air I# ■ J $400 OFF d if with this coupon Expires 4115123 E K II HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8 Furnace Tune-Up The Middleville Village Council met Tuesday night at village hall. Left to right: Richard Hamilton, Makenzi Peters, President Mike Cramer, Ann Williams, Kevin Smith, Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd. (Photo by James Gemmell) Based on a conversation he had with a firefighter, Cramer said he thinks the Township Thornapple Emergency Services might be amenable to the idea. “In the evening hours, I think that would be pretty beneficial to the residents we have living over there. That they don’t have a siren on at 2 in the morning, and they could just rely on that discussion with the fire flashing signal,” he said. department and see if that’s That way, the hom would the direction they 'want to not have to be sounded. go.” “Rely on the strobes in the Village Manager Craig street and on the strobes on Stolsonburg said staff mem­ the truck to be able to turn bers would explore that and the comer without having to bring back the answer from notify traffic (audibly),” the fire department and more Cramer said. “If the board information at a Committee feels that’s something of ofthe Whole meeting in May merit, we could pursue the or June. Should investors 'go it alone'? Ifyou’re going to enjoy a comfortable retirement, you should know, among other things, how much money you’ll need. And you may have a much better chance of knowing this if you get some professional help. Consider these findings from a 2021 study by Dalbar, a financial services market research firm: • Investors who worked with a financial advisor were three times more like­ ly to estimate what they would have saved at retire­ ment than “do-it-yourself’ investors. • More than two-thirds of investors with a financial advisor were satisfied with the amount they would have saved at retirement, compared to about 27% of the do-it-yourselfers. How do financial profes­ sionals help their clients in these ways? First, consider the issue of determining how much money will be needed for retirement. It’s not always easy for individuals to esti­ mate this amount. But financial professionals can help clients like you arrive at this figure by exploring your hopes and goals. How long do you plan to work? What kind of lifestyle do you anticipate enjoying in retirement? Where would you like to live? How much would you like to travel? Are you open to pursuing earned income opportuni­ ties, such as consulting or working part time? Next comes the other key question: How much mon­ ey will be available for retirement? This big ques­ tion leads to many, others: How much do you need to, save and invest each year until you retire? About what r sort of investment return will you need to reach your retirement income goals? What level of risk are you willing to take to achieve that return? What is the role of other income sources such as Social Security or any pensions you might have? Having a financial professional help you gain a clear idea of your retire­ ment income picture can certainly be reassuring. But there may be other reasons why “going it alone” as an investor might not be desir­ able. For example, when the financial markets are down, as was the case for much of 2022, some investors make decisions based on short­ term volatility, such as sell­ ing investments to “cut their losses,” even if these same investments still have solid business fundamentals and good prospects for growth. But if you work with a financial profession­ al, you might decide to stick with these investments, especially if they’re still appropriate for your long­ term strategy. Other times, of course, the advice may be different — but it will always be advice based on your goals, needs and time horizon. Fiirthermore; -if* you’re investing on your own, you may always be measuring your results against the major market indexes, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. But in reality, your portfolio should contain a wide range of investments, some of which aren’t contained in these indexes, so you might not be assessing your performance appropriately. A financial professional can help you develop your own, more meaningful bench­ marks that can show the progress you’re actually making toward your goals. In some areas of life, going it alone can be excit­ ing — but when it comes to investing for your future, you may benefit from some company on the journey. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023 Arts grants available to Gun Lake-area high schoolers schoolers. Incoming high school­ ers between ninth and 12th grade at Thornapple Kellogg, Delton Kellogg, Wayland Union and Martin High Schools are eligible for grant funding from area women’s club for the 2023-24 school year. The grants can go towards summer camps and classes that are arts-focused. Grants up to $500 will be awarded. Applications can -be sub­ mitted at barrycf.org under­ neath Arts & Culture grants. The deadline for submitting a grant application is May 15, 2023. A teacher will need to fill out an applica­ tion for each student apply­ ing, as well. age of the dissolution of the swim cooperative, which was discussed at the last Hastings school board To the editor: I’d like to thank you for meeting (Feb. 27). Your your coverage of the article did a really greatjob Middleville-Hastings- covering the positions of Delton swim cooperative both the administration and this season. It was really the parents/swimmers. The superintendent reit­ great to have such in-depth coverage of the team’s big erated his position that he victory at the OK Rainbow considered a number of fac­ Conference meet. The most tors in his decision and the amazing thing about that school board supported. As achievement is that they your article described, the were able to do that while factors for the superinten­ only winning one event — dent included: 1. Aligning ■the final one. It was truly a with I-8'Conference, which team effort with all swim­ doesn’t currently have com­ 2. mers and divers contribut­ petitive swim/dive; ing. That’s the way it is in Hastings swimmers being swim and dive. You can able to compete in a lower only have success by hav­ MHSAA division, which ing enough athletes to fill could allow them to more out the lineup and then easily qualify for the state everyone needs to do their meet; 3. Poor handling of part. parent/coach conflicts by The swim cooperative the TK athletic director; 4. has been really blessed to Better control over sched­ have been able to do that ules and scheduling; and 5. over the years on both the Minor issues about money boys and girls side. I also and responsibilities related appreciated the great cover­ to the cooperative. The superintendent also emphasized that “Cooperatives aren’t meant to last forever” and that the athletic department can “grow the program” with guarantees that Hastings will continue to have swim/ dive teams in the future. As shown by the survey results that were presented to the superintendent and school board, the real con­ cern for parents and swim­ mers from the schools is that the teams won’t have enough swimmers to field good and strong teams. Ninety-eight percent of the parents and kids from both schools responded to the survey saying that they did not think there would be enough swimmers without the co-op. We continue to say that, if both schools had 12 to 15 returning swim­ mers, we wouldn’t be rais­ ing the concerns we have. We would all agree that now might be a good time to wish each other good luck and part ways. That is not the situation that either school is in. As the article stated, there simply isn’t the num­ ber of athletes to support that. The idea of “growing the program” is not some­ thing that has really been able to happen over the 19 years of cooperative and there are many that are very doubtful that it can happen now. Also, the sentiment among the athletes is that state meet qualifying times is not an issue for them. We heard from swim­ mers that they would rather be on good, strong teams that can actually compete in meets, invites and the con­ ference meet rather than worry about state qualify­ ing times. I understand the administration’s emphasis on this, but the for athletes, it’s simply less important. For me, the word cooper­ ative is the most important part of this-swim program. It really has been a win-win for all sides. The schools have cooperated together for the benefit of the swim­ mers and divers for 19 years now. Overall, it has worked amazingly well with ath­ letes and families from all sides collaborating to all do their very best. Now, the Hastings administration has decided it wants to walk away from all of that. The parents and athletes feel like the admin­ istration made these deci­ sions without ever consult­ ing them. As discussed in the public meeting, the boys coaches were never talked to about the decision to dis­ solve the co-op. Hastings boys parents never formally heard about this from the AD or administration. The boys and their parents were only made aware of the sit­ uation at the first team meeting of the season, a full six months after the deci­ sion was made. I echo what the parents and athletes of the swim and dive cooperative con­ tinue to ask that the Hastings superintendent reconsider his decision to dissolve the cooperative and work to mend fences with the administration, athletes and families from all sides. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs Gun Lake chapter is accepting applications for arts grants they provide to area high Parents, athletes want to keep local swimming/ dive co-op alive NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and PUBLIC NOTICE OF POSTING TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGARDING ADULT FOS­ TER CARE FAMILY HOMES, FOSTER FAMILY HOMES, FOSTER FAMILY GROUP HOMES, ADULT DAY CARE HOMES, FAMILY CHILD DAY CARE HOMES, GROUP CHILD DAY CARE HOMES, AND CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS. At a Regular Meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, March 13, 2023, The Township Board introduced for first reading a proposed ordinance/ordinance amendment to amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance of Gaines Charter Township regarding the use of child and adult daycares. The text amendment is as listed below: • Update the term “adult foster care family homes” to the new term in the Act. • Section 20.11.A isn’t necessary, as we put land use regulations in the land use tables (see Sections 5.2,6.2, 7.2, 8.2, and 9.2) and has been removed. •Child Day Care Centers added to all districts (see sections 5.2,6.2,7.2,8.2, and 9.2). Some are permitted by right others via special use permit, depending on the district in keeping with past practice. • The additional requirements in 20.11 .B.3 for Group Child Care Homes were re­ moved; these requirements cannot be in the ordinance as they are inconsistent with the Act. • The remaining portions of Section 20.11 were moved to Section 19.9. • The requirements of adult foster care small group homes (2.11.8B.2) are moved to Chapter 19 as it is not really a “Residential Accessory Use”, but a principal use (and special). It is now section 19.9.S. • Added a new Section 19.9 T for Child Day Care Center, which was the text in 20.11.B.1. • Add an “other uses” row in the table of Permitted Uses in Section 8.2 to al­ low for Family Child Day Care Homes (Existing Non-Conforming Single-Family Dwelling) to be permitted by right and Group Child Day Care Home (Existing Non-Conforming Single Family Dwelling) allowable with the approval of a Special Land Use Permit. The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will consider the proposed ordinance/ordinance amendment to amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance of Gaines CharChar­ ter Township regarding the use of child and adult daycares for approval,, at a regularly scheduled meeting to be held April 10, 2023 at 7PM at the Gaines Charter Township Hall, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE., Caledonia, Ml 49316. A true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance amendment can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Michael A. Brew, Clerk Steve Shults Head Coach Barry County Barracudas NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVID­ ED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAR At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, March 13, 2023 the Township Board heard a proposal to amend the Gaines charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Town­ ship Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following properties in their entirety from Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) to General Commercial (0-2), the land being commonly described as parcel 41 -22-07-305-006 located at 34 Coleman Street. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOTS 253 254 255 & 256 * FONTENELLE GARDENS The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will hold a public hearing at a regularly scheduled meeting to be held April 10, 2023, to consider the approval of a proposal to amend the Gaines charter Town­ ship Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following properties in their entirety from Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) to Gen­ eral Commercial (C-2), the land being commonly described as parcel 41 22-07-305-006 located at 34 Coleman Street. Meetings of the Gaines Charter Township Board are held at the Township Hall, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave.', SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. A true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 6 and the Township Zoning Map can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk �The Sun and News, Ne Saturday, March 18, 2023/ Page 9 Hundreds rally for gun reform in Michigan, including Gabby Giffords Yue Stella Yu Bridge Michigan LANSING — Karla Aren says she traveled to Lansing on Wednesday to protest against gun violence and show her 19-year-old daughter that change is pos­ sible. Aren, 52, a Detroit-area mother of two college stu­ dents including a 22-yearold Michigan State University senior, said her daughter felt hopeless after a Feb. 13 shooting at MSU killed three students and wounded five others. “(She) feels like nothing happened after Oxford and Parkland and all of that, nothing happened. Why would it happen now?” Aren said, referring to mass shootings at high schools in Oakland County and Florida. “I want to show her and show any other young stu­ dents who are struggling that our generation can do something,” she added. “People need to use their voices and make sure that they get laws that represent them.” Aren was one of hun­ dreds at the Capitol on Wednesday pressing for gun reform during a protest that included speeches by Democrats including U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor and Elissa Slotkin of Holly, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, House Speaker Joe Tate of Detroit and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids. The hour-long “Let’s Get It Done” rally comes as the new Democratic legislative majority is aggressively pushing for stricter gun laws. Democrats want to require universal background checks, implement safe storage requirements for gun owners and estab­ lish so-called “red flag” laws to allow law enforce­ ment and families to peti­ tion judges to temporarily take guns away from those deemed a risk. Gabby Giffords, former U.S. representative from Arizona, attended the rally as well on Wednesday. She was shot in the head at point-blank range in 2011. “Progress is possible,” she told the crowd. “Change doesn’t happen overnight. I can’t do it alone. Join me, let’s move ahead together.” Guns are the leading weapon used in both sui­ cides and homicides in Michigan, according to data from the state. Although there’s no official data on the number of guns in Michigan, a 2020 RAND Corp, survey found an aver­ age of 40.2 percent of Michigan adults said they had at least one gun between 1982 and 2016. The Michigan House, where Democrats have a two-seat majority, passed the universal background check bills last week. Safe storage requirements and red flag legislation also cleared Senate committees and could be brought to a Senate floor vote as soon as this week. Republicans oppose the bills, but have voted in favor of tax incentives for safety devices. House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, has called the gun legislation “divisive,” and GOP lawmakers have warned Democrats in competitive districts that supporting the bills could jeopardize their re-election chances. During the rally, dozens of gun advocates protested the proposed reforms. Some held “I plead the Second” signs in reference to the Second Amendment, while one blasted police sirens in an effort to drown out speakers and another BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, lia­ bility & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818­ 7793. MATT ENDSLEY, FAB­ RICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. Pets Supporters of stricter gun laws gathered at the Michigan Capitol on Wednesday the same week that Democrats who now control the Legislature may move a handful of bills. (Photo by Yue Stella Yu) wore a mask resembling former President Donald Trump. Peter Langlois, 66, who identified himself as a conservative gun owner, attended the counter-pro­ test. He said the gun proposals are part of a Democratic plan that’s “incrementally taking our rights away.” cons Some conservative coun­ ties are preemptively mov­ ing in an attempt to block any changes. In Cass County, local commission­ ers passed a resolution to ban enforcement of proposed laws. The pro-gun protesters were dwarfed by supporters of gun reforms. Whitmer told the crowd that gun vio­ lence is a “uniquely American problem” known too well in Michigan. “The days after those (school) shootings were without question the very heaviest and the hardest,” Whitmer said. “Because what can you say to a parent who’s lost a child to gun violence? What can you say to young people who are NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: Request for a dimensional variance to reduce the front yard setback of the front (western) property line to fifteen feet from the sixty-foot requirement in the A-R zoning district to construct a 1,600 square-foot accessory building, e. Property Address: 10664 Eastern Avenue, Wayland, Ml 49348 Parcel Number: 41-22-32-300-054 FREE BARN WOOD- T^ke down and clean up at yo'ur own risk. Located in Nash­ ville. Call 269-804-9878. Please leave a message. Business Services GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Summary of Requeet For Sale Mark Madsen Date and Time of Hearing: April 12th, 2023, at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Gaines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected during regular business hours Monday through Friday, at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices or contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship. org. To be entered into the public record, signed written comments must be received by 5 PM on April 12th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact info@gainestownship.org or (616) 698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. terrorized and terrified just to go to school?” Madeline Johnson, an Oxford High School shoot­ ing survivor and student activist for tightened gun laws, recalled watching her best friend, Madisyn Baldwin, turning the cor­ ner in the school and walk­ ing in the killer’s direc­ tion. “That was the last time I ever saw her alive,” Johnson said Wednesday. Addressing elected offi­ cials who oppose gun reform, Johnson said she hopes they remember the names of all victims of the two school shootings. “I want you to know that your ignorance has failed them and your selfishness has cost them their lives,” she said. It’s unclear whether any of the proposed legislation would have prevented the Michigan State shooting. Police said the 43-year-old gunman purchased his handguns legally. His father has said that the son grew bitter and distant after his mother died. BOXER PUPPIES- FAWN color, beautiful markings, very cute, ready to go. Mom on site. $450.00, 517-726­ 0706. FOUR REGISTERED SHIH-TZU Male Puppies, 8 weeks old. $750. Call 616­ 761-4158. FIB MINI GOLDEN DOO­ DLES- Cute, curly and adorable. Vet checked, ready to go. $375.00, 517­ 852-3007. Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no ex­ perience needed, competi­ tive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. 196712 VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE POSITION OPEN VILLAGE COUNCIL The members of the Middleville Village Council attend two regular monthly meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm and one committee-of-the-whole meeting on the first Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Members review meeting packets from the Village Clerk prior to each meeting to consider and act on special events, ordinances, and infrastructure projects; set tax millage rates and approve the annual bud­ get; and other business that comes before the Council. Members are also appointed to a committee or board to serve as a liaison between the Council and that committee/board. The Commission operates under the Michigan General Law Village Act of 1895. A member of the Village Council should become familiar with these laws. Attendance at the Michigan Municipal League’s training and conferences is encouraged and paid for by the Village. The term of office will begin upon approval and swearing-in of the member and run until November 20, 2024. All Village Council members must reside within the Village limits. For more information regarding the open Village Council seat, please contact the Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg at 269-795-3385 or stolsonburqc@villaqeofmiddleville.orQ The Application for Boards and Commissions is due by Tuesday, March 28, 2023, to: Village of Middleville Attn: Village Council PO Box 69 100 E. Main Street Middleville, Ml 49333-0069 �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023 Whitmer signs anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ residents in Michigan into law Lauren Gibbons Bridge Michigan Michigan’s LGBTQ resi­ dents will be covered by the state’s anti-discrimination law under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday. The legislation, dubbed his­ toric by supporters and LGBTQ rights advocates, means that employers won’t be able to fire or refuse to hire a person because oftheir sexual orienta­ tion or gender identity. Landlords and real estate agents cannot refuse to rent or sell a property to a person because of their sexual orien­ tation or gender identity under the legislation, and businesses won’t be able to deny goods or services to LGBTQ patrons. “This moment is so long overdue, and too many suf­ fered to get here,” said Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, the bill’s sponsor and one of several LGBTQ officials and advocates in attendance at the signing ceremony. “For us, this day has finally arrived: Equal protection under the law.” The new law includes sexu­ al orientation and gender iden­ tity as classes protected against discrimination under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, codifying a series ofcourt orders and interpretive state­ ments that have extended sim­ ilar rights to Michigan’s LGBTQ community. The act was backed by for­ mer lawmakers Daisy Elliott, a Democrat, and Mel Larsen, a Republican. Larsen, who attended Thursday’s signing ceremony, said the original intent of the act was to ensure every Michigan citizen has the right to protection from discrimina­ tion. “We’re on this earth to move the pendulum a little further in our lifetime,” he said. Whitmer, a longtime sup­ porter of the policy who has said that “bigotry is bad for business,” said Thursday that she has always been an ally, but now considers the matter personal as well as the “proud mom of a gay woman.” “Michiganders are freer today, they are happier today, and I am proud to be playing a small part in that,” she said. “1 am excited to put our state on the right side ofhistory.” The new law will officially take effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends, as the bill was not grant­ ed immediate effect in the Senate. Although there was some bipartisan support for the plan in the Legislature, most Republicans opposed the bill, arguing it would infringe on TOWNSHIP BOARD TOWNSHIP OF THORNAPPLE Barry County, Michigan Board member Rairigh, supported by Board member Willshire, moved the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. 01-2023 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP ZONING DISTRICT MAP AND WHEN ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE. THE TOWNSHIP OF THORNAPPLE ORDAINS: Section 21.41 Outdoor Furnaces [As Amended Ordinance 2019-01 effective 9-21 -2019] For the purposes of this section, “outdoor furnace”, means any outdoor piece of equip­ ment used to burn material for the purpose of providing heat to a structure. (a) Permit required: No person shall cause, allow or maintain the use of an outdoor furnace without first having obtained a zoning permit from the zoning administra­ tor and all appropriate construction permits. (b) Permitted fuel: Only firewood, wood pellets, untreated lumber, and untreated agricultural products such as com pellets or seeds are permitted to be burned in any outdoor furnace. Burning of any other materials, including, but not limited to, garbage, painted or treated wood, rubber, or newspaper, in an outdoor furnace is prohibited. (c) Permitted districts: Outdoor furnaces shall be permitted only in the following Zon­ ing Districts: Agriculture (A), Agriculture Residential (AR), and Rural Residential (RR). (d) Minimum lot size: Outdoor furnaces not meeting the 2015 New Source Perfor­ mance Standard (NSPS) for New Residential Wood Heaters, New Residential Hydronic Heaters and Forced-Air Furnaces at 40 CFR Part 60 (Subpart AAA) ("EPA Certified”) shall be permitted only on lots of 3 acres or more. EPA Certi­ fied outdoor furnaces shall be permitted on lots of 1.5 acres or more. (e) Minimum setbacks: Non-EPA Certified outdoor furnaces shall be set back not less than seventy-five (75) feet from the front, rear and side lot lines, and not less than two hundred (200) feet from the nearest existing dwelling on abutting property. EPA Certified outdoor furnaces shall be set back not less than seven­ ty-five (75) feet from the front lot line and twenty-five (25) feet from rear and side lot lines, and not less than one hundred (100) feet from the nearest existing dwelling on abutting property. (f) Chimney height: The height of the chimney shall satisfy the manufacturer’s rec­ ommendations. (g) Spark arrestors: All outdoor furnaces shall be equipped with properly functioning spark arrestors. (h) Seasons of operation: Outdoor furnaces shall not operate during the months of June, July or August. (i) Effect of other regulations: Nothing contained herein shall authorize or allow burn­ ing which is prohibited by codes, laws, rules or regulations promulgated by any federal, state, regional or local agency. Installation: Outdoor furnaces and any electrical, plumbing or other apparatus or device used in connection with an outdoor furnace shall be installed, operated and maintained in conformity with the manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations and all local, state and federal codes, laws, rules and regulations. YEAS: seven NAYS: none ABSENT: none ORDINANCE NO. 01-2023 Adopted The legislation makes it illegal for employers, businesses and others to dis­ criminate against people for their sexual orientation or gender identity. (Courtesy photo) the religious liberty of busi­ ness owners and organizations who oppose LGBTQ rights. Democrats countered that the law as originally written in 1976 already prohibits reli­ gious discrimination and sug­ gested amendments proposed THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN S. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 13,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as amended with the removal of item 12 b. Budget Amendments and the addition of item 14 j. Ordinance 01­ 2023. 2. Consent Agenda approved as amended with the removal of the minutes from 2-21-23 EMS Commit­ tee and placed in Unfinished Busi­ ness 13 c. to be discussed. 3. Approved motion to accept Cindy Willshire’s resignation effective 3-14-2023. 4. Approved motion to accept Deb Buckowing’s resignation effec­ tive 4-06-2023. 5. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 3-2023 General appropri­ ations for Fiscal Year 4-01-2023 to 3-31-2024. 6. Approved motion to adopt Res­ olution 4-2023 Supervisor’s Salary of $38,633.00. 7. Approved motion to adopt Res­ olution 5-2023 Treasurer’s Salary of $47,082.00. 7. Approved motion to adopt Res­ olution 6-2023 Clerk’s Salary of $ 37,612.00. 8. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 7-2023 Confirmation of the Special Assessment Roll; Lien; Payment and Collection of Special Assessments. 9. Approved motion to adopt pay Amy Brown a stipend equal to the Clerk’s Non-Statutory Wages ($524.12 bi-weekly) until a “Full­ time” Clerk is appointed. 10. Approved motion to appoint Elaine Denton to the position of Thornapple Township Clerk upon Cindy’s resignation until the search for a replacement for Cindy Willshire is complete. 11. Approved motion to appoint Laura Bouchard to the position of Thornapple Township Treasurer upon Deb’s resignation to fulfill the remain­ der of the Treasurer’s term. 12. Approved motion to appoint Larry Schaidt (alternate) to a 2-year appointment to the Board of Review. 13. Approved motion to adopt Or­ dinance 01-2023 Amending Section 21.41 Outdoor Furnaces. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. by Republicans would allow anyone to deny services to any protected group listed under the act, including women and minority groups, if they claimed it would conflict with their religious beliefs. The effort had support among civil rights activists and a coalition of powerful business groups, including Business Leaders for Michigan and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, who called it a tool to help employers recruit qualified workers. Michigan has generally prohibited LGBTQ discrimi­ nation since 2018, when the state’s Civil Rights Commission began investigat­ ing related complaints as a form of “sex” discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court offered a similar interpretation in 2020, ruling that discrimi­ nation based on sexual orien­ tation or gender identity is discrimination based on sex. And the Michigan Supreme Court last year ruled that sexu­ al orientation is already a pro­ hibited form of discrimination on the basis of sex under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. Supporters of the change stressed Thursday that updat­ ing the law’s language would make clear to LGBTQ resi­ dents that their rights are protected by the law, not just by the outcome ofrecent liti­ gation. Attorney General Dana Nessel, who successfully chal­ lenged Michigan’s ban on same-sex marriage before the U.S. Supreme Court in DeBoer v. Snyder in 2014 and is the state’s first openly gay state­ wide elected official, said she recalled instances after same­ sex marriages became legal of newly-married people getting fired on the spot after attempt­ ing to add their spouse to their medical insurance. That showed her just how far the state and nation had to go, Nessel said. Expanding the civil rights act to include LGBTQ people is another important step in the right direction, she said. “We’re all well aware that court decisions can change depending on the composi­ tion of the jurists - they can change at any time,” Nessel said. “The LGBTQ commu­ nity deserves to at long last see the words sexual orienta­ tion, gender identity and expression printed in black and white in our statutes. Those words matter.” Separately, Democrats in the Michigan Senate on Thursday approved legislation that would expand the law again to prohibit discrimina­ tion against women who have abortions. Current law prohib­ its discrimination based on pregnancy but specifically excludes elective abortions from that definition. TK Community Enrichment would like to give a sneak peek into classes and activities that are scheduled to begin before the next edition ofthe Key newsletter will reach mailboxes. Please feel free to visit https://tkschools.revtrak.net or contact TKCE at 269-795-5578 with questions or to register over the phone. Adult Class- Wills and Trusts for the Family Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp. org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 1.96598 Senior Citizens Event - Spring Fling Luncheon / Crafting Youth Classes- Generation POUND® Ages 5-13 Babysitting Training and Certification­ Ages 10 and up �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18,2023/ Page 11 TK puts more than a dozen on all-conference first teams Several Thornapple Kellogg High School ath­ letes in winter sports earned all-conference honors in the OK Gold Conference and the Southwest Michigan Ski Conference. A group of 13 students from five sports earned the all-conference awards while another six athletes earned honorable mention awards. The OK Gold Conference champion Thornapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team which placed fifth at the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals had Kenady Smith, Mali Holland, Anna Smith, Ava Jahnke, Lydia Berg and Mia Hilton earn all-conference honors in the OK Gold. Teammates Payton Gater and Claire Covich were named all-conference honor­ able mention. The OK Gold Conference champion Thornapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team had Christien Miller, Zack Gibson and Austin Chivis earn all-conference honors. Ziah Moore and Wyatt Jacobson from the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ bowling team earned all-conference in the OK Gold, with teammate Ethan Kriekaard named honorable mention all-conference. Sara Willshire and Emily Podbevsek from the girls’ bowling team were also hon­ orable mention all-confer­ ence. Peyton Pratt from the TK varsity girls’ basketball team earned all-conference honors and Kyle VanHaitsma from the TK boys’ team was named honorable mention all-confer­ ence in the OK Gold. From the Plainwell/TK varsity girls’ ski team, Lucy VanDemark earned all-con­ ference in the Southwestern Michigan Ski Conference. Spring sports practices and tryouts started this week at TKHS. Thornapple Kellogg High School recently celebrated its 13 winter athletes who earned all-conference hon­ ors and six more earned honorable mention. The group includes (front from left) Christien Miller, Ziah Moore, Zack Gibson, Austin Chivis, Wyatt Jacobson (back row) Lucy VanDemark, Ava Jahnke, Mia Hilton, Anna Smith, Kenady Smith, Lydia Berg, Mali Holland and Peyton Pratt. Healthy Kids Running Series returning to Caledonia in April Early Bird registration is going on now for the upcoming spring Healthy Kids Running Series in Caledonia. Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) is a five week running program for kids Pre-K through 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50-yard and 75-yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the 1 mile run. Runs begin Sunday, April 23, and will be held April 30, May 7, May 14 and May 21 on a course around the ball diamonds at Lakeside Park in Caledonia. Kids compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the Series the boys and girls who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded tro­ phies. All participants receive a medal on Week 5. Early Bird registration, going on now through April 2 is $40. The cost after April 2 is $45. The registration fee covers the entire five weeks of the Series which includes race bibs for each week, a runner shirt, a finisher medal, spon­ sor giveaways when available and trophies for top place finishers. Registration is 196479 roamoorve. CALEDONIA Caledonia, MI 49316 [township" Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing for a rezoning on April 17, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Caledonia Township Hall, located at 8196 Broadmoor Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316, regarding a conditional rezoning request from AG zoning to the R3 zoning district for up to 23 single and two-family dwellings on the property. Land is commonly known as 10054 Crossroads Court SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316, and is legally described as follows: non-refundable and non-transferrable. Early Bird registration can be done by going online at runsignup.com/hkrscaledonia. Those who sign-up now and refer friends may receive some cash back. There are already more than 125 registered runners for the upcoming series. 196477 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 PUBLIC NOTICE Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan A meeting of the Election Commission, a sub-committee of the Charter Township of Caledonia Board of Trustees will take place on Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Township Hall beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Township Hall is located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The purpose of the meeting is to appoint the election inspectors for the May 2, 2023 Special Election and to set the date for the Public Accuracy Test to demonstrate that the computer program used to tabulate the votes cast at the election meet the requirements of the law. Joni Henry, Clerk 196746 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Q1ED0N1A Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 . TOWNSHIP . Parcel: 41-23-33-101-023 UNIT 3 EX COM AT NW COR OF SEC TH S 89D 38M 57S E ALONG N SEC LINE 194.61 FT TO ELY LINE OF CHERRY VALLEY AVE /M-37/ TH S 33D 52M 45S W ALONG SD ELY LINE 206.93 FT TH S 0D 08M 00S W ALONG SD ELY LINE 236.53 FT TH S 20D 26M 28S E ALONG SD ELY LINE 486.90 FT TO NELY LINE OF NYC RR R/W /100 FT WIDE/ TH S 41D OOM 56S E ALONG SD NELY LINE 290.44 FT TO BEG OF THIS EX - TH N 48D 15M 44S E 37.91 FT TH N 14D 58M 44S E 34.40 FT TH N 60D 58M 16S E 58.30 FT TH N 46D 41M 21S E 156.36 FTTH N 52D 03M 34S E 35.53 FT TH N 57D 55M 21S E 252.57 FT TH N 0D 21M 03S E 16.74 FT TH S 89D 38M 57S E 136.02 FT TH SELY 39.66 FT ON A 95.0 FT RAD CURVE TO RT /LONG CHORD BEARS S 77D 41M 27S E 39.37 FT/ TH S 65D 43M 56S E 205.97 FT TH S 89D 38M 57S E 72.97 FT TO E LINE OF W 1/2 NW 1/4 TH S 0D 11M 47S W ALONG SD E LINE 1278.30 FT TO NELY LINE OF NYC RR R/W/100 FT WIDE/TH N 41D OOM 56S W ALONG SD NELY LINE 1333.15 FT TO BEG All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed rezoning. Written comments concerning the requested rezoning may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on March 15, 2023, the Township Board of the Charter Township of Caledonia adopted Ordinance No. 2023-02Z. Ordinance No. 2022-04Z rezones lands at 5903 84th Street SE from the A- Agricultural District to the R-2 Medium Density Single Family District. The ordinances will become effective on March 25, 2023. A copy ofthe ordinances may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: March 18, 2023 Dated: March 13, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 18, 2023 Area clubs get a bunch of Volunteer grapplers through to MYWAY Finals workday planned for area around Hall Lake The TK Youth Wrestling Club had a number of its wrestlers earn spots in the MYWAY State Finals which will be held at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo March 24-26 with top four finishes at their West Regional Tournament at Forest Hills Eastern High School Sunday. The group of state qualifiers includes (front from left) Gabby Wilson, Ashton Braska, Chandler Simerly, Mavin Case, Colin Underhill, Zander Holderman, Remington Reurink, Ryker Reurink, Sawyer Jones, Kenden Richter, (back) Kayleigh Brown, Rylee Alberts, Adelaide Holderman, Blake Bossenberger, Abram Dutcher, Jackson Smith, Andrew Middleton, Austin Quint and (not pictured) Emma Gibson. The TK Wrestling Club (TKWC) sent 25 participants to the MYWAY West Regional at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada last weekend and 19 earned spots in the upcoming MYWAY State Finals. The top four in each weight class Sunday in Ada secured their spots in the finals. The Caledonia Wrestling Club also had 17 youth competing in the regional tournament. TKWC got regional cham­ pionships from Ryker Reurink in the 2018-2016 Youth 37 class, Remington Reurink in the 2-14 Youth 46 class, Ashton Braska in the 2012 Youth 85 class, Abram Dutcher in the 2009 Youth 220 class, Blake Bossenberger in the 2008-2007 High School 153 class and Andrew Middleton in the 2006-2004 High School 141 class. Other top four finishers for the TKWC included Sawyer Jones, Colin Underhill, Mavin Case, Zander Holderman, Chandler Simerly, Kenden Richter, Austin Quint and Jackson Smith. There were more than 700 wrestlers in the competition at Forest Hills Eastern. The Caledonia club had eight wrestlers place among the top four in their weight class. Rhys Helmholdt won a region­ al title from the Caledonia team in the 2013 Youth 60 division. The Caledonia club also had top four finishes from Owen Buckley, Andrew Rekeny, Jaxson Knop, Mason Maines, Zeke Reeder, Escher Reeder and Koleson Reeder. The state finals will be held at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo March 24-26. We Accept DELTA DENTAL Keep VourTeeth fora LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Dries You Plant To Keep. One-Stop Dentistry! (IDe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize p in the p, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL'- 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting a Volunteer Stewardship Workday Sunday March 26, in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area. There is a need to remove invasive shrubs to protect habitat near Hall Lake. Volunteers are needed to help cut and remove unwanted shrubs such as autumn olive and non-native honeysuckle. There are also plans to keep eyes out for buckthorn. Volunteers should meet at the winter sports parking area just east down Gun Lake Road from the Long Lake Outdoor Center at 10 a.m. No experience is necessary. Volunteers will be trained to identi­ fy unwanted invaders. Contact Plainwell Service Natural Resource Steward Emily Leslie for more informa­ tion or to pre-register for the event at LeslieEl ©Michigan, gov. Autumn olivet is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 20 feet high, with leaves that are bright green on top and distinctively silver underneath. Historically planted for wildlife food and habitat, autumn olive has been found to be highly aggressive, with seeds widely dis­ persed by birds and mammals. Autumn olive can shade out desirable native plants and fixes nitrogen in the soil, which can degrade native plant communi­ ties that thrive on low-nutrient soils. It is difficult to control, as cut stumps and roots will resprout. Honeysuckle and buckthorn also have bird-dispersed fruit. Late March is an ideal time to be on the look­ out for honeysuckle as the exotic invasive Eurasian or bush species are some of the earliest shrubby bud-breakerseach spring. Honeysuckles are especially successful in dominating natural areas because of their ability to leaf out extremely early in the spring and remain green well into the fall. This means they have a leg up in these settings, essentially shading and out-compet­ ing native plants. These honeysuckles can even­ tually form dense thick­ ets where little, else can grow, including tree regeneration. These bushy pests got their foothold in North America when they were widely sold as an orna­ mental and advertised as good sources of wildlife food. The berries tend to persist into the fall when birds most often take advantage of them. Unfortunately, some studies suggest these berries are not as nutri­ tious as native berries for birds. Additionally, the shrubs appear to offer less protection from predators during nesting season. Although they may be easy to spy in the spring, these exotic honeysuck­ les are not easy to get rid of. They are shal­ low-rooted, and young growth can easily be pulled in spring’s damp soil. Any remaining roots in the ground, however, will re-sprout easily. The same goes if the stems are clipped— sprouting is vigorous. Common buckthorn is a deciduous small tree or shrub that can reach 25 feet tall. The leaves are dark green, oval and slightly toothed. They produce small purple to black fruits that ripen in the fall. Twigs often have a single, sharp thorn at their tip. Buckthorn spreads quickly through seeds distributed by birds and wildlife and crowds out native shrubs and understory plants. It is a host for alfalfa mosaic virus and crown fungus, and may be a possible host for the soybean aphid. Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays throughout the month of March, where volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-03-25.pdf 04b376c566b85b2594e3b0ed33e6c016 PDF Text Text No. 12/ March 25,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49 One year after proposed Flats at Mid-villa project dies, developer returns with revised plan The Middleville Downtown Development Authority board met Tuesday night at village hall. Left to right: Justine King, Eric Schaefer, Kristen Fisher, Chairwoman Kim Jachim, Andrew Beck, Village President Mike Cramer, Joe Mancini. James Gemmell Contributing Writer The owner of the property where the Middle Villa Inn once served as a regional entertainment hotspot along M-37 isn’t giving up in his effort to build an apartment development there. Nathan Heyboer with Grandville-based Dutch Developers LLC has present ed a revised proposal. The Middle Villa Inn closed in 2014. And multiple developers have come for­ ward with proposals for the parcels at 4611 and 4691 North M-37 Highway in the intervening years. All have been rejected. In January 2022, the Middleville Planning Commission voted unani­ mously to approve the final planned unit development for a six-building, 144-unit resi- dential complex that Heyboer was proposing. It would be called the Flats at Mid-villa and include some retail development. But like the previous proposals, it failed to gain village council See FLATS AT MID-VILLA, page 2 Former Bradford White employee sentenced for embezzlement Roxann Curry addresses the court prior to her sentencing on Wednesday for embezzling from her former employer, Bradford White Corporation of Middleville, as her attorney, Ryan Maesen, listens. (Photos by Greg Chandler) even buying lottery tickets as Greg Chandler part ofher probation. Staff Writer A former buyer for Curry pleaded no contest Bradford White Corporation to the embezzlement charge in Middleville will serve one on Dec. 20 of last year. She year in the Barry County Jail could have received up to 15 and pay back thousands of years in prison and been dollars to her former employ­ fined up to $25,000. Schipper told Curry at her plea hearing er for embezzlement. Roxann Renee Curry, 58, that he would likely sentence of Wayland, was sentenced her to no more than a year in Wednesday in Barry County jail plus probation under a court by Judge Michael Cobbs agreement. That pro­ Schipper on a charge of vision allowed Curry the embezzlement of at least option to withdraw her plea $50,000 but no more than ifthe court determined that it $100,000. Schipper also sen­ would exceed that likely sen­ tenced Curry to three years’ tence. Bradford White is the larg­ probation and ordered her to pay back $252,763 to est employer in Barry Bradford White. In addition, County. The theft occurred the judge banned Curry from between December 2018 and visiting any casinos, engag­ See CURRY, page 3 ing in online gambling or 45111 year Cal schools approve scoreboard purchase for stadium Greg Chandler Staff Writer When the football season comes around this fall at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium in Caledonia, the new turf field won’t be the only new addition to the sta­ dium. The Caledonia Board of Education Monday approved the purchase and installation of a new scoreboard system for the stadium, using funds from the 2020 bond issue, at a cost of $300,000. The district will enter into a contract with Daktronics, the manufacturer of the scoreboard system, at a cost of $188,378, and with Universal Sign Systems, which is Daktronics’ autho­ rized installer for its score­ boards in Michigan, at a cost of $50,000. Another $61,622 has been set aside for contin­ gency costs, according to a district memo. “It is a perfect plan and a perfect project to dovetail into the replacement of the synthetic turf,” CCS Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess said. “We have an opportuni­ ty while the field is open there’s no top on it - we can lay all the appropriate groundwork for this project to happen.” The school board in February approved the instal­ lation of the new turf field at a cost of about $1.4 million, with funds coming from the 2020 bond. Caledonia High School Athletic Director Fred Townsend said the score­ board upgrade was proposed in a five-year strategic plan he developed for the CHS athletic department. He said the new scoreboard will pro­ vide revenue opportunities for the district. “With the digital score­ board, it allows us the chance to create sponsorships, to generate revenue, all across the platform, at all of our athletic events,” Townsend told the school board. “Some people get in the mindset that spring sports don’t bring in a lot of reve­ nue, because we don’t charge at a baseball game or softball game. This allows us that opportunity to bring residual income to help offset some of those costs.” The district put out a request for proposals in January through the state. Daktronics was one of five companies that submitted bids. Daktronics was not the low bidder among the com­ peting companies. However, several other companies were eliminated from the process during a bid review, accord­ ing to a memo authorized by Townsend and Hess. “Members of the review committee have traveled to see and operate many differ­ ent scoreboard systems,” the memo said. “During the bid evaluation process it was also noted that there were incom­ plete bids, errors in product representation, continued operating costs and concerns about options identified.” Townsend told board members that one ofthe goals of upgrading the scoreboard is to get students excited about attending Caledonia and engaging with them. “You want that excite­ ment. You want them to feel See SCOREBOARD page 3 • Caledonia schools names new transportation director • Equipment rental company in Caledonia Twp. to potentially expand • New company takes over herbicide treatments on Gun Lake • Gannon Schoolhouse proposal still in limbo after four years • TK girls soccer bests Hastings to open the season �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 FLATS AT MID-VILLA, continued from page 1 approval. Heyboer also is the co-owner of DHE Plumbing & Mechanical in Grandville. Last year, he estimated the project would cost between $20 million and $40 million, cover 22 acres and need to be rezoned from a C-2 Highway Commercial designation to the PUD. The previous plan also called for development in three phases: two residen­ tial and one commercial. Village Manager Craig Stolonsonburg said the new plan calls for two phases of construction. Details have not been available to the public yet on what the total size of the development will be under the preliminary proposal given by Heyboer to village staff. The old plan called for the six buildings to be crammed onto 16.6 acres on the site. That drew red flags for some officials because the project’s proposed 8.6 unitsper-acre density exceeded the village master plan’s rec­ ommended limit ofeight residential units per acre. However, as Village President Mike Cramer pointed out Tuesday night, the master plan is not the legal document the village must abide by. The zoning ordinance is. “Our ordinance allows for 50 percent lot coverage. That’s the only (legal) restriction on units per acre,” Cramer said. Last year, some residents and village staff expressed concern about there not being a recreational area for children to play in. Others cited potential problems with the increased traffic conges­ tion on surrounding streets that such a large complex would create near a school zone and M-37. Ultimately, Heyboer and engineers with Nederveld Inc. had to go back to the drawing board — literally. An architectural rendering oftheir revised development plan was stretched out on a table at village hall for the public to view before and after the Middleville Downtown Development Authority board meeting on Tuesday evening. It addressed many of the concerns that had been brought up the year before. The number of apartment homes has been scaled back to reduce the project’s over­ all unit density, according to Stolsonburg. A children’s play area and an enhanced parking structure are includ­ ed in the new sketch and some storage spaces were added to accommodate the future tenants as part of the project’s second phase. In addition, it calls for more green space, and even pickle­ ball courts. “So, it was nice to see that they had maybe taken that to heart from before and made some ofthose changes,” Vice Chair Kristen Fisher said. Specifics of the prelimi­ nary plan, such as the total number of units and project cost were not announced at Tuesday’s DDA board meet­ ing, nor were details of the proposal mentioned in the meeting packet. Village staff were given only a very rough sketch. Both the original and the current plans call for installation of a sanitary sewer lift station on the property and a high-pressure gas line. The developers would foot the bill for that cost, which was estimated at $500,000 last year, before inflation. Developers also talked about building a 30-foot-wide access drive so that a fire truck could get to the apart­ ments, if needed. Paneled construction would allow color changes to give each building its own identity. As previously devised, the units would feature one-bedroom/ one-bath and two-bedroom/ two-bath configurations. And developers planned to partner with BVW Property Management to oversee the property. How many of those plans are still in place under the new proposal has not been publicly disclosed yet. The Sun and News sent an email to Heyboer for comment, but had not heard back by the TK Community Enrichment would like to give a sneak peek into classes and activities that are scheduled to begin before the next edition ofthe Key newsletter will reach mailboxes. Please feel free to visit https://tkschools.revtrak.net or contact TKCE at 269-795-5578 with questions or to register over the phone. A Nederveld Inc. blueprint shows how the proposed Mid-villa residential and commercial complex might be built in the Village of Middleville, if it can obtain the necessary approvals. (Photos by James Gemmell) time this story went to press. He said TTES does not New DDA Director Emily have an aerial ladder truck Lee said in a post-meeting to deploy in case of a roof­ interview that some of the top fire on a tall building, new proposal’s features con­ but said neighboring cern the commercial and Caledonia Township does. retail piece of the develop­ Cramer said more devel­ ment that would sit closer to opers lately are asking the M-37. village to allow them to “They’re looking at bring­ construct taller buildings ing in, possibly, medical because the amount of facilities in front. Possibly, available land is limited. something like a coffee The village has a restric­ shop,” she said. tion on roof heights and A main entry into the com­ that is why three stories is plex would be via Towne the maximum allowed Centre Drive with a round­ with fire suppression about routing around to the installed. apartments. “And that’s been a key DDA board member hinch point on a lot of my Eric Schaefer, who is the discussions lately. We’re Thornapple Township not ready for ‘up’. We supervisor, answered a need to let the fire depart­ question about the poten­ ment get ready for ‘up’. tial three-story height of We need to let the commu­ the apartments. He said he nity get ready for ‘up,’” spoke to Thornapple Cramer said, noting that Township Emergency access via tall fire ladders Services Fire Chief Bill is a problem for the vil­ Richardson about it. lage. “And he’s not-as con­ It was not mentioned at cerned about the height (of the meeting whether a the apartments), as long as low-income tax credit they’re sprinkled correctly through the Michigan and have a sufficient State Housing amount of sprinklers,” Development Authority Schaefer said. might be pursued. Your local agent insures your Business s] Adult Class- Wills and Trusts for the Family FARM Bt/ffEAU Senior Citizens Event - Spring Fling Luncheon I Crafting INSURANCE* Mickgatte 6tguranc& CoiKpaitg, Youth Classes- Generation POUND® Ages 5-13 Babysitting Training and Certification­ Ages 10 and up aa< Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Developers said last year they would foot the cost for construction of a $250,000 private lift sta­ tion on site to accommo­ date a private sanitary sewer system. Water lines serving the development would be privately main­ tained. The DDA board mem­ bers were given a packet of very preliminary infor­ mation about the revived Mid-villa project. DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim asked them to look into the proposed revisions before giving public feed­ back on them. “So, you can go do your research, ask your ques­ tions, ask your neighbors, go visit some of the other developments that this developer has,” she said. “Ask the village council, ask the planning commis­ sion. Pick brains before we draft a letter (of rec­ ommendation), so that we are all on board board, one way or the other.” Jachim said the village needs more housing and this is a better proposal than what the developer presented before. However, the packet con­ tained only a rough tem­ plate of what Heyboer is now proposing and was veiy preliminary. Cramer said the DDA needs to direct more atten­ tion to updating its ordi­ nances, because develop­ ers will be able to push through projects by right under the existing regula­ tions. “They only have to follow the letter of the law, and everyone has a right to devel­ op their properly to the law that is there when they pres­ ent their contract (propos­ al),” he said. “We can’t change it in hindsight. We have to be proactive about it.” An example of a develop­ er imposing a major project despite a government’s oppo­ sition to it is occurring in Gaines Township. The town­ ship board rejected a pro­ posed 82-acre, $100 million town center development last year called Prairie Wolf Station. But the property owner sued the township, saying the residential/retail complex is allowed under the township’s zoning ordinance. The township attorney agreed, and the township board had to back down so that the property owner would withdraw its lawsuit. Heyboer’s updated Mid­ villa proposal underwent a site-plan review last week and will be brought before the Middleville Council’s Committee ofthe Whole and the Planning Commission for a first review in May. If there are no delays, Stolsonburg said developers would like to begin construc­ tion by either the end ofthis year or the beginning ofnext year. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023/ Page 3 SCOREBOARD, continued from page 1 great and (passionate) about coming to our events,” he said. “That’s what it’s about. It allows us that opportunity to engage our students, from youth all the way through (to high school).” There will also be oppor­ tunities for students to create video content that will play on the scoreboard, Hess said. “Our students are getting firsthand experience in creat­ ing scoreboard imaging and commercials and animation,” he said. The scoreboard purchase was one of several items from the 2020 bond issue approved by the school board Monday. The board also: — Approved the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment for Duncan Lake Middle School, in the amount of$141,095. The district will enter into a purchase agree­ ment with GRX Group for the supply and installation of the furnishings. “Some of (the current) furniture has been around since the time when it was the high school, and that’s been quite awhile,” Hess said. — Approved the purchase and installation of new car­ peting for the north building of the high school, in the amount of $400,000. River City Flooring will be the supplier and installer for the carpeting, which will replace “a large quantity” of the carpeting that was original to when the building opened in 2004. — Approved the purchase and installation of flooring for the weight room at the high school, in the amount of $42,070. SPEC Athletic will provide and install the new flooring. — Approved entering into a contract with Structure TEC for engineering and bidding services for paving work in several areas, at a cost of $34,900. Some ofthe areas targeted for pavement replacement under the pro­ posal include the entrance off Kraft Avenue to the high school south building and Kraft Meadows Intermediate School, the Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center parking lot and the varsity baseball parking lot, Hess Caledonia High School’s Ralph E. Myers Stadium will not only get new synthetic turf this year, but the said. school board also recently approved the purchase and installation of a new scoreboard. (Courtesy photo) CURRY, continued from page 1 i Mikl tediMn nbkion Hi lisirt tauik feljid rtip Mn Hl! He I |rt<i Wife jk® ip* fe11. July 2019, while Curry was employed as a maintenance, repair and operations buyer/ planner for the company, Assistant County Prosecutor Chris Elsworth said. “She used Bradford White’s account to order items that Bradford White did not need,” Elsworth wrote in an email to the Sun and News at the time of Curry’s plea. “Bradford White received the bill for those "items and paid for them. She picked the items up from the supplier. She did not deliver them to Bradford White. She instead sold them herself, keeping the money.” During Wednesday’s hear­ ing, Elsworth requested that Curry’s probation be extend­ ed beyond three years if she does nOt pay off the full amount ofthe restitution. He told the court that Curry had a gambling problem. “There was a lot ofmoney spent at the casino,” Elsworth said.- “Whether that’s why she did it or not, only she can say. But there was a lot of money being spent at casinos. She doesn’t need to be doing that. Any money she has should be spent toward paying restitu­ tion back.” Elsworth recommended the court ban Cuny from any gambling activities. At one point during the hearing, Curry expressed regret for entering the no contest plea. “Against mine and my family’s better judgment, I took the plea, rather than going to trial,” she said. “It was probably the best thing to do, but I’ve never been in this position before. I didn’t know what to expect. This was a lot ofmoney, there was a lot going on.” Curry broke down shortly thereafter, and Schipper expressed concern about her statement. “If you, in fact, didn’t i) embezzle the money, I don’t get it that it’s hard. It’s hard Curry has 60 days to chal­ want you to plead to some­ for me to admit when I make lenge the amount of restitu­ thing you didn’t do,” mistakes ... You either did it tion she is to pay back to Schipper said. “But also, if or you didn’t.” Bradford White. Maesen called the amount of restitu­ “I did it, sir,” Curry said. you did it, how are you ever going to improve and get Schipper adjourned the tion “quite a tall order.” He past something unless you hearing for about 15 minutes says his client never meant admit you did something? I to hear another case, allow­ for the situation to end up ing Curry to meet with her where it did. “(Gambling) alters peo­ attorney, Ryan Maesen of f ple’s thinking. You (gamble) Wyoming. When the hearing resumed, a little bit and ‘I’ll stop this Maesen restated his client’s time,’ you do a little bit ... admission that she did steal (the debt) builds up,” Maesen said. “I don’t think anybody from Bradford White. “She is clear, she took would walk into a room and stuff as a purchasing agent take 200,000-some dollars in and did not turn them (into) a million years. It’s a non-vi­ the company, she sold it and olent offense.” “She is a veteran, she has used the proceeds for ... her worked her whole life. This own benefit,” Maesen said. Remaining at issue is the is just a really bad thing that amount that was embezzled. got out of control. She wants to make it right. She is aware that this is serious,” Maesen added. Maesen asked Schipper to not sentence his client to jail. Curry also appealed to the court to avoidjail time, citing the fact that she is guardian to her 15-year-old grand­ daughter. “At this point I don’t have an alternative person for her to go live with,” she said. But Schipper said Curry should have addressed that issue before she was sen­ tenced. A charge of using a com­ puter to commit a crime was dismissed in exchange for the embezzlement plea. Curry must also pay court costs tied to the case. B'SKtrSHP Caledonia, MI “Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — Assistant Barry County Prosecutor Chris Elsworth speaks during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing for Roxann Curry of Wayland. / Complete Collision Service ✓ Frame Repairs ✓ State & I-CAR Certified Technicians S Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 k? NFIB IWMBAI Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 Middleville man faces new charges shortly after release from prison Greg Chandler Staff Writer A Middleville man who led Barry County deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in the death of another motorist in 2014 is facing multiple charges, just three months after being released from pris­ on. Matthew Nosanov, 28, Matthew Nosanov of Middleville appeared in Barry County court this week to answer for an alleged bond violation he committed just three months after serving a sev­ en-year prison sentence. (Photo by Greg Chandler) appeared in Barry County court Wednesday for a hearing on a bond violation. He has been charged with domestic violence-second offense in Barry County, and is also fac­ ing charges of operating while intoxicated and driving with a suspended or revoked license in Allegan County, court records show. “His bond conditions state he cannot engage in criminal activity, which he allegedly did in Allegan County,” Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt wrote in an email to the Sun and News. “He was also ordered to coop­ erate with pretrial services and he did not.” Nosanov was asked multiple times by the court to provide a urine sample for the probation department on Wednesday, but said he was unable to provide one. He was ordered held in the Barry County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Nosanov was released from prison on Dec. 15 of last year after serving seven years and eight months for his role in a June 2014 police chase and crash. According to a Sun and News account, using informa­ tion provided by the Barry County Sheriffs Office, Nosanov was spotted driving at more than 90 miles per hour on M-37. A sheriffs deputy followed Nosanov. Near McCann Road, the deputy activated lights and a siren, but Nosanov kept speeding north­ bound on M-37. The Sun and News story quotes Sheriff Dar Leaf as saying Nosanov then turned left onto Adams Road to Cherry Valley Road, then turned left. Cherry Valley curves west and becomes Bass Road. Nosanov then contin­ ued west on Bass Road to Patterson Road, where he failed to stop at the four-way stop and struck a vehicle driv­ en by 24-year-old Geovanni Mazariegos-Ramirez of Grand Rapids, killing him. Nosanov pleaded no contest to operating while intoxicated causing death and a first-de­ gree charge of fleeing an offi­ cer. He was sentenced in April 2015 to seven to 15 years in prison. Nosanov’s next court appearance in Barry County is scheduled for April 11 before Judge Michael Schipper. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the Allegan County charges April 17, according to court records. Middleville TOPS 546 The chapter lost a total of 12.2 pounds for the first three months of2023. The meeting ended by marching in place as we said the TOPS pledge. There will be no meeting next week as we will be in Battle Creek for the Spring Rally. TOPS, a weight loss sup- The March 18 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Two fell out ofthe fish bowl. Chris led the chapter in session three of the Daniel Plan. George won the Ha-Ha box. He was also the best loser for the month of March. Card of Thanks Business Services THE FAMILY OF Paul "Spike" Dykstra would like to thank every­ one for the many acts of . kindness shown to us at his sudden passing. For the food brought to us, cards and flowers. Also, coming to visitation or funeral. Thanks to Stacy, Steve, Maddie & Walt for preparing the luncheon after funeral. Also, the memorials made to Thor­ napple Township Emergen­ cy Services and St. Judes Childrens Hospital. Special thanks to Beeler-Go­ re Funeral Home, and Dr Howard Plattner for the beautiful service. To Justin, tow truck driver/EMT for the beautiful tribute to Spike. It was special. Spike self­ lessly donated his organs. In Great Appreciation, Sheila Dykstra & Austin, Brenda & Carl Blough and family. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. alaska 7240 68lh Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and equip MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Pets WELSH CORGI PUPPIES, very cute, great colors, up to date on shots, dewormed, ready to go. $400. 517-726­ 0706. BOXER PUPPIES- FAWN color, beautiful markings, very cute, ready to go. Mom on site. $450.00,517-852-3007. church Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBOVIIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School - 10 to 10:45 a.m. c H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 wwwitpaulcaledonia.org @thejchurch Whitneyville Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6pm Sunday School--------- 9:30 :30AM AM Sunday Worship........10:30 0:30AM AM ' Watch our services from our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30pm & 7 pm Help Wanted CHOICE CONCRETE CON­ STRUCTION: Hiring full time positions, no experience needed, competitive wages, insurance and great benefits, 616-693-2123. Stop in- 8637 Portland Rd., Clarksville, MI. CARVETH VILLAGE OF Middleville is in search of full time and part time caregivers to work 12 days a month or less. Benefits are included as well as great wages and a flex­ ible schedule. Apply online at www.carvethvillage.com or in person by calling (269)795-4972. HARRISON'S MARINE IS Looking to add an experi­ enced Marine and Power­ sports Mechanic to our team. Also seeking a team player to help in the boat yard to summerize and deliver boats and watercraft to area lakes. Please call 269-795-7660 or email harrisonsmarine@gmail.com. Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel FIRST FOUR REGISTERED SHIHTZU Male Puppies, 8 weeks old. $750. Call 616-761-4158. Caledonia United Methodist Church committed followers ofJesus Christ who will cornerstonechurch port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Chris at 269-908­ 3731. The first meeting is free. 10:00 a.m. 11 :qq a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitheyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023/ Page 5 Joanne Louise Kooiman James Chandler Porritt Jr. James Chandler Porritt Jr. April 26, 1933 - March 17, 2023 Jim was bom on April 26, 1933, to the late James and Jessie (Holcomb) Porritt. His birth took place in Bowne Township. It was also the birthplace of his brother, Kenneth and sisters, Katherine and Barbara. On August 11, 1952, Jim married Anne McDowell, who interest in aviation, acquiring passed away on April 5,2013. an instrument-rated pilot’s During their 60 years of mar­ license, owning a red Cessna riage, they were blessed with Cardinal, andjoining the Quiet two sons, Timothy and Terry. Birdmen (QBs). They became loving grandpar­ He also was a sports enthu­ ents to Lysandra (Michael, siast that included earning a deceased October 1, 2015) green belt in karate and league Vander Hart, Timothy bowling. He was an avid golf­ (Angela) Porritt, and Chandler er achieving many trophies Porritt; and step-grandparents during league play and even to Michael Vander Maas and took top honors one year as a ReneeVander Maas, and member of the Great Lakes great-grandparents to Genivee Seniors in 2003. He shot a 79 Vander Hart and Lilith Porritt. when he was 80 years old at From his son Tim’s second Black Lake Country Club in marriage, they warmly wel- Gaylord. He participated in comed step-grandchildren, snowmobile racing and added Jeffrey, Nicholas, and Adam several wins to his trophy case Cline; and step-great-grand­ gamering State Champion in son, Evan Cline. the 250CC Class. Jim later remarried on June When he wasn’t wintering 27, 2015, to Jayne Thomas. and golfing in Chandler, Under their union the family Arizona, Jim was enjoying his continued to grow with the cabin in the woods overlooking addition of Lysandra’s second the Manistee River in Fife daughter, Annilee Vander Lake. He enjoyed fly fishing, Hart; Timothy’s son, Jameson tying lures, and refurbishing fly Porritt; Chandler’s wife, rods. He took great aim with Rachelle, and their daughter, archery and making his own Frances and son, Frederick arrows. The cabin was the site Porritt; and Renee’s husband, of many deer camps evidenc­ Mike McCloskey. ing a number of deer horn Jim attended Caledonia mounts displayed on the walls. High School where he played Jim enjoyed music and the position ofrunning back on played both the harmonica and the football team and contribut­ ukulele. If there was a dance ed to back-to-back undefeated floor available, he would be seasons in 1950 and 1951. out in the middle of it “cutting After his graduation from a rug”. He also used his musi­ high school in 1951, Jim fol­ cal talents to sing in his church lowed in his father’s footsteps choir at Caledonia United and commenced working for Methodist Church, where he the Kent County Road & Park was a life-long member and Commission as a laborer and faithful servant. truck driver. His career path On March 17, 2023 Jim took a detour in August 1953 joined his Lord’s heavenly when he was drafted by the angel choir. Army and stationed at Fort He is survived by his loving Sam Houston in San Antonio, wife, Jayne; his sons, Timothy TX. After his military service, (Donna) and Terry (Laura); the he returned to work for Kent aforementioned grandchildren, County as an equipment oper- great-grandchildren, step-grandator and was subsequently children, step-great-grandson, promoted to stock clerk. and nephews and nieces. He will remain in our Jim’s next advancement was to Purchasing Director. hearts! A memorial service celebratWhile under this position he chaired the Purchasing Agents ing Jim’s life will take place on Association and started an Monday, March 27,2023, at 11 Equipment Exchange Program a.m. with visitation starting at 10 throughout the State of a.m. Both will take place at the Michigan. His next step-up Caledonia United Methodist to Director of Church, 250 Vine Street SE, was Maintenance. He ultimately Caledonia, MI 49316. The family wishes to became the Managing Director of the Kent County Road & express their appreciation for Park Commission in 1979 and the care and support from the held that position until he staff ofThe Oaks and the team from Faith Hospice. retired in 1995. Those planning an expres­ Aside from the time he spent in Texas, Jim lived his sion of sympathy may wish to entire life in Caledonia and consider a memorial donation to held memberships in * the the Caledonia United Methodist Caledonia Masonic Lodge Church. Condolences may be 387 and the American Legion sent online at www.mkdfunerPost 305. He had an ongoing alhome.com. Joanne Louise Kooiman, age 91, of Middleville, MI passed away on March 22, 2023 at her home with her family surrounding her. Joanne was bom on July 12, 1931 to Francis and Louise (Amelia) Bullen. Joanne was a longtime mem­ ber ofFirst Baptist Church of Middleville and the Middleville TOPS group. She enjoyed being out­ doors, especially in the sum­ mer, wearing her favorite summertime outfit, camping, cious spaghetti and meat­ riding four-wheelers, and balls. She loved birds, espe­ gardening. She loved can­ cially the ones who graced ning and freezing the fruits the bird feeders outside her and vegetables she grew. window. In her spare time, Joanne was an excellent she liked to sit down and cook and was known for her read, do puzzles and word­ strawberry jam (picked right finds. from her garden) and deliJoanne absolutely loved babies. She will be remem­ bered for having a servant’s heart and as a wonderful lis­ tener. Joanne will be dearly missed by her loving chil­ dren, Darla Whitney, Kim (Tom) Peterson, Teresa (Terry) Steenhagen, Luke (Becky) Kooiman, Julia (Ed) Rumbergs; daughter­ in-law, Deana Kooiman; grandchildren, Michele, Stacia, Jami (Luke #2), Michael (Lacey), Lori (Ben), Erica (Daniel), Dayna (Carl), Michael (Diana), Michelle, Resa, William, Rachel, Stephanie (Matt), Nathan, John, Ethan; 22 great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; siblings, Marilyn (Art) Doombos, Patricia Slagter, Tom (Deb) Bullen; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and loving extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 71 years, Keith Kooiman Sr.; parents; son, Keith Jr.; sister, Phyllis (Bill) Gerg. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Saturday, April 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Middleville where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor Nick Boonstra officiating. Burial will take place at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Please visit www.beelergoresfimeral.com to share a memory or leave a condo­ lence message for Joanne’s family. her family and friends. Norine was employed by Baby Bliss for many years. On December 11, 1948 she married Keith M. Wilson and he preceded her in death in 2003. Norine is survived by daughter, Deborah (Michael) Frey; daughter-in-law, Janet Wilson; four grandchildren; and many great grandchil­ dren. Norine was also preceded in death by her parents; son, Dennis Wilson Sr.; and sis- ter, Matjorie Mulford. Norine’s family will receive friends on Saturday, March 25, 2023, 12 to 1 p.m. at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home where her funeral ser­ vice will be conducted at 1 p.m., Pastor Tony Shumaker, officiating. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Norine’s family. Norine I. Wilson Norine Ida Wilson, age 96, of Hastings, MI, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023. Norine was bom on October 15, 1926 in Barry County, the daughter of Ernest and Pearl (Slagel) Vermeulen. She was raised in Middleville and attended Thomapple Kellogg Schools, graduating in 1944. Norine was a homemaker and was devoted to her family and church. She was a caring and loving wife, mother, and grandmother who did many kind deeds for Mary Trepp Gilligan Mary Alice (Trepp) Gilligan, age 85, of Ann Arbor, MI passed away on March 9, 2023 from a brain hemorrhage while on vacation in Naples, FL. Mary, known for her char­ acter, smile, kindness, and service to others, is beloved by her family, friends and colleagues. She was grateful to live a long and full life. She grew up primarily in Dedham, MA until her father passed away when she was 12, and the family moved to Middleville, close to her mother’s family. She was first graduate the of Thomapple Kellogg High School to go to The University of Michigan and was followed by others. She was accepted to the School of Nursing on scholarship, and graduated with honors. She married her husband, a fellow student, and they became life members of the U-M Alumni Club. Her mother, father, brother, sis­ ter, husband, daughter, son, niece and cousins are also Alumni; a “Go-Blue” family. Mary was a registered nurse at the VA and University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor. She was a life member of the American Association of University Women and made many friends through the Americana, Gourmet, Book Recorder Music, Club, Michigan League Garden groups and other activities. She loved culture and the arts, enjoyed trips to Europe, art museums, classical music, fly fishing, golf, The University of Michigan sports, and studying with her FUMC Bible Sisters. Mary was predeceased by her parents, Alice Potts Trepp, R.N. and Dr. Samuel Trepp, Ph.D. She left behind her hus­ Michigan School of Nursing band George; daughter, Undergraduate Student Aid Kerry (Christopher) Fannon; fund #359780, by calling son, Kevin (Brenda) Gilligan; 734-763-9710, or by check sister, Kathie (Basil) payable to the University of Babcock; brother, Robert Michigan and mail to: Office (Carol) Trepp; sister, of University Development, Elizabeth (Ralph) Gift and Records, 3003 S. Frankowski; grandson, State St., Suite 8000, Ann Connor (Heather) Gilligan; Arbor, MI 48109-1288 with granddaughter, Delaney a memo referencing this spe­ Gilligan; cousins, in cific fund. Montana, Indiana, Illinois To honor Mary’s memory, and Michigan, and nieces a celebration of life is being and. nephews across the planned, targeting the after­ country. noon of June 28, 2023 which Sharing of Memories can would be her 65th wedding be emailed to her husband at anniversary. Details to be gilligangeorge6@gmail.com. provided at a later date. All In lieu of flowers, we who knew her are invited to invite you to make a dona­ attend. Bright colors are tion to The University of welcome. ttps de/b �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 Voting ‘yes’ on school bond makes for an uncertain financial future Caledonia neighbors: On March 20, the Caledonia School Board President announced she would be placing a letter in support of the 2023 Caledonia Bond proposal in the Sun and News in the name of the entire board. Since the school-created group of pro-bond com­ munity members have already made emotional pleas for this funding, hers is expected to be more of the same. We would like to add some fact-based context so vot­ ers can be better informed of the consequences of their vote. A bond proposal was passed almost three years ago with two main goals; build a community center and a new elementary school, for which $21 million was allocated. The new school was a popular item and could rightfully serve the school system for many decades in the future. However, there were many other expensive items that rode on its coattails, including items with an estimated 10-year life span or less, such as asphalt paving, artificial turf, digital scoreboard and other facility upgrades. This brought it to over $80 million. A few years of unprecedented inflation has made it impossible to build all these things within that budget. Two years later, even though CalPlex is being built and many short-term projects are done, Dutton has not been started, and now only $17 million remains in unallocated funds from the 2020 bond. When the expected cost overruns ($3.6 million for coattail projects and approximately $9 million for Dutton) were dis­ cussed by the board in the fall, the administration provided a list of solu­ tions, one ofwhich was to “Keep all projects moving forward and seek another bond (approximately $13 to $20 million) to finish Dutton and handle all other price escalations for Series II projects.” However, a month later, they presented a 30-year bond proposal for $61 million, which is three times the original request, which includes the entire cost of.building Dutton, at $40 million and entirely unrelated items such as stadium bleachers and concession stands, CalPlex ball fields and once again millions of dollars for things with relatively short lifespans, such as artificial turf, asphalt paving, technolo­ gy upgrades and buses. Most of these were never part of the original prob­ lem the board was trying to solve. This new bond proposal is not fiscally responsible for multiple reasons. First, we already approved $21 million to build Dutton Elementary on the 2020 bond. It should never have been put on hold while finishing other projects that likely would not have been approved on their own. This was a bait and switch, even if not intended that way. The $17 million in unallo­ cated funds should still go towards building the new school, as promised. And new unrelated items should not have been added to the 2023 bond proposal. Second, like the 2020 bond, the new bond includes the purchase of millions in short-term assets, which depreciate and require replacement much more quickly than a school building. Sound accounting principles require that loans be paid off as fast or faster than the depreciation of the asset. Allowing these items to be put on a 30-year bond is equivalent to stealing more than half the value ofthese purchas­ es from future taxpayers who will never benefit from their use or get to vote on them. Also, the 30 years of bond payments create a long term artifi­ cially high tax rate (7 mils) that puts school dis­ tricts at greater risk in the future of not being able to meet their own ongoing needs, because they are still paying taxes on things that are long gone. Do chose to raise a family here century skills, and pre­ you really want to place for many reasons, chief paring them to compete in a global economy. that burden on your chil­ among them: the schools. Outside of a much-need­ We know that the stron­ dren and grandchildren? The current inflation is ger our schools are, the ed new Dutton Elementary hard on all of us, but who stronger our community is. building, this bond will knows what the economy Caledonia is an attractive allow us to continue facil­ will be in 2050 when our place to live, raise a fami­ ity projects with planned and security community will still be ly, own a home, retire, or safety paying for our present start a business. In short, it improvements from play­ grounds to school entries, is home to all ofus. spending. The Board of Education stadium renovation, and The new Dutton Elementary School is would like to extend a Calplex - Phase II. These essential, but voters should most sincere “thank you” are essential upgrades for vote no on this bond pro­ to the community for com­ our schools and communi­ posal and seek a better one ing together to pass a bond ty that will keep CCS as a to “complete the vision” of in 2020. Unfortunately, place people want to send building the school as orig­ unforeseen and unprece­ their children to learn. We inally suggested, without dented inflation has left have an opportunity to do adding more long term the district unable to com­ all this without raising our financial debt for nones­ plete the projects as origi­ current tax rate. Caledonia Community sentials. A more ethical nally planned. Faced with approach would have tough decisions in the Schools has a record of included a separate shorter wake of inflation that has transparency and fiscal bond for short-lived items, affected us all, the board responsibility. We work so those who use them will chose to pursue an addi­ hard to ensure taxpayer pay for them, and a small tional bond to complete dollars are spent wisely. but longer term bond to the projects correctly, as At the January Board of cover the increased costs originally planned to not Education Meeting, the of the school while apply­ leave any unfinished busi­ board voted unanimously ing the $17 million left ness. to approve the bond lan­ from 2020 towards its con­ That is why we, the guage for the May 2023 struction. This would help board, are writing to ballot. We encourage the us maintain a financially encourage the Caledonia community to come healthy school system for community to vote “yes” together and vote “yes” on decades to come. Please on the May 2 ballot in May 2 to complete the vote. support of the Caledonia vision for the betterment Community Schools sup­ of our schools and com­ Bob and Chris Thelen plemental bond. People munity. Alto choose to live here, as we do, because ofthe schools Caledonia Board of Cal school board and we need to continue Education unifies behind to invest in them to Brittany Barber Garcia; supplemental bond attract and retain families John Brandow; Katie Isic; To the Caledonia com­ and businesses. This Tim Morris; Jennifer munity:. bond will help fulfill the Nichols; Jason Saidoo; The Board of Education promise to our students Marcy White is made up of seven indi­ of providing a world­ viduals from differing class education, empow­ backgrounds. Each of us ering students with 21st State police warn of scam calls made in Barry County Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Michigan State Police post in Wayland and Fifth District Regional Dispatch handled numerous complaints on Wednesday from Michigan residents, including some in Barry County, who reported Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted receiving “spoof’ phone calls that were using the Wayland MSP post tele­ phone number: 269-792­ 2213. The suspect callers are telling residents that they either have warrants for their arrest or are being investigated by State Police. To avoid being arrested, residents are being asked for money in various forms of payment, said Lt. DuWayne Robinson of the MSP Fifth District head­ quarters in Paw Paw. State Police say that although someone from MSP may contact you over the telephone regarding an investigation, warrant or Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Help us support veterans and community functions. Saturday, April 1st, 2023 Over 40 years experience and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. bruGesfrdme.com Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. other official business, it will always identify itself by the officer’s rank and name, and will provide a badge number upon request. Additionally, while MSP may advise a resident over the phone about a warrant for their arrest and a bond amount, it will never ask you to send money, Robinson said. “All bond payments take place in-person with a uniformed member at the post, on the road, or with court personnel at the applicable court,” Robinson said in a state­ ment. “You will never be asked to send payment in the form of gift cards or a third-party money transfer service such as PayPal, Venmo, Western Union, MoneyGram, Google Pay, Apple Pay or Cash App.” Complaints have been received this week about spoof calls in Barry, Allegan, Berrien, Oakland and Wexford counties. It’s not known how many calls were received by Barry County residents, Robinson said. If a caller is contacting you from what appears to be an MSP phone line and is either asking for money to be sent, personal infor­ mation such as a Social Security number, or other­ wise appears suspicious, end the call, and notify your local MSP post. * Menu subject to change Adults $12.00 » Children 10 & under $5.00 Coffee For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 Donated by WGGBf COFFEE Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, MI LUNCH WI-TH 11 AM-8 PM; FR111 AM-2PM • FRI BUILD A BURGER 4-8 PM RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023/ Page 7 Caledonia schools looking to sell Alto-area property once proposed for school Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Community Schools are moving closer to selling some property that had once been considered for an elementary school in the Alto area. However, they need to make sure they have the proper paperwork that will allow them to move ahead with the sale. Following a closed-door session Monday night, the Caledonia Board of Education approved a res­ olution directing its legal counsel to “initiate a quiet title proceeding in circuit court and to take any action consistent with establishing title to the property” at 8553 84th St. SE. “In February of 1991, the district entered into a land contract for the pur­ chase of approximately 20 acres, with the thought of possibly building an ele­ mentary building in the future,” CCS Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin wrote in an e-mail to the Sun and News. The district paid $80,160 for the land. However, it was later determined that the district was “unlikely to build on this site,” and looked into options for selling the property, Martin wrote. “During this process, it was determined that while the property has been listed as district property and tax-exempt since 1992, locating all of the legal documenta­ tion in order to sell has proved difficult,” the superintendent wrote. “The BOE approval (Monday) night authoriz­ es district officials to pursue the legal process to ensure that the district possesses all the proper legal documentation so that we can move forward and sell the property.” The board would have to approve the sale in a separate action once a buyer is found. No deci­ sions have been made as to what will be done with any proceeds from the sale of the property. Fortier named Caledonia schools transportation director Greg Chandler Darrell Kingsbury said. lenge,” Fortier wrote in a StaffWriter “She brings a lot of experi­ bio to the school district. Caledonia Community ence and just a great heart “What I learned quickly is Schools have a new trans­ ... with her character and caring for children was portation director. love ofkids.” much different than caring Michaellita Fortier Fortier once worked in for the public in a retail comes to Caledonia from retail management for store. Each student who Comstock Park Public Meijer Inc. But one day in boarded my bus became Schools in northwest Kent 2006, a bus driver that was ‘my kid’ and the passion County, where she had picking up her daughter for for people began in a dif­ been transportation direc­ school encouraged her to ferent way. Naturally, I tor for nearly five years. think about becoming a began seeing a need for She brings more than 25 school bus driver, saying more qualified drivers and years of leadership experi­ she could drive her kids to once I became qualified to ence, including nine years school and have summers train others I organically in school district transpor­ off. Fortier decided to go began a role in transporta­ tation leadership, to the through the process of cer­ tion leadership with a position. tification to become a bus ‘grow your own leaders’ “We were very lucky in driver for Sparta Area mindset.” acquiring her for this posi- Schools. Fortier rose through the tion. She is doing an out­ “Even though I knew ranks and became trans­ standing job for us,” CCS this would be something portation director for Assistant Superintendent new, I was up for the chal­ Sparta in June 2014. She served in that role for four years before taking the Comstock Park trans­ portation position in July 2018. Fortier reports to Matt Hess, the district’s execu­ tive director of operations and transportation. She is looking at her new position as being a long-term oppor­ tunity, and one she hopes she will hold until she retires. “I’m looking forward to putting smiles on every­ body’s faces,” she told school board members as she was introduced at Monday’s board meeting. Fortier is married and has three children and one grandson. Michaellita Fortier Caledonia Twp. planners recommend equipment rental business expansion Greg Chandler StaffWriter An equipment rental business in Caledonia Township could soon be adding on. The Township Planning Commission on Monday voted to recommend approval of amending a conditional rezoning agree­ ment and site plan for Sunbelt Rentals Inc. at 5135 68th St. SE. The Township Board must approve the change. The property is conditionally zoned for general business use. “Their goal is to add more square footage to the rental business. They would like to also add a canopy that would be used for drive-up, pick-up and drop off, loading and unloading of rented equip­ ment,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said. Wells said the amend­ ment does not change the intent and purpose of the business. She added that the drive-up canopy area won’t be the same as what you might see in a drive-th­ ru eating establishment. “You’re exchanging goods. There is a non-monetary transaction, kind of like a car rental ... where you have that checkpoint before you take the car out,” Wells said. “They look at your paperwork and make sure that you are able to leave with the equip­ ment. There wouldn’t be the remote ordering, there’s no queueing area, there’s no defined circulation pat­ tern for vehicle move­ ment.” Other changes to the agreement include adding pavement to the site, relo­ cating a covered storage area and relocating some fuel tanks on the property, Wells said. Jeff Krueger, Great Lakes district manager for Sunbelt Rentals, told commissioners that the proposed addition is a “catchup” from when it began in Caledonia Township seven years ago. The addition will consist of more shop space, as well as office space and a conference room for Training. “We just built (a new store) right at the begin­ ning of COVID in Comstock Park. Our typi­ cal go-to template for a store is about 12,000 to 13,000 square feet,” Krueger said. “This was a previous rental company ... They ran on a smaller footprint than we did. This was our entry into the Nst 1NSU^rZQ SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Grand Rapids market. Now we’re trying to catch up.” Krueger said the store runs about 10 to 12 equip­ ment rental transactions a day out of the Caledonia Township location, and is hopeful it can grow to 15 to 16 transactions a day within five years. Sunbelt Rentals has more than 1,100 stores across North America, with more than 18,000 employ­ ees companywide, accord­ ing to the company’s web­ site. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers f DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 New company taking over treatment on Gun Lake About 110 acres of the One significant change for ing of the permit (from the development consultant for Greg Chandler SOLitude. Filpansick GLIB is how SOLitude will Michigan Department of 2,680-acre lake were treated Staff Writer A new company is taking explained the transaction at bill the board for the compa­ Environment, Great Lakes by Clarke last year, address­ and Energy) ... our goal is to ing such invasive and nui­ over herbicide treatments and Thursday night’s GLIB meet­ ny’s services. “SOLitude has a fantastic send these out the week of sance plants as starry stone­ other management activities ing at the Orangeville computer system where, basi­ April 10,” he said. “From that wort, Eurasian watermilfoil on Gun Lake. Township Hall. SOLitude Lake “The key here for you is cally, we take your contract, point, the first treatment can­ and cury-leaf pondweed, as Management acquired Clarke Luke (Britton, water resourc­ say it’s $17,000 for plant not occur any sooner than well as nuisance algae. The board also set its meet­ Aquatic Services, the compa­ es manager) and I are still administration. That revolves seven days and no more than five surveys,” 45 days after that notice has ing schedule for the year. ny that has contracted with your main two go-tos. Ashlee around Meetings will take place at 6 the Gun Lake Improvement (Haviland) is still our envi­ Filpansick said. “Every time been delivered.” The newsletter will p.m. on April 20, May 18, Board for management ofthe ronmental scientist ... You we survey, afterwards, you’ll lake, effective Nov. 1, 2022. still get your hometown team, get an invoice for one-fifth of include water quality results June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, The company is based in but now we have <an entire that $17,000. Same with from last year. In a report to Sept. 21 and Oct. 19. Meetings Virginia Beach, Va. and has a nationwide company at our (measuring) water quality, the the board last October, will be held at the Orangeville backs. Whatever we need to meetings - all that’s built into Haviland pointed out that Township Hall, 7350 Lindsey regional office in Chicago. But while the company help Gun Lake, we’re able to the different line items. You’ll phosphorus levels from three Rd. The board also welcomed get an invoice every time different lake inlet locations handling lake management bring that to the table.” in below U.S. two new members Thursday Filpansick mentioned that something happens, rather came has changed, the faces that work closely with GLIB hav­ SOLitude absorbed all of than chunk invoices toward Environmental Protection night Mark Doster is the new Agency recommendations. Barry County commissioner Clarke’s legal obligations, the end ofthe year.” en’t. Filpansick updated the Two different tests were representative and Gale “They bought all the facili­ including Clarke’s; contract board Thursday on when the taken last year, one in April Dugan is the new Allegan ties, all the equipment, they with GLIB. “The contracts ... accord­ newsletter advising of the and one in July. Samples Couilty commissioner repre­ hired all ofthe (Clarke) staff,” said Pete Filpansick, who has ing to our legal team, do not first round of treatment on the were also taken for alkaline sentative. Former Barry County been Clarke’s point person in need any additional work, not lake will be sent out to Gun levels and chlorophyll-A, and both levels were shown Commissioner Vivian contact with GLIB and now even an amendment to change Lake residents. Conner is no longer the “In order to satisfy the tim- to be normal, Haviland said. holds the position ofbusiness the name,” he said. county representative on the board, but was appointed in January to be the Orangeville Township representative on the board, replacing Robert Perino, who asked to step down because of health issues. Conner was reap­ pointed chair of the board Thursday, while Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull will serve in the roles of secretary and trea­ surer. GLIB consists of nine members - including a coun­ ty commissioner and the drain Commissioner from both Barry and Allegan counties, one representative each from Yankee Springs and Orangeville townships in Barry County and from Wayland and Martin town­ ships in Allegan County, and one representative from the Gun Lake Protective Association. Middleville shoppers may find special notes with their next bag of groceries Customers at Harding’s Market in Middleville may find their grocery bags are filled with more than just food for dinner. They might find a color­ fully decorated bag covered with notes and pictures from McFall Elementary students showing their love for music and celebrating Music in Our Schools month. With crayons and markers, students drew music notes, flowers and hearts on the bags. They cut out and glued on notes about how much they love music and why music is important. Some even hummed tunes while they worked. Be "SENSIBLE" about your water! FER Over 40 years of experience AYNARD'S WATER CONDITIONING jj SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS RESIDENTIAL •COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS Rid your water of sulfur and iron odors with an And now they’re ready to share that message with Harding’s customers. Harding’s donated 600 brown grocery bags and McFall music teacher Brittany Brown will return them to the store where cus­ tomers can carry out their purchases in a one-of-a-kind grocery bag. Brown said music is important for all students in many different ways. “Research shows it helps improve reading and math test scores,” Brown said. “It helps students practice and learn their speech sounds and identify rhyming words. It also builds vocabulary, mem­ orization and improves criti­ cal thinking skills.” Brown said most students learn their ABCs by singing the song and it’s an easy way to learn other things as well. “Music ha§ so many bene­ fits,” she 'Said. “We know that it helps calm students and can help them stay focused. Music allows move- McFall music teacher Brittany Brown is pictured with student Amila Kamradt. (Photos provided) ment and can build self-es­ teem and leadership skills.” This is Brown’s first year as the music teacher and only the second year for McFall to have a full-time music pro­ gram for all students. Brown said she wanted to do something to help every­ one understand the benefits of music at all ages. She hopes decorating the bags for community use will remind everyone how important music is and how much her students love music. Iron Curtain System. Eliminate: • Sulfur odors • Iron staining Stop in for your free water test! Maynard's 5g WATER CONDITIONING If your water and laundry don't smell or look as clean ar vou would like... Call Us today! 9980 Cherry Valley, I. ufeonzeapp^O’s PICK' Dealer ffonia 49316 On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pm WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM Danica Barber poses with the bag she decorated. McFall Elementary School student Daniel Lowe shows off the brown bag that he decorated for a class project. Students took on the project for Music in our Schools month. The bags will be returned to Harding’s Market and used by shoppers. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023/ Page 9 Second tier of seats to be added to Middleville Amphitheater before RiverBank Music Series kicks off June 2 James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville’s - new Downtown Development Authority director figures construction of the second tier of seating for the Middleville Amphitheater will be completed before the Riverbank Music Series begins in early June. Emily Lee confirmed that after Tuesday night’s DDA board meeting at village hall. She received a warm welcome from each of the board members during her first official meeting. The amphitheater Art Walk project has become a bit of a couple for the DDA. A crowdfunding campaign was started last June by the DDA and the Thomapple Arts Council. The Studio 37 Salon officially opened March 21 at 4525 N. M-37 Hwy. But first, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening A minimum of $25,000 in in the Town Center Plaza. (Courtesy photo) donations had to be raised by a late-August deadline The first concert this year Organization) takes place ketball, futsal, cornhole The activities begin at 6 That was after a ceremoni­ so that a $25,000 match­ will be June 2. Saturday, May 13, at and pizza, according to p.m. on May 13 and go until al ribbon-cutting ceremony ing j grant could be Thomapple Kellogg Middle Village Manager Mike 8 p.m. was held. rq$eiyed the Michigan Barry County BrewFest School. It’s called the Mother Cramer. The full-service salon Economic Development ^returns to Middleville and Son Night ofFun. “We haven’t done a mothNew hair salon opens offers color, women’s cuts, Corp.’s Public Spaces Village Manager Craig Registration has opened er/son event ever that I know for business men’s cuts and facial wax­ Community Placgfe .‘‘Stolsonburg announced that via the website middlevil- of. And then, we’re looking Studio 37 Salon officially ing. It is open Tuesday gram. That goal Avas rrfeF'1 ' the seventh annual Barry leayso.org at another one in the fall for opened March 21 at 4525 N. through Saturday, with eve­ when 736 donor« •cpntrfb< "County BrewFest will be A deejay will play dance just families, in general,” he M-37 Hwy. in the Town ning appointments avail­ uted $25,931. % weld Saturday, Aug. 19, at the music, there will be bas- said. Center Plaza. able Tuesday and Thursday. And then, the ’Sesquicentennial Pavilion in secured another grant of "Middleville. $21,250 for the project The event rotates from one through the MEDC’s community to the next each ; and year and is hosted by the Revitalization Placemaking (RAP) pro-Barry County Chamber & gram. "Economic Development The funds are being used * ' Alliance. BrewFest features to build three flat, tiered a selection of beers from seating levels around the about 30 of Michigan’s craft amphitheater. They, also Breweries, wineries and dis­ will pay for the purchase tilleries. There is live music, and installation of more food and drink. sculptures near the amphi­ “We’ll put something in theater and adjacent to the the Town Crier (village-pro­ Paul Henry Thornapple duced events publication) Trail in Sesquicentennial about it,” Stolsonburg said. Park. “You buy tickets and then As Lee mentioned, the you get different samples second tier level of seating from breweries all over the will be built this spring state.” ahead of the Riverbank Music Series. The outdoor Mother and Son Night Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. concerts are performed of Fun Fundraiser fundraiser for each Friday night from A Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the early June to mid-August, Middleville AYSO time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (American Youth Soccer We Accept O DELIA DENTAL' Keep Vour Teeth for a LIFETIME! treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep, We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan New block retaining walls tiered into the hill to create level sitting areas A diagram of how the three tiers of seating will line up in relationship to the Middleville Amphitheater stage. Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 Irving board votes down project manager proposal for hall improvements residents to do the work of the township,” Buehler said. “We should just do it and not be paid extra for it. That is my opinion.” Sokolowski pushed back. “That is not correct. We are elected to perform cer­ tain statutory duties, and that’s what our salaries are paid for,” he said, “(This project) is outside statuto­ ry duties.” “Doug, if I got paid for every time I did something extra (for the township), I’d be a millionaire,” Buehler responded. Bass echoed Buehler’s thoughts. “There’s a lot of time spent here on microman­ aging everything that Irving Township Hall will be home to upcoming basement renovations to create comes across this (board) space for records storage and an IT server. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) that’s not necessary,” he said. “A few simple phone In the resolution that and will spend $3,030 Brummel to be the town­ calls, and you get things came before the board, out of the new fiscal ship’s representatives on done. That’s always how Sokolowski outlined a budget for the room the board of the Freeport we’ve done it in the past, list of projects the town­ where the IT server will Area Volunteer Fire and I don’t see any reason ship undertook during be housed, Sokolowski Department. why we can’t do it in the the current fiscal year said. — The board set its future.” that fell into what he meeting schedule for the called non-statutory In other business 2023-24 fiscal year. While duties, such as seeking Tuesday: most of the township proposals and overseeing - The board approved a meetings will be on the electrical upgrades to the one-year extension of its third Tuesday of the Township Hall, oversee­ ambulance services con­ month at 6:30 p.m., the Provided by Andrew McFadden ing repairs to the hall’s tract with Thomapple April and May meetings and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones furnace, and executing a Township Emergency will be on different nights land swap. Services. The extension — Monday, April 24 and Later in the meeting, takes effect April 1. The Wednesday, May 17, both after the board voted down township will pay TTES at 6:30 p.m. " the project manager pro­ $4,500, the same amount - The board will hold Now that we’ve put win­ vacuum cleaners, toasters, ments can be accessed, just posal, Knight passed as it did last year, under the its annual budget hearing ter behind us — at least on and so on? If so, it may be in case something happens around a signup sheet terms of the contract. for the fiscal year that the calendar — it’s time for time to do some de-clutter- to you.) where board members - The board approved begins April 1 at 6:30 us to think about sprucing up ing. And the same could be • Protect yourselffrom could sign up to take turns the removal of a tree at the p.m. Monday at the our homes, inside and out. true ofyour portfolio — you dangers. Ifyou look around being at the Township Hall State Road cemetery. Township Hall, 3425 But it also may be time to do might have several identical, your garage, shed or other to open the building at the Hickory Ridge Tree Wing Rd. The budget pro­ some financial spring clean­ or substantially identical, storage area, you may well start ofthe day and close it Service, of Freeport, will posal calls for general ing. investments taking up space. find some objects — such as at the end. handle the removal, as fund revenues of $539,353 Some of the same ideas If so, you might want to gardening tools, paint thin­ . The township is spend­ well as chipping of the and expenditures of involved in tidying up your replace these redundancies ners, engine fluids and lean­ ing $3,680 out of its cur­ branches and cleanup at a $433,207, resulting in a home can also be used to with investments that can ing ladders — that could be rent fiscal budget for the cost of $1,500. surplus of $106,146, help put your financial house improve your diversifica­ dangerous if they aren’t work on the clerk and The board reappointed according to the budget in order. Here are a few sug­ tion. While diversification stored properly. As part of treasurer records room, Lani Forbes and Larry document. gestions: can’t guarantee profits or your spring cleaning, you’ll • Dust offyour investment protect against losses in a want to remove these haz­ strategy. As you look around declining market, it may ards to safeguard yourself your home, you might find help reduce the impact of and your family. But have that many items — tables, market volatility on your you addressed the various desks, bookshelves, and holdings. financial risks that could computer and television • Get organized. If your threaten your loved ones? screens could benefit closets are overstuffed, with For example, if something from a good dusting. And, clothes and miscellaneous were to happen to you, could once you’ve accomplished items crammed on shelves your family members main­ this, you’ll get a clearer view and the floor, you may well tain their lifestyle? Could of all these objects. Similar­ have trouble finding what your children still go to col­ ly, your investment strategy you’re looking for — but lege? To guard against this needs to be “dusted off’ with a little straightening up, risk, you may want to dis­ every so often, so you can your searches will become cuss protection strategies see if it’s still working to much easier. And when with a financial professional. help you move toward your you’re trying to locate finan­ Spring cleaning can pay financial goals, such as a cial documents, such as off — in a cleaner, safer comfortable retirement. investment statements or home environment and in Over time, your personal cir­ insurance policies, you’ll helping ensure your finan­ with this coupon. cumstances and risk toler­ also benefit from having cial strategy continues to Expires 4115123 ance can change, and these everything organized in one work hard for you. changes may lead you to central location. Even ifyou reexamine your future finan­ get most ofthese documents cial and investment deci­ online, you can save what This article was written by Furnace sions. you need and keep them in a Edward Jones for use by Tune-Up • De-clutteryourportfo­ file on your desktop, laptop your local Edward Jones 210 East Main Street, Caledonia lio. if you took a survey of or tablet. (And it’s also a Financial Advisor. your home, would you find good idea to tell your spouse, Edward Jones, Member duplicates or even triplicates adult child or another close SIPC Locally owned business. of some things — brooms, relative how these docu- Greg Chandler Staff Writer As a major project is coming up next week at the Irving Township Hall, the Township Board Tuesday narrowly rejected a proposal to have one of its board members serve as project manager oversee­ ing the work. On a 3-2 vote, the board defeated a proposal by Township Treasurer Doug Sokolowski to appoint one of its members to be pres­ ent while the project is taking place Monday through Friday, and pay­ ing that person $15 an hour for their time. Sokolowski was sup­ ported by Township Clerk Sharon Olson, but was opposed by Township Supervisor Jamie Knight and trustees Mike Buehler and Dean Bass. Miller Custom Building LLC, of Woodland, was hired by the township to renovate some ofthe base­ ment space to allow for storage of records from the clerk and treasurer offices as well as create space for the township’s information technology server. One room will be reserved for the clerk and treasurer records and another for the IT server, Sokolowski said after the meeting. Sokolowski proposed having one of the board members be present to serve as project manager at the hall between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. during the week “because it’s out­ side of their statutory duties.” “We’re responsible for the building, and we’re responsible for the quality of work the contractor does,” Sokolowski said. Typically, the Township Hall is only open during office hours of 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Wednesdays. Buehler saw the propos­ al as unnecessary. “We are elected by the FINANCIAL FOCUS Time for financial 'spring cleaning IMPORTANT! RUUD Equipment is changing... Get it before the New Prices come out! High Efficiency Furnace & Air $400 OFF HEATING 8 COOLING 616-891-8 �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023/ Page 11 Four years after it was first pitched, proposed move of historic Gannon Schoolhouse still in limbo James Gemmell property you don’t own. I to the township or Historical Contributing Writer wouldn’t and will not.” Society. It was four years ago this Bruursema added that the “I need to have somebody month that Gaines Township Historical Society won’t be to buy that piece ofproperty trustee Kathy VanderStel raising money for the proj­ for me to financially survive offered to donate the historic ect. (after donating the school­ schoolhouse she lives in so it “There’s nothing in here house),” VanderStel told the could be moved to Prairie about how this would be put township board. Wolf Park and serve as a together. And the people that It was in April 2019 — one township museum. would take part in it; the month after VanderStel first But the proposal is no whole thing is eight pages of offered to donate the school­ closer to coming to fruition - it’s just mind-boggling house - that StoneCo today than it was four years how this could have been requested from the township ago, and not a nickel has written in such a way,” planning commission a been raised for the project Bruursema said. rezoning of 43 acres to a thus far. However, most of Parks & Trails Committee planned unit development so the potential stakeholders Chairwoman Dana Lehmann it could expand its mineral met at a workshop session in had said at the October 2022 removal operation. February to discuss how they township board meeting that Four years later, might get it moving. Out of the former schoolhouse VanderStel lamented at the that meeting came a draft cbuld serve as the new home board meeting how almost Memorandum ofAgreement for the Gaines Historical nothing has advanced with that was presented to the Society. the project, and the window township board at its March Township Supervisor Rob of opportunity to sell her DeWard said he is not sure property to StoneCo has 13 meeting. But there still is no definite how the interested parties shut. direction, being taken other can make the project happen. Township Treasurer than an informal understand- Township board members Laurie Lemke said she ing that township officials, have said a foundation or thought the February work­ the Gaines Historical Society endowment would have to be shop meeting with members and the Gaines Parks & Trails set up to provide a steady of the Parks & Trails Committee will continue to funding source for mainte­ Committee was too conten­ meet and discuss the propos- nance of the building and tious. al. It would entail moving the surrounding space, so that “I felt like they were 139-year-old Gannon township taxpayers won’t against the board, that we Schoolhouse from its current end up having to pay for didn’t do enough. But we location on Kalamazoo future upkeep. gave them the money years Avenue at 100th Street to the “I, personally, have ago to do the drawings. They township-owned park on already washed my hands of were going to use it for fundKalamazoo Avenue, just it because this not a win-win raising. I don’t think they south of 84th Street. That is for me. This is a lose-lose. ever did,” she said. adjacent to the township hall. There’s nothing that I can do DeWard pointed out there The house at 10034 that will satisfy you or Dana are two reasons why the Kalamazoo Ave. is owned or others to get to this point project has stalled over the and lived in by VanderStel. It where we can actually make years, besides a lack of con­ had been used as a public this happen,” DeWard said. sensus among stakeholders school building until 1960, “I don’t know how it’s going about how to move it for­ and ifmoved to Prairie Wolf to happen. Our attorney says ward. First, the township was Park it would serve as a not to put money into it. sued by a resident after it museum showcasing town­ That’s always been the allowed the StoneCo grav­ ship history. Under the pro­ understanding. And now el-mining operation to go in. posal originally put forth, you’re saying, ‘Wait a min“We spent a lot of money VanderStel would continue ute. Where’s your share? ”’ on a (successful) legal to live in the schoolhouse The schoolhouse is adja­ defense for the lawsuit,” he after it is moved to the park cent to the site where StoneCo said. and serve as the caretaker of Inc. has been mining gravel And the other reason was the building and artifacts. the -past several years on the COVID-19 pandemic. The addition of a future out­ Kalamazoo Avenue south of Trustee Tim Haagsma said When he understand’s Bruursema’s door education center was 100th Street. also floated as a possibility. VanderStel offered to donate point of view. He said the Historical Society presi­ the schoolhouse and have it Historical Society was will­ dent Shirley Bruursema was moved four years ago, she ing to be the conduit by fuming at the township board said StoneCo had expressed which money could flow for meeting about the draft an interest in possibly buying the project, because it is a Memorandum ofAgreement her property. That would 501(c)(3) nonprofit that can that had been drawn up by make the move financially take contributions. “And that’s pretty much the township after the viable for VanderStel. But she February workshop meeting. announced at the township it,” Haagsma said. “Not be “This includes nothing board meeting that StoneCo the owners of it, not run it, that we talked about at our no longer has interest in her not be the ones running the (workshop) meeting three property because it will be fundraising.” He added that the townweeks ago when we were all wrapping up mining operatogether,” shesaid, adding tions at the gravel pits in a ship has said all along it does that thememoseemed to couple years and it will have not want to put money into the museum project or outdictate what the nonprofit no value to the company. Historical Society would So, VanderStel said she door education center. He have to do. One suggestion reached out to the owner of suggested that, if enough was that it might take owner­ the property that is being money could be raised, per­ ship ofthe building after it is mined, Tom Barnaby, to see haps an endowment could be moved to the park. if he might have interest in established to run it. “My biggest fear with this “There is more ofa telling buying her schoolhouse the Historical Society what property. As oftime ofpubli­ all, is ifwe own it, somehow they’re going to do and what cation, she said she had not there has to be enough money they’re not going to do,” received a definite answer somewhere to keep the thing Bruursema said. “That they back yet. If Barnaby is not running. Or the township will be getting a deed. I don’t interested in purchasing it, will end up putting money know how many of you VanderStel said she will into it,” Haagsma said. DeWard said the cost to would get a deed for a house, withdraw her offer of donat­ dig a foundation and set it on ing the Gannon Schoolhouse build an outdoor education Under a proposal, the 139-year-old Gannon Schoolhouse would be moved from this site on Kalamazoo Avenue at 100th Street about two miles north to Prairie Wolf Park, south of 84th Street. (Photo by James Gemmell) center could be nearly $8 million, if inflation and con­ struction costs keep rising. He and Lemke have said moving the schoolhouse might have to serve as phase one of the project. And the outdoor education center could be potentially consid­ ered a few years later, if enough money has been raised. Currently, many of the Historical Society’s artifacts are stored in a small room inside the Gaines branch of the Kent District Library. Converting the schoolhouse into a museum would pro­ vide more space for the township’s historical docu­ ments in the future. Bruursema said she won’t sign a Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the Historical Society unless major changes are made to it. “The township board in this (draft) memorandum has all the power. We have all the work and, supposedly, come up with all the money,” she said. Bruursema and township board members agreed more discussion is needed by all of the interested parties, if the project has any chance of becoming a reality one day. And it also hinges on wheth­ er Barnaby might be willing to buy VanderStel’s property. 197101 QQKHBKbHQ NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold four public hearings to consider the following requests at the April 13th, 2023,7:00 PM meeting: 1. 2. Special Land Use request to allow for a total of 4,627 square feet of residential accessory buildings in the Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) zoning district. a. Property Address: 2550 100"’ Street SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-34-100-022 c. Applicant: Rob Deppe, RDI Homes LLC Special Land Use request to allow for a home occupation in a residential ac­ cessory building in the Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) zoning district. a. b. c. 3. Special Land Use request to allow for a total of 1,740 square feet of residential accessory buildings in the Residential (RL-10) zoning district. a. b. c. 4. Property Address: 6291 Wing Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49512 Parcel Number: 41 -22-03-276-018 Applicant: Jerry Alkema, Ridgeland Builders, LLC Request to rezone a portion of one parcel from Residential (RL-10) and Of­ fice-Service (O-S) to Multiple-Family Residential (R-3). a. b. c. 5. Property Address: 4645 100th Street SE, Caledonia, MI49316 Parcel Number: 41-22-25-400-006 Applicant: Jennifer Ranero Property Address: 1200 60th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Parcel Number: 41-22-05-201-004 Applicant: Brad Walsh, Orion Construction Special Use Permit request to allow a single-family residence to be used as a Group Child Day Care Home (7-12 children). a. b. c. Property Address: 6968 Terra Cotta Avenue, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Parcel Number: 41 -22-10-110-045 Applicant: Bior Ngong & Amer Jok Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposals. Information related to these requests may be inspected, by appointment, during regular business hours at the Planning De­ partment window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices. For information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, signed written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on April 13th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at (616) 698­ 6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual, or any other assistance. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP OFFICES, BOARD ROOM, 8555 KALAMAZOO AVE., SE, CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 Michigan sold $4.9 billion in lottery tickets last year; $500 per resident Mike Wilkinson Bridge Michigan Michigan loves its lotter­ ies. The Michigan Lottery Commission reported $4.9 billion in sales last year, the equivalent of $500 for every resident in the state, accord­ ing to an annual report from the agency released this week. Prize winnings last year were the highest ever, over $3.1 billion, while $1.25 bil­ lion in sales went to the state education fund (the second most after $1.43 billion in 2021.) But the report also shows Michigan is one ofthe stingi­ est states in payouts: Prize money represented over 60 percent of all sales, with the state ranking 29th out of 37 comparable states. Correspondingly, Michigan had the sixth-highest rate of returning money to the state government. By law, the lotteiy must send all net proceeds to the state. Spokesperson Jake Harris said there is no set per­ centage it must return. In the last five years, total lottery sales have jumped 47 percent in Michigan, rising nearly $1.57 billion, includ­ ing an 80 percent increase in % , Michigan Lottery sales stay strong s Zf X MICHIGAN ^MEGA MILLIONS Lottery sales in Michigan soared during the first two years of the COVID-ig pandemic and they remained strong last year, buoyed by a new $50 WITH MEGA PLIER instant game with a $6 million top prize. TODAY! Jz ° tUl 06 llllllllllllllllltlll Lotteries are more popular in Michigan than nearly anywhere else in the coun­ try, recording $4.9 million in sales last year. (Stock photo) • Sales • Prizes Note: Years are state fiscal years, running from Oct 1 to Sept 30. Source: Michigan Lottery the amount spent on instant tickets. Scratch-offs now account for nearly half of all lotteiy sales, compared to a third of all sales a decade ago. One of the big lures in 2022 was a new $50 scratchoff ticket, Diamond Riches, the first time the lottery had an instant ticket that cost more than $30. The new con­ test marked the 50th anniver­ sary ofthe Michigan Lotteiy. “It’s something our players have been asking about for years,” Harris said. “It paid off.” Two people have bought winning tickets that came with a $6 million prize, one from Cheboygan County in July and one in Alpena County a few weeks ago. The lottery’s online games, called the iLotteiy, has grown rapidly as well, from $18 mil­ lion in 2015 to $193.2 million in 2022. But that is a fraction ofthe total compared to the scratchoffs ($2.4 billion) and the $1.07 billion for the Daily 3 and 4 draw games. The big national lotteries — Powerball and Mega Millions — have the most up and down sales in Michigan, with huge $1 billion pots attracting non-traditional players. “It definitely gets people offthe sidelines,” Harris said. The two games had $336 million in sales in 2019, but fell to $207 million in 2020, perhaps because of the pan­ demic. That rose to $344.5 million last year, when there was a $1.33 billion Mega Millions pot in July. (A $2 billion Powerball jackpot in November fell outside the 2022 fiscal year.) The annual report showed that Michigan residents spent the third-most per capita on lottery tickets, trailing Massachusetts ($832 per cap­ ita) and Georgia ($522 per person) have higher per-capi­ ta rates. In terms oftotal sales as a percentage ofthe state’s total economy (its gross domestic product), Michigan again ranked third, behind Massachusetts and South Carolina. Those increased sales have created a growing pot for the state School Aid Fund, used primarily to fund K.-12 educa­ tion, but also some is spent on higher education. In 2013, the lottery contrib­ uted $734 million to the school aid fund. It crossed $1 billion in 2019 before hitting its peak last year. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, lottery money is expected to comprise 7 percent of the total $17.6 billion fund (sales taxes, the largest source, make up $7.9 billion). Senate votes to continue pandemic-era carryout cocktails in Michigan Lauren Gibbons Bridge Michigan Senate votes to continue pandemic-era carryout cock­ tails in Michigan A pandemic-era policy allowing bars and restaurants to sell carry-out and delivery cocktails would be made per­ manent under legislation passed through the Michigan Senate this week. The concept was initially approved as a temporary change amid the COVID-19 pandemic, when stay-home orders and subsequent limita­ tions on in-person dining had POLICE SALE Monday, March 27 9 A.M. MIDDLEVILLE • 500 Arlington Street • 269.795.3550 restaurants and bars scram­ bling for new ways to stay afloat. Michigan distillers were especially hard hit, as many local distilleries didn’t have a full menu or options under law at the time to get their liquor to customers off-premises. The change allowed liquor licensees to sell packaged and sealed containers of mixed drinks with any delivery or takeout orders. Similar to a customer purchasing a bottie of wine or a growler of beer, a customer purchasing cany-out drinks has to flash identifica­ tion at point of sale or deliveiy. Initially, the policy was crafted with an end date of Jan. 1, 2026 so officials Restaurant and bar owners told lawmakers a bill permitting the sale of carryout cocktails was a lifeline during the pandemic and has grown to be part of their business model. (Stock photo) could monitor whether the change had any impact on drunk driving or underage drinking. Those concerns haven’t • Fabricsfor Easter, Mother's LIGHT TRUCK PARTS Z Day, Graduations, Birthdays • Make a tote, pillow, quilt, curtains, tablecloth, placemats} potholders, aprons, more USED PARTS* PICA UPS* ONE TONS •VANS* SUITS* JEEPS *4MS FULL SERVICES YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 I USED TIRES I Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 1811 LAKE St KALAMAZUO OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; f WS4 —. Saturday 9 am-3 pm panned out, Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, told lawmakers during a recent Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee meeting. “Necessity is the mother of invention,” McMorrow, the bill’s sponsor, said at the time, adding that establishments that have built business models around takeout in the years since should be able to contin­ ue doing so. On Wednesday, senators approved the bill with nearly unanimous support, voting 37-1 to send the legislation to the House for further consider­ ation. A similar effort to make the policy permanent passed the Senate in late 2022, but was never signed into law. Many business owners say cany-out cocktails have grown to be an essential part of their business model. Charlie Samson, co-owner of Whiskey Taco Foxtrot in Clawson, opened his business in March 2020, shortly before COVID-19 pandemic-related restaurant closures started. Since then, he told lawmakers this month, the business has sold 27,100 carryout orders — 10,000 of which included cocktails. “It’s been a huge lifeline for us... keeping people employed, keeping us moving forward,” he said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25,2023/ Page 13 Fighting Scot girls split first two lacrosse contests of 2023 season Caledonia junior Megan Bushart works to keep Forest Hills Central’s Jordan Koning uncomfortable on the attack during the second half of their match at Scotland Yard in Caledonia Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Forest Hills Central girls ended the 2022 Caledonia varsi­ ty girls’ lacrosse season in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Semifinals a year ago, and handed a new Caledonia squad its first defeat of the 2023 season at Scotland Yard Thursday. The Caledonia varsity girls’ lacrosse team is 1-1 on the season after the 16-5 loss to the Rangers in the Scots’ home opener. halffor Caledonia. Sophomore Cambria Gaier found the net twice in the second half too. The Caledonia girls opened the season, under first-year head coach Kendra Venema, with a 17-3 win at Mona Caledonia answered by Shores Wednesday evening. scoring the first three goals of The Scots will be in action a the second half, but a nine- couple more times at Scotland goal deficit was as tight as Y ard before spring break. They they were able to make things play host to Northview Monday the rest ofthe way. and then will take on Grandville Junior Addie roe scored the Wednesday in the week ahead. first two goals of the second It was the season opener for Sophomore Ellie Hudson scored the Scots’ first goal Thursday, but it was the lone goal of the first half for her team as the Forest Hills Central girls moved out to a 12-1 advantage. the Rangers Thursday night. They are off now until facing the team that knocked them from the state tournament a year ago, East Grand Rapids, at Forest Hills Central High School April 12. Caledonia sophomore Ellie Hudson looks for assistance in the offensive end as Forest Hills Central’s Gabriella Hendricks keeps on eye on her during the second half Thursday at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Yankee Springs Township 284 N. BRIGGS ROAD- MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 ____________269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388___________ YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: TO: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on April 11, 2023, com­ mencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Zoning Board of Appeals’ consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joseph Shea (joeshea@yankeespringstwp.org) or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. ZBA 23-03-04 PARCEL ID # 08-16-110-021-00. 2121 Archwood Dr. Wayland, MI 49348. A. 2. ZBA 23-03-05 Parcel ID # 16-030-003-00. 2751 Russell Dr. Wayland, MI 49348. A. Caledonia senior Elise Klein works to scoop up a loose ball with pressure on her back from Forest Hills Central’s Margaret English and Ellyana Teliczan (13) during the second half Thursday at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 3. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia and South Christian varsity girls’ soccer teams opened their season with a 1-0 win by the Sailors at the MSA Fieldhouse in Grand Rapids Wednesday. The Sailors got their lone goal on a comer kick and Caledonia head coach Sam Steams said that South Christian looked dangerous all game long on set pieces and put up solid pressure with its three attacking play- ers. The Caledonia back line handled the pressure well in limiting the Sailors to the single goal on a set piece. “The girls played strong and created a number of good scoring opportunities,” Steams said. “Grade Gortmaker had a great shot in the first half that went offThe cross bar; fresh­ man Baylee DeVries had a nice opportunity in the second half as well. Jocelyn Herrema created some great chances for us and tied the midfield and attacking lines together while playing a full 80 minutes.” “Overall I’m happy to see the team chemistry start to click in the second half ofthe game and once we start fin­ ishing our chances we’ll be dangerous.” The Caledonia girls were scheduled to take the field at Forest Hills Central Friday evening, and will be back in action Monday at Cedar Springs and Tuesday at home taking on Byron Center. 4. A request by property owner, Benjie Vista, for variance relieffrom section 12.3(2.) ofthe zoning ordinance, “Number ofdwellingsperparcel ” Also, for relieffrom section 16.3(2.) “Nonconforming Structures and Dwellings; Additions to Structures or Dwellings”. L The subject site is approximately .325 acres in size and is zoned GRLF, Gun Lake Res­ idential Lakefront. Two dwellings exist on the site, which is in nonconformity with the zoning ordinance. Applicant is requesting relief to allow construction of an attached 2-car garage as an addition to one ofthe existing dwellings. ZBA 23-03-06 Parcel ID # 16-155-045-00. 2137 Parker Dr. Wayland, MI 49348 A. Scots fall 1*0 in season opening soccer game against South Christian A request by property owner, Giuseppe Licari, for variance relieffrom the size require­ ments established by section 12.7 “Outbuildings”. L The subject site is approximately .386 acres in size. The property is currently zoned Residential Single Family(RSF) and the applicant is requesting reliefto allow for the construction ofan addition to accessory building that fails to meet maximum size requirements A request by property owners, Thomas and Ashley Osterbrock, forvariance relieffrom the side-lot setback requirement ofthe zoning ordinance, section 12.4(2)(a) “Side Yard Setbacks. ” L The subject site is approximately 1.285 acres in size and is zoned RSF, Residential Sin­ gle Family. The Applicants are requesting reliefto allow construction ofa 22’ x 36’ addition to the north side oftheir home, which would result in a proposed side-lot set­ back offive feet between the addition and their north property line. The ordinance requires a side-lot setback of8’ 8” for this parcel. Thus they are requesting a variance of3’ 8” for the side-lot setback. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board ofAppeals. The Yankee Springs Township Zoning Board of Appeals and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the above-mentioned proposed amendments) at or following the public hearing. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS By: Jacob Welch, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25, 2023 TKHS boys serve up win at first Powder Puff match Brett Bremer Sports Editor Junior Dylan Bailey’s enthusiasm was as integral as his serve as he helped the Thomapple Kellogg boys’ volleyball club beat mem­ bers of the Thomapple Kellogg High School girls’ volleyball program in their Powder Puff volleyball match in Middleville Tuesday. Bailey caught an elbow from teammate Kyle VanHaitsma late in the sec­ ond set of the best-of-three contest, which was both a fundraiser and an introduc­ tion for the new TK boys’ club which will be compet­ ing in the Grand Rapids South Conference in its inau­ gural season this spring. “That was amazing,” Bailey said of the contest. “Right at the end of the sec­ ond set I caught an elbow and I had to go to the train­ er’s room, and we were down match point. The vice princi­ pal comes in, ‘it’s going to a third set!’ I was so excited. I wanted to keep playing.” With a plug in each nostril to stop the blood, Bailey served up the first three points of the third set for the TK boys hitting two aces in the process. While the TK girls started the opening set on a good run, it was the boys who opened the third set on a good run. The boys Thornapple Kellogg junior Dylan Bailey hits an attack for the boys’ team during its Powder Puff vic­ tory over members of the TK varsity girls’ volleyball team Tuesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 196933 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 ***2023 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP SPRING CLEANUP DAY*** Saturday, April 22, 2023 took a 7-1 lead in the decid­ ing set and went on to a 15-4 win. The TK girls took an 8-1 lead in the opening set, win­ ning the first six points ofthe match, and went on to a 25-13 win in that set. The TK boys altered their strategy in the middle of that first set choosing not to try and block the girls’ attacks. The teams played on a net at the boys’ height of 8 feet rather than the girls’ 7-foot-4 height. That made it a bit tougher for the girls’ to put the ball down, and they boys found they were better off just trying to dig the girls’ attacks and be ready for tipped balls. The girls had the TK boys on the brink of ending the contest after two sets. The girls led the second set 24-19. That prompted the TK girls dressed in red, white and blue in the student section to break out the “I believe that we will win chant.” The boys and girls kept to their own groups in the stu­ dent section. “We can’t hear you,” responded the boys decked out in camouflage appropriately answered with shouts of “we can’t see you” from the girls. Their beliefs were mis­ guided though. A girls’ serve flew long to keep the TK boys alive, junior setter Trent VanHaitsma knocked over a second ball for a kill and then served up two assists for kills by junior teammate Hayden Chatman in the middle that tied the set at 24-24. Christian Councilor served up an ace for set point for the boys. Councilor proved vital for the TK boys in the back row, digging up a couple of the TK girls’ best attacks. “I liked watching Dylan, because he likes the game so much. Seeing him succeed is fun to watch,” Chatman said. Like nearly all of their teammates, they’re new to the game. Chatman decided he’d join the program back in December. Boys’ head coach Carla VanHaitsma said she had one guy show up Tuesday hoping to be a 197042 - Thornapple Kellogg junior setter Kyle VanHaitsma flips an attack towards the other side during the new TK boys’ volleyball club’s Powder Puff game against the TK varsity girls Tuesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg’s Christian Councilor celebrates a big dig with coach Carla VanHaitsma and teammate Tristan Chambers (11) during the Powder Puff Volleyball game at TKHS Tuesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING A dumpster for trash collected will be provided along with trash bags. Gaines Charter Township will hold a public hearing to solicit public comments on the award and allocation of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds at a regularly scheduled Township Board meeting, Monday, April 10, 2023. The Public Hearing will commence at 7:05PM in the Board Room at the Township Office located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave. Caledonia, Ml 49316. For Program year 2023, the Township proposes to reserve the funds for the following project: Hanna Lake Sidewalk Project All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing or provide written comments to the Supervisor’s office at the above listed address. Please call the Township office with any questions 269-795-9091. Persons with disabilities needing any special accommodations should contact the Township offices one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. 9:00 AM start @ the Fire Station 1425 S Payne Lake Rd. Finish around noon. Please come and join us in cleaning along the roads in the township. part of the club. For the past few months the team has been practicing on Sundays, when gym time is available. The team had one of its few weekday prac­ tices so far on Monday eve­ ning. “Sophomore year, I heard they were thinking about making [a boys’ team] and I was like, ‘oh I want to join that so much.,”’ Bailey said. “It never ended up happen­ ing. I heard it was going this year, and Mrs. VanHaitsma was making it happen, I was really pumped. I’ve had it in my mind for a while.” Prior to this, Bailey said his volleyball experience has pretty much just been “messSee VOLLEYBALL, page 16 �The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25,2023/ Page 15 New teammates mesh well for TK in opening night win Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are three times as many freshmen as seniors on the varsity roster. That’s both a little exciting and a little nerve-racking for the Trojans. Freshman attacker Tealy Cross said she got a lot ofthe butterflies out in a preseason scrimmage with NorthPointe Christian and finished shoo­ ing most ofthe last few away as she scored her first varsity goal in the 23rd minute of an 8-2 win against the visiting Hastings varsity girls’ soccer team. She leapt into the arms of senior teammate Peyton Pratt after one-touching in a cor­ ner kick, which just missed the head of teammate Holly Veiling and the hands of Hastings goalie Dakota Blough in the middle of the box. Cross was there on the backside to finish off the play. “Peyton has been a very good leader through basket­ ball and soccer for me,” Cross said, “and all sports for that matter. She is like a big sister to me. To be able to play two varsity sports with her has been very cool. Emma [Schut] has been the same way. She continues to work with us. She knows she is good, but she contin­ ues to work and wants to get better.” Cross’ first goal tied the game at 1-1. Pratt scored the first of her three goals, off an assist from the junior midfielder Schut. Pratt and Schut are a pair of captains for the TK squad this spring. Pratt is one of two seniors, joined by Anna Davis who was out of town for Wednesday’s opener. “Emma and Peyton really stepped up, without us even asking. They have been leaders,” said new TK girls’ co-head coach Ben Sleeman after the game. “There is Emma, carrying a bag of balls up. That is stuff they’re passing on to those younger kids and I know that they both played with a good group of girls that graduated last year and they were kind of like, ‘what’s this year going to be like?’ and I think for them to step into more of a leadership role has been really cool to watch.” Sleeman is teaming up with former TK varsity boys’ head coach David Wood to lead the program this spring. Wood said that the talented freshman group meshing with the handful of returnees to the varsity roster is really the key to the season. “I think that something we challenged them with is being a collective and being a team offthe field, and most of the time you can see [the upperclassmen] are trying to bring [the underclassmen] Thornapple Kellogg junior Emma Schut maneuvers between Hastings’ Brianna Darling (left) and Raegen Morrison in the offensive end during the Trojans’ win over the visiting Saxons Wednesday inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) along with them, they’re try­ ing to get them involved,” Wood said. “They know how important it is for them to be successful and for us to be successful as a team.” . Pratt went on to score three goals in the match. Cross finished with two, Veiling with two and then junior Danica Smith capped the scoring by scooting a slick, wet ball under Blough in the 77th minute. The goals by Cross and Pratt had TK in front 2-1 at the half. The Saxons were a bit fortunate the TK lead wasn’t more. Hastings got a number of solid saves from Blough, who was slowed a bit by a leg injury, but still up to the task for much of the evening. Schut had a strong run through the middle ofthe Saxon defense turn into a good chance that flew just wide of the net with a couple minutes to play in the first half and then had a blast sty­ mied by Blough early in the second half. TK clanged a shot off each post before finally finding the net for the first time in the second half. Cross fin­ ished off a strong counter attack by TK through the middle, with Pratt getting the final pass ahead for the assist in the 52nd minute. Just 15 seconds later, Veiling chipped a shot over Blough that had TK in front 4-1. Veiling’s second goal, in the 63rd minute, came on an assist from Schut. Schut put a great pass at an angle from left to right with Veiling making a welltimed run to collect it behind the Saxon defense. She put a high shot to the short side inside the right post to beat Blough. Pratt tallied the Trojans’ seventh goal in the 70th min­ ute. Cross centered a ball across the Saxon box from the right side. It was just out of the reach of Veiling in the middle of the box, but Pratt came charging in on the far side to touch the ball into the open net. Hastings struck first against the young Trojan defense in the game’s tenth minute. Hastings put togeth­ er a counter attack that the Trojan midfield didn’t slow down and the defense was unable to clear the ball out of its box. One of the Saxons’ top returnees, Raegen Morrison, put a shot by TK freshman keeper McKenna Hoebeke. See TROJANS, page 16 196712 VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE POSITION OPEN VILLAGE COUNCIL The members of the Middleville Village Council attend two regular monthly meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm and one committee-of-the-whole meeting on the first Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Members review meeting packets from the Village Clerk prior to each meeting to consider and act on special events, ordinances, and infrastructure projects; set tax millage rates and approve the annual bud­ get; and other business that comes before the Council. Members are also appointed to a committee or board to serve as a liaison between the Council and that committee/board. The Commission operates under the Michigan General Law Village Act of 1895. A member of the Village Council should become familiar with these laws. Attendance at the Michigan Municipal League’s training and conferences is encouraged and paid for by the Village. The term of office will begin upon approval and swearing-in of the member and run until November 20, 2024. All Village Council members must reside within the Village limits. For more information regarding the open Village Council seat, please contact the Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg at 269-795-3385 or stolsonburqc@villaqeofmiddleville.org The Application for Boards and Commissions is due by Tuesday, March 28, 2023, to: Thornapple Kellogg freshman Tealy Cross leaps into the arms of senior Peyton Pratt after scoring her first varsity goal in the Trojans’ 8-2 win over visiting Hastings in the season opener in Middleville Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Village of Middleville Attn: Village Council PO Box 69 100 E. Main Street Middleville, Ml 49333-0069 �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, March 25,2023 Trojan teams open track season inside at annual Laker Challenge TROJANS, continued from page 15 The Saxons’ second goal was similar, a quick surge into the TK box by the Hastings girls. Hoebeke made an initial save, and Hastings freshman Dezarae Mathis was there to knock the rebound into the net. The TK defense featured the freshmen keeper Hoebeke and freshmen Ella Fischer and Natalie Borrink in the middle. On the outside, the Trojans had sophomore Emma Geukes, who didn’t play soccer her freshman spring. “It’s the small details,” Wood said. “There are mis­ takes we made that led to the goals that defensively we tried to recover from. The more we are able to play against some better competi­ tion. they’re going to be able to get that worked out. It’s hard to come back off the winter anyway ... They’ll be fine with playing some more games under their belt and getting used to it.” The Saxons were a little worn down, with a number of girls on the varsity roster who competed in the JV match as well. “We have some potential,” Hastings head coach Tim Schoessel said. “We just need to move the ball a little more. That’s about it. We have some good key players, in some key positions. We lost some good key players Brett Bremer TK senior forward Holly Vetting beats Hastings defender Noelia Moreno to a header in the box during the first half of the Trojans’ win over the visiting Saxons in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) tonight. We’re just a work in progress I guess. If we can get our mid’s, who are young because we lost our two cen­ ter mid’s last year, if we can get your younger mid’s mov­ ing the ball up I think we’ll start moving.” A couple of his team’s top returnees, like Raegen Morrison and Lauren Lamphere are move attack­ ing players. The Saxons will continue to work on getting the ball forward. The team did see a boost from Mathis who was strong from end to end. SYKORAAUCTION.COM PRESENTS! LIVE/SIMULCAST FARM MACHINERY AUCTION ZANDBERGEN BEEF FARMS - CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION LOCATED NORTH OF 4 MILES ON 84TH ST. SOUTH 1 MILE ON HANNAH LAKE RD. THEN Ml. 49316 (S. KENT COUNTY) DUE TO THE PASSING OF DON ZANDBERGEN THE FOLLOWING CALEDONIA, WEST 1 h Ml. APPROX. /i MILE ON 2067 92ND MILE TO M-37, Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ track and field team earned four individual medals and had a relay team pick up honors as well at the Grand Valley State University Laker Challenge Thursday in Allendale. The TK boys and TK girls opened their season on the campus of GVSU this week The boys competed on Wednesday in the D1-D2 meet. Trojan senior Lindsey Velting ran her fastest 400meter dash yet, placing fifth in 1 minute 3.88 seconds and teamed with sophomore Brooklynn Harmon, junior Joselyn DeBoer and junior Eva Corson to place sixth in Tyler Bushman, junior Lucas the 4x300-meter relay in VanMeter and freshman Frank Wilkinson placing 12th in 3:04.56. Harmon was a three-time 6:28.61, Individually, the top placing medalist She placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles in 9.86 for the TK boys came from seconds and eighth in the long junior Jaxan Sias who was 14th in the high jump by clear­ jump with a mark of 15 feet 6 ing the bar at jj-4. He was also > inches. Tk- sdphomore distance 22nd in the 200-meter dash in runner Ava Crews scored an 24.39 which is a new personal । eighth-place medal with her record for him. SiasT, Gabe LaJoye, Ethan time of 5:40.14 in the 1600meter run. Crews competed in Bonnema and Tyler Gavette the 3200-Theter run at the 2022 teamed up to place 17th in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula 4x300-meter relay in 2:40.93. Sias and LaJoye competed Division 2 Track and Field in the 4x200-meter relay at the Finals last June. The top finish for the TK state finals a year ago, and Sias boys on Wednesday came wasn’t too far behind the state from in the 800-400-400-800 medalists in the 400-meter relay with the team of sopho­ dash on that early June more Lucas McNabany, senior Saturday in 2022. VOLLEYBALL, continued from pa ing around with family.” “This is jj^y-^firsfAjear doing anythin^sefidusly. I would like to do club volley­ ball next year,” Bailey&aid. There were raffles Jror car washes RainMakers Car Wash, T-shirts from Design Wear and gift cards from J&H Family Stores, and Faro’s pizza helped with a serve for pizza contest during the event. Funds raised will go to help pay for officials, uniforms, tournament entry fees and maybe some new pets at some point. Coach VajiHSitsma was very appreciative’ofsponsors and volunteers,as well as her boys’ opponents. I want to thank the girls’ vafsity team for helping us at our Sunday practices,” coach VanHaitsma said. “We learned a lot from them. Without them, we wouldn’t even know how to put up the net.” The outcome wasn’t what she was expecting. “No way,” coach VanHaitsma said. “Not at all. I did not expect it to go three and I did not expect us to win. Our team, they were hot once they got things figured out. They got the momentum and they wanted to win. They worked hard.” The work will continue heading into the team’s April 11 conference opener. The Trojans are scheduled to be at Impact Dynamic Training Center in Hudsonville for a tourna­ ment today, March 25. WEST ST. CALEDONIA, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2023 @ 10 AM E.S.T ONSITE INSPECTION WEEK OF AUCTION DURING BUS. HRS. 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THIS AUCTION HAS MANY ITEMS PLAN ON A 4 HR AUCTION! BRING YOUR TRAILERS & HAULING EQUIPMENT AND WE’LL GET YOU ON YOUR WAY ASAP! CAROL (DON) ZANDBERGEN-OWNER 2067 92nd. ST. CALEDONIA, Ml. 49316 FOR INFO ON EQUIPMENT CONTACT TIM Z. @ (616) 723-6892 SYKORA AUCTION SERVICE INC Scott Sykora. Auctioneer ■ (989) 386-9694 John McConnell. Auctioneer - (989) 429-0444 Colt Johnson. Auctioneer Clare. Michigan • Visit our website www.sykoraauctlons.com Thornapple Kellogg varsity volleyball player Kenna VanElst looks to put an attack over Graysen Stahle from the new TK boys’ volleyball club during their Powder Puff match Tuesday evening in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-04-01.pdf af07289ab1bae3da3e975efa8063b0f7 PDF Text Text YourHometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 13/April 1,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Barry County Central Dispatch director Stephanie Lehman updates Middleville village council members Tuesday night on a proposed 911 tower. (Photo by James Gemmell) Local teacher Carmen Skiba organized an event called “Pound Out Cancer,” held at the at the headquarters of Thornapple Township Emergency Services last Saturday. The effort was to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (Photos provided) Local teachers, Caledonia teen involved in leukemia society fundraising campaign Greg Chandler StaffWriter Carmen Skiba met Kristin Lockwood one day a couple of years ago while they were working out at a gym in Middleville. Both are math teachers — Skiba at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School, Lockwood at Caledonia High School. But their shared connection goes far beyond their work. Skiba is a cancer survivor. When she was 12 years old in 1996, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She underwent a year’s worth of treatment at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, but came through it. Meanwhile, Lockwood’s daughter, Maddie, was diag­ nosed with leukemia in November 2019, and has undergone more than twoand-a-half years of treatment at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. “I heard her story, so I reached out to her. I didn’t know (her) except for being at the gym,” Skiba said. “I said, ‘hey, I hear your daugh­ ter has leukemia. She’s about the same age as I was when I had lymphoma. If you guys need anything (let me know).”’ Lockwood says she started going to the gym as a way to help clear her head of the stress and anxiety she was dealing with as Maddie was going through her treatments. “(Skiba) told me it was going to be okay, she told me to be strong,” Lockwood said. “(She said,) ‘it’s going to be fine, she’s going to grow up, she’s going to (experience) all the good things.’ She just tried to sup­ port me in my time of need.” “People that haven’t been through it, they don’t know what to say,” Lockwood added. “They don’t know how to help you. That reas­ surance that it’s going to get better ... it was something that I needed.” The two kept in touch throughout Maddie’s treat­ ment. Then in April of last year, Maddie rang the bell symbolizing the end of her treatment at Helen DeVos. She went back for a checkup visit on Thursday, but her mother says the now 14-yearold Maddie is doing “great.” She is now focusing on her schoolwork, dance classes and riding horses. Now, the Lockwoods and Carmen Skiba are involved in an effort to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Maddie Lockwood has been named the West Michigan LLS Honored Hero for this year, and Skiba is a nominee for the organization’s Visionary of the Year for West Michigan. Kristin Lockwood nominated Skiba for the Visionary award. They are See FUNDRAISING, page 3 M-37 sub-area concept open house draws large turnout Greg Chandler StaffWriter . The future of a large area of farmland on the east side of M-37, between Cherry Meadows Drive and 100th Street, generated a great deal of conversation between Caledonia Township resi­ dents and township leaders during an open house Tuesday afternoon. More than 80 people turned out at the Township Hall to look at a proposed concept of what the 790acre area could look like in the future. The concept was put together by the planning consulting firm Beckett & Raeder, drawing in infor­ mation from regional devel­ opment trends, a recent countywide housing needs analysis, past surveys con­ ducted by both the township and village of Caledonia and feedback on social media. There are currently eight Caledonia Township parcels of land that make up Planner Lynee Wells what officials call the demonstrates the pro­ Caledonia M-37 Corridor posed land uses within Sub-Area. While the land is the sub-area during See M-37 CONCEPT, page 2 Tuesday’s open house. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Middleville Council gives approval for Sheridan Street site as potential 911 tower location James Gemmell Contributing Writer Several steps have to be taken before a 911 communi­ cations tower can be built in Middleville, but Barry County Central Dispatch has received conditional approval from the village council on a site for it. Council members voice-voted 6-0 at their meeting Tuesday night to affirm that the location is secured for Central Dispatch to enter into a lease agreement with the village. The approval includes the lease plan and site plan documentation. That gave 911 director Stephanie Lehman the assurance she needed to further explore the possibility of having the 800 megahertz tower communication installed at 607 Sheridan Street, adjacent to the vil­ lage’s wastewater treatment plant. The tower would be 300 feet tall, with a 15-foot lightning arrestor on top of it. Lehman said the county is asking the Federal Aviation Administration for 325 feet of aerial clearance. She first introduced the plan to the council’s Committee of the Whole in January. The council voted unanimously in favor of the preliminary tower concept at that time. Lehman has said the project would not cost village taxpayers any money. The state has budgeted $3 million for construction of the tower. The idea is to improve sig­ nal strength and reliability in the region for police, fire and rescue communications. The current radio signal has gaps. A Michigan Public Safety Communications System study recommended that Barry County add six towers See TOWER, page 3 • Irving Township officials approve new budget • State Rep. Rigas addresses Middleville Village Council • Caledonia drone program advances to championship stage • Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race returns this month • CHS girls track edge out Byron Center �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1,2023 M-37 CONCEPT, continued from page1 still being farmed, township officials say they want to have a plan in place should it become available for devel­ opment in the future. “We have two paths,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said. “We can continue to just react to what the mar­ ket and developers bring to the table, or we can cast an aspirational vision, and find tools that would help us achieve that vision. We already know what the cur­ rent path would be - it would be what we see up and down the commercial corridor (west ofM-37).” The Sub-Area Plan, if adopted, would become part of the township’s existing general development master plan, the long-term planning document that provides a conceptual land use layout to guide future growth and development, Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. “They don’t want to turn it into Anywhere, USA, like on 28th Street with all of the curb cuts,” Beckett & Raedar partner John lacoangeli said. “If this is going to develop, they want it to be an integrat­ ed development - walkable, bikeable, different types of housing, park areas. They want to create it more like a village.” Caledonia Township saw a 28.2 percent increase in its population in the most recent U.S. census, growing from 12,332 residents in 2010 to 15,811 in 2020. And that growth isn’t going to subside anytime soon, according to Wells. “We’re the second-fastest growing township in (Kent) County and the eighth-fastest growing community in the state. It’s not like we can drop the gates and say ‘we’re done, we’re done growing,”’ Wells said. “We have a great school system, we have the river and the natural environ­ ment, and people really value that. So how do we place the growth that we’re going to experience in a way that’s going to preserve and protect what we all enjoy, and at the same time, provide a benefit to the property owners who have the right to make use of their land?” The concept that was pre­ sented at Tuesday’s open house brings together a mix ofland uses, including single family residential, multi-fam­ ily residential, commercial and green space. It also includes the addition ofmore streets that would serve both the residential and commer­ cial areas. Major features ofthe con­ cept include: — About 163 acres that would be set aside for small­ lot single family homes, pri­ marily on the west side of the land, closer to M-37/ Cherry Valley Avenue. The homes would have small front yard setbacks of 15 feet with service alleys and garages in the rear to “create a more communal neighbor­ hood facilitating walkabili­ ty,” the plan document says. Those homes would be Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Some residents who attended the open house would prefer the sub-ar­ ea remain agricultural. The proposed commercial core and commercial center of the sub-area are depicted here, with a variety of businesses, a tree-lined boulevard, a public green space and a roundabout. (Courtesy Beckett & Raeder Inc.) served by the existing town­ ship water and sewer sys­ tem. It could house poten­ and three-story buildings tially as many as 710 homes, with the opportunity to according to the plan docu­ accommodate vertical mixed uses,” the plan document ment. — Another 322 acres says. would be used for large-lot — Another 26 acres adja­ (l-to-5 acre) single family cent to the commercial core homes on the east side ofthe is described as “commercial land. About 161 homes could center,” and could consist of be located in that section, larger offices, small hotels, according to the plan docu­ public green space and larger ment. shopping opportunities, — 22 acres would be according to the plan docu­ assigned for multi-family ment. use, including apartments — Another 13 acres is and condominiums. About described as “commercial 159 living units could be proper,” and could include a located in that area, accord­ mix of live/work units with ing to the plan document. service businesses such as — The commercial core salons, coffee shops and of the development would casual dining, according to be a 5-acre area that would the plan document. be located along 92nd Street — Another 60 acres is and the eastern extension of designated as green space, Main Street, just east of with a combination ofneigh­ M-37. That would serve as borhood parks, a community the main retail district for park, public plaza and a the development, according “green front” that would to the plan document. “A serve to slow traffic on the key component ofthe frame­ collector street that would work plan is the introduc­ serve the commercial areas tion (of) internal retail/busi- of the development. About ness districts that run per­ 32 of the 60 acres would be pendicular, not parallel to for a “green buffer,” a M-37. These retail/business 200-foot-wide zone separat­ districts create pedestrian ing the development from oriented commercial devel­ the M-37 boulevard, accord­ opments with on-street and ing to the plan document. off-street parking facilities, — A tree canopy would a combination of one-, two- remain on the east side ofthe 35871254 IT Caledonia Full Service Body Shop Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com American Legion #305 Fundraiser GOOD FRIDAY ' FISH FRY Friday, April 7, 2023 5-7p.m. or until gone $15.00 Adults & $10.00 Children 12 and under (2 pieces of fish) Dinner Includes: 3 pieces (adults) Battered Fresh Cod Loins prepared: with Tarter Sauce, French Fries, Coleslaw & Homemade Bread & Butter. Soft Serve Ice Cream with toppings for dessert. No other Food Menu Available. For those who do not want fish dinner, outside food may be brought in. All proceeds goes to West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program 9548 Cherry erry Valley, a ey, Caledonia, aeona, Ml Call 616.891.1882 for more info rights program, where land­ owners are compensated for the fair market value of their land, based on the dif­ ference what it could be sold for on the open market and what it would sell for as farmland. A permanent deed restriction would then be placed on the land limit­ ing future development for non-farming purposes, according to the county website. “We have policy support in our master plan for farm­ land preservation, so if someone wants to do that program through the coun­ ty, we would happily walk alongside them,” Wells said. Harrison understands the opposition of some to the possible loss of farmland. “To be clear, this is not an attempt or proposal to develop these properties. I love our family farms. I cherish our rural character and will fight to preserve it,” Harrison said. “I hope these farms continue for many generations. But the simple fact is every taxpay­ er and property owner in Caledonia has property rights that includes devel­ opment rights. These rights belong to the owners of these properties — both current and future. An owner could seek to exer­ cise their rights to use their property for something other than farming. That is a simple and sobering reali­ ty.” And Harrison went on to say that’s why a plan needs to be put in place for that possibility. “To do nothing is to assume current development standards are adequate and hope what comes through the door is consistent with our community character and thoughtfully planned,” he said. “Or we can create guardrails and guidelines that produce something that is better than hoping for the best. “We get one chance to get it right.” The sub-area concept is expected to be discussed in the near future with both the township planning commispurchase of development sion and board, Wells said. land, along the Thomapple River, according to the plan document. The concept drew mixed reviews from residents who attended. Some welcomed it as a forward vision, while others expressed concern that Caledonia is losing its rural flavor. “I’m very impressed with it. I’m very excited that it’s protecting our community, so it doesn’t turn into 28th Street,” said Melissa Hormel, who has lived in Caledonia Township for 27 years with her husband, Dennis. “I like the idea of being proactive, for when that day comes we have a master plan in place, and we can just say (a pro­ posed development) doesn’t fit (in that plan). I think that’s a lot of forethought that’s going (into it) and I appreci­ ate that.” Donovan and Beth Visser, who own eight acres of land just east of the sub-area and along the Thomapple River, took a differing view. “Right now, it’s serene. We have birds ... We’ve got bald eagles, sandhill cranes, millions of geese,” Donovan Visser said. “I’m afraid of losing the serenity and peace of mind that I get when I come into Caledonia and come home. I see the farm­ land coming in ... That’s how you know you’re in the country, you’re coming up on Barry County. I don’t want any of (the development). I think just leave it agricultural.” Some residents who oppose development of the site placed sticky notes on a comment board with com­ ments such as “Keep Caledonia rural” and “We are trying to keep a small town feeling.” The owners of the eight parcels were invited to the open house, and at least one property owner attended, Wells said. “We did send correspondence to all people living within the sub-area and 300 feet around it, just to invite them to this conservation,” she said. Wells also noted that the owners do have the ability to take part in Kent County’s �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1, 2023/ Page 3 TOWER, continued from page 1 to its system to eliminate 911 calls received in 2017 dead zones where 911 calls and 2022. There were 52,402 can get dropped. calls for service in the county There is one communica­ in 2022, compared to 48,242 tions tower in Maple Grove in 2017. Township that is used for “EMS hasn’t really dou­ law enforcement, and a sec­ bled. I think it’s gone up ond VHF tower in Hastings about 30 percent. But your Charter Township that is fire calls and your law-en­ dedicated to fire and emer­ forcement calls have almost gency medical services. doubled in five years,” Lehman said Middleville Lehman said. is being considered for one At the council meeting, of the proposed towers she showed the site plan for because it is the second-most the tower at the end of populous area in the county, Sheridan Street. It includes behind Hastings. A tower is the 70-by-70-foot tower also planned for Hastings, space and a shelter that possibly at the Barry County would house the backup gen­ Road Commission site near erator and other utilities. M-43/M-37. Lehman gave a A Motorola civil-engi­ powerpoint presentation at neering firm has been taking Tuesday’s meeting on a five- measurements and some year comparison between photographs of the proposed site, which already has access to utilities because it is next to the wastewater treatment plant. Representatives from an out-of-state engineering company, Pyramid Solutions, also inspected the site. “They designed the tower, they looked at everything and talked to (Public Works Director Alec Belson) about where we want to place the tower so it’s out of the way (from residential view). And then, we had to have an offi­ cial surveyor come out. They staked it and they gave us what is called a 2C certifica­ tion,” Lehman said. The certification pertains to FAA requirements con­ cerning tower location and elevation information. “What that means is, the property and the tower have been certified. The survey has been certified to within 50 feet of the center of that tower, which pro­ vides us the (latitude and longitude geographic infor­ mation). So, we need that lat and long for the tower to move forward with the next two phases,” Lehman said. That would entail apply­ ing for the FAA study to determine ifthere would be a hazard to aviation. The sec­ ond step would be to apply for a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study to assess the environmental impact on the area, review­ ing whether Native American burial grounds, protected species, plants or trees might be affected by the tower con­ struction. Lehman said she recently asked county attorney Doug Van Essen to start drafting the lease language for the site. The next step will be for Central Dispatch to begin discussing the planning and zoning process with the vil­ lage Village President Mike Cramer asked her what the tower’s window for electro­ magnetic interference will be. Radio frequency interfer­ ence can affect nearby elec­ tronics. “How high can we put a tornado siren without inter­ fering with your antenna?” he asked. “We’re not that far in the technical part,” Lehman replied. “This is just the physical construction.” Cramer pointed out it would be nice to have a high tower placement of the siren to ensure that it has wide­ spread audibility in the vil­ lage. If Central Dispatch receives all of the necessary approvals — including com­ pletion of the FAA and NEPA studies, plus the vil­ lage zoning and planning process — Lehman said Central Dispatch hopes to break ground for the project in September. “We don’t anticipate that the tower would go live with system acceptance until about December of 2024. It’s that intricate of a process,” she said. FUNDRAISING, continued from page 1 engaged in a 10-week cam­ paign to raise $612,000 for LLS to help pay for blood cancer research, patient educa­ tion, support and advocacy. Last Saturday, Skiba and the Lockwoods were among about 120 people who turned out at the headquarters ofThomapple Township Emergency Services for a Pound Out Cancer event - a cardio jam session inspired by participants playing drums as part of aerobic exercise. Skiba’s husband, Lloyd, is a firefighter for TTES. Participants contributed dona­ tions to take part in the work­ out. “It’s very empowering and it’s uplifting,” Skiba said. “We had the lights off and the purple spotlights going and the music’s loud, and you’re banging along to it. It’s really fun.” Tricia Mosley of Bee Strong Fitness and Kelly Shepherd ofFine Point Fitness teamed up with Skiba to host the event. Skiba took up drum­ ming in 2019 with Shepherd as her instructor and got Mosley to join her for a class. Mosley enjoyed the initial experience so much that she became an instructor herself, Skiba said. A total of23 businesses and community members donated items for a silent auction that was part of the fundraiser, for their blood cancer treatment Skiba said. when they were children.” A total of 12 teams are Skiba is hopeful the LLS competing to see who can fundraising drive will help raise the most money for LLS. develop research to give kids “We surround ourselves better treatments for their ill­ with family and friends and nesses. She also wants the community members we think word to get out to all of Barry can help us raise funds, and County about the ways LLS whoever raises the most can help kids and families amount of money after the 10 dealing with a blood-related weeks is crowned the cancer. Visionary of West Michigan,” “I think it’s important the Skiba said. word gets spread to these rural Although more than 25 communities,” she said. “LLS years have passed since Skiba can help in more ways than went through her cancer treat­ just support. They do a lot of ment, she vividly remembers (things) like (provide) gas the experience. cards, and food cards. When ‘1 did six rounds of chemo- we’re out here, we’re more therapy. Each round had two removed from the people in different medications, so one Grand Rapids (that provide week I would go and do one care), so it’s harder for people part of it, and the second week I would do the other part,” Skiba said. “It was 12 treat­ ments altogether. And then I had 21 rounds of radiation following that.” And unfortunately, kids like Maddie Lockwood are experi­ encing similar treatments today. “They’re giving kids the same doses they’re giving adults,” Skiba said. “As a result, there’s 80 percent of kids that had blood cancer, (that) as adults develop some sort of chronic illness, due to the medications they received CORRECTION A story in last Saturday’s Sun and News incorrectly reported that the Irving Township board had reappointed Lani Forbes and Larry Brummell to be the township’s representatives on the board ofthe Freeport Area Volunteer Department. No such action took place at the March 21 meeting. The Sun and News regrets the error. Participants of “Pound Out Cancer,” an event that featured a popular drumming aerobic exercise routine, pose for a photo in front of a TTES fire truck. to get to treatment.” The LLS campaign runs until May 4. Anyone who like to donate to the effort can do so online at https://pages.lls. org/voy/gr/gr23/cskiba. About 120 people turned out to the headquarters of Thornapple Township Emergency Services for the Pound Out Cancer event and 23 businesses and com­ munity members donated items for a silent auction. FREE Community Breakfast Thornapple Kellogg Middle School teacher Carmen Skiba (left) and 14-year-old Madison Lockwood (right) were driving forces behind the recent fundraising event. Your local agent insures your C ops BUREAU INSURANCE* FARM Saturday. April 8, 2023 Sam-Warn Middleville United Methodist Church 111 Church Street, Middleville Fellowship Hall Menu: Scrambled Eggs, Pancakes Sausage Easter Treat Bags for children IO & under Midugars insurance Company Easter Bunny will RIVER CRUISE VACATIONS Experience the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence & Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. Request our free travel brochure. 1 -800-267-7868 www.StLawrenceCruiseLines.com be present for Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 ]parks®tbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com pictures �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1, 2023 Irving Township board approves budget; Elected officials get pay hike Dorothy Fletcher On Sunday, March 26, 2023, we lost a special moth­ er, grandmother, and special friend, Dorothy Fletcher. She passed away at the age of 103 and entered into heav­ en. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elma Lass of Caledonia; brothers, Bert, Merle and Charlie Lass; and two sonsin-law, Chuck Wilson and Dwight Begerow. Dorothy is survived by four children, Carol Wilson of Caledonia, Richard Aldrich, Beverly (Jim) Tuffs all of Middleville, Sandra (Paul) Pillsbury ofCaledonia; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Dorothy retired from General Motors Plant #2 after working there for 28 years. After retirement, she did food demonstrations and was later hired by Gordon Food Services and worked in the Holland store for 17 years and retired from that when she turned 90. She has been a volunteer at the Michigan Blood Bank for more than 30 years and clocking more than 10,000 hours of volunteering. She was an avid bowler and final­ ly gave that up when she Greg Chandler StaffWriter Elected officials in Irving Township will receive a 3 percent pay raise as part of the new township budget that was passed Monday night. The board unanimously approved a general fund budget for the fiscal year that begins April 1 that calls for expenditures of $433,207 and revenues of $539,353, resulting in a surplus of $106,146. The board also approved a pub­ lic safety fund budget with spending of $171,834 that will cover the cost of fire protection and ambulance service in the township. Supervisor Jamie Knight will see her salary increase to $16,123 under the 3 per- turned 94. She was an avid Tiger fan no matter if they were winning or losing. If she couldn’t watch the game the first time, she would watch the replay. She loved reading and doing puzzles. Dorothy loved to spend time with family and friends. She never failed to amaze all with her ambition. The funeral service was held on Friday, March 31, 2023 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1934 52nd St. SE, Kentwood, MI,, with Pastor Chris Rubino officiating. Interment will be in Holy Comers, Caledonia, MI. Contributions may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or The Yankee Springs Carveth Village Activities Fire Department will host Fund. a blood drive from 2 to Arrangements made by 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 April 3. Versiti Blood 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, Center will be the service MI 49508. provider. cent raise that goes into effect with the start of the new budget year. Clerk Sharon Olson will be paid $22,652 for the fiscal year, while Treasurer Doug Sokolowski will receive $21,014. Trustees Dean Bass and Mike Buehler will each be paid $2,848. Roughly a third of the township general fund bud­ get - $142,648 - will go to pay for roads. That includes $75,000 it will pay to the Barry County Road Commission for gravel and another $23,100 for dust control. In addition, the township will pay the Road Commission an additional $42,570 for crack seal repairs on the following roads: s - Ao.68-mile section of Road #607 “ which includes portions ofEckert, Solomon, Johnson and Crane roads between West State Road and Wood School Road - at a cost of $30,060. - A 2.03-mile section of Parmalee Road, from Robertson Road to Solomon Road, at a cost of $9,135. - A 0.75-mile portion of Willits and Hammond roads, from Woodruff Road north and east to the Carlton Township line, at a cost of $3,375. While not included in the final budget, the board also committed to paying half of the cost for slag seal work on more than 17 miles of township roads that is planned for 2024 in Yankee Springs Fire Department hosting blood drive Ch With The fire station is located at 1425 S. Payne Lake Road in Wayland. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is Only time. Donors at Monday’s blood drive will also have a chance to win an electric bicycle. Questions may be direct- alaska church Our mission Is to worship God and equip Sunday Services: 9:30 AM-Worship 11:00 AM-Sunday School service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 5:00 PM-Youth Group 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study FIRST Sunday Service Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) :30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com cornerstonemi.org/weekend Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 (269) 795-2391 Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS MIDDLEVILLE: Church: NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC _ Sunda 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia; MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 1664 M-37 ©thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathah DeCou .10:30 10:30 AM 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Sunday School .... --------9:30 9:30 AM AM Sunday Worship 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music •' Welch ourservices from dur website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light” Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org t 1 / A‘ VJ, 1 /. / AV < :. : • ■ .JI 7/ ' । 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 10:30AM Middleville 250 Vine Street Serving - Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel BAPTIST Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship committed followers of Jesus Christ who will u ed to Versiti blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD. Appointments are preferred and may be made at donate. mivchigan.versiti.org, but walk-ins are also welcomed. Caledonia United Methodist Church 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE September of this year, in the amount of $138,015. The move allows the town­ ship to lock in next year’s project at this year’s pric­ es. Funding would come from the township’s allo­ cation from the American Rescue Plan Act, Sokolowski said. Under the public safety budget, the township will pay $64,416 to Thornapple Township Emergency Services for fire service and another $4,500 to TTES for ambulance ser­ vice. The township will also pay $58,929 to the Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Department and $43,989 to the BIRCH (Baltimore-IrvingRutland-Carlton-Hastings) Fire Department. 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY •church MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �*W * NA NA TALKING TRASH: Barry County receives stategrant for reCyC 'ng materia,s; management plan on the way James Gemmell Contributing Writer The State Of Michigan is shifting from a focus on dis­ posing of trash to managing materials for their best use, use , which is another way of say-, ing recycling. To assist communities1 with that process, the lid H lid. ssAS sS A ■s* giveS a presentation to the Middleville Village Council at its March 28 meeting. (Photo by James Gemmell) Michigan Department of “However, the good news Environment, Great Lakes in that plan, the waste-man- build new drop-off sites.” If the county decides to and Energy (EGLE) is offer­ agement landfill was (antici­ establish its own materials ing counties the chance to pated) to be full by last year, recovery facility, similar to a apply for Materials but it still hass another 10 recycling center, it can form Management Engagement years. So, that means we’ve a material management com­ Grants. been doing a good job at At Tuesday night’s diverting some of that land­ mittee separate from its Solid Waste Oversight Committee. Middleville Village Council fill waste. That would include at least meeting, Barry County Frantz said the county one elected official each Recycling Coordinator recycling program will from the county, plus a town­ Rachel Frantz announced receive $60,000 for each of that the county’s Materials the next three years, plus an ship, and a village or city. The committee may be set up Managementt Program additional 50 cents per capi- as early as this fall, Frantz recently received the grant. ta. said. She said the recycling proThat will help in prepar­ Meanwhile, the county’s gram submitted a final report ing,, implementing and outlining all ofthe ordinanc­ maintaining these new 2023 Household Hazardous es in the county, and specify­ material management plans. Waste Collection dates have been scheduled. ing which municipalities If we choose to not write hazardous offer drop-off sites and recy­ new plan, the state will Household waste, scrap tires and eleccling. write one for us,” Frantz tronics will be collected “We will be writing a new said. “We’d like to be in at Materials Management Plan. charge ofour own materials no charge during those This plan will replace our management. Once we do events. The first one will very outdated Solid Waste have that plan in the pro- be June 3 at the Barry p Management Plan last updat- cess, Countyy Expo Center in we will be eligible forHastings, from 9 a.m. to 1 ed in 1999,” Frantz said. additional grant funds to p.m. The second collection event will be on Sept. 23 at the same time and place. The Village of Nashville Transfer Station will serve as the site of an electronics collection event on July 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The county secured a Rural Electronics Recycling Grant to help pay for that. “We are asking a $10 donation for TVs and moni­ tors. It is a suggested dona­ tion. We will not turn anyone away,” Frantz said. More details about what can be dropped off and what cannot are listed on the barrycountyrecycles.org web­ site. Village trustee Kevin Smith asked ifthere is a regular collection point for elec­ tronics recycling. Frantz replied tat that Padnos collects repe anoscoects electronics every day, and is partnering with the county o-n------ t--h---e-ggranting irVoVceVsdsi.. g ppiVVVdi State Rep. Rigas addresses Middleville Village Council James Gemmell Contributing Writer ■ iul I® liffii Rnad fimHinn Road funding approved Statdadiuiumm D Darviev,e,T Thhiridrd S Strtereet t, SStatdadiuiumm Dearborn Street, and the intersection of Charles Street and Sherman Street. Republican State Rep. Some local streets will get Angela Rigas provided the a facelift in Middleville this village council with a legis- summer. lative update at its meeting The village council unaniVillage audit pending Tuesday night, and one of mously approved severali-l Siegfriend Crandall PC the topics was gun-safety road construction projects will w conuc conduct an au audit o of thee legislation Tuesday night totaling village’s 2022 finances this A bipartisan package of $530,000 in estimated costs. bills in the state House deals The projects will be on summer. Stolsonburg noted that the village has not updatwith different safety issues. “And we’re actually work­ ing on some legislation with­ in our own office as to fund­ ing safety. You have the gengen­ eral fund, and then you have the bonds. And the bonds are for the buildings, the struc­ tures, the safety around those. Whether it’s the dual-locking doors, the cameras or whatev­ er,” Rigas said. Lawmakers are consider­ ing how they might use bond money to pay for extra secu­ rity equipment and security personnel at schools. “So, even though I voted State Rep. Angela Rigas provides a legislative no on the gun packages update to the Middleville Village Council at its meetbecause it is a clear infringe­ ing in village hall. (Photo by James Gemmell) ment on our Second Amendment rights ... it doesn’t mean I haven’t taken school safety seriously. And we are looking at other ways to secure our schools that are a more common sense approach,” Rigas said. She represents the 79th State House District, which covers portions of Barry, Allegan and Kent counties. In late March, the at cornerstonechurch Democratic-led House approved safe-storage requirements • that would require gun owners to take steps to prevent kids from Good Friday: April 7 accessing a firearm. Rep. Gina Johnsen, R-Lake Easter: April 8 or 9 Odessa, said homeowners might not have the time to protect themselves from an intruder if they have to unlock and load a gun cornerstonemi.org/Easter ■ ■Wii . ed its invest_m_e_n.t policy since 2013. He also said thatt several banks have inquired about becoming the village’s bank. It has been banking with Huntington since it bought out and merged withTCF Bank in June 2021. able paper yard-waste bags. Yard-waste collections will be on the second and fourth Monday ofeach month. to reappoint Di Wilke and Bruce Farrell to the planning commission for three-year terms beginning May 1. Longtime village resiCouncil make board dent and business owner appointments Renee Smith was appointed Some appointments were the to the Downtown Spring clean-up about made at Tuesday’s council Development Authority meeting. Housing board. She is the wife of to begin l Commissioner Darlene trustee Kevin evn Smith, who The village’s la l nnuka Schellinger was reappointed abstained from voting on spring clean-up will take to a five-year term that place on two Saturdays — begins when her current term the appointment because of the potential conflict of April 22 and 29. On April 15, expires on April 30. interest. Also appointed to residents living on the west The council also approved the DDA board was busi­ side ofM-37 can begin placa recommendation from nessman Jake Bennett, who ing items on the edge off a Planning and has been a village resident village street that adjoins Administrator Doug Zoning Powerss for four years. their home. The pick-up date for the west side of M-37 is April 22. Residents on the east side of M-37 can begin placing items streetside next 5/12/49 - 4/4/22 to their homes on April 22. Their pickup date is April 29. Yard waste pickup will start April 10 and brush pick­ up begins April 24. Grass, leaves and other yard waste must be placed in biodegrad- Albert (Dan) Genther < I httle knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life I loved you dearly, in death I do the same. It broke my heart to lose you, you did not go alone; for part ofme went with you the day God called you home. You left me peaceful memories your love is still my guide; and though I cannot see you, you’re always by my side. Our special chain is broken and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Forever in my heart, Love Amy �1 Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1,2023 Caledonia drone program to compete at championship Caledonia EnrichED’s RAD Drone program has reached new heights. The program has six teams to this year’s Aerial Drone Championship. The event has been divided amongst four locations across the United States, including Texas, Mississippi, West Virginia and Michigan, where Caledonia’s teams will compete on May 13-14 at Kettering University. The competition season launched in January with a two-day event in Flint. Caledonia’s RAD Team 7, made up of Grant Feldpausch and Grant Morrell, took home the Programming Award and were named the Autonomous Flight Champion due to their out­ standing autonomous pro­ gramming scores, qualify­ ing them for the champion­ ship event. Kamden Williams of RAD Team 10 was award­ ed the Inspire Award for showing integrity and goodwill toward others, and Ka’eo Briones of team Gods Eyes received the Judges Award for exhibit­ ing exemplary effort and perseverance. The program’s success continued at the West Michigan Aerial Drone Competition in Fennville on March 11, where Caledonia RAD Participants at the West Michigan Aerial Drone Tournament in Fennville (left to right): Anderson Collins, Jackson Heffner, Owen Williams, Ayden Hoisington, Liam Ryan, Landyn Bennett, Grant Morrell, Jackson Bernal, Hailey LaPrath, Mason Banfill, Kamden Williams, Ka’eo Briones, Gavin Grysen, Liam Langeweg, Owen Marshall, Grant Feldpausch, Kate Yard, Zach Little and Nick Amorose. Caledonia took home six of the eight awards. The Unidentified Flying Drones, comprised of Gavin Grysen and Owen Marshall, received the Excellence Award, given to the team that was at, or near, the top of all competition rankings. Landyn Bennett and Owen Williams of RAD Team 8 were named Tournament Champions, having finished in first place. Both are championship qualifiers. RAD Team 7 was once the again named Flight Autonomous again Champion and received the Programming Award. However, because they already qualified for the championship, Nick Amorose and Zach Little of RAD Team 9, who had the second highest skills scored ofthe day, advanced in their place. Jackson Bernal and Hailey Laprath of Mutt Cutts received the Flight Operations Award and Kate Yard, missing teammate Kendall Somerville, of The Flying Squirrels were hon­ ored with the Judges Award. Mutt Cutts, determined to qualify for the champion­ ship, attended the final qualifying tournament of the season at Grandville on March 19, with RAD Team 8 and RAD Team 9. They met their goal, securing the second highest skills score of the day, which also qual­ ified them for the champi­ onship event. West Michigan Aerial Drone Tournament (Fennville) Award Winners included (left to right) Jackson Bernal, Hailey LaPrath, Kate Yard, Gavin Grysen, Owen Marshall, Grand Morrell, Grant Feldpausch, Landyn Bennett, Owen Williams. Road commission ceases enforcement of seasonal weight restrictions The Barry County Road Commission announced early Monday morning that the seasonal weight and speed restrictions are no lon­ ger being enforced. The state-mandated mea­ sures are put in placed every year at the discretion of the state’s Department of Transportation in order to preserve the condition of non-all-season roads during the period of thawing. These are roads are the not specifi­ cally designed to facilitate heavy vehicle loads all year round and become especially vulnerable as the ground thaws and the road bet becomes saturated and spongy. Heavy loads on none-allseason roads during this peri- od of thawing can causing cracks and other forms of damage. As part of the restrictions, legal loads are to be reduced by roughly 35 percent and truck speeds are brought down to 35 miles per hour. This season, weight and speed restrictions were put into place on Feb. 13. Additionally, the Barry County Road Commission announced this week that it is beginning the process of hiring seasonal workers to help facilitate the surge of work that comes with the warmer weather. No experi­ ence is necessary for these general labor positions, which potential applicants can apply for by visiting barrycrc.org. Police: Toddler drowns in pond not far from home in Gaines Township 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-U2 to 6 gears, (We will assist with toilet training) James Gemmell Contributing Writer For the second time in less than a year, a toddler has drowned in Cutlerville. The first incident occurred last May, when the body of 1-year-old Noah Jordan was found in Buck Creek after he had wandered away from his home in the Cutler Estates mobile home park. 8900 Duffy Road, middleville mi 49333 Pleasejoin us. ~ Palm Sunday Service, April 2nd • 10am ~ ~ Good Friday Service, April 7th • 7pm ~ WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION Resurrection Sunday Service julie@stpaulcaledonia.org April 9th • 10am Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. ” Proverbs 22:6 The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says the latest incident happened Sunday afternoon, March 26, when the parents of a 3-year-old boy called 911 Dispatch to say he had disappeared at the Woodfield Apartments complex in Gaines Township. The loca­ tion was near 6260 Woodfield Dr. Police say a video showed the child was standing out­ side ofan apartment building by himself around 1:20 p.m., about one hour before the 911 call was placed. The Sheriff’s Office Dive and Recovery Team later recovered his body in a retention pond several yards from the home, near 60th Street and Eastern Avenue. Sgt. Eric Brunner said police believe the drowning was an accident. Victim advocates were sent in to help the grieving family. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1,2023/ Page 7 Caledonia robotics teams qualify for World VEX IQ Elementary Tournament Three Caledonia VEX IQ teams have qualified to com­ pete with up to 800 other teams from across the globe at the World VEX IQ Elementary Tournament The event will be held May 2-4 at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas. The CobbleCats, comprised ofsixth graders Matthew Bode, Tames Harper, Anthony Trusevich, Dawson VandenToom and Edmund Van Meter, advanced to worlds after taking first place at the state event earning them the Teamwork Champion Award. They also took home the Robot Skills Champion Award and ThinkAward at the competition, which was held at lhe River Raisin National Battlefield in Monroe on March 11. Fifth graders William Angus, Garrett Hawkins, Owen Hayden, Bradley Keson, Mason Pittman and Charlie Schmidt of the Hamters, advanced to worlds after secur­ ing the Teamwork Fourth Place Award at the state event. And while the 45ers, an all-girl team of Kennedy Collins, Emma Damico, Mae Flodin, Leah Marshall and Laela Nonhof, were selected to advance to worlds based on their outstand­ ing skills score, they have declined the invitation in hopes of wrapping up their VEX IQ careers at the event next year. VEX IQ is open to students in grades fourth through sixth, and aims to enhance their sci­ ence, technology, engineering and mathematical skills through hands-on, student-cen­ tered learning. This is file sec­ ond year Caledonia Robotics has had teams qualify for the VEX IQ Worlds event. The CobbleCats are one of three Caledonia VEX IQ teams that have advanced to compete at the world meet in May. (Photo provided) Page Elementary students compete for Battle of the Books title It took 25 rounds of ques­ tions about various books before this year’s Page Elementary Battle of the Books champion was crowned. It came down to two Clara’s - Clara Keizer who eventually won the champion title and Clara McKeown who finished as runner-up. Each of the 19 contestants competing Tuesday in the Clara Keizer (left) was crowned champion in Battle of the Books with Clara McKeown (right) as the run­ ner-up. final rounds were already classroom champions from each of the fourth and fifth grade classrooms. They ner­ vously sat on the high school auditorium stage, each with a paddle listing the title ofbooks they read. As the rest' Of the Page students, teachers and many family members watched, contestants answered question after question about their books. Much like a spelling bee, if a student didn’t answer their question correctly, they were eliminated from the competi­ tion. In most cases, the ques­ tions required the readers to answer very specific details about the books they read, like “What did Ivan’s parents name him and why?” from the book “The One and Only Ivan”; or “What attacked the old dog?” in “The Incredible Journey”; or “When did each person get their savvy?” from the book “Savvy”. TKHS counselor honored by Kellogg Community College Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Kellogg High School counselor Steve Guikema was recently honored by Kellogg Community College for his work with students. Guikema was one of four counselors from the KCC ser­ vice district that received Outstanding Counselor Awards from the college’s admissions office. Guikemajoined Thomapple Kellogg Schools in 2009 as a high school counselor. He had worked in the business world for five years after earning his undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University, then went back to school to earn a master’s of education degree in school counseling from GVSU in 2005. Guikema served as dean of students at Thomapple Thornapple Kellogg High School counselor Steve Guikema. (Photo provided) Kellogg Middle School from 2014-2018, then went back to being a middle school coun­ selor, and then returned to the high school in October 2021. “Steve has been actively engaged with KCC, attending KCC-hosted meetings, look­ ing for additional opportuni­ ties for TK students through KCC, and the main support of .KCC dual-enrolled students at TK,” KCC manager for dual enrollment and early college Angie Bess wrote in an e-mail. “Steve includes the college in various different events hosted by TK, for example, the recent College and Career Fair. He is actively involved in the suc­ cess of his students and pro­ motes a college-going culture at the high school.” Guikema spends his days advocating for students, pro­ viding them with social, emo­ tional and academic support. He says his favorite part ofthe job is getting to know students and building positive relation­ ships with them so that they feel safe, connected, supported and successful. Guikema and his wife, Molly, have four children Ella, 20; Aidan and Jack, 19; and Colleen, 15. Battle of the Books contestants from Page Elementary School sit on stage in the Thornapple Kellogg High School auditorium while classmates and family members watch the contest. (Photos provided) Page has hosted the Battle ofthe Books for several years as a way of encouraging read­ ing and promoting reading for content. Several books are selected for the Battle compe­ tition. Students must read two of the Battle Books for the contest. Finalists in this year’s Battle ofthe Books were Logan Witt, Austin Underhill, Clara Keizer, Clara McKeown, Dominic Galassi, Case Tolan, Shaddik Carpenter, Gracie Caswell, Bailey Rice, Izzy Williams, Ayiesha Ferolino, Sawyer Pelton, Thomas Grabemeyer, Hunter Jordan, Lukas Redick, Norah Wiswell, Maddy Bont, Emi Crews, Mic Price. VOTE YES ON THE CALEDONIA SCHOOLBOND STRONGER SCHOOLS MEAN A STRONGER CALEDONIA. This bond will: Replace outdated buses Replace poofs Improve parking lots Upgrade technology so students get hands-on learning and skills NO tax rate increase! VOTE YES ON TUESDAY, MAY 2 OR CAST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT! for with regulate ends of Caledohia ommunity Schools YESfor �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1,2023 Residents raise concerns about proposed Warren Woods Preserve development in Gaines Twp. James Gemmell Contributing Writer Developers ofthe proposed 165-unit Warren Woods Preserve mixed-use housing complex in Gaines Township must address several concerns, ifthey want the planning com­ mission to give a favorable recommendation to the town­ ship board. A public hearing was held at the planning commission’s March 23 meeting in the town­ ship hall. Warren Woods Preserve would be built on two parcels at 2355 - 76th Street and 2201 - 76th St. That is on the north side of76th Street, just west of Breton Avenue. It is in the Caledonia/Dutton area of the township. Community Development Director Dan Wells gave a 25-minute-long explanation of the proposed project before 16 residents spoke at the hearing. They cited many concerns, including the potential impacts on traffic and water runoff, plus the loss oftrees along the northern property line. Some commissioners also said the plan should include a paved public trail, in accordance with township’s recently adopted Parks & Trails master plan, which envisions an intercon­ necting trail system on the south end ofthe township. The 56-acre Warren Woods project would be built west of another housing development, Alexander Trails, that is pro­ posed to be constructed in multiple phases over several years on 159 acres. Several residents said they were wor­ ried about the extra traffic that two large residential developments would create. Because public water and sewer lines are not allowed in an RL-14 already were proposed to be zoning district. Todd Stuive with Exxel extended from the Crystal Springs subdivision to Engineering gave a presenta­ Alexander Trails, Wells said it tion to the planning commis­ is possible developers ofboth sion at the March 23 planning projects might consider shar­ commission meeting on behalf ing in the cost of the utility of GRI. He noted there is a tributary to Plaster Creek that extensions. The Warren Woods project separates the eastern portion would include 33 four-unit of the property from the rest of towns houses, or 132 total it. There also are two wetland units in the southwest section corridors that run through the of the development. Each site, and some man-made would have its own attached retention ponds in an other­ single-stall garage. The town­ wise largely wooded area. homes would have a combina­ Open space accounts for 16.5 tion oftwo- or three-bedroom acres, or about 30 percent of units and a homeowners asso- the total land area. A dog park would be located near the ciation would be established. “We did find out the south­ entrance on the northwest side. Stuive said there would be ern portion of the project will likely remain as a single two land-division parcels with owner,” Wells said. “So, those access off from 76th Street in are potentially going to be the northern section where the rental houses, at this point. All single-family lots would go. the townhomes will be rent­ The townhome area to the als.” west would have a private, Two different color schemes internal roadway system with are proposed for the townho- two access points onto 76th mes. In addition, there would Street. be 33 single-family lots on the “There are walking trails northern section ofthe proper­ throughout. These are planned ty. The lots would be serviced to be just a nature trail, not a by public streets. Not includ- hard-paved trail, ifyou will. It ing the wetlands area, the resi- would be just wood chips or a dential density would be close mowed, maintained area,” he to the township’s recommend­ said. ed threshold of four units per Township staffsaid the lay­ acre maximum. out submitted for Warren In August 2022, the plan­ Woods would not be compati­ ning commission reviewed the ble with adjacent uses. proposed development for the “This is where staffdoesn’t first time and gave tentative think it necessarily meets the approval of a preliminary site standard, just because there’s plan. The developer, Grand no plan for setting aside any Ridge Investments (GRI), of the woodline,” Wells said, sought to have the property adding that the 30-foot set­ rezoned from a residential backs could be widened in the (RL-14) designation to a rear yards of the northerly planned unit development, lots. because four-unit townhomes “I think it still leaves them an adequate building enve­ lope. But it would also help, I think, assuage some of the folks who are here concerned about the loss of the trees down in that area,” Wells said. Residents spoke out about the additional traffic they expect will result from the development of 30 lots on the north side ofthe property. “Those concerns on traffic are that, basically, there is a single exit and entry point for this portion of the develop­ ment for several years,” Wells said. “And, really, that Mountain Knoll (Avenue) is going to become the primary way in and out.” Wells said the roads around the development are built to handle the traffic. “The townhouses are accessing 76th Street. That is also built enough for this,” he said. Former Kent County Commissioner Bill Hirsch was the first resident to speak at the public hearing. “I would like to invite each and every one ofyou to drive on Breton (Avenue) and go north, and try to turn right or left ... onto 76th Street,” he said. “It is a deadly intersec­ tion that we have here in Gaines Township. Cars disap­ pear down in that hole (hill) and you cannot see them com­ ing out.” Hirsch noted that the Warren Woods project would be in the Kentwood Public Schools district, but also near the Caledonia Community Schools district border. “I don’t know how many of you realize that Caledonia Public Schools has a district that is four times the size of ’ Sunday, April 9th 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m An architectural sketch of a potential Warren Woods Preserve townhouse. (Provided by Gaines Township) East Kentwood. We’re going to be facing a millage this spring. This type of develop­ ment does not pay its own way. That’s why they come to the taxpayers and ask us for more money all the time,” he said. Shelly Duncan says she has lived in a home on 76th Street for 26 years, and has wit­ nessed multiple car crashes. “I have witnessed my neighbor getting killed by a hit-and-run driver. I witness every year multiple accidents right down the street... I have witnessed so many animals get killed in that section ofthe road, I cannot stand it,” she said. Daniel McSorley lives on Breton Avenue at 76th Street. He said his son got in an acci­ dent at that intersection. McSorley also voiced concern about flooding. “I look at this as a lot trying to be crammed into a small area... ifwe get three-quarters of an inch to an inch of rain, my backyard floods. Any more than that and it’s coming up to the house,” he said. Amy Sharp said her moth­ er’s yard on Breton Avenue floods constantly and wonders where the new developments would push the water. “I grew up walking in six inches of water in our back­ yard all the time. It’s a swamp ... where is all that water going to go? What is this going to do to the property taxes? What is this going to do to the property values?” she asked. Also, Vice Chair Ronnie Rober said she would rather see paved trails installed in the Warren Woods develop­ ment than the wood chips or mowed trail the developer proposed. Stuive said the trail network in the development would be private. But Wells said it should be built to connect, eventually, to the future trail system in Alexander Trails as part of a public network that would connect to 76th Street. And it should be built to a good stan­ dard so it will hold up for years. “We want it, eventually, to connect with Prairie Wolf Park somehow,” he told Stuive. “That is the intent of the township, to create a trail that will cut through here and eventually connect the Dutton area with Prairie Wolf Park. And that will take a long time.” He added, “If you’re not willing to do that, then the planning commission should understand that this is really not a public benefit that you’re putting in here. Because one of our PUD requirements is that there is a public benefit to the township. And this is a key piece of that If you’re not going to do this as a public trail, then that takes (away) one of the things that we would approve here. And we could make a negative recom­ mendation to the (township) board.” A representative for the developer said they would be open to options for an ease­ ment for the public trail, but would like to know what the developer’s responsibilities would be in the future related to the trail and who would maintain it. At that point, Rober sug­ gested the discussion be tabled for now. The developer may come back to the planning commission in May with revi­ sions to its proposal. Fabricsfor Easter, Mother's Day, Graduations, Birthdays GUN LAKE COMMUNITY CHURCH www.gunlakecommunitychurch.org 269.795.7903 12200 West M-179 Hwy., Wayland, Ml 49348 Make a tote, pillow, quilt, curtains, tablecloth, placemats, ts, potholders, aprons, more W. Ml 79 Hwy. Chief Noonday Rd. Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station tt9o» Station fEf £ QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; TST Saturday 9 am-3 pm �_ The Sun and News, Saturday. April 1, 2023/ Page 9 — Michigan income tax rate to drop to 4.05 percent, but just for one year “Sbtr *4% I I ®®»n i Ifekii Mify ®fee»i ipM!a I fctaftk tfliiib linii titaw : tap ta« irano nkjta until Ikjtat Jonathan Oosting Bridge Michigan Michigan’s individual income tax rate will fall from 4.25 percent to 4.05 percent for the 2023 tax year, state Treasurer Rachel Eubanks confirmed Wednesday. The cut will be short­ lived, however. The income tax rate will return to 4.25 percent in 2024, Eubanks said, citing a legal opinion released this week by Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel that infuriated Republicans who contend the cut should be consid­ ered permanent. Michigan’s “strong eco­ nomic position” led to the soaring state revenues that triggered the cut called for in a 2015 road funding law, said Eubanks, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “When Michiganders file was sitting on a roughly their 2023 state income $7.5 billion general fund taxes in 2024, they will see surplus. Officials in January the rate adjustment in the predicted that surplus could form of less tax owed or a reach $9.2 billion by fall,, larger refund,” Eubanks but Whitmer and the continued in a statement. Legislature have already The 2015 law in question agreed to spend some of raised fuel taxes and regis­ that money, and the gover­ tration fees to help fund nor’s record $79 billion road repairs. But to win budget proposal would use over conservative lawmak­ most of the rest. ers, then-Republican Gov. Every Michigander who Rick Snyder agreed to pays income taxes will see include a provision that some benefit under the onewould force an income tax year rate cut announced rate cut in any year where Wednesday, but the state’s the state was flush with flat rate means wealthier excess tax collections. people will save the most A report released late money on a dollar-to-dollar Wednesday by the state basis. shows Budget Office A single filer who earns Michigan was indeed flush $30,000 would save about with cash in 2022, ending $50, while a filer who earns the year with $14.2 billion $1 million would save more in general fund and general than $2,000. purpose revenues, up from Whitmer last year vetoed $12.5 billion the prior year. GOP bills that would have As of Oct. 1, the statepermanently cut the state’s IN MEMORY OF Paul L Dykstra In loving memory of Hus­ band, father and grandfather who passed away 3 years ago on April 3,2020. 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But on Wednesday, she celebrated the one-year reduction that Nessel cited. “As a result of our grow­ ing economy and strong fis­ cal management, Michigan’s state income tax will decrease to its lowest in 15 years,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Our state is headed in the right direction, bolstered by low unemployment, projects bringing jobs and supply chains home, and fiscally responsible, bipartisan leadership.” Republicans on Tuesday blasted Nessel for her legal opinion that the tax cut will last only a year. Snyder and Republican legislative leaders who approved the legis­ lation eight years ago said the cut was intended to be permanent. “The level to which Gov. Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel will go to WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS deny the working people of Michigan tax relief has reached a new low,” current Senate Minority Leader Arie Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, said in a state­ ment. Republicans say Nessel’s opinion could spur lawsuits. But because Democrats now control the Legislature, it’s likely any legal challenge would have to come from outside groups. “In the last 24 hours, we’ve heard from taxpay­ ers, small businesses, and elected officials regarding this latest attempt by Governor Whitmer and Democrats to deny an income tax cut required by state law,” Nesbitt spokes­ person Jeff Wiggins said Wednesday. “At this point, we’re keeping all options on the table in our fight to defend Michigan’s working fami- lies.” Cutting the income tax rate to 4.05 percent will cost the state about $650 million in lost revenue, according to the Michigan Treasury. The one-year rate cut is the latest development in a long-running tax policy battle in Lansing, where Whitmer last year vetoed multiple GOP bills before working this year with new Democratic majorities to approve more targeted tax breaks for low-income workers and retired pen­ sioners. 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In Memory tin® DeWeerd For Rent S Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs / State & I-CAR Certified Technicians t/ Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies LESONAL Water Boyme System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. LENNOX 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner AU B CSCIRN 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1, 2023 CHS girls wipe out Bulldog lead in last two races Brett Bremer Sports Editor A. three point deficit was wiped away with senior Natalia Quigley finishing first in the 3200-meter run and junior teammate Kloe Kimbrell placing third. The Caledonia varsity girls’ track and field team then clinched a 71-66 win in a non-conference dual with Byron Center to open the sea­ son inside Ralph. E. Myers Stadium with the team of Alyssa DeFields, Avah Winstrom, Leah Thompson and Teresa Abraham winning the 4x400-meter relay by about three seconds over the Byron Center foursome in the race. The seniors Winstrom and Thompson and juniors DeFields and Abraham put up a time of4 minutes 31.21 sec­ onds in that final race of the day. Quigley had a winning time of 12:57.53 in the 3200meter run. It was a sweep for. the Caledonia teams. The Caledonia boys took an 84-53 win over the Bulldogs. Winstrom had a big day for the Caledonia girls. She won the 400-meter dash in a per­ sonal record time of 1:02.38 and the 200-meter dash in 27.70 seconds. The Scots went 1-2 in both of those races. Sophomore Avalynn Klapmust was the runner-up in the 400 and junior Audrey Howell was second in the 200. Howell also won the 100meter hurdles in 16.64. The Caledonia girls won three of the day’s four relays. DeFields, Kimbrell, Quigley and Thompson took the 4x800-meter relay in 10:37.12. Ashleigh Adams, Sydney Mertz, Brooke Heyboer and Abraham won the 4xl00-meter relay in 52.54. The Bulldogs made up for some of those points in the field. The Byron Center girls had five of the six scoring spots in the throws with junior Madison Leifer and senior Chloe Feather going 1-2 in the discus and swapping those The Caledonia varsity boys’ track and field team celebrates its season-opening win over visiting Byron spots in the shot put Junior Molly Winger set her Center inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium Monday. persona] record in the pole vault to win that event for the Caledonia girls, clearing the bar at 10 feet 7 inches. Freshman teammate Hei Ler Pew won the longjump by flying 14-5. Caledonia had Juniors Owen Hager and Jordan Gutierrez and senior Jordan Domany win two individual events each. Gutierrez was a three-time champ. He won the long jump with a mark of 20-8.5 and the high jump by clearing 5-10. He also teamed with junior Dharius Walker, senior Jimmie Floyd and junior The Caledonia varsity girls’ track and field team celebrates a 71 -66 win over Byron Center, which came Brock Townsend to win the down to the final race, inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium Monday in Caledonia. 4xl00-meter relay in 44.48. Hager won the hurdles run in 4:42.19 and the 3200- time of 11.38, a new personal 800-meter run. Junior Ayden ter relay in 8:47.26. races. He took the 110-meter meter run in 10:25.95. He led record, in the 100-meter dash. Duffin won it in 2:09.02, with The Fighting Scots start the high hurdles in 15.15 and the a sweep of the three scoring Junior Sheldon Thomas won Jonathan Miedema second OK Red Conference season at 300-meter intermediate hur­ spots in the 3200 with fresh­ the 400-meter dash in a per­ and Micah Nagel third. West Ottawa April 12 and dles in 44.44. Miedema, Nagel, senior then will be home for their man Eli Veiling second and sonal record time of 52.08. Domany took the distance junior Levi Moss third. The Caledonia boys also Anthony Lawlor and Duffin annual Soderman Relays April races, winning the 1600-meter Walker added a winning swept the three top spots in the teamed to win the 4x800-me15. CHS girls score big win Thornapple Kellogg girls over Grandville lacrosse go into spring break 2-2 The Caledonia varsity girls’ lacrosse team evened its record at 2-2 heading into spring break with a domi­ nant performance against Grandville Wednesday eve­ ning. The Fighting Scots took a 17-3 win over the Bulldogs, two days after an 11-9 loss to Northview. The Caledonia girls will return to action Monday, April 10, taking on Portage Northern at Scotland Yard. IMPORTANT! MUD Get it before the New Prices come out! Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team was busy before breaking for spring break. The Trojans put together a 2-2 record in non-conference matches in March. Grand Rapids Christian took a 3-1 win over the Trojans Wednesday at Eagle Stadium in Grand Rapids to head into the break. The Trojans are 2-0 at home and 0-2 on the road this season. They knocked off visiting Northview Monday after an 0-3 loss last Friday, March 24, at Lowell. Natalie Borrink scored her first goal of the season and Holly Veiling found the back of the net for the Trojans in the win over Northview in Middleville Monday. Tealy Cross assisted on both of her team’s goals. The TK ladies will open OK Gold Conference play when they return from break, playing host to Wayland April 12. VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT High Efficiency Furnace & Air PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., the Planning Commission of the Village of Caledonia will hold a public hearing at the Caledonia Village Hall, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, to receive comments concerning a proposed amendment to the Village ofCaledonia Zoning Ordinance. 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W " y. v | . �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1, 2023/ Page 11 Barry-Roubaix race returns to area’s gravel roads this month Jayson Bussa Editor Event organizers are in the final stretch ofplanning as the annual Bany-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race that is poised to bring 4,600 riders and their supporters to the area on Saturday, April 15. “We’re looking at probably the largest crowd we’ve ever had for it,” said Matt Acker, one of the race’s co-directors. “We have always focused on sustainable growth so that it won’t cause problems either for the city or its residents. We also want to make sure the event quality lives up to the standards ofour riders, as well, so they don’t think anything has been sacrificed there.” The yearly event debuted in 2009 and was moved to Hastings seven years ago after being held around the Gun Lake area. After making Hastings its home base, race organizers have had no trouble bringing out riders and their supporters in droves. In fact, the event routinely sells out as organizers cap the number of participants in order to pre­ serve the quality ofthe race. The race still traverses grav­ el roads throughout Yankee Springs and the Barry State Game Area south of Middleville, with the 36-mile “Thriller” race, the 62-mile “Killer’ ’ race and the 100-mile “Psycho-Killer” race hitting the eastern shore of Gun Lake along Hastings Point Road. This year’s Bany-Roubaix sold out in a matter of a month upon registration opening. Acker recalled a year where the race completely sold out in a single week. Race organizers typically welcome injust north of4,000 riders, but this year, Acker said they are expanding the field. “We were usually at the 4,000 mark for the last several years,” Acker said. “This year, we said ‘Let’s try another 500 people.” “We’ll go to meetings sometimes and people are like ‘Why don’t you just let 5,000 people do it?’ We want to make sure that we don’t hit that number and have issues.” The race features courses of 18, 36, 62 and 100 miles in length. But even beyond the on-course action, BarryRoubaix surrounds the races with festivities - something that Acker said he and his team are looking to flesh out this year. “We’re expanding - Friday, there won’t be any racing but we put some more energy behind having our afterparty area more active. We’ll have people out group riding, have some music playing, a bever­ age service that Hastings Rotary will be operating and just some raffles, giveaways and a bunch of fun stuff.” Acker acknowledged that The Barry-Roubaix Killer Gravel Road Race will once again traverse the gravel roads between Hastings and Yankee Springs, April 15, bringing more than 4,000 cyclists to the area. (File photo) weather is the one variable that is both out of his team’s control and has the power to dictate the success of the event. Last year, Hastings saw significant snowfall the night before. But still, Acker isn’t necessarily keeping an eagle eye on the forecast. “We don’t find (weather) stressful,” he said. “There are spring classics that have been a thing for a long time and people should know what they’re getting into. And, we spell it out that the weather can be anything. Barring anything like tornadoes and extreme weather, yea, that would not be good. But last year the course turned out pretty great even though it snowed the night before. The dirt roads hold up pretty well.” TK tennis girls bested in their first two duals of new season Brett Bremer Sports Editor Otsego and Holland got the best ofthe Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ tennis team in the opening week ofthe 2023 sea­ son. Fourth singles player Thea Zellmer picked up the lone point for the TK ladies in a 7-1 loss to Otsego in Middleville Tuesday. Zellmer took the opening set 6-2 against the Bulldogs’ Sidney Morris, then fell 6-0 in set number two. She righted the ship for a 10-7 win in a super tiebreaker. The Trojans and Bulldogs split sets at two flights. The Trojan fourth doubles team of Emma Thompson and Emilia Rickert went to a super tie­ breaker with the Bulldogs’ Cierra Swope and Annaliese Podewell. The Bulldog duo took the opening set 6-4, but couldn’t beat out the TK ladies in a second-set tiebreaker. The Trojans took a 7-6(5) win. The super tiebreaker was an extended one, with Swope and Podewell eventually pulling off a 16-14 victory. The top two doubles flights were close as well. The Bulldog team of Sydney Grile and Anna Moore at number one pulled out a 6-3,6-3 win over the Trojans’ top duo of Cailin Wodrich and Libby Hess. Sophie Maxwell and Sydney Holland also scored a 6-3, 6-3 win for Otsego at second doubles against the TK team ofTyne Bufka and Kaitlyn Culson. Holland bested the TK ladies 8-0 in the season opener Monday afternoon. Libby LeFebre led the sweep for die Dutch by outscoring the Trojans’ top singles player, Charlotte Nelson, 6-3,6-1. TK second singles player Hailey Dudik fought to try and get to a third set, but was best­ ed by Holland’s Ahava LeFebre in a tiebreaker at the end ofthe second set. LeFebre won by the scores of 6-1, 7-6(4) in the end. TK took a handful ofgames at all four singles flights. Holland’s Lizzi Munster Scots put together a couple big opening innings against FHC Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity soft­ ball team opened its season with a sweep of a doublehead­ er with visiting Forest Hills Central Tuesday. The Scots took the opener 10-2 and then pounded out a quick 16-2 win in the second game. Malia Burke had a grand slam in the first inning and six total RBIs in game two. Her big blast was part of a 12-run first inning in the night cap for the Scots. The first seven Scots reached base and scored before the Rangers recorded their first out. MacKenzie DeVries led-off and started the rally with a single and then started a sec­ ond surge with two out with a second first-inning single. Burke’s grand slam, in her second at-bat of the inning, brought home the final four runs on the first inning. DeVries and Burke were both 3-for-4 at the plate in game two. Burke finished with 5 RBI. Lieske and Marisa Kohn drove in 2 runs each. Molly Lieske, Burke and Kala Bisterfeldt scored 3 runs each. The Scots had 11 hits in all in game two. MacKenzie Parker had 2 hits and Kohn, Lieske and Bisterfeldt had one each. Lieske got the win in the circle. She struck out 3, walked 1 and allowed 2 hits. She didn’t give up an earned run. The Scots started the opener strong too, scoring five runs in the first inning. DeVries and Bisterfeldt, the top two hitters in the line-up, both had 2 hits with a run scored and an RBI. DeVries had a single and a double. The only other extra base hit for the Scots in game one was a triple off the bat of Jaz Dana. Dana was 3-for-4 at the plate with 3 runs and 3 RBI. She was also the winning pitcher. She struck out 9, walked 1 and allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits. MacKenzie Parker matched Dana’s 3-for-3 performance at the plate. The Scots’ first base­ man drove in 1 run and scored once too. Caledonia also got hits from Kohn, Burke and Avery Hallo in game two. Hallo drove in two runs. The Scots had a Wednesday afternoon contest at Sparta canceled. They will return to action at Calvin Christian o(j COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Digital TV Antennas Cell Phons Boosters 269.967.8241 TV ANTENNA & TOWER INSTALLATION www.theantennarnen.com The minutes of the March 14, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on March 28, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villageofmiddleville.org April 12. They open the OK Red Conference season at Grandville April 13. NOTICE TO CREDITORS TO ALL CREDITORS: NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The decedent, Marion Wortley (date of birth June 12, 1935), Grantor of the Dean Wortley and Marion Wortley Living Trust dated November 12, 1988(as amended and restat­ ed October 9, 2003), who lived at 6816 Nicholas Drive, Middleville, Michigan 49333 died February 27, 2023. Creditors of the decedent are notified that all claims against the Trust will be forev­ er barred unless presented to the current Trustee, David M. Wortley, whose address is 6816 Nicholas Drive, Middleville, Michigan 49333, or to the attorney for the Trustee, Kathleen F. Cook at 121 South Cochran Ave., Charlotte, Ml 48813 within 4 months after the date of publication of this notice. Date: March 30, 2023 Law Office of Kathleen F. Cook Kathleen F. Cook P31842 121 S. Cochran Ave. Charlotte, Ml 48813 (517) 543-7643 edged TK’s Holly Carpenter 6-3, 6-2 at third singles and Holland’s Abby Sanchez scored a 6-2, 6-3 win over TK’s Zellmer at number four. The tightest ofthe four dou­ bles matches was at number two where the Holland team of Natalie Legg and Emma Hulst scored a 7-5, 7-5 win over Bufka and Culson. The Thomapple Kellogg girls open the OK Gold Conference season at home April 12 against Wayland and then will host a non-conference dual with Caledonia April 13. 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHI­ GAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on April 20, 2023, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also pro­ vide comments for the Planning Commission’s consideration by emailing Or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joseph Shea (ioeshea@yankeespringstwp.org). Letters and emails are due by April 14 or by leaving a phone mes­ sage prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the follow­ ing: 1. SEU 23-03-02 Parcel ID: 16-125-001-20. V/L Heritage Bay Dr. Parcel B, Middleville Ml 49333. A. A request by property owner, Gregory Clark, for a Special Exception Use to build an outbuilding accord­ ing to section 12.7.4 “Outbuildings. Special Exception Use.” I. The property is a vacant wood lot approx­ imately 1.028 acres in size. The property is zoned RSF (Residential Single Family), and there is no dwelling on the property. The applicant is requesting a special exception use to build a 1600-square foot accessory building on the property. 2. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Town­ ship Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Shana Bush, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 1,2023 First win for Scots comes against defending D2 champs Caledonia junior attacker Jocelyn Herrema drives past Forest Hills junior defender Abby Busch into the Rangers’ box during the first half Friday, March 24. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia junior midfielder Abby Kramer turns by Forest Hills Central junior midfielder Syd Ryan to put the Scots on the attack during the second half in Grand Rapids Friday, March 24. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor In the blink of an eye, the Rangers’ best chance turned into the Fighting Scots’ win­ ning goal. Caledonia junior defender Laney Peterson came streak­ ing across the Scots’ defensive end from right to left, leaping in to deflect away what looked like a clear 1-v-l chance for Forest Hills Central senior attacker Dailey Tucker in front of goalkeeper Davanee Balczak. The ensuing Ranger comer kick turned into a counter attack for the Fighting Scots. Senior midfielder Jocelyn Herrema pushed through the midfield for the Scots, beating one defender and then turning around another before rolling a pass ahead for senior for­ ward Gracie Gortmaker. Headed for the left post, Gortmaker hit the brakes a couple strides inside the 18 to shake the last defender and stepped to her right. She col­ lected herself and fired a low hard shot by Ranger keeper Lara Butlevics in the 16th minute. It was a direct, but also patient, charge up field that accounted for the Scots’ lone goal in a 1-0 non-conference victory over the defending Division 2 state champions last Friday - the Scots’ first win of the season. Caledonia is now 2-1-1 overall heading into spring break. They followed up the win over the Rangers with a 4-1 win over Cedar Springs We Accept & DELTA DENTAL* eep and then closed out the March slate with a 0-0 draw against Byron Center. The rest of the contest at Forest Hills Central, after the Scots’ opening goals, was played mostly between the boxes. Gortmaker broke free for another strong shot in the 67th minute, in the second half, but Butlevics managed to punch that one over her net. Balczak wasn’t tested much in net, but took care ofthe few other chances that came her way to earn the shut out with the help of her defense which kept any miscues few and far between and was level-headed in working the ball out of its end into the midfield. It was the season-opener for the Rangers, while the Fighting Scots had gotten one contest in previously against rival South Christian. In the 4-1 win at Cedar Springs Monday, the Fighting Scots got goals from Herrema and Gortmaker in the first half and then two more from Herrema in the second 40 minutes. Laney Peterson assisted on Herrema’s opening goal five minutes into the game. Kendall Maynard added an assist for the Scots in the sec­ ond half. Cedar Springs scored late after the Scots had built a 4-0 lead. The Scots were back in action at Scotland Yard Tuesday to face Byron Center. On a cold, windy evening the defenses were stout in the first half and the few chances created in the second 40 min­ utes were all kept out of the net. Balczak scored her second shut out of the season in goal for the Scots. Caledonia returns from break April 11 with a game at Grand Ledge and then will be home April 15 taking on Forest Hills Eastern. The OK Red Conference season starts April 18 at Grandville. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. One-Stop Dentistry! (We do I Replants) We e speca specialize ze in n the e prevenon, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Gracie Gortmaker, (from left) Jocelyn Herrema and Josie Wilcox celebrate Gortmaker’s goal which put the Scots up 1 -0 during the first half of their non-conference match at Forest Hills Central High School Friday, March 24. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-04-08.pdf 7fc45539aeb64b4bc145d6d18bec1b37 PDF Text Text )&S$tt&2tew$~ WWWWBS Jjj1 ■ Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas ^°‘ Apr** 8* 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year New director of Middleville DDA stepping down after weeks on the job James Gemmell Contributing Writer Less than three months after Middleville Downtown Development Authority director Katherine Bussard resigned, her recently hired replacement is stepping down. The Middleville Downtown Development Authority board scheduled a special meeting on Friday, April 7, to accept the resig­ nation of DDA Director Emily Lee. The meeting was to be held in the council chambers at village hall. On Tuesday, Lee submit­ ted a resignation letter to the DDA. She wrote, in part: “The DDA and the Village of Middleville have been extremely welcoming and kind to me, and for that I am The Yankee Springs Township Hall now has a new, secure entrance located within the addition that was sincerely thankful. My built on to the original structure. (Photos by Greg Chandler) NEW DIGS: Yankee Springs Township Hall expansion, renovation wraps up Greg Chandler StaffWriter Nearly nine months after breaking ground, the expan­ sion and renovation of the Yankee Springs Township Hall is complete, weeks ahead of schedule. The hall officially reopened this week, with furnishings being moved into the hall on Friday. The first township board meet­ ing in the renovated meet­ ing space will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday at the hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd. “We’ve got a punch list of things that still need to be done ... but overall, I think we got more than we expected (from the proj­ ect),” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said Friday. “The last details, just like building a house, take the longest to finalize.” Ground on the project was broken last July, with the first phase ofwork con- sisting of the addition of more than 1,700 square feet to the original 4,000-squarefoot structure that was built in the early 1970s. The original timetable called for the project to be completed in May. Once the expansion was completed, offices were moved into the addition and work began on renovating the original office space and the meeting room where township meetings are held. The old office space has now been converted into a spacious meeting room. There is a new secure office entrance on the north side of the building where the deputy clerk and deputy treasurer will greet visitors; dedicated office space for the township supervisor, treasurer, clerk, assessor Emily Lee has resigned and zoning administrator; and a secure space to store as Middleville Downtown Development job. (Photo Gemmell) Seneca Ridge final plat approved, despite complaints about tree removal Jon Male of Exxel Engineering, representing Visser Brothers, explains the second phase of the Seneca Ridge development to the Middleville Commission Planning Tuesday. Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Planning Commission Tuesday approved the final plat for the second phase of the Seneca Ridge residential development on the village’s north side. However, commissioners aren’t happy with the project developer over the removal of trees last summer from an area between Seneca Ridge and the neighboring Carveth Village retirement communi­ ty- Just three hours before Tuesday’s meeting, village Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers received an e-mail from Carveth Village owner Steve Peters and administrator Director See YANKEE SPRINGS, page 3 less than a month on the Makenzi Peters documenting the removal of the trees by project developer Visser Brothers. Powers shared the e-mail with commissioners at the meeting. The Sun and News received a copy of the e-mail through a Freedom of Information Act request. “Last year in July, while See SENECA RIDGE, page 2 experience working closely with the Village of Middleville has been noth­ ing but positive. And I encourage the DDA to con­ tinue to work collaborative­ ly with village leadership. It has been a pleasure meeting new people through this role, and I wish our commu­ nity the best. Warm regards, Emily Lee.” DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim responded with this statement to the Sun and News: “Emily accomplished a lot in her short time with the DDA. For personal reasons, she had to leave and we are respecting her privacy. We are thankful for the time she could give us. She was easy to work with, and blended right into the position with ease.” Jachim said a public job notice seeking a new DDA director would be posted immediately. The village council voted 6-0 on March 14 to approve her appointment to the director’s position, which has an annual salary of A $55,000. DDA search-and-interview com­ mittee consisting of DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim, DDA Vice Chairwoman Kristen Fisher and DDA board member Andrew Beck had recommended Lee to the council. About a dozen people had applied for the position and the selection committee interviewed three finalists. Bussard, the previous DDA director, resigned on by James See STEPPING DOWN, page 2 �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023 SENECA RIDGE, continued from page 1 the area was being cleared, Visser Brothers contractors began working without noti­ fying Carveth Village own­ ership or management and regularly encroached on Carveth Village property,” the e-mail said. “In the pro­ cess, they cut down mature trees that were healthy and well over 8 inches in diame­ ter. In addition to the clear­ ing process, Visser contrac­ tors damaged roots ofmature trees on Carveth Village property, it is unclear the extent of what the damage will cause.” The e-mail called on the planning commission to require Visser Brothers to restore the tree buffer along the property line between Seneca Ridge and Carveth Village. “I ask the planning com­ mission to keep consistency in what is expected of our developers to adhere to, and how we enforce compliance of our ordinances,” the e-mail said. “Smaller devel­ opers, including Carveth Village, have all been asked to maintain a certain degree of privacy between neigh­ bors. Preserving the Middleville feel is done by keeping foliage or replanting trees to provide a natural green-belt buffer.” Makenzi Peters is a trustee on the Middleville Village Council, which is expected to take up the final plat request when it meets next Tuesday. Another council trustee, Richard Hamilton, ripped the tree removal at Tuesday’s meeting. “I live there (at Carveth Village). I watched what happened,” said Hamilton, who is the council’s liaison to the planning commission. “They actually encroached over their own survey lines onto Carveth Village proper­ ty. I know you can’t reverse something like this, but it is wrong. It was wrong. It was a clear-cut operation. There were young men out there having a ball, with no super­ vision, no labeling of trees ... what ought to stay, what can go. They even fell a tree on Carveth’s roof. “I’m not going to sit here and say this is a good neigh­ bor policy. It’s a bad neigh­ bor policy,” Hamilton added. Jon Male of Exxel Engineering, representing the developer, said he “wasn’t aware of the issues with Carveth.” “We graded those houses for having a standard house, and there’s some drainage swales in the back,” Male told commissioners. “I’m not going to say they couldn’t have left a little bit more of a buffer in the back.” “If they were on Carveth’s property, the restoration ought to take place,” Commissioner Bruce Farrell responded. But Planning Commission Chairman Jason Holzhausen said the encroachment com­ plaint was not a matter for commissioners to address. ' “If the contractors that did the tree clearing did encroach, that would be on Carveth to file a complaint,” Holzhausen said. “It’s not with this body ... It would be a civil matter for the courts.” Male said he would speak to Visser Brothers officials about the tree removal issue. “Maybe there are some trees that can get put back on that back line, as a good-faith (gesture),” he said. One of the conditions of approval for the final plat addresses trees. It says all trees over eight inches in diameter “shall remain to the greatest extent possible,” Powers wrote in a memo to the planning commission. Other conditions for approval include installation of directional signage for safe traffic circulation, highback curbs on all public streets, and construction of a pedestrian pathway and side­ walk. The Village Council had approved the preliminary plat for Phase II of Seneca Ridge in January of last year. The new phase consists of 13.7 acres and will double the size of the development from 38 to 76 lots. It wil run adjacent to the existing first phase of the project, west of M-37 and north of West Main Street. The first phase of Seneca Ridge, which is owned by Middleville Road LLC, was originally conceived as part of the Towne Center planned unit development that was approved in 2003. But the land remained largely undeveloped until a few years ago, when increased demand for hous­ ing in Middleville led to the construction and selling of single-family homes on the northern portion of the property. Most of the hous­ es have been sold in the last three years. The addition will result in Middleville Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers answers a commissioner’s question about the removal of trees dividing the Seneca Ridge development from the Carveth Village retirement community. greater street and utility con­ nectivity for the area. Bernard Street will connect with Seneca Ridge Drive and Sherman Street. Local streets such as Oak Meadow Drive and Towne Center Drive that experience higher traffic vol­ umes will now have multiple outlets onto existing streets. In addition, plans call for connecting to the water and sewer main within Sherman Street to the existing system off of Charles Street, Powers wrote in his memo. Caledonia Twp. board OKs new paint job for water tower Greg Chandler StaffWriter The north water tower in Caledonia Township will soon get a new paint job. The township board Wednesday night approved entering into a contractor with Dixon Engineering Services for the project. Dixon provided a quote for the township of $29,950, and the board approved including a 5 percent contingency on the recommendation ofthe site manager, bringing the total invested in the proj­ ect to $31,448. Dixon had recommended exterior painting of the tower at 5770 76th St. SE and other items after a rou­ tine inspection in May of last year, according to a memo from Ryan Moseley, project manager for Infrastructure Alternatives, which manages the site under contract with the township. The exterior and interi­ or paint coatings are original to the 600,000-gallon tower, which was built in 2002, Moseley wrote in his memo to the township. “We typically contract with Dixon Engineering (for anything to do with the tower),” Township Treasurer/Administrator Richard Robertson said. “We didn’t really go out and get competitive bid­ ding. We’ve worked with Dixon on these (projects) for years. They have a mar­ velous reputation. We didn’t feel that we needed to look elsewhere.” Township Trustee Tim Bradshaw echoed Robertson’s support for having Dixon take on the project. “Dixon Engineering pro­ vides a very specialized service. It would be very difficult to even get three bids (for the scope ofwork involved),” Bradshaw said. The project had been recommended to be done in 2020 under the township’s water capital improvement filan, *but the condition of the original paint coating allowed for the timeline to be extended for a couple of years, according to Caledonia Community Schools will receive sealed proposals from qualified bidders for Moseley’s memo. Bid specifications call for the project to be com­ pleted this fall, but there is an alternate completion date of next spring that has been built into the specs. “The alternate time is being allowed to select the most competitive pricing,” Moseley wrote in his memo. The project scope will include overcoat painting of the exterior, a dry inte­ rior partial repaint, foun­ dation spall repair, instal­ lation of a mixer in the wet interior portion, expansion joint replace­ ment and mud valve replacement, according to Moseley’s memo. A 600,000-gallon water tower in Caledonia, located along 76th Street, is poised to receive extensive maintenance work. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) THE HOTTEST STARS continued from “2023 Pavement Program for Various Locations”: page! — Duncan Lake Middle School Kraft Meadows Middle School Varsity Baseball Field A mandatory pre-bid walk through, starting at Duncan Lake Mid­ dle School, 9757 Duncan Lake Ave. SE, (LOT P-1) Caledonia, Ml 49316, is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10:00AM (EST). Sealed bids will be received until 12:00PM (EST), Friday, April 28, 2023, at Caledonia Community Schools Administrative Office: 9753 Duncan Lake Ave. SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. Bids will then be opened publicly and read aloud. Late bids will not be accepted. For information and bidding documents please contact Alex Keifer at StructureTec, (269) 249-6405. Caledonia Schools is an AA/EOE employer STEPPING DOWN, JEFF FOXWORTHY FRIDAY, JUNE 9 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VKl'f*Pr oN” |f ’I<J■f FICRAESIKNOE-HEOPTEERL S l-94to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or. older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Jan. 17. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg had vil­ lage attorney Mark Nettleton prepare a detailed contract for Lee to sign last month. It spelled out details ofthe new DDA director’s job duties, compensation and other items. A lease agreement was approved by the village council to allow Lee to work in an office at village hall. During her two-year stint as DDA director, Bussard worked out of the Mix Co-Working studio, down the road from village hall on E. Main St. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023/ Page 3 YANKEE SPRINGS, continued from page the township’s elections machines. Meanwhile, the meeting hall portion of the building has a new raised platform for board members, replacing the bunched-together confer­ ence room tables where board members previously sat behind; a new heating and cooling system, an audio-vi­ sual system and new closet space.. The. project was put together with the help of a 10-member office renova­ tion committee consisting of elected board members, township employees and four citizens who analyzed a variety ofbuilding options before settling on a plan. The last ofthe bills for the project still have yet to come in, but township officials expect the final cost to be right around, or just under, the project estimate of $1.2 million. Of that amount, $1 million was for the construc­ tion work by project contrac­ The renovated meeting room at the Yankee Springs tor Mugen Construction, platform where the board will sit for meetings. $101,000 for contingency and $97,000 to Fleis & The township is financing chase agreement with VandenBrink for design and $600,000 of the project cost Highpoint Community Bank engineering costs. through an installment pur- of Hastings, which will be Township Hall has a new This is the new office for the Yankee Springs town­ ship supervisor. paid back over 10 years at an interest rate of 2.64 percent. It also used $50,000 of fund- ing through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to cover the cost of the secure office entrance. The town­ ship is paying the remaining cost out of its general fund. Middleville Village seeks new finance director after Longstreet’s departure James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg declined to comment after Tuesday’s Committee ofthe Whole meeting on finance director Alexandra Longstreet’s sudden depar­ ture from the job March 31. No indication was given at the meeting or afterward whether she was discharged or resigned. Longstreet could not be reached for comment. At the March 28 meeting of the full village council, some questions were raised about some supposedly vague or confusing finan­ cial documents that were drawn up by Longstreet pertaining to the budget for some pending street recon­ struction projects. Department of Public Works director Alec Belson said at last month’s meeting that the village is waiting for the completion of an audit before final numbers could be determined on some proposed projects. Trustee Kevin Smith mentioned at that March 28 council meeting that he could not understand what was written in the budget document presented by staff. “This is why we need regular and very concise, clear, absolute clarity on our money situation by the folks that are managing our money,” he said. “So that we cannot have questions like why Alec has three figures on there, and two of them didn’t make sense because he’s using termi­ nology I assure you none of Alexandra Longstreet us are familiar with. And I do accounting every day. I just want to be clear that this is an interesting point and something where I think we could be a lot better at educating the board.” “And I had that conversa­ tion with Miss Longstreet today, in fact,” Stolsonburg said at the March 28 meeting. “And we’re working on a process to make that more available to you.” Stolsonburg said Tuesday that Longstreet’s annual salary was $51,000 and the future finance director would receive between and $90,000, $74,000 depending on that person’s experience and qualifications in accordance with the village’s new employee job classification and compensation study. It was just completed by the manage­ ment consulting firm Municipal Consulting Services LLC. The study recommends various wage levels for each of the vil­ lage’s 12 full-time positions based on a variety of fac­ tors, such as experience. Trustee Richard Hamilton asked if the incoming finance director would be paid in alignment with the compensation’s step-salary guidelines. “I would propose the step compensation, as pro­ posed,” Stolsonburg replied. He then told all the trust­ ees, “At our next Committee of the Whole meeting in May, I’m going to propose that you adopt the steps for the entire study, in one way, shape or form. And then, allow qualifications, years on the job and things like that dictate where they fall in the ladder of the steps at that point. And when I reach out or when we have appli­ cants come forward, I want to evaluate them and make a recommendation before you of where we would place this person?’ The Committee of the Whole voice-voted 4-0 to approve Stolsonsburg’s rec­ ommendation to authorize LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS • PICK OPS • ONE TONS • VANS • SUITS • JEEPS • 4K4S FULL SERVICE & YOU PULI IT 269-381-2300 •fip < USED PARTS j 7 USED TIRES fflUAKE ST., KALAMAZOO village staffto publicly post the job description and opening for the finance director position, based on the compensation study guidelines. Council mem­ bers Makenzi Peters and Ann Williams were absent from Tuesday’s meeting. The Committee of the Whole then unanimously voted to recommend that the full council approve the proposed budget adjust­ ment at its next meeting. Stolsonburg mentioned that the village is expecting to receive some new reve­ nue payments this year. For example, he said it will receive between $100,000 and $150,000 from marijua­ na-based facilities in the village. State Senator Thomas Albert told the Committee of the Whole that the village also will be receiving some additional revenue-sharing funds this year out of the state’s approximate $9 billion bud­ get surplus. 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-U2 to 6 years. (We will assist with toilet training) WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION iulie@stpaulcaledonia.org Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 w ww.stpaulcaledonia .org "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 A �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023 DavidAlbert Steeby David Albert Steeby, of Wayland, Ml was called to his heavenly home on April 1, 2023. He was 85 years old. David was bom in Hastings, MI, on October 8, 1937 to Albert Dan and Cecil Marie (Stine) Steeby. He graduated from Hastings High School in Equipment Company (33 1955, where he made many years), Dykstra Excavating lifelong friends. He went to live Company (10 years). In his free time, he was on the Hubbell farm south of quick to lend a helping hand to Hastings when he was about 12 years of age, where he milked others, serving as custodian of many cows in the early morn­ Leighton United Methodist ing and sometimes rode his Church, tinkering in his bike to school. Upon gradua­ garage, and working on his tion, he was drafted into the small farm. He was an active Army Reserve Forces Act member of the Barry County Program and was stationed at Gas and Steam Engine Club Fort Knox. He was discharged and was proud to be inducted into the Michigan Antique December 31, 1966. He married Anona May Tractor Pullers Hall of Fame (Covey Mead) on September in 2017. He could sometimes 25, 1970, with whom he cele­ be spotted in local parades driving a miniature pickup brated 52 years ofmarriage. truck bearing the logo of the Dave was a hard worker. He was employed over the soft drink, Squirt, showcasing years by Hastings Aluminum his playful sense ofhumor. Dave enjoyed putting his Products (10 years), Northern many skills to work on mission trips, traveling to Costa Rica, Honduras, Kenya, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Paraguay, and McAllen, Texas. He was able to share some of these adventures with his three daughters, step-daughter, son­ in-law, and two grandchildren. Dave had a special relation­ ship with his grandson, Josh, whom he introduced to trac­ tors and tinkering at a young age. The rest is history; Josh has followed in his grandpa’s footsteps, fixing tractors and helping those in need. David leaves behind to cher­ ish his memory his loving wife, Nona; three children, from a previous marriage, Carol (John) Bolthouse, Kathy (Dennis) Armstrong, and Michael (Janet) Steeby; their daughter, Stacey (Bill) Aman; two step-children, Lori (Bill) Haselden and Colin Mead; 15 grandchildren, Amanda (Matt) Bowman, Aaron (Mandy) Bolthouse, Megan Grove, Zachary (Allison) Bolthouse, Christopher (Liz) Edwards, Tiffany (Roger) Rozell, Samantha (Jay) Graham, Autumn Ackels, Ashley Steeby, Travis Steeby, Dylan Steeby, Middleville TOPS 546 The April 1 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. One fish fell out of the fish­ bowl, to be replaced by a new one. The chapter’s leader, Chris, is leaving TOPS. A goodbye party in her honor was planned for next week’s meeting. The meeting ended with the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss support group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Joshua Aman, Stephanie Aman. Aleshia Howell, and Alaina (Zeb) Truer, and 25 great-grand­ children. David is also survived by his brothers; Richard Steeby, Charlie (Jean) Steeby, and Don (Marcia) Steeby as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Donna McGuire and Alice Kroft; grandsons, Timothy Steeby and Tyler Steeby; and great-granddaughter, Anastacia Bowman; sister-in­ law, Ann Steeby, and neph­ ews, Cori Woonicott and Michael (Mickey) McGuire. David’s funeral service was conducted on Friday, April 7, 2023 at Leighton Church with Rev. David McBride officiating. Mil itaiy honors by the American Legion Post 45. Private burial took place at Hooker Cemetery. Memorial contributions to Leighton Church or the Barry County Gas and Steam Engine Club will be greatly appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for David’s family. Arrangements made by Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. Singin’ Scots Last Saturday, the Caledonia High School choir program sent 16 students to perform at the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s State Solo and Ensemble Festival. All students medaled with 15 Division 1 ratings and 1 Division 2 rating. Pictured, from left, in the front row: Leah Thompson, Grace Geer, Lily Goerbig, Riley Soper and Susanna Vire. Middle row: Katelyn Ferris, Allison Malone, Brianna Weber, Alyssa Bursch, Adeline Wolters, Mystique Niles and Angelica Araya. Back row: Stephanie Dryburgh, Taryn Briones, Benjamin Molda, Landon Fleming, Christian Moorlag, Christopher Rehkopf and Evan DeVault. Senior choir member Benjamin Molda (also pic­ tured separately) was selected as a finalist for All­ state Festival. Only 12 students in the state are selected for this prestigious honor based on their performance at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Molda will perform with the other top high school vocalists from around the state at a recital in May. —Caledonia United alaska (church hh IL Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68"- Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday Senrices: Join us for our traditional yet casual worship 9:30 AM-Worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 11:00 AM-Sunday School 5:00 PM-Youth Group Our mission Is to worship Bod and equip 6:00 PM-Adult Bible Study 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist committed followers ofJesus Christ who will Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting reach our community with the Gospel cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: (269) 795-2391 HOLY FAMILY 'CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass ................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses...........9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY e H U R C H Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 wwwjstpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Church. 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School.............. ...9:30 9:30AM AM unay orsp........ 10:30 : AM ,. Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFelIowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11 :Q0 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www-tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023/ Page 5 Caledonia Twp. board refines job description as it continues search for new township manager Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township board is continuing to fine­ tune the details of what it will seek in a new township manager. The board discussed and made some changes to its job description for the posi­ tion at Wednesday’s board meeting. The board recently retained the managerial con­ sulting firm of Walsh Municipal Services LLC, of Okemos, to assist the board in finding a new manager. The township is seeking a replacement for Richard Robertson, who is the elected township treasurer but has also functioned as adminis­ trator for the township since 2015. One major change the board made to the job description was to reduce the experience level being sought for the position. The original language called for an applicant to have at least five years of experience in municipal government. The board reduced the level to one to three years experi­ ence, with experience including btidget preparation and personnel. “In one part (of the Caledonia Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison provides background on the township manager search process to the board at Wednesday’s meet­ ing. description), we’re looking for somebody who might be a newer person, and in the other part, we’re asking for a minimum of five years in municipal government,” said Township Trustee Greg Zoller, who proposed reduc­ ing the experience require­ ment. Robertson drew an analo­ gy to professional sports in terms of what the township might be looking for in a new manager. “I said, almost jokingly, we don’t need a No. 1 draft pick here. (We can do well with someone like) Tom Brady, a 200th pick in the (draft), somebody that has “My experience was to supervisor, as his or her point potential,” Robertson said. operate a small business,” person,” he said. “(The man­ “But if you’ve got (a candi­ said Robertson, who owned ager does) work at the plea­ date) in with all that experi­ a dental practice in sure of the board. If we’re ence, they’re going to Caledonia for many years. not happy as board members, demand maybe more than “I had employees, I had we can eliminate that person we’re willing to spend or bills to pay ... customer if we needed to. Having more than we really need. I service (when) people are seven bosses (for the manag­ would be more inclined to mad at you, all that. A lot er to report to), I don’t see leave the education prefer­ of those skills transferred that working.” ences in there ... but I would perfectly to what I do Township Supervisor reduce the minimum (profes­ here.” Bryan Harrison offered his Another issue, which gen­ thoughts on the matter. sional experience require­ ment) to one to three years, erated a good deal of debate, “Dick, we’ve had multi­ as opposed to a minimum of dealt with the line of who ple discussions where you five years.” reports to who in the townsay it’s impossible to have Robertson pointed to his ship organizational structure seven bosses. I think that by own background when he with the new manager. changing the reporting rela­ came on board to serve as Robertson specifically tionship to all of the board, township administrator. addressed the question of not only could you have which job responsibilities seven bosses, but you could would be handled by the have seven bosses with dif­ manager and which ones ferent expectations, require­ would be handled by the ments and availability,” supervisor. Harrison said. “In this job description, “I would say if you look are we talking about a man­ at other communities that ager that reports to the super­ have a manager position, it visor in the sense that the reports singularly, typically, supervisor is the manager’s to the supervisor. It’s been subordinate, or do we decide our historic practice, it’s these are the duties that the been your practice and our supervisor, for (lack) of a practice, and I think it is the better term, is relinquishing best practice.” In October 2020, the to the authority of the man­ ager?” Robertson asked. township board approved a organization “That’s a decision that needs managerial to be incorporated in the job plan that gave Robertson description ... I think there the title oftownship manag­ needs to be a clearly under­ er - even though he doesn’t stood level of authority that like to refer to himself by the manager is.” that title - with the provi­ “In my mind, the manager sion the township would reports to the board, not to start searching for a full­ the supervisor, unless it’s time manager in the sum­ the supervisor’s retained mer of 2023. The township is paying authority under the job description,” Robertson Walsh Municipal Services $11,900 to assist in the man­ added. Zoller agreed with ager search. The board is expected to Caledonia Township Treasurer/Administrator Robertson - to a point. “I do think the manager continue refining the job Richard Robertson addresses the Township Board during discussion on the job description for the town- reports to all ofus, but it has description at its next meet­ ship manager position at Wednesday’s board meet- to report through one person, ing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, ing. (Photos by Greg Chandler) and it really should be the April 19. 84th Street project in Gaines Twp. to begin Monday Greg Chandler Staff Writer A $1.6 million road reconstruction project on 84th Street in Gaines Charter Township will begin on Monday. The Kent County Road Commission will close off 84th from Hanna Lake Avenue to East Paris Avenue for the project, which is scheduled to run through June 21. The proj­ ect will upgrade the road to an all-season standard. It will include ditch work, culvert replacement, pav­ ing, pavement marking and restoration, KCRC spokes­ woman Maura Lamoreaux said. Michigan Paving & Materials/Kentwood Excavating is the project contractor, Lamoreaux said. The project is being paid for by a combination of fed­ eral and local funds, Lamoreaux said. The road commission has set up a detour that will run south from 84th Street on Hanna Lake Avenue to 100th Street, then east to Patterson Avenue, then north on Patterson. Access will be maintained for homes and businesses within the project area, Lamoreaux said. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023 Proposed Flats at Mid-Villa residential development getting better reviews with revised proposal James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its May 2 meeting to consider making a recommendation to the village council on a pro­ posed Planned Unit Development at the former site ofthe Middle Villa Inn. Nate Heyboer with Grandville-based Dutch Developers LLC came back to the village council last month with a revised pro­ posal for the Flats at Mid­ villa residential develop­ ment that was rejected last year. The site is at 4611 and 4691 N. M-37 Highway. The project would cover up to 22 acres and consist of market-rate apartment buildings that would be built in two phases over several years. Also pro­ posed are future phases for three potential commercial out-lots, along with a future phase for 134 storage con­ tainers. The commercial/ retail space in front of the apartments near M-37 might feature medical facil­ ities or something like a coffee shop. Recently, the village’s Site Plan Committee reviewed a revised petition from the developer that was submitted March 9. Technical corrections were given and the developer is in the process ofmaking the requested corrections. After the planning com­ mission makes a recom­ mendation May 2, the vil­ lage council is scheduled to take it up at its May 23 meeting. An ordinance will be drafted for consideration at that meeting. The proper­ ty would be rezoned from a C-2 Highway Commercial designation to the planned unit development. That allows more flexibility for positioning buildings on the site. “What they’re looking at is, they will most likely be pulling zoning compliance Middleville Planning/Zoning Administrator Doug Powers talks to the Committee of the Whole about the proposed Flats at Mid-Villa development. (Photo by James Gemmell) permits for the residential development. But they do have some infrastructure and things that have to be worked out as part of the development agreement that I haven’t seen yet,” village Planning/Zoning Administrator Doug Powers said in an interview after the April 4 Committee of the Whole meeting. Councilmember Kevin Smith said Heyboer has been responsive to public feedback and zoning con­ cerns. “Nate has been very thoughtful about editing the plan to accommodate things like quality-of-life addi­ tions,” he said. That includes a proposed children’s play area, an enhanced parking structure, the addition of storage space, more green space and pickleball courts, among other amenities. Specifics of the plan, such as the total number of units, the overall project density and total project cost have not been released publicly yet. Last year, Heyboer was proposing to build six apartment build­ ings, or 144 units, on 16.6 acres at an estimated cost between $20 million and $40 million. But council members have said some elements of the proposed development have been scaled back to address con­ cerns about density of the apartment units. Increased traffic conges­ tion was one concern expressed by some citizens last year when they looked at the original proposal. But Smith said that is not going to be as problematic as some think. “I would argue that the plethora of single-family homes in that particular area contributed far greater to traffic congestion than an apartment complex of this size would,” he said. As a certified Ready Redevelopment Community, the village would be in line for some free assistance from Michigan Economic Development Corp, engi­ neers on project develop­ ment. Powers said there may have been some confusion when the original petition was submitted for the PUD. “So, currently (we’ve) been working with the RRC (staff) to try to resolve the clarity and transparency in that process,” he said. The developer would bear the expense of build­ ing a $250,000 private lift station on site to accommo­ date a private, on-site sani­ tary sewer system. The water lines also would be privately maintained on the development. Along with the installation of a high-pressure gas line the total cost would come to more than $500,000. “We had talked about a maintenance bond or just having them do it,” Cramer said in apparent reference to Heyboer’s commercial company, Grandville-based DHE Plumbing & Mechanical. “So, I think the final agreement had them in a service contract to maintain it. And a maintenance bond just in case they couldn’t get there. So, ifDPW had to fix it there was money in the bond so that we could maintain it,” Cramer said. “That’s what the current petition is looking like, as well,” Powers said. Stolsonburg said developers would like to start construction first-phase later this year, if all the nec­ essary approvals are met. “(Heyboer) stated that he does have property in Thornapple Township,” trustee Richard Hamilton said. “He raises horses, he loves the community. He doesn’t want any negative impact as a result of himself.” “I think it’s a great oppor­ tunity for the community to expand affordable housing here, which we desperately need,” Smith said. Yankee Sp'tlngi Bible Chuxck 8900 Puffy Road, mlddlevllie ITII49333 Pleasejoin us. Resurrection Sunday I and the village council have been discussing the possibility of purchasing some security cameras to monitor some outdoor locations for nearly two years. But no action has been taken so far. Trustee Richard Hamilton suggested a study commit­ tee be formed to examine the matter more closely. He recommended it consist of village and DDA staff, as Interviews for new well as teenagers and local police. council members set Trustee Kevin Smith said In other action, the vil­ lage council has set the external cameras could protect public places such Thursday, April 13 at 6 p.m. as the time and date for can­ as the Veteran’s Memorial, didates to be interviewed the Middleville Train publicly for one vacant vil­ Depot, the amphitheater lage council trustee seat. and the public restrooms The special council meeting there. will be held in the village “My only requirement is hall at 100 E. Main St., and that we have multiple ven­ shown live via Zoom video dors we can choose from, conferencing. give (Village Manager Six people applied for Craig Stolsonburg) a bud­ the position. Three were on get he can work with and the November election bal­ give him the authorization lot. The list of candidates to make that decision, pres­ was narrowed to a few ent that decison to the board finalists. The village coun­ for final approval,” Smith cil has budgeted half-hour said. intervals between each In 2021, several newer interview. Longtime coun­ buildings were among those cilman Mike Lytle resigned spray-painted by vandals earlier this year due to mostly in areas that were health issues. He had about dimly lit or had little securi­ two years left on his term in ty surveillance. office. Smith said cameras could help prevent some vandal­ Little Free Pantry ism. renewal goes to full “If there’s a camera and council for thumbs-up people know there’s a cam­ The Committee of the era, that’s the 24 hour, Whole voted unanimously seven day a week deterrent to recommend the full that we’re looking for to council approve the yearly protect the assets that the renewal of the village’s taxpayers are paying for. contract concerning the So, we’re not re-painting or Little Free Pantry set up putting new doors on bath­ behind village hall. The rooms, and going in and annual lease agreement is fixing broken sinks because with Cub Scout Troop 3065. they broke in and blew out The item is on the consent the side of the bathroom,” agenda for the next village Smith said. “If they know council meeting. that there’s a watchful eye Village President Mike and there’s a possibility of Cramer recommended the them being caught, that in outside of the pantry box and of itself is the deter­ will be given a fresh coat of rent.” paint. The village recently received three updated bids Security camera from three companies to discussion install security cameras in Middleville village staff parks and other locations. He added, “Once these apartments are completed, we are going to be able to open up our community to a lot of great professionals that are like police officers, teachers and young profes­ sionals starting off their career. And it’s not some monster coming into our community because it’s just getting built with no plan in site.” Yankee Springs Fire Department hosting blood drive The Yankee Springs Fire Department will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 3. Versiti Blood Center will be the service provider. The fire station is locat­ ed at 1425 S. Payne Lake Road in Wayland. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is time. In return, donors leave knowing they have helped sustain some­ one’s life. Donors at Monday’s blood drive will also have a chance to win an electric bicycle. Questions may be direct­ ed to Versiti Blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD. Appointments are pre­ ferred and may be made at donate.mi vchigan. versiti. org, but walk-ins are wel­ comed. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023/ Page 7 Tree removal project nets Barry County Road Commission statewide awards Greg Chandler the Impress Award in the oper­ “We always try to share Staff Writer ations category and also what works for us with other Five years ago, the Bany received the People’s Choice counties in hopes that it helps County Road Commission Impress Award, which was someone else be able to tackle faced a serious problem. voted on by the association’s a problem of theirs,” Welch There were a large number membership. wrote in an e-mail to the Sun of dead trees that were in the “The BCRC is very satis­ and News. road right-of-way, and it was fied with the results of the Prior to the startup of the presenting a hazard to motor­ project and what it has allowed pilot project, the road commis­ ists on county roads. us to accomplish within the sion’s method of dealing with The road commission esti­ road right-of-ways, allowing dead and/or obstructive trees mated there were 22,000 to us to better maintain and pro­ and limbs was cutting trees 25,000 dead trees in the road vide a safe and convenient during the winter months. But right-of-way across the coun­ road condition for public trav­ that method still left way too ty, and the agency was strug­ el and sensitivity to communi­ many trees and limbs gling to keep up with clearing ty concerns,” Road untouched. out those trees with its own Commission Engineer In 2019, the road commis­ personnel. Technician Dylan Kennedy sion bid out the contract by So the road commission wrote in a narrative that was individual township for the launched a pilot project, start­ submitted with the road com­ entire county. But the contrac­ ing in Barty Township, to have mission’s project entry. “This tor that was hired couldn’t a contractor handle tree project has made a safer right­ meet project deadlines and removal, freeing road com­ of-way at minimal cost to the relinquished the contract, mission staff to take on other taxpayer and has minimized Kennedy wrote in his narra­ projects. Today, nine town­ our maintenance cost” tive. ships participate in the tree Road Commission Assistant Along came Frontline removal program, officials Managing Director Jake Maintenance, a Delton-based said. Welch said he hopes the company. The BCRC tree removal BCRC’s approach to the issue Frontline was already doing program recently received two of dead trees in the road right­ roadside mowing for the coun­ awards at the County Road of-way can serve as a model ty and agreed to pick up the Association’s annual confer­ for other county road commis­ ball on tree removal, Kennedy ence in Lansing. It took home sions across the state. wrote. “The operation started with one township and from there it is an ongoing process to com­ plete the entire county,” Kennedy wrote. Under the contract, any trees, brush and limbs 15 inch­ es and shorter that are within 10 feet ofthe road shoulder, up to a height of 25 feet above the roadway, are to be removed. Dead limbs that are higher than 25 feet will also be removed when hanging over the roadway. All dead trees within the road right-of-way that are leaning towards the road are also removed, Kennedy wrote. “A maintenance contract has since been adopted to go back and recut every township at a three-year interval. There were no major situations that developed other than the amount of trees and brush to be removed seemed over­ whelming,” Kennedy wrote. As a result of the contract for the tree removal, Frontline invested in more equipment and hired more employees, being able to run multiple Barry County Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch speaks at a meeting earlier this year. (File photo by Greg Chandler) crews and improve efficiency, Kennedy wrote. “By contracting out, BCRC employees were freed up to tackle other operations like pulling high shoulders on road edges and drainage projects,” Kennedy wrote. In addition, the project has “substantially lowered” the number of callouts the road commission receives to address a tree issue in the mid­ dle of the night, Kennedy wrote. The awards were presented at the CRA convention March 23. On top of the two awards the road commission received for the tree removal project, longtime Road Commissioner Frank Fiala ofYankee Springs Township received a merit award from the CRA for his volunteerism efforts, provid­ ing learning opportunities for association members across the state. Fiala has been a road commissioner since 2007 and is the current board vice chair­ man. Hail storm moves through Middleville; Eastern portion of county sees the brunt A storm moved through the Middleville area on Tuesday, leaving behind a litter of large hail stones - but it was nothing compared to what residents saw elsewhere in Bany County. The brief but destructive storm made its way through northern Barry County around 7 p.m. Reports of the largest hail came out of the areas of Lake Odessa and Woodland Township, where some hail measured roughly two inches in diameter. Still, the hail made its pres­ ence known in Middleville, pummeling the roof of village hall as the Middleville Planning Commission met. The noise from the hail nearly drown out those speaking at the meeting. Reports from the National Weather Service out of Grand Rapids indicated that hail from the storm cell ranged from peato tennis ball-sized. It produced similar weather near Chicago before making its way over Lake Michigan into the state. Portions of Allegan County were also rocked by the large hail before the stormed crept across into Barry County. After causing significant destruction in Lake Odessa and Woodland, the storm moved toward Lansing, where it eventually broke up. Wednesday offered no reprieve from the inclement weather, either, as tornado watches took effect and severe thunderstorms pop up all across West Michigan, causing flood­ ing throughout area rivers. The Thomapple River was expect­ ed to crest on Friday. A storm producing large-sized hail moves into Woodland on Tuesday evening. (Photo by Molly Macleod) Brace's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com A collection of hail stones accumulated outside of Middleville Village Hall. (Photo by Greg Chandler) WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND OOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers Hail the size of golf balls, or larger, litter the ground in Woodland after Tuesday evening’s brief, but severe, storm. (Photo by Molly Macleod) DeWeerd HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023 dollar buildings to educate our children. Some frills can be eliminated for the sake of the taxpayer. Editor: A real example of frivolous It did not take long for the new conservative members of spending is the $300,000 the newly-elected Caledonia scoreboard for the football sta­ dium. Also, the artificial turf School Board to go woke... The three fell right in line (with) that is being installed. I played the tax-and-spend board mem­ a lot of football, and real grass bers. The board does not know is the best I have been to many high school, college and how to say “no” to spending. “Just pass a new bond.” The pro football games and never latest school bond is a great once got excited about the example of the tax-and-spend scoreboard. The article in the Sun and attitude ofthe board. Caledonia does not need multi-million News on March 25, 2023, said Cal school board needs to end frivolous spending a new scoreboard would excite the students about football. What am I missing there? You get excited about the team, not the scoreboard. It also states that it will bring in revenue. How? Is there going to be a coin slot or a dollar bill collec­ tor on the scoreboard? It’s time the school board stops thinking that the taxpay­ er is just a source of unending cash. The multi-million dollar structures (have) to stop. My vote for the new bond is no. Gabe Hudson Byron Center Thornapple Wind Band ushers in summer with final concert of the season The Thomapple Wind Band will perform its final concert of the 2022-23 sea­ son, “Sounds of Summer,” on Saturday, April 15 at 3 Hastings p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. Featured selections to be performed at the concert include “The Walking Frog,” “Washington Post March,” “Saturday in the Park” and more. Concerts which are designed to entertain people of all ages, including chil­ dren - are free to attend; donations are appreciated. First organized in 1995, the Thomapple Wind Band is a community-based organiza­ tion whose mission is to bring wind band music to the Barry County area while giving adults the opportunity to com­ bine their musical talents with others. The organization is open to anyone with a passion for music regardless of ability. Current members range from young adults with only a few years of experience to retired professional musi­ cians with decades of experi­ ence and every point in between. Those interested in more information can speak with members after the con­ cert. Hastings Performing Arts Center is at 520 W. South St., at Hastings High School. The Thornapple Wind Band performs at a previous year’s Christmas concert. (File photo) FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Financial tips for blended families Becoming part ofa blend­ decide to blend some ed family can certainly be accounts and keep others rewarding. Of course, as is separate. the case in all families, there • Debts and credit rat­ will be challenges, one of ings — It’s likely that you which is financial. A blend­ and your new spouse or ed family must deal with partner, and perhaps even some specific financial some children, will bring issues, so it’s a good idea to debts into your blended become familiar with them. family. As these debts can In particular, consider affect your family’s financ­ these areas: es in several ways, includ­ • Separate or joint ing your ability to borrow accounts? — Should your and your credit ratings, you two family units combine will want to know what all your finances or main­ eveiyone owes, and the tain separate accounts? amount of monthly payThere’s no one correct ments needed to meet these answer for everyone, obligations. After that, you because this issue has emo­ may be able to find ways to tional and psychological consolidate debts or find components to it, as well as other ways to reduce or financial considerations. eliminate them. But the nature ofyour new, • Legal issues - When blended family might guide you establish a blended you to. a choice that makes family, you may want to sense for your situation. So, for example, if you are remarrying at a later stage in life, and you and your new spouse have adult review, and possibly update, the beneficiary designations on your life insurance poli­ cy and retirement accounts, such as your IRA and children, you might think the best move is to keep separate accounts. But if you are joining households 401(k). These designations can supersede instructions you may have left in your estate planning documents with a spouse or partner with younger children, you may want to merge accounts to pay for household‘s expenses and work toward your new, shared financial objectives. And it doesn’t have to be an “either-or” approach — you might — including your last will and testament — so it’s important to ensure they reflect your current wishes. And speaking ofyour estate plans, you may well need to revise them, too, in consul­ tation with your attorney. •Attitudes toward mon- ey - Attitudes toward mon­ ey — yours and those of your new spouse or partner — should be addressed when starting a blended family. Is one of you more of a saver while the other spends more freely? As investors, does one of you favor taking more risk while the other is more conserva­ tive? It’s important to recon­ cile these differences as best you can, especially if you plan on merging your finances. This means that you both may need to com­ promise somewhat, but you should strive to avoid hav­ ing either of you feeling uncomfortable in your choices. In any case, open and honest communication is the first step in achieving a harmonious financial strategy. These aren’t the only financial considerations involved with blended fam­ ilies, but they should give you some things to think about — and the earlier you start thinking about them, the better. 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Let your faith be bigger than your fear! �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023/ Page 9 TK boys set to take on two of Gold’s top teams Tuesday in Middleville Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans face a tough challenge right off the bat. Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity boys’ track and field coach Matt Wonders, who is once again teaming up Jaxan Sias with Chad Ruger to lead the performance in the confer­ ence last year was in the high Wayland and Cedar Springs jump where he placed sec­ to be a couple of the most ond by clearing the bar at 5 talented teams in the OK feet 10 inches. Gold this season. TK plays Sias also competed with host to those two teams in teammate Gabe LaJoye, Middleville Tuesday, April now a senior, in the 11, in the first outdoor meet 4x200-meter relay at the of the season. state finals a year ago. Forest Hills Eastern, the They’re a couple of the defending conference leaders on the track for the champion, will be tough to Trojans this spring along beat in the conference too. with Tyler Busman in the Wayland had a pair of soph­ middle distance races and omores and a junior on its Lucas Van Meter in the dis­ league champion 4x 100-me- tance events. ter relay team ago, so it The Trojans are looking wasn’t just the conference’s forward to seeing the prog­ senior sprint champ Ian ress of sprinters Ethan Thompson leading the way Bonnema, Carsen Burbridge for the Wildcats. and Tyler Gavette this TK has a pretty talented spring, as well as Kyle sprinter of its own back this VanHaitsma in the jumps season in junior Jaxan Sias. and Drake Snyder in the He was third in the confer­ sprints and the throws. ence in the 400-meter dash a Many of those guys are year ago and placed 11™ in juniors and seniors who are that race with a personal new to varsity track, so it record time of 51.32 seconds will take some time to get at the MHSAA Lower everyone up to speed. Peninsula Division 2 Track See BOYS, page 10 and Field Finals. Sias’ top TK guys, said he expects State qualifier and record-setters back to Trojan girls’ team Brett Bremer Sports Editor Getting over that hump and getting back on top of the OK Gold Conference There are always a num­ ber of challengers for the title. The Trojans pushed for a championship at the Ava Crews THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS MIDDLEVILLE'S HOMETOWN BODY SHOP highpoint FRAME a. ALIGNMENT in Caledonia 649 Emmons St SE, Caledonia Phone: 616-891-8153 Phone: 269-795-9596 616-891-7500 415 2nd St., Middleville cherryvalleystove.coin B'SBODYSHOP Caledonia, Ml 500 Edward St., P.O. Box 277 Middleville, MI 49333-0277 PH; 269.795.7927 www.mkpcpa.com MIDDLEVILLE'S FINEST 117 W. MAIN MIDDLEVILLE, Ml Ph 795-791*1 Fax 795-1677 Financial Advisor 421 W. 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Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 FARM BUREAU INSURANCE Jason Parks HEATING 8 COOLING Middleville: 269-795-3550 Caledonia: 269-891-3550 1-888-422-2280 Phone: 616-891-0050 269-945-3553 Hours: 12pm-8pm Tues.-Sat. 12pm-4pm Sun. 9175 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia Southern BBQ & Catering Phone: 616-891-0150 Good Luck Athletes Andrew R. Cove, AAMS® COMMUNITY BANK Ph (269) 948-8281 OOKI TOR Fax (269) 948-8590 1900 Patterson Rd. Middleville, Ml 49333 269-241-1040 mtd-inc.com 221 W. Apple St. Hastings, MI 49058 �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023 Top of the line-up mostly intact as TK girls enter 2023 season complete game against Wayland in which she Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg has struck out 7 and allowed a good base to work with as just 3 earned runs. Zube will be a utility it looks to finish in one of the top spots in the OK player for the Trojans this Gold Conference this spring. Stahl and Hoebeke will spend time in the spring. The Trojan varsity soft­ infield when they’re not in ball team has five girls back the circle. Palazzolo and from the top six in the line­ O’Riley will man the out­ up from the team’s district field. Trojan head coach bailgame a year ago in seniors Eliana O’Riley, Ashley Garrett, in her third Grace Zube, Kylee year leading the program, is Hoebeke, Payton Stahl and also excited to add sopho­ more Kenzie Bouma to the Ella Palazzolo. Hoebeke and Stahl will infield. Garrett said she likes her share pitching duties this season. Hoebeke was an team’s senior leadership all-conference athlete in the and it’s speed. Even with OK Gold last spring, with the top of the line-up back one of her highlights a she is looking forward to Brett Bremer her youngsters gaining some varsity experience. The Trojans are shooting for a top three finish in the OK Gold Conference this spring. Wayland and Forest Hills Eastern are the best bets to finish at the top as the season gets rolling. The TK girls will tune-up with a doubleheader at Portland Thursday and then go to Hastings for the Barry County Invitational Saturday, April 15. The TK girls open the OK Gold Conference sea­ son with a doubleheader at Ottawa Hills April 18. TK plays its first home games April 20 when it faces off against Wyoming in a doubleheader. Experienced attack ready to power TKHS ladies soccer Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are going to be some flashes of brilliance and some growing pains on the pitch for the Thomapple Kellogg varsi­ ty girls’ soccer team this spring. The team has six freshmen and three sophomores all of which contributed heavily during the Trojans’ first few matches before spring break and will continue to through­ out the season. While there are a number of new players, there are new coaches as well. David Wood made the move from leading the TK boys to the TK girls this spring and he is joined in co-coaching the varsity girls with Ben Sleeman. “David and I are both really excited about the group that we have this year,” coach Sleeman said. The youngsters have great leaders in returning juniors Emma Schut and Holly Veiling and seniors Peyton Pratt and Anna Davis. Pratt, spending time on the attack and on defense, had 16 goals and 6 assists a season ago. Schut, a center midfielder, had 11 goals and 9 assists. Veiling, an attacker, had 6 goals and 9 assists. “We will definitely look to Grace Zube Peyton Pratt their leadership and experi­ ence as we look to build on past success and begin a new chapter of TK soccer,” coach Sleeman said. “Overall, the strength ofour team should be in the midfield and the final third. There is quite a bit of skill spread around the field, but the major­ ity of our returning players are in the attacking third of the field and we hope that this will result in lots of goals for us this season.” The attack is also getting a boost from freshmen attackers Tealy Cross and Paige Abshagen and freshman cen­ ter midfielder Cammi Stahl. In the back end, freshman Makenna Hoebeke is taking over in goal. “Defensively, we will be working with a young, but promising group of girls who have shown that they are will­ ing to work hard and learn, understanding there will likely be growing pains,” coach Sleeman said. “We are look­ ing forward to getting confer­ ence play started after spring break and seeing what this team can prove to themselves going forward.” The Trojans are 2-2 so far this season with wins over Hastings and Northview and losses to Lowell and Grand Rapids Christian. The OK Gold Conference season starts for TK when it plays host to Wayland Wednesday. GIRLS, continued from page 9-----conference meet a year ago, finishing a handful of points behind the championship team from Ottawa Hills. B&C Clearing, LLC Tree Removal - Tree Trimming - Stump Grinding Skid Steer Work - Demo Work - Standing Timber Buyers • • • • Competitively Priced Free Quotes Licensed & Insured (269) 953-3366 Family Owned & operated bandcclearing@gmail.com David Case PWWWTVWWVWVWVWWJ JBB Make a tote, pillow, curtains, ► tablecloth, placemats, ’ potholders, aprons, more >• Time to start quiltsfor ; Christmas * Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station The Bengals had some senior leaders in the scor­ ing, but also some depth. TK head coach Maggie Wilkinson expects Forest Hills Eastern and Kenowa Hills to be pretty tough this spring too. TK lost some top end speed to graduation last spring, but has a few of its top performers from a team that was sixth at the MITCA Team State Finals back for a run at a conference title in 2023. The group back includes sophomore distance runner Ava Crews who was a state qualifier in the 3200-meter run a year ago and set her personal record at the finals with a time of 11 minutes 48.05 seconds. She was a regional champion in that race and placed third in the OK Gold Conference. Junior Kennady Smith and sophomore Brooklyn Harmon set grade level records at TK last spring. Harmon was the fastest TK freshman ever in the 300meter low hurdles with a time of 48.03 seconds at the MITCA Team State Finals. Smith set the TK sopho­ more record in the high jump by clearing the bar at 5 feet 4 inches. “They work very hard and are tremendous role a nst 1nsu^tZo SPRAY FOAM Mp Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville models. I’m very excited about the season and what these girls will bring this year,” Wilkinson said. Also back to lead the way for the Trojans are junior sprinter Eva Corson, senior sprinter Lindsey Veiling, junior hurdler Joselyn DeBoer, senior pole vaulter Emmerson DeVries and senior throw­ er Preslee Hall. Coach Wilkinson is excited to be able to fill a few more spots this season with her newcomers. “We have some more dis­ tance girls out this year, so our middle distance events will be stronger,” Wilkinson said. “We have some new upperclassmen that came out and will help us in the throws.” The TK ladies opened the season indoors at Grand Valley before spring break. They’ll open the OK Gold Conference season in Middleville Tuesday host­ ing Cedar Springs and Wayland. The Trojans will follow that up with a trip to Wayland for the Wayland Invitational Friday, April 14. TK has two sets of home duals this season. It will play host to Kenowa Hills and South Christian April 25. BOYS, continued from pag “We have a very hard working team that enjoys coming to practice every­ day,” Wonders said. “Our goal is always to compete for a conference championship and send as many to the state track meet as possible,” he added. TK will go to Wayland Friday, April 14, for the Wayland Invitational. The Trojans will host two sets of duals in Middleville this season. South Christian and Kenowa Hills are sched­ uled to come to Middleville April25. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023/ Page 11 SPRINGTSPDRTSlPREVIEWS Snelling duo set to lead Ttojans from the mound this spring Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans jump right into the OK Gold Conference varsity baseball season this week. Thornapple Kellogg’s varsity team begins the con­ ference season with a dou­ bleheader at home against Wayland Tuesday and then will finish off the set with a single game Thursday in Wayland. The Trojans will follow that up with a trip to Hastings for the Barry County Invitational Saturday, April 15. The Trojans were 7-26 a year ago under first-year head coach Nick Iveson. He’s back this spring along with Logan and Gavin Snelling who are two of the top returning ballplayers in orange and black. Logan Snelling was an all-conference performer as a pitcher and infielder for the Trojans and returns for his junior season. Gavin, a senior, will pitch and spend time at first base. “We have a strong start­ ing staff with the Snelling brothers leading off our rotation,” coach Iveson said. Logan and Gavin both threw complete game victo­ ries in the Trojans’ double­ header with Wayland last season. Logan shut out the Wildcats and Gavin held them to 1 earned run while striking out 9 in seven innings. He has a few key addi­ tions to the varsity roster he’s excited about includ­ ing sophomore pitcher/ infielder Brody Wiersma and junior infielder Isaac Kimbel. “We have a lot of new guys coming together, so our team chemistry is not quite where we want it. This is something that as we continue to practice we will see them feel more comfortable com­ municating and playing together.” Finishing towards the top of the OK Gold Conference won’t be easy. Forest Hills Eastern and Kenowa Hills shared the conference title a year ago and South Christian and Wayland are always com­ petitive. The Forest Hills Eastern guys went on to win the MHSAA Division 2 Baseball State Championship last season after sharing the Gold title. “We are very optimistic about this coming season and building off what we started last year,” Iveson said. “This is a fun group who bring great attitudes to practice and we look for­ ward to seeing our hard work play out during games.” Gavin Snelling TK golf returns its top two regional scorers Brett Bremer Sports Editor Connor Newland and Austin Pitsch, a pair of seniors, are the lone return­ ees from the 2022 Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf team that placed fifth in the OK Gold Conference. Pitsch was third at the OK Gold Conference •lm.it «R«8ik Hing nUtriwi MaiU a SfaHilni si t fe iffil to iTI iiH Bob Kaminski said. “We return only two golfers from last year, so we have some inexperience with varsity golf. We have a hard work­ ing group of golfers so hopefully they will continue to improve on the areas that they need to improve on.” “Our goal this year is to be competitive within the conference and get better throughout the season. We are looking forward to com­ peting in our conference and hopefully being in conten­ tion by the end of the sea­ son.” Being competitive in the OK Gold Conference takes some work. South Christian, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Forest Hills Eastern are powerhouses much of the time. Catholic Central finished as the state runner-up in Division 3 a year ago with two seniors in the line-up. Then a sopho­ more, the Cougars’ top play­ er Will Preston was the indi­ vidual state runner-up too while sophomore teammate Matthew Sokorai placed 18^ at the finals. There is one more week for the Trojans’ to prep for the start of the conference season. Forest Hills Eastern will host the first conference jamboree of the season at Egypt Valley Country Club April 18. TK has one contest to tune-up, it’s own TK Invitational at Yankee Springs Golf Course Friday, April 14. The Trojans have a cou­ ple of home duals on the slate for this season and will host the conference May 2 at Yankee Springs. important! toii^ 01 1 Championship 18-hole tour­ nament last season, shooting a 78. Newland finished in a tie for 131*1 there. Those two closed out their junior sea­ son last spring by being the top two scorers for the Trojans at their MHSAA 2 Division Regional Tournament. That means there is a big group of guys looking to gain varsity experience and earn scoring positions in the line-up as the season gets started. That group of guys looking to fill line-up spots includes juniors Jordan Parks and Noah Newland. There is a big senior pack that includes Jackson Curtis, Austin Chivis, Jakob Rodriguez, Kyron Zoet and Hunter Cisler. “We really like our team’s potential,” TK head coach Austin Pitsch RUUD Equipment is changing... Get it before the New Prices come out! piiHW® High Efficiency Furnace & Air W $400 OFF ijdufk*1 #1 ’’ #1 ■o*1* with this coupon. Expires 4125123 E i#*1 l)f«lllt f«lllt nil. fill^ P ttps de/b HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia jd^' Locally owned business. Turnace Tune-Up �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023 SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS Trio of Trojans return to singles line-up for girls’ tennis team Brett Bremer Sports Editor There is a lot of rework­ ing of the doubles line-up going on for the TK varsity girls’ tennis team this spring, but the singles line­ up returns mostly intact. Junior Charlotte Nelson is back for her second sea- See TENNIS, page 16 Emma Thompson GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold four public hearings to consider the following requests at the April 27th, 2023,7:00 PM meeting: 1. 2. Request to conditionally rezone two parcels from Residential (RL-10) and Office-Service (O-S) to Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) to allow for limited townhouse development and appurtenances. a. Property Address: 1200 60th Street SE; 1326 60th Street SE b. Parcel Number: 41 -22-05-201 -004; 41 -22-05-201 -005 c. Applicant: Brad Walsh, Orion Construction Special Land Use request to allow for 3,712 square feet of accessory building coverage in the Agricultural/Rural-Residential (A-R) zoning district. a. b. c. 3. Properly Address: 3179 84th Street SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Parcel Number: 41-22-15-400-064 Applicant: Jimmie Freeman Special Land Use request to allow for a total of 3,203 square feeof residential accessory buildings in the Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) zoning district. a. b. c. Property Address: 9744 Meadow Valley Lane, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Parcel Number: 41-22-26-400-025 Applicant: Gerald Almy Fighting Scot singles line-up filled with former doubles players Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis coach Mike Wilson likes that his girls have some more experience this spring than they did a year ago, but there will still be lots to learn as they grow into new roles this spring. A couple of sophomores are making a big jump up from the doubles line-up to the top singles spots. Kiley Bommarito is moving up from second doubles to the top spot and Hailey Markwart is moving from fifth doubles to second sin­ gles this year. All four singles players to open the season have varsity experience from the doubles side. Grace Geer, a senior, is moving from first doubles to third singles. Junior Lilly Hess has earned the fourth singles spot after playing fourth doubles a year ago. The doubles line-up will face fewer surprises. Of the eight girls expecting to compete in the top four flights six of them played at least some varsity doubles as year ago. Juniors Sela Fitzell and Sarah Kirk, a pair of juniors who are both new to varsity tennis, are the only additions to the top four spots. They’re starting out in the third doubles position. Senior Allyson Abraham returns at first doubles and she’ll be teamed with senior Allison Weibel who played third doubles a year ago. Kiley Bommarito Kanika Verma and Abby Duong are jumping from fourth doubles up to second doubles this season. The fourth doubles duo to open the year is sophomores Zoe Flemming and Sawyer Mertz who played some fifth doubles last season. In addition to the third doubles team, senior Anna Stone, junior Emily Sorstokke, sophomore Erin Peckham and freshman Audrey Duong are working to earn spots in the varsity line-up. Coach Wilson, who is in his 29™ season leading the Scots, said his girls enjoy CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the March 15,2023 Township Board ofTrustees Meeting which were approved on April 5 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. tennis, each other and working hard. “We’re hoping to improve on last year’s record, and get better every­ day,” he said. The OK Red Conference will be a tough place to play again this spring with stand­ outs from West Ottawa, Jenison, Rockford and Hudsonville jockeying for the top spots. The Caledonia girls opened their season March 24 with a fourth place fin­ ish at the Jenison Invitational, falling 6-3 to Grandville and 9-0 in duals with Byron Center and Jenison. The Fighting Scots will visit South Christian Tuesday and Thomapple Kellogg Thursday and then go to East Kentwood for an invitational Saturday, April 15. The OK Red season starts when the Scots host Jenison April 17. 197734 4. Request to rezone two parcels from Agricultural/Rural-Residential (A-R) and Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) to Light Industrial (1-1). a. b. c. Property Address: 4149 76th Street SE & 4450 76th Street SE Parcel Number: 41-22-12-300-010; 41-22-12-400-006 Applicant: Eric Calcatera, Steelcase Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on April 27th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP OFFICES, BOARD ROOM, 8555 KALAMAZOO AVE., SE, CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 . TOWNSHIP . PUBLIC NOTICE Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy Test for the May 2, 2023 Special School Election has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 5:45 p.m. at the Caledonia Township Hall located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave, Caledonia, Michigan. The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the computer program used to tabulate the votes cast at the election meet the requirements of the law. Joni Henry Clerk, Charter Township of Caledonia �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8, 2023/ Page 13 iSPRINGISPORTSPREVIEWS Scot golf team hopes depth can drive it to an OK Red title Brett Bremer sophomore Parker Little and Little have the ability to join Sports Editor seniors Dylan Meduna, Seth Byanski among the OK Red While the Fighting Scots’ Reiffer, Noah Abdelkader Conference medalists this lone state qualifier, Landon and Mario Roeske set for a season. Improving consisten­ Wanless, graduated last second season on the varsity. cy will be key to that happen­ spring there is a solid group This is also the second ing, and to the Caledonia of guys ready to pick up season leading the Caledonia team reaching the goals it where the team left off last varsity boys’ for head coach has for this season. Ian Durkee. season. Durkee would like to see Caledonia placed fourth in The group of returning his guys finish atop the OK the OK Red Conference in guys will be challenged for Red Conference and push for 2022 and went on to a fifth­ spots in the regular varsity a spot in the MHSAA Lower place regional finish. Sam scoring line-up this season Peninsula Division 1 Boys’ Baldwin and Jacob Byanski by junior Emersen Lippert Golf Finals at the end of the tied for 21st at their Division who is in his first season of season. 1 Regional Tournament at high school golf and junior “The OK Red lost 9 of the the end of the season - the Tucker Dion who spent the 10 all-conference golfers top two Scots behind last two seasons on the JV [from last season] and hon­ level. Wanless at the regional. estly, I think it’s wide open,” Byanski had a great end to “We have great depth this Durkee said. “I’m hoping our what should have been his year with six seniors that depth can cany us to an OK third varsity season. He have varsity golf experience Red Conference title.” missed out on a freshman and a sophomore that played He expects Hudsonville, year playing golf because of as the number three golfer Rockford and Grandville to the Covid-19 pandemic. He his freshman year,” Durkee be the other top contenders placed seventh at the OK said. “Jacob Byanski was for a conference title. Red Post-Season all-conference honorable The Scots open the season Tournament. mention his junior year. I’m at the Kent County Classic at This will be Baldwin’s expecting him to have a great Thomapple Pointe Golf Club second varsity season. The season this year.” April 13 and then will head Caledonia squad also has He thinks Baldwin and to Blythefield Country Club Friday, April 14, for the OK Red Conference jamboree hosted by Rockford. The OK Red Mid-Season Tournament is set for April 26 at Macatawa Legends and the conference post-season tournament will be May 23 at Thomapple Pointe. Caledonia baseball opens season Tuesday against Grandville UrfpttaNflfr said iRiU I fetal MoiJ al Members of the Caledonia varsity baseball team spent spring break in South Carolina prepping for the upcoming season. The Fighting Scots being play with an OK Red Conference series against Grandville Tuesday in Caledonia and then will go on the road to finish the series with the Bulldogs Thursday. The Scots face another set of Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, at Byron Center. Jason Burghardt is in his second season lead- ing the Caledonia pro­ gram. The Fighting Scot roster this spring includes seniors Luke Shuster, Canyen Veldhouse, Alex Skibinski, Michael Douglass, Aaron Hileman, Zack Maurer and Mitchell Smith. Sam Baldwin is. irsosoolto THANKS TOTHE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS yWJBgjFj inery &ewe£L 9321 Cherry Valley Ave., Caledonia jdubbssignaturesute.com • Facebook ijdubbssig natu resubs 616-275-1184 CALEDONIA RENT ALL Skag Mowers Husqvarna Outdoor Products Hours: 12pm-8pm Tues.-Sat. 12pm-4pm Sun. 9175 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia 616.710.0796 SEIF “Innovation is a deliberate focus” & die 1900 Patterson Rd. Middleville, Ml 49333 269-241-1040 mtd-inc.com PAINT S DESIGN CO. Phone: 616-891-9171 Highpoint 1-888-422-2280 hiqhpointcommunitybank.com 649 Emmons St SE, Caledonia Phmomnoen: s61t6-8,91a-l8e1d5o3n Member FDIC COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR 269-795-3550 Caledonia: 269-891-3550 Comer of 92nd & East Paris (616)891-8447 www.CaledoniaPacking.com Phone: 616-891-5750 Caledonia D&W Center B'smfSR Phone: 616-891-0150 110 Johnson St., Caledonia broi WOKER Southern BBQ. S* Catering 120 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 269-241-1050 brokensmoker.com Gherru Valley Stove & Saw Middleville: ALEDONIA PACKING LLC 227 E. Main St., Caledonia CHIROPRACTIC Phone: 616-891-0050 9800 Cherry Valley, Caledonia MULLERS In Caledonia 616-891-7500 cherryvalley$tove.com FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 210 E. Main St., Caledonia Call Frontier Now! 616-891-8900 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023 SRRINGISR0RTS1RREVIEW5 CHS softball looking forward to healthy pitching, improved bats Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots are going to have an improved battery this spring. Sophomore catcher Malia Burke has a year of varsity experience behind the plate and Caledonia varsity softball coach Kaylie Schertzing said she can already see her com­ ing out of her shell this spring, playing with more confidence in practice, communicating with pitchers and stepping up into a leadership role. She said she also calls a phenomenal game, something the Caledonia coaching staff leaves to its catchers. There are others who will spend time in the circle, but junior Jazlynn Dana and soph­ omore Molly Lieske will han­ dle most of the pitching duties this spring. Dana battled an injury throughout her sopho­ more season last spring and is Avery Hallo excited to be back healthy. “We have really focused on putting the ball where it is called and making sure we don’t have those missed pitch­ es,” Schertzing said. “More command and more confi­ dence. They’ve put in a lot of work, Jaz especially has put in a lot of work over the offsea­ son. I think she really wants to get back to full form after not being full strength last season.” Lieske will be a part of a solid top of the line-up that also includes junior second baseman Kala Bisterfeldt and senior infielder Avery Hallo. Coach Schertzing said Bisterfeldt did a great job of leading the offense a year ago. Senior first baseman Mackenzie Parker is among the key returnees along with junior Keira Sundstrom. The Scots are also pleased to add junior shortstop Mackenzie DeVries andjunior Marisa Kohn, who could see time in the outfield or at third base, to the varsity roster this season. “[DeVries] got a lot ofgreat experience on JV last year,” Schertzing said. “She is the kid that goes all out for every­ thing. She is the kid that asks you to hit balls that will make her dive in practice because she wants to work on that.” The Caledonia coach likes the athleticism in her line-up overall. She expects Kohn to be a strong hitter. “[Kohn] has been going all out in practice and always hustling, diving for every­ thing, so I think she will be in the mix [for playing time] as well. “No one is outworking us in practice. We might not be the mot talented on paper. Our hit­ ting is going to be the area of focus from what I have seen right now. Our pitchers, if they’re healthy ,they will keep us in games, but ifwe don’t give them the run support it is going to be tough to win those games. We’re working on hitting the ball hard consistently and put- ting it in play and getting some offensive production going.” Back from spring break, the Scots are set to visit Calvin Christian Wednesday and then visit Grandville to open the OK Red Conference season Thursday afternoon. Schertzing doesn’t expect any easy afternoons in the OK Red Conference. With its pitching talent, Jenison will be tough to beat. Hudsonville and Rockford are traditionally out­ standing and Schertzing said East Kentwood looks to have a solid squad this spring too. The Scot coach is happy to be mixing things up a bit with the schedule this season. Sparta was on the early slate, but that ballgame was post­ poned due to weather before the break. The Scots have the ballgame with the Squires ahead and will go to Mattawan for a round robin tournament April 22. Sprinters from state finals back to pace Caledonia boys’ track team Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots motto in 2022 could have been “we’re number two!” They’ll work to be that good or better if they can in 2023. The Caledonia varsity boys’ track and field team placed second at the OK Red Conference Championship, second at its MHS AA Division 2 Regional Meet and second at the MITCA Team State Finals at the end ofthe 2022 season. Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST While the Scots had a state placing 4x800-meter relay team made up entirely of seniors in 2022, there was also a 4x 100-meter relay team at the DI State Finals made up of three sopho­ mores and a freshman last June as well as a couple outstanding guys in the field events at the finals. Junior Jordan Gutierrez was 16“* in the long jump at the DI State Finals a year ago. The long jump wasn’t even Gutierrez’s top event in the — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED B'smrsKP ■___________ Caledonia, MI ___________ Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — (fSuV® IWMBAI WMBA Brock Townsend tance guys in the program, they’re stepping up their respon- Your local agent insures your Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs J State & I-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies L? NFIB OK Red Conference last sea­ son, he was the conference runner-up in the highjump but just missed out on qualifying for the state finals in that event. The returning group of sprinters is a strong one led by juniors Dharius Walker, Ethan Berends, Brock Townsend, senior Jimmie Floyd and junior Mason Osterhouse. The distance group is tal­ ented as usual, led by Jordan Domany, Blake Elliot, Micah Nagel and Ayden Duffin. Theren Sanders and Ian Fedewa look to step up and score in the throws for the Scots while Owen Hager will look to keep dropping time in the hurdles. Hager was sixth in the OK Red Conference in the 110-meter high hurdles as a sophomore last year. Head coach Ben Thompson, in his fifth season leading the program that he as been with for two decades, is also happy to add sprinters Sheldon Thomas and Shaden Thomas this spring, Jonas Howell in the sprints and hurdles and Eli Veiling in the distance events. While there are strong dis- 4EBD FS&rm J FARM BUREAU INSURANCE' Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mic&gMtg (ngurrutce. Corrrpajtg, > 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com sibility moving into scoring roles for the team. Thompson said his squad will also be look­ ing to replace a lot of scorers in the field events from a year ago - including a state qualifying discus thrower and pole vaulter. East Kentwood, Rockford and Grand Haven appear to Thompson to be the favorites in the OK Red Conference heading into the season. The Scots will work to compete at the top of the conference. The Caledonia boys got a win over Byron Center before the spring break. They open the conference season at West Ottawa Wednesday and then will host their annual Soderman relays Saturday, April 15. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023/ Page 15 [SPRINGSPORTSPREVIEWS New coaching staff hopes to build CHS girls’ LAX program back up Brett Bremer Mi s are a lot of new expectations. Sports Editor Our goal is to fight for the There are a couple of conference title and advance things that the Caledonia in the regional tournament.” varsity girls’ lacrosse team Those are high goals, but and its new coaching staff the Scots have some good have to work around this leaders back to help chase them including junior spring. The Scots don’t have a girl defender Megan Bushart, trained as a lacrosse goalie junior midfielder Addie Roe and they don’t have any and senior attacker Rylen Goosen. freshmen in the program. “It’s going to be a tough Venema is joined in lead­ transitional season,” ing the program this spring Caledonia’s new head coach by assistant coaches Taylor Kendra Venema said head­ Duba and Brandon Duba. ing into spring break. “There The Caledonia girls were 12-6 a season ago and reached the regional semifi­ nals in the state tournament. The team did that without senior Kiana Haywood, who missed her junior season with an injury. Coach Venema said that despite a lack of freshmen in the program, there are seven sophomores who have step up to round out the team with their skills. There aren’t the numbers in the program to have a JV team this spring. So far, she likes how all her girls are willing to step up and fill roles where they’re needed. Grand Rapids Christian and Hudsonville are likely to be the two teams toughest to get past if the Scots have hopes of finish at the top of Tier II. The Scots have a few games in already. They return to action Monday at home against Portage Northern and then will travel to face Grand Rapids Christian Wednesday. Spring Lake comes to Scotland yard for a match Friday, April 14. Addie Roe Lacrosse guys looking to be more aggressive on attack this spring Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia varsity boys’ lacrosse coach Kolin Herron is sure he’s got athletes, the work is to continue to mold them into lacrosse players as the 2023 spring season gets underway. He and fellow coach Ethan Burd are working to keep prac­ tices fun, fast paced and com­ petitive. “Lately we’ve taken on the identity we want to play fast and be a physical team,” Herron said. “We have talent We arejust still learning how to use it Our biggest strength is we’re a really fast team. We’re big, strong and aggressive. We’ve been doing drills to best replicate in-game scenarios.” Those drills focus on things like odd-man situations. The staff is trying to keep drills faced paced and getting guys sprinting from one to the next The Scots are also hoping that Tyler Burd 197817 lililfcMwirii those things help the team be a little less passive, especially on the attack in the upcoming sea­ son. “Last year one of our strug­ gles was being aggressive and taking it to the cage and not being afraid of competitions,” coach Herron said. “This year we’re really focusing on guys owning their match-ups. Lacrosse is a possession game, we’re also really focusing on passing and catching this year.” The defense will likely be the strong point on the squad this spring, led by senior Tyler Burd and junior midfielder Blake Herron. Burd has plans to continue playing at Davenport University after this final high school season. The team is also happy to welcome back junior Jack VanEss to the attack. Coach Herron said the team returns most of its starting defense from a year ago. Junior Jackson Kozac will look to help lead the attack with VanEss up front. Junior Josh Sprague returns for his third year as a lacrosse goalkeeper and his second on the Scot varsity. The Scots will look for a boost in the midfield from sophomores Ethan Fisher and Keegan Broomfield. Caledonia fell to Forest Hills Eastern in its season opener before spring break. The Scots return to action at Zeeland East Tuesday and then will be at Lowell Thursday in the week ahead. They will host Kalamazoo Central at Scotland Yard Friday evening. The OK Conference Tier II will be die Scots’ home again this spring facing offagainst the likes of Byron Center, Zeeland, Lowell, spring lake, mona shores, Hudsonville, ReethsPuffer and West Ottawa. Coach Herron is also excited for his guys to head to a week­ end tournament in Petoskey in mid-May. There are only two games on the regular season schedule after that trip. The Scots are hoping to be in fine form by then to be able to chase after a spot in the district finals at least Coach Herron didn’t like being bumped from the state tourna­ ment by Byron Center early on in the postseason last year. There are 46 guys in the high Be "SENSIBLE" aboutyour water! 0yer 40 years °! experience AYNARD'S WATER CONDITIONING SALES SERVICE • RENTALS SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS Rid your water of sulfur and iron odors with an GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Iron Curtain System. Eliminate: • Sulfur odors • Iron staining NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy test for the May 2, 2023 Special Election will be conducted on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gaines Township Community Room, lower level, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE., Gaines Township, Michigan The Public Accuracy test is conducted to demonstrate that the pro­ gram and computers that will be used to tabulate the results of the election have been prepared in accordance with law. Gaines Township Clerk • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL « INDUSTRIAL Public Notice Michael Alex Brew school program this spring, and coach Herron said the team is working on being more in vol ved with the youth program in the area. He was really pleased with how a 3-on-3 youth tournament went at the high school back in mid-March. Coaches Herron and Burd also recently hosted a coaches’ clinic for the youth coaches at Scotland Yard-hop­ ing to share some practice skills that will have the kids prepared for when they hit the high school level. water test! AYNARD'S g.WATER conditioning If your water and laundry don't smell or look as clean as you would like... Call Us Today! 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8:30am-5:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pm Authorized PRO’S PICK’Dealer 61678910303 WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 8,2023 SPRINGlSgDRTSlEREVIEWS Scots off to 2-1-1 start already, visit Grand Ledge Tuesday Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer team will work to build on a 6-11-1 season in its second season under head coach Sam Steams. The Fighting Scot head coach likes his team’s depth and the girls’ speed of play. Gaining experience on the varsity pitch will be key. There is a solid group of returning varsity players for the Scots this spring, but many of them will see expanded roles. The senior group of return­ ees includes forward Gracie Gortmaker and midfielders Reese Nething and Katie Schwartzfisher. Also back on the varsity are junior defender Laney Peterson, sophomore defend­ er Lily Gortmaker and junior defender Kendall Maynard, in front ofjunior goalkeeper Davanee Balczak. The returning group also includes junior midfielders Angie Harney and Alexa Pearson along with sopho­ more forward Josie Wilcox. Freshman forward Baylee DeVries and senior midfield­ er Jocelyn Herrema are big additions for the Caledonia team this spring, along with senior defender Stella Haan and senior midfielder Madison Maas. Coach Steams said he expects Hudsonville and Rockford to be the two toughest squads in the OK Red Conference this season. The Hudsonville girls were undefeated in the conference a year ago and won their way to the regional finals before suffering a 1-0 loss to Portage Central. The Caledonia girls were third in the conference last season with a 6-3-5 mark and were 10-5-5 overall. That team graduated seven seniors last spring. The Scots are currently 2-1-1 this season. They’ll return to action Tuesday at Grand Ledge and then play host to Forest Hills Eastern Saturday, April 15. The OK Red Conference season begins when the Scots visit Grandville April 18. Grade Gortmaker Record-setting sprinters back to lead CHS girls’ track and field team Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia girls are looking to fill some openings in the point scoring responsi­ bilities and move up in the OK Red Conference and their regional this season. The Fighting Scots were seventh in the OK Red and seventh at their MHSAA Division 1 Regional Meet at season ago. There aren’t too many gaps to fill in the sprints for the Scots. All four members of the 4x200-meter relay team that set the school record a year ago return. That group includes Avah Winstrom, Audrey Howell, Brooke Heyboer and Teresa Abraham who finished the race in 1 minute 46.95 sec­ onds at regionals - just miss­ ing qualifying for the state finals in the event. Howell is a junior who will also compete in the hur­ dles this season. Abraham, another junior, will be a key competitor in the high jump. Heyboer is a junior and Winstrom a senior. The Scots do have one state qualifier back, junior pole vaulter Molly Winger who qualified for the state finals by clearing 10 feet 3 inches at regionals. She has already improved her per­ sonal record to 10-7 this sea­ son in a non-conference dual with Byron Center before spring break. Also back for the Scots are senior hurdler/sprinter Syd Mertz and senior distance runner Natalia Quigley. Coach Ben Howell, who is in his 19“ season with the program and fifth year as the head coach, said “we defi­ nitely have a number fresh­ man and new athletes that will most definitely factor into varsity positions and be key contributors this year.” It’s just too early to tell who those girls will be and in what events quite yet. The holes to fill are in the distance events and the throws were the Scots lost many of their top scorers to graduation. The Caledonia girls open the OK Red Conference sea­ son at West Ottawa Wednesday and then will be home for their annual Soderman Relays April 15. We Accept DELTA DENTAL* Keep VourTeeth for a LIFETIME! Molly Winger TENNIS, continued from page 12— Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? One-Stop Dentistry! 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Juniors Cailin Wodrich and Tyne Bufka were second doubles teammates for much of their sophomore season. So far this season they’ve been sharing their varsity experience with new partners at the top of the TK doubles line-up. The Trojan team also has senior Emma Thompson back at fourth doubles. Thompson has teamed with Emilia Rickert so far this spring. Wodrich has teamed with Libby Hess in the top spot while Bufka and Kaitlyn Culson have been competing together at num­ ber. New varsity players Jordan Pranger and Isabelle Schilithroat have teamed up at third doubles; The Trojans were bested in duals with Holland and Otsego before the break. They open OK Gold Conference play at home against Wayland Wednesday and then have a non-conference home dual with Caledonia Thursday after­ noon. The TK ladies go to the Lakewood Invitational Saturday, April 15. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-04-15.pdf 93f6c39f01da6998ed021220d3c8899d PDF Text Text 5?d9sla aei£?few5 gJgWMinraJ II k>^iJ J . .1JJ2> ■ W Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 15/ April 15,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N, M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Caledonia superintendent to interview for position in Kalamazoo Greg Chandler Educational Service StaffWriter Agency. Martin is sched­ The superintendent of uled to interview with the Caledonia Community KRESA board at 5 p.m. on Schools is under consider­ Tuesday, said Dave Killips ation for the superinten­ of the Michigan Leadership dent’s job for a regional Institute, which is working education consortium in the with the board on the search Kalamazoo area. process. Dr. Dedrick Martin, who Two other candidates — has been CCS superinten­ Mindy Miller, KRESA dent since July 2018, is one assistant superintendent for of three candidates who instruction, and Matthew will be interviewing next Olson, superintendent of week for the superinten­ Northwest Education dent’s position at the Kalamazoo Regional See DEDRICK MARTIN, page 2 Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin answers a question about the upcoming May bond issue at a Dialogue with Doc session held earlier this year. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Middleville Village Council interviews, appoints new trustee James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Village Council voted 5-1 at a spe­ cial meeting Thursday night to appoint Robert Bishop as a village trustee. He was one of five appli­ cants for the council seat left vacant in February when longtime trustee Mike Lytle announced his resignation due to health issues. His term in office was sched­ uled to expire at the end of 2024, so the seat will be up for election in Nov. 2024. Four of the applicants interviewed publicly for the nonpartisan position on the council at the meeting in the village hall: Amanda Fisk, Steve Baldry, Tracey Gillhespy and Bishop. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said the fifth applicant, Katey ‘Carrier,' withdrew her name from consideration Thursday before the interviews were Robert Bishop interviews for the vacant Middleville Council seat at a special conducted. Stolsonburg meeting Thursday night in village hall. (Photos by James Gemmell) served as moderator for the interviews. DeMaagd said, pointing out has a history of serving in here. My children graduated Baldry, Gillhespy and the value of experience on a the community. here. And I love what’s hap­ “Just having it a little in pened to the downtown,” he Bishop ran unsuccessfully village council that has only for the village council in two members remaining my blood, I guess, if you said. “It’s alive now and last November’s general from the council that was will. I know my way active. And I would like to election. Bishop was a seated before the November around a little bit and I’ve be part of that. To continue done a lot of homework - to bring that forward.” write-in candidate but lost election. Tracey Gillhespy was the to Johnny DeMaagd, who Fisk was the first appli­ literally and figuratively,” third person interviewed. was one of the council cant to be interviewed. Fisk said. She has a master’s degree She ran for one of three members that deliberated She said her prior experi­ four-year council seats in after Thursday’s interviews ence as village manager in public administration. Next up to bat in the the November election and to decide which applicant to would allow her to “jump was lost by three votes. select for the trustee posi­ into” a council position interview process She said she works part­ Baldry. He said he has lived tion. DeMaagd was the lone quickly. dissenting vote, even though “I already know how to in the village for 24 years time from home. She served he spoke well of Bishop. read a budget and check the and worked for 35 years as on a parent-advisory board But he felt Fisk’s experi­ meeting packets and all that an automation technician for the head start program in ence with the village gov­ sort of thing. I think that before retiring. He has been Traverse City before return­ ernment was too important can help a little bit in just on the Thomapple Township ing to Middleville about to overlook. kind of making sure a tran­ board of review for six eight years ago. “We used to do the grant “Ultimately, I believe sition goes smoothly,” Fisk years. Miss Fisk brings the most said. “I have a vested interest experience to the board,” See ROBERT BISHOP, page 2 She added that her family in Middleville. I graduated Middleville library group picks consultant for feasibility study Greg Chandler StaffWriter A community group look­ ing to establish a standalone public library in Middleville has chosen a consultant to work with the group on developing a feasibility study to gauge the level ofcommu­ nity interest in the project. The group, known as Middleville Needs a Library, Wednesday night selected Keith Hopkins, an Ada-based consultant who worked on the 2009 campaign that led to construction ofthe Caledonia branch of the Kent District Library as well as other libraries around the state, to develop the study. That decision comes as the group prepares to make a the presentation to See CONSULTANT, page 3 145th year • TTES member is promoted to lieutenant • Yankee Springs board puts new township hall to use • Caledonia superintendent pitches bond issue to local businesses Consultant Keith Hopkins addresses the library group during his presentation Wednesday night. The group chose Hopkins to work on development of a feasibility study to see how much interest there is in the community for a stand-alone public library separate from Thomapple Kellogg Schools. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • Trojan tennis topples Wayland in first conference competition • Caledonia girls win first two LAX contests in return from spring break �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023 ROBERT BISHOP, continued from page 1 writing opportunities in Traverse City. I volunteered at food banks,” Gillhespy said. “I volunteer my time where there’s events. I had a business in Hastings for a while. We did a lot of free support of other events.” Bishop was the final applicant interviewed for the council position. He said he is a longtime mem­ ber of the Middleville com­ munity and works at Advanced Packaging in Grand Rapids. He worked 16 years as an engineer at Viking Corp, in Hastings. Bishop also said he has a political science degree from Grand Valley State University. He is the trainer for the Middleville Pack 3065 troop, and a local commis­ sioner for the Boy Scouts of America. “I think one of the big­ gest issues with this com­ munity is affordable hous­ ing,” Bishop said. “We’re sort ofa bedroom communi­ ty for Grand Rapids, and that drives prices up quite a bit. But with the addition of jobs at Bradford White and the continuing need to grow the community, housing is going to be an issue.” Bishop said it is impera­ tive to better utilize the limited space available in the village and promote growth. Trustee Ann Williams said she liked the way Bishop answered the coun­ cil’s questions during the interview process. “He seemed very natural. He seemed very friendly ... He seemed very sociable, like he would be good with the people out there. So, I liked that aspect of it,” Williams said. The trustees initially were split on their individual choices, but Bishop received a lion’s share ofthe positive marks and that convinced the council to converge on The Middleville Village Council spoke highly of former Village President Amanda Fisk’s experience, skills and personality but opted to appoint another applicant to the council. his name before taking an official vote in his favor. “I loved his answers on literally everything,” trustee Kevin Smith said, adding that he was tom between Bishop and Fisk. “I think Mr. Bishop has a lot to bring to the board. I think he brings an objectivity that I haven’t seen in a while. His answers were very thought­ fill. I just think he worked through things in a very interesting way in front of us.” “Mr. Bishop has great openness, candor,” DeMaagd said. “He has a great perspective on hous­ ing and background of edu­ cation. And he would be a great asset in any role of leadership.” Village President Mike Cramer agreed. “(Bishop) made a lot of well-thought-out points. He processed questions right in front of us really well. And I think that’s what the com­ munity needs,” he said. “I was very impressed by (Fisk’s) knowledge,” Williams said. “And obvi­ ously, the background she has.” She spoke favorably of Bishop, as well, and said she liked Baldry’s methodi­ cal approach to answering questions. Council members interview four people for the Middleville Village trustee “I think Amanda Fisk would certainly be the most seat formerly occupied by Mike Lytle, who recently resigned due to health qualified since she (had) issues. been on the council,” Smith said. “She was the president February 2021 — about a a minor mistake, an error in ture,” he said. “I don’t believe one event ofthe council for a moment month after she was appoint­ judgment. But I feel that (in 2021). And I know she ed as village president - a would cause a lot of public defines a person’s life,” DeMaagd said. “And I don’t had personal issues she was post on her personal discord.” Trustee Richard Hamilton think (Fisk’s) experience dealing with when she Facebook page drew nation­ stepped down (in Sept. al media attention. It made said the public should can be understated.” “I don’t disagree with 2021). But at the end ofthe light ofthe death of conser­ decide on Fisk’s suitability day, she has served this vative radio talk-show host for the council in a future the redemption aspect, but community for a very long Rush Limbaugh. Fisk later election, if she decides to I do wholeheartedly believe time. I think she certainly apologized. But a petition run, that shouldn’t come from has what it takes ... she was circulated calling for “And let the people us. It should come from the would bring a lot ofwisdom her resignation. She decide, based on the past,” community,” Cramer said, to the board.” resigned for unrelated rea­ he said. “I think the people noting that Fisk has the “Having served with sons seven months later. need to speak on that one, option to run for election Amanda, she is very wellPeters said he heard some rather than us.” next year. versed,” Cramer said, not­ “frustration and anger” with Smith concurred. “If the people are happy, ing that she was well-pre­ Fisk from residents dining “I have very positive then she’ll win it,” he said. pared for council meetings. the controversy a couple thoughts about Amanda and “All of the candidates However, he said public years ago. I feel like she is exceptional brought something to the opinion might be a problem “She seems like a very at what she does. But I do table,” Smith said. “Bravo for Fisk, ifshe were appoint­ wonderful, pleasant person think there’s a measure of to all of them for doing ed to the council. In and it sounds like she made wisdom in the broader pic­ what they did.” DEDRICK MARTIN, continued from page Services in Traverse City will interview for the posi­ tion on Monday. It’s expect­ ed that the KRESA board will decide on who to bring back for second interviews after Martin’s interview on Tuesday, Killips said. Martin had his contract as CCS superintendent extend­ ed through June 2027 by the district’s Board of Education in December 2022. He received a 4 percent pay raise on Jan. 1 and is set to receive matching increases of 4 per­ cent on July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024. He also is set to receive longevity pay of 4 percent on July 1 ofthis year, followed by 5 percent in July 2024 and 6 percent in July 2025 and July 2026. Martin received a 93 per­ cent “highly effective” rating from the school board in his most recent evaluation con­ ducted in October. He came to Caledonia in 2018 from the Michigan Department of Education, where he had been school reform officer and director of partnership districts. He previously held superintendent positions in St. Johns and Ypsilanti. “It’s an honor to be asked to interview for this import­ ant position, and it’s a testa­ ment to our track record of success, achievement and fiscal responsibility here in Caledonia,” Martin told the Sun and News via email. “While I have accepted the invitation to participate in the interview process, I remain focused on our mis­ sion of providing a world­ class education to all Caledonia students. No final decisions have been made and I will be praying for guidance during this process, consulting with my family and keeping our school board informed as the process unfolds.” KRESA is an intermediate school district that provides educational services through­ out Kalamazoo County and portions of neighboring dis­ tricts, including Barry County. The agency serves nine public school districts, five public school academies and 18 non­ public schools. It provides special education services throughout its service area for students from birth to age 26, and also provides free early education programming, including the Head Start/Great Start Readiness Program. It also offers career learning through • KRESA Career Connect, according to the agency website. KRESA employs more than 675 employees and has an annual budget of $157 million, according to the agency website. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15, 2023/ Page 3 CONSULTANT, continued from page 1 Middleville Village Council on April 25 about the library project, as well as an interest in a building that could serve as an initial home for the library. “A feasibility study is a map,” Hopkins told the group. “Could you hit your goal without one? Maybe, but you’ll get there a lot fast­ er if you have a road map. And, it gives you the benefit of beginning to cultivate the community around the proj­ ect and to include them as partners in shaping the proj­ ect. “So it’s really important that when you do a study, that you listen to the feed­ back that you get from the community ... Let’s say you have a $4 million campaign in mind, and I come back after talking to some ofthese key donors, and I say, ‘well, the people in the community seem to like the project, but they really think that it would be better sized at around $2.5 million.’ You’d be fools to go out with a $4 million campaign, when your lead donors in the community are telling you that you should down­ size. So that then causes you all to come back to the table, sharpen the pencil, maybe shrink the square footage or take some things out and find ways to refine it so that it matches the needs and desires ofthe community.” Hopkins was one of two consultants who gave pre­ sentations to the library group Wednesday night, the other being Kirstin VanderMolen of Kennari Consulting, who lives in the Middleville area. The library group began meeting nearly a year ago to discuss how to put together a public library that is separate from Thomapple Kellogg Schools. Currently, there is a library at Thomapple Kellogg High School, but it is only open to the communi­ ty 12 hours a week during the school year - 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday nights and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Hopkins told the group that a library campaign would likely cost in the neighborhood of $120,000 to $130,000. That would include consulting fees, development of printed materials, production ofpro­ motional videos and donor cultivation events, he said. “What you do is you plan those costs into the budget to recover them,” Hopkins said. “If (you have) a $2 million campaign, you run a $2.1 million campaign to recover all those costs, and you show those costs in your budget to every single donor, because smart people know that it costs money to raise money. “If you don’t show it in your budget, they’re going to assume one of two things: either you were too stupid to know that it costs money to raise money, or you’re trying to hide the cost... You don’t want either ofthose. Youjust want to be totally upfront and say, ‘People, look, it costs us money to do this, there’s no hidden costs, there’s no line item, it’s a small percentage ofour over­ all goal. We’re going to try to recover some ofthat.’” Hopkins went on to say that doing the feasibility study will significantly boost the chances a library cam­ paign will be successful. “Ifyou do a study and you follow the recommendations, 95 to 96 percent of the time you’re going to hit your goal, and often exceed it,” he said. The group has expressed interest in a building at 154 Railroad St., near the Downtown Development Authority amphitheater and the Thomapple River, as a potential library site. The building, which is owned by the Village of Middleville, currently contains four apart­ ments, only one of which is occupied, group member Chris Boysen said. The group would like to get access to the building in This apartment house at 154 Railroad Street has been identified as a potential location for a new Middleville public library. The building is owned by the Village of Middleville. advance of the April 25 Village Council presentation “so we’ll have a more solid idea and say, ‘this is what that building is. We’ve had somebody give us a rough estimate of what it would take to turn it into a library,”’ group member Josh Mosey said. The group is next sched­ uled to meet on Wednesday, May 17 at 6 p.m. at the Thomapple Township Hall. Kent County Sheriff’s deputies capture teenage suspects fleeing in stolen vehicle; Similar incidents have become prevalent in the area James Gemmell Contributing. Writer It took two separate pur­ suits on Monday night and early Tuesday morning, but Kent County Sheriffs depu­ ties finally caught up to some suspects in a stolen vehicle in Gaines Township. The first chase happened just after 9 p.m. Monday, when police spotted a stolen Kia near 60th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue. 60th Street is the border between the township and the City of Kentwood. The Sheriffs Office said deputies tried to execute a traffic stop, but the suspects fled. Traffic condi­ tions at the time forced police to break off the pursuit. But another deputy later saw the same vehicle around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday on Woodfield Drive, near 60th Street and Eastern Avenue. He tried to pull it over, but the vehicle sped away. The sub­ sequent chase went west on 60th Street, where officers had laid down some spike strips in anticipation of anoth­ er pursuit. As the fleeing vehicle approached Division Avenue, it ran over the spike strips. Police say the Kia then turned south onto Division and went behind a business before eventually stopping on Regal Avenue. That’s where deputies said they took the five teenage suspects into custody. There were two 15-year-old boys, two 17-year-old boys, and one 16-year-old girl, all from the Grand Rapids area. The Sheriffs Office said the Kia was stolen recently from Jenison. It added that the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case before deciding on potential charges against each of the teenagers. The KCSO has previously said that stolen vehicles that are being used as transporta­ tion in other crimes has become commonplace in recent years and the suspects are often teenagers. Kent County Sheriffs Deputy Jason VanderMolen told the Gaines Township Board recently the number of car thefts has risen signifi­ cantly lately. “We are making some headway there but, literally, you lock two of them up and two more come back and we’re at it again,” VanderMolen said. “It’s a couple times a week that we’re chasing cars. The heli­ copter’s been out several times from (Michigan State Police) lately.” In late February, an MSP helicopter crew helped troop­ ers track down and arrest two teenage suspects following a stolen-vehicle chase that ended near 100th Street and Division Avenue. An aerial spotlight was shone on the teenagers after they ditched the vehicle and took off run­ ning. Last October, sheriffs deputies arrested six teenag­ ers in the 6500 block of Madison Avenue in Gaines Township. They said the sus­ pects, who ranged in age from 14 to 16 years old, Kent County Sheriff’s deputies pursue teenage suspects in a stolen vehi­ cle in Gaines Charter Township. (Screen cap­ ture provided by KCSO) allegedly had been stealing property from vehicles in that neighborhood south of 68th Street. Their getaway car had been stolen out ofthe City of Wyoming. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd LENNOX ATTNG & AIR CONDITIONING. INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 BBB BBB ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15, 2023 Middleville TOPS 546 Joan Kay Buer On Saturday, April 8, 2023, heaven welcomed Joan Kay Buer, 80 years old, into God’s presence, just in time to celebrate Easter. Joan was reunited with her husband of nearly 60 years, Norman (Norm), who pre­ ceded her in death in June of 2022. Joan was the daughter of Alvin and Vivian Barnaby and was bom and raised in Caledonia and attended the Gannon schoolhouse. She graduated from Caledonia High School class of 1960 and married her sweetheart, Norm, in 1962. Not long after, they bought their first house in Caledonia and wel­ comed three children. Joan worked until her retirement at Caledonia Elementary and Kettle Lake Elementary Schools. Her love of working with chil­ dren grew as she became involved in Green Lake Calvary Church teaching a two hour church and Sunday School class for 2-3 year olds. She would continue this ministry for more than 25 years. She blessed many parents by allowing them to worship, while their children looked forward to the routine, story, craft, books and songs with Mrs. Joan. Joan was known for being an amazing hostess. Her love for others translated into a welcoming home, where family, friends, groups, and her treasured widows of the church, were treated as special guests. She was a skilled event planner and known for her themed de’cor and atten­ tion to detail. Joan planned numerous events, programs, luncheons, and showers for her church. She would eventually share her talent with Norm’s industry to coordinate many large corporate events for the Michigan Well Water Drillers Association. Joan loved to create. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, crafting and deco­ rating. She kept busy making gifts for weddings, new babies and for her favorite holiday, Christmas! Gift giv- ing was her love language and all of her children and grandchildren have been blessed by her beautiful work. Joan’s home and family have always been her great­ est joy. Knowing that her children and grandchildren love Jesus and will join her in heaven, is her greatest leg­ acy. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Peter and Stacie Buer, Kristie and Rob Summerfield, Kae and Steve Stonebumer; her grandchil­ dren, Josiah, Samantha and Cody, Janessa and Ben, Trenton, Madison, Brittany, Kacie, Rachael and Andrew, Joshua and Melissa. Her great grandchildren, Matthias, Rosemary, Cayden, Ambrevina, and Wayion. Visitation was held on Thursday, April 13, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 East Main Street, Caledonia. Funeral services were held on Friday, April 14, at Green Lake Calvary Church, 608 145th Ave., Caledonia with a luncheon to follow. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. The April 8 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Five new fish are in the fishbowl, with one turtle. The chapter had a no gain week. The group’s leader, Chris, is leaving TOPS so a goodbye party was held for her with healthy foods to enjoy. She was given a tulip plant, a gift card, a card and all of members’ very best wishes. George was the best loser for March. The meeting ended with the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln TK Fit Girls’ annual 6K run/walk set for May 16 James Gemmell Contributing Writer A season oftraining comes to a close on May 16 in Middleville when local girls in grades 2nd through 5th hit the trail downtown for the TK Fit Girls’ annual 6K run/ walk. Lee and Page Elementary school students participate in an after school running program that focuses on healthy bodies. The origi­ nal race date of May 18 was changed to avoid a schedule conflict because Page’s field day falls on that date. Coach Carrie Caskey told the village council at its meeting Tuesday that she expects 100 to 150 par­ ticipants, including specta- alaska 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org tors to walk, jog or stroll­ er-run the race. They will gather at Stagecoach Park, 100 E. Main St., around 6 p.m. and then hit the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail at 6:15 p.m. Families and friends are invited to join the girls. “We go 3K down (the trail), 3K back,” Caskey told the council. “We will clean up after ourselves. We will set signs, we will pick up signs, we will leave it better than we found it.” The village council voice-voted 6-0 to approve a special event permit for the run/walk. Sometimes referred to as the Celebration 6K, the TK Fit Girls event calls attention to the global need for clean Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Middleville church Sunday's Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: // goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 _________www^tpaulcaledonia .or g @thejchurch Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School........... .9:30 9:30 AM AM Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11 ;qo a.m. .10:30 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Witch our services from our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Sunday Worship Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting ■ HOLY FAMILY QJC ATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass ....................5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses...........9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC c H U R C H 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE water. According to the teamworldvision.org web­ site, 1 out of 10 people on the planet have no daily access to clean water, a crisis that disproportionately affects females. The local run/walk comes the same week as the Global 6K for Water, which is on May 20. Organizers say the TK Fit Girls’ 6K reflects the average six-kilometer dis­ tance that people in the developing world walk each day to get water. Each par­ ticipant’s registration fee provides clean water for one person in need. The $35 cost covers the entry fee, a T-shirt and the program. A registration page is posted on the tkschools.org web­ site. Caledonia United IL Methodist Church Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15 a.m., followed imme­ diately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. THORNAPPLE VALLEY CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023/ Page 5 Jansens promoted to lieutenant at Thornapple Township Emergency Services Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Township Emergency Services has pro­ moted Pattrick Jansens to the rank of lieutenant. Jansens, who has been with the department since September 2003, received his pin marking his promotion at Monday’s Thomapple Township board meeting. His wife, Amber, and 8-year-old son, Kellen, pinned the ceremonial bugles to the uniform shirt symbolizing the promotion. “Back in older times, that’s how they made announcements to who was to move in (to a new position),” TIES Chief Bill Richardson said prior to the pinning ceremony. “The more bugles you had, the more people you had a span of control over. A chief would have five or six different bugles with different sounds, telling people to go in or pulling people out by how they trumpeted (the sound). That’s the backstory on the bugles.” Jansens, who became a full­ time member of TIES in Members of Thornapple Township Emergency Services surround Pattrick Jansens for a group shot following his pinning ceremony Monday. September of last year, will be in charge of fire training for the department in his new responsibility. He is a state-certified Level I fire instructor, Richardson said. “You have to be trained on whatever you’re going to do, at least annually,” Richardson said. “Everything that a fire- fighter can do, he’s going to make sure we are compliant” Jansens has also worked with local veterans through the Barry County United Way. Pattrick Jansens has the ceremonial bugles pinned on the lapel of his uniform shirt by his wife Amber, symbolizing his promotion to lieutenant at Thomapple Township Emergency Services, during Monday’s township board meeting. The couple’s 8-year-old son, Kellen, looks on. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Yankee Springs board holds first meeting in renovated meeting hall Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township officials continue to wrap up final details on the township hall expansion and renovation proj­ ect Thursday night marked the first township board meeting in the newly-renovated meet­ ing room. The five board members took their seats behind a newly-installed plat­ form, with a sky blue back­ drop behind them. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis personally thanked the 10 members ofthe renova­ tion committee for their efforts in helping make the project possible. The committee con­ sisted of township staff/elected officials Mike Cunningham (township clerk), Deb Mousseau (township treasur­ er), Dan Scheuerman, Alice Jansma, Sandy Marcukaitis and Marge VanderMeyden, and residents Marsha Clark, Diane Gaertner, Kelly Robbins and Sally Smith. “This renovation process and the design that we chose and everything else was from the committee,” Heethuis said. Cunningham, who chaired the renovation committee and played a central role in coordi­ nating with project contractor Mugen Construction the details of the renovation, spoke of earlier efforts to make the project happen that ultimately helped shape the final product. “It couldn’t have been done without the prior work of the past committees, since all the way back to 2000, maybe?” Cunningham said. “It’s been a work in progress. The com­ mittee that we had, 10 people, it was a lot of people for a committee, but it worked out well. Some people contributed more than others, but every­ body contributed in important ways ... They put a lot of work into it. There was nobody just riding along. It was just a great committee. “The design really isn’t that much different than the past ones. We just kind oftweaked it and modernized it. We spent a lot of time trying to make sure that it was what we need­ ed. You can’t do it without a board that’s not supportive. If you don’t have support from the board, you’re not going to move it forward. This was the third time that it was approved, but it was the first time it got finished.” The township received its certificate of occupancy to move into the renovated space April 5, and furnishings for the reception area were installed two days later. The township also secured used office furniture that will be used to outfit the treasurer’s office and the planning and zoning office. They found the furniture in a travel agency in Grand Rapids that had gone out ofbusiness, and picked up the furnishings at no cost, Cunningham said. The used furniture consists of three desks, nine chairs, eight lateral file cabinets, one table and one whiteboard. The chairs and table are in use in the conference room that was the original office space. The remaining furnishings should be installed in the next couple of weeks, Cunningham said. The potential cost savings for acquiring the used office furniture for the township could be around $5,000, Cunningham said. Final punch list items for the project are still being worked on. “I’ve got a twopage list and a lot of it is our own stuff, like moving the mailbox back - dinky little stuff that every project needs to finish,” Cunningham said. The board Thursday approved the purchase of an 86-inch television monitor that will be installed on the wall behind the platform to be used for presentations at township meetings. The township will pay $1,070 for the monitor. In addition, the board also approved spending $4,137 for the repair and reinstallation of lawn sprinkling equipment at the hall. In other business: - Marcukaitis, representing the township parks committee, updated the board on upcom­ ing projects at the Township Park. A new information kiosk was installed earlier this week by volunteers Chuck and Mary Shira and Dan Ullery. Marcukaitis also reported that the parking lot paving project at the park will begin in the first week of May. - The board approved spending $300 for the Gun Lake chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs to be used for the reading pro­ gram at the park this summer. The program begins June 12 and runs on Mondays through Aug. 22. - The board also approved authorizing GFWC to use the Township Park for its annual fundraising event on Saturday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Yankee Springs Township board comes to order for its first meeting since the completion of the hall renovation project on Thursday night. From left are Township Clerk Mike Cunningham, Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis, Township Trustee Larry Knowles, Township Trustee Dave VanHouten and Township Treasurer Deb Mousseau. (Photos by Greg Chandler) - The board also approved paying Professional Code Inspections $18,022 for zon­ ing administrative services that were provided to the township in 2022. The town­ ship hadn’t received an invoice from PCI for its services since 2019, company co-president Eric Thompson wrote in a let­ ter to the township. The town­ ship has since moved toward bringing in an in-house zoning administrator. - The board approved spending up to $1,500 to pur­ chase an automated external defibrillator that will be installed on the new township fire truck. - The annual township cleanup day will take place next Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers who wish to take part in the cleanup are asked to gather at the Yankee Springs Fire Station, 1825 S. Payne Lake Rd. - The annual Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, at the veterans memorial which is next to the fire sta­ tion. Details of the ceremony are still being finalized. ppg eternal Donate Sunday, April 16 at Cornerstone Church’s 84th St. Vversiti' Blood Centers Cornerstonemi.org/BloodDrive �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023 Hilton appointed to TAPRC board as debate sparks over appointment process they could get their applica­ tion in, and he didn’t reply to her,” Getty said. “It’s no judgment - I’m busy, too. I get it. But in light ofthat, I felt he should have opened it up to those other candidates and interviewed everybody that was interest­ ed in the position.” Hilton’s appointment I am excited about the future for the TAPRC and came a little more than two am thankful that I am able to serve while still weeks after she sent an email to the Thomapple Kellogg having children at an age that will get to reap the school board, critical of the benefits ofwhat this program has to offer our process the board used in choosing two TAPRC mem­ beautiful little community,” bers. The school board on - Keara Hilton, newly-elected Thomapple Area Feb. 13 chose Getty and for­ Parks and Recreation Commission board member mer school board president Kristen Cove to be the two new TK representatives on for the position that appeared Bouchard and trustees Curt the commission, joining cur­ in the Sun and News in its Campbell, Ross DeMaagd rent board member Anne Feb. 25 edition, which gave a and Sandy Rairigh voted in Hamming. Getty and Cove replaced favor ofthe appointment. deadline of March 13, “We put a deadline of TK staff members Brian Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said after the meet­ March 13 (in the advertise­ Hammer and Nick Iveson, ing. Two other people sub­ ment),” Schaefer said. “I who resigned their board seats Jan. 9 but continue to mitted applications after the actually sent an email to Emily (Dock, village of serve TAPRC in advisory deadline, Schaefer said. Interim Township Clerk Middleville representative roles. on TAPRC) and Catherine “Upon speaking with some community members (Getty) on Feb. 16, asking Farm Garage Sale CANOPY TENT RENTALShow this was supposed to go and sharing documentation Middleville Boy Scout Troop GARAGE SALE: FRL, April 105 has canopy tent rentals HAY: WOULD LIKE some­ about being done, and discovered via (the Freedom 21st, 9am-5pm. Sat., April available for open houses, one to cut & bale my 20 acre Catherine sent a reply and ofInformation Act), it’s very 22nd, 2023,9am-2pm. House­ family gatherings, and cele­ hay field. 300 bales for me, said we should put a cutoff clear that the recent vacan­ hold items, antiques, DVDs, brations. Scouts set up and the rest for you, plus 50 cies were filled on basis of toys. Adult & kids clothes. take down canopies within acre adjacent fields. 60th date of March 13, and that’s 7619 Whitneyville SE, Alto. St. near Alaska Ave., 616­ exactly what I did.” false information being pro­ 20 miles of Middleville. 240-7484. Units are 18 feet by 30 feet. Getty offered a response to vided in the board review Business Services Cost is $190.00 for canopy. Schaefer’s statement. packets and what appears to Community Notice WATERPROOFING, EPOXY $235.00 for fully enclosed “(The advertisement) did be an intentional effort to PRESSURE INJECTION. canopy. Support the local NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ go out in the paper with the ensure that Cove and Getty concretestopleak.com 269­ Scouts. Call Mark at 616­ AGE SALE- Please notice March 13 deadline,” she would be the. appointees,” 723-1261. 758-3312. Red Dot Storage 195- Cale­ donia located at 5590 68th said. “We had some volun­ Hilton wrote in the e-mail to Pets Street SE., Caledonia, MI teers for TAPRC in the past the TK board. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White BEAUTIFUL GOLDEN RE­ 49316 intends to hold an that were waiting to see that Hilton’s letter went on to Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for TRIEVER Puppies- Cute and auction of the storage unit announcement, and they single out Hamming in the pricing. Will buy single Wal- adorable! 1st shots and de­ in default of payment. This checked the website and the appointment process. nut trees. Insured, liability & wormed. Mom on site. Males sale will occur online via Facebook (page). Not every ­ “It’s clear that Anne www.storageauctions.com workman's comp. Fetterley and females, $400.00. 517­ body gets the paper.” on 5/2/2023 at 9:30 AM. Hamming screened the appliLogging, (269)818-7793. 852-3007. Unless stated otherwise, “I was looking for a path­ cants, as she admits that she the contents are household way to go, and you said a Help Wanted MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ was the point person in goods, furnishings, boxes, CATION and repair, custom simple posting, a small charge. With that said, I CARVETH VILLAGE OF and general equipment. trailers, buckets, bale spears, advertisement that would like to know at which Middleville is in search of full Unit numbers are as follows: etc. Call 269-804-7506. time and part time caregivers #354; #453; #454; #114; #426. Thomapple Township has a public board meeting was it to work 12 days a month or All property is being stored vacancy on the Thomapple deliberated and decided that CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ less. Benefits are included at the above self-storage TIONS, REMODELING, as well as great wages and a facility. This sale may be parks and rec commission. I one board member would be Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams flexible schedule. Apply on­ withdrawn at any time with­ was looking for guidance in charge of narrowing the & Decks. Licensed builder 25 line at www.carvethvillage. and that’s exactly what I candidate pool on behalf of out notice. Certain terms years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ com or in person by calling and conditions apply. See did,” Schaefer said. the entire board, as all busi­ 5937. (269)795-4972. manager for details. “I’m just saying there ness decisions must be made were other candidates out at meetings open to the pub­ there, and I believe they con­ lic,” Hilton wrote. “Upon tacted Emily to find out researching the Open will receive sealed proposals from qualified bidders for when the applications need­ Meetings Act, it appears as ed to be in,” Getty said. “I, though the manner in which “2023 Pavement Program for Various Locations”: by no means (intend) to cast these appointments were any stones here. She sent an done may have been in violaDuncan Lake Middle School email to Eric and a text...” tion of multiple laws under “And you sent an email to Kraft Meadows Middle School OMA.” Emily and myself, saying the The following are comVarsity Baseball Field 13th should be the cutoff ments made by Hamming at date,” Schaefer said, and he the Feb. 13 meeting when A mandatory pre-bid walk through, starting at Duncan Lake Mid­ cut off further discussion Getty and Cove were dle School, 9757 Duncan Lake Ave. SE, (LOT P-1) Caledonia, Ml after that. appointed to be the TAPRC Getty offered a further representatives. 49316, is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10:00AM (EST). explanation on the appoint­ “Our practice has been to Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Township board Monday night appoint­ ed Keara Hilton to fill an opening on the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission board. The board voted 5-2 to pick Hilton to be one ofthree township representatives on the nine-member commis­ sion, filling a position previ­ ously held by Catherine Getty. Getty stepped down as a township representative since she resigned as the township’s zoning adminis­ trator, and has since been appointed to the TAPRC board as a representative of Thomapple Kellogg Schools. Hilton’s term will expire at the end ofthis year. “As a 20-year resident in the township, I am thrilled to be able to have a hand in making an impact in my community through TAPRC ... As you know, I am a firm believer in following proper processes and procedures, as well as laws and regulations, when it comes to any gov­ ernment affiliated position, so this TAPRC board would be no different,” Hilton wrote in an e-mail to the Sun andNews. “I will do my very best to represent my town­ ship in a way that is honorable and impactful. Integrity is something I believe our community values and I plan to uphold those values. I am honored to have been elected through a fair and honest process, and will sleep well knowing that the position I hold is one that was earned based on my passion to vol­ unteer my time to better my community.” Hilton attended her first TAPRC board meeting on Wednesday. The TAPRC board consists ofthree mem­ bers each representing the township, the village of Middleville and Thomapple Kellogg Schools. “I am excited about the future for the TAPRC and am thankful that I am able to serve while still having chil­ dren at an age that will get to reap the benefits ofwhat this program has to offer our beautiful little community,” Hilton wrote. Hilton was the lone appli­ cant to respond to a posting Elaine Denton and Trustee Kim Selleck voted against Hilton’s appointment. “I would just like to say I would like to see a bigger pool (ofcandidates),” Denton said. Schaefer, Treasurer Lama Caledonia Community Schools Sealed bids will be received until 12:00PM (EST), Friday, April 28, 2023, at Caledonia Community Schools - Operations, Paving 2023, 8944 Kraft Ave. SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. Bids will then be opened publicly and read aloud. Late bids will not be accepted. For information and bidding documents please contact Alex Keifer at StructureTec, (269) 249-6405. Caledonia Schools is an AA/EOE employer. ment process in a phone interview Tuesday. “My concern is that Emily Dock, the vice chair, had a couple of people that were interested in applying, and she contacted Eric by email and text and phone, to find out when the deadline was so give first dibs to (TK) staffif they’re interested,” Hamming said at that meet­ ing. “There were no internal staffwho were interested, so not qualify because they do not live within the school district boundaries, one just didn’t have the skill set that we look for, for the TAPRC board. So that left us with Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove.” The TARPC entity agree­ ment essentially, the bylaws by which the com­ mission operates - do not place a residency require­ ment for board seats. That agreement was signed by the township, village and school district in 2011. “The governing body of each Member Unit shall appoint three members to sit on the Board,” Section 3.1.A of the document states, with no reference at all to residen­ cy. In an e-mail to the Sun and News Wednesday, Hamming wrote that she and other board members “were mistaken in the belief there was a residency requirement.” But she remained firm that the board made the right choice for the appointments. “I still would not have recommended either of the two applicants who live outside of the district because they had no ties to our community through their work or their families,” Hamming wrote. “In addition to having no ties to the community, each of the candidates lived more than 30 minutes from Middleville. That distance is not conducive to the various volunteer commitments needed by our board members. We need board mem­ bers who know the community well and can pitch in to help on a regular basis on short notice. We fulfilled both of those needs with Catherine and Kristen.” Hamming went on to say that all three entities have struggled to get volunteers to serve on the board “no matter how much they advertise or promote the openings.” The advertisement for the TK representatives was post­ ed on the Kent Intermediate School District website - TK is a part of KISD - but was not posted in the Sun and News. However, it was post- ed on the TK website, Superintendent Craig McCarthy wrote in a March 15 email to the school board. “The posting of these positions was no different than any other postings for positions in the school district,” McCarthy wrote in the email. “All vacancies within the district can be found on the (human resources) page of the TK website. The only reason Kent ISD shows up is due to our consortium agree­ ment for the AppliTrack Erica (Dudik, TK adminis- product (an HR software sys- trative assistant) made the post public ... We actually had five applicants, two did tem used by KISD to post See HILTON, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15, 2023/ Page 7 Martin pitches May bond issue to Caledonia Chamber Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin made his case for support of the upcoming May 2 bond issue to the local business commu­ nity Wednesday. Martin outlined the $61 million proposal to about 40 attendees at the quarterly meeting of the Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce at Journey Church. The pro­ posal will not raise the dis­ trict’s debt service millage, which stands at 7 mills, but will push back payoff of out­ standing bonds from 2050 to 2055, Martin said. If approved, the bond issue will make possible con­ struction of a new. 60,000-square-foot Dutton Elementary School at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. The new building would replace the current Dutton Elementary on 68th Street. “Dutton is actually our sec­ ond-oldest facility ... It has been well-maintained for its age, but it is not on par with the rest of our educational facilities in our community,” Martin told the chamber. In addition, the current Dutton location is not an ideal location for a school, Martin said. “You look at it, there’s about five or six houses right parameters, such as building around there, and then you a smaller school, having a have the fire station, you have combined gymnasium and the gravel company, you have cafeteria, and having only Amazon down the street, one entrance into the build­ Steelcase. It’s not a location ing. Ultimately, the board for an elementary school,” he decided against those options said. “We don’t have kids and pursued the new bond who can walk or ride to that proposal. location ... it’s zoned as a Another $6.5 million from light industrial-zoned area.” the May bond proposal would “We need a bigger build­ go toward renovations to the ing to accommodate future bleachers, press box, locker growth that we think is defi­ rooms and concession stands nitely going to happen, and at Ralph E. Myers Football we need a location that is a Stadium. A new synthetic turf little bit more traffic-friendly is being installed at the stadi­ and is more safe for our um using proceeds from the kids,” Martin added. 2020 bond. The district plans to allo­ Another $3 million in cate $40 million of the bond bond proceeds will be used proceeds to the new Dutton for Phase 2 improvements to building, which was to have the CalPlex sports and recre­ been part of the $88.1 million ation complex, which will bond issue that voters include new baseball and approved in May 2020. The soccer fields. district had at the time allo­ More than $11 million cated $21 million ofproceeds from the new bond would be from the 2020 bond for con­ used for facility reinvest­ struction of the school, but a ments. They include: combination of an unprece­ - Replacing the roof over dented spike in steel prices, sections of Duncan Lake supply chain pressures and Middle School and Early inflationary price increases Childhood Center ($1.5 mil­ for both labor and materials lion). - Replacing the 7W resulted in bids for the project coming in more than $9 mil­ entrance, and facade at lion over budget last fall. Duncan Lake, as well as After receiving bids for extend the cafeteria ($1.2 the Dutton project last fall, million). - Replacing the turf at the school board looked at cost-cutting measures to try Scotland Yard, as well as to stay within the 2020 bond upgrading the bleachers and replacing dugouts and stor­ age buildings ($1.4 million). - Technology improve­ ments ($3.6 million). - Purchase of new buses, which has typically been a general fund budgeted item ($1.6 million). - Demolition of the cur­ rent Dutton Elementary building on 68th Street once the new school is built ($750,000). - Additional parking and parking flow improvements at Kettle Lake Elementary School ($750,000). - Replacing the play­ ground surface at Paris Ridge Elementary School for safety reasons ($400,000). - A secure storage area for band equipment and instru­ ments ($300,000). Some of the items on the facility reinvestment list had been considered for the 2020 bond proposal but were “intentionally cut out ... just because we wanted to be fis­ cally responsible and say we’ll deal with it later,” Martin said. “But now that we pretty much had to go back out, these are things that we’re going to have to address at some point.” Martin said that the 7-mill levy currently assessed ranks in the bottom half of districts within the Kent Intermediate School District in terms of combined debt service and Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin shares details of the upcoming May 2 bond issue with the Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce during its quarterly meeting Wednesday morning at Journey Church in Caledonia. (Photo by Greg Chandler) sinking fund millage rates, and is below the countywide average of7.81 mills. Twelve districts have higher millage rates than Caledonia, includ­ ing East Grand Rapids, Thomapple Kellogg, Lowell, Byron Center and Rockford, while seven districts have lower rates, including Grand Rapids, Forest Hills and Kentwood. “When you look at our district overall, compared to all 20 districts in the county, we are in the top 20 percent (academically). There are only three districts that out­ perform us overall,” Martin said. “When you look at what we offer for our stu­ dents in terms of athletics, arts, career exploration opportunities, clubs I would say you’re getting an outstanding value in educa­ tion ... a well-rounded edu­ cation.” A thankful send-off Former Thornapple Township Treasurer Deb Buckowing (left) and former Township Clerk Cindy Wilshire (right) were honored at an open house prior to Monday’s township board meeting. The two officials resigned from their offices last month. (Photo by Greg Chandler) HILTON, continued from previous pag/e openings within the ISD and member school districts).” Hilton sent FOIA requests to the school district dating back to 2013 asking for infor­ mation on how TK had appointed TAPRC represen­ tatives in the past. McCarthy said the process was no dif­ ferent this time around than it was in the past. “We have information dat­ ing back to 2001, showing we have followed the exact same process for over 20 years,” McCarthy said. “There are no nefarious acts taking place.” Hilton’s professional expe­ rience includes working in the student exchange indus­ try. She was local coordinator for the STS (Student Travel Schools) Foundation and then later promoted to regional director for the foundation before retiring in 2020. “Helping families and stu­ dents enjoy and explore our community together and embrace our small-town cul­ ture is a key factor in the continued growth of interna- tional exchange here in Middleville and I look for­ ward to the opportunity to continue to attract people to our community, both near and far,” Hilton wrote in the con­ clusion to her cover letter expressing interest in the position. Hilton also previously worked at Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids as an executive administrative operations assistant. She attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, DI. • Improve parking lots • Replace roofs • Upgrade technology so students get hands-on learning and skills • Replace Dutton Elementary NO tax rate increase! Paid for with regulated funds by Friends of Caledonia Community Schools PO Box 174 Caledonia, Ml 49316 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15, 2023 Middleville Council authorizes RFQ release for potential multi-family riverfront development on State Street James Gemmell ROao Contributing Writer The potential redevelop­ ment of village-owned prop­ o erty at 36 State Street has E. RIVERBANK PARK been in discussion for years, and now the Middleville Village Council is taking MAIN STREET some preliminary steps STAGECOACH PARK O toward making that a reality. RIVERSIDE PARK During Tuesday night’s ^PUBLIC BOAT LAUNCH) meeting at village hall, coun­ cil members voted 6-0 to release a Request for Developer Qualifications public notice. The RFQ will STATE STREET provide potential developers tZ with a detailed description of what village officials envi­ sion for activating the prop­ erty, along the south bank of the Thomapple River. Any interested developers will be invited to draw up plans and This aerial view shows where the 36 State Street property sits along the Thornapple River south of downtown Middleville. (Image pro­ conceptual designs to submit to the village for consider­ vided by Village of Middleville) ation. Last year, former Assistant Street lift station would be area and riverfront amenities. The location is considered said last year that engineers provide their input on poten­ Some council members said prime real estate suitable for had found Volatile Organic tial development of 36 State Village Manager Brian needed to accommodate the development, Urquhart said remediation of residential in September that they would a multi-family riverfront Compounds there after tak­ Street. “So, ideally, we can estab­ some potential contaminants because it currently services prefer the height ofthe town­ development that would be ing soil and groundwater homes to be restricted to medium to higher density. A samples. So, some remedia­ lish a timeline at a future date might be required. He said just one building. In March 2022, the village two-and-a-half stories, or through RFP where we can the parking lot capped over portion of the site is in the tion might be required. Planning and Zoning better ascertain what the end some contaminated soil cre­ council adopted an ordinance about 30 feet tall. That would river’s flood plain, which will dictate the eventual lay­ Administrator Doug Powers goal is,” Powers said in a ated by previous manufactur­ to create two new zoning adhere to the village’s zoning districts, one ofwhich is des­ restrictions. out to some degree. The most said staff hopes interested post-meeting interview with ing businesses. A Gulf & buildable areas would be on developers and village resi­ the Sun andNews. “But right Western Inc. plant once oper­ ignated as Transitional Right now, a parking lot the south and west portions dents would come forward at now, we haven’t received ated there, across from the Industrial. Urquhart recom­ on the site is used by the of the property. Village staff a public hearing in June to enough public feedback to Metaldyne Corp, building at mended last year that the adjacent Thomapple Valley say much more than the RFQ 39 E. State St. State Street property be Church for overflow parking. and the public-hearing date.” Michigan Attorney General rezoned to TI to allow resi­ The conceptual design ’pro­ Middleville is certified as a Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit dential development on the vides more parking space Redevelopment Ready last September against former industrial site. than what is needed for the Community by the Michigan California-based FKI Grand Rapids-based engi­ residential development in Economic Development Hardware Inc. to entice clean­ neering firm Williams & anticipation that it could be Corp. As such, the village is up of hazardous substances Works provided some pre­ used for leasable spaces by availing itself to free techni­ that allegedly were left behind liminary conceptual draw­ the church. cal assistance from RRC con­ at nine industrial locations ings last summer that includ­ “We’ll have more details sultants, as well as MEDC across the state, including the ed 19 market-rate townho­ after the public has had an funding for promotional 39 State Street site. mes that would be built on opportunity to speak about materials. The Michigan Stolsonburg pointed out the 3.6-acre site. Thirteen of this,” Powers said. Municipal League also has that is not village-owned the units would have views “So, working with Doug provided some assistance. property and is unrelated to ofthe river. The concept plan and the MEDC and the RRC, Powers was asked whether the village-owned property also envisioned some docks we are prepared to quote this Request for Proposals might at 36 State Street where the being added to activate the out to the public,” Stolsonburg be publicly posted by residential development is river’s edge, plus large sec­ told the village council. September to solicit bids conceptualized. tions of green space and a “Hoping to do something with from potential contractors. “That, according to them, trail easement to connect the your approval mid-June, is “Yeah, that will be the is all focused only on the old northern and southern por­ what we’re looking at. Public expectation,” Powers replied. Metaldyne site and not any­ tions ofthe site. awareness, public participa­ Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg “Because the RFPs will be thing to do with our proper­ The preliminary concept tion and, then, hopefully invite discusses during Tuesday’s village council meeting prepared with the help ofthe ties,” he said. also foresees a public path­ some potential builders and the potential development of property at 36 State RRC, and they will be at the An upgrade of the State way, a stormwater retention developers to that, as well.” Street. (Photo by James Gemmell) meeting that probably is V* Invitation to Comment on a Proposed Wireless Telecommunications Facility Interested persons are invited to comment on the wireless telecommunications modification project proposed at 607 Sheridan Street in Middleville, Michigan, with respect to impacts on, and specifically, the potential effects to historic properties located at or near this facility, if any. The project will consist of installing a 300’ self-support tower (overall height 320’) within a 70’x70’ compound. Comments regarding potential effects to historic properties should be submitted by email to Mr. Andrew Fleming at 8610 Washington Boulevard, Suite 217, Jessup, MD 20794, (301) 776-0500, or afleming@aec-env.com. This notice is provided in accordance with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 C.F.R. Part 1, Subpart I and Appendices B. 197910 going to be in June. They can help with that community engagement process.” “Hopefully, we’ll have multiple proposals from dif­ ferent developers and we can select the best one that coun­ cil sees fit for that,” Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said. He noted that village staff recently found out that the state completed Level 1 and 2 environmental studies of the site in 2020 and 2021. “We were able to work with the MEDC and (the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) to find some of the old Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental studies that were completed on this prop­ erty already,” Stolsonburg said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023/ Page 9 Gaines Charter Township adopts new master plan, receives kudos from regional housing group James Gemmell planning staff for its work on Contributing Writer the master plan. Housing The Gaines Township Next is a regional partnership Board voted 7-0 Monday serving Kent and Ottawa night to adopt a new master counties that strives to pro­ plan, the township’s first vide housing solutions and since an amended plan was improve the housing stock. adopted in 2008. “We are very excited about The master plan guides res­ the master plan and all of the idential, commercial and community engagement work industrial development in a that has been done by this community by plotting where board and the community at the growth and investment large,” Osterman said. “It should go over the next 10 to really was an incredible feat 15 years. It includes an updat­ to have all those opportunities ed Future Land Use Plan that for folks to engage, to provide establishes the intended loca­ their insight on what the next tions of those developments, couple decades of develop­ as well as recreational areas, ment look like here.” public facilities, open space Last year, Kent County and environmental conserva­ received $127 million through the American Rescue Plan tion. The township held a pair of Act. It is devoting a fair por­ open houses 4ast spring to tion of that money toward gamer input from residents. It housing projects. Osterman iso mailed flyers to homes said the county invested and businesses, and conduct­ $500,000 in a grant program ed a public survey. for municipalities that include The township master plan diffemt kinds of housing was crafted largely by typologies in their planning. Community Development She said the Gaines Director Dan Wells over the Township master plan aligns last year, after he took into with that program’s vision account all of the public feed- nicely. back during the year-long “We will be facilitating process. that program and making rec‘I’m really super excited ommendations for funding about it,” Wells said. “We’re opportunities,” Osterman trying to improve the amount said, adding that Gaines of housing that we have here, might be eligible for one of and we’re' trying to do it cor­ the grants. It would cover up rectly so that we can build to 75 percent of a municipalibetter for the residents across ty’s planning costs, or a maxthe township.” imum of $50,000. Assistant Township Planner Natalie Davenport also played a key role in help­ ing to develop the master plan, along with the rest ofthe planning staff, township offi­ cials and stakeholders in the residential and business com­ munities. Brooke Osterman, director of policy and communica­ tions with Housing Next, complimented the township “This would be a grant opportinity that would help cover the cost of our ordi­ nance update, which we’re going to be engaging in in the next year,” Wells said. “And I’ve had some conversations with Housing Next about how Gaines might utilize that grant. It sounds like it’s a very good opportunity for us to apply for it. It would cover the majority of the costs of our zoning ordinance update.” If the township were to receive the $50,000 grant, Wells said it might shift some of its funds to a public art or placemaking project. “One of the ideas that immediately came to mind was some kind of art for the (roundabout) that’s going to be built right out in front ofthe township (hall) to help kind of beautify that,” Wells said. The Kent County Road Commission is planning to start construction this sum­ mer of a single-lane round­ about at the 84th Street/ Kalamazoo Avenue intersec­ tion, which currently is a four-way stop. The twomonth project would cost more than $1.3 million. During the meeting’s pub­ lic comment period, resident Kim Malski said township planners have done “fantastic work” on the new master plan. However, she noted that the township’s rural lifestyle was cited in the document as News. “As a boots-on-the-ground librarian, I am hearing and seeing directly what people want in their libraiy, the grat­ itude for what a great library system we have, and the very real concerns they have. Not that others on the board don’t have this perspective too, but I am proud to bring mine along too.” “I’m just really happy to have the chance to represent our patrons, library and com­ munities at this level and look forward to approaching this position with an open mind and open heart. Truly, I’m so honored to get to be a part of the next steps for Michigan libraries,” she added. Barker has worked at the one of the top five reasons to live in Gaines, along with its proximity to nature. “But the need and the wants for multi-family homes was very minimal. Yet, when I see the master plan it has got a lot of multi-family homes planned for it,” Malski said. “And I would just say, from the few board meetings I’ve been here talking to neigh­ bors, that’s not where we pri­ oritize nature and rural pres­ ervation.” The township board voted 7-0 on a motion to proceed with the process for potential­ ly receiving the grant funding. As for the master plan, Wells said it was a long pro­ VOTE cess from creation to adop­ tion. “But with all the input we got, and then the consider­ ation ofthe planning commis­ sion and the (township) board, I think it’s come out to be a really good final master plan,” he said. The board voted unani­ mously Monday to contract with Grand Rapids-based consulting firm Horizon Community Planning to help update the township’s zoning ordinance. That is the legal document that governs devel­ opment and goes hand-in­ hand with the master plan. Horizon writes local develop­ ment regulations and guide­ lines to achieve the vision of master plans. “We’ll probably get started on it next week,” Wells said. The zoning ordinance update will take about a year to complete. Wells said it is “less glamorous” than the master plan but is “where the rubber hits the road when it comes to development. What do things look like on the ground?” The planning commission will provide its input in shap­ ing the zoning ordinance changes. “There’s going to be sub­ committee meetings formed and opportunities for public input,” Wells said. NO CCS 2023 BOND KNOW WHAT YOU ARE VOTING FOR: What the 2023 Bond says: Current Bond rote: 7 Mils What the 2023 Bond doesn’t say: ..because CCS is currently $148 millioni Io debt from previous Bonds. And the most recent 2020 Bond won’t be paid off until 2050 KDL Caledonia librarian appointed to state panel Greg Chandler StaffjVriter A local librarian has been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to serve on a state libraiy board. Audrey Barker, a librarian at the Kent District Library branch in Caledonia, is one of three nevi appointees to the Library^of Michigan Board of Trustees. Barker, who lives in Alto, was appointed to represent public libraries. Her term begins this week and will run through Oct. I, 2025. “My hope is to help see the state through the push­ back on books libraries are seeing, and to remind people why libraries are so vital to a community,” Barker wrote in an email to the Sun and The Gaines Township Board unanimously voted to adopt a new master plan at Monday night’s meeting at the township hall. (Photo by James Gemmell) Caledonia KDL branch for the last four-and-a-half years. The Library of Michigan board makes recommenda­ tions to the Michigan Department of Education regarding the library’s /services, budget and proposed governing rules. The board also makes recommenda­ tions regarding the employ­ ment of other, administrative and general assistants and employees of the library as are necessary for the care and management of the library, Including the Law Library Branch ofthe library, accord­ ing to a release from the governor’s office. Barker holds a bachelor of science degree in economics from Grand Valley State University. The 2023 Bond will be 0% tax increase, maintaining the current 7 Mils The 2023 Bond includes $40 million to build Dutton Elementary The 2023 Bond is requesting $61 million from taxpayers The 2023 Bond includes $6.6 million+ in items with short 10-15 year lifespans, such as paving, artificial turf, tech, and buses, on 30 year loan repayment plan. ...because the 2023 Bond won’t be paid until 2055! And this guarantees a continuous 7 Mil tax rate for 32 more years, which hurts our communities’ ability to afford future school upgrades ...because the $21 million previously approved by taxpayers to build Dutton IN FULL has gone toward cost overruns of other projects, such as a non-school use recreational center, and to finish maintenance projects, rather than the promised school ...because even though this was supposed to be a “Supplemental” Bond, due to inflationary increases CCS has decided to add on many “new” and unnecessary projects. The original supplemental estimate was for $13-20 million. The 2023 Bond asks for 3 X that amount ...because a 0% tax increase will get votes, while forcing future residents and our grandchildren to foot the bill for items they will never use. WE CAN BUILD DUTTON ELEM. AND CREATE A SOUND FINANCIAL FUTURE FOR CALEDONIA FAMILIES!! �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023 Caledonia football one of state teams moving divisions next year The Fighting Scots will have a tougher time pin­ ning the underdog tag on themselves should they earn a spot in the MHSAA Football postseason in 2023. Classifications for Michigan High School Athletic Association elec­ tions and postseason tour­ naments for the 2023-24 school year have been announced, with enroll­ ment breaks for postseason tournaments posted to each sport’s page on the MHSAA Website. The Caledonia varsity football team finished as the state runner-up in Division 1 last fall as the smallest school in the DI playoffs and the Fighting Scots will drop down a division into Division 2 for the postseason next season. Classifications for the upcoming school year are based on a second semester count date, which for MHSAA purposes was Feb. 8. The enrollment fig­ ure submitted for athletic classification purposes may be different from the count submitted for school aid purposes, as it does not include students ineligible for athletic competition because they reached their 19th birthday prior to Sept. 1 of the current school year and will not include alter­ native education students if none are allowed athletic eligibility by the local school district. All sports’ tournaments are conducted with schools assigned to equal or nearly equal divisions, with lines dependent on how many schools participate in those respective sports. For 2023-24, there are 750 tournament-qualified member schools. Schools SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville WWW’W’WWWW'WWWWW1 Make a tote, pillow, curtains, ins, tablecloth, placemats, potholders, aprons, more Time to start quiltsfor Christmas Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station 'T? fre’i, eie* '/'fatten? QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm recently were notified of their classification, and sport-by-sport divisions were posted to the MHSAA Website today (April 6). MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said schools may not subse­ quently lower their enroll­ ment figure. However, if revised enrollment figures are higher and indicate that a school should be playing in a higher division, that school would be moved up. Five MHSAA Finals champions awarded so far during the 2022-23 school year are assigned to differ­ ent divisions for 2023-24. Division 6 champion Grand Rapids West Catholic will play 11-player football in Division 5 this upcoming season. The Holland Christian boys soccer team will be moving into Division 2 after winning the Division 3 Final in the fall, and East Grand Rapids’ girls swimming & diving program is headed back to Lower Peninsula Division 3 after winning in LP Division 2 this past season. A pair of cross country champions are on the move LP Division 4 boys champion Wyoming Potter’s House Christian to LP Division 3, and Upper Peninsula Division 3 girls champion Munising into UP Division 2 - and the Grass Lake boys bowling team will compete in Division 3 next winter after winning the Division 4 championship last month. Also set to change divi- Papers are delivered Friday night and Sat­ urday each week. Dependable adults with a driver’s license and dependable transporta­ tion necessary. Carriers are paid each week forpapers and inserts delivered. sions among Finals run­ ners-up from head-to-head sports are Cadillac volley­ ball (Division 2 to DI), Ann Arbor Greenhills boys soccer (Division 4 to D3), Mendon 8-player football (Division 2 to DI) and three 11-Player Finals run­ ners-up Caledonia (Division 1 to D2), Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (Division 2 to D3) and Muskegon (Division 3 to D2). Traditional classes (A, B, C, D) - formerly used to establish tournament clas­ sifications - are used only for MHSAA elections. To determine traditional clas- sifications, after all counts are submitted, tournament-qualified member schools are ranked accord­ ing to enrollment and then split as closely into quar­ ters as possible. For 2023­ 24, there are 187 member schools in Class A, Class B and Class C, and 189 mem­ ber schools in Class D. Effective with the 2023­ 24 school year, schools with 807 or more students are in Class A. The enroll­ ment limits for Class B are 380-806, Class C is 177­ 379, and schools with enrollments of 176 and fewer are Class D. The break between Classes A and B decreased eight stu­ dents from 2022-23, the break between Classes B and C decreased 11 stu­ dents, and the break between Classes C and D is six students fewer than for the 2022-23 school year. The new classification breaks will see 21 schools move up in Class for 2023­ 24 while 24 schools will move down. Area teams making moves include Plainwell and Spring Lake' moving down from Class A to Class B and Covenant Christian and Kent City moving up from Class C to Class B. KCC hosting dual enrollment commercial video contest for students Kellogg Community College is holding a video contest for area high school and KCC students to create a high school dual enroll- Need some extra CASH? Supplement your income by delivering newspapers each week. The MHSAA recently announced new classifications for schools and teams based on enrollment sizes for the 2023-24 school year and the Caledonia varsity football team is one of the teams in the state making a move. The Fighting Scots will compete for a spot in the MHSAA Division 2 Football postseason next fall, after finishing as the state runner-up in Division 1 in 2022. (File photo) IMMEDUVTE OPENINGS in Middleville Rural Zip Code Area 49333 & Caledonia Rural Area ment commercial that could be featured on the College’s website, social media channels and in advertising. The KCC Dual Enrollment Commercial Video Contest is open to high school students in Barry, Branch and Calhoun counties in Michigan and any enrolled KCC student. The contest opened April 1 and will run through Friday, May 5. All contest information, including required forms, documents and submission guidelines, is available on the KCC website at kellogg.edu/contest. The top three entrants as selected by KCC Marketing and Communications and Admissions staff will receive $500 (first place), $250 (second place) and $100 (third place), respec­ tively, and their videos will be featured on the College’s social media channels and possibly in College adver­ tising. Winners will be selected Your local agent insures your H#me Call today to set up an in-person interview and learn more about how you can earn some extra cash each week. J FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Miekgotte fusuroncA GnKpoju? 269-945-9554 Jason Parks 1351 H. Broadway (M-43) Hastings 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com based on criteria including technical quality; creativity and originality; content clarity and relevance; and overall impact. Winners will be selected and noti­ fied by 5 p.m. Friday, May 12. For more information, contact KCC Marketing Director Simon Thalmann at thalmanns@kellogg.edu. About Dual Enrollment at KCC Dual enrollment is when a high school student enrolls in classes at KCC at the same time they are still enrolled in high school. Dual enrolled stu­ dents traditionally spend part of the school day in class at their high school and part of the school day in class on campus at KCC. Individuals interested in dual enrollment opportuni­ ties at KCC are encouraged to contact their high school counselor or can contact KCC at 269-565-2042 or dualenrollment@kellogg. edu. For more information, visit kellogg.edu/highschool. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023/ Page 11 TK team falls to Portland girls in first two softball games Brett Bremer Sports Editor Portland took 18-3 and 12-0 wins over the Thornapple Kellogg varsity softball team in Portland Thursday afternoon in the first ballgames of the season for the Trojans. TK got its three runs in the opener, a three-inning bail­ game, on a three-run home run by Brittney Roodvoets after Kenzie Bouma singled and Ellie Vandefifer was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning. Peyton Stahl had TK’s other two hits in the loss, both singles. The Raiders had just nine hits in the bailgame off ofthe TK pitcher Stahl. TK com­ mitted seven errors which led to 14 unearned runs. Stahl tripled, Eliana O’Riley doubled and Vandefifer singled for die three Trojan hits in game two. TK had four errors in game two and the Raiders scored three unearned runs. Portland had 12 hits off of Jenna Robinett, the TK pitcher who threw all five innings. She struck out four and walked five. The TK ladies are in Hastings today for the annual Barry County Invitational with Hastings, Delton Kellogg and Lakewood. The Trojans start the OK Gold Conference season with a doubleheader against Ottawa Hills Tuesday and then will host Wyoming for two ball­ games Thursday. Scot team gets the first one, but falls in final two with Grandville Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots got the first one, but Grandville rallied to take two ofthree in the first OK Red Conference varsity baseball series of the season this week. The Fighting Scots won the opener in Caledonia 4-2. Canyon Veldhouse started on the mound and got the win for the Scots. He struck out six in six innings while allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits and a walk. Mitchell Smith came on to get the save in the seventh. He gave up a single and a double that put runners on second and third with one out, but struck out the final two Bulldog bat­ ters to earn the save. The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead with single runs int eh first and third innings. The Scots scored all four of their runs in the home half ofthe fifth. Alex Skibinski led off and reached on an error for the Scots in the fifth. Jace Lawton was hit by a pitch and then AJ Szabo put down a bunt single that loaded the bases. Nick Slater drove in the first Caledonia run with a sacrifice fly into left, that brought home Skibinski from third, and then Derek Pennington had the big blast, a two-run double into right that scored Lawton and Szabo. Tommy Clarey tacked on an RBI single that scored Pennington from third with two out, after Pennington moved to third on a ground out by Veldhouse. Szabo was 2-for-3 in the lead-off spot for the Scots. Grandville won game two 8-1, split between Tuesday in Caledonia and Thursday in Grandville. The Bulldogs fin­ ished off the series with a 9-3 win Thursday. Raffler was 2-for-3 for the Scots in game two and drove in a run. Veldhouse and Michael Douglass had the Scots’ other two hits in that defeat In the 9-3 Grandville win in the finale Thursday, the Scots’ three hits were singles by Isaac Jurmu, Skibinski and Slater. Pennington and Jurmu had RBI. The Bulldogs scored three unearned runs as the Scots made three errors in that ball­ game. The two teams were tied 0-0 until the Bulldogs struck for four runs in die bot­ tom of the fourth. Caledonia is scheduled to visit Byron Center Saturday, April 15. The Scots will be back at it in the OK Red Conference with a series that includes two ballgames in Caledonia against Grand Haven Tuesday and one at the home of the Buccaneers Thursday. Scots win big at Grand Ledge TKHS assistant earns place in MHSFCA Hall of Fame Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia had its biggest offensive output of the sea­ son as it returned from break with a 5-0 victory at Grand Ledge Tuesday. Jocelyn Herrema scored 4 Thornapple Kellogg varsity football assistant coach Tom Ellinger has been named as one of 14 members of the 2023 Class of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The MHSFCA 2023 Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony is scheduled for June 23 at the Detroit Marriott in Troy. Tickets for the event are $40 and are available for pur­ chase on the MHSFCA website. goals to lead the Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer team to its third win of the season. The Scots are now 3-1-1 overall. Gracie Gortmaker also scored for the Scots. Caledonia scored its first goal less than three minutes into the contest. Davanee Balczak got the shut out in goal. Caledonia head coach Sam Steams said his entire team played really well. The Scots are looking for­ ward to keeping the momen­ tum going in a match with Forest Hills Eastern today, April 15, at Scotland Yard. Caledonia starts the OK Red Conference season at Grandville Tuesday and then will play host to East Kentwood Thursday. Scot softball falls to Bulldogs and Squires in two trips to Grandville TK alumnus earns all-conference on KCC hoops team Kellogg Community College freshman Corrin Replogle, a Thornapple Kellogg High School gradu­ ate, was one of two members of the Bruins’ women’s basketball program to earn honors in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association this winter. She was named MCCAA Honorable Mention All­ Conference. Replogle led her team in assists with 90 and was the team’s number two scorer with 206 points in her 22 ballgames. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots faced a couple tough tests in the return from spring break, and couldn’t quite get the job done. Grandville opened the OK Red Conference season with a 2-0 win over the Caledonia girls in Grandville Thursday. The Fighting Scots were also in Grandville Wednesday taking on Calvin Christian. The Squires, ranked third in the state in Division 3, took an 8-2 win over the Scots. Grandville scored twice in the bottom of the fifth inning to plate the only two runs Thursday. Both runs off of Caledonia starter Jaz Dana were unearned. She allowed four hits in her 4.2 innings in the circle. She struck out 2 and didn’t walk a batter. Grandville got the shut out win from Caitlyn Akkerman who gave up 4 hits and a walk while striking out 7 Scots. MacKenzie DeVries, in the lead-off spot, went 2-for4 with a pair of singles for the Scots. Avery Hallo and Marisa Kohn both singled once. A pair of singles and an error loaded the bases and a pair of singles cleared them as Calvin Christian moved out to a 4-0 lead in the bot­ tom of the second inning of its match-up with the Scots Wednesday. The Squires outhit the Scots 10-6 and scored two unearned runs in the contest. Hallo doubled and drove in a run for the Scots. DeVries also had an RBI. Kala Bisterfeldt, Molly Lieske, Malia Burke, Kohn and Grace Siekman each sin­ gled for the Scots once. Dana took the loss in the circle. She threw 4.2 innings in which the Squires man­ aged 9 hits and a walk. She struck out three. Lieske threw 1.1 innings of score­ less relief. She gave up a hit and 2 walks and struck out 3. The Caledonia girls are scheduled to play host to Grand Haven for an OK Red doubleheader Tuesday and then host West Ottawa for a bailgame Thursday. Next Saturday, April 22, the Scots will head to the Mattawan Round Robin. Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15, 2023 Scots knock of Eagles for third conference victory Caledonia senior Dilyn Pratt works to get around Portage’s Kaylee Slane in the offensive end during their non-conference match at Scotland Yard Monday eve­ ning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity girls’ lacrosse team improved to 3-1 in conference action with a 12-7 win over the Grand Rapids Christian girls, in Grand Rapids, Thursday evening. The Scots are now 2-0 since spring break. They came back with a 15-8 non-conference win over Portage at Scotland Yard Monday. “We worked really well together as a team coming off spring break,” Caledonia head coach Kendra Venema said. “We’ve had a tough few games that keep pushing us to grow and develop as a team. This one [against Christian] really brought us together.” Junior Addie Roe scored six goals for the Scots in the win over the Eagles. Sophomore Ellie Hudson had 3 goals. Senior Kiana Haywood, junior Whitney Graham and sopho­ more Mya Burgess had one goal each. Hudson and sopho­ more Cambria Gaier had 2 assists each. The Scots fought off Portage Monday by holding their guests to just two goals in the second half. Caledonia shot out to a 4-0 lead with three goals from Roe and one from Haywood and eventually had a 7-1 lead. Portage battled back to get within three goals, and scored early in the second half to make it a 10-7 contest before the Scots shut the door with solid possession. Gaier scored with 21:29 to go in the second half to move the Scots in front 11-7 and then Caledonia built some good momentum by con­ trolling the ball throughout a 197943 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised that the Village of Middleville PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on May 2, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible to consider Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Rezoning application. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Planning Commission meeting, which any interested person can attend at 100 East Main Street, Middleville, Ml 49333 and via Zoom https://us02web.zoom.u$/j/89348948409, Meeting ID 893 4894 8409, Passcode: Village. The Planning Commission will consider an application for a Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Rezoning application located on parcel #08-41-022-138-00 (also known as 4611 M- 37). The applicant is seeking to rezone approximately 21.9 acres from C-2 Highway Commercial District to PUD - Planned Unit Development District for the purposes of a Final PUD plan. The final development plan consists of 144 total dwelling units, 3 commercials out lots, and 134 storage units. Any interested person may offer comments to the Planning Commission. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain informa­ tion about the rezoning and Final PUD or to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the rezoning and Final PUD application is available via email request to the Village Clerk at ayalag@villageofmiddleville.org. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day of the faring and may be addressed to the Planning Commission at PO Box 69, Middleville, Ml 49333 or by email to ayalag@villageofmiddlleville.org . Respectfully submitted, Glorimar Ayala Village Clerk__________ Caledonia’s Kiana Haywood (left) and Cambria Gaier (right) team up to keep Portage’s Avery Kelly away from their net during their non-conference match at Scotland Yard Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) two minute penalty and then scoring early on in a penalty against Portage that followed soon after. Roe had 5 goals in the win. Ryleigh VanderBerg and Gaier both scored 3 times. Hudson and Haywood had 2 goals apiece. The Caledonia girls were scheduled to host Spring Lake Friday night. They will return to action at home against Jenison Monday and then visit Lowell Thursday, April 20. The Scots head to Grand Ledge next Saturday, April 22. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, April 10,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as amended with the removal of the minutes from 3-13-23 Regular Board Meeting and placed in Un­ finished Business 10 a. to be dis­ cussed. 3. Approved motion to approve the 3-13-23 Regular Board Meeting Minutes as amended. 4. Approved motion to provide Denise Piering a one-time $500 sti­ pend for work provided to the Plan­ ning and Zoning Department. 5. Approved motion to appoint Keara Hilton as the Thornapple Township representative to fill the position formerly held by Catherine Getty with a term expiring 12-31 -23. 6. Approved motion to purchase the Special Assessment program from BS&A at a cost of $3,830 for the first year and $565 annually thereafter. 7. Approved motion to renew the cyber security policy with Hiscox for the 2023-24 policy year. 8. Approved motion to hire two part-time paramedic/firefighters. 9. Approved motion to include Thornapple Township in the 2023 edition of the Town Crier for a cost NTE $450. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Su­ pervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp. org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 198125 Caledonia head coach Kendra Venema talks things over with senior Kiana Haywood during their team’s win over Portage at Scotland Yard Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) CHS boys win first two back from spring break The Caledonia varsity boys’ lacrosse team got its first two wins ofthe season in the return from spring break. The Fighting Scots went to Lowell to score a 12-8 victory Thursday evening after scor­ ing a 15-11 win over Zeeland West Tuesday night. The Fighting Scots moved to 2-1 overall this season with the two wins. The Scots were set to face off against Kalamazoo Central Friday night. They will be back at it Tuesday taking on Mona Shores at Scotland Yard and then will be home to face Grand Haven Wednesday. TK girls get first OK Goldwin The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team opened the OK Gold Conference season with a 4-0 win over Wayland Thursday night in Middleville. The win moves the Trojans to 3-2 overall this season. TK is scheduled to visit Ottawa Hills Monday and then host South Christian Wednesday in the week ahead. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023/ Page 13 Third doub’s finishes off Trojan win over Wayland girls Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was fortunate court place­ ment Wednesday afternoon. The Trojan third doubles team ofEmma Thompson and Emilia Rickert happened to be right next to the set of bleach­ ers running down one of the alleys between courts at Thomapple Kellogg High School. They had the biggest cheer­ ing section during the Trojan varsity girls’ tennis team’s OK Gold Conference dual with visiting Wayland, and they got the key last victory to give the Thomapple Kellogg team a 5-3 victory. Thomapple Kellogg swept the fourth singles matches in straight sets and got point number five from Thompson and Rickert’s 7-5, 6-3 win over Wayland’s Ava Longstreet and Lana Barko. The Wayland duo had a 5-2 lead in the opening set before the Trojans’ picked up their play on a warm, sunny, windy day between the Thomapple Kellogg High School and Middle School. “We had a conversation about the philosophy that we live by to get better, and they kind of stuck with it. I kept reminding them at the change overs about the conversation we had, and it was good,” TK head coach Philippe Sylvestre said. “It is windy. The ball has to go on the court man ... It is an oxymoron, but stop trying to win the point. In the wind it’s really hard. More mistakes are going to be created in the wind than are going to be won. So, they did a great job doing that.” The Trojans’ junior first singles player, Charlotte Nelson, knew right away that she needed to change up her game a bit for the blustery conditions. She didn’t have much trouble in besting the Wildcats’ top player, Margaret Burchardt by the scores of 6-1,6-0. “It was a little tricky, but it was an even playing field. Everyone has the disadvantage, so that’s nice,”"Nelson said. “I had to play with a lot more control, not as fast of swings and just putting the ball on the court.” “I like to slug it as best I TK third doubles player Emilia Rickert reaches up to hit a volley during her win with teammate Emma Thompson over the team from Wayland Wednesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) can, but I had to back it off a little and be patient,” she said with a smile. “Tennis is defi­ nitely a game ofpatience.” It was the first win of the season for Nelson, in three tries. She played second sin­ gles as a freshman and bumped up to first singles as a sopho­ more last spring. “So far, I played two really tough teams, girls that are very skilled and do a lot of extra lessons. It has been kind of difficult, but I am definitely a hustler. I definitely am able to get to the short balls and move around the court a lot, and that is kind ofwhere I shine on the court,” Nelson said. Nelson said she plays so many other sports that she doesn’t have a lot of time in the offseason to focus on ten­ nis. She is also a setter on the TK varsity volleyball team. “I do stay after practice to Thornapple Kellogg second doubles teammates Kaitlyn Cuison and Tyne Bufka take on Wayland during their OK Gold Conference dual in Middleville Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) keep playing with some of these other girls,” Nelson said. “A lot of the other girls stay after and hit with the ball machine. We really try to get as much as we can in.” Hailey Dudik scored the second singles win for TK, outscoring Reese Coughlin 6-3, 6-1. At third singles, TK got a 6-0, 6-2 win from Holly Carpenter over Wayland’s Molly Tobin. Thea Zellmer won the fourth singles match by the scores of 6-2, 6-0 against Hayley Wyllys. Nelson was really happy to get to see Rickert earn a spot in the varsity line-up this sea­ son and has really noticed her fourth singles teammate Zellmer putting in a lot of work to make her forehand an outstanding shot. Wayland got its three dou­ bles wins in straight sets. The Wildcat team of Shae Cummiford and Jenna Hubert bested TK’s Cailin Wodrich and Emillia Egeman 6-3, 6-4 at the top spot, with Egeman filling in for Wodrich’s regu­ lar partner Libby Hess. The Wildcats’ Katie Harter and Nikol Yanakieva scored a 6-2, 6-3 win over TK’s Tyne Bufka and Kaitlyn Cuison at second doubles and Wayland had the team of Jade Barghahn and Madison Nemecheck score a 6-1, 6-3 win over the TK Thornapple Kellogg first singles player Charlotte Nelson hits a shot back at the top player from Wayland during the OK Gold Conference dual between the Trojans and Wildcats in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) fourth doubles team of Jordan Pranger and Isabelle Schilthroat “I’mjust happy in general,” Sylvestre said. “This group of girls to me is solid. It has a good attitude. It wants to learn and it wants to play and it wants to compete. They know where they are short and they know where they are capable.” The TK ladies are sched- Caledonia tennis team bested by South Christian girls The Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis team returned from spring break to face a tough dual at South Christian Tuesday afternoon. The Sailors took an 8-0 vic­ tory. The closest match of the afternoon came at third dou­ bles where the Caledonia duo of Sarah Kirk and Sela Fitzell bell in a 7-5, 6-3 contest with the Sailors’ Katelyn Vierzen and Savana Michmerhuizen. Olivia Koeman took a 6-2, 6-1 win over the Scots’ Kiley Bommarito in the first singles match. The top Sailor doubles team ofKayla Pruim and Sophie VanWieren took a 6-1, 6-0 win over the Scot duo of Allyson Abraham and Allison Weibel. The Scots got a handful of games in the other two dou­ bles flights. At second dou­ bles, the South Christian team of Josie Meengs and Kate Niewiek took a 6-2, 6-3 win over the Scots’ Abby Duong and Kanika Verma. At fourth doubles, the Sailors’ Anjali Diekevers and Gabby Young bested Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Mertz 6-2, 6-4. The Caledonia girls are at a tournament hosted by East Kentwood today, April 15. They will start OK Red Conference play at home against Jenison Monday and then face West Ottawa in a con­ ference dual Wednesday in Holland. The Scots host an invi­ tational next Saturday, April 22. COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the March 28, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on April 11, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. tiled to be a part of the April 15 Lakewood Invitational and will return to conference play with duals at home against Ottawa Hills Tuesday and South Christian Wednesday in the week ahead. Plainwell will visit TK Thursday. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 ***2023 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP SPRING CLEANUP DAY*** Saturday, April 22, 2023 9:00 AM start @ the Fire Station 1425 S Payne Lake Rd. Finish around noon. Please come and join us in cleaning along the roads in the township. A dumpster for trash collected will be provided along with trash bags. Please call the Township office with any questions 269-795-9091. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15, 2023 Duel at Thornapple Kelloggends In Wildcat win in tenth Maddix Ferden pitches in relief for the Thornapple Kellogg varsity baseball team during game one of its OK Gold Conference series with Wayland in Middleville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg senior Gavin Snelling and Wayland junior Bryce Calkins each twirled a gem Tuesday in Middleville. Neither was one the mound for the end though. Wayland opened the 2023 OK Gold Conference varsity baseball season with a 3-2 ten-inning win in Middleville Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats had a 7-5 lead through four innings before game two was called for darkness - the Wildcats went on to finish off a 15-5 win in Wayland Thursday and then took game three 8-3. Calkins allowed just one unearned run while piling up the pitches on his way to an eight-inning outing. He struck out 14 and walked 3 while allowing four TK hits. Snelling went 7.2 innings before hitting his pitch count. He allowed one earned run on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5. Both teams had chances in extra innings before getting to the tenth. TK reliever Maddix Ferden struck out the first batter he faced, with runners on first and second, to end a Wildcat threat in the eighth. A single by Brody Wiersma, a double by Gavin Snelling and then an intentional walk to Logan Snelling loaded the bases for TK with two out in the bottom of the eighth, but Calkins struck out Isaac Kimbel to end that TK chance. Wayland scored one run in the top of the third and TK answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth. The game remained tied 1-1 until the tenth when the Wildcats struck for three runs. A lead-off single and a walk put two on for the wild­ cats. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third with one out. The Trojans preserved the tie momentarily, with Ferden scooping up a ground ball and cutting down the lead Wildcat runner at the plate, but a two-out, two-run single into left field by senior Reagan Mutschler put the Wildcats in front 3-1. Ben Koster singled under the Wildcat third baseman into left to lead-off the bot­ tom of the tenth for TK and with one out Gavin Snelling singled through the Wildcat second baseman to put run­ ners at second and third. Koster scored on a wild pitch to get TK within 3-2, but Gavin was tagged out in a play at the plate on a fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning. With Logan Snelling on first and two-out, Kimbel flew out to right field to end the bailgame. TK got its first run in the bottom of the fourth. Wiersma reached on an error to start the inning. He stole second and scored on a sin- TK’s Anson Verlinde hits the ball to the right side during the bottom of the sev­ enth inning of game one against Wayland Tuesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) gle by Kimbel. Anson Verlinde and Dylan Lawrence also had hits for TK in the loss. Wayland scored seven runs in the top of the fifth inning as game two shifted from Middleville to Wayland. The Wildcats closed the ballgame with 14 hits and got the help of four TK errors. Wayland scored 4 unearned runs off of TK starter Logan Snelling. Wiersma had a big game in the lead-off spot for the Trojans. He was 3-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored. He had 1 RBI. Wiersma threw 2 innings of relief as well. The Trojans’ other two hits in game two were sin­ gles by Gavin Snelling and Verlinde. TK had four more errors in game two which allowed the Wildcats to score six unearned runs off of the TK starter Verlinde. He gave up 2 earned runs on 8 hits and 5 walks through five innings. He struck out 3. Verlinde was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles in that finale Thursday. Gavin Snelling, Logan Snelling and Kimbel also singled for TK. Gavin and Logan had the two TK RBI. TK was supposed to be a part of the Barry County Invitational in Hastings Saturday, but that tourna­ ment was canceled because umpires could not be found by the Saxons to work the ballgames. TK will face Ottawa Hills in its upcoming OK Gold series, going to Grand Rapids for two with the Bengals Tuesday and fin­ ishing with a ballgame in Middleville Thursday. IMPORTANT! RUUD Equipment is changing. Get it before the New Prices come out! High Efficiency Furnace & Air $400 OFF with this coupon. E Expires 4129123 round second and head for third during the bottom of the eighth inning of game one against Wayland in Middleville Tuesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023/ Page 15 First two OK Gold foes fall to TKHS ladies Brett Bremer Sports Editor At the front of the Thomapple Kellogg hurdle pack now, sophomore Brooklyn Hannon showed off impressive improvements in the first outdoor meet of the 2023 varsity track and field season Tuesday in Middleville. Harmon was less than a second off her personal record time, from last year’s MITCA Team State Finals, in winning the 300-meter low hurdles and set a new personal record of 16.31 sec­ onds in the 100-meter hur­ dles as she helped the Trojans to OK Gold Conference wins over visiting Wayland and Cedar Springs. Her time in the 100-meter hurdles was 1.2 seconds bet­ ter than her fastest time from her freshman season in the event. She was as regional medalist in the 300-meter hurdles as a freshman and Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Brooklyn Harmon races by everyone to win the 100-meter hurdles in the Trojans’ OK Gold Conference double dual with Wayland and Cedar Springs inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) one spot shy of earning a regional medal in the 100’s. The TK ladies had a lot of petitors falling 104-33 to personal best performances Cedar Springs and 105-32 to as they scored an 88-49 win Wayland - a pair of teams to over Wayland and a 96-41 be battling for a conference win over Cedar Springs. The title this spring. TK boys did too, but had a The Red Hawks beat the tougher time with their com- Wayland boys 70-67 in their Thornapple Kellogg junior Timothy Vandefifer fires match-up. The Wayland girls took a 91-46 win over Cedar Springs. The TK girls’ team had the day’s top sprinters. Senior Lindsey Velting wont he 100-meter dash in 13.55 seconds and the 400-meter off a throw in the discus during the Trojans’ OK Gold dash in 1 minute 5.54 sec­ Conference double dual with Cedar Springs and onds. Junior teammate Eva Wayland in Middleville Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Corson won the 200-meter Brett Bremer) dash in a personal record time of 28.77. inches. Junior Elizabeth was a new personal record TK sophomore Ava Crews Middleton was second at for her. was the runner-up in both the 26-11.75 and sophomore Middleton and junior distance races . Cedar Lilly McKeown third at Kendra Coe, who was one of Springs junior Annalise 26-6.5. the day’s top 400-meter run­ Elliott won the 1600-meter Senior Preslee Hall was ners, were a couple juniors run in 5:35.92 with Crews just behind that trio in the new to the sport who helped second in a personal record shot put and had a runner-up the TK girls’ team score and time of 5:36.65. Cedar performance in the discus coach Wilkinson was more Springs senior Larissa with a throw of 88-8.5. than pleased with the perfor­ McGrath set her PR in the Wayland sophomore Taylor mances of her freshmen 3200-meter run at 12:18.45 Hoogewind set her PR at group which includes Gater, to win that race, with Crews 91-3 to win the discus. Maddy Kietzman, Mia second in 12:25.72. Smith and Corson went Hilton and Claira Kovich. “Our core group of ath­ 1-2 in the high jump with Gater scored in the long letes returning this year are Smith clearing 5-2 and doing an amazing job, and Corson 4-8. Corson’s leap See TROJANS, continued page 16 are stronger and faster,” TK girls’ coach Maggie Wilkinson said. Hannon isn’t the only tal­ ented hurdler TK has back. Junior Joselyn DeBoer was the runner-up in the 300? meter hurdles in 54.95 and 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 placed third in a personal 616-891-8688 record time of 18.17 in the 100-meter hurdles. St Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! Corson and Velting Our students are: teamed with junior Kennady Christ-Centered, Smith and sophomore Emma Academic Achievers, Dykhouse to win the Responsible Citizens, with 4x200-meter relay in 1:53.47. Exceptional Character, and Velting, Smith, Harmon and Servants’ Hearts freshman Payton Gater won Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers the 4x400-meter relay in lovingly work with your children to lay a strong 4:23.92. foundation for future learning. Smith was second to We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school Velting in the 400-meter environment. dash. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-U2 to 6 years. The TK ladies dominated (We will assist with toilet training) the shot put with the top five performances and seven of WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A the top eight on the after­ FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION noon. Senior Elizabeth Gaunt iulie@stpaulcaledonia.org led the way with a personal Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, record mark of 29 feet 6 to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 wwwjstpaulcaledonia.org “Train a child in the way he should go, and Trojan senior Lindsey Velting sprints to a victory in the 100-meter dash during the TK varsity girls’ track and field team’s OK Gold Conference wins over Wayland and Cedar Springs in Middleville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6 B �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 15,2023 Scots’ Byanski one of five atop standings after 18 at Kent County Classic The Grand Rapids Christian *B’ Team won a tiebreaker with the Eagles’ top squad to take the title at the Kent County Classic Thursday at Thomapple Pointe GolfClub. Caledonia senior was tied with two Eagles and two others at the end of 18 holes with a 75 atop the individual leaderboard. Lowell was third, 16 shots beh i nd the two teams of Eagl es which both tallied scones of 308. Lowell fined a 324, Forest Hills Central 330 and Grand Rapids Catholic Central 330 to round out the top five. The Caledonia boys scored a 342 to place 11th overall on the day. Rockford was the only other OK Red Conference team competing Thursday. The Rams were just ahead of the Scots with a 339 which put them in a tie for ninth place with Byron Center. Sam Baldwin shot an 81 for the Scots, Dylan Meduna a 93 and Seth Reiffer a 93. Maxwell O’Grady from the Grand Rapids Christian *A’ team, Cooper Reitsma from the Grand Rapids Christian ‘B’ team. William Pollack from Northview, Byanksi and Lowell’s Drew Veldman were the five guys to shoot a 75. The top 15 guys were all under 80 for the day. Forest Hills Northern was sixth with a score of333, ahead of Forest Hills Eastern 335 and South Christian 336. Behind Caledonia, Northview shot a 345, NorthPointe Christian 347, Forest Hills Northern 396, Kenowa Hills 427 and Sparta 447. Distance runners and hurdlers do big damage for Scots at West Ottawa Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ track and field team got its first win of the 2023 OK Red Conference season Wednesday outscoring West Ottawa 80-57 in Holland. The Panthers took an 88-49 win over the Caledonia girls in their first Red dual of the sea­ son. The distance runners and hurdlers came up huge for the Caledonia boys. Senior Jordan Domany led a sweep of the three scoring spots for the Scots in the 1600-meter run 110-meter high hurdles for the Caledonia boys in 16.68 sec­ onds, with junior Carter Tufts second. Hager and Tufts were second and third respectively in the 300-meter low hurdles behind sophomore teammate Dalton Ed who won in 44.19. The Scots won the two lon­ gest relays. The team ofJoshua Maier, Lawlor, Elliot and Micah Nagel won the 4x800-meter relay in 8:52.10 and Maier teamed with Mason Oosterhouse, Duffin and Sheldon Thomas to win the 4x400-meter relay in 3:376.98. West Ottawa as powered by sophomore sprinter Ruben Esparza who won the 100meter dash in 11.48 seconds, the 200-meter dash in 23.19 and the 400-meter dash in 52.12. He also helped the Panthers to a win in the 4x 100-meter relay. Junior Jordan Gutierrez took a pair ofwins in the field for the Scots. He cleared the bar at 5 feet 8 inches to win the high jump, a height that was also cleared by West Ottawa’s Benjamin Voss and CJ Guillermo. Nobody matched him in the long jump though where he flew 20-0 to earn the win. The Caledonia girls had two field event wins on the day too. Senior Lauren Mahoney fired off a throw of 83-6 in the discus to lead a sweep of that event for the Scots. Lilja Svems was second and Kiersten DeHaan third both also setting new PRs. Junior Molly Winger cleared 10-0 to win the pole vault for the Caledonia girls. Junior Audrey Howell led the Scots on the track with winning times of 17.17 in the 100-meter hurdles and 53.02 in the 300-meter low hurdles. The Caledonia girls went 1-2 in the 100-meter dash with Brooke Heyboer winning in 13.71' and senior Avah Winstrom adding a runner-up time of 13.72. West Ottawa seniors Megan Postma and Arianne Olson won the other individual races. Postma took the 200-meter dash in 27.97 and the 400-meter dash in 59.39. Olson won the 800meter run in 2:34.69, the 1600meter run in 5:38.35 and the 3200-meter run in 11:42.05. Postma was also a part of 4x200 and 4x400 relay wins for West Ottawa’s girls. teamed with Cruise for a time Ethan Bonnema and senior of 11:11.91 in the 4x800-meter Gabe LaJoye finished the race relay which was good for sec­ in 3:39197. ond behind the Wayland team LaJoye and Bonnema had in the race and ahead of the teamed with junior Jaxan Sias Cedar Springs foursome. andjunior Tyler Gavette earli­ The TK boys won one event er for a runner-up finish in the Tuesday, the last one. The 4x200-meter relay in 1:35.61. 4x400-meter relay team of Shoemaker had a big day, freshman Nate Shoemaker, also placing fourth in the long senior Tyler Bushman, junior jump with a mark of 19-.5, fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles in 18.57 and second in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 44.31. TK had a pair of freshmen finish strong in those 300-meter hurdles with Lucas Ploeg fifth in 46.26. Bushman set his personal record in the pole vault by clearing 9-0 to place fourth overall and he also placed third in the 800-meter run in 2:07.67. Junior Lucas Van Meter set a personal record in the 1600meter run for the TK boys. He placed third in 4:51.31. Thomapple Kellogg had junior Tyler Gavette place fourth in the 100-meter dash in 12.00 and the 200-meter dash in 24.50. Sias added a fourth­ place time of 55.28 in the 400meter dash. Wayland dominated those sprints. Junior Kaharrie Pureifoy won the 100-meter dash in 11.45 and the 200meter dash in 23.29. Classmate Cainon Fenn won the 400meter dash in 52.76. Wildcat senior Devin Weaver won the 800-meter run in 2:05.46. Wayland guys won the 4x 100-meter, 4x200-meter and 4x800-meter relay races. Cedar Springs senior Espen Wood won the distance events. He took the 3200-meter run in 10:11.79 and the 1600-meter run in 4:39.11. his senior teammate Ryan West won the hurdles races taking the 110’s in 16.32 and the 300 hurdles in 41.14. The Red Hawks had the top three guys in the shot put all setting new personal records. Senior Josh Kriekaard led the way with a mark of 45-2.5. Wayland sophomore Adam Hufftook the discus with a PR of 134-6, with the next three scorers in the event all from Cedar Springs. Cedar Springs won the other three field events. Dylan Lafontsee, a junior, won the long jump with a personal record mark of21-6, freshman Luke Egan won the pole vault with a PR of 10-0 and fresh­ man Ethan TerVeen won the highjump with a PR of 5-10. The TK teams are back in action Saturday, April 15, at the Lakewood Invitational. and the 3200-mete run. He won the 1600 in 4 minutes 46.76 seconds with junior Ayden Duffin second and senior Blake Elliot third. In the 3200, Domany won with a time of 10:41.1 with junior Levi Moss second and fresh­ man Eli Veiling third. Duffin led a sweep of the three scoring spots in the 800meter run with a winning time of 2:10.58. Senior Jonathan Miedema was second in 2:12.50 and senior Anthony Lawlor third in 2:13.04. Both those guys set a new PR in the race. Junior Owen Hager won the TROJANS, continued from page 15 jump for TK in both duals with a mark of 13-10, which had her in fifth overall on the day. Harmon was second with a mark of 15-7. That event was won by Wayland senior Breanna Hyde who flew 16-4.5. Hyde was the run­ ner-up to Hannon in the 100meter hurdles. Gater, Kovich and Kietzman We Accept eep Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. You too can gIci your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (LDe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize in the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Thomapple Kellogg freshman Nate Shoemaker flies past 19 feet in the long jump to place fourth over­ all during his team’s OK Gold Conference double dual with visiting Cedar Springs and Wayland in Middleville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-04-22.pdf a700124d8bd743430c0bc513bd8c1bb2 PDF Text Text fhe. Sun and News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 16/ April 22,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Martin named finalist for KRESA superintendent post Greg Chandler Staff Writer Nearly 10 years ago, Dedrick Martin was a finalist for the superintendent’s job of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, the intermediate school dis­ trict serving school districts throughout Kalamazoo County. However, Martin withdrew his name from consideration when he accepted an offer to take the superintendent’s job at St. Johns Publip Schools, about 25 miles north of The first wave of the 62-mile men’s race at the Barry-Roubaix takes off down Green Street in Hastings last Lansing. Saturday morning. The race extended to the gravel roads throughout the northeast side of Barry County. Martin, who has been (Photos by Jayson Bussa) superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools for near­ ly five years, is now a finalist again for the KRESA super­ intendent job. On Tuesday night, the five-member KRESA Board of Education voted to invite Martin and Matthew Olson, assistant Jayson Bussa westerners and folks from event two years ago. She superintendent for profesState Game Area. Editor Cyclists from across the further up north that weren’t races season-long, starting The temperature was hot, country, and their supporters, really expecting that kind of with gravel racing in the the course was fast and the were treated to unseasonably heat but we didn’t have any early spring and transitioning warm temperatures, which major issues as far as major to road racing and then crowd was massive. Those are the bullet points was the polar opposite of last health concerns,” said Matt mountain biking. The heat to this year’s Barry-Roubaix year’s installment of the race Acker, co-director of the caught her off guard. “I don’t think anyone here cycling race, which took when the 20-degree tempera­ Barry-Roubaix. Amy White, an accountant has trained in the heat (yet) over the city of Hastings on tures thinned out the crowds so I think there will be a lot from Elmer, Ontario, Canada, Saturday and sent over 4,000 significantly. In fact, temperatures were participated this year for her of overheated individuals cyclists out onto gravel roads throughout Barry so warm on race day that it third appearance in the looking for water,” White County, including in and became a mild concern for Barry-Roubaix, her first time said as she lined up to embark back since the COVID-19 around the Yankee Springs some riders. See CYCLING RACE, page 2 “We get a lot of Mid­ pandemic wiped out the Recreation Area and Barry Cyclists hit local gravel roads for sun-scorched Barry-Roubaix sional learning and innova­ tion at Northwest Education Services in Traverse City, to return for a second round of interviews on May 1. That’s the day before Caledonia vot­ ers go to the polls to decide on a $61 million bond issue. The vote followed an 80-minute interview the board conducted with Martin on Tuesday. Martin was the third and final candidate to be interviewed in the first round of candidate interviews. Olson and Mindy Miller, KRESA assistant superinten­ dent for instruction, were interviewed by the KRESA board Monday. All five KRESA board members supported bringing Martin back for a second interview, with several citing his experience as a superin­ tendent with three different districts across the state. See DEDRICK MARTIN, page 3 Tiered levels at Middleville amphitheater completed, ready for summer of performances James Gemmell Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Contributing Writer Dedrick Martin interviews with the Kalamazoo Regional Middleville Downtown Educational Service Agency board on Tuesday. (Photo Authority by Greg Chandler) Development Chairwoman Kim Jachim said construction of the tiered seating levels at the amphi­ theater in Sesquicentennial Park has been completed. • TK school board refuses to rescind It was one of several parks and rec appointees announcements she made during her monthly report to • Cal schools face $2.2 million the DDA board at its meeting deficit in preliminary budget Tuesday night in the village hall. • Tractor Supply Company cuts size “The amphitheater looks of proposed store in Caledonia beautiful,” she said, adding Twp. that developers figure it will be concert-ready within a • Middleville DDA gets report on couple weeks, after the grass proposed Flats at Mid-Villa grows around it. • Caledonia softball rally for a “Pray for warmth and Construction of the three tiered rows for seating at the amphitheater in down­ town Middleville has been completed. (Photo by James Gemmell) couple of conference wins See AMPHITHEATER, page 2 �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023 CYCLING RACE, continued from page The non-traditional trophies handed out to win­ ning cyclists at the Barry-Roubaix. on the 62-mile race. “There will definitely be first aid required today hopefully not for myself.” Acker said that Gordon Water, the event’s water Sup­ plier, carries 240 five-gallon containers of water in its truck and the event nearly wiped out the entire supply. The warm weather made for—a -fast course. Geno Villafano of Connecticut won the marquee, 100-mile race in the men’s division finishing in four hours and 53 minutes. Acker said he was unable to certify the time as an event record but guessed that it might be. Erin O’Mara of Michigan was victorious in the wom­ en’s 100-mile race in 5:37:58. The event featured races of 18-, 36-, 62- and 100-mile distances. Hastings resident Becky Newton was a local that made the podium in the event, finishing in fifth place in the fat bike division of the 18-mile race. She fin­ ished in an hour and 20 minutes. She is a long-time runner that transitioned into cycling and encouraged others to explore the activity as she did. “I wish people would give it a go,” she said. “It’s a doable thing, especially the Barry-Roubaix organizers said that all metrics indicate that this year’s event attracted the largest crowd ever for the event. 18-mile (race). Or get on the course and volunteer and get caught up in the hype. I was never an athlete going up but it’s nice to have these kinds of moments.” The Barry-Roubaix always brings big crowds to Barry County, but this year might have been the biggest one yet. “We know how many riders finished the event, which was around the 4,000 mark, but it’s really hard to measure how many people actually attend as far as family and friends. But from a lot of the metrics we use - water consumed, bev­ erages, food - it seems, by all accounts, it was the big­ gest turnout we’ve ever had.” $25,000 in donations in time to trigger a $25,000 match­ ing grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Public Spaces Community Places program. Another state grant brought the total funds raised to $72,181 for the Art Walk project, which also entails purchasing and installing more sculptures in the park adjacent to the Thomapple River and the Paul Henry Trail. lage had received two appli­ cations for the vacant post, as ofApril 11. working on getting bids for some additional work on the Middleville Train Depot. Vintage Building & Restoration out of Hastings completed an exterior facelift of the historic facility last year. Interior work is slated for this summer. Jachim said it should be finished by faH. AMPHITHEATER, continued from page 1 grass,” Jachim said, noting to deal with mud and slick that the annual Riverbank conditions before the tiered Music Series kicks off June seating was built. They fig­ 2. ure it will mitigate those The annual free summer problems for concert-goers. concerts will run every The DDA board voted in Friday evening from June February to accept the pro­ through mid-August. The posed Music on the River hours will be 6:30 to 9 p.m., concert dates and fees, with ending a half-hour later than the total cost to the village in the past. capped at $7,000. New block retaining walls “It’s a great series this were tiered into the hill fac­ year,” Jachim said. “We have ing the amphitheater to cre­ a lot of variety, from coun­ ate level seating areas. try-western to rock, to soul to Village staff said people had jazz, to a Jimmy Buffett imi­ |N10 Illr^/OOl ^ tation band coming. A calyp­ so band with reggae coming. Lots of fun music down there.” The downtown farmer’s and artisan market will still be going during the first half­ hour ofthe concerts. It takes place at the downtown pavil­ ion from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday from mid-May to mid-October. “I’m super-excited with everything happening down at the amphitheater. So, kudos to you all,” village council trustee Johnny DeMaagd told the DDA board during the public-com­ ment period. He is the President Pro-Tempore. The amphitheater received some state funding as part of the DDA’s Art Walk project last year. A crowdfunding campaign run by the DDA and the Thomapple Arts Council raised more than Finance director transition Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg’s report to the DDA said Vredeveld and Haefner LLC are helping vil­ lage staff to find a new finance director. Former Finance Director Alexandra Longstreet departed from the position earlier this month. Stolsonburg said that the vil­ Spring Book tale MUsic. and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by JAMES LAPINE OriginallyDirected on Broadway byjatnvs Lupine Onfayiriititma by Jonathan Tunick Open to the Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, May 3 @ 7:00 PM ~ TICKETS: $7 Thursday, May 4 • lpm-7pm Friday, May 5 • 9:30am-4pm Saturday, May 6 • 9:30am-3pm PICKETS: Adults S10 ~ Seniors & Students S8 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 S. Broadway - Hastings Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers or reserved by calling theThornapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. The DDA and the Village of Middleville were co-host­ ing a booth at the Barry County Business & Community Expo on Saturday, April 22. The sec­ ond annual event is free and hosted by the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance at Hastings High School. DDA office moved, bidding on train depot work underway DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim announced that the DDA director’s office is now completely in place at village hall, after being moved from the Mix Co-Working Studio. That location is a few blocks up the road from the village offices. Jachim also said that Assistant Village Manager/ Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson is Mother & Son Night of Fun Fundraiser A fundraiser for Middleville AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) takes place Saturday, May 13, at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School. It’s called the Mother and Son Night ofFun. It will run from 6 to 8 p.m. You can register via the website middlevilleayso. org “We’re doing pretty good,” Village President Mike Cramer said. “We’re at, like, 90 couples. So, we’ve already covered costs for the event.” A deejay will play music to go with basketball, futsal, comhole and pizza. TEACHERS BRING ID AND GET 20 FREE BOOKS! fromModa® 1 On Thursday, members-onlypre-sale runsfrom Noon - 1pm with doors openingfor everyone at 1pm. New members may sign-in at the doorjJg iberty, Kate's Gate, Bleu DeFrance. Performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday - May 4, 5,6 @ 7:00 PM Sunday - May 7 @ 2:00 PM Barry County Business Expo Over 5,000 used books on sale at the | Caledonia Township Library 1 i 6260 92nd Street, >1 W Sponsored by Caledonia Friends ofthe Library 218 E. State St., Hastings ■ 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023/ Page 3 DEDRICK MARTIN, continued from page 1 “I think the job of super­ intendent is different than any otherjob in education. I think that experience as a superintendent in a local (school district) is one of the keys in terms of... pro­ multiple sectors, across dif­ ferent areas of the state, than I was nine years and 11 months ago.” A native of Muskegon, Martin began his education­ al career as a special educaviding the leadership and tion teacher in Sugar Land, working with the local Texas, about 20 miles superintendents (through- southwest of Houston, after out the KRESA service he finished his bachelor’s area),” board member degree at Grand Valley Lynne Cowart said. State University. He worked In his interview, Martin his way up to becoming an cited a wide range of his assistant principal and eleexperiences as an educator mentary school principal and administrator that he while in Sugar Land. Then, says uniquely positions him he took a position in for the KRESAjob. He also Champaign, Ill., where he spoke of his previous inter­ became the point person to est in the job in May of implement a court-ordered 2013. program to desegregate a “I think my successes as local school district and a building leader, as a cen­ improve student achieve­ tral office director, as a ment among minority stu­ superintendent across mul­ dents. tiple communities - I think Then in 2009, Martin that’s what sets me apart became superintendent for from others as a candidate,” Ypsilanti Public Schools, Martin said. “I was very near Ann Arbor. While excited about this job about there, he presided over a 10 years ago, but I had merger with neighboring another offer before and I Willow Run Schools. In had to pull out. I’m excited 2013, he took the St. Johns to be here today, because I superintendent job. He then think 10 years later, I know worked for one year as that I am a much more director of partnership dis­ reflective, well-rounded tricts and school reform candidate with a deeper officer with the Michigan level of experience across Department' of Education before taking the Caledonia superintendent’s post in July 2018. “When I walked into the (Caledonia) district, it was after a challenging situation with previous leadership, and tension was high,” Martin said. “There (were) requirements for profes­ sional development with the staff ... My goal was not to go back and review the past, but to really look forward with what we need­ ed to do, for our students, (and) give them a clean slate, and make it clear in terms ofwhat the goals and expectations were.” “Five years later, today, I’m proud to say that for the first time in almost 30 years, we have our first (national) Blue Ribbon School (Dutton Elementary). I suspect we’ll have others coming soon,” Martin added. “Seven ofour eight buildings have been identified as Reward Schools (by the state). That’s the first time that has hap­ pened in Caledonia. All of our schools have the (grade) of A from the Michigan Department of Education based on academic perfor­ mance and growth ... Our test scores are stronger today across the board, in (English and language arts) and math, than what they were prior to ... COVID. That is because we devel­ oped a strong team, we developed some common goals and we worked togeth­ er collaboratively.” Martin stressed his col­ laborative leadership style as a strength that he offers to the position. “There are a lot of times where ... I’m not the one with the brightest or best ideas. Someone else has the idea, and I actually love that, because when you allow them to take owner­ ship, they’re a little bit more invested in the outcome of it,” he said. “Having them put some input in it and sometimes giving them the opportunity to step up and show leader­ ship in those particular areas, I’ve found that the results end up being much better than I would have done by myself.” Martin has come under some criticism in Caledonia for his support of diversity programs and initiatives, and he made no apologies for that support in his inter­ view. “We are becoming more diverse, whether we like it or not as a country,” he said. “We would do. our­ selves a disservice .'if we don’t create an environment where all kids feel like they are welcomed, they are included, they have the opportunity and support that they need to get to where they need to go. There is no one race, cul­ ture or gender that&ias a patent on doing things the right way ... If our kids are going to be competitive in a global environment, they need to be able to work with all types (of people), across the spectrum.” Martin had his contract as CCS superintendent extended through June 2027 in December of last year. He received a 4 percent pay increase on Jan. 1 and is set to receive 4 percent raises on July 1 of this year and next year. He is also sched­ uled to receive longevity pay of 4 percent on July 1 of this year, followed by 5 percent in July 2024 and 6 percent in July 2025 and July 2026. The contract extension followed a 93 percent “highly effective” rating by the school board in October 2022. KRESA serves nine pub­ lic school districts,’ five public school academies and 18 non-public schools throughout Kalamazoo County. It provides special education services through­ out its service area for stu­ dents from birth to age 26, and also provides free early education programming, including the Head Start/ Great Start Readiness Program. The agency also broke ground last fall on a $100 million career and technical center near the Wings Event Center off Interstate 94 in Kalamazoo that is expected to open in the fall of 2024. Martin will interview at 6:30 p.m. on May 1 at the KRESA board office, 1819 E. Milham Ave. in Portage. His interview will follow Olson’s interview at 5 p.m. The interviews are open to the public. The finalists will also visit KRESA facilities and meet with staff in the afternoon prior to the inter­ views, said Dave Killips of Michigan Leadership Institute, a consultant who has worked with the agency on the superintendent search process. The new superintendent would likely assume his duties on July 1, Killips said. Middleville President Pro Tempore to host town hall meeting Johnny DeMaagd, the Village of Middleville’s President Pro Tempore, will host their first town hall on Monday, April 24. The event will take place at Left Field Cafe on Main at 6 p.m. The town hall will provide an opportuni­ ty for residents to share their own ideas, goals and concerns, which will inform DeMaagd’s vision and goals for the remain­ der of their term. DeMaagd was elected as a trustee for the Village of Middleville in 2022 and was unanimously appointed President Pro Tempore by the council earlier this year. DeMaagd stated that they are a pas­ sionate advocate for belongingness in the com­ munity, walkable streets and neighborhoods, eco­ nomic development, inclusivity and preserving nature and our trails. “It’s an honor to serve my neighbors in Middleville in this capaci­ ty,” DeMaagd said. “I believe transparency and collaboration better inform the work we as council are tasked with: forging a bet­ ter future for our commu­ nity. I believe that by working together, we can make Middleville an invit­ ing place for all to explore, grow, and thrive while liv­ ing here.” Light snacks and refreshments will be served at Monday’s event. Dr. Carrie De Wolfe IS NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Johnny DeMaagd Call to schedule your eye exam today! Bruce's Frame and Alignment 616-891-9245 Full Service Body Shop 9028 N. Rodgers • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience Ct. SE , Suite K Caledonia, MI 49316 bruc6sframe.com Congratulations Dr. Douglas Atkinson on your retirement! �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023 Edward Norman Giess Virginia A. Toering, (Stroo, Ten Elshof), age 87, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, and is now playing and singing in her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence “Ted” Toering; and parents, Abe and Hermina Stroo. She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Nancy (Terry) piano, organ, and clarinet Crumback, Dale (Christy) her whole life. She was an accompanist, TenElshof, John (Janet) incredible Ten Elshof; Ted’s chil­ gave countless children dren, Sharon Blickley, piano lessons, directed the Songbirds Choir at Alan (Lisa) Toering, Saddlebag Lake, and con­ Wayne (Teresa) Toering, Monica Brew; 26 grand­ tinued to play at Byron children; 25 great-grand­ Center Manor for church children; sister, Ruth services and with Nancy, VanderWerf; brothers, who entertained there regu­ Dr. William Stroo, Paul larly. In 1974, she and Ted (Mari) Stroo; brother-in­ law, Roger (Nancy) married and began the adventure of blending their TenElshof, sister-in-law, Jan (Wayne) Weller and families. She and Ted ran many nieces, nephews the Golden Onion and cousins Restaurant at Sandy Pines Virginia lived in for many years, catered Michigan until she and Ted numerous weddings and made Lake Wales, FL their events, and were always home in 1988. She returned inviting guests home to to Byron Center, MI in feed them. 2017. In Florida, she worked Virginia was an accom­ as a volunteer and CNA at plished musician, playing the Lake Wales Hospital, Edward Norman Giess, age 75, of Caledonia, MI went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 and is now walking hand­ in-hand with Jesus in Heaven. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Phyllis Giess; brother, Gary Giess. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 42 years, Sally; children, Adam and Emily Giess, Lucas Giess, Rebekah and Luke Markham, Ricki and Sami Zureik, Matthew and Chasity Giess; grandchil­ dren, Christopher, William, Nora, Lydia, Madison, Teagan, Jason, served as a first responder in her resort, and served others through her caring ministry wherever she was. Virginia knew how to make you feel welcome, and it didn’t take long for a stranger to become a friend. She had a beautiful smile, a fun sense of humor, a caring heart, and a love for the Lord which she shared with everyone. God’s timing is perfect. He is in control. Great is Thy Faithfulness. A visitation and celebra­ tion of her life will be held at the Stroo Funeral Home, 1095 68th Street, SE, Grand Rapids, on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Visitation will be from 1:45 to 2:45 The April 15 meeting PM,, with the service fol­ opened with the secre­ lowing and beginning at 3 PM. Pastor Dan Kroeze tary’s report and the roll will officiate. Interment call. Four fish fell out of will be in Florida National the fishbowl, one fish jumped in. Cemetery. Our new leader is Contributions in memory of Virginia may be made to Virginia and co-leader is Virginia the Crohn’s and Colitis Maryellen. Foundation https ://take- passed out a copy of steps.crohnscolitisfounda- TOPS Guides last week to tion.org/index.cfm?fuseac- everyone. We will look tion=donorDrive.team&te- them over to see required amID=10161, Take Steps duties of each officer and Walk, Team Bowel to see if any office is of interest to us. Buddies. Matthew, Rylee, Raylynn, Hannah; siblings and in-laws, Linda Giess, Leslie and Mike Beuschel, Julie and Steve Dickerson, Tim and Ronda VanRaemdonck; dearest friends, Jack and Monica Middleville TOPS 546 The Daniel Plan is restarting again as we now have the proper venue to view each session. We are meeting in Virginia’s apartment for the next five weeks. Maryellen read a ‘thank you’ note from Chris thanking us for the party and the gifts. Maryellen lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended with marching in place as we recited the TOPS alasSF gSlci! Sunday’s Ministries 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd ? Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend DeVette; Bible Study friends; extended family and friends. Funeral services will be held 11 am Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 8436 Kraft SE, Caledonia, with Pastor David Miller offici­ ating. Burial will be held at Holy Comers Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family from 9-10:45 am prior to the ser­ vice at church. Those who wish may make memorial contribu­ tions to Area Agency on Aging, Faith Hospice or Disability Advocates. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/t goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: (269) 795-2391 IL pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Saturday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 10 to 10:15am, fol­ lowed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia at 269-908-8036 or Maryellen at 616-318­ 3545. The first meeting is free. Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street <516-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving - Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY THOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass ................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY CHURCH Sunday Worship: 8: 30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School............ .9:30 9:30AM AM 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm .10:30 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Watch our servicesfrom our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org Sunday Worship THORNAPPLE VALLEY Fellowship 9: 45 to 10:00 a.m. "Shining Forth God’s Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023/ Page 5 Job description, pay range set for Caledonia Twp. manager search Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Board of Trustees finalized the wording on the job description and set the pay range in its search for a new township manager Wednesday. The board made several changes to the job descrip­ tion document before giv­ ing final approval. The most significant change came in the area of experi­ ence, where board members removed a requirement that applicants have experience in municipal government. Instead, the board decided to require applicants have at least three years’ ofman­ agement experience, includ­ ing budget preparation, per­ sonnel administration and data analysis. “You may have someone with good management experience (who would be qualified for the job), but not necessarily in govern­ ment,” said Richard Robertson, the township The job description, in treasurer who has func­ part, calls for the new man­ tioned as township adminis­ ager to be responsible for trator since 2015. all township activities, Applicants must have a proper staffing of depart­ bachelor’s degree in public ments, overseeing adminis­ administration or a related tration and compliance with field, while a master’s is township policies, prepar­ preferred, according to the ing the annual budget, job description document. assisting the board in devel­ In a separate vote, the oping long-range strategic board set the pay range for and fiscal plans, and coor­ the manager’s position at dinating and administrating $100,000 to $120,000. contracts on behalf of the The manager would be township. That person “under the direction of the would be in charge of all township trustees, but departments except for the reporting to the supervi­ departments ofthe treasurer sor,” Township Supervisor and clerk, whose employees Bryan Harrison said. would report to the respec­ In October 2020, the tive elected people who township board approved a hold those roles, according managerial organization to the job description docu­ plan that gave Robertson ment. the title of township man­ Robertson expressed ager - even though he concerns about the job refuses to refer to himself description. by that title - contingent “I would simply say that on the township starting a job description falls short search for a full-time man­ of the true manager-coun­ ager in the summer of cil (form of government),” 2023. said Robertson, who was the lone vote against approval of the job description. “If that’s not our intent, that’s fine, but it was my understanding that we were moving toward a manager-council form of government and that is not what I’m seeing here.” Harrison responded. “The original draft, as before us with the reporting relationship, was prepared by Mr. Robertson,” he said. “The ... years of working relationship with Mr. Robertson in the role as administrator/manager, (we) had this relationship, and he had communicated with me on occasions that it would be difficult for a manager to serve multiple bosses, and that was his experience in the time that he served as manager. I felt the continuation with this relationship would best serve (the township) and has proven to be success­ ful.” In turn, Robertson responded that the manager “reports to the board as a whole. In every description you find, that’s exactly what you see. Ada (Township is) like that, Plainfield’s like that, Delta (Township near Lansing) is like that ... I couldn’t find one (job description) that wasn’t that way.” “The manager reports to the board as a whole, not seven individuals,” Robertson added. The board is basing the new manager’s pay. range on a 40-hour work1'week. Robertson’s salary ofabout $80,000 as administrator is based on a 30-hour work week. Most board members say the $100,000-$llti,000 range is commensurate with similar positions. “I did an analysis of the information provided of those (10) other communi­ ties. I threw some of the smaller communities out and threw some ofthe larg­ er communities out,” Township Trustee Tim Bradshaw said. “When there were six left that were about our size, that range came from $105,000 to $125,000. I think we’re within 5 percent (of that range) here. We’re pretty dam close ... It’s in the range of our local competi­ tion.” Township Clerk Joni Henry questioned the pay range. “My concern is that (we’re) hoping we can keep this person busy and worthy of a six-figure income,” said Henry, who voted against the pay range. Only four townships in Kent County have manag­ ers, including Gaines and Ada townships. The township has con­ tracted with Walsh Municipal Services, of Okemos, at a cost of $11,900 to assist in the manager search. State Rep Angela Rigas announces local office hours State Rep. Angela Rigas will host office hours in Byron Center, Caledonia and Middleville for the remainder of the month. Local office hours are an opportunity for 79th House District constituents to meet informally with Rep. Rigas to share their thoughts, questions and concerns. No appointments are neces­ sary. The meetings will take place at the following times and locations: April 24 - 9 to 10 a.m. at On Sunday, April 23, 2023 First Baptist Church of Middleville will celebrate their 170th anniversary. FBC was officially organized on April 23,1853 with nine charter members as “The First Baptist Church of Thornapple.” The present name was adopted in 1866. Their founding in 1853 makes FBC the first church in Middleville still existing. “I am thankful for the longevity that First Baptist has as a part of the Middleville community,” said Pastor Nate Archer. “We want to continue to build on our legacy as we serve and love our community in the name of Jesus Christ.” The congregation first met in a log building located near the corners of Cherry Valley Ave. and Adams Rd. In 1868 they moved into their newly constructed building on the corner of E. Main St. and Grand Rapids St.-the current site of Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church. In 1969 FBC moved to their current site on M37 north of Finkbeiner. The present worship center was completed in 1997 and the Willis Center gymnasium in 2001. FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET • Byron Family Restaurant, 2527 84th St. SW in Byron Center April 28 - 9 to 10 a.m. at EB Coffee & Pub, 8980 N. Rodgers Court SE in Caledonia April 28 - Noon tb ,1 p.m. at Thomapple Kitcfi^n,' fi 4525 M-37 in Middleville' The 79th District covers portions of Allegan, Barry, and Kent counties, specifi­ cally the townships of Caledonia, Gaines; Irving, Leighton, Rutland, Thomapple and part of Byron. FBC Middleville has had 40 senior pastors over the past 170 years. The first pastor was Rev. Francis Donaldson who served from 1853-1857. Their current Senior Pastor Dr. Nate Archer has served in that role since 2014. Pastor Nick Boonstra has served as Associate Pastor since 2015. First Baptist is technically non-denominational and governs its own affairs. FBC has been in fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches since 1932. "Many things about FBC have changed over the years,” said Pastor Nate Archer, "Buildings change. Worship styles change. People change. But the Word of God does not change and Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever." FBC will hold a special worship service on April 23 at 10:30 AM featuring special speakers and cake afterwards. The livestream of the service can be found through their website fbcmiddleville.net. 5215 M37 • 269-795-9726 �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22,2023 TK board rejects motion to rescind TAPRC appointments ing agenda a measure to repeal and integrity,” Brock said. ‘1 the appointments of Getty and think it should be brought up Cove, and reopen the selection to speak to all those (who process. The motion was applied to be on the TAPRC defeated on a voice vote of board), and to thoroughly go through what happened and 4-2. On Feb. 13, Brock and the call that ouL There’s people in rest of the TK board voted this community that have seen unanimously to approve the (details ofthe process) through appointment of Getty and Freedom of Information Act Cove to TAPRC. However, requests. It’s been brought to Brock said Monday his vote my attention. I don’t feel com­ was before he received “new fortable with how it went information” about the pro­ down.” Brock’s motion was sup­ cess, and said the matter ported by board colleague should be revisited. “I think it’s best for show­ Tyler Wenger. Voting against ing the transparency that this the motion were Board board should have to the com­ President Matt Powers, Anne munity, with what we’re here Hamming, Krissy Hooson and to do, to make the best deci- David Smith. Brenda Hess sions for the kids - honesty was absent from the meeting. Hamming is the other TK rep­ resentative on the TAPRC board. “It was addressed. We talk­ ed about it It was a 7-0 vote,” Powers said. “I don’t think we should go back in time and keep readdressing things.” “As a board, we came to a unanimous decision, with a 7-0 vote, to appoint these can­ didates that were brought forth ...It really wasn’t our deci­ sion on who got brought for­ ward, it was our decision to Thomapple Kellogg school board member Derrick vote on the candidates that Brock (pictured) tried to add to Monday’s board meet­ were brought forward,” ing agenda a measure to repeal the appointments of Hooson added. “I am not in Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove to the Thornapple favor ofrevisiting this.” Area Parks and Recreation Commission and reopen Several residents, including the selection process. His motion was defeated. a newly-appointed TAPRC Greg Chandler StaffWriter Two months ago, the Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education appointed Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove to serve as two of the district’s representatives on the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. However, some local resi­ dents are unhappy with the way the board went about appointing Getty and Cove to serve on TAPRC, which over­ sees youth sports and recre­ ation programs in the Middleville area. On Monday night, one of the school board’s newest members, Derrick Brock, tried to get added to the board meet- VOTE YES MAY 2 ON THE CALEDONIA SCHOOL BOND • • Replace outdated buses • Improve parking lots • Replace roofs • 2023 BOND Upgrade technology so students get hands-on learning and skills Replace Dutton Elementary Paid for with regulated funds by Friends of Caledonia Community Schools PO Box 174 Caledonia, Ml 49316 board member, have accused the TK board of lack of trans­ parency in bringing Getty and Cove as recommended candi­ dates for the TAPRC appoint­ ments. Three other candidates applied for the positions. “(The) Open Meetings Act states that the narrowing of a candidate pool must be done in a meeting that is open to the public,” said Keara Hilton, a TK parent who was appointed to the TAPRC board April 10 as a representative of Thomapple Township. “Through our collected emails and FOIA documents, it is evident that the candidate pool was narrowed from five appli­ cants down to two applicants prior to the TK Board of Education open meeting, at which time a vote was taken to fill the vacancies based on the candidates narrowed down outside of an open meeting.” Hilton had sent an email to the TK board dated March 25 where she alleged that the vacancies “were filled on basis of false information” and that there appeared “to be an inten­ tional effort to ensure Cove and Getty would be the appointees.” “We are strongly requesting that you correct the errors made by rescinding your vote and redoing the TARPC TK appli­ cation process to allow the community to submit their interest and for the entire board to be able to make a decision as a whole, based on being fully informed,” Hilton said in con­ cluding her remarks Monday. At the Feb. 13 board meet­ ing, Hamming said of the five applicants, “two did not quali­ fy because they do not live within the school district boundaries, one just didn’t have the skill set that we look for, for the TAPRC board. So that left us with Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove.” The TARPC entity agree­ ment - essentially, the bylaws by which the commission operates - does not place a residency requirement for board seats. “The governing body of each Member Unit shall appoint three members to sit on the Board,” Section 3.1 A of the document states, with no reference at all to residency. In an e-mail to the Sun and News dated April 12, Hamming wrote that she and other board members “were mistaken in the belief there was a residency requirement.” But she remained firm that the board made the right choice for the appointments. “I still would not have rec­ ommended either of the two applicants who live outside of the district because they had no ties to our community through their work or their families,” Hamming wrote. “In addition to having no ties to the community, each of the candidates lived more than 30 minutes from Middleville. That distance is not conducive to the various volunteer com­ mitments needed by our board Former Thornapple Township Supervisor Mike Bremer speaks during this week’s Thornapple Kellogg Board of Education meeting, defending the selection of Catherine Getty and Kristen Cove for the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. (Photos by Greg Chandler) members. We need board members who know the com­ munity well and can pitch in to help on a regular basis on short notice. We fulfilled both of those needs with Catherine and Kristen.” The three candidates who were not considered for appointment include: - A present county parks director with parks superviso­ ry experience in several com­ munities, who lives in Rockford; - A recreational therapist with past experience for a city parks and recreation depart­ ment in suburban Grand Rapids, who lives in Plainwell; - A computer paraprofes­ sional at an elementary school with past experience as a youth soccer coach and impro­ visational theater instructor, who resides in Middleville. Robin Laansma, a local res­ ident who has also been criti­ cal of the selection process, detailed the qualifications of the candidates who were not considered for the position, whose resumes she was able to obtain through a Freedom of Information Act request. “The two applicants that did not submit a resume were the two put forward as the ones that were qualified for these positions,” Laansma said, referring to Getty and Cove. Hie advertisement for the TK TAPRC representatives was posted on the Kent Intermediate School District website - TK is a part of KISD - but was not posted in local newspapers. However, it was posted on the human resources page of the TK website, Superintendent Craig McCarthy wrote in a March 15 email to the school board. Hilton sent FOIA requests to the school district dating back to 2013 asking for infor­ mation on how TK had appointed TAPRC representa­ tives in the past. McCarthy said the process was no differ­ ent this time around than it was in the past. “We have information dat­ ing back to 2001, showing we have followed the exact same process for over 20 years,” McCarthy said in an interview with the Sun and News last week. “There are no nefarious acts taking place.” Former TAPRC program director and former Thomapple Township Supervisor Mike Bremer defended the selection of Getty and Cove for the com­ mission seats. “The two people that you have assigned recently, Kristen Cove and Catherine Getty, have proven track records with TAPRC,” Bremer said. “I have worked with and alongside Catherine Getty on the TAPRC for 15 years. She has blood, sweat and tears into it, as does Kristen. They are committed, they are honest I’ve heard the word ‘integrity’ come up. The candidates that you have already assigned with a 7-0 vote are a great decision, and the TAPRC will continue to move positively and provide safe, quality team sport (programs) and events for our kids.” Bremer offered a sugges­ tion for those who might be interested in serving on TAPRC in the future. “I know in the past, it’s been pulling teeth to find peo­ ple to be on the TAPRC board. We’ve had to tug and pull and beg people to be on the board,” he said. “Kristen and Catherine have filled a need and have been doing it for a long time. I would recommend that those who would like to be a part of TAPRC, please make sure that they get their names in as vol­ unteers. Let’s put ‘em to work, cleaning the (baseball) dia­ monds, helping out at events, whatever. Get some time under your belts as a volunteer with the TAPRC and work yourself up to that commis­ sioner’s position.” TAPRC is a partnership of Thomapple Kellogg Schools, the Village of Middleville and Thomapple Township. The commission, which has been in existence since 2000, has a nine-member board, consist­ ing of three representatives each from the schools, village and township. It receives funding support from each of the participating governmental units, Barry County United Way, registration fees and pro­ gram sponsors. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22,2023/ Page 1 Cal schools project nearly S2.2M deficit in preliminary budget Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools are projecting a nearly. $2.2 million deficit in a pre­ liminary budget for the 2023­ 24 fiscal year. CCS Finance Director Sara DeVries Monday gave school board members a first glance at the district’s financial out­ look for the fiscal year that begins July 1. DeVries’ pro­ jection calls for the district to revenues of of take inin revenues $66,683,262 while spending $68,870,059, resulting in a shortfall of $2,186,797. “Ifwe do nothing next year, we’d be pulling $2.1 million (out of fund balance), the following year we’d be pulling $4.7 (million) and the follow­ ing year another $4.7 (mil­ lion). You can quickly see we are going in the opposite direc­ tion (from where we want to go),” DeVries said. The district is expected to end the current fiscal year June 30 with a shortfall of $630,888, which would reduce its general fund reserves to $8,441,836, repre­ senting about 12.5 percent of the district’s expenditures, DeVries said. DeVries’ revenue projec- tion is based on enrollment remaining flat and the district receiving an additional $458 per pupil in the new state edu­ cation budget It projects step increases for teachers and support staff, 4 percent increases in health insurance costs and an 18 percent in transportation fuel and repair costs, DeVries said. The 2023-24 fiscal year will be the last year that Caledonia and other area school districts will receive federal funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, which was created in 2020 to help schools meet financial chal- lenges stemming from the raised concerns over the pro­ COVID-19 pandemic. The jections. “In the 10 years I’ve been new budget is projected to have more than $1.82 million on the board, I’ve never seen in ESSER funding, down from projections where our fund $4.35 million in the current balance disappears, potential­ ly,” Morris said. “Should we fiscal year, DeVries said. The district added 21 teach­ be looking at how we’re going ing positions that were funded to make cuts?” “Absolutely,” DeVries by ESSER last summer when the current budget was adopt- responded. “We have years ed. That’s in addition to the ago, back in the 2010 time equivalent of another 6.7 posi­ (period) when we received the tions that were added using (American Recovery and general fund revenues. Of the Reinvestment Act) federal stimulus funds during that ESSER-funded positions, 11 were interventionists, another time of recession ... If it gets 5.5 were for counseling jobs, to the point of needing to go two were for itinerant teaching through budget reductions, jobs and one was for an we’ll go through a process, teacher, absolutely.” English-leamer “I just don’t want to wait DeVries said. “We’ve talked about with until the crisis is already on us these ESSER positions, transi- before we have ideas as to tioning some into (permanent how we would make up that positions) through attrition, for difference,” Morris said. “We don’t plan to wait, those that are resigning or either,” DeVries said. “This retiring,” DeVries said. Board Trustee Tim Morris is just our preliminary look, Caledonia Community Schools Finance Director Sara DeVries gives a preliminary look at the district’s 2023-24 budget Monday ini„ght. (P-ho—to by Gre-g Chandler) and that’s exactly whyjve do this process ... We knew that this was coming, we knew these ESSER positions would be temporary. We would like to keep as many (positions) as we can, but it’s all based on what increase we get from the state, what additional grants may come and roll over.” The board is expected to approve the 2023-24 budget in June. Committee recommends changes to Thornapple Kellogg reproductive health curriculum for Page students uHf fottsii afcl i« ftfc toriil bodies change, Chausow said. Willing To Wait trains its own instructors to teach the courses. Under the previous program, Page staff had to teach the course. The commit­ tee voted unanimously to rec­ ommend the school board adopt the new course. The committee includes representation from staff, stu­ dents, parents, doctors, clergy and the school board. Chausow co-chaired the committee with board member Krissy Hooson. Parents have the ability to opt out of any reproductive health class, Chausow said. A study by Calvin University’s Center For Social Research, conducted over a said. “It really focuses on your five-year period and involving self-esteem and what influ- more than 21,000 students ences you during that time of who have been through the body changes, and getting to Willing To Wait curriculum, know who you are,” Chausow found the program changed students’ knowledge, attitudes said. On the section on puberty, and behavior related to sex. “Students had more accuboys and girls are separated, so related to self-esteem and their body changes,” Chausow said. The Reproductive Health Committee had been looking for new resources for teaching students at Page about changes to their bodies and other issues with regard to sexuality and relationships. The district had used a Michigan Health Model course for fourth- and fifth-grad­ ers at Page, but the information “honestly... was about 20 years old,” Chausow said. The Willing To Wait curric­ ulum, titled “Healthy Me, Relationships,” Healthy includes sections on self-es­ teem, HIV and AIDS, puberty and internet safety, Chausow Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thornapple Kellogg Schools are considering a change to the district’s repro­ ductive health curriculum affecting students at Page Elementary School. The district’s Reproductive Health Committee is recom­ mending the school board adopt a new fifth-grade course that’s been developed by Willing To Wait, an absti­ nence-based sex education pro­ gram based in Grand Rapids. Willing To Wait is already being used in reproductive health classes at both the mid­ dle school and high school. Committee co-chair Kim Chausow, the curriculum director at TK, presented the proposal at the first of two public hearings at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. “We are requesting that we (institute) it in the fall of fifth grade (next school year), so that it hits students when their bodies are changing biologi­ cally and have that foundation that boys learn about changes to their own bodies, and girls likewise learn about how their . Proposed Changes April 17, 2023 rate knowledge of the effec tiveness of birth control and consequences of premantai sex, reported less favorable attitudes toward premarital sex, and were more likely to report that they intended to wait until marriage to have sex r"°"”PP" Kellogg Reproductive Public Hearing M . Informationa after their participation than they did before their participa­ tion,” Calvin researcher Laura Luchies wrote in August 2020. No changes are being pro­ posed to the reproductive health curriculum at the middleschool and high school. Changes are being recommended to how stu­ dents with disabilities are taught, with classes to be taught at the fifth, seventh, ninth and 11th grade levels. A second public hearing and final approval of the reproductive health cumculum is expected at the next TK board meeting May 8. VOTE NO x SUPPLEMENTAL BOND “SUPPLEMENT”... A $9,000,000 SHORTFALLTO BUILD DUTTON *2023 Bond now includes $40,000,000 to build Dutton School *Voters already approved $21,000,000 to build Dutton in 2020 ♦Community Center\Pool is being built, why not Dutton?? I ! bosod on decans fxm L^e IK WerxDOuctn-e ea OomnvtW Meeting March 6. 2023 6 00 • 7 |5 cm A Healthy Me, Healthy Relationships 4**' Grade *2023 Bond includes a $21,000,000 SPENDING SPREE! Ci* <<*«•" HOW IS THIS SUPPLEMENTAL??? ♦Caledonia Schools are currently $160,000,000 in debt *This Bond would put Caledonia $23^000,000 in debt Thornapple Kellogg Schools Curriculum Director Kim Chausow, who co-chairs the district’s reproductive health committee, addresses the school board Monday on proposed changes to reproductive health instruction. A final hearing is scheduled for May 8. (Photo by Greg Chandler) ♦Future generations would be taxed for the next 32 years The cover of pro­ posed Willing to Wait curriculum for Page 5th graders. FOCUS ON DUTTON-DEMAND A CLEAN BOND! �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023 Planning and zoning director updates Middleville DDA board on Hats at Mid-Villa proposed development James Gemmell Contributing Writer Village of Middleville Planning and Zoning Director Doug Powers says the developer of the pro­ posed Flats at Mid-Villa apartment complex has adjusted the site plan to meet the specifications sought by village staff. He updated the Downtown Development Authority board at its meet- ing Tuesday evening at vil­ lage hall on what Grandville-based Dutch Developers LLC is doing ahead of a scheduled public hearing May 2. That is when the village planning commission will consider a request to rezone the prop­ erty at 4611 and 4691 N. M-37 Highway from a C-2 highway commercial desig­ nation to a Planned Unit Development. That was the site of the former Middle Villa Inn entertainment hotspot that closed in 2014. If the planning commis- See FLATS OF MID-VILLA, paged Tractor Supply cuts size of proposed Caledonia Twp. store, project remains in limbo Greg Chandler StaffWriter Tractor Supply Company has reduced the footprint for the store it wants to build in Caledonia Township to meet township standards. However, there are still other issues township planning commissioners have with the proposed store at 10344 Cherry Valley Ave. SE., near the Stone Point Park condo­ miniums and Caledonia Storage. For the second consecutive month, commissioners Monday night tabled the spe­ cial land use request and site plan review for the project. Tractor Supply had pro­ posed a 21,930-square-foot building in February with additional open-air business space, both in front of the main entrance and behind the building. However, that clashed with a provision in the township zoning ordinance for general business use, which allows retail stores but bans so-called “big box” stores. The ordinance goes on to define a “big box” store as one with “more than 20,000 square feet ofgross floor area.” So architect Steve Witte of Nederveld Inc., representing project developer DMK, whit­ tled the store size by 13 per­ cent, dbwn to 19,097 square feet, to meet that standard. The property is governed by a 2001 consent judgment that was entered into between the township and Clearview, a project developer. While the property was initially zoned industrial at the time of the judgment, the landowner and township have since agreed to allow other uses, including general business. The consent agreement stipulates different requirements for the property and the township than allowed under traditional zoning. While Tractor Supply has compromised on the building footprint, there remain differ­ ences between the township and the company that need to be resolved for the project to move forward. Outdoor stor­ age is a major issue.* “We have a difficult time enforcing conditions on out­ door storage,” Township PlannerLynee Wells said. “We see many examples across the state ... where materials are blocking walkways, where materials are impeding park•ing.” । Wells recommended com­ missioners limit outdoor sales 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! Our students are: Christ-Centered, Academic Achievers, V Responsible Citizens, with Exceptional Character, and Servants’ Hearts Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-1/2 to 6 years, (We will assist with toilet training) WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION V iulie@stpaulcaledonia.org Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Garage Sale ALTO COMMUNITY GA­ RAGE SALES - Fri., April 28 and Sat., April 29, 2023, 9am-5pm. Times and avail­ ability may vary for indi­ vidual residences. Includes community neighborhood, several rural residences, Alto Meadows Association and KDL Alto branch book sale. Maps marked with addresses of participating sellers will be available at sale locations. Bright yard signs will mark sale areas. Business Services CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. WATERPROOFING, EPOXY PRESSURE INJECTION. concretestopleak.com 269­ 758-3312. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793, A rendering of the Tractor Supply Company store that is proposed for Caledonia Township. (Rendering provided) to the fenced outdoor display area. Witte called the recom­ mendation “a big deal for Tractor Supply. That potential­ ly is a dealbreaker.” “We specifically added a knee wall to keep everything where it needs to go, to give screening ofit and to keep it in front of the building,” Witte said. “We’ve already moved the trailer and equipment dis­ play into the fenced outdoor display. The fenced outdoor display area also includes a garden center, so if you sub­ tract out the garden center, the area that we’re left with is 16,000 square feet. TSC has a certain amount ofproduct and materials that they 'need to have onsite. We’re really get­ ting to the point where we don’t have enough room for that material.” The knee wall would be 4-to-6 feet in height with chain-link fencing on top. The township would like the wall to surround the building, but Witte questioned having it east and south ofthe building. The store would face the storage business to the east, and the south portion of the building would sit at a lower elevation than Cherry Valley Avenue, he said. “We just don’t feel the ben­ efit of having an expensive wall on the south end and then on the east end,” Witte said. Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis said he recently visited several states where he saw examples of knee walls, and came away less than impressed. “It didn’t look good. I mean, how do I say this nicely?” Curtis said; “There was stuff everywhere - in front of it, behind it. I thought, ‘oh, it’s just this one location.’ (Next location in a) totally different state in a totally different town, same thing ... For me, that’s a nonstarter, in the front. It’s a no-go.” Another point of debate is over the proposed inclusion of faux windows on the west side ofthe building, facing Cherry Valley. The township would like the windows to be open to the interior, but Witte raised defended the inclusion offaux windows. “Tractor Supply really needs to keep that area ifthey have (need for) stacking. It’s their main sales area,” he said. “Having windows going into the building, it really limits their space that they can use for sales.” Witte also pointed out that there would be a 130-foot gap between the edge of the road to the store, while a normal front yard setback for a TSC store is 50 feet. “It’s not like we’re right up next to the (road). I don’t really think anybody’s going to notice driving by ifit’s a fake window or ifit’s a real window, because we’re so far away and the See STORE, page 9 Help Wanted FARMERS GROUP (Cale­ donia, MI) seeks Agile Dev. Team Member III resp. for development & execution of test plans/defining quality criteria & selecting appro­ priate measurement tech­ niques in order to execute testing cycle effectively. Remote work option. Apply at Farmers.com/Careers, Job ID: 18532. CARVETH VILLAGE OF Middleville is in search of full time and part time caregivers to work 12 days a month or less. Benefits are included as well as great wages and a flexible schedule. Apply on­ line at www.carvethvillage. com or in person by calling (269)795-4972. Farm HAY: WOULD LIKE some­ one to cut & bale my 20 acre fertilized hay field. 300 bales for me, the rest for you (1700 bales), plus 50 acre adjacent fields. 60th St. near Alaska Ave., 616-240-7484. Community Notice NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ AGE SALE- Please notice Red Dot Storage 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledonia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 5/2/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #354; #453; #454; #114; #426. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and condi­ tions apply. See manager for details. A nna Me ^ “Train a child in the way he should go, and Digital TV Antennas when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Cell Phone Boosters 269.967.8241 TV ANTENNA & TOWER INSTALLATION www.theantennamenxQm. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023/ Page 9 FIATS OF MID-VILLA, continued from page 8 sion approves ofthe plan, it will make a positive recom­ mendation to the village council, which would con­ sider the PUD at its May 23 meeting. Besides the six proposed apartment buildings with 144 total units that were part of the original proposal, there are future phases planned for development ofthree potentiall commercial out-lots along view with the Sun and News. “However, after having the site inspected, it’s beyond repair. What is currently being discussed is having a sign (installed) that resembles that (former) type ofsign,” he said. DDA board member Joe Mancini asked Powers for more details about the pro- posed signage along M-37. “Currently, what is being proposed is a sign that pays M-37, and the addition of 134 homage to the previous histor- storage units. Some people ic sign,” Powers replied. “So, that is being drafted in an ordi­ nance to be presented to coun­ cil at a later date.” The । DDA board has the also wanted to retain a vintage sign on the properly. “When this previously came to the planning commission and village council last year, it was mentioned that there was some nostalgia behind the sign on the site currently,” Powers said in a post-meeting inter- ability to offer the developer available grant monies for sig­ nage and facade work. “I do not believe there has been a history of discussion about financial incentives, whether it’s related to (tax-in­ crement financing) or to grants that the DDA has the capacity to do with the facade, as well as the sign,” Powers said. “If you could have input in regards to what some ofthose aesthetic characteristics might be,” Powers said. The proposed commercial units do not have a specified end user. So, the signage for them will own or what that agreement looks like. It’s part ofthe current proposal. So, what that would allow is, if someone was inter­ ested in developing the storage lockers in the way they are sub­ they worked with the develop­ mitted on the current plans, they er in offering facade and DDA has not been determined yet. could come in without having to grants, they could have addi­ “I know the developer has have additional public hearings. tional say over what the end had multiple inquiries and he Because the public-hearing pro­ appearance ofthat is.” had mentioned at the site plan cess would have already con­ However, nothing has been committee (meeting) some of cluded,” Powers said. formalized with thatt yet. the possible people who are The storage units would be Powers told the DDA board he interested,” Powers said. available for on-site apartment sent Nate Heyboer with Dutch Dutch Developers would tenants and the public at-large. Developers a petition for the develop the commercial out-lots “I’ve been told that they’re facade and sign grants. along M-37, as well as the resi­ likely to have incentives for the “Ifyou were working with dential units farther back on the people that will live at the apart­ him and made him aware of site, away from the highway. But ment complex. However, other what facade and sign grant Powers said the storage contain­ people would have the opportu­ eligibility he might have, then ers would be run by another nity to use those, as well. So, it’s he could present the aesthetic entity, likely a local company that notjust for them,” Powers said. perspective of the develop- manages storage units. The apartment buildings ment to the DDA board, where “I don’t know ifthat person would be built on 16.6 acres at a cost of close to $40 million, depending on the final plan that is approved. Dutch Developers’ original proposal for the Flats at Mid­ Vina was rejected by the vil­ lage council last year. But vil­ lage staffers have said the revised proposal addresses concerns about parking space, unit density and quality-of-life considerations. The storage container space is now part of the proposal, as well, along with an enhance parking struc­ ture, a children’s play area and a pickleball court. The Michigan Economic Development Corp, is provid­ ing some free technical sup­ port with the project, because Middleville is certified by the MEDC as a Redevelopment Ready Community. Middleville Village president says fourplex near amphitheater not ideal for library James Gemmell Contributing Writer A fourplex adjacent to the downtown Middleville amphi­ theater and along the east bank ofthe Thomapple River would not be the best location to establish a library. So says Middleville Village President Mike Cramer. He is also the village liaison to the Downtown Development Authority board, which met Tuesday night. A community group called Middleville Needs a Library has been looking for a site to establish the standalone public library. It recently selected Ada-based consultant Keith Hopkins to work on develop­ ment of a study to determine the public’s appetite for having a library separate from the Thomapple Kellogg Schools. A presentation on the proposed project will be made to the Middleville Village Council at its meeting Tuesday, April 25. Reportedly, the library group has expressed interest in possi- bly establishing the library in the fourplex at 154 Railroad Street The four-unit apartment com­ plex is owned by the village. “So, I received correspon­ dence this afternoon from one ofthe two families living in the fourplex,” Cramer said at the DDA board meeting. “To say they’re disgruntled... would be an understatement.” He said the building is on a floodplain and was envisioned to support a recreational use in the village’s Parks Master Plan. He also said the village council should have been consulted previously about the project. “We should’ve thought this one through and maybe asked some more questions before we went to the press,” Cramer said, referring not to the village staff but to the library group. “These families are rightfully upset, because we don’t have any place for them to go.” Cramer also said the village needs to diversify its housing stock and missed an opportuni­ ty in recent years to approve STORE, continued from page 8 — speed limit is 55, if I’m not mind there. All ofus have been mistaken,” Witte said. trying to find a way to make But commissioners are con­ this work here. You guys have cerned about the aesthetics of been really good ... in your the new store. role, of trying to get this “The challenge is that this is approved. I think the concern is such a huge space ofopen area, still how are they going to oper­ and as we think about just ate this store once it’s built? maintaining the integrity of that Like Doug said, we can’t really corridor and of the community, enforce anything, we can just how do we continue to keep it set the standard for what we beautiful ... and still have it say they have to do.” make sense for the business,” Tractor Supply Company Commissioner Jodie Masefield bills itself as the largest rural said. fifestyle retailer in the United Commissioner John Eberly States, with more than 2,000 expressed similar concerns. stores in 49 states across the “The challenge all along is country, according to its web­ that, whether we have 19,000 site. The company was found­ square feet or 20,001, this kind ed in 1938 in Minot, N.D. ofan occupancy is not exactly Tractor Supply has a store in what is envisioned for this Hastings at 2490 M-37 Hwy. space, and that also comes out Witte remains optimistic that when we talk about out-front a solution can be found and that sales,” Eberly said. “That’s a the project will gain approval. pretty frank contrast or conflict “I think we are getting with what our zoning has in there,” he said. developers’ requests to con­ struct quality residential units. ‘We should have had apart­ ments, but we didn’t They were pushed back by piss-poor ideals. Community distrust Blatant dis­ respect for the developer,” he said. Cramer added, “And I think if this village is going to move for­ ward in a positive fashion, we can get past that and start understand­ ing that Middleville should be a place that’s attainable for every­ body, notjust the people that can afford an Allen Edwin home.” After the meeting, Cramer said the fourplex was included in the village council’s original plans for Sesquicentennial Park and the Middleville Lions Club pavilion. “That was part of our pro­ posal to get the $400,000 for that pavilion that we use for the (Downtown) Market. And I would hate to be the one that decides we’re going to change the plan for the DNR (funding), when we’re looking for more recreational grants,” he said. One of the residents in the fourplex messaged Cramer on Facebook to express her con­ cerns. “She was like, ‘They don’t even know how many people live down here. There’s two of us. There’s two different fami­ lies and we’re going to be dis­ placed, and there’s no place for us to go,’ “ Cramer said The library group is sched­ uled to meet May 17 in the Thomapple Township Hall at 6 p.m. The Middleville Village Council meeting on April 25 is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the village hall chambers. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023 Delton girls shut out Barry County Invite foes Brett Bremer Sports Editor Dust in the air around home plate didn’t even have time to settle between the time Delton Kellogg’s Maysse Wiessner and Abby Fichtner took turns sliding across to score their team’s seventh and eighth runs. They were the last two runs in a dominant performance by the Delton Kellogg varsity softball team at the Barry County Invitational hosted by Hastings High School Saturday. The Panthers, a team noted among the honor­ able mention state ranks in Division 3, took a 16-0 4-inning win over Thomapple Kellogg and then knocked off Lakewood 8-0 in 5 innings in the championship game. Lakewood opened the tour­ nament with a 15-0 win over Hastings. Thomapple Kellogg closed out the tournament scoring six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning of the consolation game against Hastings to snap a 3-3 tie, and then fin­ ished off a 9-3 win over the host Saxons. Wiessner and Fichtner scored those final two runs after knocking RBI singles of their own in the bottom of the fourth against Lakewood. Wiessner slid in to score feet first from second on an RBI single from Jordan Lyons, and Fichtner finished dove in face first to' score score from first when tile Vikings’ throw in to try and nab Wiessner got to the backstop. There was an eight-run mercy rule after five innings at the tournament and after the Vikings got out of the inning, Panther pitcher Lizzy Stonebumer worked out of a two on, two out jam with a strike out that preserved the shut out “It took the bats about an inning to warm up and wake up, and defensively they played really well too. I think with that defense in the out­ field, nothing is going to drop much. They put in a lot of work, a lot of extra work, with travel ball and school ball,” Thornapple Kellogg’s Peyton Stahl belts a three-run triple through the gap in left center field during the Delton Kellogg head coach bottom of the sixth inning against Hastings in the consolation game of the Barry County Invitational Saturday. Jesse Lyons said. “Wednesday night, we (Photo by Brett Bremer) practiced 3 to 6, and I couldn’t Stonebumer held the Viking Woodman and Maycee Rusco. get them to go home. Finally outfield. The Panthers didn’t in the air against them look Peyton Federati, the at 6 o’clock I’m said ‘all right commit an error at the tourna­ routine. The infield was strong offense in check from the cir­ and coach Lyons was really cle through the five innings, Vikings’ freshman pitcher, ment. we’re'done. Let’s go home.’ “They’re just everywhere. pleased with the performance allowing two hits and two took the loss in the circle. She [Friday] they practiced ‘til 4:30. It’s work. They have fun, It’s kind of annoying,” of his catcher Allie Trantham walks. She struck out six. gave up seven earned runs on 10 hits and a walk. She struck “That’s the best team we’ve but the still know how to work Lakewood first baseman in calling the ballgames for the seen. You can tell, they’re out three. hard. It is a great group of Alivia Woodman grumbled two Panther pitchers. At the plate, Jordan Lyons loaded with travel kids,” girls. You couldn’t ask for about the DK outfielders in the “From Peyton’s first game anything more. They have dug out after flying out for the was 3 for 3 with three RBI in Lakewood head coach Brent at Lowen to where she is now good attitudes and good effort final out ofthe fourth inning of the championship game. Hilley said. “They’re fast I she is progressing,” coach If you could have a team like the championship game. Fichtner was 2 for 3 with an had a talk with our kids, we Hilley said. “She is way more this yeari in and year out, they The Panther defense was RBI and a pair ofruns scored. don’t learn anything from that consistent, way more consis­ probably would not need me.” superb, all day. Jordan Lyons DK also got hits from Brickley, first game. We’re scheduled to tent. As she gets more confi­ Coach'Lyons certainly liked in left, Paige Thomas in center Trantham, Allison Brandli and play a lot of teams like dent, then we can start throw­ the defense of his infield too. and the combo of Kasey Abbi Wooden in the final. [Delton] this year, by design.” ing more spins, more drop and He heard 'great communica­ Kapteyn and Mya Brickley in Thomas and Brandli added The two Lakewood hits tion in the infield and in the right field made everything hit RBI tod. were singles by Alivia See TROJANS, next page CONSIGN Huge selection of Classic, Muscle, Trucks and MORE — Featured Inventory — 2009 DODGE CHALLENGER 1957 FORD RANCHERO 1968 CHEVROLET CAMERO *33,900 *29,900 *54,900 Full/professional detailing What you 2.1. Professional Show this ad listing with video and 100+ get with photos (worldwide online advertising for Free exposure) Carage 3. Sale amount disclosure - FULL Kept TRANSPARENCY Consignment Fee 4. Indoor, heated & secure storage Motors _________ (_$_45_0_ _VA_L_U_E_)_____ Calltoday 616-888-3230 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY ____________fgOjfithjt^jEgjrandjapidsJVII 49548 • www.CKIW.com • salesOCKM- com �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023/ Page 11 TROJANS, continued from previous page more rise balls and those kinds of pitches. I thought she held her composure pretty good. They just hit it a lot of places we weren’t” The two teams have a chance to meet again at the Lakewood Invitational, May of the first against the Vikings, one in the second and then finished them off with the four runs in the bot­ tom of the fourth. Delton Kellogg walked off with a two-run triple by Fichtner in the bottom of the fourth in its opener against bottom of the second inning and Brandli knocked a tworun dinger over the center field fence in the bottom of the third. Delton Kellogg had 10 hits in the opener. Fichtner was 3 for 4 with six RBI. She 13. was a single short of the Delton Kellogg’s bats TK. Fichtner dented the cycle, belting a double, a tri­ were hot from the opener Saxon scoreboard high above ple and her home run. Saturday, and the Panthers the left field wall with a Trantham was 2 for 3 with a scored three runs in the top three-run home run in the double and an RBI. Brandli was 1 for 2 with two runs and two RBI. Thomas and Brickley also drove in runs for the Panthers and Kasey Kapteyn knocked in two runs and scored three with a pair of walks in the ballgame. Brickley got the win in the circle for DK. She shut out TK on four hits and two Jenna Robinett pitches for the Trojans during their win over Hastings in the walks while striking out two. consolation game at the Barry County Invitational at Hastings High School The four TK hits were sin­ Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) gles by Grace Zube, Kenzie Bouma, Peyton Stahl and for the Vikings. She scored out five Saxons and walked Saxon shortstop. Zube’s hit Ella Palazzolo three times and had one RBI. two. loaded the bases and Stahl’s Just seven of the 16 runs Lakewood also got a 3 for 3 A triple by Jenna Robinett cleared them to put TK in offthe TK pitcher Stahl were performance at the plate was the first big blast of the front for good. earned. TK committed five from Allison Slater who bottom of the sixth inning of O’Riley, Zube, Stahl, errors. Lakewood had one in scored two runs. the consolation final for Bouma and Robinett had two the championship game. Brooklyn Hoppes and Thomapple Kellogg in its hits each for TK in the win Lakewood had 15 hits in Rusco had two hits each, and win over the Saxons. It over Hastings. the first game of the day, a Lily Federau, Peyton scored Bouma from first Bennett was 3-for-4 with a 15-0, four-inning win over Federau, Keirgan Schroeder with one out to put TK up double, a triple and a run Hastings. and Woodman had 1 apiece. 4-3. scored for the Saxons. Lucy No. 2 hitter Maryssa The Saxons got singles Hastings pitcher Victoria Barnard, Sophia Sunior and Goble was 4 for 4 with a from Zoey Bennett, Liliana Jerzyk got a strike out for the Carly Frazer had two hits TK centerfielder Elaina O’Riley rounds third and double, three runs scored an Fox and Peightyn Cronk in second out of the inning, but each, and Jayden Karsen and heads for home to score in the bottom of the sixth an RBI for the Vikings. the loss. then Eliana O’Riley blooped Cassidee Easey both singled inning against Hastings in the consolation game of Audrey Hillard was 3 for 3 Kendyl Steward got the an RBI single into left and once. the Barry County Invitational Saturday. (Photo by with a pair of doubles out of start in the circle in the open­ Grace Zube and Stahl snuck Brett Bremer) the three spot in the line-up er for the Vikings and struck a couple of balls by the See TROJANS, page 13 TWO YEAR Thursday - Sunday, April 20-23 ilMfr IliCf prifeet oita> HfalM We areproud to supportMichigan made products at all of our locations! 9321 Cherry Valley Ave., Caledonia jdubbssignaturesubs.com • Facebook: jdubbssignaturesubs ramify Owned & Operated -616-275-1184— Spring Hours: Monday - Wednesday 1 lam. - 7 pm Thursday - Saturday 1 lam - 8 pm • Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm I �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023 Caledonia takes game two in three-game set with Buccaneers Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity baseball team had its sec­ ond 1-2 series of the OK Red Conference season this week, taking one of three from the Grand Haven Buccaneers. The Buccaneers took game one 19-9 in Caledonia, but the Scots rallied for a 9-6 win in game two. The Buccaneers finished off the series win in Grand Haven Thursday afternoon with a 12-2 victory. Caledonia took a 6-0 lead WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68) LENNOX HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM ACCREDITED BUSINESS 269-792-2234 FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Earth Day lessons for investors It’s almost Earth Day, when invest, you also need people around the world growth potential if you’re focus on ways ofprotecting going to achieve your goals, and preserving the environ­ including a comfortable ment. And the lessons from retirement. So, your portfo­ this occasion can be applied lio will need a reasonable to other areas of life — percentage of growth-ori­ such as investing. ented vehicles, such as Here are some themes to stocks and stock-based consider: mutual funds or • Sustainability - From exchange-traded funds an environmental perspec­ (ETFs). Yet, you do need to tive, sustainability encom­ be aware that these invest­ passes a range of issues, ments can lose value, espe­ such as using natural cially during downturns in resources wisely. As an the financial markets. You investor, you, too, need to can help reduce the impact protect your resources. So, of market turbulence on for example, to sustain a your holdings by also own­ long-term investment strat­ ing other types of invest­ egy, you won’t want to dip ments, such as bonds, gov­ into your retirement ernment securities and cer­ accounts, such as your IRA tificates of deposit (CDs). and 401 (k), to pay for major While these investments home or car repairs or other can also lose value, they are unexpected, costly bills typically less volatile than before retirement. You can stocks and stock-based help prevent this by build­ mutual funds and ETFs. ing an emergency fund con­ The appropriate percentage taining several months’ of growth and fixed-income worth of living expenses, investments in your portfo­ with the money kept in a lio depends on your risk liquid, low-risk account. tolerance, time horizon and And once you’re retired, long-term objectives. you need to sustain your • Avoidance of “toxins” portfolio so it can help pro­ -At some Earth Day events, vide income for many you can learn about positive years. For that to happen, behaviors such as disposing you’ll need to maintain a oftoxic items safely. And in withdrawal rate that doesn’t the investment world, you’ll deplete your investments also want to avoid toxic too soon. activities, such as chasing • Growth potential — “hot” stocks that aren’t Many people plant trees to appropriate for your needs, celebrate Earth Day, with or trading investments so the hope that, as the trees frequently that you run up grow, they’ll contribute to commissions and taxes or cleaner air. When you jumping out of the markets altogether when there’s a temporary decline. • Consolidation — Getting rid of clutter and unneces­ sary possessions is another lesson some people take away from Earth Day. All of us, when we look around our homes, could probably find many duplicate items — do we really need two blenders or three brooms or five staplers? When you invest, it’s also surprisingly easy to pick up “clutter” in the form of multiple accounts. You might have an IRA with one financial company and brokerage accounts with two or three others. If you were to con­ solidate these accounts with one provider, you might reduce correspondence — even if it is online — and possibly even lower the fees you pay. But perhaps more important, by consoli­ dating these accounts at one place, possibly with the guidance of a financial pro­ fessional who knows your needs and goals, you may find it easier to follow a single, unified investment strategy. Earth Day only happens once a year — but it may provide lessons for inves­ tors that can last a lifetime. through three innings in the game two victory only to see the Buccaneers strike for six runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Scots responded with three in the bottom half and then shut down the Buccaneers in the fifth to finish off the victo­ ryDerek Pennington walked and then Nick Slater dou­ bled into left to put runners on second and third for the Scots in that rally in the bottom ofthe fourth. Corbin Raffler dropped down a one-out sacrifice and the Buccaneers committed an error on the play as Pennington scored. Slater scored and Raffler came home on a single by Tommy Clarey. The Scots loaded the bases again in the inning, but couldn’t tack on another run. Grand Haven committed six errors in the loss, lead­ ing to six unearned runs for the Scots. Caledonia had eight hits. Clarey was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Mitchell Smith, Zack Maurer and Jace Lawton also had hits for the Scots. Maurer drove in three runs, the first two with a two-out single in the bot­ tom of the first. Jacob Stoczynski got the win in relief for the Scots. He struck out one, walked one and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings. Aaron Hileman started and gave up six runs on seven hit and seven walks in 3 2/3 innings. Hileman struck out four. In the Buccaneers 19-9 win in game one Tuesday it was the Scots who had trou­ ble with the ball. They committed eight errors leading to six unearned runs. Smith, AJ Szabo, Pennington, Slater, Alex Skibinski and Michael Douglass had 2 hits each in the loss. Pennington, Slater and Skibinski had two RBIs each. Pennington and Smith both singled once and dou­ bled once. Slater started and took the loss. He allowed ten runs (five earned) on eight hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out four. A Render, Maurer and C Bom threw in relief for the Scots. In the series finale Thursday, Grand Haven won 12-2 with the Scots committing six errors that led to six more unearned runs. Offensively, the Scots had just three hits. Douglass doubled and drove in a run. Pennington singled and had an RBI. Slater also singled once. Smith took the loss on the mound. He gave up two earned runs (five total) on five hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out two. The Scots are now 2-6 overall this season. Byron Center took two non-conference wins over the visiting Scots last Saturday, April 15, by the scores of 13-7 and 8-5. Caledonia took a 6-5 lead in the top of the fourth in game one, but the Bulldogs answered with three runs in the home half, then piled on with three runs in the bot­ tom of the fifth and two in the bottom of the sixth. Szabo doubled and scored two runs in the loss. Slater was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Pennington, hitting in the lead-off spot, was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Smith, Lawton and Drew Drennan had the other Caledonia hits. Lawton and Smith both had two RBIs. Douglass started and took the loss on the mound. In game two, Byron Center scored six runs in the bottom of the first and led throughout as the Scots chipped away in what was an 8-5 Bulldog win. Douglass tripled and drove in a run. Smith dou­ bled and had an RBI. Pennington was 2-for-3 with a run scored and he walked once. The Scots also got singles from Szabo, Maddox Wysocki and Luke Shuster and two from Maurer. Drennan took the loss on the mound. Isaac Jurmu threw 4 2/3 solid innings of relief, com­ ing on in the first inning. He allowed one run on five hits and four walks. Smith came on to pitch the sixth and struck out three while giving up one unearned run on one hit. Caledonia takes on Rockford in the OK Red this week. The Rams host a doubleheader Tuesday and the teams finish their series Thursday in Caledonia. The Scots also have plans for a trip to Hamilton for a non-conference clash Wednesday. B'smriKf Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — / Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs State & I-CAR Certified Technicians DlTCCt Repair Facility Most insurance companies ESONAL Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com �% The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023/ Page 13 Scots rally for wins over Panthers and Buccaneers 5N un>i> ™ tn., n. X <s ss X S zs Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia scored three runs in the bottom ofthe fifth inning and held on for a 4-2 win over West Ottawa Thursday afternoon in Caledonia. Malia Burke belted a twoout single into right field that brought home one run and two more scored on a Panther error behind the first run. Peyton Brenner started the fifth inning rally for the Scots, right after the Panthers tied the bailgame at 1-1 in the top half, being hit by a 3-2 pitch. MacKenzie DeVries followed with a single and then Kala Bisterfeldt was hit by b a pitch itch to load the bases. The Scots only had four hits in the ballgame. DeVries was 2 for 3 at the plate. She scored two runs, including the Scots’ first in the first inning. Brenner and Burke both singled once. DeVries was hit by a pitch to lead-off the ballgame in the bottom of the first. She stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a ground out off the bat of teammate Jaz Dana. Dana shut out the Panthers from the circle over the first four innings. She struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. West Ottawa managed two hits off her. Molly Lieske threw the final three innings for the Scots. She was charged with two runs, one earned, on two hits and a walk. She struck out one. The win moves the Scots to 2-2 in the OK Red Conference. Caledonia split a confer­ ence doubleheader against Grand Haven Tuesday after­ noon. The Buccaneers won the opener 10-5, but the Scots came back to win game two 5-4. The Scots took a walk-off win in the eighth inning in game two. Parker knocked an RBI single into right field that scored Bisterfeldt from third after the two teams went into extras tied 4-4. Caledonia outhit the Buccaneers 10-6, but the Scots made three errors which helped the Bucs add Caledonia’s Mackenzie DeVries holds on tightly to the bag at second to complete a steal during the first inning against against West Ottawa in Caledonia Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) one unearned run. Addy Lash was 2 for 3 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Scot offense. MacKenzie Parker and Bisterfeldt were both 2 for 3 as well. Bisterfeldt had a double and an RBI. She z w «»$ki t iaii uitiii tlnrtls illiilffilj khkltk Ite j a life jtjbiiiii iffflttw Caledonia second baseman Kala Bisterfeldt moves into position to field a ground ball during the Scots’ OK Red win over visiting West Ottawa Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) RBI. Ellie Vandefifer was 2 for 2 with two runs scored. Jessie Drenton also went 2 for 2 with a run scored. Rachel Shoemaker was 1 for 2 with two runs and four RBI. O’Riley was 2 for 2 with a triple, two RBI and three runs. Zube and Robinett had hits for TK too. Stahl and Hoebeke both homered in the 21-0 win in 22, and will go to Rockford for an OK Red Conference doubleheader Tuesday after- noon. They will host Hudsonville in league play Thursday. Jaz Dana pitches for the Scots during the second inning of their OK Red Conference win over visiting West Ottawa Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Spring Special TROJANS, continued from page 11 Robinett was the winning pitcher for TK. She struck out five, walked two and worked around the 11 Saxon hits. The Trojans followed up the win over Hastings by pounding out two wins over Ottawa Hills in Grand Rapids Tuesday to open the OK Gold Conference season. The Trojans won the open­ er 25-4 and then took game two 21-0. Kylie Hoebeke led the TK attack in game one going 3 for 3 with four runs scored and two RBI. Two of her three hits were doubles. She also walked once. She was the winning pitcher too. The four runs against her were unearned. She walked one and allowed just one hit while striking out 10. Ella Palazzolo was 2 for 2 with three runs and three scored three times. Parker scored once and drove in one run. Dana, Burke, Lieske and Grace Siekman also had hits for the Scots. Burke had two walks to go along with her one single and also drove in a run. Lieske got the win in the circle. She pitched the full eight innings giving up three earned runs on six hits and two walks. She struck out six. In the Buccaneers’ 10-5 win in the opener, Parker was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Dana went 3 for 3 at the plate. DeVries dou­ bled and scored a run. Bisterfeldt went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Burke and Siekman also had hits for the Scots. Dana started in the circle and gave up 10 runs (seven earned) on 13 hits and three walks. She struck out one. Addy Olin pitched two scoreless innings of relief for Caledonia striking out three. The Scots are in Mattawan for a tournament today, April game two. Hoebeke was 3 for 3 also belting a triple. She drove in eight runs and scored two. Bouma, O’Riley and Zube had two hits each. Stahl, Shoemaker, Vandefifer, Emalyn Cartwright and Miranda Ova-Ayala all had one hit. TK had 16 different girls record at least one hit, walk or RBI in the ballgame. A/C TUNE-UP ^onr S79 Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O J). OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 '• WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED HEATING G COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �Page 14/Tbe Sun and News, Saturday, April 22,2023 Scots tally a dozen goals in first week of OK Red play Brett Bremer Sports Editor Jocelyn Herrema strained her neck up to get a look at the net while lying on her hack in the East Kentwood goal box at the north end of Scotland Yard in the 70^ minute of play Thursday. She had just beaten the Falcons’ back-up keeper to a ball in the box to chip it towards the goal-line, and she managed to see team­ mate Josie Wilcox come fly­ ing in ahead of the Falcons’ last defender to direct the ball into the back of the net. Herrema had four goals and finally that final assist Thursday as the Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer team improved to 2-0 in the OK Red Conference with a 6-0 win over the visiting Falcons. The Scots took a 6-0 win over Grandville in the con­ ference opener on the road Tuesday. Scoring more than two goals in an OK Red Conference match is rare most evenings. The Scots closed the 2017 conference season with a 4-2 win over Grand Haven and in the 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 seasons combined they’d only tallied more than two goals in a conference match twice (both times last sea­ son). * The 12 goals in two games is more than the team scored during the entire 2021 sea­ sons a season in which the Scots still had six victories. Senior attacker Gracie Gortmaker scored a varsity goal with her head for the first time ever Thursday, knocking in a comer kick from Wilcox in the first half. Herrema scored twice in the first half and the Scots led 3-0 at the intermission. Caledonia sophomore Josie Wilcox (right) comes to celebrate with teammates (from left) Bella Teelander, Jocelyn Herrema, Grace Gortmaker, Kendall Maynard and Abby Kramer after Herrema notched a hat-trick with her third goal against East Kentwood Thursday at Scotland Yard. Herrema would finish with four goals and an assist as the Scots bested the Falcons 6-0. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Herrema added her third and fourth goals a minute and a half apart, about ten minutes into the second half. Gortmaker put a ball ahead for Herrema that led to a quick 1-v-l opportunity against the Falcon keeper in the 50™ minute of play. Herrema riffled a shot into the net from just to the right of the penalty mark. In the 51st minute, Herrema car­ Caledonia junior goalkeeper Davanee Balczak col­ lects a Falcon free kick on her goal-line during the second half of the Scots’ 6-0 win over visiting East Kentwood Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) LaksSPRAY '1 1nsFOAM U£4tC Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville ried the ball from near mid­ field across left to right and ripped a shot over the Falcon keeper from the top of the 18 that made the score 5-0. “Me and the other for­ wards, we all just have this chemistry together,” Herrema said, “The way we play together, we just work hard for each other. I think that is what is most important.” She said it has been important building chemistry in practice and off the field too. Junior defender Laney Peterson, who didn’t play Thursday night, is the only girl on the team who Herrema has played club ball with in the past. This is the first season for Herrema on the Caledonia varsity. She has previously played with the Midwest ECNL club. After she offi­ cially signed her National Letter of Intent to join the University of Kansas Women’s Soccer Team last Caledonia’s Josie Wilcox (right) and Allye Risner (left) team up to try and keep East Kentwood sophomore Ella Zoerhoff away from their net during the second half at Scotland Yard Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) November during the early signing period, Herrema eventually came to the deci­ sion that she wanted to spend her senior year playing with her classmates instead of her club team. “It has honestly been the best experience. It has been so fun,” Herrema said of playing for the Scots. “I can’t really explain it. All the friendships, and the scoring and all this and playing in the field together - it has been great.” “Jocelyn has mostly played as a center-forward. She has the pace and the ath­ leticism to play out wide if Your local agent insures your LIGHT TRUCK PARTS Lake Estate B FARM BUREAU M. INSURANCE* USED PARTS* PICK UPS* ONE TONS* VANS'SUITS* JEEPS *4X4S FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 Micfajafts (ttettratux. Contf>att^> | USEO TIRES Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com | we needed her to,” said University of Kansas head coach Mark Francis when the Jayhawks’ signing class was announced in November. “She’s an extremely hard worker and very athletic. She does a really good job defen­ sively and has a great men­ tality on both sides of the ball. She’s very brave in and around the box and we look for her to come in and chal­ lenge up front or possibly out wide.” Caledonia head coach Sam Steams said that while nearly all of the girls’ in the Caledonia program play club soccer, there are typi­ cally a few girls each year like Herrema in the school who compete exclusively for their club team rather than the varsity. Often times, it is a club rule that they don’t play for other teams. It was just a week or two before the start of spring practice that Steams learned Herrema’s decision to don the purple and gold. “That was a nice surprise,” Steams said. “The whole team, this chemistry started last year where we really made a strong push of developing a culture of the team where girls wanted to be here. We’re competing with clubs all over the city now,” he added. The game with East Kentwood was called due to thunderstorms rolling through the area shortly after Wilcox’s goal. Junior goal­ keeper Davanee Balczak controlled things around her box before being spelled by fellow keeper Natalie Richardson for the final cou­ ple of minutes. The Scots are now 6-1-1 heading into a Saturday morning match with Portage Northern at Scotland Yard. “I started with the pro­ gram in 2019, and there was a season where we had I think 11 goals for the entire year, so having 12 goals in a week just goes to show the commitment the girls have made to the program and to the plan,” Steams said. “It is all coming together this year. That is not due to any one player necessarily, but the entire unit is playing the exact game plan that we set up.” Gortmaker had three goals, Herrema two and senior Madison Maas had See GOALS, continued next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023/ Page 15 Caledonia golfers win two of first three OK Red jamborees Brett Bremer individual scores of the day. from freshman Jack Reum. Sports Editor Senior Jacob Byanski was the West Ottawa placed third The Caledonia varsity boys’ day’s medalist with a score of with a 160 ahead ofGrandville golf team took advantage of 36. Sophomore Parker Little 162, Hudsonville 162, Grand getting to host the OK Red and senior Sam Baldwin shot a Haven 169, East Kentwood Conference at Broadmoor 38 for the Scots to finish in a 178 and Jenison 192. Golf Club Thursday after­ seven-way tie for second place. Rockford took the win at Seniors Seth Reiffer and the conference jamboree host­ noon. The Fighting Scots out­ Noah Abdelkader both shot a ed by West Ottawa at scored Rockford by a stroke, 45 for the Scots. Macatawa Legends on a 157-158, to win the thirdjam­ Rockford was led by a 38 windy, chilly Tuesday after­ boree of the conference sea­ from Nick Varady and 39s noon. son. It is the second win in from junior Trevor Hobbs and Caledonia held the lead for three tries for die Scots. junior Owen Hodel. The Rams’ the majority of the match and Caledonia had the top two number four score was a 42 had a two-stroke lead on the field heading into the teams’ last hole. A few unfortunate breaks led to a tough finish for the Scots. The Rams ended up finish­ ing in first with a 165. Grand Haven took the runner-up spot with Hudsonville third and Caledonia fourth. All three of those teams finished tied with a score of 167. West Ottawa was fifth with a 177 ahead of Grandville 180, Jenison 191 and East Kentwood 200. Byanski and Baldwin tied for third to lead the Caledonia team. They both shot a 39. Little scored a 44 and Abdelkader a 45. The Rams’ Liam Peterson, a senior, was the day’s medal­ ist with a 37. Luke Berry, a sophomore from Grand Haven, shot a 38. Caledonia won the first con­ ference jamboree ofthe season last Friday, April 14, beating West Ottawa on a tie-breaker at Blythefield Country Club. The’ Scots and Panthers both tallied scores of 160. Rockford was third with a 161 ahead of Hudsonville 166, Grandville 168, Jenison 170, Grand Haven 171 and East Kentwood NTS. Byanski and Jenison junior Lance Dekoster tied for the top score ofthe day at 37. Baldwin shot a 40, Dylan Meduna a 40 and Reiffer a 43 for the Scots. The Scots’ fifth score was a 44 from Little which was a stroke better than the Panthers’ number five. Trojan baseball team wins a pair against Ottawa Hills 15-0 Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball team picked up its first two wins ofthe OK Gold Conference season by outscoring Ottawa Hills 15-0 twice in Grand Rapids Tuesday. The Trojans had 14 hits in the opener, which was a three-inning victory. Gavin Snelling was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. TK got two hits each from Brody Wiersma, Logan Snelling and Anson Verlinde. Verlinde, Wiersma and Ben Koster each doubled once. Wiersma, Isaac Kimbel and Graysen Stahle had two RBIs each, and Logan Snelling, Maddix Ferden and Koster drove in one run each. Logan Snelling shut out the Bengals over the three innings, holding them without a hit or a walk. He struck out five. Game two was another 15-0, three-inning, no-hitter for the Trojans. Gavin Snelling struck out seven Bengals in his three inning victory on the mound. Riley Dressander was 3 for 3 with two RBI at tire plate for TK. Koster, Ferden and Logan Snelling had two hits each. Kimbel, Koster and Wiersma all doubled once. Gavin Snelling, Logan Snelling, Verlinde, Kimbel, Ferden, Koster and Logan Garrett had one RBI apiece, and Stahle drove in two runs. The Trojans have now won three in a row. They knocked ofHastings in two non-conference games on the road last Friday, April 14. TK took the opener in Hastings 12-8 in a double­ header that was planned late after the Saxons had to cancel Saturday’s Barry County Invitational due to a lack of umpires. The teams combined to score nine runs in the top of the first inning, with Hastings holding a 5-4 lead at the end, and then battled back and forth until TK struck for four runs in the top ofthe six. Hastings had an 8-7 lead going into the inning. TK had eight hits in the win. Verlinde was 2 for4 with a double and two RBIs. Kimbel singled and drove in two runs. Dressander had a double and scored twice. Stahle and Gavin Snelling had the other two TK hits. Gavin and Logan Snelling both had an RBI and Stahle drove in a run too. Stahle got the win on the mound, in reliefofJacob Davis. Hastings scored its eight runs offDavis on five hits. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight, but the TK defense allowed five unearned runs. Stahle struck out four and gave up just one hit in his three innings ofrelief. TK led game two 5-1 when it was called. Pitsch among top five for Ttojans in tourney at Yankee Springs G.C. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Lowell beat out Mattawan for the top spot and the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golfteam placed ninth at its annual Thomapple Kellogg Invitational at Yankee Springs Golf Course Friday. The Red Arrows shot a 311 to win the team championship and South Christian senior Nate Brinks and Lowell senior Drew Veldman tied atop the individual leaderboard after 18 holes with scores of 74. Thomapple Kellogg senior Austin Pitsch was tied for fourth with a 76 with Mattawan junior Matthew Novak. The other member of the top five was East Grand Rapids junior Charlie Seufert who shot a 75. Seufeit and the Wildcats were second with an overall score of 314, ahead of Byron Center 322, South Christian 324, Allendale 333, East Grand Rapids 338, Coopersville 352, Wayland 355, Thomapple Kellogg 360, Zeeland West 362, Zeeland East 362, Fruitport 364, Allegan 366, Thomapple Kellogg ‘B’ 376, Greenville 378, West Catholic 380, Lowell ‘B’ 382 and Grandville 386. Junior Jordan Parks shot a 90 andjunior Noah Newland a 91 for the Trojans. TK’s num­ ber four was senior Kyron Zoet with a 103. The TK 'B' team was led by a 90 from sophomore Tyler Voss, a 91 from sophomore Will Nathan, a 94 from sophomore Kylan Pratt and a 101 from soph­ omore Ryan Skidmore. Lowell had three guys in the 70’s. Senior Patrick de Voest shot a 78 and senior Cameron Sluss shot a 79. The Red Arrows also got an 80 from junior Nicholas Lothian. The OK Gold Conference opened its season Tuesday at Egypt Valley for the confer­ ence jamboree hosted by Forest Hills Eastern. Grand Rapids Catholic Central took the day’s champi­ onship with a score of 157 ahead of Forest Hills Eastern 159, South Christian 166, Cedar Springs 180, Wayland 190, Thomapple Kellogg 191 and Kenowa Hills 194. Pitsch led the TK team with a score of 44. Parks, Zoet and sophomore Tyler Voss each scored a 49 to round out the TK top four. South Christian junior Jack Vining and Catholic Central’s Matthew Sokorai and Will Preston, a pair ofjuniors, all shot 38s. Forest Hills Eastern was led by 39s from sophomore James Seymour and Devin Kozal. Senior Jerald Brownell shot a 39 to lead Cedar Springs. Rounding out the top four for Catholic Central were freshman Charlie Maczka with a 40 and senior Johnathon Thomas Meyer with a 41. Catholic Central hosted the conference at Quail Ridge Thursday and finished second on a tiebreaker to Forest Hills Eastern. The Hawks and Cougars both put up a score of 154. South Christian was third with a 170 ahead of Wayland 180, Cedar Springs 182, Thomapple Kellogg 183 and Kenowa Hills 200. Pitsch shot a 43 to lead TK. GOALS, continued from previous page one goal in the Scots’ 6-0 win over Grandville Tuesday. Caledonia went 6-3-5 in the OK Red Conference a year ago, finishing behind only Hudsonville and Rockford. They earned a draw with both of those teams once last season. The Scots don’t see either of those teams until May-both on the road. OK Red play continues for the Scots with home games Tuesday against Grand Haven andThursdayagainst Jenison, Rather than two meetings betweeneachteam, home and away,thisspring the OK Red Conference teams willfaceoff once during the regular season and then take part in a threeround tournament beginning May 11. Caledonia took a 4-1 Zoet scored a 45, Noah Newland a 46 and Voss scored a 49. Catholic Central’s Sokorai was the day’s medalist with a score of 37. FHE freshmen Hunter Morris freshman Jack Cavanaugh and Seymour all shot 38s. Over 40 years, of experience AYNARD'S F WATER CONDITIONING Authorized Dealer Schools has an RFB open for the replacement ofHVAC Boilers at Kraft Meadows intermediate School Information on the RFB and process can be found at https://www.calschools.org/ departments/business-services/request-forproposals-bids/ SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS Make the Right Choice. Simple to Buy, Simple to Own, Simple to Love... Call Today! Authorized PRO’S PICK’Dealer Drinking Water Bathrooms non-conference win over visit­ ing Forest Hills Eastern last Saturday, April 15, getting three goals from Herrema and one from Gortmaker. Caledonia Community The Hawks’ fifth score was two strokes better than the Cougars’ to win the tiebreaker for the top spot Showe & Baths Food Preparation 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 On the corner of M-37 and 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8:30am-5 30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pm Appliances leverages household Pets Personal Hygiene 616.8'9TV3V3 WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM �Scots score all different ways in win over KJC United Breit Brrmrr Caledonia junior Addie Roe whips a shot by KJC United defender Bnanna VanderVeen dunng their OK Conference Tier II contest at Scotland Yard Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia senior Rylen Goosen fires a shot at the KJC United net past defender Ashlee Opatic during the second half of the Fighting Scots win over the visiting girls' from the Kenowa Hills, Jenison, Comstock Park co-op Monday at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) three goals. Senior Kiana Haywood and sophomores Elena I-a Franca and Ellie Hudson scored two goals apiece, and junior Megan Bushart. junior Whitney Graham, sophomore Mya Burgess and sophomore Kenna Vanlxnte. “They were really just able to learn and develop tonight,” Caledonia head coach Kendra Vcnema said. “We were ahle to put in some of our foreign exchange stu­ dents this evening, which is exciting because they don't typically get to see a ton of field time because they have never played before. “And most of our defend­ ers got to play some attack­ ing mid, which is good for them because we’re so locked into our positions for so long that it is nice to be able to develop the game in a situation like this.” The j unior Bushart, seniors Addison Deveny and Elise Klein and sophomores VanLcnte and Eden Korb were among the defenders getting a chance to see a little more attacking time in the lopsided win. The Scots worked espe­ cially hard in the final 15 minutes of the match to get into their offensive forma­ tions, to move the ball and get creative on the attack which is something new head coach Kendra Vcnema has been pushing for early on this season. She has seen her girls becoming more com­ fortable with their freedom in the offensive end since returning from spring break. “We’re getting there. We do have a pretty new team and a lot of the girls have never played together,” Venema said. “They play club, but a lot of the girls play on difference club teams. We have a really young team this See LAX, next page Caledonia senior Dylan Pratt finds an opening in front of the goal to score during the second half of her team’s win over visiting KJC United at Scotland Yard Monday evening in an OK Conference Tier II contest. (Photo by Brett Bremer) CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA 868-6 COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on April 5, 2023, the Township Board of the Charter Township of Caledonia adopted an ordinance entitled, “An Ordi­ nance to Amend Sewer Connection, Use and Rate Ordinance” (the “Ordinance”), which amends the Township’s Sewer Connection, Use and Rate Ordinance a.k.a. Ordinance No. 15-05, as amended (the “Sewer Ordinance”). A summary ofthe provisions ofthe Ordinance is set forth below: Section 1. Amendment ofAppendix I-B to the Sew er Ordinance. Sec­ tion 1 ofthe Ordinance amends Appendix I-B to the Sewer Ordinance, the Map ofthe M-37 Service District, to replace the map with a new map as shown in the Ordinance.p SkUQD 2- Severability and Paragraph Headings- Section 2 ofthe Ordi­ nance provides for the severability of the provisions of the Ordinance in the event a portion ofthe Ordinance is determined to be unenforceable. The paragraph headings in the Ordinance Section 3. Publication and Recording- Section 3 ofthe Ordinance pro­ vides that the ordinance, or a summary thereof, must be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the Township following its adoption and that the Ordinance must be recorded in the Ordinance Book ofthe Township. Section 4. Effective Date. The Ordinance is effective as ofApril 22, 2023. A copy ofthe amending ordinance may be reviewed or purchased at the Township office during Township office hours. Dated: April 22, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER 6 N o 0 0D 0 ma g n H CINCO M Al M BE MAYO burrito fest! all bay & o Dog RAO o night may We will have our original burrito’s and additional new burrito’s for the day! Pulled Pork Burrito, Marinated Steak Burrito, and a Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito (grilled chicken tossed in hot sauce and topped with queso sauce) Chips & Queso available, SPECIALS on Modela’s & Corona’s!!! , TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA out our website: nighthawkfood.com o �CHS girls pick up a doubles win in first two OK Red matches Brett Bremer . Sports Editor Jenison and West Ottawa took 8-1 wins over the Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis team in the first OK Red Conference duals of the sea­ son this week. The Caledonia first doubles duo of Allyson Abraham and and Allison Weibel picked up the team’s point Wednesday in the dual with West Ottawa in Holland. They knocked offthe Panther team ofEden Hamilton and Avery Cross 6-2,6-3. In the dual with Jenison Tuesday the Scots’ point came thk t th thid dbl thanks to the third doubles team of Sarah Kirk and Sela Fitzell that scored a 6-1, 6-2 wn over the Wildcats’ Alexys win Bechtel and Bethany Barnum. The Caledonia girls scored a fifth place finish at last Saturday’s eight-team East Kentwood Invitational. Jenison took the day’s championship with 23 points. South Christian scored 17 points, ahead of East Lansing 15, Grandville 11, Caledonia 9, Fruitport 9, Sparta 8 and East Kentwood 4. Kiley Bommarito got a first singles win for the Scots in her dual with Sparta’s Libbi Shaffer, pulling out a 6-4,1-6, (11-9) win. Hailey Markwat at number two singles for the Scots best­ ed East Kentwood’s Judith Kalihira 6-2, 7-6(10) to pick up a point Lilly Hess at fourth singles bested Grandville’s Jacqueline Herb 6-2,6-4 too. On the doubles side, the Scots got wins from Abraham and Weibel at number one, Kirk and Anna Stone at num­ ber three, and the team of Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Mertz at number four and two wins from Abby Duong and Kanika Verma at number two doubles. Trojan girls’ tennis team goes unbeaten at Lakewood Invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans proved the top team at Saturday’s Lakewood Invitational. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ tennis team didn’t drop a doubles match all day as the team scored an 8-0 win over Ionia and a 5-3 win over Pennfield. The TK ladies also had a 4-0 lead over the host Vikings when after­ noon rains moved in bringing an early end to the day’s play. matches in their dual with Dudik 7-5, 6-4. Junior first singles player TK. TK s lone win came at The doubles matches, Charlotte Nelson was the number three where Holly which the Trojans won, only TK singles player to finCarpenter knocked off Olivia ish her match with Lakewood. weren t quite as competitive. Jenney 6-7, 6-3, (10-8). The She scoredd a 6-0, 6-1 w win fourth singles match also Cailin Wodrich and Libby Hess at numberr one were over Viking senior Izzy Wheeler. Nelson was 2-1 on went to a super tiebreaker pushed to a tiebreaker in the with Pennfield’s Anna Keown first set of their match with the day. She scored a 6-0, 6-0 outscoring TK’s Emillia Pennfield’s Madison Colins win over Ionia’s top player, butt was bested 6-3, 6-2 by Egeman 60-2,4-6, (10-5). and Reese Rellinger, but the The second singles match TK duo came away with the Pennfield’s Vivian Bums. was a close one as well with 7-6 win and then took the The Pennfield girls won the Panthers’ Aubriana second set 6-1. three of the four singles Farrow besting TK’s Hailey Tyne Bufka and Kaitlyn Culson won 6-3, 6-2 at sec­ TK only dropped one set ond doubles. Emma overall in the shut out of Thompson and Emilia Rickert Ionia. The Bulldog first dou­ took a 6-0,6-2 win at number bles team of Riley Browne three. The fourth doubles and Caitlin McGurie pushed point for TK came thanks of Wodnch and Hess to a super Jordan Pranger and Isabelle tiebreak in a match the TK Schilithroat who won 6-0 duo finally won 7-5, 5-7, (10­ 6-0. 4). The second, third and The TK ladies didn’t fare fourth TK doubles teams fin­ as well Wednesday as they ished off their wins over were bested 8-0 in an OK Lakewood in straight sets Gold Conference dual with Saturday. South Christian. TKJ!?ie® sp,it Go,d dua,s after taking invite title Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ottawa Hills junior Selmal Anderson ran her fastest 3200- Ii f . Semaj Robertson too who' took the girls’ 100-meter dash in 13.33 and the 200-meter dash in 28.41. TK girls were second to Robertson in the two sprints. Junior Kenady Smith set her personal record at 28.91 in the 200. Senior Lindsey Velting was second in the 100 with a time of 14.07. Trojan sophomore Ava Crews was third in both the 1600-meter run and the 3200meter run. Catholic Central junior Emily Tomes was the also third overall iin the 300 hurdles in 53.25 and Hilton fourth in that race in 53.42. Both those times were PRs for the TK hurdlers. Ottawa Hills junior Taylor Pierce-James scored the runner-up spot Eva Corson and junior Kailyn place third overall in the 200- placed fourth in the 300’s and Vandenboss both cleared 4-6 meter dash after Sias had to finish in a tie for second turned in a runner-up time of his freshman teammate Lucas Ploeg was third in die 300’s in place for TK. Junior TJ Myers 55.82 in the 400-meter dash. meter race of the season and a personal record time of45.15 had her best pole vault of the her junior teammate Anya Catholic Central senior seconds. VanSweden ran her fastest season, clearing 8-0, to finish Joseph Mullett won that 400 in Freshman Malachi in second behind Catholic 41.72 and then the 200 in varsity 3200 yet to clinch a behind Harmon i Vanengen, junior Ethan in the 300 Central ’ s Allie Coppock who victory for the Bengals in their 23.45. Bonnema, senior Gabe LaJoye hurdles with a time of 52.52. OK Gold Conference dual also cleared 8-0. Benne Anderson had three and senior Tyler Bushman Harmon was the long jump with Thomapple Kellogg In the throws, the TK ladies individual wins on the track champion too at 15-6 and teamed up to win the got a runner-up finish from for the Bengals. He took the hosted by Grand Rapids 4x400-meter relay for TK in sophomore teammate Emma junior Elizabeth Middleton in Catholic Central Tuesday. 1600-meter run in 4:25.16, the Dykhouse was third i in that the shot put and a third-place 800-meter run in 2:00.44 and 3:49.77 with the Trojan team Hie TK girls are now 3-1 in of Shoemaker, junior Kyle event with a PR of 14-4.5. finish from senior Preslee Hall the 3200-meter run in 9:37.79. the OK Gold Conference after VanHaitsma, senior Alejandro Ottawa Hills girls won three in the discus. falling 70-67 to the Bengals Catholic Central juniors Rodas and senior Carson of the four relays,' with The one individual win the Mill Coleman and Marcus while beating the host Cougars runner-up in both those races Burbridge second in 3:57.82 Anderson getting a fourth vic­ TK boys got on the track was 91-46. Nhystrom went 1-2 in both the in that race. behind Anderson. tory as a part of the 4x800-meby junior Tyler Gavette who The TK boys also split their Sophomore The long jump was the TK Brooklyn ter relay team. Robertson was took the 100-meter dash in 110-meter high hurdles and two conference duals Tuesday Harmon had another big day the 300-meter intermediate boys top field event. a part ofwins in the 4xl00-me12.32 seconds. Junior team­ hurdles. TK freshman Nate outscoring Ottawa Hills 80-56 for TK. She lowered her PR to VanHaitsma was the runter relay and the 4x200-meter mate Jaxan Sias beat out Shoemakerr was third in the while falling 102-35 to the 15.90 in the 100-meter hurdles relay for her team. Gavette 24.78 to 24.85 to Catholic Central guys. The TK to win that race and took the HO’s with a time of 18.87. His See TROJANS, page 19 The TK ladies closed the boys are now 1-3 in confer­ 300-meter low hurdles in meet with the team ofVelting, 198506 ence duals this season. 49.73. The TK ladies sswept Smith, freshman Payton Gater Anderson also won the 800- the top three scoring places in 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE and Harmon winning the Phone: 616.891.0070 Caledonia, MI 49316 meter race for the Bengal girls the 100-meter hurdles. CaledqniA Fax: 616.891.0430 . TOWNSHIP . Junior 4x400-meter relay in 4:25.21. in a season best time of2 min­ Joselyn DeBoer dropped her Smith also helped TK to a utes 22.81 seconds. Ottawa PR to 17.57 to place second sweep ofthe top three spots in CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Hills got two individual wins ;and and freshman freshman Mia Mia Hilton Hilton was the high jump. She won the on the track from sophomore ttihird hird in in 18.40. 18.40. DeBoer DeBoer was e।vent by clearing 5 feet. Junior COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN LAX, continued from previous page year. We don’t have ianhyt and they hadn’t played freshmen, but we have eight together. Now that they know had a nice assist in a five minute span midway through the to ten sophomores and this is how each other play it is real­ first half. Haywood fired a the first time they’re playing ly starting to come together. pass from behind the net out varsity. It is a learning pro­ They are able to use each front to a wide open Pratt cess for them, and it is learn- oer. other. They ey know now wo who iss right in front of the KJC net ing process for us too as new good at doing the pick and with 13:49 to go in the half. coaches to all of them. roll and who are our feeders Goosen followed over the “It has been good. We are on the team. It is really good next few minutes by scoring kind of sett on not actually to see them starting to work three of her four goals off having plays, just giving them together like that.” assists from Iliana Bottum, sets to develop their IQ. It has The Scots worked to have a Burgess and Ryleigh been really good to see them team focused offense at times VanderBerg. start to incorporate that and Monday. They had a string of Caledonia will be at Grand work together. Ideally, we four consecutive goals that all Ledge today, April 22. give them sets and then they use their IQ to set picks for each otherr or work together and do three-man weaves. We give them the starting Wegvetemtestartngset and then let develop their LAX IQ off of it ... the first couple games it was just a little iffy, because they didn’t know how each other played CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES B d offP thhUBeB CLhICNO Board ICartNerO TTICE ToIwCnEshhIiSSp H HoffE CREaElleBdYG YonGiiaIVE IVaEdNtha No tphat XtonAnril5 on Anril 5 S JX t t udBoomarad CofhathrteerChTaorwtenrsThiopwnWshaitperoCfoCnanleedctoinoina, aUdseo apndX R oartteeOaStrJdXinal1 doma Charter Township Water Connection, se an provisions ofthe amending ordinance are as follows ater Onlmance- na P™cipal 1. Section 1 of the Ordinance amends Appendix 1 of the Water Connection WatXpiy SerJ‘« DistnJr^ * * b0U b0U””dari=s dari=s °f °f““>= >= clause or provisions shall not affect any ofthe other provisions ofthe OrdinanceFm Ordinance^Fm’ he.ParagraP hea?mgS m Ordinance are famished for convenience of reference only and are not considered a part ofthe Ordinance. reference 3’1116 .r .thlrd Section econo oftheeornanceproves ordinance provides that aaruecopyorasummaryo a true copy or ^fcoT ShR b!PU?lished Within <3°) after its adoption and receded in the Ordinance Book ofthe Township and such recording authenticated by the signa­ tures ofthe Township Supervisor and Township Clerk. The Ordinance will become effective on April 22, 2023 ter Towsth oX^6Z,dmay may office toms * * ** ** Caledonia Caledonia Char Char-­ Broadmoor Avenue, wrthin the Township, during Township Meeting Minutes The minutes for the April 5, 2023 Township Board of TYustees Meeting which were approved on April 19, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the web web-­ site at www.caledoniatownship.org. Dated: April 22, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 18/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22, 2023 South scores in final minutes to salvage tie with TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans kept their undefeated OK Gold Conference start going against South Christian in Middleville Wednesday eve­ ning, but the Sailors did put the first blemish on the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team’s confer­ ence record. The Sailors answered Trojan goals twice, getting the game-tying goal with about four minutes remain­ ing. TK and South Christian are both now 2-0-1 in confer­ ence play this season. “At the end of the day, walking away with a tie and leaving us still undefeated in conference play is a good place to be in and something that [co-coach] David Wood and I would have been happy with before the match,” TK head coach Ben Sleeman said. “Our goal for them has always been to be playing our best soccer by the time the end ofthe season rolls around. Results now are nice, but post-season play is where and when we want to be peaking as a team and we both agree that we are heading in the right direction right now.” The Trojans weren’t point­ ed in quite the right direction at the start Wednesday. The Sailors had a couple great chances that they just missed on and the Trojans had to weather the storm for about ten minutes. “I think sometimes we step on the pitch and allow the aura of South’s past suc­ cess to dictate the way we play,” Sleeman said. “Once Thornapple Kellogg freshman Natalie Borrink set­ tles the ball along the sideline during the second half of the Trojans’ 2-2 draw with South Christian in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg junior Emma Schut beats South Christian’s Rylee VanZoest to a ball in the midfield during the second half in Middleville Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the girls started to realize that we could play with them, the match really evened out and it was back and forth for the rest of the time.” Madilyn Chivis was in the first place at the right time to take advantage of a South Christian mistake to put TK up 1-0 in the first half. Just before halftime the Trojans had a miscue of their own in the bapk end that led a Sailor goal that sent the two teams into the halftied 1-1. The second half was back and forth with Emma Schut and Peyton Pratt carrying the play in the midfield for the Trojans. Coach Sleeman said that duo really set the tone for his team both offensively and defensively Tuesday. It was Schut that created a big chance for Holly Veiling, which she finished, to put TK up 2-1 early in the sec­ ond half. Sleeman said TK had a moment where it struggled to clear its lines in the closing minutes which led to the tying goal by South Christian. The TK girls go their sec- 198225 ond win of the conference season Tuesday, outscoring Ottawa Hills 8-0. Veiling had three goals in the win over the Bengals. Pratt, Alivia Raak, Madilyn Chivis, Tealy Cross and Paige Abshagen scored once each for the Trojans. Abshagen, Chivis and Cami Stahl had assists. The Trojans were sched­ uled to host Grand Ledge Friday evening. They return to OK Gold Conference action in the week ahead vis­ iting Forest Hills Eastern Monday and playing host to Kenowa Hills Wednesday, April 26. Thornapple Kellogg junior Holly Velting leaps up to get to a throw-in in the attacking third during the second half of the Trojans’ 2-2 draw with visiting South Christian Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) PUBLIC NOTICE OF POSTING OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGARDING ADULT FOSTER CARE FAMILY HOMES, FOSTER FAMILY HOMES, FOSTER FAMILY GROUP HOMES, ADULT DAY CARE HOMES, FAMILY CHILD DAY CARE HOMES, GROUP CHILD DAY CARE HOMES, AND CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS. At a Regular Meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, April 10, 2023, the Township Board held a public hearing and conducted a second reading, and approved an ordinance/ordinance amendment to amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance of Gaines Charter Township regarding the use of child and adult daycares. The text amendment is as listed below: • Update the term “adult foster care family homes” to the new term in the Act. • Section 20.11 .A isn’t necessary, as we put land use regulations in the land use tables (see Sections 5.2, 6.2, 7.2, 8.2, arid 9.2) and has been removed. • Child Day Care Centers added to all districts (see sections 5.2,6.2,7.2,8.2, and 9.2). Some are permitted by right others via special use permit, depending on the district in keeping with past practice. • The additional requirements in 20.11.B.3 for Group Child Care Homes were removed; these requirements cannot be in the ordinance as they are inconsistent with the Act. • The remaining portions of Section 20.11 were moved to Section 19.9. • The requirements of adult foster care small group homes (2.11.8B.2) are moved to Chapter 19 as it is not really a “Residential Accessory Use”, but a principal use (and special). It is now section 19.9.S. • Added a new Section 19.9 T for Child Day Care Center, which was the text in 20.11 .B.1. • Add an “other uses” row in the table of Permitted Uses in Section 8.2 to allow for Family Child Day Care Homes (Existing Non-Conforming Single-Family Dwelling) to be permitted by right and Group Child Day Care Home (Existing Non-Conforming Single-Family Dwell Dwell-­ ing) allowable with the approval of a Special Land Use Permit. A true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance amendment can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Michael A. Brew, Clerk NOTICE OF PUBLIC POSTING - AN AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES CHAR­ TER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAR At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines,, held on Monday, April 10, 2023 the Township approved an amendment to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following properties in their entirety from Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) to General Commercial (C-2), the land being commonly described as parcel 41 -22-22­ 07-305-006 located at 34 Coleman Street. LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOTS 253 254 255 & 256 * FONTENELLE GAR- DENS The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will hold a public hear­ ing at a regularly scheduled meeting to be held April 10, 2023, to consider the approval of a proposal to amend the Gaines charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the TownP ^on*n9 Map, so as to rezone the following properties in their entirety from Multiple-Family Residential (R-3) to General Commercial (C-2), the land being commonly described as parcel 41-22-07-305-006 located at 34 Coleman Street. o-z rue an<^ comP'e^e coPy °f the amended ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 6 and the Township Zoning Map can be obtained 3t’ Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk �_ a ■ The Sun and News, Saturday, April 22,2023/Page 119 ■ CHS track teams earn many medals at their annual Soderman Relays Brett Bremer standings and the Rockford Sports Editor girls beat out Zeeland East The Rockford varsity 103-71 at the top. boys’ and girls’ track and The Caledonia boys were field teams took champion­ third and the girls fifth on the ships in the sunshine at day. Caledonia’s annual The Rockford boys took a Soderman Relays Saturday photo finish from the Scots inside Ralph E. Myers in the boys’ 4xll0-meter Stadium. shuttle hurdle relays, beating The Rockford boys out­ the Fighting Scot team by scored Zeeland West 105-94 just three hundredths of a at the top of the seven-team second. The Ram team of George Brown, Jacob Mertens, Bryce Garcia and Robert Horton won in 1 minute 1.01 seconds. The Caledonia foursome of Dalton Ed, Brecken Byrd, Carter Tufts and Owen Hager finished in 1:01.04. That was one of four relay teams for the Caledonia boys that earned medals for top three finishes. The Scot team of Jordan Domany, Blake Elliot, Micah Nagle and Ayden Duffin was second in the 4xl600-meter relay; the team ofJosh Maier, Hager, Shaden Thomas and Sheldon Thomas placed sec­ ond in the sprint medley relay; and the team of Elliot, Kalen Zuiderveen, Anthony Lawlor and Domany was second in the distance med­ ley relay. The Caledonia girls had seven medal-winning perfor­ mances. The 4x200- meter relay team of Avah Winstrom, Audrey Howell, Brooke Heyboer and Teresa Abraham and the shuttle hur­ dle relay team of Audrey Howell, Sydney Mertz, Eliza Pehrson and Kacy Rosted both placed second. Abraham and Emmi Mince teamed up to place third in the high jump relay. Leah Thompson, Winstrom, Jessica Maier and Avalynn Klapmust scored a thirdplace time in the 4x400-meter relay. The team of Ashleigh Adams, Mertz, Heyboer and Abraham placed third in the 4xl00-meter relay. Caledonia also had Alyssa Defields, Natalia Quigley, Thompson and Kloe Kimbrell placed third in the 4xl600-meter relay. Barry County advocates lobby for ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’ Jayson Bussa Editor Members and supporters of the Barry County GOP flooded into Tuesday morning’s county Board ofCommissioners meeting in an effort to convince commissioners to take a stand against what they feel is uncon­ stitutional gun legislation being adopted at the. state level. A long line of individuals spoke during the public comment portions ofthe three-hour meeting, imploring the com­ mission to entertain a resolution that would declare Barry County as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” city. Bridge Michigan reported that at least 53 counties, including all of northeast Michigan, have adopted resolutions to declare themselves a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” in response to proposed or feared gun control efforts. The move, however, is pri­ marily symbolic as a resolu­ tion ofthis nature is not legally binding since county commis­ sioners cannot instruct sher­ iffs, prosecuting attorneys or judges on what laws to enforce. With Democrats controlling all branches of state govern­ ment, legislators in Lansing have passed, or are in the pro­ cess of passing, new laws that focus on universal background checks, secure storage and red flag laws. The Barry County GOP voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and now want to get it on the board’s agenda. State Representative Angela Rigas, who represents Thomapple, Irving and Rutland Townships, spoke in favor of the resolution, pointing out that counties across the state - and country - have taken similar measures. She left the board with two questions: “What is your oath worth and what will your legacy be?” Rigas asked commissioners. The resolution could need­ lessly divide the all-Republican county board, thugh. Philip Joseph, chair of the Barry County Republicans, acknowledged that “Over the last couple weeks, I have heard that this may be unproductive and divi­ sive,” Joseph said. “If that is truly the case, then so be it. If our great founding documents have become odious to some, then let it divide. We’re not here to appeal to the radicals who wish to destroy or tear down our great American leg­ acy.” James Hooker, a Barry County GOP precinct delegate from Yankee Springs echoed that sentiment, “We fully understand that this is not the law and is not enforceable by any law enforcement. However, your support shows willingness that you are not in favor of these infringements by govern­ ment,” Hooker said. “...We the people have let you know where we stand, now it’s your turn. We respectfully ask that you put this topic on the next meeting agenda for discus­ sion.” All commissioners voiced appreciation for the massive turnout and commended the group for maintaining proper decorum. “This will not be the end of it,” board chairman Dave Jackson said. “We will con­ sider this thing and we’ll look at this thing and see ifthere is an avenue forward where there is support - meaningful support.” fourth and fifth in the race. Harmon won the 300-meter low hurdles too in 48.90 and placed fourth in the longjump DeBoer, Gater, Lindsey Velting teamed with Harmon to win the 4x400-meter relay in 4:23.98. Wayland won the boys’ meet by a much slimmer mar­ gin over Jenison 860 to 841.5. TK was a distant third with a score of 648.5 points ahead of Big Rapids 589, Allegan 511.5, Plainwell 510, Kelloggsville 362 and Godwin 180.5. Sias ran his fastest 400 of the season to place second in that race. He hit the finish line in 54.00. It took a personal record of 52.56 from Big Rapids’ senior Karlito McKinney to beat him. Bushman set his personal record in the 800 at 2:06.61 to place fifth while leading TK in that race, and junior Lucas Van Meter was sixth with a personal record time of 2:07.09. Shoemaker set his PR in placing eighth in the 1 IO­ meter high hurdles in 18.41 and later was the runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles in 44.67. Wayland junior Austin Graham won those 300 hur­ dles in 43.28 after taking the 110’s in a personal record time of 16.41.. The Trojan team of LaJoye, Bonnema, Gavette and Sias won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:34.82 and Sias, Bushman, Bonnema and LaJoye teamed up for a run­ ner-up time of 3:35.50 in the 4x400-meter relay. TKjunior Drake Snyder set his PR in the shot put at 39-1 to place sixth and Rodas pushed his PR to 5-6 in the high jump to place fourth in that event Bushman moved his PR to 9-6 to place sixth in the pole vault. TK also got a PR from VanHaitsma in the long jump. He flew 18-9.25 to place fourth. TROJANS, continued from page 1 ner-up at 18-7.5 and pulled together and picked Shoemaker placed third at each other up when they need­ 18- 4.75. Ottawa Hills senior ed to. This team really looks Anthony George set his PR at out for one another and cele­ 19- 1.5 to win that event. brates each other’s achieve­ The TK teams were also in ments. We are looking forward action last Friday, April 14, at to the rest ofthis season.” the Wayland Invitational Hall won the discus with a where the TK ladies took the personal record throw of 99-5 championship by nearly 90 and was on all day with all points over runner-up Jenison. four of her throws at least fly­ The Trojan girls put up 851.5 ing 90 feet. It wasn’t the only points. Jenison had 764.5 big performance in the throws ahead of Wayland 753, for the TK ladies. Elizabeth Plainwell 615.6, Big Rapids Gaunt as third in the shot put 377, Kelloggsville 309.5, with a personal record mark of Godwin 253.5 and Allegan 30-6.5 which was just an inch 224.5. and a half off second place. “The girls performed really Harmon, DeBoer and Hilton well in the warmer weather,” all ran what were at the time TK head coach Maggie personal records in the 100Wilkinson said. “They all meter hurdles to place first, Scot soccer plans End It game to benefit fight against Human Trafficking The Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer team will host an End It game Thursday at Scotland Yard, with the varsity bailgame against Jenison set for a 7 p.m. Start. The goal is to raise awareness and money of Beth and BJ George’s Better Way Designs busi­ ness, which aims to provide dignified work for women alll over the world and to work to free them from human trafficking. Beth and BJ George, will be on site with some of the artisan products they sell and will be doing a half­ time speech to talk about the business as well. Caledonia’s student council will be helping facilitate the event as well and will be doing a game at halftime. 198314 HELP WANTED - DPW Summer Help The Village of Middleville is seeking qualified applicants to fill three positions of DPW Summer Help. The hours of work will be Mon.-Fri. 6 am-2:30 pm. Salary will be $15 an hour. These positions will start at the end of May/early June to late August. Specific duty areas include mowing, string trimming, yard waste pick-up, park cleanup, and light to medium lifting. Upkeep all flower beds around the Village and Downtown area. Assist the DPW Staff as needed with various other duties. Interested applicants must submit a resume and cover letter and complete the Village of Middleville employment application no later than May 9th, 2023. Applications and a job description are available at the Village office, 100 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan 49333, or on the Village website: www.villageofmiddleville.org. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on May 9, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the ZBA's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the ZBA for receipt prior to the meeti ing, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joseph Shea (joeshea® vankeesprinqstwp.org). Letters and emails are due by May 5, or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea at 269-795-9091.. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. ZBA 23-04-07 Parcel ID: 16-215-005-00,2731 Oakleigh Dr., Middleville, Ml 49333 A. A request by property owners, Ashley & Doug Wierenga, for relief from lakefront setback requirements established in section 12.4.3 “Required l Setbacks.” i. The property is approximately .1105 acres in size, and is zoned GLRLF (Gun Lake Residential Lake Front. The Applicants are requesting a variance to allow a deck on the lake side of their dwelling which exceeds the lakefront setback requirements. 2. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Jake Welch, Chairman Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 _________ ,4269) 795-9091 �Page 20/The Sun and News. Saturday. Apnl 22. 2023 Gun Lake’s Thirsty Buddy now open adds to thriving business community When Julie Hawthorne-Fox and her business partner Shashin Kothawala were tasked with developing the concept for a new bar. their process for doing so was quite simple. “We basically created a bar that we would want to go to,” Fox said. “It’s built on that - it’s really that simple.” That vision meant high-end ddcor, wood-fired pizzas, outdoor seating, and live music to serve both locals and tourists throughout the entire Jear - not just during the hustle and bustle of summer. Thirsty Buddy was the result of all the planning, a Yankee Springs township bar, and restaurant located near Gun Lake, which officially opened its doors on March 21. The bar, located at 12850 M-179, brings a big-city feel to the secluded Gun Lake area. Thirsty Buddy is also the latest com­ ponent to an entertainment-rich campus that Fox has slowly developed over the years. Fox is the owner of Curley Cone, the long-standing ice cream shop that also fea­ tures a 50s-style diner experience where patrons can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner on any day of the week. Fox purchased the entire building that Curley Cone is housed in, the other portion being vacant, formerly a Chemical Bank. The space was an empty canvas for Fox and her friend and long-time Gun Lake resident Kothawala, to create Thirsty Buddy. Rod Allen served as general contractor for the building reno­ vations. In addition to both Curley Cone and Thirsty Buddy, Fox has installed pickleball courts with the help of partners Ken and Beth Pechumer. The facility is called the Curley Cone Pickleball Club, which is now in its second full season being open. “I wanted to create a place where the community gathers,” Fox said of the facil­ ity. “No matter who you have in town, maybe you’re getting off the lake, this is a natural place to gather.” A NEW HOSPITALITY OPTION Thirsty Buddy adds a new and unique hospitality option to the Gun Lake area. Fox, who spent nearly three decades in Chicago selling high-end furniture to big­ name clients like United Airlines, brought a piece of that big-city vibe back with her when she returned to Barry County six years ago. Fox was bom and raised in Hastings and is a battle-tested entrepreneur, also owning U-Rent-Em Canoe Livery in Hastings. She originally tapped Kothawala to help her develop Thirst Buddy, but he was so enthusiastic about what they created together that he joined in as co-owner of the establishment. The bar and restaurant, which earned its namesake from Fox’s beloved Golden Doodle, specializes in craft cocktails and features a rotating menu with wood-fired pizzas as a mainstay. Fox said that, while quality was always the top priority for the restaurant’s food, speed was another point of emphasis. Long story short: patrons will not be sitting around waiting long for their food at Thirsty Buddy. “We wanted to serve food fast. We didn’t want to be a kitchen that was bogged down,” Fox said. “We designed (the menu) with things we can get out fast......That, in the summer, will really help us a lot and we have happier customers. I know, when I have to wait an hour and 45 minutes for food, I get cranky.” Musicians take the stage at Thirsty Buddy every night of the week, with the exception of Sunday. And while this is a significant line item on her establishment’s budget - especially before the surge of crowds in the summer - it was vital to the duo’s vision. “We wanted to be what we are right out of the box,” Fox said. “We wanted people to understand immediately who we are and that includes music.” TIGHT-KNIT BUSINESS COMMUNITY Fox emphasized that, in her little comer of Gun Lake, she strives to create a place for people to gather and recreate. However, she credited business owners spread all across the lake for striving to make Gun Lake an attractive destination. This included Mike and Patti Powers, owners of the lake resort Bay Pointe. She also highlighted Nicole Smith’s recent move to bring a Tom’s Meat Market loca­ tion to Gun Lake. “That helps any business like mine. It’s so helpful,” Fox said. “...There is a group of entrepreneurs that are trying to make the area a better place to live, work and play.” “Mike and Patti, for example, they’re always accessible and they’re always help­ ful,” Fox added. “We always talk about business philosophies - things that might work and things that might not work. I think it’s unusual where you have other business people that really, truly care about your success and want to participate in any way they can to help you get there.” Head Chef Sara Orr and server Marisa Schild show off some wood fire pizza and other food on the menu at Thirsty Buddy. Head bartender Megan Wiley and bartender Abbey Dorgan work side by side at Thirsty Buddy, which opened just weeks ago. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-04-29.pdf af9666eafd880be06e038ec3c43b7783 PDF Text Text , 023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Dutton principal makes case for bond issue passage Greg Chandler Staff Writer For the past nine years, Shawn Veitch has been prin­ cipal of Dutton Elementary School in the Caledonia Community Schools district. While most other schools in the Caledonia district are in residential areas, Dutton’s 68th Street location is within a mile of major industrial businesses such as Amazon Inc., Steelcase, Superior Asphalt and Old Dominion Freight Line. Traffic is usu­ ally busy during student drop-off and pick-up times, and Veitch says there are real safety issues on 68th. “We’ve had several acci­ dents (involving) parents leaving our school on 68th Street, especially in the win­ ter when it gets a little snowy and icy, just because 68th Street traffic is so (busy) when they’re pulling out. They’ve gotten clipped,” Veitch said. About 45 percent of Dutton’s 270 students quali­ fy for free and reduced lunches, a figure more than three times higher than the rest of the district. About one of every five students at the school receives some form of special education services. Dutton is also the only building in the Caledonia district without air condition­ ing, and the building’s elec­ trical system needs to be upgraded, Veitch said. “You see our sweet little lambs that get really red in the face (when the weather is hot). I’m handing out popsi­ cles left and right every spring and every fall to make sure that they’re cool,” he said. Veitch accepts no excuses for the challenges he, his staff and students face on a daily basis. He has been on a mission during his tenure to boost the school’s academic performance - and he has succeeded. He says it’s been a team effort to achieve that success. “Our staff is phenomenal,” Veitch said. “If you ask any one of my teachers how many kids they have, they’re going to tell you 270, because they invest in every kid. Whether the kid is in their classroom or not, makes no difference. We all work together for the best of our kids.” CALEDONIA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BOND ISSUE Read page six for additional coverage of the $61 million bond issue for Caledonia Community Schools that will come to a vote on May 2 Shawn Veitch has been principal at Dutton Elementary School in Gaines Township for the past nine years. Tuesday’s Caledonia schools bond issue would pay for a new Dutton building. In September 2021, the U.S. Department of Education named Dutton a National Blue Ribbon School, one of only 13 Michigan schools to receive the honor that year. For all the success Dutton has experienced in recent years, Veitch would be the first person to tell you about the need for a new building to replace the current Dutton building, which has been in existence since the 1950s. Tuesday’s $61 million bond issue for Caledonia Community Schools includes $40 million for construction of a new Dutton building at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. “I think it’s huge. I think it’s huge for several rea­ sons,” Veitch said. “Number one, when you compare our facility to our other elemen­ tary schools, I want to make sure that we have a high-qual­ ity facility for our kids, for all of our kids. “We house the cognitively impaired program here for the district, and we’ve made modifications to our bath­ rooms, to our classrooms, to the best of our ability, but I also have seen new buildings and what they offer, that just makes it easier for students to be able to access more of the school building.” See BOND, page 2 Proposed reorganization of Middleville staff would add ‘Treasurer’ to village clerk’s title James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg is proposing to combine the titles of village clerk and finance director into one position under a staffreorga­ nization plan. Glorimar Ayala is current­ ly the village’s clerk, as well as its Freedom ofInformation Act and Title XI Coordinator. Under the proposal, she would also wear the treasur­ er’s hat. It was announced at Tuesday’s village council meeting and will be taken up for consideration by the council at its May 2 Committee of the Whole meeting. “Several communities have a clerk/treasurer com­ bined position. So that’s what I’m proposing, is to promote Glorimar to the clerk/treasurer combined position,” Stolsonburg said. “And then, hiring an administrative assistant to backfill the administrative duties that are lagging right now.” Former Finance Director Alexandra Longstreet departed from the village on March 31. It was not disclosed under what circumstances. Stolsonburg said in a memo to the village council that an outside accounting firm, Vredeveld Haefner LLC, has been helping village staff complete the nor­ mal duties of the finance Middleville Village director since Longstreet left Clerk Glorimar Ayala is in a month ago. “Concurrently, we have line to become the vil­ lage’s treasurer, as well. See TREASURER, page 2 (File photo) 145th year Group seeking new library may merge into proposed government committee has been eyeing an existmg James Gemmell Contributing Writer fourplex adjacent to the A grassroots group push­ Middleville amphitheater ing for a new public library downtown along the in Middleville may convert Thomapple River as a pos­ into a government commit­ sible site for a standalone tee soon as a way to gamer library location. But two government support for the families who currently live project — and potential in the four-unit apartment grants. complex on River Street At Tuesday night’s vil­ expressed concern about lage council meeting, the possibility of being Village President Mike forced out oftheir homes. Cramer suggested that pos­ Mosey told Cramer that sibility to Josh Mosey, a his idea of merging the leader of the Middleville community group into a Needs a Library community new village government group. That was after committee might be the Mosey gave a slide presen­ way to go. “If that’s the best way tation on the need for a new library to replace the forward, you would already Thomapple Kellogg School have boots on the ground & Community Library that when it comes to raising has been in the high school support and recognizing the since 1934. See LIBRARY, page 3 The community group Josh Mosey gave a presentation to the Middleville Village Council on Tuesday night outlin­ ing what he says is the need for a new public library. (Photos by James Gemmell) • Duncan Lake teacher garners statewide honor • Caledonia Twp. approves fixes to subdivision roads • Village president in Middleville floats idea of dissolving, leaving TAPRC • Local hurdlers shine at Allegan Invite • TK girls soccer looks to cap perfect conference season �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023 BOND, continued from page 1 The new school would be 60,000 square feet in size, about a 25 percent increase from the current Dutton foot* print of more than 46,000 square feet. The bond issue will not increase the district’s debt service millage, which stands at 7 mills. A new Dutton building was supposed to have been funded by the May 2020 bond issue, where voters approved an $88.1 million proposal. That proposal orig­ inally assigned $21 million for the new school, but bids for the project came in more than $9 million over budget - the result of a spike in steel prices, supply chain pres­ sures and inflationary price increases for both labor and materials. After receiving those bids last fall, the school board considered cost-cutting mea­ sures to keep the Dutton project alive. They included a smaller building, having a combined gymnasium and cafeteria and having only one entrance into the build­ ing, but the board rejected those ideas and chose to seek a new bond. Veitch has no issue with the board’s decision to move ahead with construction of the Caledonia Community Center and go back for a new bond for Dutton. “When we looked at the amount of money that we had, we could have shut down the Community Resource Center, but there were contracts that were already out. We were going to lose $10-plus-million if we were to shut that down and build the school,” he said. “In my mind, for our taxpayers’ money, to lose that did not make sense.” The new bond proposal, which has been titled “Complete the Vision,” also seeks $6.5 million for renovations to the bleach­ ers, press box, locker rooms and concession stands at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium. That does not include installation of a new synthetic turf field at the stadium, which is planned for next month using funds from the 2020 bond. The proposal also includes $3 million for Phase 2 improvements to the CalPlex sports complex that will include new base­ ball and soccer fields. The bond issue also calls for a variety of facility rein­ vestments. They include (with projected costs in parenthesis): — Replacing the roof over sections of Duncan Lake Middle School and Early Childhood Center ($1.5 mil­ lion). — Replacing the 7W entrance and facade at Duncan Lake, as well as extend the cafeteria ($1.2 million). — Replacing the turf at Scotland Yard, as well as upgrading the bleachers and replacing dugouts and stor­ age buildings ($1.4 million). — Technology improve­ ments ($3.6 million). — Purchase of new buses, which has typically been a general fund budgeted item ($1.6 million). — Demolish the current Dutton building once the new school is built ($750,000). — Additional parking and parking flow improvements at Kettle Lake Elementary School ($750,000). — Replacing the play­ ground surface at Paris Ridge Elementary School for safety reasons ($400,000). — A secure storage area for band equipment and instruments ($300,000). “I thought we came up with a great plan of using the rest of the (2020) bond dol­ lars to enhance the rest ofour buildings and then hoping that when we go to the bond on May 2nd that Dutton will be taken care of too,” Veitch said. Duncan Lake teacher receives teaching honor from Michigan Lottery Greg Chandler StaffWriter From an early age, Veronica VanWagoner knew she wanted to be a teacher. She was inspired by her second-grade teacher at Stoney Creek Elementary School in Comstock Park. “When I was a child, I remember playing school and anytime I was asked what I wanted to be, the answer was always the same: a teacher,” said VanWagoner, a seventh-grade history teacher at Duncan Lake Middle School in Caledonia. “In second grade, I had a fantastic teacher named Mrs. Brown and that solidified my choice.” Seventeen years after beginning her teaching career, VanWagoner is mak­ ing an impact on her stu­ dents. She was recently hon- ored by the Michigan Lottery with its Excellence in Education award, which honors public school educa­ tors throughout the state. The Excellence in Education Award is a weekly award. Honorees receive a plaque, a $1,500 cash prize and a $500 grant to their classroom, school or school district. They are also in the running for the lottery’s Educator of the Year award at the end ofthe school year, which carries a $10,000 cash prize. VanWagoner is quick to credit her fellow teachers and mentors for her success as an educator. “I feel like 1 am a product of all of the amazing educa­ tors and coaches I’ve learned and worked with over the years,” she wrote in an email to the Sun and News. “I have MAKE COUNTRY, Clipper CountryClipper.com mowing aJOYRIDE become a better educator and coach because of those peo­ ple and even the people I work with currently. It just feels like I need to acknowl­ edge that the things I do in the classroom are a direct byproduct of watching the peers around me. These types of honors help to keep me going when I’ve a hard day or week. Teaching is not always easy and I just appre­ ciate that there are ways to honor educators like this.” VanWagoner came to Duncan Lake five years ago from Comstock Park’s Mill Creek Middle School, where she taught language arts for 12 years. During that time, the school’s library shut down because the Comstock Park district could no longer afford a librarian. So she took matters into her own hands, according to the nom­ ination form that was sub­ mitted to the Michigan Lottery by a family member. “She created her own (library), using her own money and grants from the school’s Education Foundation to create a library of nearly 2,000 books in her classroom,” the nominator wrote. “She also began walking her students Veronica VanWagoner to the local Kent District Library two blocks away from the middle school and getting her students library cards. The librarians then noticed these students’ parents were coming and getting library cards too and many had never had one before. The school team continued to follow the example she established there even after switching school districts.” Some of the techniques VanWagoner uses to get kids to enjoy reading include the use of “book trailers” - sim- Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Help us support veterans and community functions. SCHEDULE A TEST DRIVE TODAY.?* Saturday, May 6th, 2023 and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. * Menu subject to change Adults $12.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 Q,^ee ,^ee g For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 Donated by 735 E. Sherman Street Nashville, Ml (517) 852-1910 www.brnips.com Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, MI ilar to movie trailers — as tions with my students and well as encouraging kids to getting to know them outside read books that align with of classroom is one of my their individual interests. favorite things about my She uses debate in her class­ job,” she said. “I get to see rooms to engage students in kids in class have ‘a-ha’ public speaking and under- moments when they are stand course material in learning and see their accom­ social studies so they can plishments in sports. Seeing intelligently argue their those two sides of the stu­ views. She also makes use dents is special and helps me of current events to make build a unique bond with connections with historical them.” events, according to the VanWagoner earned a nominator. bachelor’s degree in elemen­ VanWagoner said building tary education from Oakland relationships with her stu­ University in 2005 and a dents is one of her favorite master’s degree in reading things about being an educa­ and language arts from tor. Grand Valley State “Having real conversa- University in 2011. TREASURER, continued from page 1 been advertising for the vacancy, receiving 12 appli­ cations and completing sev­ eral interviews with the village manager, the (Department of Public Works) director and Peter Haefner,” Stolsonburg wrote. However, after the inter­ view process he said it was decided that the better option would be to combine the positions of clerk and trea­ surer and promote from within the village staff. The first-year fiscal impact was estimated to be $26,600, including an accounting con­ sultant hnd the difference in annual salaries for the posi­ tions involved. Stolsonsburg said Ayala and Deputy Clerk Rhonda Van Polen have been doing an “excellent” job filling in the finance director position since Longstreet left. “I think it’s a great idea, why not promote from with­ in,” trustee Aim Williams said. Stolsonburg said he envi­ sions the administrative assistant being able to assist himself, Ayala and DPW Director Alec Belson, who is also the Assistant Village Manager. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023/ Page 3 LIBRARY, continued from page 1 need for this organization,” Mosey said. “I feel like doing that would allow us to provide more input, avoid the dis­ cussions I had last weekend about people thinking they were losing their homes,” Cramer replied. That comment was in ref­ erence to the two families that currently reside in the fourplex, which is owned by the village. The apartment house was part ofthe village council’s original plans for Sesquicentennial Park when it worked to secure state funding for the Middleville Lions Club pavilion a few years ago. At the village council meeting, Mosey listed a bevy of problems with the current library that is in the high school, such as it being open only 12 hours a week, having a lack of basic programming for children, insufficient services for senior citizens, and posing a security concern for the school. “It is severely underfund­ ed,” Mosey told the board. “Our library operates with a budget of around $19,000. That is to provide for all the programming, all of the resources you can get from the library when it is open. And most of that comes through state aid and penal fines.” He added that, unlike most public libraries, the one in Middleville cannot be funded by a local millage while it is set up under the auspices of the school dis­ trict. “I agree with the concept wholeheartedly that we could use something outside ofthe school,” Cramer said, adding that the formation of a government committee could help secure more funding for a library project. “So, ifyou aren’t opposed to that and would be willing to give us some community representatives to help fill out that committee, I think we could direct staffto piece that together and bring it to the next meeting,” Cramer told Mosey. “Create an agreement and a committee, so that we could properly research how to best put a library in the community.” “I will bring that back to the community group,” Mosey responded. Cramer then made a motion to direct village staff to compile the legal documents in order to potentially form a library committee that would explore the feasibility of establishing a new public libaty. The six mem­ bers of the village council who were present then voice-voted unanimously in favor ofthe motion. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said it may take a while to prepare all the documents. So, it may not be on the agenda at the next council meeting. Earlier, Mosey detailed for the council problems with the current library in the high school, such as a lack of programming for children. “A lot ofpeople who live in Middleville actually uti­ lize the Caledonia library for their story times, for their events,” he said. “Because ours simply doesn’t have the resources or the time to be open to provide that. Being that it is in the school, parents don’t have a place to bring their little ones who are of the pre-school age, so they go elsewhere. Do we really want them leaving our com­ munity?” Mosey said many librar­ ies also have special pro­ grams for seniors that the current library in Middleville does not, such as tech-tutor­ ing sessions, coffee socials, quilting clubs, and classic movie events. In addition, Mosey said the old library poses a secu­ rity concern for the school. “That is why it has such limited hours. So, for it to be both a public space for the community and a school space, it is difficult to main­ tain that,” he said. The community group has said that establishing a new library independent of the school allow would Middleville residents to access many of the things they cannot right now at the meagerly funded school library. “We could have a more extensive collection, includ­ ing books but also E-books, audio books, wifi hotspots, music, movies, magazines,” Mosey said. “And then, a lot of libraries are using this as an opportunity to have ... items like radon detectors and bird-watching kits and GoPros. Imagine the things that would be handy to have when you are enjoying our area and the beautiful nature that we have here in Middleville.” The community group envisions a new, better-funded library that would offer programs for children, such as story times for toddlers and craft events for older kids and teenagers. Mosey, who has been a digital marketing specialist with the Kent District Library, sits on an advisory board that serves the high school. He says the board has been conducting meetings for about a year and discussing various library models. “We looked at what it would take to belong to a district library like Kent District Library (KDL). We’ve looked at other, smaller libraries in neigh­ boring towns. We’ve looked at their budgets, how they’re run, what it takes to belong to them,” Mosey said. The advisory board also spoke to the president ofthe This fourplex adjacent to the downtown Middleville amphitheater is the site where a community group is proposing a new public library to potentially be located. Lakeland Library Cooperative and the director ofthe KDL. “The community group has determined that joining KDL offers the best bang for our buck. And KDL is will­ ing to take us on, even though we’re not part of Kent County,” Mosey said. The grassroots group has laid the groundwork for funding a Community Needs Assessment. Mosey said the Beacon Society and the Barry County Community Foundation would assist with that. Ada-based consul­ tant Keith Hopkins has been chosen to develop a study that would explore whether the public wants a new pub­ lic library. The library group is scheduled to meet May 17 in the Thomapple Township Hall, at 6 p.m. Mosey noted that the land where the fourplex sits was donated for community pur­ poses. “It is currently being underutilized for those pur­ poses and could be the site of a community library. In fact, it could be the site of a community library/village office,” he said. Mosey mentioned that the current village offices are located on prime real estate on Main Street, which he said “blocks certain (busi­ ness) opportunities for eco­ nomic growth right here in downtown.” Mosey suggested that, perhaps, the fourplex site could become the new home for the village offices on one side ofthe building, as well as the home for a new library on the other side ofit. There has also been discussion about the possibility of raz­ ing the fourplex and con­ structing a new building in its place. Village trustee Richard Hamilton said he doesn’t think the current building is in great shape. Mosey said it could be a two- to three-year timeframe before construction begins, if the project is approved. He said the first step would be to conduct the Community Needs Assessment. Then, to announce a potential loca­ tion for the new library. The third step would be fund­ Amanda Lautenschleger, raising, and the fourth step said being forced out of her would be the construction. home would pose a signifi­ “The main thing is, we cant burden even if it is a need a plot of land to build few years down the line. on and the village has some Mosey said the fourplex of that available in ways was always intended to be that (Thomapple Township), only' a temporary living I think, did not,” Mosey space. said. President Pro-Tempore Trustee Makenzi Peters pointed out that the village’s offered to serve as a village 2025 recreation plan envi­ liaison to the committee that sioned converting the build­ would explore the feasibility ing into a community center ofbuilding a new library. that could be better used for “Even if we had to tear outdoor recreation. Trustee Ann Williams the (fourplex) down, it would allow plenty of time said she would support a for the people who are living new public library. there to find other arrange­ “It’s a need. I work in the schools, so I definitely know ments,” Mosey said. However, one of the resi­ that,” she said. dents living there right now, BEEF & PORK ROAST DINNER} SATURDAY, MAY 6th 5-7pm Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by JAMES LAPINE Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lupine Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick Into the Woods is presented through special arrangement with Musk: Theatre International (MTI) Open to the Public Dress Rehearsal Wednesday, May 3 @ 7:00pm ~ TICKETS: $7 Performances Thursday, Friday, Saturday - May 4,5,6 @ 7:00pm Sunday - May 7 @ 2:00pm TICKETS: Adults $10 ~ Seniors & Students $8 Dennison Performing Arts Center 231 S. Broadway - Hastings Includes: Potatoes, Vegetables, & homemade dessert. Adults $15 • Children 5-12 $10 4 years & under FREE Advance tickets may be purchased at Gilmore Jewelers or reserved by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269945-2002. BOWNE CENTER 05105977 12051 84TH ST SE. ALTO, Ml 40302 ytyfrypsltf nrtjruT.UHMrprrwidtng the rical opportunitie For more InfornutKWi, d; thgcuapplpjjj^i^gniail. Womk arrfmpenwrw urtH Mu4* Theatre »AthhrtiyAl pet hh/tiVkV itralcrlaN ijs6 'tippheJ m MTf ( v.*\ * ar il 'o-ipplu PLn corner of Alden Nash (M.50) & 84,th Street, Alto , tM 1 I). 46/6 �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29,2023 Edward Glees Robert Gerald Purdy Robert “Bob” Gerald Purdy, age 83 of Clarksville, MI went home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 21,2023. The son of Robert and Elvina (Hubbard) Purdy, he was bom on December 9, 1939, in Grand Rapids, MI. Bob grew up in Middleville, MI and graduated from Thomapple Kellogg School. In his teenage years he worked for Otto’s Turkey Farm and then went on to work for Caledonia Elevator. Bob attended Michigan State University. He then was employed for EW Bliss in Hastings, then General Motors, then, Diesel Technology from where he retired. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Purdy; sister, Cheryl Purdy; niece, Kelly (Purdy) Helmus; father-in-law, Russell Aspinall; and sister-in-law, Judy (White) Purdy. He left behind his loving wife of 60 years, Judy (Aspinall) Purdy; daughter, Robin Porter (James); son, Randall Purdy (Becky); grand­ sons, Jamie, Jared, and little Eli - they were all his pride and joy! - brothers, Tom (Marlene) Purdy, Lee Purdy; Sisters, Karen Coleman, Pat (Rodger) Modreske; mother-in-law, Ella Aspinall; and sisters-in-law, Janet (Larry Shear) Allison, Janet Purdy; his little buddy, Sonny; along with many other friends and family. Bob was great at taking care ofhis family. They took many camping vacation trips together, with many memories to cherish. He liked to hunt and fish and enjoyed his garden. Bob loved to tinker around and fix different things. There were very few things he couldn’t fix. Later in life, Bob found his Savior and is now with his Heavenly Father. Funeral services took place on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Roth-Gerst Chapel, 305 N. Hudson, Lowell, Michigan 49331 with visitation one hour prior. Rev. Nate Gray officiat­ ing. Interment Bowne Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be directed to Elmdale Church of the Nazarene, 11830 Drew Rd, Alto, MI 49302. Edward Gless of Caledonia, MI, was called to his heavenly home April 18, 2023 at the age of 75. Ed was a graduate of Thomapple Kellogg Schools, and after graduating, he joined the Army and served a tour in Vietnam. He then went on to work at Spartan Stores for 52 years, one ofthe longest employed at Spartan. One of Ed’s greatest pas­ sions was basketball, which he continued to play in Gus Mackers until he was 72 with three of his sons. Anyone that knew Ed, could say he always had a smile on his face and could always make you laugh. Ed’s faith and his family were his greatest loves, aside from basketball. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Eddie Lewis, Richard and Phyllis Gless, and Gary Gless. Ed leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Sally; ex-wife, Jill Haney; his sister, Leslie (Mike) Beuschel; sister-in­ law, Linda Gless; sister-in­ law, Julie (Steve) Dickerson; Thomapple Players to perform ‘Into the Woods’ The Thomapple Players are preparing to take their audiences on a journey next month with their performances of “Into the Woods.” This musical, which features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, will round out the Players’ 2022-23 season. Julian Kratochvil is the director and Dan Braker is serving as the music director. Shows will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, May 4-6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 7 in the Dennison Performing Arts Center at 231 S. Broadway in Hastings. Tickets for the shows will cost $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. The Players will also hold an open-to-the-public dress rehearsal on Wednesday, May Church 3 at 7 p.m. All seats will be $7 for this rehearsal. “Into the Woods” is based­ on stories that parents have told their children for generations. There are elements where it’s pure fantasy and it’s exciting for kids, but there is also a mes­ sage that is specifically cen­ tered toward adults: Be careful what you tell your children. Cast and crew members include Charlie Saulino, Riley Poll, Travis Raab, Gwen Saulino, Julian Kratochvil, Taylor McPhail, Vickie St. John, Izzy Bergeron, Danielle Shook, Terry Dennison, Hayden Heikkila, Lis BurtonHaas, Peggy Hemerling, Dan Braker, Steve Moray, Julie Coon, Olivia Bums, Christopher Coughenour, Michael Moray, Amy Young, Kirsten Nottingham, Bruce Young, Eric Phillips, John St John, Vicki MacKellar, Audrey Burton, David MacKellar, Rose Anger, Dan Burton, Ted Coon, Jennifer Craven, Aiden Oliver, Steve Hoke, Angela Seeber, Gary Cuyler, Lori Beduhn, Carol Svihl, Kimmy Beck and Matt Sink. Sunday’s Ministries 9: 30 AM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 -PM Ourmission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend .9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: //goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com . Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: Advance tickets may be reserved by calling the Thomapple Arts Council of Barry County at 269-945-2002 or purchased at Gilmore Jewelers, 102 E. State St in Hastings. Questions can be directed to thornappleplayers @ gmail.com or the Thomapple Players Facebook page. The cast of the Thomapple Players’ “Into the Woods” (pictured) has been hard at work preparing the show. Using characters from famous fairy tales, the musical takes audience members on a journey of magic, romance and self-reflection. alask FSS 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 cornerstone church brother-in-law, Tim (Ronda) VanRaemdonck; five chil­ dren, Ricki (Sami) Zureik, Matt (Chasity) Gless, Adam (Emily) Gless, Lucas (Ida) Gless, Rebekah (Luke) Markham; 11 grandchildren, Hannah, Madison, Teagan, Christopher, Jason, Will, Nora, Matthew, Lydia, Rylee, Raylynn, and many loved nieces and nephews and other extended family and friends. Dad, You know what we decided? We love you. (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 —Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH fhJ 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC 10URNEY Sr. Tau SC H U R C H rdn CfwTcH Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 1664 M-37 @thejchurch wwwjstpaulcaledonia.org JER Whitneyville Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Worship....... 10:30 10:30AM AM Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday ioam&6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship Community Group......... 10: 00 a.m. 11: 00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org A THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023/ Page 5 Voting yes on bond issues expands opportunities for local students To the editor: Having the opportunity to swim competitively in high school was a turning point in my life. It was where I devel­ oped purpose, passion and direction to go to college and succeed even though school was difficult for me. Those who do not know who I am, my name is Todd De Jong, and I am a sixth grade teach­ er at Kraft Meadows. I also have the privilege to be the varsity swim coach for the boys team, which offered me an amazing experience with some outstanding young men this past season. Twenty-five years ago, I started to teach in Caledonia and I was shocked to find out that we did not have a pool or a swim team. Districts of our size look for more opportuni­ ties for their students to suc­ ceed. What I found was that it was hard to pass a bond when a pool was attached. Dr. Martin and his team along, with the board, found a fiscally responsible way to make this happen and my team and I are very excited to have this possibility for our future. Currently, we have to go to the Mary Free Bed YMCA behind the Cascade Meijer to practice, which adds at least an hour oftravel for these swimmers. I lost a few swimmers because of this issue, which was hard because they expressed to me how they really wanted to continue. We also have to share lanes with other teams, adding more difficulty to our ability to succeed in the OK Red, which has premier pools and programs. Someone asked me recent­ ly why I would go back into coaching so late in my career. One answer I gave is because being a swimmer gave me the opportunity to go to col­ lege. I had never thought of furthering my education until the end of my senior year when I was approached by a college to swim for them. Reflecting on this opportuni­ ty so many years ago, I owe something back to this offer that was so good to me. The community center and pool will give us the oppor­ tunity to not only practice effectively but also host meets. It is not ideal with the diving well at the end of the pool, but it is going to be so much more effective thah what we have presently and I am so thankful that our com­ munity chose to vote this in for our students and athletes with the 2020 bond. I don’t see the opportunity stopping with the high school boys and girls swim teams. I envision a feeder program developing with Kraft Meadows and Duncan Lake. I also see water safety for our students and community. We have numerous lakes around us and this will be a great place to teach individuals how to be more confident and safe around water. These are the possibilities I see, but there is so much more with the new community center. Unfortunately, with infla­ tion not everything originally planned for with 2020 bond funds can be completed. Our school board and district were faced with impossible deci­ sions and I fully support the decisions they made. The 2023 bond will enable the district to complete the vision set forth in 2020 and help CCS make additional repairs and upgrades to buildings and facilities, including things from replacing outdated school buses to upgrading parking lots and replacing roofs among many other improvements. It will also provide the necessary funds to build the new Dutton Elementary. I urge everyone to vote on the supplemental bond on Tuesday, May 2 for CCS. Todd De Jong Caledonia Bond supports worthy projects but is not financially prudent As a former vice president of the Caledonia School Board, I participated in many meetings relating to millage renewals and bond propos­ als. As I review this bond proposal, I would encourage my fellow community mem­ bers to vote no. While there are many worthwhile projects in this bond proposal, including a greatly-needed new elemen­ tary building, this bond pro­ posal fails to make financial sense at the most basic level. The board and administration have managed poorly the pre­ vious bond, which included the much-needed elementary building. The district should have built the projects with the most pressing need first, which would have been the new elementary school. Instead, the board did not properly manage a high-infla­ tion environment and its impact on the bond and the projects (maybe they believed that inflation was transitory) and continue to promote excuses that the construction schedule dictated the timing of projects, which ultimately placed the proposed elemen­ tary building at risk. I support a new elementa­ ry school building in spite of the. board/administration’s mismanagement ofthe previ­ ous bond but the added items per the language in the bond (i.e. school buses, play­ grounds, athletic fields, ath­ letic facilities) are all assets with a usefill life significant­ ly less than the 30-year bond. So, as a community, if this bond passes, assets with a useful life of less than 30 years, we will pass on debt to a future generation while the benefit has long been expired. This length of the bond as it relates to these assets with a usefill life of less than 30 years makes zero financial sense. These projects may well be needed, if so, the board should come back with bond(s) that match the useful life of the assets. Again, I have no debate on the need for these projects to be done, but they are being done with a bond that passes the debt out 30 years to be a financial burden to a future generation, more like how the federal government oper­ ates. In addition, the district in all the expensive flyers we have received in the mail - at taxpayers’ expense - only gives half-truths to the com­ munity. The mailers state, no increase in your tax rate, which is true, but never state this bond is a $61 million tax increase to our community over the next 30 years. While there is a fine line between educating the community and being an advocate for the bond, telling only half-truths is a disservice to our commu­ nity. While we wish superin­ tendent Dr. Martin well in his job interview(s), we must put the Caledonia communi­ ty first in making sound financial decisions not only today but for future genera­ tions. I would recommend vot­ ing no on May 2 on this $61 million tax increase, it is simply too much, too soon and too long. The board needs to go back and put a sound financial package together that funds these projects in a responsible way. I would challenge the community to think about this issue in a different way - would you take out a 30-year loan to buy a new car? If the answer is no, and you couldn’t even get a bank to lend you the money, then your vote on May 2 should be the same. Let’s be respon­ sible as a community to make sure these projects get done in a financially prudent manner; this bond falls short. David Nemmers Former Vice President of Caledonia School Board Economic development, traffic, inclusivity topics at DeMaagd town hall Greg Chandler StaffWriter It was a rather small turn­ out, but the first town hall meeting for Middleville Village President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd generated discussion on a number oftopics Monday. DeMaagd, who owns Left Field Cafe, held the gathering at his business, just a few hun­ dred feet east of the Village Hall. Nine people attended. Topics of discussion ranged from economic development to traffic to trying to develop ways to welcome people new to the community. The pro­ posed public library, which was presented to the Village Council Tuesday, also gener­ ated some discussion. “We welcome diverse opinions and ideas. That helps us get to a better con­ sensus and conclusion when we’re able to hear perspec­ tives that we may not recog­ nize from our own lived experiences,” DeMaagd said. One idea DeMaagd pro­ posed was to try to capitalize more on making Middleville a “trail town” attraction for visitors who use the nearby Paul Henry Thomapple Trail, which is connected to the North Country Trail. “We have people coming here frequently, saying (things like) ‘I’m here from Seattle, I’m ... biking through, saw you on my phone, so I decided to stop,”’ DeMaagd said. On the issue of traffic, DeMaagd would like to see something done at the inter­ section of Main and Grand Rapids Streets. The three­ way intersection has west­ bound traffic stopping while eastbound traffic can turn left onto Grand Rapids without stopping. “That intersection is kind of wild. I’ve personally almost gotten into a wreck at least three times there - very close ones, let alone those ‘ooh, glad someone was pay­ ing attention’ (near misses),” DeMaagd said. A roundabout is one option that the village could consid­ er. A previous council had rejected the idea as unwork­ able. Middleville TOPS 546 The April 22 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. One fish fell out of the fishbowl. Virginia read an email from TOPS Headquarters. This year, TOPS is celebrating its 75th anniversary. “TOPS isn’t going anywhere,” read the email. Now, members say it is the time to tell friends and family how TOPS has been successful for them. Members say TOPS is people helping people by keeping everyone accountable. Headquarters has many resources to help each and every chapter to grow. The group has been having discussions to change their meeting day as Saturdays don’t work as well in the summer­ time. Alice made a motion to change from Saturday morning to Monday afternoon. Virginia seconded the motion. Meetings will now be on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. starting May 1. Session 2 ofthe Daniel Plan was viewed with discussion to follow. Sue lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the apartment 318 button for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908-8036. or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. DeMaagd also would like to see traffic calming mea­ sures to try to slow down speeding on Main Street through downtown. “It can be very dangerous to try and cross, either here (in. front ofLeft Field) or down by the pavilion,” DeMaagd said. DeMaagd said they would support installation of one set ofstop signs in the down­ town to slow down traffic -“not to deter traffic because you want people to visit your downtown.” DeMaagd also plans to introduce a “pride” resolution to the Village Council in June. “(I am about) creating an official feeling of welcome­ ness and belonging,” DeMaagd said. “I think it would go a really long way. That, in and of itself, is ... economic development, because if more people feel welcome and want to be around, they’re going to visit a lot more.” DeMaagd opened Left Field Cafe in 2018, while still a student at Hope College in Holland. DeMaagd expanded his business last year to open a second Left Field Cafe in Hastings, and also acquired the former fire station in Johnny DeMaagd Middleville as a place to pro­ duce the coffee DeMaagd sells. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023 Local youth sports organization, area businesses provide funding for pro-bond effort Greg Chandler Staff Writer The committee that is campaigning for approval of Tuesday’s Caledonia Community Schools bond issue has received significant funding support from a local youth sports organization and the area business com­ munity, according to a Sun and News review of cam­ paign finance records. The Friends of Caledonia Community Schools received $12,100 in contributions for its campaign to pass the $61 million bond proposal up through April 16, according to a state-required campaign finance report filed with the Kent County clerk’s office this week. The same report showed that the committee spent $9,678 on campaign materi­ als, including yard signs, a promotional video, printed documents, a mailer and newspaper advertisements. The committee is chaired by Mallory Walsh', a local par­ ent. Michigan campaign finance laws require any committee seeking to pass a ballot measure to file a finance report ifthey take in at least $500 in contributions or spend at least $500 on efforts to influence voters on Grand Rapids, is the next largest contributor to the cam­ a ballot question. The largest contributor to paign. The company donated the Friends of Caledonia $1,500 toward the campaign, Community Schools to date finance records show. The campaign received is the Caledonia Youth Sports Association, which gave two $1,000 contributions. $5,000 toward the campaign, One was from Kathy Warner, finance records show. The owner of the Harder & association supports local Warner landscaping and gar­ youth soccer, baseball, foot­ den center on M-37, while ball and lacrosse programs. the other was from Nathan About $3 million ofthe bond Biezska, an owner at Hope issue would support the con­ Network Behavioral Health struction of additional soccer Services, according to the and baseball fields at the campaign finance report. The architectural company CalPlex sports and recreation complex, as well as addition­ Tower Pinkster contributed $500 to the campaign. al parking. Montell Construction, of Another $500 contribution came from Kevin Clement, chief executive officer of Proper Beverage Co. The company’s headquarters are listed as being in Hudsonville but Clement’s home address is in Southgate, in metro Detroit, according to the campaign finance report. The campaign also received four contributions of $200 each from individu­ als tied to the SET SEG Foundation, a Lansing-based foundation that “seeks to enable students to pursue enrichment opportunities that advance learning, lead­ ership and civic responsibili­ ty by providing services, scholarships, grants and other forms ofpublic support directly to Michigan public schools and students.” The hometowns of the individuals tied to the foun­ dation are Portland, DeWitt, Williamston and Sault Ste. Marie, according to the finance report. CCS Superintedent Dr. Dedrick Martin contributed $350 to the campaign and school board member Brittany Barber Garcia gave $250, finance records show. The committee must file additional campaign finance reports after the election con­ cludes. Some Caledonia residents speak out against bond issue Greg Chandler StaffWriter With the upcoming Caledonia Community Schools bond issue less than 72 hours away, some com­ munity residents have spo­ ken out against the proposal. Some residents have gone public with their opposition to the $61 million proposal that goes before voters Tuesday at school board meetings and at recent Dialogue with Doc sessions with Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin. They have taken out advertisements in the Sun and News. Their primary issue is that the centerpiece of the new proposal - a new Dutton Elementary School - should have been the top priority of the $88.1 million bond issue that Caledonia voters approved in May 2020. “Some people, including myself, feel like the board has misled (or) misinformed the voters,” said Mark Hardy, a district resident and grand- parent of students who go to school in the district. “(They) should have built Dutton Elementary before the (Caledonia) Community Center.” “(We) feel like (we are being) held hostage to vote yes on another bond to get the new Dutton school, which is badly needed, but instead (they’re) building a community center (is) not needed at this time,” Hardy added. Bob Thelen, another dis­ trict resident and a grandpar­ ent of students in the district, says the new bond issue is “not fiscally responsible for multiple reasons.” “First, we already approved $21 million to build Dutton Elementary on the 2020 bond,” Thelen wrote in a letter to the dis­ trict. “It should never have been put on hold while fin­ ishing other projects that likely would not have been approved on their own. This was a bait and switch, even if not intended that way. The $17 million in unallocated funds should still go towards building the new school, as promised. And new unrelat­ ed items should not have been added to the 2023 bond proposal.” The new bond issue will not raise the district’s debt service millage, currently at 7 mills, but it will extend the time for the district’s bonds to be paid off from 2050 to 2055, a concern that both Thelen and Hardy have expressed. “Sound accounting princi­ ples require that loans be paid off as fast or faster than the depreciation ofthe asset,” Thelen wrote in his letter. “Allowing these items to be put on a 30-year bond is equivalent to stealing more than half the value of these purchases from future tax­ payers who will never bene­ fit from their use or get to vote on them. “This is analogous to buy­ ing a car on a 30-year loan, WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS junking it after 10 years, and handing the rest of the loan to your child to pay off for the next 20 years. No one in their right mind would do that to their children.” Hardy says the district already has debt of $148 mil­ lion, and the new bond issue would boost that figure to $209 million at an interest rate of 1.5 percent for more than 30 years. “Too much for too long,” Hardy said. “Passing it onto future generations who will most likely not benefit from these proposed special proj­ ects and have to pay again for then-needed improve­ ments and expenditures. (It’s) not responsible finan­ cially.” When the district went to voters with the 2020 bond proposal, the new Dutton school and the community center, which is being built on Kraft Avenue, were offered as the two major items the bond issue would pay for. After the bond proposal passed, district officials and their architectural and con­ struction team chose to move ahead with construction of the community center, which will include a new swim­ ming pool, multi-purpose gymnasium and will serve as the new location for the Caledonia Resource Center, which oversees community education and enrichment classes and programs. They cited a longer period of time that it would take to build the community center as opposed to the timeframe needed to build a new Dutton school. “The bond team deter­ mined early on that the Cal Community Center needed to get moving as soon as possible,” Martin wrote in a recent email to the Sun and News. “It was projected to take 3.5 years to complete this project. So starting See BOND ISSUE, next page Polling locations for Tuesday's election • Bowne Township, Precinct 1: Fellowship Hall, 12051 84th St. SE • Caledonia Township, Precinct 1: Caledonia Village Hall, 250 Maple St. SE • Caledonia Township, Precinct 2: Alaska Baptist Church, 7240 68th St. SE • Caledonia Township, Precinct 3: Lakeside Community Church, 6201 Whitneyville Ave. SE • Caledonia Township, Precinct 4: Whitneyville Bible Church, 8655 Whitneyville Ave. SE • Caledonia Township, Precinct 5: Caledonia Christian Reformed Church, 9957 Cherry Valley Ave SE • Caledonia Township, Precinct 6: Spirit of Life Church, 7638 Broadmoor Ave. SE •Cascade Township, Precinct 10: Lakeside Community Church, 6201 Whitneyville Ave. SE •GainesTownship, Precinct 1: Gaines Township Offices, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave. SE • Gaines Township, Precinct 8: Ada Bible Church, 2045 68th St. SE • Leighton Township, Precinct 2: Leighton Church, 4180 2nd St. • Thornapple Township, Precinct 1: Thornapple Township Emergency Services building, 128 High St., Middleville • Caledonia Township absentee ballots may also be dropped off at the Caledonia Township hall, 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023/ Page 7 BOND ISSUE, continued from previous pag immediately would allow with a projection of two some wiggle room if the years to complete the proj­ project experienced any ect.” type of unexpected delays. And then came the Our goal was to complete it COVID-19 pandemic, and in a five-year time frame. with that, an unprecedented The bond team consisted of spike in the price of build­ the director of operations, ing materials and labor, the Finance Committee combined with disruptions Chair (board member Tim in the supply chain. What Morris) along with the vari­ was once proposed as a $21 ous construction profession­ million project to build the als and me. new Dutton Elementary “By contrast the time­ swelled to more than $30 frame to design and build million when bids for the Dutton Elementary was project came in during the much shorter, so the bond fall of 2022. That was on team agreed to begin the top of an earlier overrun of design process in Year 2 more than $6 million on the community center project, with again the spike in building costs and supply chain issues being the main factor. Questions were brought up to the board about putting the community center project on hold. Martin wrote in his e-mail had the project been halted, there would have been funds expended that would not have been recov­ ered. “If the (Board of Education) would have made the decision in October to cancel the Cal Community Center, the district would have realized a minimum loss of $10 million in can­ celed contracts and materials that were already purchased and (en) route,” the superin­ tendent wrote. The school board debated several options for the Dutton building, including reducing the size of the building and combining the cafeteria and gymnasium into a single multi-purpose room. But ultimately, the board decided going for a new bond pro­ posal, with the original proj­ ect scope in mind, was the way to go. Hardy questioned why the district didn’t go back to vot­ ers to ask for making up the overrun on Dutton. “They should have come to the voters when (they) discovered the shortfall and (asked for the additional) $10 to $12 million rather the $61 million,” he said. Again, Thelen and Hardy agree on the need for the new Dutton school, while opposing other items in the new bond issue. Thelen closed his letter by asking for a better, more economi­ cal proposal. “The new Dutton elemen­ tary school is essential, but voters should vote no on this bond proposal and seek a better one to ‘complete the vision’ ofbuilding the school as originally suggested, with­ out adding more long term financial debt for nonessen­ tials,” Thelen wrote in the letter. “A more ethical approach would have includ­ ed a separate shorter bond for short-lived items, so those who use them, pay for them, and a small but longer term bond to cover the increased costs of the school while applying the $17 mil­ lion left from 2020 towards its construction.” Caledonia village planners ponder changes to site plan process Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia . Village Planning Commission wants to hear from the village’s zoning administrator before making any decisions on rewriting the process for approval of project site plans. Commissioners Thursday tabled proposed changes to the village zoning ordinance regarding the site plan and zoning compliance process­ es, and who would review such plans. They asked to have Lance Gates ofImperial Municipal Services, who functions as zoning adminis­ trator for the village, to come to the next planning commis­ sion meeting to discuss how such plans are addressed in other communities that he works with. One of the changes being recommended to the village zoning ordinance would allow the village to issue a zoning compliance permit without having to go before the planning commission if the project under consider­ ation involves a change from one permitted use to another and if it doesn’t involve any change to the exterior or dimensions ofthe building. “That is something that a zoning administrator issues after checking to make sure that it’s an allowed use and that any specific require­ ments, like minimum num­ ber ofparking spaces, would be met,” Village Attorney Jim Scales told commission­ ers. “It’s usually handled fairly routinely. It’s usually handled in-house by the staff, (by) the zoning administra­ tor, but for some reason, your ordinance is not set up that way. So we recommend that be included in your ordi­ nance. “It avoids the need to wait for a planning commission meeting, it saves expense for the applicant, it saves trouble for the planning commission, and to be honest with you, there’s really not much dis­ cretion that you can exercise anyway when someone comes to change from one permitted use to another.” The current zoning ordi­ nance requires site plan reviews with the planning commission for any new non-residential use in the vil­ lage. That includes projects in the commercial, industrial and agricultural zoned dis­ tricts, according to the zon­ ing ordinance language. Another proposed change would have the zoning administrator review and approve a site plan if it involves an improvement that results in an increase in the gross floor area of less than 20 percent or that would require five or fewer addi­ tional parking spaces. Any Amanda Crozier was selected Thursday to be the new chair of the Caledonia Village Planning Commission. (Photo by Greg Chandler) site plan that would result in a floor area increase ofmore than 20 percent' would have to come to the planning com­ mission, Scales said. Another recommended change would be to expand criteria that would enter into a site plan approval to include traffic impact, sensitivity to adjacent uses, buffering, drainage, lighting and emer­ gency access. “Right now, your stan­ dards for site plan review are rather vague,” Scales said. In other business Thursday, commissioners appointed Amanda Crozier to be the new chair of the planning commission. Crozier joined the commission a little more than a year ago. The com­ mission currently only has five members, with two vacant seats. The village has received an application for one of the openings, Village President Jennifer Lindsey said. Caledonia Twp. board approves subdivision road fixes crushed aggregate into the emulsion. The chip-sealed StaffWriter The Caledonia Township road is then- covered with a board has approved a series thin application of a polyof local subdivision road mer-modified asphalt seal, or improvements for this sum­ micro-surface,” the road commission explains on its mer. The board on April 19 website. About $338,000 of work approved about $410,000 worth of projects in the is planned inside Jasonville while another Jasonville Farms and Farms Spring Valley subdivisions. $72,000 is planned in The township and Kent Spring Valley, according to County Road Commission a township memo. Here is are expected to split the the list ofroads where work costs on a 50-50 basis. The will take place: — Fence Row Court: an township typically allocates $200,000 in its annual bud­ 800-foot section from Green Valley Road to the get for local road projects. The road commission will road end. - Grainery Road: use a process known as “cape 1,275-foot section- from seal” to fix the affected roads. It’s a process that Hayfield Road to Ravine combines two common pres­ View Road. - Green Valley Road: a ervation treatments, chip seal 1,625-foot section from and micro-surface, which are designed to extend the life of Hayfield Road to Ravine View Road. a road surface. -Hayfield Road: a 1,300“During the chip seal pro­ cess, an application of foot section from Grainery asphalt emulsion is sprayed Road to Rainbows End onto the road surface, which Road. - Haystack Road: is then covered with pea­ 1,370-foot section from sized stone aggregate. Rollers follow to embed the Grainery Road to Hayfield Greg Chandler Road. - Jasonville Farms Road: a 1,330-foot section from Cherry Valley Avenue to Grainery Road. - Jousma Court: A 280foot section from Green Valley Road to the road end. - Pasture Road: A 2,030- foot section from Ravine View Road to Jasonville Farms Road. - Rainbows End Road: a 2,240-foot section from 84th Street to Sunnyview Road. — Ravine View Road: a 1,200-foot section from Green Valley Road to Cherry Meadow Road. - Wilken Drive: a 1,920foot section from 84th Street to Deer Forest Brace's Frame end Alignment] Full Service Body Shop Spring Book Sale Thursday, May 4 • lpm-7pm Friday, May 5 • 9:30am-4pm Saturday, May 6 • 9:30am-3pm TEACHERS BRING ID AND GET 20 FREE BOOKS! On Thursday, members-onlypre-sale ' runsfrom Noon -1pm with doors openingfor everyone at 1pm. New members may sign-in at the door^ Over 5,000 used books on sale at the f Caledonia Township Library 6260 92nd Street, \11 W Caledonia ■l ti i Sponsored by Caledonia Friends ofthe Library • Meadow. — Deer Forest Meadow: A 480-foot section from Wilken Drive to the road end. • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29,2023 Longtime county planning chairman steps down after 28 years in charge Greg Chandler Staff Writer In 1993, Clyde Morgan attended a Barry County Planning Commission meeting, where a neighbor of his had filed a permit request to build a garage. Perplexed at all the paperwork his neighbor had to file and fees that had to be paid to get the request approved, Morgan raised his concerns to John Gates, who was in charge of coun­ ty planning at the time. Gates suggested Morgan apply for a seat on the plan­ ning commission. Morgan took up the sug­ gestion and not long after was appointed to the board. Two years later, he became chairman of the planning commission. His good humor and signature han­ dlebar mustache became a constant at planning com­ mission meetings. On Monday night, Morgan ended a 30-year run on the planning com­ mission, including the last 28 years as its chairman. He handed the gavel over to Commissioner John LaForge of Delton, who was appointed by his col­ leagues to be the new chair- man. “That’s a long time, a long time,” Morgan said with a chuckle in his final remarks before handling LaForge the gavel. “I’ve been a lot of places in this county that people never see. There’s a lot of places I’ll never see because there’s a lot of room out there ... It’s been a good haul, a good time. We’ve dealt with a lot of big issues. We still have a lot of big issues coming down the pike.” A native of Battle Creek, the 78-year-old Morgan has lived in Assyria Township for the last 50 years. He worked at Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek for 22 years in a variety of roles before retiring in 2007. County Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Jim McManus expressed his gratitude for Morgan’s service. “He’s had a long tenure. We got a lot accomplished during this time - two full master plan updates, plus mostly a third one that’s going to be done by June; a new zoning ordinance update in 2008 ... We’ve had many, many significant issues - one was with air B-n-Bs, Bristol Lake was a large issue, we did the whole ethanol plant (in Woodbury) and all the work with that, that took five years to get accomplish (from 2000 to 2005),” McManus said. “I think when we got those kinds of big commit­ ments, it’s because we had a unified front and a lot of stability that we’ve shared over the last 30 years. People know what to expect,” McManus added. “When you have these groups come in and they say, ‘what can I expect,’ and I say what you can expect is that it’s run the same way (as it has been run in the past) and it doesn’t waver. That kind of consistency is really important.” More recently, the plan­ ning commission has faced community opposition to gravel pit projects, most notably in Orangeville Township. In June 2022, commissioners narrowly voted to grant Stoneco approval of a special land use for a 160-acre parcel on Miller Road, pending a provision that the Barry Don’t eat this huge Pork Sandwich!! This CCS 2023 Bond Spends too much for far too long!! Dutton deserves a New School. Taxpayers deserve a Clean Bond. Focus on responsible spending. Send it back to the Board for an August vote to build Dutton Elementary... But leave out the PORK! VOTE N 2n County Road Commission widen the road. But two months later, commission­ ers rescinded that deci­ sion. Then in November, commissioners went against a motion that had been written by the coun­ ty’s attorney that would have put in new stipula­ tions to the project that included a traffic study, hydrogeological study and an analysis of the project’s impact on nearby home values. Joe Kammenzind, an accounting manager for MEI Telecom, will assume Morgan’s place on the plan­ ning commission starting next month. The Johnstown Township resident was appointed earlier this month by the county board to serve a three-year term on the planning body, ending on April 30, 2026. In other business Monday, the planning commission approved plans for a new 10,431-square-foot build­ ing that will house a Family Dollar and a Dollar Tree in Delton on Wall Lake Road (M-43). Construction on the build­ ing is expected to be com- Clyde Morgan presided over his last meeting of the Barry County Planning Commission Monday night at the Tyden Center. Morgan served on the planning commission for 30 years, the last 28 as chairman. John LaForge was voted in as the new chairman Monday night to replace Morgan. pleted by the end of August, said Brian Stadler, chief executive officer of Saginaw-based Wolgast Corporation, the project developer. ‘Spring Into the Past’ museum tours set for May 6 and 7 Hungry for history? “Feeding the Family” is this year’s theme for the annual “Spring Into the Past” tour of about 30 small-town museums and historical soci­ eties that are members of the Tri-River Historical Museum Network, including the Freeport Historical Society Museum. “Spring Into the Past” won the 2021 Historical Society of Michigan State Award for Special Events/Programs in its inaugural year. This year’s tour is on Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. Most mem­ ber museums will be open the same days and hours during this special weekend so par­ ticipants can map out a tour of nearby museums to visit on the same day. A booklet of information is available at any member museum, or one can be downloaded at commoncomers.com. This informa­ tion provides a map to plot a tour ahead of time. Other information is available at tririvermuseums.com. Organizers say attendees can expect a variety of dis­ plays on the theme, including growing food on the farm; hunting and fishing; selling in a store; cooking, preserv­ ing and serving food and many other creative ideas. At the Freeport Historical Society Museum, special dis­ plays highlighting how meals were prepared in days past will be shared, as well as permanent displays showcas­ ing how Freeport helped feed the surrounding communities by shipping chickens, eggs, flour and more via the rail­ road line that came from the north and ended in Freeport, expanding the reach of mer- chants and adding to their prosperity. The Freeport Historical Society Museum will be open on Saturday, May 6, from noon to 5 p.m. Tri-River members are located in Barry, Eaton, Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties and have joined together to share ideas and encourage one another in their history gathering. Museum entry will be free during this annual tour, but donations are appreciated and are often the only income these museums receive. This photo shows a glimpse into what muse­ um-goers will find during the “Spring Into the Past” tours next weekend. This year’s theme is “Feeding the Family.” Around 30 local museums will participate in the free tours. (Photo provided) �f The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023/ Page 9 Village president suggests Middleville should consider possibly dissolving or leaving TAPRC James Gemmell happened last year when Contributing Writer we tried to upgrade Calvin Middleville Village Hill Park,” Cramer said. President Mike Cramer He added that the village said the village should owns all of the park prop­ gather some facts and then erty and has a minority consider the possibility of vote on the board. dissolving or leaving the “Before I vote on any­ Thomapple Area Parks and thing, I’d like more infor­ Recreation Commission. mation on it,” trustee He made that comment Makenzi Peters said. Cramer clarified that he near the end of Tuesday night’s village council was not asking for a vote at meeting, and it caught that time, but simply ask­ some people by surprise, ing the council to direct including TAPRC staff to find the informa­ Chairwoman Catherine tion needed to make a good Getty, who was appointed decision. “But our parks are in bad to the TAPRC board in February. She is also a shape and we need to do Barry Countysomething,” he said. “And Commissioner represent­ the current partnership is ing District 2, which cov­ not working.” Trustee Richard ers the Village of Middleville, a portion of Hamilton said he would Thornapple Township and like to hear from the the northern half ofYankee TAPRC. “I’d like them to come in Springs Township. Cramer cited several and talk to us. Tell us problems he sees with the what’s going on. Why is TAPRC, which oversees that we don’t get along youth sports and recreation with them? Or they don’t programs in the area. It get along with us. Or we serves the village, the don’t get what they want or township and the they don’t get what we Thornapple Kellogg want. What’s the problem? Schools. I’d like to hear it,” One of the issues dates Hamilton said. back to 2015, when the Cramer said he village purchased some researched some legisla­ property at 150 River St. tion that allows village “At that point, we had councils to empower a tasked Thornapple Area committee to govern parks Parks and Rec to develop a and recreation. master plan and find a “And I cannot find any­ complimentary use to the where in there where a body trail that we had just cam-government is paigned to get through allowed to operate a non­ town. We never really profit youth sports organi­ received that plan,” Cramer zation,” he said. “Again, I’d still feel said. Since then, he said the more comfortable with village has had just three information before speak­ park-improvement proj­ ing on anything I’m not ects: the downtown pavil­ aware of,” Peters said. ion, the Paul ’ Henry “Volunteering with Parks Thornapple Trail, and and Rec, I know they do parking spaces at Calvin more than just that, but Hill Park. before I speak without “Beyond that, our parks knowledge on something, I are outdated,” Cramer said. just request that we take “We complained about it in your input and get the numerous meetings. Our appropriate information we equipment is old and it’s in need to look at the history dire need of replacement. of the situation. And move And the body that’s sup­ forward and be able to ask posed to be facilitating that questions before we make capital improvement is not a drastic decision like doing that.” that.” “I would agree,” Cramer Cramer then asked the village council to figure said. “That was the point out whether it needs to dis­ of this inquiry, to see how solve the TAPRC or leave everybody felt. If we can it. He said the village can’t move forward with getting create a parks committee the rest of the information because it already created and seeing our best paths one a few years ago. It forward. Because we need included the village man­ to do something different. ager, council members, It’s not working.” Public Works and planning “My mindset is to gear staff, and TAPRC reprerepre-toward more collaborasentatives. tion, tion,”” President Pro “And we cannot get the Tempore Johnny DeMaagd upgrades we need for our said. “I understand there parks, if our parks and rec has been challenges in the committee is actively cam- past. I think part of those paigning against our capi-challenges may have tal improvement; which stemmed from a scarcity of grants. I think it’s that scarcity mindset that sort of backfired on us all, so that the’ equipment at Calvin Hill and other parks are outdated and older than many ofus.” At issue last year was whether the village should apply for state parks grants for Calvin Hill Park or Sheridan Community Park. Former Village Manager Patricia Rayle said in March 2022 that the DNR does not like to receive multiple grant applications from one community. “My knee-jerk reaction is to draw in more people and to kind of link arms and empower others with that,” DeMaagd said. “I think we have a really spe­ cial partnership, if we can lean in and collaborate more. I think our council does a great job at finding consensus and community building.” Cramer made a motion to direct village staff to do a fact-finding mission on how the council should move forward with its parks and recreation department. Peters supported the motion, and sug- Barry County Commissioner Catherine Getty addresses the Middleville Village Council at its meeting Tuesday night at village hall. (Photo by James Gemmell) gested the council bring together leaders of all the stakeholder groups. That would include some mem­ bers of the village, the township, the TAPRC and the TK Schools. The motion carried on a 6-0 roll-call vote. After the meeting, Getty released a three-paragraph written statement: “I look forward to look­ ing into each of Mr. Cramer’s concerns he expressed at Tuesday night’s meeting. The Village, Thornapple Township and TK Schools established the TAPRC in 2000 through an agreement that I believe was drafted through their Village attorney at the time. It has served as the document for the board for over two decades,” Getty wrote, in part. Getty also released some background informa­ tion indicating that the vil­ lage has been the largest beneficiary of a five-year recreation plan that is facilitated by the TAPRC. She cited state grants the village received for vari­ ous projects, such as development of the addi­ tional one mile of trail from Main Street to Crane Road. Other improvements have been to Sesquicentennial Park, including the pavilion, the amphitheater, restrooms, the canoe/kayak launch and parking. We Accept Keep Vour Teeth for a LIFETIME! 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Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com | �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023 Proposed cell phone driving ban stalls in Michigan Bridge Michigan A bipartisan effort to require hands-free phone use while driving has stalled in Michigan, after lawmakers worried the legislation would disproportionately target low-income and rural resi­ dents. After passing a House Transportation Committee with unanimous support last week, House Bill 4250 — the first piece of the threebill package —- failed to gain the simple majority vote in the 110-member House on Tuesday afternoon-. At least 57 members, both Democrats and Republicans, voted against the bill. House Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck, moved to “clear the board” before the votes were final — a tech­ nique to delay the official vote on the matter. The bills would make Michigan the 26th state with hand-held electronic device bans for drivers, following Ohio, which just implement­ ed a similar ban earlier this month. The legislation would expand Michigan’s current ban on texting while driving and strengthen penalties for violations. Currently, drivers caught texting on the road in Michigan face $100 fines for the first offense and $200 for every violation thereafter. The bills would prohibit drivers from using electronic devices in most cases, such as calling, texting, recording or viewing videos, accessing social media and more. The ban would not apply to emergency calls or hands- Estate Sales Help Wanted INDOOR/OUTDOOR ESTATE SALE- Fri.-Sat. ONLY. May 5 & 6, 2023: 8:30am-5:30pm. 2808 Brid­ geside Dr. SE, Caledonia. Furniture, Kitchenware, Material, Yarn/Crafts, Freezer, Refrigerator, Elec­ tronics, Seasonal Decor. CARVETH VILLAGE OF Middleville is in search of full time and part time caregivers to work 12 days a month or less. Benefits are included as well as great wages and a flexible sched­ ule. Apply online at www. carvethvillage.com or in person by calling (269)795­ 4972. Yue Stella Yu Garage Sale ATTENTION GARDEN­ ERS: FOR SALE garden vegetable plants. Sever­ al varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, mel­ ons, herbs and flowers. Quantities are limited. Fri-Sun, May 5-6-7, 2023. 9am-6pm. 2519 W State Rd, Hastings. Business Services CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269­ 838-5937. MATT ENDSLEY, FAB­ RICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, lia­ bility & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818­ 779'3. Farm LOCAL HASTINGS FARM raised organic pork. No inoculations- All Natural. Mangalitsa/Duroc cross. Processing May 14th. Call (616)299-6563. Reserve Now. FORD SUPER DEXTRA 2000 with loader 10 hrs on complete overhaul of en­ gine and injection system. All new fluids, good tires, stored inside. $3500 OBO. Cash. JD 2940 open station, com­ plete overhaul on engine, Hi-low trans, injection sys­ tem, new tires, new paint, many new parts. Call for details. $17,000. 616-374­ 0719 leave message. THREE 9X18 FLATRACK hay wagons, 8 ply tires, JD gears, racks are solid. JD 24T baler. All equipment stored inside. $1,650 each cash. 616-374-0719 leave message. WATERPROOFING, EPOXY PRESSURE INJECTION. concretestopleak.com 269­ 758-3312. Your local agent insures your Lfefe free use of navigation ser­ vices. Law enforcement offi­ cials, emergency responders and drivers of “automated motor vehicles” would be exempt from the prohibi­ tions. Two-way radio devic­ es, CB or ham radios and electronic medical devices such as insulin pumps would also continue to be allowed under the legislation. Under the bill, violations are treated as civil infrac­ tions and subject to fines, with higher fines of up to $500 per violation for drivers of school buses or commer­ cial vehicles. Additionally, points could be assessed on a driver records, and a judge could even suspend a regular offender’s license for up to 90 days under the legislation. Rep. Dylan Wegela, a Garden City Democrat who voted against the legislation Tuesday, said he’s concerned the bill is “punitive” and would disproportionately affect low-income residents, who have a harder time affording hands-free technol­ ogies. Additionally, he said he is worried law enforcement could “abuse” the power under the legislation and make more traffic stops. Rep. Matt Koleszar, a Plymouth Democrat and lead sponsor of the bill package, said the bills are necessary to save lives, citing an increase in annual distracted driv­ ing-related crashes nation­ wide. “We absolutely can and need to do better,” he said on the floor. Some studies have shown that such bans have reduced cell phone usage on the road, although it is unclear if F4ffM B17HE417 INSURANCE' Mictyatis Insurance Company single-family detached Commission, the “country homes. Green Development drain commission, and the Ventures and Allen Edwin Michigan Department of Homes are involved in the Environmental Quality. For proposed project at 7307 the next step, developers Hammond Ave. must go to the township A separate parcel at 3316 planning commission for 68th Street is hot envisioned preliminary plat approval, as part ofthe initial develop­ probably in the fall. ment. The property is zoned by The property north of the the township as RL-14, sin­ park would cover 96 acres of gle-family residential. The land previously owned by J overall development density & Post Family Farm, LLC. would be 1.78 units per acre. The township board had to Mike West with Green rescind a motion from its Development Ventures said April 10 meeting that set up at a February planning com­ a public hearing. No hearing mission meeting that devel­ is required for a tentative opers have the entire 134 preliminary plat, which is the acres of Post Farms under overall project layout. option. “(The developers) will “I feel like we could do come, in with specific phases better than this in our town­ to get approved for their pre­ ship,” Fryling said. “These liminary plan, and then the (homes) are built to the bare­ final plan,” Community ly minimum standards. And Development Director Dan that area that that’s going in Wells said. “So, it gives them has some really nice homes Lemke said after the meet­ a year, basically, to start and I just feel like we can do ing she voted no because she working on getting roadways better than this.” wants quality homes to be put in, doing engineering, provided for township resi­ getting all that stuff squared Gannon Schoolhouse dents. away.” won’t be moving to The subdivision would be The developers will have Prairie Wolf Park built north of Dutton Shady to get agency approvals from After the meeting, Gaines Side Park and feature 171 the Kent County Road Township Trustee Kathy VanderStel said it appears her proposal to move the historic Gannon Schoolhouse she lives in to Prairie Wolf Park is dead. Sweet Liberty, Kate's She had offered to donate Garden Gate, Bleu DeFrance, the 139-year-old building so more... it could be moved from its current site on the southeast • Hulst Cleaners Pickup Station comer ofKalamazoo Avenue and 100th Street an ree to o theepar park fruity CeM'i&tgd on Kalamazoo Avenue just James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Board held a somewhat-rare second meeting ofthe month April 24 to discuss a pro­ posed residential develop­ ment, among other things. The trustees typically meet on the second Monday ofthe month. The seven-member board voted 4-3 to approve a tenta­ tive preliminary plat layout for the Thomapple Farms project’s six proposed phases. If approved, they would be built over 7 to 10 years. Township officials said they have never seen a tentative preliminary plat voted down before, so the close vote caught them by surprise. Voting no were Treasurer Laurie Lemke, and trustees Dan Fryling and Bob Terpstra. from Moda® QUESTIONS: ASK US... Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville 218 E. State St., Hastings ■ (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulrisurance.com they reduced crash risks, according to the nonprofit research group Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which tracks dis­ tracted driving-related laws in all states. In 2021, 16,543 crashes in Michigan — or 5.9 per­ cent of all crashes statewide — involved at least one distracted driver, according to a state report earlier this year. In 2020, 14,236 crash­ es statewide — or 5.8 per­ cent of all crashes — were related to distracted driv­ ing. Gaines Township Board approves tentative plat layout for Thornapple Farms; Historical schoolhouse move a no-go * . A proposal to ban holding a cell phone while driv­ ing in Michigan failed to muster enough support to come for a vote this week. (Stock photo) 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; vra?" Saturday 9 am-3 pm south of 84th Street. The idea was to have it serve as a township museum, with Gaines Historical Society materials being moved there. The schoolhouse is next to where StoneCo Inc. has been mining gravel. When VanderStel offered to donate the schoolhouse four years ago, StoneCo was interested in possibly buying her prop­ erty. But StoneCo plans to finish its mining operations on Kalamazoo Avenue in a couple years, so VanderStel’s property will no longer have any value to the company. And without someone to buy her property, it would make no financial sense for VanderStel to donate her home to the township. She did reach out to the owner of the property that is being mined, Tom Barnaby, but said he had no interest in buying her schoolhouse property. “Unless there’s a miracle solution somewhere that we’re not aware of, I’m con­ sidering rescinding my offer to the board at some point (to donate the schoolhouse),” VanderStel said. “It’s disap­ pointing.” May 2 election fast approaching Voters in Gaines Township will decide May 2nd on some ballot proposals. One is for the Caledonia Community Schools’ $61 million bond issue to pay for construction ofthe new Dutton Elementary School at the intersection of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. Voting will be in two pre­ cincts. Precinct 1 is in the township hall, and Precinct 8 is in Ada Bible Church on 68th Street. �TTnhee c S>uunn a anndu News, Saturday, April 29, 20M2 g3/Pa9e 11 Tne c>un anu M g Area hurdlers, Including Harmon, impresAs ive 5 at Allegankme d sophomore <eearned arTnhede515 a *711—-666 W wiilln* . B1 rendon Woj•czynski xwirho XwAas The TK boys bested the n e Harmon was third in the second in both races. Sailors in three of the four Brett Bremer Fox and Wojczynski long jump with a personal p junior teammate Lucas Van Sports Editor relays and had two of the top teamed with Alex Andino and irecord leap of 15 feet 10 inchMeter placing eighth by low ­ Sophomore homore Brooklyn to relay finishes overall. The Julius Andino to win the <es and sophomore teammate ering his PR in the race tto iemapmrmovaeed Harmonn swept the hurdles, set Trojan team of freshman 4x400-meter relay.. South Sout Emma Dykhouse i 2:06.93. personal l r record in the Malachi Vanengen, LaJoye, Christian took the 4x800-meahead of Otsego 69, Wayland alonngew jump The St. Joseph teams won and was a part of her PR to 14-8 in a fourth­ 67, Berrien Springs 64, Bonnema and Bushman won ter relay on the boys’ side. with depth, ep,spee speed an and sreng strength.. place finish. the 4x400-meter relay in the Thomapple Kellogg gir s Vicksburg 62.33, Paw Paw Harmon dropped time on Smith was the high jump Individual wins for the St. ingg 4x400-meter relay 3:38.12 and Sias, LaJoye, her PR again in the 100 hur­ 47, Hackett 45, Plainwell 43, 43 champion for TK clearing the Thomapple Kellogg 36, Jmoeseteprh tigmirels oinfcl1u:d0e2d10a 400.Bonnema and Gavette won the Friday, April 21, at the dles in the girls’ meet, winning bar at 5-2. She was also third meter time of 1:02.10 from 4x200-meter relay in 1:34.59. Delton Kellogg 30.83, Allegan Allegan Invitational. in 15 68.. She also took the 30U in the 200-meter dash in 28.67. senior Lauren Koch and per­ Kenowa Hillssa nd sSeonuiothr hurdles in 49.24. The 300 hurDelton n Kellogg junior Coldwater 22, Gater had a runner-up finish 24.33 , sonal record runs by junior ’Andrew Bradley Parchment 21, Hamilton 12 Tiorren iMapes was just as dles were fast with TK s for TK in the 400-meter dash Gail Vaikutis in the 1600impresisive on the boys side with a personal record time of and Gull Lake 3. meter run (5:17.18) and soph­ Christian senior Jack Green DeBoer, Mia Hilton, Kara sweeping the hurdles wi h M ran their fastest ever 1 IO- Smith, Lydia Schilthroat and Mapes, a state qualifier in 1:04.81. both hurdles races so far in high o3omore m20o0re Elena Figueroa in the meter high hurdles and 300new personal record times in TK also had sophomore 3200-meter (11:17.00). Those meter intermediate i hurdles school, won the 110-meter both races. Ava Crews two were 1-2 in the distance, racestogoo 1-2 in those events. PR in the race. It was sn.early enough for the distatince tru ndner high hurdles Friday in 15.70 Harmon, Velting, Gater and and helped their team to grso catch St Joseph for continue to drop her times in and the 300-meter intermediate races the’s in110 ’s in a win in the 4x800-meter relay, BB1515ra 6d4le e ayayndtook ra.64 t the 300 41.88. Smith won the 4x400-meter the mile. She was fourth in the a win in \ the day’s championship. hurdles in 41.61. His teammate. in 9:54.87. St. Joseph girls Kenowa Hills also had irelay for the TK girls in 1600-meter run in 5:33.50 - a Kenowa The TK girls were secon second Rhys Bedford, a junior, was. and TK teams were ior Lincoln Fox set PR’s in 4:18.51, 418 tahl erecord. rec3o2r0d0. . She ShCerewas wwass, fifth in the HOs Friday ini were second in the other three jjunior and the TK boys ninth Friday. new personal odaxs shet aPnRd'sth ine second in each of the other fourth in t Harmon set a new personal ,, 16.99. Thomapple Kellogg had irelaSyt. raJcoesse. the 100-meter St. Joseph guyss won the three girls’ relays. freshman Madison Kietzman, 200-meterr dash. He took the record in winning the 100Nate Shoemaker ior Kendra Coe and Gater freshman Crews won the t 3200-meter relay and the the 300 hurdles 4xl00-mete r r hurdles with a time of j t u e n a m io e r 100 in 11.50 and the 200 in meter run for TK in 12:20.78 and the teamed eame up to place third in the drop his PR in 4x400-meter relay, and had 15.84 seconds and junior to 44.27 to place eighth. 1600-meter run in 5:42.43. senior Trey McGinnis take the 23.24. teammate Joselyn DeBoer■ 4x800-meter relay in 10:45.95. .Gavette wass third in that Thomapple Kellogg was Crews and Hannon were 100-meterr dash in 10.75, TK senior exchange student 200-meter dash with PR also lowered her PR with a powered in the boys meet by j the only two-time winners in ior Joshua Scott win die Monica Serrano Aguilar fifth-place time of 17.40. TK a couple of runner-up relay 24.13. individual races on the girls had three girls in the top eight improved her personal record finishes. Senior Gabe LaJoye hGigerhaljdumCap at 6-0 and senior It was a good day for run-Gerald Capaccio win the shot ning. Ofthe top ten in the 100, side. Hannon also took a win . Freshman IzabeUe in placing tenth in that 1600the race. and juniors Ethan Bonnema, in the field by flying 14-10.5 seven guys set new PR’s. In Tyler Gavette and Jaxan Sias put at 54-11. Gruber was eighth in the 100 meter run. in the long jump. The Thomapple Kellogg The TK girls also had a the 200, five ofthe top ten set were second in the 4x200-mehurdles in 18.5. Trojan senior Preslee Hall teams were back in action in third-place finish in the their PR including LaJoye[ Harmon won the 300-meter ter relay in 1:34.32. The team the discus with a throw of finished fifth in 2444 and[ wonte scuswtatrowo the OK Gold Conference who 4x200-meter relay with the who finished fifth in 24.44 and. 86-3, Smith won the highjump of LaJoye, Bonnema, senior low hurdles in 48.94. DeBoer team of Velting, Smith, Tuesday with the girls improvSouth Christian sophomore sophomore. at Eva Tyler Bushman and Sias set her PR in the race at 53.21 at 5-0 and senior Emmerson ing their conference record to Dykhouse and junior Eva who was fourth second in the to finish fifth. That was also Corson completing the race in placed 5-1 with two more wins. They B i n ry 2 c 4 e . K 33 e n . y B o n o p4x400 DeVries won the pole vault at in 24.33. Bonnema (11.70), 4x400-meter relay in 3:34.72. one ofthe DK girls’ topevents 8-0. Junior teammate TJ Myers defeated Kenowa Hills 93-44 ■ 1:52.50 and TK junior Drake Snyder Delton’s Bedford and TK’s with junior Breanna Chandler St Joseph won the girls’ Roads both cleared and took a 98-39 win over (12.17) were among those set- also cleared 8-0 in the pole fourth in 51.86. vault to place second and fresh­ meet with 123 points ahead of Ahle jbandro South Christian. bested ting a PR nearr the top of the 11725 Otsego 8975 the bar at 5-8 in the highjump. Harmon teamed with senior man teammate Israel Sherk The TK boys were TK 117.25, Otsego 89.75, That is a new PR for Rodas, 100-meter dash standings. was third with a personal record Lindsey Velting, freshman Berrien Springs 78, Plainwell That is a new s by the Knights and Sailors. Payton Gater and junior 64, Coldwater 42, Wayland who finished fifth in the event.. Kenowa Hills outscored the Bonnema wass third overall in vault of 7-0. 77-60 and the Sailors that event behind Fox and Kenady Smith to win the 39.75,’ PaJw’ PawC 3a1 th, oGliucll LParkee Bedford was sixth. Bushman improvend hmis rPxRx oys ,4x400-meter relay in 4 min- 21., Hackett Catholic rrepp utes 15.57 seconds. 1975 Allegan 17 Delton 19.75, Allegan 17, Delton Kellogg 10, Parchment 4 and Hamilton 3.5. St. Joseph also won the boys’ meet with 115.5 points 51 x ii n the 800-meter run to 2:0zx4uA.92 itiIno place sixth in that race, with RS .SS SS softball drop Scots to 2-4 .n OK Red Rockford t’ he circle. She gave up the one iearned run while striking out five and not walking a batter. The Caledonia girls are now 2-4 in the OK Red Conference this season. They return to conference action Tuesday with a doubleheader at home against East Kentwood. They will host Jenison for one Thursday. Caledonia fell 6-0 and 11-1 passed ball and eventually in its two games in Rockford Brett Bremer ytaWtidL Parker scored on a line drive Sports Editor iiiiHUi into center by Avery Hallo with Tuesday. In the game one shut out, The Caledonia varsity soft­ tamhn one out lieske had to be held the Scots had five hits includball team couldn ’ t keep pace [knitta’ up at third t and a pair of strike ing a double from Lieske and with a pair of formidable OK wtyiiitash outs left her stranded there. singles from Kala Bisterfeldt, Red Conference foes f this tattkm Tessa Heffelbower threw Alexa Elliott, Payton Brenner iltaBi week. for the Eagles. She gave up Rockford took two from the and Lash. fajita four hits and the one run on Rockford pitcher Ella visiting Fighting Scot Tuesday gjWsi four walks and eight strikeouts Vincent shut out the Scots and then Hudsonville came to sMiW1 in earning the win. walking one and striking out Caledonia for a 15-1 victory tikiii Among the four hits, the Thursday afternoon. diitik*’ Scots gott a triple from five. The five Caledonia hits in The Eagles jumped out to MacKenzie DeVries and a sin­ game two included i a triple an 11-0 lead with six runs in Addy hd Lash.15 hit ff from Lash and singles from gle fromEl the first inning and five in the The EagClels d kit «51 hadi15 hiitsh off Bisterfeldt, Jaz Dana, M Burke second. c Toth ne .Sbcootttsomgototfhetihr elonfoeu rruthn. oAfn nthikreaeT aClasmleda ohnoiameprietcdhearnsd. ta^ and Grace Siekman. Mallory Buikema, Kate in the bottom of the fourth. drove in two runs. Ashley Doerr and Emily Obenauf all MacKenzie Parker led off the Sorrell was 3 for 4 with two inning with a walk. She went to RBI and three runs scored to homered for the Rams. Kamden Binney got the win in second on a single by Molly lead the way. Lieske. They moved up on a Scots have big OK Red soccer showdowns ahead iT z Tuesday, Hudsonville the other three members of Thursday and then at the group in n the weeks ahead. Rockford May 9. Sports Editor The Scots got their fourth The West Ottawa girls are There are four OK Red conference win Thursday 2-1-1 in the conference and Conference varsity girls evening at Scotland ar the Hudsonville girls are 4-0. soccer teams with one loss or knocking off Jenison 4-0 less in conference play so after a Tuesday night 2-1 win The defending conference champions from Hudsonville far this season heading into v visiting Grand Haven, outscored West Ottawa 5-1 the weekend. Caledonia goes on the The Caledonia girls are road for the final three games Tuesday and took a 7-1 win over Grandville Thursday 4-0 so far in the conference, of the conference Aguiar this week. and they’ll close the conferseason, at \W■e—st Ottawa ence regular season against Brett Bremer •> v The Scots were at the Mattawan Round Robin last Saturday, April 22, where they were bested in three games. Mattawan opened the tourna­ r the ment with a 10-9 win over t Scots. Caledonia was then ten bested 10-0 by Edwardsburg and 13-12 by Stoney Creek. Lash hit two home runs and aa double double in in the bailgame with Mattawan, driving in three and scoring two runs. Malia Burke homered in the loss to Stoney Creek. She was 3 for 5 in that ballgame with a single and a double too. She drove in four runss and scored once. Dana was 4 for 5 at the plate in that ballgame with two RBI’s and Parker was 2 for 5 with four RBI’s with four RBI’s. Spring Special j A/C TUNE-UP \y bnly fw frontier heating 8 coomnc 2,0 E61W9159OO Locally owned business. ' jh' �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29,2023 Middleville GIM sending dozen girls to compete in May XCEL Regional Gymnastics In Motion (GIM) in Middleville had a dozen gymnasts earn spots in the upcoming XCEL Gymnastics Regionals that will be held May 4-7 at the Summit County Fairgrounds in Tallmadge, Ohio. The group includes Lucy Draaimsa, Olivia English, Molly Chuley, Kelsea McKay, Grace Kotrba, (back) Violeta Sanchez, Lauryn Meyer, Michaela Vanderlaan, Zoe’ miller, Lily Devries, Aleeah Kruisenga and Abby Mclaughlin. They qualified for regionals with their performances at the state meet in mid-April in Mount Pleasant. Rockford wins all three in league series with Scot baseball team Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity baseball team was sept in its OK Red Conference series with Rockford this week. The Rams finished off the sweep with an 18-3 win in Caledonia Thursday after­ noon. The Rams took the two games of Tuesday’s double­ header 10-3 and 10-1. Caledonia had five hits in the 18-3 loss Thursday which lasted five innings. Nick Slater was 2 for 3 at the plate with an RBI. Isaac Jurmu, Derek Pennington and Drew Drennan each singled once. Rockford scored nine runs in the top of the second inning and then kept adding runs with two in the third, four in the fourth and three in the third. The Scots got two runs in the bottom of the third that pulled them within 11-2 at the time. In the first game of the doubleheader Tuesday, the Rams built a 5-0 win in the first three innings and went on to a 10-3 win. The Scots scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh. See SCOTS, page 14 B'SmfSBP Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — tZ Complete Collision Service 7 Frame Repairs J State & I-CAR Certified Technicians «Z Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies CHS boys win Talus Invitational, add OK Red Conference wins Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ track and field team put together a dominant per­ formance at Saturday’s Kathy Talus Memorial Invitational hosted by Lowell High School. The Fighting Scots were 43.5 points better than run­ ner-up Hamilton to win the championship. The Caledonia girls were fourth on the day. The CHS boys scored 124 points. Hamilton finished second with 80.5 points ahead ofCharlotte 62, Byron Center 49, Grandville 45, Lowell 37, Covenant Christian 17, Grand Rapids Track Club 13, Holland 12, Wyoming 12, Northview 6.5, West Michigan Aviation 6 and Kelloggsville 1. Junior hurdler Owen Hager had a pair of wins for the Scots. He took the 1 IO­ meter hurdles in 15.49 sec­ onds and then won the 300meter intermediate hurdles in a personal record time of 41.70 seconds. The Caledonia boys’ team put together a relay team of Ethan Berends, Matthew Spoehr, Dharius Walker and Shaden Thomas which took the 4xl00-meter race in 44.06. Thomas and Berends teamed with Jordan Gutierrez and Kalen Zuiderveen to place second in the 4x200-meter relay in 1 minute 35.38 seconds. Walker was the 100-meter dash champion in a personal record time of 11.22. Spoehr was sixth in that race in 11.59 and Thomas seventh in 11.68. All three Scots set new PR’s. Jonathan Miedema, Micah Nagel, Anthony Lawlor and Ayden Duffin had a runner-up finish for the Scots in the 4x800-meter relay with a time of 8:35.51. Eli Velting, Miedema, Blake Elliot and Jordan Domany combined for a run­ ner-up time of 20:38.79 in the Distance Medley 4000meter relay. Domany was the runner-up in the 1600-meter run too in 4:41.59. Caledonia also had a number of runner-up finish­ es in the field. Gutierrez was second in the high jump at 58- and the long jump at 20-1.5. Theren Sanders was second in the shot put with a mark of 42-8.75 and also placed third in the discus. The Caledonia girls won two relays. The team of Sam Daley-Fell, Avah Winstrom, Ashleigh Adams and Zoe Stanley took the 4x 100-meter relay in 53.64 and Brooke Heyboer, Joelyn Abraham, Teresa Abraham and Winstrom won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:51.73. Molly Winger had a good day in the field. She cleared 10-0 to win the pole vault for the Scots and placed sec­ ond in the long jump with a mark of 14-.75. Byron Center won the girls’ competition with 89 points ahead of Lowell 67.5, Grandville 66, Caledonia 56, Charlotte 46, Hamilton 44, Holland 32, Grand Rapids Track Club 20, West Michigan Aviation 16, Northview 12, Kelloggsville 11, Covenant Christian 5.5. The Caledonia girls track & field team went 2-0 on Wednesday evening improv­ ing their OK Red record to 3-2, as they defeated Hudsonville by a score of 92-45, and defeated Jenison by a score of 75-62. It was the opening of a busy week for the Caledonia teams. The Scots started an OK Red Conference tri at Grand Haven with East Kentwood and the host Buccaneers Wednesday, April 19, but poor weather conditions to stop mid-meet. East Kentwood and Caledonia resumed compe­ tition Monday at East Kentwood High School, with Grand Haven forfeiting the remainder of its duals with the Falcons and Scots. The Scot teams then played host to Jenison and Hudsonville at Ralph E. Myers Stadium Wednesday, April 26. The Caledonia girls are now 3-2 in conference duals. They bested Jenison 75-62 and Hudsonville 92-45 Wednesday. Howell and Winstrom had two individual wins each in the tri. Winstrom dropped her PR to 1:01.09 to win the 400-meter dash and took the long jump with a personal record leap of 16-4.75. Howell won the 100-meter hurdles in 17.02 and the 300-meter low hur­ dles in 51.37. The CHS girls won three of the four relays. Ashleigh Adams, Daley-Fell, Heyboer and Teresa Abraham won • Lesonal Wet6rBourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville the 4x 100-meter relay in 53.41 and the team ofJessica Maier, Jolie King, Heyboer and Teresa Abraham won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:52.63. Leah Thompson, Klapmust, Howell and Winstrom won the 4x400-meter relay in 4:19.51. Heyboer ran her fastest 100-meter dash of the sea­ son to win that race in 13.35. In the tri that finished up Monday at East Kentwood, the Caledonia girls bested Grand Haven 95-42 and fell 85-52 to the East Kentwood girls. Winstrom took the 200 in that meet with a time of 27.39 and placed second in the 400. She also teamed with Howell, Heyboer and Teresa Abraham to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1: 49.20. Klapmust, Leah Thompson, King and Kyleigh Thompson won the 4x400-meter relay in 4:32.86. Natalia Quigley got a winning time of 12:38.52 in the 3200-meter run with junior teammate Kloe Kimbrell placing second with a personal record time of 12:51.23. In the field Winger won the pole vault at 10-6 and Teresa Abraham won the high jump by clearing 4-10. The Caledonia boys are now 4-1 in the OK Red. They took the forfeit win over Grand Haven, but fell 75-62 to the East Kentwood boys Monday. In Wednesday’s tri, the Scots beat Jenison 75-62 and Hudsonville 88-49. Hager swept the hurdles again in the tri with the Buccaneers and the Wildcats Wednesday. He won the 110’s in 15.39 and the 300 hurdles in 43.98. Walker won the 100meter dash in 11.34 and Ayden Duffin took the 800meter run in 2:05.61 for the Scots. Jimmie Floyd, Walker, Spoehr and Shaden Thomas won the 4x 100-meter relay in 43.98. Ian Fedewa was one of four Scots to set his PR in the discus during the meet. He won it with a mark of 129-7. Gutierrez won the long jump by flying 21-3.75. In the tri with Grand Haven and East Kentwood, Duffin won the 800 in 2: 01.13 - setting his PR in the race. Domany ran his fastest 3200 of the season to win that race in 9:53.28. Gutierrez had his best long jump yet, flying 22-2.75 to win that event and teammate Jett King was the runner-up with a person­ al record leap of 21-1.5. The Scots also had Peter Paarlberg win the pole vault by clearing 10-0. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023/ Page 13 Scot golf in middle of Red pack at Mid-Season and EK jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia was in the mid­ dle of the pack at the OK Red Conference Mid-Season Tournament at Macatawa Legends Wednesday. Hudsonville took the day’s title with a score of 326 ahead of West Ottawa 332, Rockford 337, Grandville 337, Caledonia 344, Grand Haven 347, East Kentwood 357 and Jenison 373. Senior Sam Baldwin led the Scots with an 81 and senior Jacob Byanski shot an 82. The Scots also got an 87 from sophomore Parker Little and a 94 from senior Noah Abdelkader. Hudsonville senior Lincoln Loughin was the day’s medal­ ist with a 73 and West Ottawa was led by a 76 from junior Carson Witvoet who was the runner-up. East Kentwood’s Dario Bonazzi shot a 78 and Grandville junior Tony Spicuzza scored a 79. Baldwin was fifth individ­ ually in the day’s standings. Hudsonville took the win with sophomore Myles Secor adding an 83, senior Ethan Schroeder an 84 and senior Nathan Goniwiecha an 86. East Kkentwood hosted the conference Tuesday for ajam­ boree at Stonewater Country Club and rockford took the win that day by a stroke over the Eagles -162-163. Grand Haven was third with a 167 ahead of Caledonia 171, West Ottawa 171, Grandville 178, Jenison 194 and East Kentwood 199. Byanski was the Scots’ leader with an even-par 36. Little shot a 42, Baldwin a 45 and senior Seth Reiffer chipped in a 48. Byanski opened his day with a birdie on the par-3 number six, bogied the par-4 number seven and then shot a part on the final seven holes of the round to finish with the best score of the day. Grand Haven sophomore Carson Osborn was the run­ ner-up with a 37. Hudsonville’s Goniwiecha shot a 38. Rockford was led by a 39 from Trevor Hobbs. Caledonia was a top the conference standings head­ ing into the week before its couple middle of the pack finishes. Trojan golf team completes busy week placing 16th at Gull Lake invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf team playd in four contests in four days to open this week, a string culminating in a 16th-place finish at the Tom Collins Memorial hosted by Gull Lake at Bedford Valley. The host Blue Devils took the day’s championship with a score of 217. Vicksburg was second at 322 and Lowell third with a score of 324. Mattawan placed fourth with a score of 327 and Grand Rapdis Catholic Central and Byron Center both shot 327’s. The Thomapple Kellogg boys put up a score of 360 in the field of 24 teams. Senior Austin Pitsch led the TK team with a score of 84. That had him in a tie for 29th overall. Junior Jordan Parks scored an 87 for the Trojans. TK also got a 91 from sopho­ more Tyler Voss and a 98 fromjunior Noah Newland. Catholic Central junior Will Preston was the day’s individual medalist with a score of 72. Vicksburg senior Josiah McClelland, Stevensville Lakeshore senior Jacob Marohn and Mattawan junior Matthew Novak each scored a 74. The TK and Lowell boys had just been together Wednesday at Yankee Springs Golf Course where the Red Arrows outscored TK 162-173. Pitsch shot a 40, Parks a 43, Voss a 45 and Newland a 45. Lowell was led by a 39 from senior Patrick de Voest. Senior Cameron Sluss shot a 40, senior Drew Veldman a 41 andjunior Daniel Mitchell a 42. TK beat Hopkins in a dual Tuesday afternoon at Yankee Springs, outscoring the Vikings 180-185. The Trojan team was led that day by a 42 from Pitsch. Parks shot a 44, Voss a 47 and Newland a 47. TK ladies look to close undefeated OK Gold regular season this week (BiU hik W talL * 1-1 i k 'tfnihii ■I'kEsk I ntylih J®n 3Ci ■HM Einfki iktii East sir. hi illlrtl ifll WiiUi Hopkins was led by a 44 from junior Nolan Wood. The OK Gold Conference was together Monday for a conference jamboree hosted by South Christian at Railside Golf Course. Hie Sailors took the day’s victory with a score of 164 ahead of Catholic Central 176, Wayland 178, Cedar Springs 181, Forest Hills Eastern 182, Thomapple Kellogg 187 and Kenowa Hills 191. 198767 South Christian senior Nate Brinks was the day’s top individual. He shot a 39. Forest Hills Eastern sopho­ more Tylet Endres and South Christian sophomore Brody Montsma each scored a 40. Pitsch was one of three guys tied for fourth with a 41. The TK team also got a 46 from Newland, a 47 from Voss and a 53 from senir Austin Chivis. PUBLIC NOTICE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS April 10,2023 The Gaines Charter Township Board held a regular meeting on Monday, April 10, 2023 and took the following actions. 1. Reviewed the Consent Agenda. 2. Approved the Meeting Agenda Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team handed Forest Hills Eastern its first defeat of the 2023 OK Gold Conference season in Ada Monday, knocking off the Hawks 3-0. The Trojans were unscored upon in two conference con­ tests, improving their league record to 4-0-1 with an 8-0 win over Kenowa Hills in Middleville Wednesday. “We are heading into arguably the most important week of the season as we travel to Cedar Springs and Catholic Central for our final regular season conference games Monday and Wednesday,” TK head coach Caleb Sleeman said. “[Co-head coach] David [Wood] and I have been stressing to the girls that a regular season conference championship is in our con­ trol if we take care of busi- ness . in those two games. Hopefully, they are ready for two difficult matches next week and continue to focus on the task at hand, but we both believe that they have what it takes to make this season a success as we move into the final month of the season.” South Christian, who the Trojans tied 2-2 earlier this season, is also 4-0-1 heading into the final week of the conference regular season. Forest Hills Eastern is 3-1 in the conference currently. “Despite the final score being 3-0 it was a struggle as they made things really difficult for us and they were very physical throughout the game which definitely gave us something to work through,” coach Sleeman said. “However, David and I were pleased with the result and the way the girls saw the 3. Held a public hearing on the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, 34 Coleman Street rezone, and Zoning Ordinance text amendment allowing daycare facilities in General Commercial 1 (C-1), General Commercial 2 (C-2), and Office Service (0-S) districts 4. A representative from Housing Next spoke about the increase in Kent County new housing from 22,000 in 2020 to 35,000 in 2022. Another spoke in support of providing single family homes rather than apartment and multi-family homes to accentuate our rural lifestyle and proximity to nature and natural resource preservation using larger yards. 5. Approved the Consent Agenda 6. Approved the Gaines Charter Township 2023 Master Plan 7. Approved rezoning 34 Coleman Street from Multi-family Residential (R-3) to C-2 See TROJANS, page 14 8. Approved a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to allow daycare facilities in C-1, C-2, and O-S districts 9. Awarded the zoning ordinance updates to Horizon Community Planning 10. Set a public hearing date for May 8,2023 for Thornapple Farms Tentative Pre­ liminary Plat We're Hiring 11. Denied a 76“' Street private road waiver 12. Approved a road closure request for the Crystal Springs Little Firecracker parade on July 1,2023 lilfih 13. Approved the renewal of the employee health insurance plan Starting Immediately 14. Approved the application for a Housing Next grant 15. Discussed the Prairie Wolf Park picnic shelter, the investment committee, and ARPA monies Invasive Species Technician ill* 16. Adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 9:19 pm $14-$15/hr PUBLIC NOTICE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS iirf* II* <■ Gain professional experience and spend time outdoors this April 24,2023 The Gaines Charter Township Board held a regular meeting on Monday, April 24, 2023 and took the following actions. 1. Approved the Meeting Agenda summer! 2. Cancelled the May 8,2023 Public Hearing for Thomapple Farm Tentative Prelimi­ nary Plat as public hearing has already been held No prior experience necessary 3. Approved the resolution for Thornapple Farm Tentative Preliminary Plat 4. Approved the resolution for Payment In Lieu of Sidewalk for 7900 Kalamazoo Avenue $ Call (269) 908-4139 or email bckcisma@gmail.com to apply! 5. Adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 6:12 pm A complete copy of the minutes of these meetings and any resolutions or ordinances adopted at the meeting are on file and available for review at the Gaines Charter Town­ i? Barry Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis ofrace, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. ship office, 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan 49316. Ordinances, Barry Conservation District meeting schedules, meeting minutes, and other Township information are also avail­ able at www.qainestownship.org, BCKCISMA Michael Brew Gaines Charter Township Clerk �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29, 2023 SCOTS, continued from page 12 Caledonia had six differ­ ent guys get a hit. Tommy Clarey doubled and scored a run. Maddox Wysocki, Michael Douglass, Jacob Stoczynski, Slater and Pennington each singled once. In game two, the Scots were held hitless by the Rockford pitching duo of Drew Ferguson and Sam Schumaker. Ferguson got the win. He started and struck out ten in five innings. He walked four and was hit with the one unearned run. In between the conference losses, the Scots scored an 8-3 win at Hamilton Wednesday. Douglass started and got the win on the mound. He gave up two earned runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out one in his four innings. Carter Bom came on to shut out the Hawkeyes over the final three innings. He struck out three, walked one and allowed three hits. Mitchell Smith doubled twice and scored two runs. Pennington went 2 for 3 with three RBI and two runs scored. Slater singled three times in four at-bats and scored twice. Caledonia also got hits from Clarey and Zack Maurer. South Christian wins all three in OK Gold series with TK baseball Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans put up a good fight against the South Christian Sailors in their OK Gold Conference double­ header in Middleville Tuesday afternoon. The Sailors took game one 50- and then scored a 4-3 win in game two. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball team was in the one-run night cap until the end. The two teams both scored a run in the fourth inning and then went into the seventh still knotted at 1-1. The Sailors struck for three runs in the top half of the inning, and TK rallied for two in the bottom of the sev­ enth but the tying run was stranded at third base. TK outhit the Sailors 7-5 in the bailgame. Dylan Lawrence was 2 for 2 with a pair of singles and a run scored. Graysen Stahle, Maddix Ferden, Ben Koster and Anson Verlinde each singled once. Koster had the Trojans’ lone RBI. Gavin Snelling started and took the loss for TK. He allowed five hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out four while giving up the four runs. Stahle came on to record the final out. The Trojans played error free ball behind their pitch­ ers. Ethan Henry started for the Sailors in the 5-0 game one win. He struck out 15 and held TK hitless for six innings while walking four. Aidan Fennema gave up the lone hit in the seventh, a single by Maddix Ferden, but Fennema struck out the side to finish off the bail­ game. The Sailors wrapped up a sweep of the OK Gold Conference series with a 12-2 win over TK at South Christian High School Thursday. Brody Wiersma and Gavin Snelling were both 2-for-3 with a run scored at the top of the TK line-up. Verlinde had an RBI. Lawrence sin­ gled once and walked once forTK. Both of the Trojan runs were unearned against Sailor pitcher Reed Grinstem who struck out five, gave up five hits and walked two in five innings of work. Charlie Schreuer threw a scoreless jnning of relief, striking out two. TK is hosting its annual Wooden Bat Tournament today, April 29. TK faces Forest Hills Eastern in its OK Gold series in the week ahead. The teams meet for two in Ada Tuesday and then will be in Middleville to finish the three-game set Thursday. Next Saturday, May 6, the Trojans go to West Ottawa for a non-conference dou­ bleheader. Trojan tennis shuts out Knights and Bengals, falls to FHE girls Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ tennis team is 3-2 in the OK Gold Conference this spring after an 8-0 win over Kenowa Hills Wednesday. The TK girls didn’t drop a set on the singles side and pulled out a couple tough doubles matches to earn the sweep. The TK first doubles team of Cailin Wodrich and Libby Hess fought for a 7-6(5), 7-5 win over the Knights’ Emily Hall and Sarah Buckwaiter. The Trojan third doubles team of Emma Thompson and Emilia Rickert had to rally after falling 6-4 in the opening set of their match with Olivia Adolphson and Grace Steward. They took the second set 6-3 and then finished off the match with a 61- win. The Trojan team also had Tyne Bufka and Ava Zellmer at second doubles score a 63,- 6-0 win over Allison Postema and Alayna Verkaik and the fourth doubles team of Jordan Pranger and 198506 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, SE, Caledonia Michigan, 49316. The request is for a rezoning of a combined 28.4 acres from C-2 and RR to C-2 General Business (6949 Broadmoor Avenue SE) and 1-1 Light Industrial (7005 Broadmoor Avenue SE), parcel number: 41-23-07-276-004 and 41-23-07-276-001. Parcel 41-23-07-276-001: Current Zoning, C-2 and RR. Proposed Zoning: C-2 and 1-1. Parcel 41-23-07-276-004: Current Zoning, C-2 and RR. Proposed Zoning, 1-1. Isabelle Schilthroat beat Laura Lohman and Vivian Van Halsema 6-0, 6-1. Charlotte Nelson won her first singles match 6-2, 6-3 over Kenowa Hills’ Madison Mersman. That was the closest of the singles matches. None of the other Knights won more than a single game. Hailey Dudik took a 6-0, 6-1 win over Sophia Marvin at number two, Holly Carpenter beat Renata Malapica 6-0, 6-0 at number three and Thea Zellmer out­ scored Ella Craven 6-1, 6-0 at fourth singles. The Trojans were sept themselves, 8-0, by perennial conference power Forest Hills Eastern Monday in Ada. The Hawks won all eight flights in straight sets. FHE’s Muskin Rekhani took a 6-3, 6-1 win over Nelson at number one singles and Natalie Mouw fought off Dudik for a 6-2, 7-5 win at number two. Nelson also saw a tough competitor last Friday, April 21, as the TK ladies took a 17- win over Ottawa Hills in conference action. Divyana Varma, the Bengals’ freshman first singles player, took a 6-0, 6-1 win. TK won every other flight though, with the Bengals not getting more than one game at any of them. Dudik, Carpenter and Thea Zellmer took the sec­ ond, third and fourth singles wins. Wodrich and Hess won at one doubles, Bufka and Ava Zellmer won at number two, Thompson and Rickert won at three and Pranger and Schilthroat won at fourth doubles. Scots end week of five duals with a 5-3 win over Kalamazoo Central Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis team is staying busy. The Fighting Scots placed fourth at its Caledonia Invitational last Saturday and then played a dual every day Monday through Thursday this week. That run ended with the Fighting Scots pulling out a 5-3 win over visiting Kalamazoo Central Thursday afternoon. Caledonia swept the dou­ bles matches against the Maroon Giants and got a win in a super tiebreaker from Sarah Kirk at second singles to help pull out the team victory. Even a super tiebreaker wasn’t enough to decide the match between Kirk and Nyah Montague. They pushed and pushed until Kirk finally scored a 17-15 win in the super tie­ breaker which is played to ten points, but a player must win by two. There was a super tie­ breaker played at third dou­ bles too, but the Scot duo of Sela Fitzell and Emily Sorstokke pulled out a quick 10-4 win in that one. Kalamazoo Central’s Samantha Pocopio and Evangaline Miles scored a. 75- win in the opening set, but the Scots righted the ship for a 6-1 win in the second set to force the tiebreaker. The Caledonia duo of Allyson Abraham and Allison Weibel scored a 6-0, 6-0 win over Sydney Hughes and Savannah Keck at num­ ber one. At second doubles, the Scots’ Abby Duong and Kanika Verma scored a 6-0, 6-0 win over Christina Lanting and Ella Cox. Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Mertz scored the fourth dou­ bles win for Caledonia by outscoring Ritika Verma and Katelyn Rhodes 6-2, 6-2. Daniella Richardson, the Maroon Giants’ top player, outscored the Scots’ Hailey Markwat in the first singles match 6-0, 6-0. Emma Joerg took a 6-1, 6-0 win over the Scots’ Grace Geer at third singles and Madison Jones bested Lilly Hess 6-4, 6-0 at fourth singles. The Scot had two OK Red Conference duals this week, falling 9-0 to Hudsonville Wednesday and 9-0 to Grand Haven Monday. TROJANS, continued from page 13 All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed rezoning. Written comments concerning the requested rezoning may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. Dated: April 24, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA game out after struggling in some early games to finish games well.” Holly Velting, Paige Abshagen and Tealy Cross scored the three Trojan goes. Makenna Hoebeke made five saves in goal for her fourth clean sheet of the sea­ son. In the win over Kenowa Hills Wednesday, TK got three goals from Emma Schut and two from Velting. Cross,, and Abshagen Madilyn Chivis also scored. The Trojans are on the road for the final two confer­ ence contests with Cedar Springs and Catholic Central. TK also has a non-conference contest at Hopkins on the schedule for Friday, May 5. �The Sun and News, Saturday, April 29,2023/ Page 15 Bulldogs and Sailors make things tough on TK ladies . He# r.. r.. ‘ y The Trojans’ Rachel Shoemaker drives a flyball to left field during game two of the Trojans’ doubleheader with visiting Byron Center Thursday evening in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer I w* 1 tJotSal?; Wfck- 1 % MIL' ^llt iilii iM faulty Sports Editor Byron Center and South Christian each took a pair of wins over the Thomapple Kellogg varsity softball team this week. The Bulldogs notched 12-1 and 19-7 wins over the TK girls in Middleville Thursday afternoon in a non-conference doubleheader. Grace Zube was 2-for-3 in the opener for TK. Kylee Hoebeke was l-for-3 with a run scored. Payton Stahl sin­ gled once and drove in a run. Those were the only four hits for the Trojans in the opener against Byron Center head coach Ellory Dykstra. Dykstra gave up four hits in the five-inning ballgame, striking out five. Hoebeke started in the cir­ cle for TK and Jenna Robinett threw two innings of relief. Robinett walked one and didn’t allow a hit or a run. Stahl, Robinett and Hoebeke shared the pitching duties in game two for TK. TK took a 6-4 lead with six runs in the top of the second inning of game two, but the Bulldogs responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning and then broke things open with nine runs in the bottom of the third. Zube had an RBI triple for TK in the top of the fourth to plate her team’s final run. She also doubled in a run in the top of the second. Cadence VanOoy, Brittney Roodvoets, Rachel Shoemaker, Ella Palazzolo and Hoebeke each singled once. In OK Gold Conference action against South Christian Tuesday, the TK ladies were bested 10-6 and 17-6. South Christian outhit the Trojans 15-8 in the opener. Stahl had a big game with her bat going 3 for 3 with a home run. She drove in two runs and scored twice. Palazzolo was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. She had a double. TK got singles from Hoebeke, Shoemaker and Ellie Vandefifer. Vandefifer and Shoemaker both had an RBI. South Christian scored six times in the top of the second and then three more in the top of the fifth to go up 9-2 at the time. TK scored twice in the sixth and two more times in the seventh to close the gap. Hoebeke took the loss in the circle. Two ofthe ten runs against her were unearned. She struck out two, walked one and gave up 15 hits. The Sailors took the lead early in game two too scoring six times in the bottom of the first to go up 6-1. TK got Thornapple Kellogg pitcher Kylee Hoebeke unleashes a pitch against Byron Center during game two of a doubleheader in Middleville Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) within 6-4 by the third inning, but the Sailors tacked on four runs in the third and seventh in the fourth to finish the game in five innings. Hoebeke and Stahl were both 3 for 3 at the plate. Hoebeke had a double and scored.three runs. Stahl drove in two runs. Tk also got sin­ gles from Palazzolo and Kenzie Bouma. Elaina O’Riley was 1 for 2 with a run and two RBI. She also walked once. Vandefifer walked and scored a run.Stahl took the loss. Of the 13 runs against her only eight were earned. The TK girls commit­ ted ten errors. She walked eight and struck out five while giving up just five hits in 3 1/3 innings. 198768 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Commission of Yankee Springs Township will conduct a public hearing concerning the following matters on Thursday, May 18,2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, in the Township. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include the following: Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Article II, Definitions, Section 2.1. regarding frontage, lot width, ordinary high-water mark, setbacks and structure; and Article XII, General Regulations, Section 12.4 Required Setbacks regarding encroachments (revised version of draft zoning ib®’ lis ordinance amendments) Such other and further business as may properly come before the Planning Commission at said hearing. ii®1 PLEASE TAKEFURTHER NOTICE that the proposed zoning ordinance amendment can be reviewed at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days and will also be available at the hearing. jlirf Thornapple Kellogg left fielder Cadence VanOoy hustles the ball in from the corner during game two of her team’s non-conference doubleheader with Byron Center Thursday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) *1* PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that written comments will be taken from any interested person concerning the proposed text amendments at the office ofthe Township Clerk at the address set forth below, at any time during regular business hours up to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and will further be received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes in the proposed zoning ordinance amendment at or following the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals requiring services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Thornapple Kellogg’s Grace Zube gets the sign to round second and keep heading for third for an RBI triple during game two of the Trojans’ non-conference doubleheader with Byron Center in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The minutes of the April 11, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on April 25, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Mike Cunningham, Township Clerk Yankee Springs Township 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 �VOTE YES MAY 2 on the Caledonia School Bond This bond will: Replace outdated buses Improve parking lots, replace roofs Upgrade technology so students get hands-on learning and skills Replace Dutton Elementary Provide additional parking and youth athletic fields at Calplex Facts about the Caledonia School Bond This bond DOES NOT raise tax rates for residents. It is a fiscally responsible proposal that will extend the repayment of our 2020 bond for five years. We need to invest in our schools if we want to attract and retain families and businesses and keep our property values high. Our investment will help Caledonia stay competitive, and enable our students to better compete in the global marketplace, including skilled trades jobs. , Learn more at calschools.org Paid for with regulated funds by Friends of Caledonia Community Schools PO Box 174 Caledonia, Ml 49316 � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-05-06.pdf 3dd46b5a27246118dd795185424c8cf0 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 18/ May 6, 2023 Caledonia district voters narrowly approve $61 million bond issue Greg Chandler StaffWriter By a margin of just 64 votes, voters in the Caledonia Community School district Tuesday said “yes” to a $61 million bond issue that will pay for construction ofa new Dutton Elementary School at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. The bond proposal, the second the district had asked for in three years, was approved with 3,019 yes votes to 2,955 no. District voters in Kent County approved the bond 2,790­ 2,715, while voters in Allegan County’s Leighton Township split evenly with 208 yes votes and 208 no votes. District voters who live in Barry County’s Thomapple Township voted 32-21 against the bond issue. “We want to thank the voL ers in our community for supporting this bond propos­ al,” CCS Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin said in a press release. “Our continued investment in our schools will help Caledonia stay competitive and enable our students to receive realworld, hands-on experiences in upgraded facilities so they can better compete in the global marketplace.” While the bond issue will not raise the debt service millage for Caledonia schools, currently at 7 mills, it will extend the payofftime for paying off district bonds to 2055. The new school will be 60,000 square feet in size, about 25 percent larger than the current Dutton building on 68th Street, which has, a footprint of more than 46,000 square feet. The district allo­ cated $40 million from the new bond for the Dutton project. A new Dutton building Institute, a consultant who StaffWriter has been working with the Caledonia Community agency on the search pro­ Schools Superintendent Dr. cess. Dedrick Martin has been Martin was one of two offered the position of super­ finalists for the KRESA job, intendent for a regional edu­ with the other being Matthew cational consortium in the Olson, assistant superinten­ Kalamazoo area. dent for professional learning The Kalamazoo Regional and innovation at Northwest Educational Service Agency Education Services in Board of Education Monday Traverse City. night voted unanimously to Martin had been a finalist offer its superintendentjob to for the KRESA superinten­ Martin, who has been super­ dent job in May 2013, but intendent of Caledonia withdrew his name from con­ schools since July 2018. The sideration when he accepted offer came shortly after the superintendent’s job with Martin went through a sec­ St. Johns Public Schools in ond interview with the board. Clinton County. Martin “very enthusiasti­ “I’m excited to be a part of cally accepted” the KRESA this great organization,” offer, said David Killips of Martin said in his closing Michigan Leadership remarks during Monday’s interview. “I’ve noticed it from afar. I want to be inside. I feel like I have some things to add to the greatness that you guys have already devel­ oped. I believe that you won’t find many candidates who will be as diligent as I will in terms of striving for excellence.” KRESA is an educational agency, similar to an inter­ mediate school district, that serves nine public school dis­ tricts, five public school academies and 18 non-public schools throughout Kalamazoo County. It pro­ vides special education services throughout its service area, as well as free early childhood education and career learning. KRESA broke ground last fall on a $100 million career and tech­ nical center near the Wings Event Center off Interstate 94 in Kalamazoo that is expected to open in the fall of2024. As part ofMonday’s inter­ view, Martin gave a 20-minute presentation on what he would do in his first 90 days ofbeing KRESA superinten­ dent. He spoke of the “four L’s” - listening, learning, leveraging and leading - that he has used in his early days at his other superintendent jobs - Ypsilanti, St. Johns and Caledonia. He says focusing on listening, learn­ ing and leveraging on the knowledge and expertise of others provide the foundation for him to be an effective Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. leader. Dedrick Martin shakes hands with Skip Knowles, “What I have found is that president of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational it helped to reduce costly Service Agen_c_y__(_K_R__E_S_A) Board of Education on mistakes, ill-informed or Monday night in Portage. (Photos by Greg Chandler) *. rushed decisions,, based.on .*•» THE RESULTS ARE IN PRECINCT YES NO Bowne Twp., Precinct 1 153 230 Caledonia Twp., Precinct 1 jCaledonia Twp., Precinct 2 233 306 358 Caledonia Twp., Precinct 3 417 418 Caledonia Twp., Precinct 4 243 288 Caledonia Twp., Precinct 5 C^edonia Twp., Precinct 6 448 414 345 244 Gaines Twp., Precinct 1 304 454 Gaines Twp., Precinct 8 Leighton Twp. 272 225. 208 21 208 3,019 2,955 Thomapple Twp. TOTALS 153 32 See BOND, page 2 Martin offered Kalamazoo-area superintendent position Greg Chandler 145th year Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 faulty assumptions or prede­ termined solutions, based on whatever past experience that I or anyone else bring to a situation,” Martin said. “This approach increases the (soundness) and appro­ priateness of the decisions and makes sure these are tai­ lored to the needs ofKRESA or the needs of our constitu­ ent districts that we serve. It also provides me the opportunity to analyze and evalu­ ate and establish relation­ ships to build a positive pres­ ence and to build upon the culture and climate in a posi­ tive way, the way that KRESA is already known for ... to grow that positive cul­ ture and climate and that pos­ itive relationship with our constituent districts, with the students and the families that we serve.” Martin went on to speak about encouraging a “contin­ uous process” for improve­ ment for KRESA. “I am competitive by nature. My principals will tell you that I talk quite often about some of the neighbor­ ing school districts around us and how we compare ... it’s not about a test score. That’s really not the important issue. A test score or certain metrics is really a reflection of how well we’re serving our students, and that’s the type of thinking and leader­ ship and mindset that I want to bring here to KRESA how well are we servicing our students, our staff and our local school districts? If we can get that right, every­ thing gets better. If we can- Middleville planners recommend approval of Mid-Villa project Greg Chandler Staff Writer About 18 months after a redevelopment plan was first presented for the site of the former Middle Villa Inn in Middleville, the project is gaining support. The Middleville Village Planning Commission Tuesday voted 7-0 to recom- See MID-VILLA PROJECT, page 3 The site of the former Middle Villa Inn, which is proposed to be redeveloped into a mixed-use site including 144 apartments, a self-storage facility and commercial outlots. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • Middleville council continues to mull off-road vehicles on village streets • TKHS announces its top students • Thornapple Kellogg baseball beats Delton and Ludington at its Wooden Bat Tournament • Caledonia baseball wins first of three in OK Red Conference series with Falcons Caledonia volleyball looks to close ru-n ---- n ---- e---- r---- u ---- p -------f---i-n ----i--s------- h..i..n....... G-R arSouth Christian See. MARTIN, page. 2 mend the Village Council rezone the 22-acre site at 4611 and 4691 N. M-37 Hwy. as a planned unit devel­ opment, and approve a final plat for the proposed Flats at Mid-Villa. The Village Council is expected to take up the recommendation at its South Division �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023 MARTIN, continued from page not, then what are doing?” A native of Muskegon, Martin began his educational career as a special education teacher in Sugar Land, Texas, about 20 miles southwest of Houston, after he finished his bachelor’s degree at Grand Valley State University. He worked his way up to becom­ ing an assistant principal and elementary school principal while in Sugar Land. He later took a position in Champaign, III., where he implemented a court-ordered program to desegregate a local school district and improve student achievement among students ofcolor. In 2009, Martin became superintendent for Ypsilanti Public Schools, near Ann Arbor. While there, he presid­ ed over a merger with neigh­ boring Willow Run Schools. In 2013, he took the St Johns superintendent job. He then worked for one year as direc­ tor ofpartnership districts and was to have been funded by the May 2020 bond issue, where voters approved an $88.1 million proposal. That proposal originally assigned $21 million for the new school, but bids for the proj­ ect last fall came in more than $9 million over budget - the result ofa spike in steel prices, supply chain pres­ 1 school reform officer with the Michigan Department of Education before coming to Caledonia in 2018. Board members spoke highly of Olson’s qualifica­ tions and interview perfor­ mance, but were unanimous in their position that Martin was a better fit for what KRESA was looking for. Trustee Lynne Cowart said Martin’s experience ofbeing a superintendent in urban, suburban and rural settings will help him connect with superintendents throughout Kalamazoo County. “That says to me that he would be able to understand and interact with all of our districts and understand what their particular issues are,” Cowart said. “Plus, he’s a spe­ cial ed teacher, so it doesn’t get any better than that.” Cowart accompanied Martin in meeting with KRESA administrators and staff" at two of the district’s sures and inflationary price increases for both labor and materials. After receiving those bids, the school board debated cost-cutting options to keep the Dutton project alive. They included a smaller building, having a combined gymnasium and cafeteria and having only one entrance past and how difficult those were, how challenging those were, to know that those are the values that got him through those (situations) — to me, that means a lot,” VanAntwerp said. “The other thing I liked was that he kind of looks at this position as the culmination of every­ thing he’s experienced in his career, like bringing his Martin and the KRESA board. If a contract can be reached, Martin would likely begin his duties with KRESA July 1. Martin will walk away from his superintendent role at Caledonia Community Schools, a position he took in 2018. Marcy White, Caledonia school board president, extended congratulations on taking the “next step in his career.” “Since Dr. Martin joined CCS as superintendent in 2018, our district has achieved many important milestones including imple­ menting the STEM program, improving the graduation rate and increasing transpar­ ency and communication while he personally was awarded the 2022 MSPRA Superintendent Commu­ nicator of the Year,” White told the Sun and News via an email. “We also overcame significant and unprecedent­ ed challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re proud of all we have accom­ plished under Dr. Martin’s leadership and wish him the best on his next endeavor. As we look ahead for CCS, the board of education will initi­ ate a search for our next superintendent in the near future.” Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin fields questions on Monday in front of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency Board of Education (KRESA). This was Martin’s second interview for KRESA’s open superintendent position and he was offered the job. into the building, but the board rejected those ideas and chose to seek a new bond. Opponents of the bond issue claimed the proposal was not fiscally responsible, questioning why Dutton was not the top priority of the 2020 bond, instead of the Caledonia Community Center that is now under Phase 2 improvements to the construction. School officials CalPlex sports and recreation cited a longer construction complex that will include period for starting the com­ new baseball and soccer munity center before Dutton, fields. and also said that switching — Other facility improve­ projects in midstream would ments and reinvestments that have resulted in about $10 will also be covered in the million invested in the com­ new bond include (with pro­ munity center that the district jected costs in parenthesis): would not have been able to — Replacing the roofover get back. Opponents also sections of Duncan Lake questioned the need for addi­ Middle School and Early tional projects besides Childhood Center ($1.5 mil­ Dutton as part ofthe bond. lion). Tuesday’s bond proposal, — Replacing the 7W which was titled “Complete entrance and facade at the Vision,” includes $6.5 Duncan Lake, as well as million for renovations to the extend the cafeteria ($1.2 bleachers, press box, locker million). rooms and concession stands — Replacing the turf at at Ralph E. Myers Football Scotland Yard, as well as Stadium. That does not upgrading the bleachers and include installation of a new replacing dugouts and stor­ synthetic turffield at the sta­ age buildings ($1.4 million). dium, which will take place — Technology improve­ this month using funds from ments ($3.6 million). the 2020 bond. The proposal — Purchase ofnew buses, also includes $3 million for which has typically been a general fund budgeted item ($1.6 million). — Demolish the current Dutton building once the new school is built ($750,000). — Additional parking and parking flow improvements at Kettle Lake Elementary School ($750,000). — Replacing the play­ ground surface at Paris Ridge Elementary School for safety reasons ($400,000). — A secure storage area for band equipment and instruments ($300,000). “CCS has a proven track record of success inside and outside the classroom, and the passing ofthis bond will help us build on this record of achievement,” school board president Marcy White said in a press release. “Thank you to the voters who helped pass this bond in support of our incredible schools.” buildings Monday afternoon, prior to the interview. Fellow Trustee Randy VanAntwerp agreed. “When you look at all the assignments he’s had in the expertise here to make this organization even better and he’s competitive about doing that.” Details of a contract must still be worked out between Av^e proud ofall we have accomplished under vr/Martin’s leadership and wish him the best on his next endeavor. As we look ahead for CCS, the board ofeducation will initiate a search for our next superintendent in the near future.” - Marcy White, Caledonia school boardpresident Join Usfor our Annual 4 ppreciation Day Saturday, May 13 • FREE Gibbys Footlongs and Donuts • Sales throughout the store - beginning Thursday, May 11 Don’t Forget Mom! Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14 We have beautiful baskets, planters and so much more she would love including locally grown fresh cut flowers! Can't decide - we have gift certificates available in any amount. Every Tuesday Senior Citizen Day 10% OFF entire purchase Creek May Hours: Monday-Friday 9-7; Saturday 9-5 10197 Garbow Rd., Middleville 269-795-7674 www.creeksidegrowers.com Property where the new Dutton Elementary School will be built at the south­ east corner of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. (Photo by Greg Chandler) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023/ Page 3 MID-VILLA PROJECT, continued from page 1 May 23 meeting. ment complex, consisting of “I think it’s great that six 24-unit buildings, which we’ve got a developer who will be built in two phases. wishes to invest in Also proposed are a 134-unit Middleville like this,” said self-storage facility, as well Commissioner Richard as three commercial outlots Hamilton, who is the Village along M-37. Some of the Council liaison to the project amenities include Planning Commission. “It’s pickleball courts, a couple of going to be a quality opera­ gazebos and a gravel pathtion. My understanding is way connection from the (he) has property close by. apartment complex to He loves Middleville like we Wildwood Trails Park to the do.” west, project architect Chuck Dutch Developers LLC, Hoyt of Nederveld Inc. said. owned by Nate Heyboer, has “The need for additional proposed a 144-unit apart- housing is great in Nate Heyboer of Dutch Developers LLC (left) outlines the proposed development plan for the Flats of Mid-Villa to the Middleville Planning Commission on Tuesday night as project architect Chuck Hoyt of Nederveld Inc. listens. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Middleville, and that’s a trend that is likely to contin­ ue even beyond what gets put in with this site,” Hoyt said. “This is to try and accommodate those needs.” Dutch Developers had initially brought the Flats of Mid-Villa plan to the village in November 2021. In early January 2022, the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the plan to the Village Council. However, a little over a month later, the council voted 6-0 to send the propos­ al back to the Planning Commission’s Site Plan Committee, and Heyboer later pulled the project from consideration. Since that vote, five new members have joined the Village Council — only Village President Mike Cramer and Trustee Kevin Smith remain from last year’s council vote — and the village has a new manag­ er in Craig Stolsonburg and a new planning and zoning administrator in Doug Powers. Dutch Developers resubmitted its application for the project earlier this year. “What we’ve tried to do, and kudos to Nate on this, is trying to accommodate all the needs that we heard, and we think we’ve done that throughout this whole process dating back a year and a half ago or so,” Hoyt said. About 16.5 acres of the property would be set aside for the apartments, with a density of 8.7 living units per acre. That’s slightly higher than what has been recom­ mended under the village’s master plan for the site, which recommends a density of 4-8 units per acre. Hoyt said the proposed density is necessary to offset the expense of constructing a lift station to handle sewage from the development. “There’s significant investment that needs to go into the site. Our request of 8.7 dwelling units per acre was a request to balance that off,” he said. The lift station will be built to village Department of Public Works specifica­ tions, Hoyt said. Planning Commission Chairman Jason Holzhausen, who backed the previous Flats at Mid­ Villa plan more than a year ago, had no issue with the developer exceeding the recommended density. “These units are well off the highway, they’re well off Towne Center (Drive), they’re beyond the wetlands by the condos there,” Holzhausen said. “Yes, our future land use map calls for 4-8 (units per acre) and these are at 8.7. But I feel like I did over a year ago, when six of the seven of us agreed back then that it was warranted to get that 0.7 (added).” Two private drives would serve the development - one off M-37 and the other off Towne Center Drive. The M-37 Corridor Advisory Committee recommended recently that the access drive off M-37 be aligned with the private drive leading into the Middleville Marketplace shopping center across the highway. The site would have 209 parking spaces, or 1.45 spac­ es per unit. Commissioner Maria Dahlke questioned whether that’s enough spaces to accommodate all the resi­ dents who will live in the apartments. “It’s not enough. How do you put 0.45 of a car in a parking spot?” Dahlke asked. Hamilton said the parking issue was discussed at the Site Plan Committee on which he sits. He suggested 231 spaces as a possible number. “When we discussed that in that meeting, that could be accommodated simply by adjusting other areas on the plan,” Hamilton said. The village zoning ordi­ nance requires two parking spaces per dwelling unit for multi-family developments, but also gives the village the flexibility to reduce the num­ ber of spaces by up to 30 percent, according to the ordinance document. “I think if they feel the parking is needed or even after that second phase (of residential development) comes in, if this commission feels additional parking is needed, we can ask for more parking at that point. We can ask staffto contact the devel­ oper and talk about it then,” Holzhausen said. The parking would be built in phases - 118 spaces in the first phase and 91 in the second, Powers said. The property is currently zoned for highway commer­ cial use. Powers pointed out that if the Flats at Mid-Villa was denied, a hotel or motel could be built on the site as a permitted by-right use with­ out going through a public hearing process with the vil­ lage. Such a development would have a higher density than the Dutch Developers proposal, Powers said. The Middle Villa Inn was built in 1962, and was owned by the Wiersum family for 45 years. It consisted of a 16-lane bowling alley, miniature golf course, banquet rooms, restaurant and later, a microbrewery. The inn closed in May 2014 when owners Steve and Sue Wiersum could not find a buyer to take it over. It was demolished the following year and the property has been vacant ever since. A conceptual proposal for 252 apartment units and three commercial outlots from a different developer was presented to the village in September 2020 but never came up for a vote. TKHS senior earns Youth Volunteer of the Year honor Mia Dickman has sorted and I just always wanted to Young Life, Close Up trip to rooms filled with toys to give be as involved in things as he Washington D.C., student away at Christmas, planned was.” section leader, and Kent ISD the annual roof sit to raise Dickman has been a mem­ student leadership. funds for a community orga­ ber of the Youth Advisory “It’s been fun and a great nization, hauled wheelbar­ Council of the Barry four years,” Dickman said. rows full ofmulch to spread Community Foundation “I’ve been really involved at YMCA Camp Algonquin since she was in eighth grade. and able to meet so many and helped teach younger She served as president this people I wouldn’t otherwise students about philanthropy. year and last year as the grant get to know.” And that’s just the short list chairperson. Of all her volunteer of her many volunteer In addition to being in efforts, Dickman said the efforts. YAC, she is a member ofthe annual Bany County toy The Thomapple Kellogg TKHS National Honor drive is probably her favor­ High School senior has a Society, student council and ite. “It’s just amazing to see heart and passion for helping teacher cadet program. Her all the toys and clothing others and helping make her high school activities include donated to help families,” community a better place is being in the musicals, honors she said. “We go through and what earned her the Barry choir, mental wellness club, help sort it all out and you County United Way Youth Volunteer ofthe Year award. Dickman said she was shocked when her name was called for the honor. “It just makes you feel good to do something to help someone else,” she said. “It has never been about getting an honor or recognition and it never will be. I do it because I want to leave an impact on my community and help make a difference.” She credits her parents, Holli and Jeff, for instilling a desire to help others. “They raised me to always give back and to help where I can. I also have an older brother (Sam) who I always Thornapple Kellogg High School senior Mia looked up to. He really Dickman (center) is seen here with her parents Holli inspired me to be involved (left) and Jeff (right). r'< i i ’ vi’Pr > know you are just helping in a small way for some kid out there to have something for the holidays — some family who can’t afford gifts. It’s eye-opening for me. It makes me feel good to be able to help because I know it will make the kids feel good.” With her passion for help- ing others, Dickman plans to attend Hope College next year to study to become a child life specialist and work in a hospital setting. £ 6950 WHITNEYVILLE AVE. SE, ALTO * 868-6336 j COOK OFF I TB Oil! IVe would like to thank all of our sponsors that made our 17th ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF successful! Thank you from the bottom ofour hearts! This will help manypeople on palliative and hospice care! Ghost pepper sponsors - Monique & Butterflies, In Memory of Rod Wanzer, BK Motor Sales, In Memory of Bill “Papa" Zoller, Carelinc, * Plummers Disposal, In Honor of Joey Risdon, Bileth Services Auto Repair JI IUBaNeRO sponsors r Caledonia Excavating, Lumen Electric^ Company, Woodrick Family, In Memory of Tim Dougherty, Meyerink Trenching Service, Boschma Oil Company, WMGB Home Improvement, -s Hilltop Repair, Whitneyville Self-Storage, Bell’s & Lite, Wicked Pro Events, -<i Cascade Rental, Bricks’s At Campau Corner, Nighthawk Employee Family CaYeNNe SPONSORS - The Venema Family, Forest Hills Lawn Sprinkling, FCC Construction Inc, Frontier Heating & Cooling, Bryan Harrlson-Township Supervisor, United Bank Of Michigan, Kevin's Body Shop, Alaska Haus, Williams & Company Financial Services, Vandyken Mechanical, In Memory of Michael, David, Ben, and Kevin JALAPENO SPONSORS - Caledonia Fox Chevy, Saranac American Legion, Calwear On Main, In Loving Memory of Parker, Interior Woodworking & Design 4 AAA iA AAAAAAAV HM �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6,2023 Barbara Jane Crumback Thomas Craig Meye Thomas Craig Meyer, age 77, of Alto, MI, passed peace­ fully at his home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Tom’s life was lived in ded­ icated service to his family and his country as a United States Marine during the Vietnam War, and with 35 years as an elementary school teacher at East Kelloggsville Elementary School. He also had a painting business in the summers and enjoyed the outdoors while hunting and fishing. He will be remembered for his entertaining storytelling, sense of humor, patience, and never-ending kindness. A lov­ ing father and grandfather, he cherished spending time with his family, especially during family trips to Silver Lake. As the rock ofhis family, he will be greatly missed for his love and loyalty and for being only a call away. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Jean Mae Meyer and sister, Diane Exoo. He will be lovingly remem­ bered by his children, Brian (Sandra) Meyer, Jill (Sean Willard) Meyer, Rebecca Meyer, Nicole Meyer, Thomas Jacob Meyer; grandchildren, Sadie, Evan, and Adrian Willaid; siblings, Steve (Grace Joanne) Meyer, Jack (Sue) Meyer, Michael (Laura) Meyer; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft Avenue SE, Caledonia, with Rev. Michael Cilibraise officiating. The burial will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family for visitation on Wednesday, May 10 from 5-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraafFuneral Home, 616 E. Main Street SE, Caledonia. In lieu offlowers, those who wish may make memorial con­ tributions by sending a check with Tom’s name in the memo to The Kelloggsville Education Foundation, 242 52nd Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49548. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Barbara Jane Crumback was bom February 13, 1932 in Gaines Township to Bill and Ada (McPeck) Pease. She was the oldest of their three children, Barb, June and Mike. She went to Gannon School and then the family moved to Leighton Township in Allegan County. She married Robert Crumback in 1950 and they had six children: Ron, Chris, Scott, Chuck, Pam, and John. They raised the family in various homes but ended up in Leighton Township on 144th Avenue. Barb was known for her cooking, her decorating, and her crafting. She loved to gath­ er the family for large gather­ ings and cook a great meal. The love of her life died in 2015 and she passed in Flint, MI on November 14, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, June Raynes; her sons, Chris, Scott, and Chuck; her grand­ children, Nyree VanCamp, Chris O’Connor and Chuck Crumback. She is survived by Ron and his children, Lisa Phillips, Christina O’Connor, Renee Lambeck; Chris’ wife, Sharon, and son, Brandon Perry; Scott’s wife, Lisa and children, Amber, Colten, and Jacob; Chuck’s Annie; Pam and Luke Munn and her chil­ dren, April and Bill; and John and his children, Alexis, Television show American Pickers looking for area homes to visit Caledonia residents with bams filled with rusted trea­ sures could have an interest­ ed buyer. Hosts of the long-running television show American Pickers plan to stop in Michigan this summer and they’re asking local residents with unique and extensive antique collections to reach out to them. American Pickers first debuted in 2010 and has been a fixture on the History Channel. The show docu­ ments the adventures ofhosts Mike Wolfe and Danielle Colby as they travel around the country on the hunt for antique items to purchase and sell at their own Nashville-based antique shop called Antique Archaeology. The show’s cast has previ­ ously made its way through Michigan and will be return­ ing in July to film new epi­ sodes. The show’s producers are looking for leads — anyone who has a unique item or collection and is ready to sell. The show does not visit stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums or any establishment open to the public. The show puts an emphasis on historically sig­ nificant or rare items. Those interested in reaching out to the show can send their name, phone number, location and description ofthe collection with photos to americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184. The show also maintains a Facebook page — facebook. com/GotAPick — where res­ idents can reach out. alaska^ hllrch 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9:30 AM Fellowship Time 10:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Youth Gathering 5:00 PM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committedfollowers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch FIRST BAPTIST Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Sunday Service 1030 AM Middleville Good Shepherd ’ Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend John, and Tina Schuh; her many great grandchildren; her brother, Mike (Mary); many nephews and nieces; and Bob’s siblings, Elsie DeLeeuw, Linda Crumback, Carole Crumback, and Ellen Crumback. A Family and Friends Gathering will be held to remember Barb on May 13 between 12 and 5 p.m. at the Caledonia American Legion Memorial Post 305, 9548 Cherry Valley SE, Caledonia, MI. It’s Barb’s family gather­ ing so be ready to eat. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY ^/CATHOLIC CHURCH ^/CA 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass .................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 7VOJF OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY U R C H c H Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-1821 MIDDLEVILLE: www.stpaulcaledonia.org gfi Whitneyville a 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School------- 9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Watch our services from our website (see above) / Fellowship Church Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.01g THORN APPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6,2023/ Page 5 OUTMiddleville Pride Month resolution would send a positive message ty, exists locally. They and protect than are groups argued that “govern­ simply surveying a communi­ ment-sponsored” recognition ty or institution. Majority is anti-American. They felt groups may see, be outraged that Mr. DeMaagd was being by, and act or speak up about To the editor: hypocritical and using his individual or systemic inequi­ The recent article regard­ office to promote his beliefs. ties carried out against mar­ ing the (Johnny) DeMaagd One thing I learned as a ginalized groups, but they town hall got the local social scientist was that absence of don’t live those realities. media pages all aflutter as evidence is not the same as Many of us are privileged to self-proclaimed “welcom- evidence of absence. Don’t live without fear of rejection ers” argued against a Pride see it? Then it must not be by our family and peers, to Month resolution set to go there, right? not hear that we are less-than before the Middleville board. Yet Chosen Family, I’ll Be or damned. I have no doubt They pointed to reports that Your Rock and other LGBTQ that there are those who are show no evidence that bully­ advocacy and ally groups are attacked, directly or indirect­ ing of, or violence against, more likely to hear about bul­ ly, on a daily basis for being marginalized groups, specifi­ lying and violence directed at who they are. cally the LGBTQ communi- those they seek to build up Is “government-spon- 1 sored” recognition anti-American? Government officials are supposed to be unbiased and neutral when acting on behalf of their con­ stituents, but how is recog­ nizing a marginalized group by calling for a Pride (or black or Jewish or homeless or other non-majority) Month resolution hurting the fabric of America? There are those who believe only their values matter, to the point where I see some state representa­ tives and senators are trying to legislate morality. Shouldn’t morality — loving thy neighbor — instead be leading legislative efforts? Remember the words of Lady Liberty, holding her beacon of light to those seek­ ing their opportunity for freedom and justice: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearn­ ing to breathe free.” I would suggest those hyperventilating about a Pride Month resolution take a breath and let others breathe, as well. I see no hypocrisy in Mr. DeMaagd’s proposal to lift up the LGBTQ community. I think most people will remember Dr. King’s famous quote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Is Middleville inclusive? I would hope so, and I would hope that the resolution, when introduced, car­ ries. Such a statement can demonstrate Middleville’s — indeed, Barry County’s — leadership in acknowledging that many societies, here at home and across the globe, still subscribe to an “us/them” mentality. I think an inclusive mentality is where we need to be. Christina Bush Nashville Middleville Council to consider adoption of employee compensation study at next meeting rani' Kith ! IlW data Ifa' James Gemmell proposed step system. Exhibit asked to fill out a job ques­ Contributing Writer 5 is the one council members tionnaire in order to provide The Middleville will take up on the consent input into the classification Committee of the Whole agenda at their next meeting. and compensation study. voice-voted unanimously It shows it would cost the “I wanted to get the full Tuesday to move a staff-rec­ village $50,832.89 to bump breadth ofwhat each employ­ ommended adoption of an up the annual salaries of its ee performed in regard to job employee classification and employees to the next highest duties,” he said. “I wanted to compensation study to the step in their respective salary make sure that each employee full village council for con­ ranges. was given a fair shake and sideration. Village Manager Craig that I had the information that It will be on the consent Stolsonburg would receive a was necessary to look at that agenda at the May 9 council $14,396 raise under the apples-to-apples compari­ meeting, as will a recom­ Exhibit 5 scale. The finance son.” mended adjustment to the vil­ director position would After getting the job lage manager’s pay scale receive a $23,398 pay description information, from $79,560 to $93,956 increase from the current Midwest Consulting chose 13 under a step system that was $51,002 salary level to comparable municipalities of part ofthe study. Job analysis $74,400. Also receiving a sig­ similar size and organization­ and a market survey provided nificant pay increase would al structure to Middleville. the basis for the suggested be the deputy clerk/utility Wage levels and benefits pay grades and ranges billing clerk, who would see were then examined in each All seven council mem­ her salary rise from $38,480 ofthose markets. Nottley said bers were present at the to $42,844. a look at the aggregate labor monthly meeting in the vil­ Nottley said an orientation market numbers indicated lage hall chambers as session was held for village that Middleville is about 6 Municipal Consulting employees, who were each percent below the municipal Services LLC principal Mark Nottley appeared via video providing a presentation of the study. MCS is the Colorado­ based company that was hired late last year to conduct the classification and compensa­ 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 tion study of every village 616-891-8688 position and to establish inter­ nal pay equity and external St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! pay parity commensurate Our students are: with salaries in similar-sized Christ-Centered, communities. Academic Achievers, MCS provided five sample Responsible Citizens, with exhibit table charts to the vil­ Exceptional Character, and lage council for suggested Servants’ Hearts pay grades and ranges under a PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, Our experienced, talented, and dedicated teachers lovingly work with your children to lay a strong foundation for future learning. We have a safe, caring, and peaceful school environment. Now enrolling!! Ages 2-112 to 6 years. (\Ne will assist with toilet training) handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody ofchildren under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. WE OFFER TWO, THREE, AND NOW A FIVE-DAY CLASS OPTION julie@stpaulcaledonia.org Please call Julie Rop, Preschool Director, to set up your personal visit 616-891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6 market average for its employee positions. Five village positions are paid below the suggested sal­ ary range minimums. The cost to bring those positions into range would total $43,868. However, two posi­ tions skew that number sig­ nificantly. “The village manager is quite a bit below the mini­ mum ofwhat we’re seeing for other managers. And also, your finance director’s salary ... was also well, well below market,” Nottley said. “Ifyou take those two out, you’re pretty close to the labor mar­ ket (average).” President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd compli­ mented Nottley on the high level of analysis that was included in the study. “I think, if anything, it offers a really good arrow for the village manager to have in their quiver,” he said. Trustee Kevin Smith sug- gested the council award Stolsonburg the recommend­ ed pay increase in the com­ pensation study. “And then, if he should desire to go through and do that for the rest of the team (village employees) at his dis­ cretion, I think that we can avoid a lot of conversation here. But I think we should agree, at minimum, that Exhibit 5 is a thoughtful base­ line for salary recommenda­ tions,” Smith said. Baptist Church Welcomes our new Senior Pastor . Alters Please plan to join us Sunday, May 7th, at 9:30 AM to meet, greet, and welcome our new Senior Pastor Mike, and his wife, Kristen. You are also invited to attend his Installment Service on Sunday, June 25th, at 9:30 AM with luncheon to follow. 7240 68th Street SE Caledonid, MI 49316 www.aiaskabaptist.org .... qirinoW sbfl �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023 TKHS announces top students in Class of 2023 Thomapple Kellogg High School announced the top students for the Class of 2023. Because of a tie, there are 11 students honored this year instead of 10. Information on each student is listed below, in no particu­ lar order. Cate Densham medicine. She lists her greatest accomplishment in high school as making it to nation­ als in HOSA and placing third there. She also is proud ofbeing on the highest honor roll for four years and being named a student ofthe month three times. Cate plans to attend Grand Valley State University Meijer Honors College on the pre-med track with the intention of becoming an OB/GYN. Lainey Guikema Cate Densham is the daughter of Tim and Tracy Densham. In high school, she has been a member ofthe National Honor Society, par­ ticipated in plays and musi­ cals, HOSA with KCTC, marching and symphonic bands, and Odyssey of the Mind as both a competitor and judge. Densham is passionate about being a blood donor and has given more than one gallon to Versiti Health Center; She also enjoys vol­ unteering for the middle school plays. Her other hob­ bies and interests include cooking and baking, reading, gaming, collecting, crafting and artwork, history and Ji —. Lainey Guikema is the daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Guikema. She has served as the National Honor Society president and has been a member of the symphonic, jazz and march­ ing bands, tennis team and crew member for TKHS musicals. Outside of school, Lainey plays cello and is a church volunteer. Her hobbies include music, skincare, ten­ nis, reading, thrifting and insw^zq SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville spending time with her play a new instrument to join jazz band his senior year and friends and her dog. She lists her greatest then succeeding in jazz band accomplishment in high both independently and as an school as being the NHS ensemble. He also is proud president and being part of of being able to balance a the jazz band that won the challenging class schedule best band overall at the with sports, extracurriculars, CMU jazz competition this friends and family, and hob­ bies and interests. He also year. Lainey plans to attend the lists participating in the high University of Michigan to school talent show with a major in molecular cellular group of friends his junior an'd^ development biology. year as a top accomplish­ She plans to be on a pre-med ment. Outside of school, Luke track and wants to become a has served as an AYSO dermatologist. regional referee since 2019, worked at Riverdog Tavern Luke Kaiser and has been part of club soccer with Midwest Galaxy and Thornapple Area Soccer Club for many years. He enjoys weightlift­ ing, chess, cooking and baking, gardening, reading and card games. Kaiser plans to attend Grand Valley State University to study physical education or exercise sci­ ence. He hopes to continue his involvement in sports through college and eventu­ Luke Kaiser is the son of ally coach a high school or Mark and Tracy Kaiser. His club sports team. numerous activities in high school include being a mem­ Andy Liu ber of the soccer, basketball and track and field teams. In soccer, he served as the var­ sity team captain this season and was named to the aca­ demic team all-state for the 2021-22 school year. He has been a member of the TKHS concert, symphonic, march­ ing and jazz bands and is a National Honor Society member. Kaiser is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, received the College Board National Rural and Small Towns Andy Liu is the son of Recognition award, earned Yong and Lifang Liu. He has the AP Scholar award and been active in National has been named a Rotary Honor Society, tennis, bowl­ Student ofthe Month. ing and BPA. He lists his greatest Outside of school, Liu accomplishment in high works at China Kitchen and school as learning how to is a member of the Youth Advisory Council of the Barry Community Foundation. He enjoys golf, tennis, fishing and playing Overwatch. Spring Special Andy lists his greatest accomplishments in high school as placing first in regional BPA contest and competing in the state com­ petition. He plans to attend the University of Michigan to study computer science. MacDonald plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to study exercise science with a plan to go to medical school for orthope­ dic surgery with a specialty in sports medicine. She will also be a member of the uni­ versity’s track and cross country teams. Emelia MacDonald Payton Stahl Emelia MacDonald is the daughter of Adam MacDonald and Shannan Baker. Her high school activ­ ities have included soccer, cross country, National Honor Society, Close-Up and TK Packers. She has earned highest honor roll and been named Student of the Month twice. She received the Lady Trojan Award in soccer and was named team aca­ demic all-state. In cross country, she qualified twice for the state finals and was named once to the academic all-state team. In 2020, she was named OK Gold all conference, all Barry County and the most improved athlete. Outside of high school, she is a volunteer coach with AYSO, a member of YAC, TATU and works in the Davenport dining hall. Her hobbies include run­ ning, soccer, hiking, play­ ing with her cat, being with friends and going out to eat. She lists her greatest accomplishments as making the top 10, being a two-time state qualifier and being named academic all-state in cross country and being awarded the Lady Trojan Award. Payton is the daughter of Nick and Mindy Stahl-. She has played basketball and softball in high school and received the “Miss Hustle” award in basketball her senior year. She is a member of the National Honor Society and attends KCTC, taking health career foundations and patient care tech courses. Outside of school, Stahl has been a member of the Middleville Covers 4-H Club and has shown lambs and dairy feeders for six years. She is also a part of the Martin Reform Youth Group, where she participates in vol­ unteer and mission trip work. She enjoys fishing, read­ ing, thrifting and being with friends. She lists her greatest accomplishments in high school as being a top 10 stu­ dent in her class and taking part in the Mary Free Bed internship as a nurse tech that she was granted through KCTC. Payton plans to attend Ferris State University to double major in diagnostic medical sonography and health administration. She hopes to become an ultra­ sound tech in the future. See TOP STUDENTS, next page A/C TUNE-UP / FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING cornerstonechurch Mega '--- 2023 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8 900 Locally owned, business. cornerstonemi.org/Mega �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6,2023/ Page 7 TOP STUDENTS, continued from previous page Graysen Stahle is the son of Scott and Melissa Stahle. He is a member of the National Honor Society and varsity baseball team. He enjoys baseball and playing guitar. Graysen lists his greatest accomplishment in high school as being a top 10 stu­ dent. He plans to attend Central Michigan University to study law. Dakota Troseth ber of the National Honor Rural and Small Towns Society. Through high school Award through the College engineering and CAD class­ Board. Outside of school, Tessa es, she has won multiple CAD mechanical drawing has participated and volun­ awards at the MITES compe­ teered with her youth group tition including a first-place at Middleville United award in the MITES live Methodist Church. She has also volunteered at the CAD competition. Hope has worked as an United Way Day of Caring intern in Bradford White’s with the TK Student product design engineering Council. Tessa’s hobbies include department for two years and is a volunteer at the reading, travel, drawing, Gun Lake Community watching plays and musicals, playing and listening Church. Her hobbies include hunt­ to music and spending time ing, fishing, playing cards with family and friends. and spending time with fam­ She lists- her greatest ily and friends. accomplishments in high Hope lists her greatest school as being a top 10 high school accomplish- student, earning Student of ments as acquiring an engi­ the Month honors, being in neering internship as a junior NHS, co-vice president of in high school and maintain­ the student council and ing straight A’s while taking being a stage manager for multiple AP classes, dual the plays and musicals. enrollment classes and workTessa plans to attend ing. Western Michigan Hope plans to attend University to study arts Michigan Technological administration and theater University to study mechani- tech and design. cal engineering. Thea Zellmer Tessa Wenger Dakota Troseth is the son of Timothy and Patricia Troseth. He received student of the month honors in 2023 and has earned straight A’s throughout his high school career. He lists his greatest accomplishment as taking six AP classes during his high school career. He enjoys watching YouTube videos on various topics including video games, shows, other media, history, science, writing and random facts. He also enjoys reading, playing video games and watching shows. Dakota plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University or Davenport University to earn a degree in computer science. Hope Vander Heide Thea is the daughter of Tessa Wenger is the Bob and Becky Zellmer. daughter of Phil and Becky Her list of high school Wenger. Her high school activities includes tennis, activities include marching, volleyball, National symphonic and jazz bands, Honor Society, student vice president of student council president, honors council, member of choir, Close-Up, Mental National Honor Society, Health Club, BPA and and being a stage manager being part of three high for plays and musicals. school musicals. In tennis Tessa received the National she earned most valuable player awards twice along with most improved play­ er. She served as team captain on the volleyball team, earned highest hon­ ors all four years and stu­ dent of the month honors three times. Outside of school, Thea has served as the YAC vice president and service chair­ person, Leadership Barry County 2022 cohort, Leadership Barry County Board youth representative and YMCA board youth representative. She also has worked at the Curley Cone as a server. Her hobbies include shopping, trying new foods, listening to music, figure skating, tennis, spending time with family and friends, joking around and playing with her cat and dog. Thea lists her greatest accomplishments in high school as being president of the student council and being able to offer opportu­ nities to students that have not been offered in the past; trying a new club (BPA) and excelling to earn a first place in regional competi­ tion and fourth place in the state competition; earning most improved and MVP in the same year for tennis; and making the top 10 in the Class of 2023. Thea plans to attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree surround­ ing political science, eco­ nomics and public policy. She plans to take a semester in Washington D.C., where she hopes to intern with one of Michigan’s representa­ tives. She would also like to study abroad to learn more about the way other coun­ tries’ political systems work. She will be on the law/politics education track and eventually hopes to attend law school and work in prosecution or become a politician. Middleville village manager changes proposed job titles for two executives James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg proposed last month that the titles of village clerk and finance director be combined into a single position under a staffreorganization plan. But then he found out that Michigan’s General Law Village Act does not permit villages to combine the two positions into one. “Upon further review by our (village) attorney, we can­ not do that,” Stolsonburg told council members at Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The original plan was to have Clerk Glorimar Ayala also become the village trea­ surer under the combined role. Former Finance Director Alexandra Longstreet’s last day on the job was March 31, and Deputy Clerk Rhonda Van Polen has been helping Ayala pick up some of the slack in filling the finance director position since then. Stolsonburg also had planned to hire an administrative assis­ tant to help he, Ayala and Department of Public Works director Alec Belson with daily duties in village hall. Village staff advertised last month for a finance director, but along with the outside accounting firm Vredeveld Haefner LLC, came to the conclusion that promoting from within the existing village staff would be the best way to proceed. “My recommendation would be to appoint Miss Ayala to the role of treasurer/finance direc­ tor,” Stolsonbuig told the vil­ lage council. “I have kind of a wage scale outlined before you. My thought would be to place her in the middle of the village Bruce's Frame and Alignment WE’RE HERE FOR Full Service Body Shop ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68. Hope Vander Heide is the daughter of Keith and Alison Vander Heide. She is a mem- treasurer-in-training ... so the $78,000 mark for now.” Midwest Consulting Services LLC was hired last year to conduct a village employee classification and compensation study. It recent­ ly was completed and awaits formal adoption by the village council this month. It recom­ mends a system of steps that employees would have to complete at each level oftheir job classification in order to receive a raise in salary. Stolensoburg said the vil­ lage accountant already has outlined a training plan that the accountant and Ayala have begun working on. Stolsonburg requested and received approval from the Committee of the Whole to move the recommendation to the consent agenda at the May 9 village council meeting. The council will be asked to autho­ rize him to work with the village attorney to prepare a resolution for appointing Ayala to the treasurer/finance director position and Van Polen to the clerk posi­ tion. Stolsonburg would also be directed to set their step wage levels. The incremental pay increases would be based onjob evaluations and their progress. Stolsonburg also would be authorized to advertise for the position of administrative assistant/deputy clerk to help backfill some ofthe positions. A new position of Department of Public Works working supervisor also would be created under a recommen­ dation in the classification and compensation study. The supervisor would assist current DPW Director Alec Belson, who Stolsonburg said has been working long hours and could use some help. Belson is also the assistant village manager. 4152nd • Middleville ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. 269-792-2234 Wl LENNOX �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023 Village council mulls whether to allow ORVs on Middleville streets during special events James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville council members have not decided yet whether off-road vehi­ cles should be allowed on village streets, but propo­ nents have convinced them to at least consider the pos­ sibility during special events. The Committee of the Whole took no action on the matter at its meeting Tuesday, other than to push the discussion to the full village council to consider again at a future meeting. In late February, support­ ers of ORVs, golf carts and side-by-sides turned in a petition to the council signed by 52 local business owners advocating for the allowance of unlicensed vehicles to be driven on vil­ lage streets. It did not address golf carts. But Village President Mike Cramer said at the time the petition should be forward­ ed to the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles for consideration, because it is the'legal entity that sets minimum safety requirements^ Village Attorney Mark Nettleton told the Committee of the Whole types of restrictions, in that the petition is not legal­ order to make it effective ly binding and the village you’ve got to enforce them. council does not have to act If you don’t enforce them, on its recommendations. He then why have them?” noted that the village passed Nettleton asked. HeI said Barry County’s an ordinance in ,2001 pro­ hibiting ORVs on public ordinance allowing ORVs to streets. It was updated in be driven on public roads 2021. has no bearing on the Nettleton said state regu- Village of Middleville. The lations prohibit ORVs and county cannot permit the golf carts on public roads in use of ORVs in the village, a community unless they which is the sole authority are expressly permitted by under state law. Also, Nettleton said village voters the local government. “The village has the abil­ would hot be able to push a ity to say ‘We’re not mess-referendum through to ing with anything.’ So, the change the ordinance ifthey status quo would remain — ever tried. As far as what legally no use of golf carts and no use of ORVs, unless as cur­ constitutes a registered rently permitted under your ORV, trustee Makenzi Peters said her research of ordinance,” Nettleton said. The village’s current state laws and regulations ordinance allows ORVs to indicated such a vehicle be driven only on private does not require insurance property, with some restric- or a license plate. And a tions. However, the village municipality is not legally council has the sole authori­ liable for the negligence of ty to allow them to be driv­ ORV drivers in case of an en on certain streets under accident on the road. whatever restrictions it Nettleton said that is cor­ might impose on their use,' rect, and added that if an such as only permitting accident occurs due to the them on particular days dr condition of a street, a hours. municipality cannot be held “Just keep in mind that if legally liable. For example, you’re going to have these ifan ORV hits a pothole and Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-11 shifLand want to lift weights before bed? Our fitness centers now accessible 24/7. ck Health & Wellness Cent en Street 13149058 Spectrum ealth Village Attorney Mark Nettleton, right, discusses state law pertaining to the permitted use of off-road vehicles at the Middleville Committee of the Whole meeting on Tuesday. At left is Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg. (Photo by James Gemmell) someone gets injured, they would not be able to sue the village, because it has legal immunity under a state stat­ ute. In other words, the vil­ lage has no obligation to maintain the roads in a cer­ tain condition with respect to ORVs. Village President Mike Cramer said drivers in the past failed to heed an old village stipulation that allowed them to drive the vehicles as ORVs, not as passenger vehicles, on the farthest right portion of a maintained road, outside the flow of traffic and not exceeding 25 miles per hour. “The reason we changed our ordinance was because none ofthose were happen­ ing,” Cramer said. “They were in parking lots, which our ordinance specifically called out ... without no-fault insurance. The state is very clear on that. If you’re using it as a (passen­ ger) vehicle and not an ORV, it needs to be regis­ tered and insured as a (street legal) vehicle.” “Unless we permit them,” trustee Kevin Smith said, suggesting that for special events like parades, like the Heritage Day festival and other community events, ORVs should be allowed on village streets. “We could say we’re going to stress-test this, allow it in our community for these particular days, regardless ofwhether or hot the ORV of golfcart is street legal. They could have a (reflective) triangle or what-? ever. We could define what safety mechanisms, are in place,’’ Smith said. Nettleton said snowmo­ biles and fanri vehicles.do not qualify as ORVs under the law. If the village permits ORVs to be driven on spe­ cial events days, they still would not be legally allowed to drive on state roads such as M-37, but they would be allowed to cross them. Peters said she would like to see the village craft an ordinance that would pro­ hibit ORVs from being driv­ en on public properties such as fields, green spaces, or on private property. Trustee Richard Hamilton said he likes the way the Village of Lake Odessa recently wrote its ordinance pertaining to ORVs and util­ ity task vehicles (UTVs). “I think it’s a good model to follow. They can come downtown to go to busi­ nesses and restaurants. That’s why village people signed the petition,” Hamilton said. “I don’t think we should put season­ al restrictions. Ifwe do this, maybe we do it for a twoyear period like Lake-0 is doing. And if we find a lot ofabuse based on our police department in their reports, we can always adjust it.” Cramer said Middleville changed its ordinance years ago due to a “gross lack of compliance.” He is concerned the same thing might happen again, if a new ordinance allows ORV usage on public roads. “They’ll read the; first line and say, ‘It’s allowed in the street.’And then, they’re in the road between the white and yellow lines where they’re not supposed to be, in traffic without lia­ bility insurance,” he said. He added, “Why am I paying for insurance to be .on the road?-Why. do they get special treatment because they have an ORV, when the rules state, if you’re going to be operating your vehicle like a passen­ ger vehicle it needs to be licensed and insured?” “I don’t think they’re saysii ing to use it as a passenger vehicle,” Hamilton replied. “(They’re) using it for rec­ reational purposes.” Smith noted that insur­ ance may not protect the driver of a vehicle that gets into a crash with an ORV. “It’s a lot to say that, if somebody is driving an ORV and hits somebody, and then they get sued, their insurance will not cover it. So, there is a huge risk to them,” he said. President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd said he sees the economic benefit of allowing ORVs to operate. But he has concerns about safety, noise pollution and the environmental impact. “There are a lot of factors that deeply concern me in allowing ORVs onto munic­ ipal roads,” he said, noting that local police already are quite busy and won’t have time to enforce an ordinance that would permit side-by­ sides, all-terrain vehicles or UTVs on public streets. “It’s not that everyone who drives an ORV in the village is going to be acting nefariously, but that lessen­ ing the restrictions when the restriction for street legal cars is already not being enforced just invites a level of chaps and potential harm,” DeMaagd said. Cramer stated that he would like to hear from the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles before the village council takes up the matter again. �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6,2023/ Page 9 Developer proposes townhomes adjacent to Kentwood Community Church James Gemmell No specific timeline has Contributing Writer been set for that yet. Developers seeking a con­ Developers will probably ditional rezoning oftwo par­ move forward with their cels adjacent to the Kentwood request for that at a planning Community Church in commission meeting in a few Gaines Township for the months. construction of some mar­ The township master plan ket-rate townhomes will generally caps recommended have to answer a lot of con­ density at 12 units per acre cerns before they can get the for village housing. necessary approvals. “But those are very flexi­ Preliminarily, they are ble guidelines,” Wells said. considering constructing 152 Kentwood Community units on the western parcel Church will be expanding its and 124 units on the northern daycare use and the township parcel. The parcels will have recently passed a daycare to be divided after the amendment allowing for the approvals are obtained, zoning use. Wells said he because you cannot have two believes Orion will be con­ primary uses on a parcel. In structing the daycare addi­ other words, the church will tion, but he was not certain have to be split off from the what the exact arrangement overall development. will be for that project. Orion Construction is Deborah Haynes, who seeking to rezone 30 acres at lives on 60th Street, brought 1200 and 1326 60th St SE photographs to show the from Residential (RL-10) planning commissioners and Office-Service (O-S) to a recent flooding at the end of Multi-Family Residential her road. She said it is often (R-3) designation to allow like that. for limited townhouse devel­ “Where is all that water opment and accessories. The going to go?” she asked. “If overall site is 48 acres, but (the townhomes) are up the church would be separate there, it’s all going to come from the townhomes. Each down. It’s going to flood our would be a single-entrance street. That’s a huge concern. unit or single-family. There And we don’t want them will be no apartments. A opening up the end of our future site plan would also street, either, for the traffic to all go driving down our street have to be approved. Orion CEO Roger with all that water there. Rehkopf pitched the plan to There’s the culvert there, the township’s planning there are natural springs commission at its April 27 there, and it would be a huge meeting in the township hall. mess ifthey opened that up. He has been meeting with Or ifthey built right there.” Community Development Township Engineer Jeff Director Dan Wells and the Gritter responded. rest ofthe township planning ““The The more more information information we we staff for several months to have, the better we can outline the project. address it as they move “We will probably have through the site plan pro­ four-to-six-plex units, a cess,” he said. two-stoiy townhome design,” Giarmo noted that there is he said. “We think it will be a state law that prohibits a veiy attractive. We have built new development from creat­ quite a few of these in the past ing a flooding issue for neighcouple ofyears between Ada, boring properties. The develCaledonia and out on the oper would have to factor into lakeshore.” construction appropriate A public hearing was held drainage or retention ponds to for the conditional rezoning prevent runoff. The township request. Several citizens would be responsible for spoke at the meeting against reviewing the drainage to the project, and some resi­ make sure it is adequate. dents had submitted letters to “That is something that the township, as well. Jeff- is very familiar with. Flooding concerns were cited And he’ll be watching it by several citizens. when we get to the site plan,” “This is sort of in keeping Giarmo said. with our new village residen­ Resident Karen Stange on tial zone that we’re putting 61st Street said the 152 prointo our master plan, which posed units are too many. allows for single-family “I don’t consider that limtownhouse,” Planning ited (development). It seems Commission Chairwoman like a lot. We have Woodfield Conniv&iarmo said. “And (Apartments) right next to us that’s the limitation on village on the west and the south,” residential. We think that this she said. is an area that is good for that. Stange said it floods “con­ And it is shown on our new sistently” near where the master plan, which was com­ townhomes would be built. pleted within the last month.” She noted that the Michigan The property is owned by Department of Environment, the church, so a purchase Great Lakes and Energy agreement will have to be (EGLE) has designated the executed before the rezoning area as having wetlands. She takes place. brought photos showing The Gaines Township planning commission discussed a proposed rezoning for a townhouse project at its April 27 meeting. (Photo by James Gemmell) standing water where the developers are proposing to build. “There’s a stream from the pond there that flows not only right through that area, but intersects down with my neighbors to the east of us. And down through several neighbors’ property onto mine and creating havoc,” Stange said. She added that, since the addition to the church park­ ing lot a few years ago, the residents on 61st Street have experienced flooding and land erosion in their backyards, especially on the south side ofthe street. “We’re already having major issues with drainage and caving in,” she said. Wells pointed out there is a drainage pipe along 60th Street and the developer would have to build the appropriate drainage and retention ponds to curb the flow ofwater. “This will likely help. It might not stop all the flood­ ing that’s occurring. There are multiple things going on in that valley,” Wells said. He pointed out that some ofthe drains along the drive­ ways had not been cleared of debris, and that could be con­ tributing to the flooding, as well. Wells pointed out that Orion would build drainage systems or ponds to retain water and control runoff. “Some of the Church’s property is going to be included in this develop­ ment,” Gritter said. “That may not have a retention pond or any other ■ restriction on the flow ofwater. So, that certainly will be addressed by the developer.” Concerns about the impact on traffic and wildlife were also cited by some of the residents at the public hear­ ing, as well as more crime possibly being produced with another development coming in. More than a dozen people spoke. Resident Mara Marsman said more housing is needed in the township. Planning Commission member Tim Haagsma said he has concerns with the pro­ cess. He said the proposed development might be a bet­ ter fit as a Planned Unit Development (PUD). He also said the township might have very limited say about what can be built on the site ifit is rezoned. “Under the plan we see, we’re putting all this devel­ opment in. And we talk a lot about when we have a plat go in with so many homes, we want some open space for recreation, like a playground. There’s nothing like that on the plan we have. Aiid that really concerns me. Once we rezone this, what way do we have to make tsure those kinds ofthings go in?” “We don’t really know under village residential what that truly is going to look like right now,” Giarmo said. “If We’re hiring! we did a PUD, we can make it look like village residential ... and then we’d have the ability to have more control ofwhat happens with this.” Wells said the plan would restrict the site from having apartments built. Vice Chairwoman Ronnie Rober said she was taken aback by the proposal. “I looked at this. I read it at home. I thought, ‘What did I miss? Did I miss some meetings where this was all talked about before we start voting on it? No, I’ve been here. And I’ve never heard of this before tonight. And I don’t feel comfortable at all,” Rober said. Haagsma said he thinks the plan would be a good use ofthe property, ifit is developed properly. He pointed out that conditional rezoning has been rare in Gaines Townships although-'iffiwas recently done for a development at 84th street and Eastern Avenue. 4^ ■ Join our team as Executive Director! The Barry Conservation District promotes responsible natural resource and land use management in Barry County. The Executive Director is responsible for the District’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial goals, as well as the day to day operations of the District. * Qualified applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in natural resources, business, education ora related field, and must pass a federal background check. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and references to: barrycdboard@gmail.com. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. For a full position description, use this OR code or visit our jobs page at barrycd.org! �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6,2023 Catholic Central pulls out close dual with Trojan girls’ tennis team Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ tennis team had its OK Gold Conference record evened at 3-3 with a 62- loss at Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wednesday. Trojan first singles player Charlotte Nelson took her team’s lone singles point by outscoring the Cougars’ Clara Malloy 6-0, 6-0. TK also got a win from the fourth doubles team of Jordan Pranger and Isabelle Schilthroat which outscored the Cougar team of Mary B'SmfSKP ______________ Caledonia, MI_______________ “Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — / Frame Repairs ✓ State & I-CAR Certified Technicians ✓ Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies LLESONAL wmbai Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Can you benefit from a 529 plan? Another school year is coming to a close. And ifyou have young children, they’re now a year closer to heading off to college or some other type ofpost-secondary educa­ tion or training. So, if you haven’t already done so, you may want to start preparing for these costs. And they can be consider­ able. 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TK is scheduled to host Hamilton for a non-conference dual Monday and will finish conference duals at Cedar Springs Tuesday. Plainwell comes to TK Wednesday. TK will host the OK Gold Conference tournament Friday, May 12. TK girls bounce back from their first OK Gold Conference defeat Brett Bremer ✓ Complete Collision Service NFIB Irwin and Arabella Sassano 67-(2), 6-1. The dual was close from top to bottom. The Cougars got a three-set win from Lily David over TK’s Holly Carpenter at third singles and a three-set win from the second doubles team ofIsabelle Bocian and Kathryn Stenger who bested TK’s Tyne Bufka and Ava Zellmer. The Trojans won the opening set at Sports Editor Cedar Springs jumped out to a big early lead and then fought off a Trojan comeback bid to score a 4-3 victory in Cedar Springs Monday eve­ ning. The loss was the first ofthe OK Gold Conference season for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team which closes the conference regular season at 5-1-1. The Trojans bounced back with a 2-1 victory at Grand Rapids Catholic Central to close the conference regular season Wednesday. TK will be the number two seed in the upcoming confer­ ence tournament between the 6-0-1 South Christian team which rallied for a 2-2 draw in Middleville earlier this season. The Trojans expect to host Ottawa Hills to open the con­ ference tournament May 15. Cedar Springs had a twogoal lead for much of Monday’s contest, but the TK girls rallied in the cold, wet, wind to even the contest at 3-3 before ultimately succumbing to the Red Hawks. The Cedar Springs girls got the jump on the Trojans in the 11th minute of play, con­ trolling a Trojan goal kick and pushing the other way. A 25-yard rocket of a shot by the Red Hawks glanced off the cross bar behind the TK keep­ er and found Natalie Schafer DISCOVER SECRETS OF ANCIENT EGYPT AN EVENING WITH DR. ZAHI HAWASS THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS ARCHAEOLOGIST THE TIME TO REVEAL THE SECRETS OF ANCIENT EGYPT HAS FINALLY COME! 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The Red Hawks put a free kick into the box about four minutes later, from the left side, which skipped towards the far post and was touched in by Ella Peck to push her team’s advantage back to two goals. The score hung at 3-1 until the clock ticked under 17 min­ utes to play. This time it was the Trojans controlling a Red Hawk goal kick and maneu­ vering the other way towards the net. Madilyn Chivis ripped a shot into the upper left 90 from 25 yards out to get TK within 3-2. Upping the attack, TK scored the equalizer with four and a half minutes to go. A Red Hawk goal kick bounded around 15 yards shy of mid­ field before TK’s Emma Schut finally controlled it on the ground and rushed to the top of the 18 where she drove her right foot through the ball for a goal. The Red Hawks put one shot on the outside of the net, just outside the left post, with a little over two and a half minutes to play and then held the ball in the offensive end for a charge up the right side that led to a centering pass that Kelsi Green deflected in for the game-winner 2:17 left on the clock. The Trojans had one comer kick with everyone pushed forward, but couldn’t turn it to a quality chance qn net. Velting and Peyton Pratt scored TK’s first two goals as the Trojans built a 2-0 lead at Catholic Central Wednesday. TK co-head coach Caleb Sleeman said his girls played well and had chances to pushed the lead to three throughout the evening. Catholic Central scored its Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. See TROJANS, page 14 �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023/ Page 11 TK fends off Orioles in final of Wooden Bat tourney Brett Bremer fcs k’S Rs R? > k> c *t hS kKu K'*u« ES ■17 hSfe Kfoij oij FhiftK Kh^. FMir [Wht Rih pteiu •fella! iiOjiiijE' allDjftll mi U izerrtii KDfll liiM Mi taitu liittiv ith tlfcufe thlfri 5(0® rfw pH«i) ulilrf taW Bit al 0 .(flU Jjkd lie Sports Editor With the bases loaded and a run in already in the top of the seventh inning Saturday afternoon, the Trojans called ace starter Gavin Snelling back to the mound. Snelling fell behind 2-0 and then proceeded to fire threepitchespastLudington’s Gage Jones for the strikeout and a 5-4 win for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball team in the finals of its Wooden Bat Tournament Saturday in Middleville. The Thomapple Kellogg boys knocked off Delton Kellogg 14-4 in the tourna­ ment opener and then held on for the one-run win over the Orioles. “The boys really enjoy the wood bat tournament,” TK head coach Nick Iveson said. It’s a fun way to mix up the s“season and give them a s chance to get the pine tar out c and use their wooden bats they might only use for practice normally. These weekend wins are good confi dence builders especially with the tough conference schedule we have. “We had a great series last week against South Christian with a couple really close game so its nice to be on the other side ofthose close ones and we can bring that momentum into our confer­ ence play.” Anson Verlinde threw the first three innings of the championship game for TK as the Trojans staked them- selves to a 5-3 lead. Snelling took over in the fourth and shut out the Orioles over the next three innings. Graysen Stahle came on to pitch the seventh for TK, and he got the first two outs of the innings, but once the Orioles inched within 5-4 Snelling returned to get that final out. Snelling allowed just one hit and struck out six in his 3 1/3 innings. The starter Verlinde gave up three earned runs on four hits and a walk. He struck out six. Isaac Kimble was 3 for 3 at the plate with a key twoout RBI in the bottom of the third inning that brought home what proved to be the winning run. Logan Snelling doubled and Jacob Davis singled for the only other two Trojan hits. Coach Iveson was pleased to report that his guys only broke one bat all day long. The Trojans put those bats to a little more use against Delton Kellogg. The Trojans had seven hits to score their 14 runs. They were helped by ten walks and four Panther errors. Verlinde was 2 for 4 at the plate with two RBI’s. Logan Snelling got the win. He shut out the Panthers on one hit for three innings while striking out seven. Stahle had a scoreless inning of relief in that bailgame. Ben Koster and Abraham Figuereo-Reyes also threw in relief for TK. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball team celebrates its championship at its own TK Wooden Bat Tournament Saturday in Middleville. The Trojans bested Delton Kellogg and Ludington for the championship. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK built a 14-0 lead before up two runs on two hits and the Panthers scored a run in two walks while striking out the fourth and then three in two. the bottom of the fifth. Ludington started its day Adrian DeBoer was with a 10-6 win over the 2-for-3 with two doubles Delton Kellogg boys. and two RBI’s for Delton Delton Kellogg’s Victor Kellogg. Torren Mapes and Gonzales and Philip Halcomb Dylan Fichtner both singled both singled twice. Gonzales once. had two RBI’s and Halcomb Wyatt Colwell took the drove in a run. Elliott Rogers loss. TK scored 12 runs was 1 for 4 with a run scored against him, but only five and two RBI’s. Bardo also were earned. He walked singled once in the loss to eight and struck out four. Ludington for DK. Riley Bourdo came on in The Trojans are sched­ relief in the fourth. He gave uled to go to West Ottawa for two non-conference games Saturday, May 6, and then take on Kenpwa Hills next week back in the OK Gold. Forest Hills Eastern shut out TK in two OK Gold Conference ballgames in Ada Thursday, outscoring TK 10-0 and 3-0. A double by Gavin Snelling was the only hit for TK in the game one loss. Gavin took the mound in game two and held the Hawks to one earned run on three hits. He struck out three. The TK offense couldn’t get going for him though. TK managed just three hits in game two, singles by Thornapple Kellogg’s Ben Koster drops a two-run double over the Delton Brody Wiersma, Gavin and Dylan Kellogg third baseman during their opening bailgame at the Thomapple Kellogg Snelling Wooden Bat Tournament Saturday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Lawrence. • opruce upyour home witn newpillows, curtains, afghans LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS * PICK UPS * ONE TONS * VANS • SUITS • JEEPS•4K4S pm (st it r • Make a tote, pillowcases, quilt, tablecloth, placemats, potholders, aprons, more... FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 Thomapple Kellogg’s Abraham Figuereo-Reyes pitches in relief for TK during its 14-4 win over Delton Kellogg Saturday at the TK Wooden Bat Tournament in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) B&C Clearing, LLC Tree Removal - Tree Trimming - Stump Grinding Skid Steer Work - Demo Work - Standing Timber Buyers • • • • Competitively Priced David Case Free Quotes Licensed & Insured (269) 953-3366 Family Owned & operated bandcclearing@gmail.com Your local agent insures your —R— eK t®i remenat Ask about our annuities and IRAs FARM BUREAU INSURANCE' Ctwt&ig li insurance- CoiKpatuf |j SiotenA 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 Jason Parks OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm AAAJ IM kAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA j 1811 LAKE ST., KALAMAZOO 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023 Scots win three at TK to hold onto second in GR South Division Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ volleyball team will look to finish off a runner-up finish in the Grand Rapids South Division with a solid showing Tuesday at South Christian High School. The host Sailors will be looking to finish off an unde­ feated conference season. East Kentwood will also be a part ofthe evening’s action. Fighting Scot sophomore middle Lukas Palmitier got off the ground to block down the has just 11 guys on the roster this fall. Of those 11, five are seniors and three are players from other school districts invited in to fill the roster. “Our two big hitters, Jon Collins and Austin Kunter, are both seniors,” coach Harp said. “They have been our most productive offen­ sive weapons. They’re kind of our go-to people. That’s what you have to have. They always play opposite of each other.” Collins has plans to play with the Aquinas College final attack from Forest Hills Eastern at the conference com­ petition hosted by the firstyear Thomapple Kellogg team in Middleville Monday. Caledonia head coach Jeff Harp is excited every time he see’s his young middle aggres­ sive at the net “[Palmitier] has gained con­ fidence and power as the year has gone on,” coach Harp said. “He has always been a tipper. We’ve been pushing him to hit the ball.” Palmitier’s strides are prom­ ising for the program, which Men’s Volleyball team next season and coach Harp said senior middle Quinn Silverman also has hopes of joining the Saints’ program. Caledonia improved its Grand Rapids South record to 82- by also adding wins over East Kentwood and Thomapple Kellogg Tuesday. South Christian leads the conference currently at 11-0. The Thomapple Kellogg boys are still shooting for their first con­ ference win, off to an 0-9 start so far. Haden Liensech shared set- ting duties for the Scots a year ago and has taken over the role full-time this spring. Coach Harp has been happy with the way that Liensech has improved the consistency of his sets. The Scots have also seen growth from returning back row player Maddox Gaier and the handful of new guys like freshman libero Christian Moorlag, back row newcom­ er Parker Knoop and right side hitter Noah Pavlak. This spring’s CHS roster also includes Jack Boshoven and Aidan VandenElzen. Coach Harp has also been happy to have a couple of members of the Caledonia varsity girls’ program once again assisting him: Avery Palmateer and Erica Postma. The Fighting Scots will start the state postseason tour­ nament at the district tourna­ ment hosted by Harper Creek May 16. There are now 58 varsity boys’ volleyball teams in the state playing in nine conferences. Ofthose 22 are in the Grand Rapids area’s North, South and West divisions. CHS teams knock off Grandville, fall to Rams, in final OK Red duals Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams both split a pair of OK Red Conference duals at Grandville Wednesday evening - besting the host Bulldogs while falling r Rockford and Caledonia boys won every event between the three teams. Junior Jordan Gutierrez had a pair of wins for the Fighting Scots. He took the long jump with a mark of 20 feet 8.5 inches, besting Rockfordjunior Carter Bissell by an inch. Gutierrez also won the high jump by clear­ ing the bar at 6-0. Those were two of the Scots’ three wins in the field events. Junior Ian Fedewa unleashed a personal record throw of 141-9 to win the discus. He was more than ten feet better than the runner-up in the event. On the track, Caledonia to the Rockford teams on the final night of the conference regular season. The Caledonia boys close out a 5-2 season of conference duals. They outscored Grandville 109-29 and fell 86-51 to the Rams. Over 40 years of experience AYNARD'S I WATER CONDITIONING senior Jordan Domany won 11-0 at the state finals in 2003 the 3200-meter run in 10 min­ to win the first of her two utes 1.02 seconds and the state championships in the Caledonia 4x800-meter relay event. team of Jonathan Miedema, Senior Natalie Quigley Micah Nagel, Anthony won the 3200-meter run for Lawlor and Ayden Duffin the Scots in 12:23.85 and won in 8:30.07. junior teammate Alyssa Fighting Scot junior Owen DeFields was the runner-up Hager won the 110-meter with a time of 12:26.18 that high hurdles in a personal improved her personal record record time of 15.11 seconds. in the race. Six of the first seen finishers Caledonia junior Audrey in that race set a new personal Howell tied the junior class record, including Caledonia record in the 100-meter dash junior Carter Tufts who was for the Scots with a time of fourth overall in 16.21 behind 13.17 which put her in second the Rams’ George Brown place. Rockford senior Maya (15.30) and Grandville’s Anderson won it tin 13.08. Cashis Ruff (15.34). Howell was also the run­ The Caledonia girls close a ner-up in the 300-meter low 4-3 season of conference hurdles in 51.49, a time best­ duals. The CHS girls beat ed only by a PR of 50.20 from Grandville 87-50 and fell Rockford junior Ciara 95-42 to the Rams of Rosenzweig. Rockford. Howell also teamed with Caledonia junior Molly senior Leah Thompson, soph­ Winger tied the CHS junior omore Avalynn Klapmust class record in the girls’ pole and sophomore Leah vault, winning by clearing the Williams to win the bat at 11-0. She matched the 4x400-meter relay in 4:29.09. 2003 junior year mark set by Rockford senior Emma Angie Maxey who cleared Flanders won the 200-meter dash in 27.03 and the 400meter dash in 1:00.16. Caledonia senior Avah Winstrom ran her fastest 400 yet, 1:00.58, to place second in that race. Flanders was also a part of winning 4x 100-meter and 4x200-meter relay teams for the Rams along with Anderson and Greta Caprathe-Buczek who also won the high jump. Maiya Corrigan joined them for the 4x100 win and Halle Barnard was the fourth mem­ ber of the 4x200-meter relay team. Those girls contributed all over for the Rams. Corrigan, a freshman, was second in the pole vault to Winger with a leap of 10-6. Anderson won the long jump at 17-1.5 and the sophomore CapratheBuczek was second at 15-8. Caprathe-Buczek won the high jump by clearing 5-6. Rockford’s Ciara Rosenzweig won both hur­ dles races. She set her PR in the 100-meter hurdles at 16.19 while also PR’ing in the 300 hurdles. YNARD'S jcoNorrioNtNC SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS CHS tennis squad scores its first conference win, besting EK 6-3 Brett Bremer Bottled water at your tap with a water purification system from Maynards. i • Clear •Fresh n1 •Healthy Without the contaminants found in otdrnary tap water! Stop in for your free water test! IWaynard's - -W- WATER CONDITIONING Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis team scored its first OK Red Conference win of the season Wednesday, knocking off East Kentwood on the courts at Caledonia High School 6-3. Caledonia swept the five doubles matches and had sec­ ond singles player Sarah Kirk tallying a singles point with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over East Kentwood’s Judith Kalihira. The Scots claimed the five doubles points with straight set victories at every flight. Caledonia’s number one team of Allyson Abraham and Allison Weibel led the way with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Charlene Out-Konadu and Katie Ngo. At second doubles, the Scot team of Abby Duong and Kanika Verma scored a 6-3, 6-1 win over Malory Mosley and Ehblut Moo. Sela Fitzell and Emily Sorstokke scored a 6-1, 6-1 win for the Scots at third doubles over Kendall Sallie and Kati Schoene. Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST Authorize# PRO’S PICK* Dealer 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 6r6 89TV3V3 WWW.MAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Mertz outscored the Falcons’ Anya Chivis and Alexandria Torres 6-4,6-2. The fifth dou­ bles team of Anna Stone and Audrey Duong for the Scots outscored the Falcons’ Asmita Sarkii and Samikchya Gurung 6-3,6-2. East Kentwood took its three singles wins in straight sets. Deenie Mercer got the first singles win for the Falcons. She outscored Hailey Markwat 6-1,6-2. At third singles, the Falcons got a 6-2,6-1 win by Gracelynn Hall over Grace Geer. EK’s Natalie Weed bested the Scots’ Lilly Hess 6-1, 6-1 at fourth singles. Caledonia was scheduled to host Rockford for a tough OK Red Conference dual Friday, May 5, and the Scots will be back in action for duals at home with Grandville Monday and Calvin Christian Wednesday. West Ottawa will host the OK Red Conference Tournament Saturday, May 13. . �The e Sun unan and News, ews, Saturday, auray, May ay 6,, 2023/ Page age 13 CHS boys take first of three in OK Red series with Falcons *2** $ ” Rh. W. **% % •% *S The Fighting Scots’ Corbin Raffler pulls a ground ball towards the right side during the bottom of the sixth inning of Caledonia’s 9-3 win over visiting East Kentwood Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer pi pinn P^j ^(®I llWjj :6%iii hilWJil imiiK ni ink (in Is rartb tuMi i Mu fl Irfi® pftW mi it ft* iW fl I* V* It ' ( l is Sports Editor The weather improved, but the results didn’t. The Caledonia varsity baseball team opened its three-game OK Red Conference series with a 9-3 win over visiting East Kentwood Tuesday after­ noon. With temperatures close to 40 degrees, wind and a few spits of rain coming down Tuesday, the Scots and Falcons elected to save their conference doubleheader for a more seasonable Thursday afternoon. The Falcons took those two games in Kentwood Thursday. Despite the chill, the Scots performed well Tuesday. “It was probably one of our better games [defensive­ ly], but it all comes back to pitching,” Caledonia head coach Jason Burghardt said. “With good pitching, guys stay in games when there aren’t a bunch of clogs on the bases. The big thing is our offense is starting to swing better. I think that is the best we’ve swung throughout our line-up this year. Raffler had two hits. We were putting the ball in play and hitting through the line-up and not just trying to rely on one or two guys.” “We were hitting it before, but we just weren’t being productive with our swings. Not putting the ball in play as much as we’d like to and not quite being as aggressive as we needed to be. They’re trusting themselves more getting a few more swings under us now that we are a third of the way through the season. I feel like we got some of the kinks out.” Number seven hitter Corbin Raffler helped power an eight-hit Caledonia attack with a single, a double and a walk. He was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored. At the top of the Scots’ line-up, AJ Szabo was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Mitchell Smith was 1 for 3 with a triple and two RBI. He scored a run as well. Nick Slater, Tommy Clarey and Drew Drennan had the Scots’ other hits - all singles. Slater, Derek Pennington and Clarey had one RBI each. One rough inning really did in the Falcons. The Scots scored eight times in the bot­ tom of the fourth to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 9-2 advan­ tage. That was plenty of runs for Caledonia starting pitcher Aaron Hileman to earn the win. He struck out ten and walked one in his six innings, allowing just four hits. Neither of the runs against him were earned. “He was just aggressive in the zone and didn’t give up any freebies ... He pitched like he should,:” Burghardt said. Smith came on to finish off the Falcons, giving up one run in the top of the sev­ enth. Ethan Salisbury was 3 for 4 with a double and two RBI’s to lead the Falcon offense. The Falcons enacted their revenge Thursday scoring Caledonia right fielder Mitchell Smith slides in to grab a fly ball for an out during the Fighting Scots’ OK Red Conference win over visiting East Kentwood Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 2-0 and 14-10 wins in Kentwood. Falcon pitcher L Storms struck out eight and walked three while limiting the Scots to three hits in game one. Those three hits were sin­ gles by Szabo, Raffler and Clarey. Caledonia committed five errors that led to nine unearned runs in game two, which prevented a 14-hit attack from being enough. Szabo, Raffler, Slater, Clarey, Zack Maurer and Alex Skibinski had two hits each for the Scots in the game two loss. Skibinski, Clarey and Raffler had three RBI’s each, and Slater and Maurer had two RBI’s apiece. Pennington and Jacob Stoczynski also had hits for the Scots. Slater doubled twice and also walked twice in the bailgame. Skibinski had a double and Clarey a triple. All those ballgames with the Falcons were sandwiched around a few non-conference contests. The Scots split a doubleheader with visiting Wayland Wednesday taking the opener 6-3 and falling 12-1 in game two. Last Saturday the Scots split two with Northview, winning 5-4 and then falling 11-3 in Caledonia. Pennington had the hot bat in the game one win over Northview Saturday going 4 for 4 with three RBI’s. He doubled and had three sin­ gles. Slater had a single and a double and Jace Lawton had a single and a triple to go with two RBI’s. Pennington drilled a bases loaded double with one out See SCOTS, page 14 ZfeX ZfeX NOTICE of public hearings THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING commission MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. 197943199188 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised that the Village of Middleville VILLAGE COUNCIL will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on May 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible to consider Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Rezoning application. This hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Village Council meeting at 100 E Main Street, Middleville, Michigan, and via electronic means using Zoom video conferencing. The Village Council will consider an application for a Final Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Rezoning application located on parcel #08-41-022138-00 (also known as 4611 M-37). The applicant is seeking to rezone approximately 21.9 acres from C-2 Highway Commercial District to PUD Planned Unit Development District for the purposes of a Final PUD plan. The final development plan consists of 144 total dwelling units, 3 commercial out lots, and 134 storage units. Any interested person may attend the public hearing in-person or electronically via the following link https://us02web.zoom.usZj/86557718284, Meeting ID 865 5771 8284, Passcode Village, to obtain information about the rezoning and Final PUD or offer comments to the Village Council. A copy of the rezoning and Final PUD applications is available at the Village Hall or via email request to the Village Clerk, at ayalag@villaqeofmiddleville.org. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day of the hearing and may be addressed to the Village Council at PO Box 69, Middleville, Ml 49333 or by email to ayalag@villageofmiddleville.org. Respectfully submitted, Glorimar Ayala Village Clerk Please be advised the Thornapple Township Planning Commission will hold public hearings on May 22, 2023, at 7pm or as soon thereafter as pos­ sible. The public hearings will take place in the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville. The public hearing will address the following: 1) Special Use #160/Site Plan #128-Applicant, Jennifer Carey, is seeking special use and site plan approval to construct a solar system greater than 600 sq ft at 3450 Eagleview Ct, Middleville, Ml (parcel 08-14-025­ 001-35) per Thornapple Township Zoning Ordinance, Special Uses, Section 19.69 Commercial Ground­ mounted Solar Energy and Solar Farm Special Use Standards. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to learn about the extent and location of Special Use requests to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the applications noted above may be examined in the Township offices at the address noted above during regular business hours. Monday - Thursday 9am- 4pm Written comments regarding these applications may be addressed to: Secretary, Thornapple Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. Sandy Rairigh, Commission Secretary or submitted via email to: pgensterblum@thornapple-twp.org Americans with Disabilities Notice Persons with special access needs should contact the Township Clerk at 269-795-7202 no less than 72 hours before the hearings. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023 SCOTS, continued from page 13 in the bottom of the seventh to bring home the three runs the Scots needed to walk off with a 5-4 win. Carter Bom started on the mound and held the Wildcats to two earned runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out seven. Stoczynski got the final out of the top of the seventh and earned the win thanks to the Scots’ last at-bat heroics. In game two against Northview, Pennington had a single, a double and two more RBI’s. In the Scots’ 6-3 win to open Wednesday’s doubleheader with Wayland, Pennington belted two home runs and drove in three runs. Szabo and Maurer both had a single and a double. Raffler and Skibinski had one RBI each. Cam Myers went the dis­ tance on the mound for the win. He struck out five and gave up three runs on seven hits. He didn’t walk a batter. Singles by Pennington and Szabo were the only hits for the Scots in game two. Skibinski drove in his team’s only run. Aaron Hileman pitches the Fighting Scots to a vic­ tory over visiting East Kentwood Tuesday afternoon in Caledonia. Hileman struck out ten in six innings. He didn’t allow an earned run in the Scots’ 9-3 victory. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TROJANS, continued from page 10 lone goal with less than two minutes remaining. “Honestly, this year the conference has been really evenly spread amongst the top five teams with anyone capable of beating anyone and a lot of really close results,” Sleeman said. “It’s unfortunate that we slipped up on Monday, but the girls had a nice bounce back per­ formance Wednesday and we have two non-confer- ence games to go ... We definitely seem to be improving individually and as a team as the season wears on, and the goal will be to continue that as we head into conference tour­ nament play and ultimately district play.” TK had a non-conference contest at Hopkins on the schedule for Friday, May 5, and will got to Zeeland East Monday, May 8. Grandville only team better than Trojan track at Frank Grimm Invite 2:10.45, the 1600-meter run in 5:03.88. Sports Editor Van Meter and VanHaitsma The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ and girls’ track were a part of TK’s runner-up and field teams both finished relay team in the sprint medley second to Grandville Saturday relay which also included at Wyoming’s 55th Annual junior Drake Snyder and the freshman Vanengen. Frank Grimm Invitational. TK was second in three of The TK girls were just 26 points back of the Bulldogs, the five relays at the event 184-158, at the top of the Junior Jaxan Sias, senior Gabe standings. The TK boys were LaJoye, junior Tyler Gavette bested 204-166 by the and junior Ethan Bonnema took second in the 4x200-meGrandville guys. Wyoming placed third in ter relay with a time of 1:34.05. the boys’ meet with 86 points LaJoye, Bonnema, Sias and ahead of Northview 44 and senior Tyler Bushman placed second in the 4x400-meter Wyoming Lee 6. The Trojan teams set a relay in 3:42.92. number of personal records. TK boys won both of the Senior Kyle VanHaitsma clocked his throwing events. best time yet in the 400-meter Carson Burbridge set his PR in dash, 56.05 seconds, to win the discus at 116-2 for the vic­ that race. He was one of two tory. Junior Drake Snyder TK guys to finish the race in took the shot put at 38-10.0. TK had three guys set their less than a minute. Freshman Malachi Vanengen turned in a personal record in the pole vault, placing second, third time of 57.69 to place fourth. VanHaitsma also won the and fourth respectively. long jump with a personal Freshman Luke Archer led the record mark of 19 feet 5 inch­ group clearing 9-6. Sophomore es and pushed his PR to 5-6 in Caden Strait cleared 9-0 and a fourth-place finish in the sophomore Hunter Tietz got high jump. Senior teammate oyer the bar at 8-0. Alejandro Rodas was the run­ Trojan freshman Nate ner-up in that highjump com­ Shoemaker set his personal petition with a height of 5-8. record in both hurdles races. TKjunior Lucas Van Meter He was the runner-up in the won the 800-meter run in 300-meter intermediate hur- Brett Bremer Top two OK Red teams hand Scots their first two conference losses It was a tough week for the Caledonia varsity girls’ soc­ cer team. The Fighting Scots were bested 3-0 at Hudsonville Thursday evening after a 2-1 loss at West Ottawa Tuesday. Those are the first two defeats ofthe OK Red Conference season for the Caledonia girls. Those two teams are the only two teams ahead ofthe Scots in the conference standings head- ing into the final week of the conference regular season. Hudsonville is now 6-0 in conference play. The West Ottawa girls moved to 4-1-1 with their win over the Scots. Caledonia has a big confer­ ence showdown at Rockford Tuesday night, May 9. Caledonia is now 3-2 in OK Red play. The Rams sit at 3-2 with a match Monday against Grand Haven left as well. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Summary of Request: Special Land Use request to operate a Child Day Care Center at Kentwood Community Church located in the Office-Service (O-S) zoning district. Property Address: 1200 60th Street SE Parcel Number: 41-22-05-201-004 Applicant: Kentwood Community Church Date and Time of Hearing: May 25th, 2023, at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Gaines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Weils at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on May 25th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. TK had five girls finish in the top ten and four of those set personal records including sophomore Brooklyn Hannon who on in a personal record time of 15.59. Junior Joselyn DeBoer was third in a PR of 17.36, freshman Mia Hilton fourth in a PR of 17.57 and freshman Kara Smith seventh in a PR of20.75. TK senior Lindsey Veiling set- her PR at 27.92 to place third in the 200-meter dash after running her fastest 100meter dash of the season to place third in 13.47. Trojan freshman Payton Gater added a third-place time of 1:06.32 to lead TK in the 400-meter dash, and senior Monica Serrano Aguilar was fourth in the 800meter run with a personal record time of 2:47.83. The TK ladies were second in three of the five relays. Brooke Kimbel, TJ Myers, Kendra Coe and Kara Smith had a time of 1:59.77 in the 4x200-meter relay and Karlee Davis-Dunn, Kimbel, Claira Kovich and Abigail LaJoye finished the 4x400-meter relay in 5:19.94. in the Distance Medley Relay the TK team of Gater, Coe, Madison Kietzman and Crews placed second in 14:47.15. Business Services Pets MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom GOLDEN RETREIVER PUP­ PIES Very cute and adorable. trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Looking for forever homes, $325. (517)726-0706 BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. Help Wanted CARVETH VILLAGE OF Middleville is in search of full time and part time caregivers to work 12 days a month or less. Benefits are included as well as great wages and a flexible schedule. Apply on­ line at www.carvethvillage. com or in person by calling (269)795-4972. Farm LOCAL HASTINGS FARM raised organic pork. No inoc­ ulations- All Natural. Mangalitsa/Duroc cross. Processing May 14th. Call (616)299-6563. Reserve Now. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: dles in 43.45 seconds and placed fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles in 18.07. Gavette had a runner-up time of24.02 in the 200-meter dash which improved his PR. Wyoming Lee was third in the girls’ meet with 62 points ahead of Wyoming 44 and Northview 24. There were many more per­ sonal record performances by the TK ladies. They had them in nearly every event too. Senior Emmerson DeVries improved her personal record to 9-0 in the pole vault to win that event for TK. In the field TK also had Lydia Schilthroat, a sopho­ more, set a PR of 13-7 in the long jump in a runner-up fin­ ish. TK senior Elizabeth Gaunt was second in the shot put at 28-8 and senior Preslee Hall was the runner-up in the dis­ cus with a throw of 87-4. Trojan juniors Eva Corson and Kenady Smith both cleared the bar at 4-10 in the highjump to finish 1-2 in that event. TK had two wins on the track. Sophomore Ava Crews dropped her PR in the 3200meter run to 11:43.93 in a win. Freshman teammate Avery Hagemann was third in that race with a PR of 14:23.75. In the 100-meter hurdles NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: Summary of Request: Request to rezone 29 acres located near the southwest corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and 100th Street from A-B to PUD-MR for the purpose of expanding Stoneco's mineral removal operation. Property Address: 10287 Kalamazoo Ave SE Parcel Number: 41-22-33-100-008 Applicant: Stoneco of Michigan Date and Time of Hearing: May 25th, 2023, at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Gaines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on May 25th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6,2023/ Page 15 Scot softball steals one of two from East Kentwood girls Brett Bremer s» ‘ran Sports Editor East Kentwood pitcher Aalana Kimble shut down the Fighting Scot attack in game one and the Falcons were on their way to a dou­ bleheader sweep Tuesday in Caledonia before the Scots rallied for two runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out a one-run win in game two. The Falcons scored six runs in the top of the fifth inning to move ahead 8-7 in game two, but the Scots answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to score a 9-8 win. MacKenzie DeVries start­ ed the sixth-inning rally with a four-pitch walks for the Scots. She came around to score on three passed balls. Kala Bisterfeldt earned a Caledonia’s Kiera Sundstrom takes a cut at a pitch one-out walk, and stole sec­ during the bottom of the fifth inning of game two ond, went to third on a Falcon against East Kentwood Tuesday in Caledonia. (Photo error and scored what proved by Brett Bremer) to be the winning run on an RBI single into center by Malia Burke. Burke’s single was the last of ten Caledonia hits in the win. She was 3 for 4 with two singles and a double. Keira Sundstrom was 2 for 3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Addy Lash hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning that had Caledonia’s MacKenzie DeVries slides safely under East Kentwood pitcher Liz Davis to score the tying run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth inning of game two Tuesday in Caledonia. The Scots took a 9-8 win with two runs in the sixth. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the Scots in front 4-1 at the time. She was 2 for 4 in the bailgame. Jaz Dana was 1 for 3 for the Scots with two RBI’s and a run scored. Avery Hallo was 1 for 3 and scored on Lash’s home run. MacKenzie Parker was 1 for 3 and scored two runs. Dana, Addy Olin and Molly Lieske took turns in the circle to finish offthe Falcons. Dana got the win. She threw 4 1/3 innings allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks. She struck out three. Lieske threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings. She struck out one and walked two. The Falcons took the opener 1-0 with Kimble striking out 11. She allowed just two hits, with a double from Kala Bisterfeldt and a single from Burke. Caledonia is now 3-7 in the OK Red Conference this season. The Scots were bested 15-3 by visiting Jenison Thursday. Caledonia was outhit 17-3. Bisterfeldt, Parker and Dana each had a single in the loss. Parker and Dana had RBI’s. Wan. iiintlik W 2ND ANNUAL SPRING must Msadri iithar iysaitf; KrtA aalfi Fighting Scot pitcher Molly Lieske hurls the ball towards the plate during game two of her team’s OK Red Conference doubleheader against East Kentwood. (Photo by Brett Bremer) COME ENJOY A GOLF CART.RIDE ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL PAUL HENRY THORNAPPLE TRAIL. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AND INFORMATION BOOTHS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY PAVILION ACROSS FROM THE VILLAGE HALL ON E. MAIN STREET. Where: Along the Paul Henry Thornapple Trgil When: May 17, 2023 (In case of rain, the event will be.held on May 18th) Time: 11 am - 3 pm For more information, please visit our website www.villageofmiddleville.org, Facebook Page, or call (269) 795-3385 iTdhdalnekvs itloleo.uor rlgoc/al sponsors THEM Caledonia left fielder Grace Siekman hurries the ball in from the comer after an East Kentwood double during the top of the fifth inning of game two Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) , ... �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 6, 2023 Scots in loss to Portage Northern boys Slow start hold Brett Bremer Sports Editor It took the Portage Northern Huskies just 40 seconds to get their first goal at Scotland Yard Saturday. They got another one 25 seconds later, and a third seven seconds after that and the moved out to a 4-0 lead over the Caledo: boys’ lacrosse tc first two and a h of play. The slow start by the Fighting Scots was the dif­ ference in the end as the Portage Northern boys scored a 10-7 win. The score remained 4-0 Caledonia’s Tyler Burd (right) works to keep Portage Northern’s Ryan Hughes out of the attacking zone during their non-conference contest at Scotland Yard Saturday, April 29. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia senior Colin Martinek pushes out out of the defensive zone with the ball during his team’s non-conference contest with visiting Portage Northern Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) through the rest of the first quarter, and grew to as large as 7-1 before the half. The Scots would fight back to within two in the opening seconds ofthe fourth quarter. A"’'goaf'Ty junior Blake Herron off an assist from senior teammate Carson Beyer had Caledonia within 7-5 momentarily. That was as close as the Scots would get the rest of the way though. Portage Northern senior goalkeeper Evan Kakabeeke was stellar in goal for his team making a handful of We Accept A DELTA DENTAL’ Keep YourTeeth fora LIFETIME! saves in the first period alone and eating up everything that came his way until Beyer scored a minute into the sec­ ond period. Scotjunior Jackson Kozak scored in the closing seconds of the first half to get the Scots within 7-2 at the break. Herron and Kozak both scored their second goal of the game before the third period was up. Herron scored 13 seconds into the fourth quarter to get the Scots with­ in 7-5. Portage Northern junior Ryan Gillen, a pest all after­ noon in the offensive zone, boosted his team back to a three-goal lead a minute after Herron’s third goal. The teams were back and forth from there. Kozak scored again, off an assist from Logan Martinelli, on a fine charge up field by the Scots that started with senior Colin Martinek getting the bail out of the defensive end and running through junior Jack VanEss and then Martinelli before finding Kozak for the shot. Gillen responded with two goals in the next minute and a half to get his team’s lead to 10-6 with five and a half minutes to play. VanEss tacked on a final goal as the clock ticked under four minutes. The Scots bounced back for a 13-8 win at ReethsPuffer Tuesday afternoon and then fell 14-8 to Hudsonville at Scotland Yard Thursday this week. They were slated to host Grand Haven Friday, May 5. The Scots are back in action at home Tuesday, May 9, to face West Ottawa, and then head to the Petoskey Invitational May 12. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment With a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions arid explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush RLL YourTeeth, Just The Ones You I Plant To Keep. You too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! We especaze specialize inn the e prevenon, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan | (LUe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Caledonia junior Blake Herron fires a shot at the Portage Northern net during the Scots’ 10-7 loss to the visiting Huskies Saturday afternoon at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) . ,,,....................... � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-05-13.pdf 6066d9f36f30e1a26d4e36e0b2d1cbd9 PDF Text Text The Sun and Ne k . 4. . Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 19/ May 13, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Former school board member named new clerk in Thornapple Twp. Greg Chandler And, they’re off! Carveth Village, an assisted living and retirement community in Middleville, got in the spirit of the Kentucky Derby last week Friday by hosting its annual Derby Day. Instead of thoroughbreds racing around a dirt track, volunteers raced around a parking lot in wheelchairs. This year, representatives from Thornapple Township Emergency Services, Barry County Central Dispatch and the Barry County Commission on Aging participated and raced against Carveth Village staff for a trophy and bragging rights. Derby Day is one of the many events that staff at Carveth Village organize throughout the course of the year. “Carveth Village believes that assisted living should be more than a place to live, but rather we become a second family where we have a fun-loving environment and can all laugh and be silly together,” said Makenzi Peters, administrator for Carveth Village. Staff Writer A former Thornapple Kellogg Board of Education member is the new clerk in Thomapple Township. Cindy Ordway, who served on the TK school board for 14 years, was sworn into office on Monday morning and attended her first board meeting that night. She was appointed by the township board April 13 on a 7-0 vote to succeed Cindy Willshire, who resigned as clerk at the end of March after six years in that capacity. She will serve until the 2024 elec­ tions. “Ever since I left the school board, I felt kind of conflicted, like I need to serve. I need to serve some­ where else,” Ordway said. One day, Ordway received a postcard in the mail from the township advertising the clerk’s opening. “I thought, this is what I need, to give me an opportu­ nity and serve and give back to the community,” she said. Ordway, who previously worked in the title insurance industry for 12 years, was selected from among five candidates who were inter­ viewed by the board over a period of several weeks. Township Trustee Curt Campbell moved to appoint Ordway “based upon the extensive experience and background with financial and record-keeping, the cur­ rent use of our existing BS&A software programs, the community involvement of this candidate as well as the overall communication and people skills.” Ordway, 57, was first elected to the TK school board in June 2004 and served until 2018. She said See NEW CLERK, page 3 Swisslane Farms biodigester to convert manure into renewable energy Justin Tiemeyer J-AdNews Service On March 20, the Bowne Township Planning Commission held a hearing on draft zoning amend­ ments to allow for construc­ tion of a manure manage­ ment biodigester at Swisslane Farms near Alto. When public comment overflowed the space and time allotted to this matter, the planning commission agreed to reconvene for a public hearing at Alto Elementary School on the evening of Tuesday, April Once installed, the joint Swisslane Farms/ Consumers Energy manure biodigester in Bowne Township will turn waste from dairy cows into renew­ able natural-heating gas for nearby Consumers cus­ tomers, and the only thing standing in the way, cur­ rently, is a Bowne Township zoning ordinance. 18, 2023, with approxi­ mately 100 members of the public in attendance. The planning commission voted unanimously, with one abstention/recusal, to rec­ ommend the zoning amend­ ments for approval by the township board. The whole thing started when representatives from Swisslane Farms reached out to Consumers Energy. The historic dairy farm traces its roots back to Swiss farmer, Fredrick Oesch, who traveled to the United States in 1904 and bought the 91-acre plot, which the farm now sits atop, in 1915. Today, the farm is still owned and operated by the Oesch’s, who wished to partner with Consumers in order to reach their own private sustain­ ability goals, while also seeing what they can do to be part of the clean-energy revolution across the state. Joshua Paciorek is the media contact for Consumers Energy opera­ tions in Kent County. “We know that Michigan is going to need natural gas for years to come,” Paciorek said. “Renewable natural Former Thornapple Kellogg school board member gas is an exciting opportu- Cindy Ordway has been appointed as the new clerk in nity to help the environ-Thornapple Township (Photo provided) ment and the economy.” There’s a palpable feel­ ing of excitement that comes from everyone at Swisslane Farms, and • Winterfest planning committee sees Consumers Energy, who is changing of the guard involved in the project. Though cow manure is • TK sends three teams to Odyssey of technically a waste product, the Mind world finals farmers have been using it to their benefit for years as • State tries to take gravel pit oversight a crop fertilizer and a soil powers away from local governments amendment. This is because cow manure is high in nitro­ • Thornapple Kellogg celebrates its gen, phosphorus and potas­ college bound student-athletes sium, nutrients that are key to the facilitation of plant • CHS girls score seven goals, don’t growth. The excitement allow a shot, in victory over Jenison in SeeB/0D/GESTER,page2 �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13,2023 BIODIGESTER, continued from page 1 surrounding the manure biodigester comes from the possibility that the same substance might be used to heat homes in the commu­ nity without the use of non-renewable resources or problematic processes like fracking and knowing that this form of energy is sol­ vent so long as there are cows on the earth. The problem with manure now is the same as it has been for hundreds of years; cow manure stinks, and some neighbors have cited concerns about the Swisslane Farms biodigest­ er, due to problems that beset a biodigester in Lowell. The Lowell biodigester, located at the Litehouse salad dressing production facility, was eventually closed down, due to a smell of rotting food that wafted throughout the residential neighborhood surrounding it. Dana Kirk, assistant pro­ fessor of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Michigan State University, explained to the crowd at the April 18 planning com­ mission meeting that the Swisslane Farms biodigest­ er is different. The design specifications are novel, technology has improved in the years since the failure of Lowell’s unit, and the Litehouse biodigester was not a manure biodigester; the terrible smell emitted from the facility resulted from taking a variety of different food byproducts and pumping them into the public sanitary sewer sys­ tems. The proposed zoning amendments would only allow manure biodigesters in Bowne Township, not food-waste biodigesters. “We’re relying on the biology and the system to take that organic waste and convert it into methane or carbon dioxide and biogas,” said Kirk. “When you don’t feed it a balanced diet, it’s going to perform just like you or I would.” The zoning amendment that would allow Swisslane Farms to have an on-site manure biodigester will be presented before-the Bowne Township Board on Monday, May 15, 2023. Though the Bowne Township zoning ordinance does not explicitly address manure management biodi­ gesters for farms, such facilities would likely only be allowed in industrial zoning districts. If Bowne Township were the entity responsible for the con­ struction and use of the manure biodigester, it is likely that the Michigan Right to Farm Act would preempt any township zon­ ing ordinances. However, since Consumers Energy Company is responsible for building and operating the proposed biodigester, it would be fully subject to zoning ordinance. Michigan law prohibits townships from being arbi­ trary, unreasonable or exclusionary in their zoning decisions, and there is a concern that prohibition of non-industrial farm biodi­ gesters could open the township to legal action. An amendment to Bowne Township zoning ordinance could prevent such prob­ lems, and the planning commission has been work­ ing on such an amendment since Aug. 15, 2022. Beyond the May 15 board meeting, the project’s time­ line is unclear. “As we look ahead, I don’t have any news to share on the timeline,” Paciorek said, “but we’re continuing to work with Bowne and the local com­ munity to bring this to frui­ tion.” Consumers Energy is the state’s largest energy pro­ vider. A manure biodigest­ er, like the one proposed for construction at Swisslane Farms, could produce enough renewable gas to heat about 1,000 homes on a cold winter day. According to a clean energy plan approved in the sum­ mer of 2022, Consumers Energy intends to be one of the first power companies in the country to close all of their coal power plants. In addition to renewable natu­ ral gas from cow manure, the energy utility intends to purchase tens of thousands of acres of farmland in Michigan for the construc­ tion of solar farms, amount­ ing to less than 2 percent of existing farmland in the state. The manure biodigester at Swisslane Farms in Bowne Township is just one of many similar pro­ posed facilities across the state. Many are already under construction, and some will begin operation shortly. As for the Swisslane Farms facility, construction cannot begin until the peo­ ple of Bowne Township agree to the changes in local zoning ordinance. Those interested in express­ ing their opinion on the matter may do so at the upcoming Bowne Township Board meeting on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 7 p.m. Brothers receive Distinguished Alumni awards Two brothers were hon­ ways and in 2021 received ored with the Thomapple the Hometown Hero Award Kellogg Alumni Association from the Thomapple Area Distinguished Alumni Enrichment Foundation. He awards at Saturday’s all­ has been a volunteer reader class reunion. Mike Bremer, in the elementary schools Class of 1968, and his and served the Imagination brother, Dr. David Bremer, Library of Barry County. Class of 1970, received the Most recently, he’s become prestigious awards. a part-time bus driver for The brothers graciously the TK district. accepted the honors, saying “The list of Mike they were humbled and Bremer’s community honored. involvement is long and “One of the goals of the impressive,” said TKAA is to honor gradu­ Middlebush. “He has served ates who have made a dif­ as the Thomapple Township ference in the lives of oth­ Supervisor and a Barry ers and have gone above County Commissioner. He and beyond in their chosen is also a member and held field. Tonight we have two many offices in organiza­ graduates who have made tions including Rotary, giving back part of their YMCA of Barry County, DNA,” said TKAA Middleville DDA, Historian Cindy Thornapple Area Middlebush. Enrichment Foundation, Mike Bremer has been Thomapple Area Parks and actively involved in the Recreation, Spectrum community in a variety of Pennock Foundation, [Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Whe el Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted - Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Leadership Barry County and Middleville Housing Commission.” “He has given his time and talents on the Heritage Day Committee, 24-Hour Challenge and, of course, The Village Players,” she added. Mike Bremer said he moved to Middleville in 1952 and there are many from the next Bremer fami­ ly generations now attend­ ing TK Schools. “We love this community and we’re going to be here for a long time,” he said. “I’m so blessed and so happy I have had an oppor­ tunity to grow up here.” Mike Bremer attended Grand Rapids Junior College after high school and later transferred to the University of Montana where he earned degrees in elementary education, health, physical education and recreation. He’s worked regularly as a sub­ stitute, was a personnel manager at Bradford White and a human resource administrator. He’s been an activity therapist for Barry County Mental Health and the Director of the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation. “Being associated with the list of names of people who have received this award is amazing. This is a great award. I’m blessed to be part of a fabulous family and community,” Mike Bremer said. Mike’s younger brother, Dr. David Bremer, was called next to receive his award. David went to the University ofMaryland, the University of Michigan, Mercy College and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has served as the Chief of Staff and on the board of directors for Joshua’s House in Clare. He is on the Mike Bremer (Class of 1968) and Dr. David Bremer board of directors for the (Class of 1970) receive the TK Alumni Association Clare United Methodist Distinguished Service Awards. Church Childcare Center and began the Bremer for 37 years and has I’m very thankful for the Family Endowed delivered over 1,200 life I’ve had.” Scholarship through the babies,” said Middlebush. The two new inductees Clare Community “He and his wife, Colleen, join the list of other distin­ Foundation. have traveled extensively guished alumni: “He practiced medicine on medical mission trips - Connie Beeler (1942) to Mexico, Peru, - Robert Wenger (1950) Nicaragua, Lithuania and - Walter Eavey (1952) Haiti. They volunteer - Robert Bender (1954) together at the Greater - Sharon yers Lansing Food Bank and Schondelmayer (1955) the Mt. Hope United - Donald Williamson Methodist Church month­ (1957) Rd., Middleville ly food giveaways.” - Robert Williams (1957) David graciously accept­ - Donald Guekes (1958) ed the honor. - James Gibson (1960) “I thank the association - Janet Solomon Geukes for this very fine honor. It’s (1961) quite a humbling experi­ - Larry Seger (1963) ence. I’ve been very bless­ - Jody Helrigel Pratt ed since graduating from (1966) Thomapple Kellogg High — Gary VanElset (1968) School,” he said. - Bill Rich (1969) David Bremer also said —Judge Michael Schipper he and wife of 49 years, (1981) have been fortunate to be — Dr. Chris Noah (1983) able to travel on medical The next Distinguished mission trips around the Alumni Awards will be pre­ world to help others. sented during the 2023 “I’ve found a great deal homecoming football game of satisfaction in my career. on Sept. 29. USED BOOK SALE TK Community Library 3885 Bender Saturday, May 20, 2023 9:30am-1:30pm �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13,2023/ Page 3 NEW CLERK, continued from page 1 the most rewarding part of her experience was “the sense of community and the sense of love of our staff toward our kids.” “Middleville is family, and the schools are the rock,” she said. “I think that each and every teacher, staff member, bus driver, loves the kids at TK.” As clerk, Ordway will be responsible for elections. She is certainly aware of the increased focus and concerns on integrity of the election process. “I want people to know that I will do everything to the best of my ability to serve — honestly, transparently and unbiased,” she said. “Being an election official, I think it’s important to connect with the community and see you in the community, so that they see you, they can communicate with you, they can establish a relationship with you and maybe gain trust. I think trust is a huge thing.” Ordway is one oftwo new­ ly-appointed members of the Township Board. Laura Bouchard was appointed trea­ surer for the township in March, after longtime Treasurer Deb Buckowing resigned. Buckowing had been on the board for 20 years. Ordway has lived in Thomapple Township since the age of 10. She is a 1983 Thomapple Kellogg High School graduate, where she served on the student council and was a cheerleader. She has been married for 37 years to her high school sweetheart, David, and has three children and five grandchildren. Elsewhere on Monday night, the Township Board: - Approved a new logo for Thornapple Township Emergency Services that will clearing the way for the sale include the words “Fire of bonds for. the Duncan Department” and Lake No. 2 drainage district, “Ambulance.” The depart­ and in a related move, autho­ ment will now be able to rized Township Supervisor purchase patches with the Eric Schaefer to sign an new logo for TIES members. intergovernmental agreeThe previous logo had been ment with the Barry County in use for more than 20 years. Drain Commissioner and - Approved a 2 percent Barry County Road increase in the fee for con­ Commission for the upcom­ necting into the sewer system ing drain improvement proj­ bff Noffke Drive, effective ect there. The agreement sets Jan. 1, 2024. The fee will forth the coordination of increase from $12,000 to construction and financing $12,480. The township will for the drain project in con­ consider similar increases junction with road construc­ annually. tion work on Noffke Drive - Approved a resolution that the township recently contracted with the road commission on. - Approved the purchase of security cameras for the township hall at a cost of no more than $700. Cameras will be installed for the ballot box, the parking lot from the hall entrance and at the back door behind the hall. - Approved the reappoint­ ment of Elaine Denton to the township planning commis­ sion for a three-year term. Denton recently served on the Township Board as interim clerk between Willshire’s res­ ignation and Ordway’s appointment. State mounts latest effort to take gravel, sand mining oversight away from local townships Jayson Bussa Editor A package of bills intro­ duced to the Michigan House ofRepresentatives last month represents the latest chapter in a tug-of-war battle between the state and local municipalities over which side will ultimately have the power to permit and oversee sand and gravel mines. House Bills 4526, 4527 and 4528, which have gar­ nered bi-partisan support in the House, aim to streamline the supply chain of aggre­ gate materials by handing power to permit and oversee mines to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) rather than allow local governmental units to make those calls. The development of sand and gravel pits can often become a contentious issue, with local residents citing concerns that range from dust and noise pollution to increased traffic and envi­ ronmental impact as reasons why they don’t want one of these sites developed near them. State lawmakers fear that pushback from the town­ ship and county governments has stifled and will continue to stifle the development of aggregate materials in Michigan, where it is sorely needed to help repair and reconstruct roads, amongst other uses. The bills were introduced by House Democrats Angela Whitwer (Delta Township) and Tyrone Carter (Detroit) along with Republican Pat Gutman (Six Lakes). They have co-sponsorships from seven Republican lawmakers and six Democrats. While the latest legislation might be new, the battle over which entity gets to green­ light these projects has been going on for years. Just last term, similar legislation moved through the State Senate but ultimately died in the House before the current bills were brought forth. As someone who has served as Barry County’s planning and zoning director for 30 years, Jim McManus has had a front-row seat to the power struggle. “I think this has been sub­ mitted on multiple occasions and hasn’t gotten anywhere,” McManus noted. “(If the bills pass,) It would have a significant effect on our process and on the county, especially because we have so much space, and most of it has some form of resources on it,” he added. “If they take it away, the citizens would not have the ability to participate in the process, but it would lessen our workload tremen­ dously over time. There are positives and negatives.” The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy already holds oversight power when it comes to mining oil, gas and minerals — sand and gravel mining would be added to this existing jurisdiction. By handing off this power to EGLE, proponents say the state would be able to launch a streamlined and uniform application process that would make it easier to develop these sites, thus, helping free up the supply chain. Taking decision-making power away from individual townships has its share of positives and negatives. McManus highlighted a little bit of both, citing the fact that the process ofpermitting sand and gravel mines throughout Barry County can become both time-consuming and expensive. The new laws would lift that burden off of local units of government. Still, those who argue against this legislation are quick to point out that local township officials have a better read on safety con­ cerns and effects on the quality of life for residents who live nearby. State Representative Rachelle Smit, who previ­ ously served as a clerk in Martin Township, is in her first year in the House. She A view of a gravel pit owned by Hamilton-based Top Grade Aggregates, located at 3300 N. Patterson Road on the border of Allegan and Barry Counties. It is one of three pits located on that particular stretch of Patterson Road. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) has quickly found that sand and gravel mining is a hot-button issue in her District 43, which includes the south and southwest slic­ es of Barry County, where sand and gravel mining proj­ ects are commonplace. “Personally, it has been the number one concern in my district that I represent in Barry County, is having the state mandate the permitting of these gravel mines,” Smit said in an interview with The Banner. “Before I was even elected in November, I was having people reaching out to me after the primary, mak­ ing me aware of this and their strong opposition to the state controlling that.” As a former township clerk, Smit also said she knows the importance of equipping local government with decision-making power. “Any time you start removing control from the local level, it brings in a lot more issues, per se,” Smit said. “The state, obviously, it’s much bigger with having EGLE issuing these permits. They’re out of touch with the local level, and it’s under­ standably so. They don’t have the employees on the ground working (or know) the best interests of the com­ munities either.” Smit did acknowledge the importance of keeping a steady supply of aggregate material flowing through Michigan but added that she does not support the package of bills in their current form. The power and influence that the aggregate industry holds have already given members of the industry a leg up when it comes to negotiating with local town- ships over new sand and gravel sites. State law has instructed local municipalities to permit the extraction of natural resources, like sand and gravel, unless the townships can otherwise prove that it will lead to “very serious consequences.” Unlike the permittance for any other kind of land use, the burden of proof is placed on the local government to prove these consequences, which essentially restricts them from using full discre­ tion. The county planning com­ mission and local township boards are often forced to green-light a gravel project even when constituents rally against it. “We can’t say no,” McManus said. “To me, the way they did the law, the planning commission takes a brunt of grief and public ire when (we) are handcuffed.” YOU ARE NOT ALONE Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don’t let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Support �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023 Middleville TOPS 546 Sarah Downey Tolan Sarah (Pearce) Downey Tolan, passed away May 5, 2023 peacefully in her home with her family by her side. She was 78. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Grace Pearce; sister, Barb Hietikko; sons-in-law, Dave Steger and Tim Wustman. She will be loved and missed by her husband of 62 years Marvin Tolan and her all animals, gardening, golf­ children, Laurie Steger, Lynn ing, “the Nino”, and girls VanVossen, Monte and weekends. She really appre­ Carrie Tolan; grandchildren, ciated a well made Manhattan Jordan, Cameron, Allisha and a competitive game of Steger, Erika, Mick and euchre. Sarah really enjoyed Kelsey, Alek, Karly VanVossen. Jake and Shelby Sunday drives, spur of the Tolan, Kyra Tolan; g reat moment trips and watching grandchildren, Emilee, Evan, Lawrence Welk reruns with Marvin. Piper and Nollie. We know God was-ready She is survived by her brother, Robert and Sue for her as the birds were Pearce; brothers- in-law, singing, the sun was shining Wesley and Patty Tolan and and the trees were blooming. Gary Tolan along with many The family would like to special friends and relatives, thank the wonderful caregiv­ all of whom she loved and ers at Faith Hospice. touched deeply. Services were held at Family came first, and Cornerstone Church with a Sarah always welcomed celebration of Sarah at friends to become part of the Caledonia American Legion family. Sarah’s passions Post 305. were following her children Donations requested to and grandchildren’s compet­ Faith Hospice or Caledonia itive events, gathering and American Legion Auxiliary feeding people, Green Lake, Post 305. TK sets 2023­ 2024 district calendar Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thornapple Kellogg Board of Education Monday finalized the district cal­ endar for the next school year. The 2023-24 school year will get underway Aug. 21 with a staffkick­ off and professional development day. The first day of classes for students will be the fol­ lowing day, Aug. 22. Students will be off for the Labor Day weekend Sept. 1-4. Classes will let out for the Christmas holiday after a half-day on Dec. 22, and will resume on Jan. 8, 2024. Mid-winter break has been set for Feb. 19-20, and students will be off for spring break March 29-April 5, 2024. The last day of classes will be May 31, 2024. Visit tkschools.org for the complete district cal­ endar. The May 8 meeting opened with the secre­ tary’s report and the roll call.- 1 fish jumped into the fishbowl. 1 fishjumped out. Maryellen read an email from TOPS Community Comer. TOPS is 75 years and still going strong with no plans to change. This email gave many resource options for anyone to check out what TOPS is all about. It also has many blogs to look up. TOPS 75th birth­ day celebration will be held in Milwaukee. WI on October 21. Session 3 of the Daniel Garage Sale ESTATE SALE: INSIDE and BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White outside. Furniture, household items, outdoor tools, riding lawnmower and wagon. Fri­ day and Saturday May 19th20th, 2023 9am-5pm. 10395 Cottonwood, Middleville, MI. (In Mulberry Estates off of Bender Rd). MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Cah 269-804-7506. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS Pets CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Church April 25, 2023 to Taylor Tripp and Kevin Lukas ofMiddleville. Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. alask^ hErch 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School 11: 00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study 6: 00 PM Oi)r mission is to worship God and disciple committedfollowers ofJesus Christ, who will reach theworld with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville cornerstonemi.org/weekend playful and friendly $300.00. 269-223-5154. WELSH CORGI PUPPIES. Nice color, cute & playful. Up to date on shots & worming. $350. 517-852-3007. Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving — Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY Good Shepherd catholic church ’ Lutheran Church ^/9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, k Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Business Services LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. Thea Lynn Lukas, bom at Spectrum Health Pennock on Plan was viewed with dis­ cussion to follow. Maryellen won the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended with marching in place as we recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30pm to 3:45pm, followed immedi­ ately by the meeting. Press apt 318 for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia at 269­ 908-8036 or Maryellen at 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. Church: (269) 795-2391 Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY C H U R C H 5t. TaufturfizMn Clinre/i Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE. MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Aye., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 @thejchurch _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church ^Church Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School... . 9:30 AM Sunday Worship .10:30 AM Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter -616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org 'Shining Forth God's Light Sunday Morning Worship.................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11 ;00 am James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespririgsbiblechurch.org ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023/ Page 5 TKHS to expand honors classes, intervention courses Greg Chandler Staff Writer Thomapple Kellogg High School students will have some new options as far as classes they can take come next fall. TKHS Principal Tony Peterson presented planned changes to the school’s curric­ ulum at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. The changes were proposed fol­ lowing a review ofrecent test scores. Among the changes are the addition ofmore honors class­ es for the school’s advanced students. The school board earlier this year approved the addition ofan advanced place­ ment environmental science course at the high school. “We’re looking at ways to get kids exposed more to hon­ ors advanced courses and giv­ ing kids opportunities to take them, even ifit might be a lit­ tle scary for them, even ifthey maybe aren’t the high flyers,” Peterson said. “(We want to encourage) them to dip their toes into the water a little bit, push yourselves, we want you to excel, take pride in your performance.” Incoming freshmen will be able to take an honors English course, honors biology and AP world history. In past years, getting into honors classes at TKHS was challenging for some students. “We set the bar high you’ve gotta have a certain PSAT score, you’ve got to have a certain grade in your class, (you have) to have a teacher’s recommendation,” Peterson said. Students can now fill out an application form to get into an honors class. They still have to meet certain scoring require­ ments on standardized tests, but they also will be asked why they want to take an AP class and what they have done to prepare for it, Peterson said. Peterson said that students are now being encouraged to take at least one advanced placement class before they graduate. “Colleges are moving away from looking at just the SAT not? That’s starting to become the determination whether or not they get into college,” Peterson said. An AP seminar course where students can pick out a project, research it and present it could be presented to the district next year, Peterson said. The high school is also add­ Colleges are moving away from looking at just the SAT scores. Some ofthem don’t look at it much at all. They’re looking more at their schedules and the rigor (oftheir coursework).” - Tony Peterson, Principal, Thornapple Kellogg High School scores. Some of them don’t look at it much at all. They’re looking more at their sched­ ules and the rigor (of their coursework) ... did it build upon itself and they chal­ lenged themselves, or did they ing a seminar class to help students who may need a little extra help. Teachers from the school visited other districts that offer a seminar class, such as Caledonia and Byron Center, to glean ideas. “The idea behind the semi­ nar is to have a structured time once or twice a week, half­ hour to 60 minutes, depending on the number ofsessions that staff want to implement,” Peterson said “Students will have the opportunity to receive additional support.” Teachers can select students who they think could benefit from additional support, Peterson said. Students will also be able to conduct career exploration, preparing for tests and literacy growth. The high school is also looking to expand intervention services to help students who are struggling with focus or other issues in their schooling. Two interventionist parapro­ fessionals currently work with 76 students at the school, but other students who could ben­ efit from intervention have been identified, TKHS Assistant Principal Amy Forman said. “Seventy-six (kids) is not even anywhere near the kids that really do need that sup­ port,” Forman said. “We need more specialized instruction and support from certified teachers. (The intervention­ ists) are amazing and great and really love the kids. But they’re not certified teachers.” Intervention classes in English for freshmen and sophomores, and an interven­ tion math class for incoming freshmen, all taught by certi­ fied teachers, is planned and an additional focus on teach­ ing study skills and organizational skills is also planned, Peterson said. “We should be able to make a difference, hopefully, with our students in their proficien­ cy levels, and help them be more confident and comfort­ able in class,” he said. TK school board approves sex education curriculum changes Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education Monday gave final approval to chang­ ing the district’s reproductive health curriculum affecting students at Page Elementary School. On a 5-0 vote, the board adopted the recommendation of the district’s Reproductive Health Committee to bring in a new fifth-grade course developed by Willing to Wait, an abstinence-based sex edu- cation program based in Grand Rapids. TK is already using Willing to Wait for reproduc­ tive health classes at both the middle school and high school. The board also approved changes recommended by the committee in teaching about reproductive health for stu­ dents with disabilities, with classes to be taught at the fifth, seventh, ninth and 11th grade levels. Monday was the second of two public hearings required under state law. School dis- tricts that offer sex education courses must conduct a review of the curriculum every two years. The new curriculum at Page from Willing To Wait, titled “Healthy Me, Healthy Relationships,” includes sec­ tions on self-esteem, HIV and AIDS, puberty and inter­ net safety. It replaces a Michigan Health Model course that was “outdated,” committee co-chair and TK Curriculum Director Kim Chausow said. Cornerstone Church opens Prayer Path for the season James Gemmell Contributing Writer A scenic prayer path has reopened at the Cornerstone Church campus in Gaines Charter Township. The church’s Caledonia Campus is located at 1675 84th Street, at Kalamazoo Avenue. Volunteers recently held a workday to spruce up the path and new signage will soon be installed. The church said in a news release that the public is welcome to spend some time in worship at the Prayer Path. It is self-guided and just under a mile in length, as it circles through some nature areas behind the worship cen­ ter. That includes prairie land, trees, a pond and gardens. “The prayer path isjust that: a place to escape the bustle of life and just be,” Cornerstone Communications Director Cindy Bouma said. “As you walk along the path you’ll find several benches to pause and reflect. There are also 13 sta­ tions highlighting a Bible verse with a thought-provok­ ing question. Comerstone Life Groups or a church family sponsor every station.” There is some seating along the way, and much ofthe path consists of mowed grass. So, it may not be conducive to stroll­ ers, walkers or people with walking or balance problems. The path was dedicated in 2012. It has been the site of Luminary Walks, the Lug-AJug fundraising event by Genesis Waters and people who walk alone or with leashed dogs. Also, the church’s annual Meg Kids Camp uses it. It is for children in kindergarten through the 5th grade. They participate in sports, arts, music and video. The Mega Kids Camp will be June 19 through June 22, 6 to 8:30 p.m. each night. “Being in God’s Creation while praying is truly a price­ less experience,” Christy Troy said. She is the lead volunteer for the Prayer Path. “From sunrises and sunsets, to listen­ ing to the birds and watching the seasons change, the prayer path is full ofopportunity to be with Jesus. The prayer path at Cornerstone Church is an awesome gift.” On the section on puberty, boys and girls are separated, so that boys learn about chang­ es to their own bodies, and girls likewise learn about how their bodies change, Chausow told the board in April. Willing To Wait trains its own instructors to teach the courses. Under the previous program, Page staff had to teach the course. Parents have the ability to opt out of any reproductive health class, Chausow said. The changes had unani­ mous support from the Reproductive Health Committee, which consists of representation from TK staff, Baptist Ch ch Welcomes our new Senior Pastor . Alters On Sunday, May 7th, we welcomed our new\ Senior Pastor Mike, and his wife, Kristen. x Would love for you to plan a visit to ABC ( and want to make sure that your visit is a j otfeat one! You are also invited to attend 0Dastor Myers Installment Service, Sunday, June 25th, at 9:30 AM with luncheon to follow. 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 www.alaekabaptiet.org A glimpse at the refurbished Prayer Path at Cornerstone Church’s Caledonia Campus. It is now open for the season in Gaines Township. (Photo provided) students, parents, doctors, clergy and the school board. Chausow and board member Krissy Hooson co-chaired the committee. Parents of Page students will be informed about the new Willing To Wait course through the school newsletter, Chausow said. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13,2023 Car thieves strike again in Middleville, Gaines Township and other parts of West Michigan using them in other thefts is West Michigan. On Monday and Tuesday escalating in communities Contributing Writer The problem of young like Middleville, Gaines alone this past week, Kent people stealing vehicles and Township and other parts of County Sheriff’s deputies said five teenagers were arrested in Gaines and Byron townships in the southern section ofthe county. And in northern Barry County - the Village of Middleville seven recent larceny com­ plaints involved vehicles being broken into. “We had two series of it,” Barry County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Ware told the Middleville Village Council at its meeting Tuesday night. “We had one that happened over the weekend where, on the east side of town off Main Street, we had a couple neighborhoods hit. They came in, they rummaged through the cars real quick, looking for electronics, cash. They stole a gun out of one car. They ended up stealing two cars at that point, but the one was recovered at the end of the road. And then a few days later, we had another rash ofit in the Rolling Oaks neighborhood.” The car stolen out of Barry County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Ware addressed Rolling Oaks was later the Middleville Village Council on Tuesday about car recovered in Kalamazoo. thieves stealing from other vehicles. (File photo by The same method of oper­ James Gemmell) ation was used in all the James Gemmell Middleville crimes as the ones in Kent County. The same night of the thefts in Rolling Oaks, the City of Rockford was hit by quick-grab bandits using sto­ len cars. “Four juveniles were seen running out of that vehicle and leaving it abandoned in the roadway with the keys in it. It was the same thing that happened two or three years ago,” Ware said. In the Middleville thefts, the suspects often are com­ ing into the area from com­ munities to the south. “They seem to be coming out of either Kalamazoo or Battle Creek, coming into Kent County, taking M-37 to get their way through. So, unfortunately, Middleville is a stopping point on the way there and back,” Ware said. As of press time, police did not have any suspects in custody in the Middleville thefts. But Kent County dep­ uties rounded up multiple suspects Tuesday morning related to a Gaines Township incident. Around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, a resident had informed the sheriff’s office about three people in a vehi­ cle who were seen driving around a neighborhood north ofthe 84th Street/Kalamazoo Avenue intersection. They were getting out of the vehi­ cle, and then hand-checking to see ifcars were unlocked. Kent County Sheriff’s deputies tried to pull the sus­ pect vehicle over on South Park Drive, but it sped away. However, police said it ran over some spike strips laid on the road. Eventually, the getaway car came to a stop on Kalamazoo Avenue near 52nd Street. Deputies said they arrested an 18-year-old Grand Rapids man inside the vehicle, but the other suspect took off running and has not been captured yet. Inside the stolen car, depu­ ties said they recovered two pistols, cash and other items that had been swiped from various vehicles. The stolen car had been taken out of Plainfield Township. A similar incident hap­ pened in Byron Township, just to-the west of Gaines Township, on Monday morn­ ing. At 6 a.m. that day, police responded to calls about suspects breaking into cars in the area of Marshwood Comt. Police said people in two sto­ len vehicles fled from deputies. The cars were later locat­ ed at 68th Street and Clyde Park Avenue. And the suspects were spotted, as well. Sheriff’s deputies say they caught four teenagers run­ ning from the cars. The male suspects ranged in age from 15 to 17 years old. All were from Grand Rapids. A total of three stolen vehicles were recovered by police that morning. Michigan State Police have been offering anti-theft steering lock devices to own­ ers of Hyundais. Hyundai Motor America provided the locks for vehicles that start with a key ignition. Police advised the public to keep firearms, keys, cash and other valuables out of vehicles. “They steal cars, they come up into other areas. They steal electronics, cash, quick-grab things, and they usually leave stolen cars (behind),” Ware said. A car stolen out of Kalamazoo was used in the theft on Middleville’s east side.. It was retrieved in Kent County. “So, they just steal cars, drive them real fast to where they want to go, do the same thing. Steal a car there and drive it back home,” Ware said. Village of Caledonia to seek MDOT funding for street work Greg Chandler Staff Writer The village of Caledonia will apply for $184,000 in funding through the Michigan Department of Transportation for road improvements on five village streets that would take place next year. The Village Council Monday voted 6-0 to autho- rize Village Manager Jeff Thornton to apply for the grant funding through MDOT’s Transportation Economic Development Categoiy B program. The village is expected to find out this fall whether it is approved for the funding, said Jon Moxey of Fleis & VandenBrink, the village’s engineering consultant. 1NSW-»r/o' SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 A 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville “(Categoiy B is) focused on roads that aren’t eligible for federal funding,” Moxey said. “It’s one ofthe only pro­ grams where you can find money to work on local roads, other than your (Public) Act 51 money (from gas taxes and vehicle registration fees) that you get every year.” If approved, the funding would be used for improve­ ments on Glengarry Drive, North Rodgers Court, Dobber Wenger Memorial Drive, Higley Street and Kaechele Street. The empha­ sis of funding would be for maintenance work on those streets, Moxey said. “They want to spread the money as far as they can,” Moxey said. The village applied for Category B funding last year for street improvements but was turned down. About 15 percent of applications for funding are accepted annual­ ly, Moxey said. If approved, the village would have to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for con­ struction plus pay for engi­ neering costs, Moxey said. In other business Monday, the council voted to extend paying Thornton $2,000 per month for the next 90 days on top of what he is already paid as manager to fulfill the role ofpublic services direc­ tor, as a village committee looks to split the duties ofthe public service director/ department of public works manager between the village manager and other staff. The village currently has two employees in public works, and the committee would like to see one of the two, who is currently work­ ing as a technician and who is undergoing training, be promoted to take on a leader­ ship role. “The idea was that we would continue as is, for what we would deem to be a rela­ tively short period of time the extra 90 days, so that hopefully by that point we would be able to (determine) where she stands,” committee member Kim Peters said. “The reality is in 90 days, we have to go one direction or the other — either she’s ready to be promoted in a reason­ able amount of time, maybe based on her start date of December, (or) otherwise we need to look as possibly hir­ ing somebody that would meet the qualifications, to get that work offJeff’s plate.” Thornton would continue to receive the additional com­ pensation through Aug. 20. The council also approved spending $3,548 for gutters on the roof of the DPW building. Bleam Eaves will contract with the village for the work. Thornton also said volun­ teers are being sought for the annual planting of flower beds downtown, which will take place on May 20, start­ ing at around 8 a.m. He also said volunteers are needed for Western Week, which is returning this year after not being held the past three years. Interested volunteers can connect with Terry Muller of Mullers Paint & Design downtown. Your local agent insures your Middleville Village staff to apply for sjgrant for High Street project; accepts bid for Third Street reconstruction ur BusinHss F4RM BUREAU INSURANCE Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Village Council took care of several agenda items in less than an hour at its meeting Tuesday night in village hall. Not the least ofwhich was formal adoption of a classifi- cation and compensation study that included job descriptions for each village employee and a step system for determining salaries and pay raises. The study was compiled and recently com­ pleted by Colorado-based Municipal Consulting Services, which was con­ tracted by the village in December to conduct the study and provide recom­ mendations for implementa­ tion Based on the step system recommended, the council also voted 6-0 on a consent agenda item to authorize Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg to pay all employees in accordance with the guidelines retroac­ tively to when the study was completed recently. It was See GRANT, page 7 �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13,2023/ Page 7 GRANT, continued from page 6 based on a job analysis mar­ ket survey of 13 comparable municipalities of similar size or organizational structure to Middleville. One village council member was absent from Tuesday’s meeting. The move to elevate the annual pay of village employees to the next high­ est step in their respective salary ranges will cost the village $50,833. Stolsonburg’s salary rises from $79,560 to $93,956. As part ofan organizational shift, former clerk Glorimar Ayala was appointed to Village Treasurer/ Finance Director through 2026. And former deputy clerk Rhonda Van Polen was promoted to village clerk through 2026. The village council also voice-voted 6-0 to appoint Van Polen as the village’s new Freedom of Information Act administra­ tor, replacing Glorimar Ayala. The FOIA administrator is traditionally the village clerk. Stolsonburg will be the backup administrator. After former finance director Alexandra Longstreet left the village March 31, outside accounting firm Vredeveld Haefner LLC had been completing the duties of finance director while the search for her replacement was conducted. After receiving a dozen applications to fill the vacancy, it was decided to promote from within existing village staff. That prompted an orga­ nizational restructuring. To backfill some administrative duties, it was recommended that a deputy clerk/administrative assistant position be created and filled. On an unrelated salary matter, the salary of Village Planner and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers was increased to $75,000. He recently completed his new-employee probationary period and the pay raise had been stipulated to trigger after that 90-day period was completed. In other business, the village council roll-call voted unanimously to give Stolsonburg the go-ahead to apply for a Michigan Department ofTransportation (MDOT) “B” grant of $250,000 for the High Street reconstruction project. “(The grant applications) are due by the end of June,” Stolsonburg said after the meeting. “I’m not sure when they’ll be awarded after that. But they’d be paid out next year when we do the project.” It is included in the vil­ lage’s Capital Improvement Plan for the 2024 budget. Village staffhave said reconstruction of High Street between Main Street and Washington Street has been long overdue. The total proj­ ect cost is estimated to be about $1.5 million in fiscal year 2024. But Stolsonburg said the Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA) has pledged $500,000 for the project. And if the MDOT grant is awarded to the vil­ lage, that would leave the final cost to the Village of Middleville at $750,000. On another matter, village staff will present a report to the council at its May 23 meeting on inspections that were recently done on two old train-trestle bridges on the south end of the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail in Middleville. In 2021, it was estimated by engineering consulting firm Williams & Works that it would cost $800,000 to replace both bridges, ifnecessary. “They are completely safe to walk on and function right now, but they’re deteriorating. They’re due for replace­ ment,” Department ofPublic Works director Alec Belson said. They would be replaced in 2024 or 2025. “The state did an architec­ tural study on them and deemed them to be not of historic significance,” Belson said. “So, they don’t have to be replaced to the same (standard) as they were originally built.” Stolsonburg said it is uncertain how much money the village will save by not having to build the new bridges to state historic standards. “We’re still in the early The Middleville Village Council approved some resolutions on infrastructure and other matters at its meeting Tuesday night at village hall. Left to right: Richard Hamilton, Makenzi Peters, Village President Mike Cramer, Ann Williams, President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd. (Photo by James Gemmell) preliminary stages of design struction cost. and conceptual drawings,” “Fortunately, the low bid Belson said after the meeting. did come 9 percent under the Village staff will meet engineer estimate,” Belson with Williams & Works to said. review different bridge The other bid was from options. Montgomery Excavation On one other infrastruc­ LLC for $842,106. ture project, the village coun­ The village has funds in its cil came to a consensus in fiscal year 2023 budget to approving a recommendation cover the project cost as part from Williams & Works con­ of its Capital Improvement cerning the reconstruction of Plan. Third Street. In so doing, The project will include council members also agreed improvement of the existing to award a bid to USA road, water main, sanitary Earthworks in the amount of sewer and storm drain. In $765,033; Of that, $88,037 additional, several lead ser­ will be paid by the vice lines will be replaced. Thomapple Kellogg Schools In other housekeeping because the district plans to matters, the village’s Spring build an adjacent project. Trail Tour is scheduled for The village will pay the May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 remaining $676,995 con- p.m. If it is postponed due to rain that day, it will be held May 18, instead. The tour is aimed at people who have disabilities or difficulty walking the whole trail. “So, we provide them with golf cart rides so they can just see around,” Ayala said. “It’s just like the Fall Color Tour. But instead of the (leaves), they will see more animals, flowers and that kind ofstuffout on the trail.” The village staffwas look­ ing for golf cart drivers to help out. Ayala also said a small recognition ceremony will be held prior to the May 23 vil­ lage council meeting for retiring Middleville Wastewater Treatment super­ visor Charlie Miller. It will take place at 6:45 p.m. Gaines Township Board approves pump station agreement for Prairie Wolf Station James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Township has not officially ended litigation with Caleydonia LLC con­ cerning a proposed $100 mil­ lion town center develop­ ment. But that didn’t stop the township board from approv­ ing a lift station for Prairie Wolf Station at its May 8 board meeting. The board voted 6-0 to approve a design agreement for a sanitary pump station to be built in the northeast cor­ ner ofthe sprawling develop­ ment on what is now farm­ land along 84th Street just east of Kalamazoo Avenue. That is across 84th Street from Cornerstone Church and across Kalamazoo Avenue from the township hall. In February 2022, the township board voted 4-3 to reject Indianapolis-based American Kendall Properties’ proposal to build a residential and retail center. It would feature 127 single-family homes, 258 multi-family apartments, 44 attached sin­ gle-family townhome units, 36 mixed-use apartment units in a walkable plaza area, and 36 traditional terrace-style homes. American Kendall also proposed building 110 senior living units, six com­ mercial buildings, and include two out-lots and 10 acres of open space. “You did create a down­ town feel, but it was like Grand Rapids’. downtown, not Gaines Township’s small-town community feel,” treasurer Laurie Lemke told American Kendall principal Mike Speedy at the time. A few months after the township board voted the Prairie Wolf Station project down, Caleydonia LLC filed a $4 million lawsuit against the township. It pointed out that, under the township’s zoning ordinance, the development is legally allowed by right. It was also allowed under the previ­ ous township master plan and future land use plan. Township Planner Dan Well said previ­ ously that Caleydonia LLC represents American Kendall in the litigation, along with the owner of the property, Lansing-based real estate firm Eyde Co. The township board relented and voted in December 2022 to accept a consent judgment that would allow American Kendall to build the town center on an 82-acre parcel. That agree­ ment waS. hammered out in a case presided over by Kent it’s a good way for the town­ has not been set yet. The the site, in line with what the County Circuit Court Judge ship to go. Veiy safe develop­ consent agreement between township planning commis­ Curt Benson. However, as of ment of a needed piece of the litigants will have to be sion had approved last year. Once it begins, the project press time, the consent agree­ equipment for that develop­ signed first. The site plan for the proj­ will be rolled out in phases ment to end the lawsuit had ment,” Weersing said. A timeline for construc­ ect is attached to the consent over several years. Assuming still not been signed. “(The litigation) is not tion of the Prairie Wolf agreement. It specifies what all sides sign the consent entirely over,” Supervisor Station development to begin developments can be built on agreement. Rob DeWard told the town­ ship board. “We haven’t signed any contracts yet. We’re close.” The estimated cost for the engineering design for the pump station is $55,000. Township officials figure the Caledonia, MI lift station itself will cost more than $400,000. “American Kendall is pay­ ing for the engineering costs,” De Ward said. Weersing said the lift sta­ ✓ Complete Collision Service tion will be designed by the township engineer and the Frame Repairs Byron-Gaines Utility Authority engineer. The / State & I-CAR Certified Technicians BGUA will be responsible ✓ Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies for maintenance ofthe pump station. It will connect into a , "Vt-. "Vt IWMBAI sewer line along 84th Street. IkNFIB Water Bourne System A water line will have to be extended from 92nd Street Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. up Kalamazoo Avenue to connect to the development, as well. “And the construction and Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner implementation of that unit 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com will also be monitored by the township engineer. So, really, B'ssmrsKP Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems -— 616.891.0150 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023 TK all-class reunion reminds alumni “we are all connected Laura (Thede) Hyde and her granddaughter, Rochelle Hyde, were excited to attend last Saturday night’s Thomapple Kellogg Alumni Association all class reunion. They represented the wide range of alumni attending from Laura’s Class of 1948 to Rochelle’s Class of2007. “I’m glad to be able to be here with her. She’s been looking forward to coming to this,” said Rochelle Hyde, who is the . only other member of the family to graduate from TK. It didn’t take Laura long before she found two other members ofthe Class of 1948 — Lloyd Fisher and Dick Stager. “I’m so glad we could come and I’m really glad my granddaughter could come with me. It’s so nice to see some of my classmates here too,” said Laura Hyde. About 150 people attended the annual event at TK Middle School. They leafed through old yearbooks, gazed at old pictures pointing out faces they recognized, shared sto­ ries oftheir lives and memo­ ries oftheir days at TK. Just like Laura Hyde and her granddaughter, there were many multi-generation­ al families attending the ban­ quet. Nick Wake (Class of 2005), Ann (Stager) Bolton (1962), Sandi (Wake) Stager (1978) and Dick Stager (1948), represented multiple generations from one family. Kellogg Thornapple Alumni AlumniAssociation AssociationHistorian Historian Cindy CindyMiddlebush Middlebush said saidthere there are many are many connections connections made made ininthe theschools schools from fromyears yearsago ago and andnew newconnections connectionsthat thatare are being made every day. “Whether you have a long family history of attending TK, you began in fourth grade, or you went K-12, you started in Freeport, you didn’t quite finish or attended just your senior year — we are all connected,” said Middlebush. “Clavin Hill founded our community in 1834. Education was a priority so just four years later, Sarah Pauli was hired to be our first teacher. She taught in a log school on the banks of the Thomapple River. We had two more school houses before Union school was built in 1871. Francis Matteson was in our first graduating class — the class of 1881. Last month, a descendant of this founding family, TK High School junior Mali Holland, earned an allstate award for our cheerleading team. She will graduate in 2024,” said Middlebush. Citing another example of connections, Middlebush said Ruth Matteson graduated in 1913 and became a teacher in Middleville. She presented Leona Rosenberg with a certificate for perfect attendance in 1916. Leona’s brother, Claude married Mary Boley and the two of them, along with four others, served as TK’s first bus drivers. “Now, five generations later, their great-great-greatgreat granddaughter, Nicole Ybema Sleeman, is teaching at McFall,” Middlebush said. All those connections are important to the heritage and histoiy ofthe TK district. “Essentially, making con­ nections is what most teachers hope to accomplish. We know that curriculum and all the other components of education are important, but cap­ turing a kid’s heart is what it’s all about,” said Middlebush. “We are all connected.” TKAA President Karen (Page) Kennedy spoke to the alumni and guests. “I’m really proud to be part ofthis group and see how far we’ve come in just a few years. We (the TK Alumni Association) awarded our first $500 scholarship in 2019 to one graduating senior. Last year, through the generosity of our members and donors, we were able to give two scholarships of $750 each.” The organization also gave $100 to each new elementary school teacher in the district and donated more than $600 to a fund to help make sure every high school student could afford a yearbook. This fall, she said, they will be starting a mentorship pro­ gram to put current students in touch with professionals. As the roll was called for the classes to be honored, alumni stood and were recog­ nized as their year was called out. They enthusiastically sang the school fight song while waving their orange Nearly 150 alumni and guests attended the annual Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association all-class reunion May 6 at the TK Middle School. cloth napkins like rally flags and they laughed and shared memories of school at TK. One ofthe highlights ofthe night was the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni awards. This year, brothers Mike Bremer (Class of 1968) and Dr. David Bremer (Class of 1970) were honored. The TKAA will award the next alumni honors during Homecoming 2023. The TKAA meets regularly at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in the high school. Any alumni are wel­ come to attend. The associa­ tion 2023 officers are: President - Karen Kennedy (1976); Vice President - Jody Pratt (1966); Treasurer Wanita Huizenga (1977); Secretary - Howie Gragg (1970); Historian - Cindy Middlebush (1978). Trustees for the organiza­ tion are: Don Williamson (1957); Janet Geukes (1961); Brenda Seifert (1973); Kim Bender (1973); Brenda Hess (1985); Jeana VanderMuelen (1984); Randy Eggers (1980); Ashley Moore (2007); Merri Jo Biggs (1981); Mary Ann Klinge (1973); Luana Tolan (1966); John York (1985); Sara Geiser (1985). TK teams to compete at Odyssey of the Mind world finals Greg Chandler Staff Writer Three teams from Thornapple Kellogg Schools will represent the school district in the upcoming Odyssey of the Mind World Championships, which will Beginning May 1, we are now open 24/7! Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-11 shift and want to lift weights before bed? Our fitness center is now accessible 24/7. Not a member? Call 269.9483139. 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived in May. Pennock Health & Wellness Center 915 West Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Spectrum Health be held May 24-27 at Michigan State University. Two teams from Thomapple Kellogg High School and one from Page Elementary School will compete in the champion­ ship event. They qualified for the world champion­ ships at the state meet, which TK hosted in March. One of the high school teams consists of Paige Pierpoint, Jenna Robinett, Emma Reaser, Alex Evans (student at TK Middle School), Lucy Teunessen and Avery Hagemann. Their coach is Melinda Robinett. The other high school qualifying team consists of Shelby Robinett, Rachel Shoemaker, Marian Gielincki and Josie DeBoer. Reagan Gielincki is their coach. The Page Elementary team consists of Peyton Shepherd, Bennett Nieboer, Max Schneider, Brecklyn VanDerMeer, Lexi Filipiak, Landon Lambitz and Grady Bowman. Their coach is Ross Lambitz. A total of eight teams from the district competed at the state championships. The OM teams were recog­ nized at a school board meeting on Monday. Odyssey ofthe Mind is an international creative prob­ lem-solving program where teams are given a predeter­ mined problem and members work together to create a solution over several months that is presented at competi­ tion. The program involves elements of science, math, writing, creative thinking and theatre. TKHS Team of Paige Pierpoint, Jenna Robinett, Emma Reaser, Alex Evans (middle school), Lucy Teunessen and Avery Hagemann. Team is coached by Melinda Robinett. (Photos provided) TKHS Team of Shelby Robinett, Rachel Shoemaker, Marian Gielincki and Josie DeBoer pictured with their coach Reagan Gielincki. Elementary Team of Peyton Shepherd, Bennett Nieboer, Max Schneider, Brecklyn VanDerMeer, Lexi Filipiak, Landon Lambitz. Not pictured: Grady Bowman. Teach is coached by Ross Lambitz. �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023/ Page 9 TAPRC leaders seek meeting with Middleville Village president Greg Chandler StaffWriter Leaders from the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission want to sit down with Middleville Village President Mike Cramer to address recent com­ ments he has made about the organization that oversees youth sports and recreation programs in the village and Thomapple Township. TAPRC chairwoman Catherine Getty proposed the conference at the commis­ sion’s monthly meeting Wednesday night. This was in response to comments Cramer made toward the conclusion of the April 25 Middleville Village Council meeting, where the president suggested the possibility of dissolving TAPRC or having the village leave the organization. TAPRC is a partnership of the village, Thomapple Township and Thomapple Kellogg Schools. “What I’d really like to do is sit down with Mike Cramer (and) Ann Williams, who is (the Village Council) board rep - she wasn’t aware of any of these concerns that were brought up at the meeting and talk through what those concerns are and find out if there’s a true, legitimate con­ cern about the act on which it was formed under and the activities that we do,” Getty said. Cramer at the April *25 meeting accused TAPRC of not maintaining village parks, calling them “outdated.” He also cited TAPRC’s opposition to improvements to Calvin Hill Park that were proposed by village leadership in 2021, which is about the same time TAPRC presented its proposal for a new park on Sheridan Street between Mt. Hope Cemetery and the village’s Department of Public Works facility. “Our equipment is old and it’s in dire need of replace­ ment. And the body that’s sup­ posed to be facilitating that capital improvement is not doing that,” Cramer said at the meeting. The issue facing the village last year was whether the council should apply for grants through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for the Sheridan Park or Calvin Hill. Former Village Manager Patricia Rayl said in March 2022 that the DNR doesn’t like multiple grant applica­ tions from one community. Williams, who was elected to the Village Council last November, submitted a letter from Cramer to TAPRC board members Wednesday that fur­ ther claims TAPRC is not operating according to state law. Cramer cited a 1917 law that says “any city, village, county or township may oper­ ate a system of public recre­ ation and playgrounds; acquire, equip and maintain land, buildings or other recre­ ational facilities ... vote and expend funds for the operation of such system.” “In essence, the only legal purpose of this board is to acquire property, build and maintain parks on said proper­ ty, and regulate that property’s use. That’s it,” Cramer wrote in his letter. “Somewhere along the line we’ve lost sight of that, and the village’s park system has suffered to the point ofblight as a result. “The (TAPRC) board is a governing body. It is simply not possible to run a sports program as a legally bound government body. As much, each decision made by the board needs to have an agen­ da, a quorum, and be posted per the Open Meetings Act Decisions can not legally be made on a whim, like cancel­ ling practices or shirt colors, without meeting that criteria. The baseball program should have never been intertwined with TAPRC for this reason,” Cramer added. But Getty says TAPRC, which was founded in 2000, was established under a differ­ ent state statute than the one Cramer cited. The commis­ sion’s bylaws state up front that it was established as a separate legal entity under the Urban Cooperation Act of 1967, which allows for inter-local agreements between municipal govern­ ments, which can collect taxes and purchase property, among other things. The bylaws state TAPRC was “created for the purpose of planning, operating and providing park and recre­ ational programs and services for the citizens ofthe Member Units.” “He’s not citing the correct act. I would like the chance to work this out with him and the village - not with a series of (messages fired) back and forth between two boards, but with simple communication,” Getty said. Getty envisions a meeting involving “some form of the leadership team at TAPRC, some ofthe officers — myself, either Emily (Dock, former chair) or Anne (Hamming) or Tom (Hamilton), and then of course Ann Williams, who is the liaison between the village and the TAPRC - probably some leadership from the other entities, whether it’s the superintendent or athletic director or school board presi­ dent (at Thomapple Kellogg Schools).” TAPRC has submitted a five-year recreation plan to the state, which has helped the vil­ lage receive grants for projects such as an additional mile of trail from Main Street to Crane Road, as well as for the pavil­ ion and amphitheater at Sesquicentennial Park. Most of TAPRC’s expenses go toward maintaining the village-owned baseball fields at the end of Crane Road and at Spring Park, Getty said previously. Cramer wrote in his letter that he had no desire the dis­ band the baseball program that TAPRC operates, which launched its season this week. TK Athletic Director Brian Hammer and varsity baseball coach Nick Iveson are former TAPRC board members who continue to serve in an adviso­ ry role to the commission. YS Township board approves repair work to cemetary Greg Chandler StaffWriter One of the cemeteries in Yankee Springs Township will be--‘■'getting its driveway repaired. ®e Township Bo&fd on May 11 approved a contract with Wickham Cemetery Care to repair the driveway of Coman Cemetery on Shaw Lake Road at a cost of$7,200, or $7.20 per lineal foot. Wickham is the township’s cemetery sexton. “It’s kind of rutted (for) its entire length, but there are some areas that were especial­ ly deep, and some ofthe low­ er-slung cars could drag a muffler and get tom up ... it is in bad shape,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. The driveway is about 1,000 feet long. The project calls for removing three inches of the current asphalt surface from the top, crown the remaining base, install asphalt millings and roll the surface, Cunningham said. The township two years ago spent $20,000 on a new sec­ tion of driveway at Robbins Cemetery, or about $16 per lineal foot. There are four bag dispenser. The committee 14 at 3 p.m. The meeting was Yankee Springs will hold its County Commissioner Bruce cemeteries in Yankee Springs is seeking a grant of$1,960 for to have been held at 6 p.m., but annual Memorial Day obser­ Campbell will be the keynote Township. the two items. was rescheduled because the vance at 4 p.m. on May 28 at speaker. The observance will Township resident Jeff The board has scheduled its Cobb Lake Association is using the Veterans Memorial next to include special music, and free Lawson thanked the board for budget hearing for the 2023-24 the Township Hall for its meet­ the township fire station at hot dogs and fries will be approving the repairs. __ fiscal year for Wednesday, June ing that night at 7 p.m. 1425 S. Payne Lake Rd. offered by the Curley Cone. "If means a lot to our family. We have loved ones (buried) there,” Lawson said. “When we want to go, it means so much, and I’m sure it means so much to other families too, that they will be able to get in and out of there, because it has been a real struggle to get in and out ofthere.” In other township news, the parking lot paving at the town­ ship park is now complete. The paving was done on May 9. The township allocated $100,000 out of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the project. A new tennis net and a second pitch­ ers’ mound have also been installed at the park The township parks Committee has submitted a Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. mini-grant application to the Barry County Parks and Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the Recreation Commission to time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and help pay for purchasing a chil­ treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? dren’s picnic table in the play­ ground area and a pet waste We Accept * DELTA DEN Caledonia boys’ LAX opens postseason Friday against Lowell The Caledonia varsity boys’ lacrosse team will open the 2023 state tournament Friday, May 19, at Scotland Yard. The Fighting Scots take on Lowell in their MHSAA Division 2 Regional opener. The winner of that match will face either Byron Center or Vicksburg in the regional semifinals. The Scots bested the Red Arrows in an early April meeting, 12-8. Caledonia went into this weekend’s action at the Petoskey Invitational sporting a 5-7 overall record. The Scots go to Lakeview Tuesday and East Grand Rapids Thursday to close the regular season. You Don’t Haue To Brush DLL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. You too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! We specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan (We do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023 Last charity check presented by Winterfest chair as new leaders take the reins Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer Gun Lake Winterfest Chair Monte Baker is pass­ ing the torch. Last Thursday, Baker con­ ducted her last presentation of the Winterfest charity check to Family Promise of Barry County, which received $4,000 as Brad and Stacey Landman will now lead the planning committee for the annual event. “I am definitely ready to make the departure,” Baker said. “I will miss the comradery of being with all the people that help put the event on.” Baker is closing this chap­ ter ofher life which began in 2016, and plans on focusing on her real estate career. “We love Gun Lake and the surrounding communi­ ties,” said Stacey Landman. “The Winterfest holds a special place in Brad’s family history, and we are excited to carry on the tradition.” Brad Landman grew up in Gun Lake and said he has always loved going to Winterfest. He and Stacey have been married for 20 years and moved to Gun Lake in the fall of2020. Both have years of event planning experience. “We are grateful for Monte Baker and the job she has done leading Winterfest,” Brad Landman said. “Under her guidance, Winterfest has grown into the wonderful event it is today.” The Gun Lake Business Association puts on Winterfest, an annual event packed full with a lineup of activities and events held at Yankee Springs State Park. Every year, proceeds from the event go to a chosen charity. Tammy Dykema Halloran has been the Gun Lake Business Association Board President for a year. But because it’s only been a year, she said she hoped someone as equipped and experienced as Baker would continue to chair the Gun Lake Winterfest planning committee. “This is a great loss that Baker is leaving her position as chair of the Gun Lake Winterfest because it is a massive undertaking,” Halloran said. However, on the other hand, Halloran said she understands because she does not know how Baker managed her career as a real- Participants of the Polar Dip charge out into the frigid waters of Gun Lake during last year’s Winterfest. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) Prettyfabricsfor spring Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US- 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm tor and Winterfest chair “so well” for all these years. “I was sad when she hand­ ed me her resignation,” said Halloran. “Monte has done a wonderful job and has made a great choice in asking the Landman’s to be the new chairs.” While reflecting on her history with the Winterfest, Baker said what she would miss the most is the logo contest because it was her idea. “My baby was the logo contest. That one I created about six or seven years ago,” Baker said. “It was a year after we took over when I came up with the idea.” Baker said the goal of the logo contest was to get more people involved in Winterfest. “I thought by getting the school involved that maybe they would come to the Winterfest and their parents would know more about it,” Baker said. “That’s something I came up with. That keeps getting better each year, too. Last year we had probably over 30 logos to choose from.” However, Baker did not vote because her granddaughter was in the contest. “We decided to include the public, put the logos on the Facebook post, and had the public vote.” Her granddaughter won. The public had two weeks to vote and picked the top five. “I loved the beer tent, too, and getting that set up,” Baker said. “I will miss that and talking to the brewers and finding those who would come to the event.” Baker said she is grateful for the new volunteers that helped this year. “This is one of the first years that I can actually say everything ran really smooth­ ly. I said to Kim, ‘I’m going out with a bang,”’ said Baker referring to long-time plan­ ning committee member, Kim Bedford. As the event’s helm under­ goes a changing ofthe guard, both Brad and Stacey Landman are excited to chair the Gun Lake Winterfest. “We love the community and thought this was a great way to become involved and give back,” said Stacey Landman. “We each bring different strengths to the team, so chairing it together just made sense.” The couple recently cele­ brated their 20th anniversary. Before Brad became a real estate agent, he was an award-winning beer brewer in Denver. “In Colorado, I was a pro­ fessional beer brewer and won quite a few awards in that industry,” he said.. “I currently help with the Grand Rapids Community College brewing program and am a realtor.” From 2000 to 2010 Brad, was an on-site event staff member for corporate events and business meetings worldwide. That is when he met his wife. “Stacey did the on-site staffing for roughly seven years and switched to full­ time corporate event plan­ ning around 2013 and is still at it today,” he said. Brad’s father, Rocky Landman, owned a boat store on Gun Lake for over 30 years. He lived with Brad’s stepmom, Gloria Ross Landman, for 47 years. Gloria recently passed away. She was 91. Brad said Gloria’s family has been on Gun Lake, possibly since the 1800s. Her sons, Bill and Steve Wilson, live next door to her family’s house. Rocky is still in the place at Ross Resort. Brad Landman went to school in Portage and spent all of his free time on Gun Lake. Then, during his senior year of high school, Rocky and Gloria sold the house in Portage and moved back to Gun Lake. She and Rocky lived on the same piece of land — Ross Resort — that her grandparents lived on when she was a kid, accord­ ing to Brad. “I have no idea how long that house has been in the family, but it is a minimum of 80 or 90 years,” Brad Landman said. After graduating from Western Michigan University, Stacey and Brad moved to Denver and lived there for over 20 years. “We spent a fair share of our vacation time coming back to Michigan,” Brad Monte Baker signs her last charity presentation check. The little boy shown here is a child of Family Promise of Barry County. This year’s proceeds from the Gun Lake Winterfest went to Family Promise, an affiliate of a national non-profit program that provides temporary housing and more to homeless families. (Photos provided) Landman said. “Stacey is from Novi. So, we would split time between Gun Lake and her folks.” In 2020, Stacey and Brad moved to Gun Lake full­ time. Last year, Brad’s sister bought a house and became his next-door neighbor. Stacy Landman said it was a natural fit for her husband to work on beer tent opera­ tions for Winterfest. “As an event planner, I have planned events for over 4,000 people in cities across the country,” she said. “It’s fun to see all the hard work of planning payoffwhen everyone comes together and has a great time.” There’s no question that the couple has already start­ ed thinking about next year. “Yes, we are putting a plan together and will start com­ mittee meetings in June,” Stacey Landman saidAnyone that wants to join in on the planning should contact Brad at bradlandman@gmail.com. “Last year, there were roughly 8 to 14 people who showed up for the planning meetings. It was a great mix of people who had been helping for years and people who were new and excited to help out and meet people,” Brad said. “We would love to keep it similar this year.” From left, Brad Landman is the new chair of the Gun Lake Winterfest along with his wife, Stacey, who is not in the photo. Next to Landman is the Family Promise Case Manager Tanya Edger, Family Promise Executive Director Abigail Hockstad, and Monte Baker. (Photo provided) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023/ Page 11 Thornapple Kellogg celebrates collegiate student-athletes ■; ki/ Alana Compton: Basketball and Volleyball at Kellogg Community College. ;5 or. Austin Pitsch: Golf at Aquinas College. Brett Bremer Emelia MacDonald: Cross Country and Track at Saginaw Valley State University. Peyton Pratt: Soccer at Delta College. Sports Editor Friends, family and coach­ es of graduating Thomapple Kellogg seniors who will be continuing their athletic and academic endeavors at the college level were celebrated in the TKHS auditorium Tuesday afternoon. The group included Austin Pitsch, who had to quickly head out with varsity boys’ golf coach Bob Kaminski and his teammates for an OK Gold Conference jamboree being hosted Tuesday after­ noon by Kenowa Hills. Pitsch finished in a tie for seventh place on the day and led the Trojan team to a sixth-place finish. Pitsch has plans to play golf at Aquinas College. Peyton Pratt, who plans to play soccer collegiately at Delta College, was a day removed from helping the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team to a 4-2 win at Zeeland East. Pratt was basketball and volleyball teammates at TKHS with Alana Compton, who has plans to play both sports at Kellogg Community College next season. Jakob Rodriguez from the TK varsity boys’ basketball team announced his plans to play ball at Kuyper College. Jackson Curtis will stick close to home to keep play- ing soccer on the Davenport University Men’s Soccer team. A pair of Trojan distance runners announced their collegiate running plans. Emelia MacDonald will run track and cross country at Saginaw Valley State University. Her cross country teammate Lucy VanDemark, who happens to be an all-state skier as well, announced her plans to run cross country at Kalamazoo College. Antenna Men • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems fSurgCag Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023 Seven goals for, no shots against as Scots beat Jenison Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots are on to Monday’s semifinals. A 2-1 win at Rockford Tuesday night secured the second seed for the Fighting Scots, in the OK Red Conference Tournament, and the Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer team opened the tour­ nament with a 7-0 drubbing of Jenison at Scotland Yard Thursday evening. The Fighting Scots will be on their home turf again Monday taking on West Ottawa in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Caledonia was 5-2 during the conference regular season, behind only a 7-0 Hudsonville team in the standings. Hudsonville is set to face Grand Haven in the confer­ ence tournament’s other semifinal match-up Monday. The Eagles blanked East Kentwood 8-0 Thursday while Grand Haven took a 2-0 win at Rockford to open the conference tourney. Senior attackers Gracie Gortmaker and Jocelyn Herrema each tallied a hat­ trick with three goals against the Wildcats Thursday and junior defender Laney Peterson put in a penalty kick, which Gortmaker drew, early in the second half. Gortmaker chipped a shot from a tough angle over THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 8,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to share a booth with the City of Hastings and the Village of Middleville for the 2023 Barry County Fair for a cost of $146.67 for the booth and $800.00 for promotional items for a total NTE $950.00. 4. Approved motion to reap­ point Elaine Denton to the Planning Commission. 5. Approved motion to purchase security cameras for the township hall to be used for election and township security for a cost NTE $599.00. 6. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 8-2023 Sewer Connec­ tion Fees. 7. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 9-2023 Approving Con­ tinuing Disclosure Undertaking for Duncan Lake No. 2 Drain Drain­ age District contingent upon some non-substantive changes. 8. Approved motion to allow the township supervisor to sign the intergovernmental agreement (in­ cluded in the board packet.) 9. Approved motion to utilize Intradyn for archiving the township and Emergency Services Facebook pages to be compliant with FOIA. 10. Approved motion to approve the new logo for Thornapple Town­ ship Emergency Services and to implement (over a period of time) new patches. Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Su­ pervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp . org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 199528 Jenison keeper Alexis Bartz in the game’s 171*1 minute to put the Fighting Scots up 1-0. Bartz apologized to her teammates for letting the shot get through, but she more than made up for the miscue with a solid effort throughout what turned into a very busy night in the net for her. Caledonia had nearly 20 shots on goal in the match, but despite putting ten of those on frame in the first half led just 2-0 at the inter­ mission. The Fighting Scots didn’t start to get some breathing room on the scoreboard until the final 70 seconds of the first half. A trio of Wildcat defenders hesitated on the right side and Caledonia senior midfielder Reese Nething blew through them to find space in the attacking third. She rolled a pass into the right side of the box for Gortmaker, who did her best impression of a basketball power forward posting up throughout the night to keep Jenison defenders from the ball. Gortmaker controlled the pass and tapped it back to the top ofthe box for Herrema who ripped a show through a crowd into the lower left hand comer of the net. From there things were never in doubt. The Caledonia defense was steady moving the ball out of its end. Junior goalkeeper Davanee Balczak was mostly just charged with being a drop back option for her teammates as they tried to work the ball forward. The Wildcats didn’t put a shot on goal all game, and had just The Fighting Scots’ Bella Teelander fires a shot at the Jenison net while being pursued by the Wildcats’ Sofia Diaz at the top of the box during the second half of their OK Red Tournament Quarterfinal Thursday at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) one comer late in the second half after Balczak had already been replaced in net by classmate Natalie Richardson. Peterson buried her PK try into the lower right side of the net to move the Scots’ lead to 3-0 in the 43r^ min­ ute. The Scots’ pressure was steady on the Wildcat net from there, and a handful of offside calls prevented the Caledonia girls from ringing up an even more lopsided win. Herrema and Gortmaker went back and forth scoring goals the rest of the way, beating the defenders with the dribble and also doing their best to create a few chances for teammates at the top of their box when they could. Junior Abby Kramer, sophomore Josie Wilcox and senior Madison Maas were solid moving the ball through the midfield throughout the night for Caledonia. The Fighting Scots are now 11-3-1 overall this season. They upended West Ottawa 2-1 during their OK Red regular sea­ son match in Holland last month. Caledonia senior Madison Maas chases down a ball in the attacking third during the first half of her team’s 7-0 win over Jenison to open the OK Red Conference Tournament at Scotland Yard in Caledonia Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia freshman Baylee Devries beats Jenison defender Cora Ballinger to a header in the box during the first half ofThursday night’s OK Red Conference Tournament opener at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) o(j COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the April 25, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on May 9, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website atwww.villaaeQfmiddleville.org. Caledonia senior Gracie Gortmaker shields the ball from Jenison defender Mackenzie Goulette during the second half of their OK Red Conference Tournament opener at Scotland Yard Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13,2023/ Page 13 Scots win Tuesday nightcap in three-game series with West Ottawa Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity baseball team went 1-2 in a OK Red Conference set for the fourth time this season taking one of three from the West Ottawa Panthers this week. The Scots won the night­ cap in Holland Tuesday 10-3 after a 4-1 loss in the opener. Caledonia smacked 11 hits in the win and took advan­ tage of six Panther errors to score its ten runs. Derek Pennington was 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI’s to lead the Scot attack. He also walked once and scored two runs. Cam Raffler and Cam Myers both had a pair of sin­ gles. Jace Lawton doubled. Tommy Clarey was 1 for 3 with two runs scored and two RBI’s. Myers, AJ Roszkowski and Nick Slater added RBI’s as well. Michael Douglass got the win on the mound for the Scots. He gave up one earned run in 3 1/3 innings. He struck out two, gave up five hits and didn’t walk a batter. Slater pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in which he struck out six, walked three and gave up one hit. just one hit. Singles by AJ Szabo, Damian Fernandez got the Douglass and Lawton were win for the Panthers. He the only Caledonia hits in struck out six, walked three game one. Raffler had the and gave up three hits. The Scots’ lone RBI. one run against him was Aaron Hileman took the unearned. loss allowing four runs on In game three in Caledonia five hits and four walks over Thursday, the Panthers took 3 2/3 innings. He struck out another 4-1 win. four. Myers came on to pitch A Lawton double and a 2 1/3 innings of scoreless single by Maddox Wysocki relief in which he allowed were the only Caledonia hits. Caledonia was scheduled to host Gull Lake for a bail­ game Friday, May 12. The Scots visit Kenowa Hills for two ballgames today, May 13. The Scots face Hudsonville in the OK Red in the week ahead. The Scots go to Hudsonville for two Tuesday and then will be home against the Eagles Thursday. Itojan softball evens OK Gold mark at 5-5 with two wins over Knights Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity softball team swept its OK Gold Conference doubleheader with visiting Kenowa hills Tuesday after­ noon. The TK ladies won the opener 11-1 in five innings and then tacked on a 7-2 win in game two. Kylee Hoebeke held the Knights to one run on three hits and a walk in game one. She struck out eight. Elaina O’Riley and Rachel Shoemaker were both 2 for 3 with a double to lead the TK attack. Shoemaker drove in three runs. Hoebeke, Grace Zube, Payton Stahl and Kenzie Bouma also had RBI’s for TK. Bouma and Hoebeke both doubled. Stahl and Ella Palazzolo both singled. In game two, Zube was 3 for 3 at the plate with two runs scored. She doubled twice. O’Riley went 2 for 4 with a pair of runs. Hoebeke, Stahl, Shoemaker, Bouma and Jessie Drenton each singled once. Shoemaker drove in two runs and Stahl, Palazzolo and Drenton each had an RBI. Jenna Robinett was the winning pitcher in game two. She went the full seven innings striking out three and walking four. She gave up two runs on seven hits. The two wins move TK’s record to 5-5 in the OK Gold Conference this spring. TK returns to conference play with two at Cedar Springs Tuesday, and then will go to Lowell for a non-conference doublehead­ er Wednesday and Caledonia for two ballgames Friday in the week ahead. Itojans host Bengals Monday for start of OK Gold Conference tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team will open the 2023 OK Gold Conference Tournament with a match against Ottawa Hills in Middleville Monday. The Trojans ran through a 5-1-1 conference regular sea- son and have now won three in a row after non-conference wins over Zeeland East and Hopkins in the past week. TK took a 4-2 win at Zeeland East Monday. “[Co-coach David Wood] and I were really pleased with the fight-back the girls showed, as we went behind twice in the first half and we were able to find ways to equalize both times,” TK coach Ben Sleeman said. “Then, we came right out in the second half and scored early and really never looked back. We really feel like the girls are beginning to find their groove and that we are playing our best soccer at the right time to make a run at the end of the season confer­ ence tournament and also into district play.” The Trojans also took a 2-1 win at Hopkins last Friday, May 5. Coach Sleeman said the important thing was that his girls earned the win, but they had numerous chances to pull away and just struggled a bit to put their chances away. The winner of Monday’s match in Middleville will face either Grand Rapids Catholic Central or Wayland in the semifinals of the con­ ference tournament May 17. The Cougars host the Wildcats Monday. In the other opening round games Monday, South Christian takes on Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs plays host to Forest Hills Eastern. CHS pitchers strike out 25 in doubleheader sweep of Panthers Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity softball team snapped a sixgame skid by sweeping a doubleheader with OK Red Conference foe West Ottawa in Holland Tuesday afternoon. The Caledonia girls took game one 6-1 and then fol­ lowed up with a 14-1 rout in game two. Caledonia pitcher Jazz Dana no-hit the Panthers in the six-inning, game two win. She struck out 12 and walked one and the only run against her was unearned Peyton Brenner was 2 for 3 with a single and a double and three RBI’s in the game two win. She scored a run. Kala Bisterfeldt was 2 for 4 with three RBI’s of her own. Addy Lash added a 2 for 2 performance. MacKenzie Parker, Dana and Malia Burke had sin­ gles for the Scots. Parker and Keira Sundstrom drove in two runs each. Lillian Merlo and DeVries both had one RBI. Parker doubled and drove in a run in game one. Molly Lieske was 2 for 2 at the plate with three RBI’s. Bisterfeldt was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Those were the only five Caledonia hits. Lieske had a great after­ noon in the circle herself allowing one run on two hits and two walks. She struck out 13. Kenowa Hills wins its three Gold ballgames against TK baseball team Brett Bremer Sports Editor Kenowa Hills swept its OK Gold Conference series with the Thornapple Kellogg varsity baseball team this week. The Knights took 13-0 and 4-2 wins in Middleville Tuesday afternoon and then finished off the set with a 9-2 win on their home dia­ mond Thursday. Singles by Anson Verlinde and Maddix Ferden were the only hits for the Trojans in the finale Thursday. Verlinde had the Trojans’ Ione RBI. Leadoff hitter Brody Wiersma walked once and scored a run. Verlinde scored TK’s other one, also walking once. The TK batters did work seven walks as a team. Wiersma took the loss. He was charged with six earned runs in four innings. He struck out two, walked seven and allowed seven hits. TK was held to two hits in the nightcap in Middleville Tuesday too. Wiersma singled and Dylan Lawrence had a triple and drove in a run. Ben Koster had TK’s other RBI. Gavin Snelling didn’t give up an earned run on the mound for TK. He allowed four hits and two walks while striking out four in his seven innings. Pitcher John Green tossed the game one, seven inning, shut out in the series opener for the Knights. He struck out eight and walked two. The two TK hits against Green were a single by Verlinde and a double from Gavin Snelling. The Trojans are still chasing their first May vic­ tory. Forest Hills Eastern took three from TK in the OK Gold Conference series played May 4 and.5. West Ottawa took a pair of non-conference wins over TK Saturday, May 6, in Holland. The Panthers scored 17-2 and 18-1 wins. The Scots went into the doubleheader having bee bested in two ballgames by conference foe Grandville last Friday, May 4, and then falling to Unity Christian, Wayland and Big Rapids at Saturday’s Wayland Invitational. Grand Haven took a 6-5 OK Red Conference win over the visiting Scots Thursday, May 11. The two teams were back and forth all afternoon. The Scots scored twice in the top of the first. Grand Haven came back with three in the bottom of the third. The Scots finally found an answer with three runs in the top of the sixth only to see the Buccaneers come right back with three in the bottom of the seventh for the walk-off win. Lash led off the ballgame with a home run to center field and Burke’s two-run home run put the Scots up 4-3 at the time in the sixth. Brenner was 2 for 3 with an RBI. She had a single and a double, the only Scot with multiple hits in the bailgame. Lieske, DeVries, Dana and Grace Siekman each singled once. Grand Haven scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd f68 ) ' _ _ C. A k tnRflca LENNOX . k ZZ ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13,2023 Caledonia seniors leaving team better than they found it Brett Bremer Sports Editor Kanika Verma had to hus­ tle from an A.P. Biology exam to the tennis courts at Caledonia High School Wednesday for the Fighting Scots’ final home dual of the season. Verma was one of four seniors playing their final home match for the CHS varsity girls’ tennis team an OK Red Conference dual in which the Fighting Scots were bested 7-2 by the Grandville Bulldogs. Her feelings on the A.P. Bio exam were a bit more positive than her feelings on the results ofher second dou­ bles match with teammate Abby Duong, but the Fighting Scot duo put up a battle. They won the opening set against Grandville’s Cara Lauber and Grace Jenkins 6-3, but the Bulldog pair ral­ lied for a 6-1, 6-2 victory in the final two sets. “It was tense. There were a lot of deuces. We were always down to that one point - ad-in/ad-out. It was a fight,” Verma said. “They changed their line-up, so they were probably a little better this time.” Fighting Scot senior second doubles player Kanika Verma sends a forehand return back at her oppo­ nents from Grandville during her match with team­ mate Abby Duong Thursday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Verma and the junior Duong were facing an entire­ ly different duo than in their previous two bouts with the Bulldogs this season. They took wins over Grandville teams at second doubles at a pair of invitationals. The Caledonia senior dou­ bles duo of Allison Weibel and Allyson Abraham at first doubles took their second win of the season over a top Grandville doubles pair. They pulled out a 6-4, 6-3 win over the Bulldogs’ Emma Dudick and Stephanie Westra Wednesday. “They are great at making adjustments,” Caledonia head coach Mike Wilson said of his first doubles team. “Sometimes they get off to a slow start and by the time I get there, the things I’ve thought of they’re already talking about and we’re just kind of sharing the same thoughts. It is just really neat to have seniors that can do that. Early on they were just making some unforced errors. We took care ofthose and got aggressive at the net, and that usually makes a difference.” Caledonia got its other team point with the third doubles team ofjuniors Sela Fitzell and Emily Sorstokke outscoring Haley Washbum and Emersyn VandeWater 7-5, 6-3. Weibel, Abraham and Verma are three ofjust five seniors on the Caledonia ros­ ter this spring, joined by third singles player Grace Geer and fifth doubles player Anna Stone. “They’re a great class,” coach Wilson said. “Three years ago we had 16 girls in the program with Covid hitting, and they have all stuck it out and just kept working hard and improving and they have really played some good tennis this season. That is just fun to watch and to be a part of.” Wilson said the CHS pro- Caledonia senior first doubles player Allyson Abraham reaches up to hit a high forehand during her win over Grandville with teammate Allison Weibel Thursday afternoon at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) gram now has 55 girls and there are at least 100 more competing at the middle school level. “They are really even tem­ pered and they really think through things, and they make adjustments,” Wilson said ofhis senior class. “That really does go through the whole group. They are able to keep their calm, there are a couple of them that need to be reminded of that, but they come to practice and they work hard every day.” Geer was bested 6-2, 6-2 by Grandville’s Quinn Block Wednesday. The Bulldogs swept the fourth singles matches. Grandville top player Olivia Kalee outscored CHS sopho­ more Hailey Markwat 6-1, 6-1 in the first singles match. Markwat took over the top spot for the Scots when classmate Kiley Bommarito suffered a broken toe mid- way through this season. “When we did challenges in the beginning of the season [Markwat and Bommarito] were just really close,” Wilson said. “I think Hailey was content to be at second, but she has really accepted the challenge. Last year she played fifth doubles, so to go from that to first singles is big. You can see, she just doesn’t back down and she doesn’t get rattled. She is out there trying to do her best and she plays some really good first singles points.” Caledonia junior second singles player Sarah Kirk found her form in the second set of a 6-0, 6-4 loss to the Bulldogs’ Grace Elder. At fourth singles, Jacqueline Herb took a 6-1,6-4 win over the Scots’ junior Lilly Hess. On the doubles’ side, Grandville’s took two threeset wins. The team ofArianna Rodriguez and Mallory Woodruff outscored Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Mertz 7-5, 3-6, 6-1. At fifth dou­ bles, the Grandville duo of Aria Beecher and Kayla Buckley beat out Stone and Audrey Duong 6-3, 6-3. The Fighting Scots end the OK Red duals with a record of 1-6. The OK Red Conference Tournament is today, May 13, at West Ottawa. The Caledonia girls go to Hudsonville for their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Regional Thursday. 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 616-891-8688 9 St. Paul Preschool C.A.R.E.S! 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Proverbs 22:6 nr—Tt>— Fighting Scot sophomore first singles player Hailey The Fighting Scots’ Allison Weibel leaps up to hit an overhead volley during her first singles win with Markwat chips a drop shot back at Grandville’s Olivia teammate Allyson Abraham in their team’s OK Red Kalee during their match at Caledonia High School Conference dual with visiting Grandville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023/ Page 15 Byanski has top score as Scots win Red jamboree at Sunnybrook Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ golf team finished on top of the standings at the OK Red Conference jamboree hosted by Hudsonville at Sunnybrook Country Club Monday. The Caledonia team out­ scored runner-up Grand Haven 163-166. Senior Jacob Byanski scored a 38 to lead the Caledonia team. Senior Dylan Meduna added a 40, senior Sam Baldwin a 42 and sophomore Parker Little a 43. Byanski was steady all day with seven pars and a pair of bogies leading to his 38 which had hit on top of the day’s individual standings. West Ottawa junior Carson Witvoet shot a 39 to finish second. Meduna was tied for third with Grand Haven sophomore Carson Osborn and Grandville junior Tony Spicuzza. Hudsonville was third on the day with a score of 167 ahead of Rockford 170, West Ottawa 171, Grandville 173, East Kentwood 186 and Jenison 188. The Scots fortunes turned Thursday as Jenison hosted the conference for a jamboree at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University. Hudsonville won Thursday with a score of 164. Grand Haven was second at 169 ahead of West Ottawa 172, East Kentwood 174, Caledonia 175, Grandville 175, Rockford 179 and Jenison 188. Byanski led the Scots on the day with a 41. Baldwin shot a 42, Meduna a 45 and sophomore Lukas Keson and junior Emersen Lippert both tallied 47’s. Hudsonville junior Lincoln Loughin had the day’s best individual score at 38. Spicuzza and Osborn both shot 39 CHS teams well ahead of field at Red Hawk Invitational Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams finished well ahead of the field at the 27® Annual Red Hawk Invitational hosted by Cedar Springs Saturday. The Caledonia boys were m ore than 235 points ahead of their nearest com­ petitor, and the Caledonia girls put up more than 160 points than their closest competition. The Fighting Scots were set to close out the OK Red Conference season Friday, May 12, at Hudsonville High School at the confer­ ence championship meet. The Scots got to Portage Central next Friday, May 19, for their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Regional Meet and then will be a part of the MITCA Team State Finals in Zeeland May 26. Cedar Springs was sec­ ond to the Caledonia teams in both the boys’ and girls’ competitions last Saturday. The CHS boys outscored the Red Hawks 869-633.5 ahead of Forest Hills Eastern 615.5, MorleyStanwood 528.5, Greenville 528.5, West Catholic 519.5 and Wellspring Prep 178. Forest Hills Eastern put together a foursome that was 16 hundredths of a second faster than the Scots’ 4x200-meter relay team, and that was the only race on the track that the Caledonia boys did not win at the meet. Senior Jordan Domany and junior Owen Hager won two races each for the Scots. Hager took the 1 IO­ meter high hurdles in 15.69 seconds and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 42.09. Domany won the 1600-meter run in 4 min­ utes 35.74 seconds and the 3200-meter run in 10:14.58. Caledonia had four other guys win the other four individual races. Junior Ethan Berends ran his fast­ est 100-meter dash of the spring to win in 11.64. Senior Matthew Spoehrr ran his fastest 200-meter dash ever to win in 23.33 and freshman teammate Shaden Thomas also set a PR, at 23.48, to place second. CHS senior Kalen Zuiderveen won the 400- meter dash in a PR of 53.45 and junior teammate Mason Osterhouse improved his PR to 53.53 to place second. The CHS team of Jimmie Floyd, Spoehr, Brock Townsend and Berends won the 4x 100-meter relay in 44.26. Osterhouse, Joshua Maier, Kalen Zuiderveen and Ayden Duffin won the 4x400-meter relay in 3:43.08. Jonathan Miedema, Micah Nagel, Anthony Lawlor and Duffin won the 4x800-meter relay in 8:24.36’. Junior Jordan Gutierrez had a pair of runner-up fin­ ishes for the CHS boys. He flew 21 feet 2 inches in the long jump and cleared the The Caledonia varsity boys’ track and field team gathers with its championship plaque after wining the bar at 6-0 in the high jump. 27th Annual Red Hawk Invitational in Cedar Springs Saturday. Teammate Theren Sanders was the runner-up in the discus with a throw of 133­ 0. The CHS girls beat out Cedar Springs 999.5 to 838.5 at the top of the standings ahead of Cedar Springs 838.5, Greenville 580.5, Forest Hills Eastern 566, West Catholic 471, Grant 332, MorleyStanwood 330.5, Wellspring Prep 92 and 67. CHS junior Brooke Heyboer won the 100meter dash in 13.47 sec­ onds and also teamed with Ashleigh Adams, Audrey Howell and Avah Winstrom The Caledonia varsity to win the 4x 100-meter relay in 51.25. Teammate girls’ track and field team Teresa Abraham was the celebrates on the infield runner-up in the 100-meter after winning the 27th Red Hawk dash and Winstrom was Annual Invitational at Cedar third in that sprint. Howell added a sea- Springs High School son-best time of 49.74 to Saturday, May 6. (Photo win the 300-meter low hur- by Brett Bremer) dles after a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles. The CHS girls won two relays. The team of Alyssa DeFields, Leah Thompson, Leah Williams and Natalia Quigley took the 4x800-meter relay in 10:17.68. Fighting Scot throwers had their best day yet in the girls’ competition. Junior Kiersten DeHaan was sec­ ond in the discus with a personal record throw of 93-10 and senior teammate Lija Sverns was third with 210 East Main Street, Caledonia a PR of 91-10. Scot senior Kendall Benson was- the runner-up in the shot put with a runner-up mark of Locally owned business. 31-1. Spring Special A/C TUNE-UP y UoNn UlYy $>7 W9 HEATING 8 COOLING 616-891-8900 �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 13, 2023 TKHS ladies beat FHE to hold onto second in OK Gold Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ track and field team headed into this week­ end’s OK Gold Conference Championship Meet at Forest Hills Eastern trailing only Ottawa Hills in the con­ ference standings. The TK ladies capped off a 6-1 season of conference duals by outscoring the FHE Hawks 78-59 Tuesday after­ noon. The FHE boys took a 95-42 win over the TK guys as well Tuesday. It was another huge day in onds off her previous best time in the race. “I’m just so impressed with how well this team works together and cele­ brates each other’s success­ es,” TK girls’ coach Maggie Wilkinson said. “I can not say enough good, things about how hard this team has worked this year and how impressed I am with their improvements. They work so well together.” The hard work the Trojan throwers have been doing this season paid off Tuesday. TK had the top two girls in the shot put and the top two the hurdles for the TK ladies as they outscored the Hawks 18-0 in the two hurdle races combined. The three fastest TK girls all put up new per­ sonal record times in the 100-meter urdles. Sophomore rooklyn Harmon won the race in 15.37 seconds, junior Joselyn DeBoer was second in 17.09 and freshman Mia Hilton third in 17.14. Hannon won the 300meter low hurdles too in 49.58. Hilton set her PR to place second in that race in 50.98. DeBoer was third in 52.67. Hilton cut two sec- Cust omer Appreciation in the discus. Senior Preslee hall upped her PR in the dis­ cus to 101 feet 4.5 inches to win that event. Junior team­ mate Mollie Moore was sec­ ond with a personal record throw of 83-0.5. In the shot put, senior Elizabeth Gaunt won with a mark of 30-2 and junior Elizabeth Middleton improved her PR to 29-5 to place second. The Trojan team also had junior Eva Corson set her PR at 5-0 in the high jump to win that. Junior TJ Myers was second in the pole vault while improving her PR to 9-0. Saturday, May>20tfi 2023 8 am to 3 pm Trojan sophomore Ava Crews won the 3200-meter run in 12:02.83 after improv­ ing her PR in the 1600 to 5:30.82 in a runner-up finish behind FHE senior Sarah Dixon - who set her PR at 5:21.13 in the race. Trojan freshman Payton Gater cut m ore than two seconds off her PR in the 400-meter dash to place sec­ ond in that race (1:02.02) and junior Kendra Coe cut over three seconds off her PR in the 800 to finish third in that one (2:35.09). Senior Lindsey Velting, Gater, junior Kenady Smith and Harmon teamed up to win the 4x400-meter relay in 4:13.74, which was two sec­ onds faster than the team had been in that race at any other time this season. The Trojan 4x800-meter relay team cut almost 19 seconds while chasing the Hawks in that race. The TK ladies also had the team of DeBoer, Emmerson DeVries, Eva Corson and Emma Dykhouse win the 4x 100-meter relay in 53.71. The hurdlers had some of TK and Wayland back and forth at OK Gold Conference golf jamborees All lunch proceeds go to Saranac Volunteer Fire Department. Please be generous with your donation. Thank You! Eastern freshman Dylan Sports Editor Morse. The Thomapple Kellogg Cedar Springs hosted the varsity boys’ golf team conference at Cedar Chase placed sixth at the OK Gold Golf Course Thursday and Conference jamboree host­ the Trojans jumped up to ed by Kenowa Hills fifth place. Tuesday on the east course Catholic Central won at Gracewil. with an overall score of 156 Grand Rapids Catholic ahead of Forest Hills Central won the meet with a Eastern 161, South score of 154 ahead of South Christian 161, Cedar Christian 161, Forest Hills Springs 173, Thomapple Eastern 163, Cedar Springs Kellogg 176, Wayland 184 168, Wayland 173, and Kenowa Hills 188. Thomapple Kellogg 174 Voss led the Trojan team and Kenowa Hills 179. with a score of 42. Noah Thornapple Kellogg Newland, a junior, scored a senior Austin Pitsch, fresh 44 for TK. Zoet and Parks off the Trojans’ senior sign­ each scored a 45. ing day celebration where Catholic Central junior he was honored for his Mathew Sokorai shot an plans to keep playing at even-par-36 to lead the con­ Aquinas College, led his ference Thursday. Junior team with a score of 39. Jack Vining from South TK junior Jordan Parks Christian was second with a shot a 43 and the Trojans 37. Forest Hills Eastern also got a 45 from sopho­ freshman Jack Cavanaugh more Tyler Voss and a 47 and Catholic Central fresh­ from senior Kyron Zoet. man Charlie Maczka both Catholic Central junior scored a 38 and Catholic Will Preston shot an even­ Central senior Johnathon par-36 to finish as the day’s Thomas Meyer shot a 39 to top individual. round out the top five. A group of five guys tie The TK boys were slated for second with scores of to visit Caledonia for a 38. That group included non-conference dual Friday South Christian sophomore and will host a dual Brody Montsma, Wayland Monday against Plainwell freshman Jaden Osterhout, at Yankee Springs. The OK Cedar Springs senior Gold Conference gets Conner Hunt, Catholic together again for a jambo­ Central junior Sebastian ree Tuesday at Yankee Deimel and Forest Hills Springs. Brett Bremer While Chicken Leg 1/4...................................... (101b.) $7.00 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast supplies bag (10 lb.) $16.00 bag $3.00 Sausage (any flavor - perpkg.) last pkg. Hickory Smoked Bacon........... .................... $4.50 lb. No rain 1 Pork Steak......................................................... $1.69 lb. checks Bone In Pork Chops .....................................$1.49 lb. Boneless Pork Chops........... ..................... $1.89 lb. Boneless Pork Strips ..................................... $2.19 lb. Choice Sizzlers...................................... ..$4.98 lb. 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All vacuum packed. WE DO IT ALL!!! GRAND PRIZE: •name 1/2 HOG •phone ______________________________ i r -H---O--U---R--L --Y--- D---R--A---W---I-N---G--:-- Need not be present to win No pre-registration the top finishes for the TK boys Tuesday too. Freshman Nate Shoemaker won the 110-meter high hurdles in 20.02 seconds and the 300meter intermediate hurdles in 45.24. TK guys also won the two throwing events. Junior Drake Snyder set his PR in the shot put with a put of 42-1.5. Senior Carson Burbridge won the discus with a throw of 114-11, and Snyder set his PR in that one too with a throw of 96-8 which put him in third place. Thomapple Kellogg senior Tyler Bushman improved his record in the pole vault to 10-6, but FHE junior Elijah Peterson also improved his PR to 10-6 to win the event'. Bushman scored twice with personal records. He was second in the 800-meter run in 2:02.72. Junior Lucas Van Meter lowered his PR in that race to 2:03.41 to place third. The TK boys also got a PR in a third-place finish from junior Tyler Gavette in the 200-meter dash. He hit the finish line in 23.87. 1 1 “,,‘ 1I * GIFT CARDSTo*9ZSZ,h 9 am to 3 pm � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-05-20.pdf 9e715bedc16b5e40c5fa7121da9ac1ae PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas ‘Diamond in the rough’ Cook’s Hot Caledonia Schools Dogs celebrates 75 years of operation to hire interim Jayson Bussa superintendent as Editor Cook’s Hot Dogs, a little hole-in-the-wall located in Dutton, has been through plenty of ups and downs throughout its seven-plus decades. Ownership changes, open­ ing and moving locations, a pivotal death in the family, a global pandemic, soaring food costs - the micro-sized restaurant that chugs out 27 different types of hot dogs and house-made root beer has seemingly seen it all, and it’s still alive and kicking. Now, they’re celebrating. Char Baar, owner of Cook’s, and the rest of her staff are staging a 75-year anniversary celebration in the coming month, welcoming customers to come and dine with them at 6874 Hammond Ave. in Dutton. Throughout the month of June, Cook’s will be provid­ ing customers with weekly specials that include every­ thing from a free drink refill to 10 percent off an entire order. Every purchase made in June enters a customer into a drawing for a variety ofprizes, as well. Keeping the doors open for 75 years doesn’t happen by accident. search process begins COOKSHOTDOG Cook’s Hot Dogs Manager Tina Hilgendorf (left) and Owner Char Baar (right) stand in front of their restaurant, located at 6874 Hammond Ave. Cook’s is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Cook’s boasts an illustri­ ous history in Greater Grand Rapids that dates back to 1948, when it was established by Martin Cook, who eventually sold it and the business changed hands a few times before Baar and her late husband, Gary, took over in 1998. Gary had just retired after nearly 30 years with Steelcase and was looking to invest in a business. The Baars had visited Cook’s Dnve-In for the occasional gallon of root beer and chili dogs and Gary already had some experience running a seasonal hot dog joint in Holland. When Cook’s came up for sale, Gary jumped at the opportunity. When the Baars bought the restaurant, it was located at 4405 Eastern Ave. in the Kentwood area, which is now home to Lia’s Pizza. At the time, the couple also owned land in Dutton that housed an old grain elevator that the city wanted to see come down. The Baars com­ missioned the demolition of the old grain elevator and constructed a long building comprised of storage units with a small area for a restau­ rant on the end, which even­ tually became another Cook’s location in;2000. “We added (the restaurant) in case the storage didn’t fill See 75 YEARS, page 2 Retired Caledonia teacher elected county Democratic Party chair Greg Chandler StaffWriter Kim Gates never intended to get involved in politics. For 31 years, Gates taught in the Caledonia Community Schools, first as a special education teacher, and later as a language arts and American history teacher at the middle school level. But as far as her political involvement was concerned, she described herself as a Kim Gates (right) is shown here with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (Courtesy photo) “semi-informed voter.” “I voted both parties. I never related to any one party,” Gates said. But the 2016 presidential election changed Gates’ per­ spective. “I realized the issues that I cared about were supported by the Democratic Party diversity, inclusion, afford­ able housing, the environ­ ment, health care,” the Caledonia Township resident said. “It astounded me that one party supports that and another party does not put those as their critical issues.” So in January 2017, Gates began volunteering with the Kent County Democratic Party. She started by stuffing envelopes at the party head­ quarters. She worked her way up to becoming a pre­ cinct organizer, organizing al) six precincts jn (^aledoni^ Township. Six years later, Gates is the county party’s new chair­ woman. She was elected to the office two months ago. The 66-year-old Gates has made it a mission to increase the visibility of the party throughout the entire county. While Democrats in the county have won election to major offices, such as U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten and state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, there is not a single Democrat that holds an elected office in any town­ ship in Kent County, Gates said. “My whole goal when I started organizing was to at least get Democrats on the ballot as precinct delegates,” she said. “So I did that. I’ve succeeded. Every year we have two in each of the six Set) K/M GATES, page^ Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia Community Schools will hire an interim superintendent to preside over the district while they search for a permanent replacement for outgoing Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin. And that person could be a familiar face to the district. On Monday, the school board voted unanimously to directAssistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury to approach Dirk Weeldreyer, currently the interim superintendent at Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming, to see if he would be willing to serve as interim superintendent at Caledonia starting July 1 and possibly going through the entire 2023-24 school year. Weeldreyer served as inter­ im superintendent at CCS from February 2018 to July 2018 before Martin took over as superintendent. “He knows our district, our administrative staff.. .He was certainly a very visible pres­ ence in the district when he was here and worked very hard,” School Board President Marcy White said. On Thursday, Kingsbury said that he spoke to Weeldreyer about returning as interim superintendent and that details ofa potential con­ tract must still be worked out. Martin earlier this month accepted the position ofsuper­ intendent for the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency after nearly five years in Caledonia. He has not yet submitted a letter of resigna- tion to the Caledonia district, White said. “Dr. Martin remains our superintendent until we receive a resignation saying otherwise or (a) request for resignation for board approv­ al,” White said. Weeldreyer served as super­ intendent of Fennville Public Schools in Allegan County for nine years before he retired in 2017. Since then, he has served as an interim superintendent in several West Michigan school districts, including Caledonia and Muskegon. He is in his second interim assignment at Godfrey-Lee, also serving in that capacity in 2021. Board members agreed that hiring an interim superin­ tendent would give the dis­ trict some breathing room in terms offinding Martin’s per­ manent successor. “This will give us the time and the ability to look at search firms (and) discuss what that best road forward is,” White said. Trustee John Brandow agreed. “The more time we have to look, the better (off) I think we are,” he said. The board took no other action tied to the superinten­ dent search on Monday. Dirk Weeldreyer • Caledonia robotics, drone programs send students to world meet Middleville DDA braces for busy summer • Cal schools to potentially cut 11.5 teaching positions • Trojan golfer Pitsch finishes third at final conference jamboree • Four from Caledonia track earn all­ conference finishes �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday. May 20. 2023 75 YEARS, continued from page 1 A peek inside of Cook's Hot Dogs in Dutton. Tina Hilgendorf prepares a Chicago Dog at Cook’s Hot Dogs in Dutton. She has managed the restaurant for nine years. up. Maybe the restaurant would then help pay the bills," Baar said. Dutton and surrounding Gaines Township looked a lot different back when Cook’s opened in 2000, absent of the large Amazon fulfillment cen­ ter and the swaths ofeconomic development that have come with it While it might be tucked away off 68th Street, the area has grown to become a decent spot for a business. “(Dutton) has grown into a good location," Baar said. “The one on 44th Street was a phenomenal location, too.” But even if fool traffic was lacking, Tina Hilgendorf, manager of Cook's for the last nine years, is confident cus­ tomers would find them based on their food offering alone. “The people that I talk to tell me it’s a diamond in the rough and it’s a destination to come to this place,” Hilgendorf said. “There arc other hot dog places around, but this is one they prefer." The Baars eventually sold off the Kentwood location in 2008, focusing their sole efforts on die Dutton location. The restaurant hit another major stumbling block in 2014 when tragedy struck and Gary' passed away. Baar admitted that she wzas uncertain of what she would do. She consulted with her staff, who implored her not to sell, even though she wanted to at the time. In fact, Hilgendorf took a The walls of Cook's Hot Dogs show customers the history of the long-running restaurant. The top photo shows the original Cook’s location, which opened In 1948. Below it is a photos of a Kentwood location that Char and Gary Baar purchased before moving it to Dutton. less subtle approach. “I wouldn’t let her," Hilgendorf said. “When (Gary) had a heart attack, the place was up for sale and I said ‘nope’ because people came in and low-balled the offer and 1 said ‘forget about it.’ (Baar) didn't even know about it, but 1 took down the sale signs.” Cook's continues to persist, even though Baar currently lias it for sale. She would like to find a buyer for the business that will keep its legacy going. She is not selling the building, though, so a buyer would either have to con­ tinue leasing the space in Dutton or move it elsewhere. Meanwhile, the restaurant continues to serve up hot dogs, root beer, ice cream, chips and I fl a whole lot of nostalgia. Although, with today’s inflation, it’s impossible to rep­ licate the 5-ccnt hot dogs it used to dole out in 1948 when the wait staffdelivered the food to customers on roller skates. “When I work, it’s fun for me to have people come in and say ‘1 used to work at the first Cook’s and we wore roller skates to deliver the food,” Hilgendorf said. “...Everyone comes in and talks about their first lime (al Cook’s) or when their parents would take them for a 5-ccnt root beer and 10-cent hot dogs.” “I can’t sell the memories,” Baar said. “I get to keep those. Another person can pick it up and make their own memories.” Middleville library group eyes “Friends of” designation ira H Greg Chandler Staff Writer A community group looking to create a stand­ alone public library in Middleville may revive a long-dormant Friends ofthe Library organization to raise funds for the new facility. In the process, the group, currently known as Middleville Needs a Library, could tap into an existing fund that has raised money for the Thomapple ^Caledonia American Legion Post #305 McmoriSlDaifr sWVTcWW* Monday, May 29, 2023 Schedule for Cemeteries and Addresses Alaska *9:00 AM - 68th St. and Thomapple River Drive Blain *9:45 AM - 1270 68th St. Dutton *10:30 AM - 7000 Hanna Lake Ave. Holy Corners *11:15 AM - 84th and Kraft ► Caledonia * 12:00 Noon i. 503 Elm St. Kellogg School and Community Library in the past and pay for a feasibili­ ty study to determine the level of community interest in the new library project. “I think it would be well worth the investment to start looking into re-estab­ lishing the Friends of the Library and make us offi­ cial Friends of the Library members...because going forward as far as fundrais­ ing, that’s going to be one of our arms,” committee member Kate Bynski said. The group is eyeing the “Friends of’ designation as the village ofMiddleville is establishing a committee consisting of Village Council trustees and com­ munity members to discuss the library project. “I think we have run our course as far as being able to decide things in any sort of official capacity,” group member Josh Mosey said. “Any new decisions will be made by this official gov­ ernment group. That doesn’t mean we can’t still discuss and get input because that is why we have these open meetings, and we want everyone to be on board.” There was a “Friends of’ group, known as the Beacon Society, created in October 2009 to support the current library, said committee member Sue Reinstein, who was part of the original society. However, that group fiz­ zled out about a year later, and a decision was made to create a fund for the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation, an arm ofthe Barry Community Foundation instead. The last known activity of the Beacon Society as a “Friends of* group was in 2010, Reinstein said. Last December, the fund’s name was changed from the Beacon Society, Friends of the Thomapple Kellogg School and Community Library to the Beacon Society, Friends of the Middleville Area Community Library, Reinstein said. Committee member Jennifer DeVault, director of library operations for the Kent District Library and a former BCF staffer, endorsed re-activating the Friends ofthe Library group. “You want to have an organization behind you that has credibility, and the Community Foundation certainly does,” DeVault said. Reinstein said that the Beacon Society Fund cur­ rently has about $24,000, of which approximately $15,000 is spendable. That funding could be accessed to help pay for consultant Keith Hopkins, who was chosen last month by the group, to conduct the feasi­ bility study. The group could apply for grants through the Community Foundation. However, the current grant period only goes through Oct. 15, according to com­ mittee member Chris Boysen. Another funding possi­ bility may come through the Bradford White Corporation, which is con­ sidering applications for community projects to fund. The company would award $5,000 toward the project, Bynski said. Any funding from the Beacon Society would have to be approved by the TAEF board ofdirectors, Reinstein said. The library group began meeting a year ago to dis­ cuss how to create a public library separate from Thornapple Kellogg Schools. The current library is open to the community only 12 hours a week during the school year from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The group will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Thomapple Township Hall, 200 E. Main St. fel bi h|J ’h» tFhl “i �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023/ Page 3 KIM GATES, continued from page 1 precincts (in Caledonia But Gates yearned to work Township) that are on the as part of a team. In 1994, ballot as Democrats. We’ve she moved over to what was been able to do that since then Caledonia Middle (2018) ... my whole goal School to teach language arts was that people would see and U.S. history. there’s a Democratic pres­ “When you get into a team ence.” like the eighth grade team, A native of the Detroit you have a team of people suburb of Livonia, Gates you can collaborate with. We began her teaching career in had three language arts 1979 at Caledonia teachers and then all the Community Schools, fresh other teachers on the eighth out of Michigan State grade team,” she said. University. Gates derived joy from “I taught the first half of challenging her students and my career in special ed, so I seeing them meet those chal­ was in all the buildings that lenges. were there at the time,” she “I loved that I could set said. “Back in those days, high expectations and stu­ special ed was not very large, dents would be able to so I operated as an individual exceed their own expecta­ teacher.” tions. So often, the bar had not been set very high and students weren’t expected to perform, and it was fun to see students thinking critical­ ly. We did a lot ofprojects ... and it was fun to be able to see them (succeed).” “My goal when I was teaching was to not ever have students be able to pull something off the internet. My assignments, my ques­ tions were such that they had to think on their own. They could not just Google it and ... (copy it). It was designed very specifically that they had to think.” Gates retired from teach­ ing in 2010. But some ofthe lessons she shared as a teacher still carry over into her political involvement today. One particular issue is over books that some par­ ents feel should be banned from school and public libraries because of thencontent. Gates has no prob­ lem if a parent objects to having his or her child read a particular book, but says there’s a limit. “There is no question that parents deserve a say in shaping their children’s edu­ cations. They have moral and legal responsibility for their children, and the freedom to make fundamental decisions for their families,” she said. “Their words deserve to be heard alongside the trained professionals - principals; teachers and librarians. But using legislation to declare certain books and ideas off-limits violates the essence of public education. When parents choose public schools, rather than private or homeschooling, they enroll in a system designed to serve the entire community’s interests. “Parents have the right to impart their beliefs to their children at home. They do not have the right to insist that their personal beliefs dictate the public school cur­ ricula and libraries for all students.” Gates is looking to attract a diverse group of people to the county party. “My big goal is to cast a wide net, to involve people of different races, different genders and different ages, to elect people who support issues that we value,” she said. Gates is also looking to younger voters in building the party base. “Gen Z and millennials are the largest, most pro­ gressive and most racially diverse generations in American history. These generations are not the future of the Democratic Party - they are the here and now,” she said. Gates is married and has two adult sons. She holds a bachelor’s degree in educa­ tion from MSU and a mas­ ter’s in special education administration from Grand Valley State University. Medal of Honor recipient honors CHS grads who will enter military Greg Chandler StaffWriter Six Caledonia High School seniors will be enter­ ing the military after gradu­ ating from the high school next week. The six were honored during the school’s annual military recognition ceremo­ ny Thursday at the Peter V. DeLille Fine Arts Center. The event was created three years ago to recognize CHS grads who have chosen to enter the armed forces, said Heather Tomes, a social studies teacher at the high school who organized the event with fellow social studies teacher Joel Diekevers. Three of the graduates Ethan Brown, Ryan Guernsey and Ryan Arne - will join the Army. Aiden Lane will enter the Marine Corps, Jacob Kadzban will go into the Navy and Connor Brown will enter the Air National Guard. “I personally know many ofthese young men, and I am so proud of each and every one of them, and for their commitment to our country,” Tomes said. Ame received a $125,000 Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship that he will use to attend Calvin University, after which he will enter the Army as a second lieutenant. The event’s keynote speaker was James McCloughan, who received the Medal of Honor in July 2017 for his heroism as an Army combat medic in Vietnam in 1969. The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor that anyone in the armed forces can receive. McCloughan was able to rescue 10 of his wounded comrades from a kill zone during a three-day battle near Tam Ky and Nui Yon Hill, May 13-15, 1969, despite being wounded twice. As it turned out, there were 89 American troops in that bat­ tle, who were opposed by about 2,700 enemy forces, McCloughan said. Jerome Lukas, a 1966 CHS graduate, was killed at the start ofthat battle. Earlier that morning, Lukas had shown McCloughan a pic­ ture of his new baby boy, named Jerome Jr. “He was just thrilled, showing everybody his new son,” McCloughan said. McCloughan spoke of the brotherhood he formed with his unit from Charlie Company, 3rd Battallion, 21st Infantry Regiment, and how he refused to leave his unit even after being wounded because ofthat loyalty. “I refused to get on a medovac the first day of a 48-hour battle, because I knew it wasn’t over,” McCloughan said. “I’d rather be dead in a rice paddy than alive in a hospital and find out that one of my men died because his medic wasn’t there to do his job.” “We stuck together and fought for each other, with our backs to the wall, with the enemy heavily outnumbering us 30-to-l. We held our ground,” McCloughan added. “The love we had for each other conquered the enemy. They moved out and we were still standing.” McCloughan and Tomes connected in 2010 when McCloughan placed a call to the high school looking for information about anyone who may have been related to Jerome Lukas. The call was forwarded to Tomes, Caledonia High School seniors who will be entering the military pose with Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan after Thursday’s military recognition ceremony at the Peter V. DeLille Fine Arts Center. From left to right are Aiden Lane (Marines), Jacob Kadzban (Navy), Ethan Brown (Army), McCloughan, Ryan Arne (Army ROTC), Connor Brown (Air National Guard) and Ryan Guernsey (Army). (Photo by Greg Chandler) who teaches a class on America at war at CHS. With Tomes’ help, McCloughan was able to connect with the younger Lukas. “I had the ability to tell him that the last thing his father did was to brag about you,” he said. McCloughan challenged the graduates to take time to remember those who have influenced them in their development.“Never, ever forgetyour roots, and the numerous indi­ viduals who guided you along your path,” he said. “Remember, thank, and rep­ resent them well as you take this giant step into the world.” After finishing his tour in Vietnam in 1970, McCloughan became a high school teacher and coach in South Haven, where he had grown up. He coached football, baseball and wrestling at L.C. Mohr High School and was a high school wrestling official for many years. McCloughan was approved for the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning in December 2016, and was presented the medal by President Donald Trump in July 2017. He was President Trump’s first Medal of Honor recipient. “Jim is here today, because he continues to honor the men he fought with at Nui Yon Hill. He continues to honor Jerome Lukas, and he’s here today to honor these graduates,” Tomes said. B'smrstp Caledonia, MI “Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — S Complete Collision Service S Frame Repairs t/ State & I-CAR Certified Technicians ✓ Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies IWMBAI GOLD CLASS Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com -Arp -vf. vt/i �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023 Caledonia robotics and RAD drone teams compete at world meet Caledonia EnrichED sent three teams to Dallas to par­ ticipate in the VEX and VEX IQ World Championships and an additional six teams to Flint to compete in the Aerial Drone Championship. Team Lord of the Disks, made up of Duncan Lake Middle School eighth grad­ ers Daniel Donaldson, Grant Feldpausch, Zack Keson and Gavin Van Meter, advanced to the VEX World Competition after being named a tournament semifi­ nalist at the state championship, where they secured the second highest skills score in the state. The team arrived in Dallas on April 27, where they competed alongside alliance partners from China, Mississippi, California, Wisconsin and Colorado. They ended 45 th in their division and in the top 5 per­ cent of skills scores in the world. Kraft Meadows Intermediate School’s the CobbleCats attended the VEX IQ World Championship on May 2-4 after taking first place at the state event and securing the Teamwork Champion award, the Robot Skills Champion Award and the Think Award at the event. Team members Matthew Bode, James Harper, Anthony Trusevich, Dawson VandenToom and Edmund Van Meter took the field with alliance partners from Washington, Florida, Ontario, West Virginia and China, among others. They wrapped up their week 22nd in their Division and in the top 5 percent of skills scores in the world. Having received the fourth place Teamwork Award at states, William Angus and Mason Pittman also traveled to Dallas to compete in the VEX IQ World Championship, repre­ senting team members, Garrett Hawkins, Owen Hayden, Bradley Keson and Charlie Schmidt of the Hamters. They finished 47th in their division and had a skills score that landed them in the top 25 percent of teams in the world. They competed with teams from Louisiana, Texas, California and China. VEX IQ team the 45ers also advanced to the world championship event, but passed on the opportunity in hopes of advancing next year. Caledonia had the most teams in the nation advance Drone to the Aerial Championship events with six representing their program at Kettering University on May 13 and 14, where they competed against groups from Oklahoma, The team Lord of the Disks is made up of Duncan Lake Middle School eighth graders Daniel Donaldson, Grant Feldpausch, Zack Keson and Gavin Van Meter. Colorado, Texas and Utah, among others. This included Mutt Cutts’ Jackson Bernal and Hailey Laprath; A Major Minor Overload’s Liam Langeweg and Liam Ryan; Cal RAD Team 7’s Grant Feldpausch and Grant Morrell; the Ch With Knightrunners’ Landyn Bennett and Owen Williams; Cal RAD Team 9’s Nick Amorose and Zach Little; and the Unidentified Flying Drones’ Gavin Grysen and Owen Marshall. Mutt Cutts placed second in skills with a score that will alask 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org put them in the top six high school teams in the world and brought home a trophy. Cal RAD Team 7 also earned a trophy for the second high­ est middle school skills score, having finished fourth at the event and are now in the top three ofmiddle school Caledonia United Methodist Church F Rev. Christine Beaudoin Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ. who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Good Shepherd > Lutheran Church Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http;//goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: OURNEY CHURCH r ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 (269) 795-2391 NOH' OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School................9:30 9:30 AM Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday wam&6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God’s Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 1 hoo a.m. .10:30 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter- 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Sunday Worship teams in the world. They were followed closely by middle school teams the Knightrunners in 24th, Cal RAD Team 9 in 25th; and Unidentified Flying Drones in 51st and high school team Major Minor Overload in 42nd. Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass .................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023/ Page 5 Middleville DDA stays busy with farmer’s market, Riverbank Music Series and director search James Gemmell 16), The Caribbean Soul Contributing Writer Experience (June 23), the With only a 14-minute Don Middlebrook Duo (June meeting Tuesday night at the 30), Left on Main (July 7), village hall, one might think Chick and the Boomers (July the Middleville Downtown 14), Fat Animals (July 21), Development Authority Tony & Doug (July 28), the board isn’t conducting much Ericka Scherry Band (Aug. business right now. 4), 3 of a Kind (Aug. 11) and But behind the scenes, the Out of Favor Boys (Aug. DDA is juggling several 18). activities, including an ongo­ The DDA board voted in ing search for a new director, February to accept the con­ the May 19 startup of the cert dates and fees, with the farmer’s market and the total cost to the village cap­ scheduled June 2 launch of ping at $7,000. At the time, the annual Riverbank Music Jachim said there would be a Series. Both the farmer’s lot of variety in the music market and the music series this summer. will occur at Sesquicentennial “Everything from coun­ Park. try-western to rock to soul to The farmer and artisan’s jazz to a Jimmy Buffet imita­ market, also called Market tion band is coming. (Even) a on Main, takes place at the calypso band with reggae,” pavilion on E. Main Street she said. each Friday throughout the The amphitheater upgrade summer from 3 p.m. to 7 received state funding last p.m. year as part ofthe DDA’s Art “The market has some Walk project. The DDA and good new vendors, and it has the Thomapple Arts Council some great returning ven­ ran a crowdfunding cam­ dors,” DDA Board paign that raised more than Chairwoman Kim Jachim $25,000, triggering a $25,000 said. “We have a new meat matching grant through the vendor this year. We’re veiy Michigan Economic excited about having a ven­ Development Corp.’s Public dor of several different vari­ Spaces Community Places eties of meat.” program. In all, the Art Walk The free Riverbank Music project garnered more than Series kicks off June 2 at the $72,000 in donations and adjacent amphitheater and grants, which will also pay will go from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for the installation of more sculptures in the park along through mid-August. Cement was poured earlier the riverfront adjacent to the this year to complete three Paul Henry Thomapple tiered rows for seating at the Trail. amphitheater. Block retain­ As for the weekly farmer’s ing walls were tiered into the market that kicked off hill above it. DDA officials Friday, Jachim said the DDA hope the grass will grow is still looking for a baker to back quickly and sufficiently add to its current list of 15 enough to be suitable for the vendors. Any interested ven­ start of the music series. The dors can fill out an applica­ excavation and rough weath­ tion form on middlevilledda. er at the beginning of spring org under the “Events” tab. meant the grass was growing Interested parties can also slower than expected. contact DDA board member “We are all crossing our Joe Mancini, who is lining fingers that, because of the up the last-minute vendors. weather, we actually have “It’s a cottage market. So grass - growing,” DDA you have to be able to cook Chairwoman Kim Jachim or bake your product in a said. health department-licensed If the grass isn’t ready in kitchen,” Jachim said. time for the first concert on Meanwhile, the DDA is June 2, Jachim said she has still searching for a new an alternative plan with the director. Former director Department of Public Works Katherine Bussard resigned to shift the concert seating to in January, and Emily Lee the side. For now, the musi­ was hired in March as her cal act for June 2 is only replacement with an annual listed as “Special Guest.” salary of $55,000. But Lee, The rest of the concert lineup citing personal reasons, features The Skeletones resigned as director on April (June 9), Lew Russ (June 7, three weeks after taking The Riverbank Music Series kicks off June 2 at the amphitheater located at Sesquicentennial Park in Middleville. The amphitheater recently underwent renovations to complete three tiered rows for seating. (Photo by James Gemmell) the job. A public notice for the position was posted shortly after. A committee comprised of DDA board mem­ bers Kristen Fisher, Renee Smith and Justine King is leading the search for the new DDA director. Fisher said four people have applied for the position so far, and some initial inter­ views have taken place already. “As we evaluate those and move forward for potential second interviews, we would look to have Craig (Stolsonburg), the village manager, and one other DDA board member - anybody that would be interested join us (and) conduct those,” Fisher told the DDA board. The names of the appli­ cants have not been released as a couple of candidates asked for anonymity to remain discreet regarding their current jobs. “So far, I think we’ve had some quality candidates. Hopefully, we ' can find someone great to fill this seat,” Fisher said, adding that applications are still being accepted. In other matters, the annual Movies Under the Stars outdoor film series will begin June 10 with the movie “Cruella” at the amphitheater. Jachim said the Middleville Heritage Days committee will meet in June to begin planning the annual celebrationof village history Middleville TOPS 546 The May 15 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Three fish jumped into the fishbowl and two fish jumped out. Session 4 of the “Daniel Plan” was viewed and dis­ cussion of it followed. Linda won the Ha-Ha box. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the apartment 318 button for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036. or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. Left on Main of Kalamazoo will play at the Riverbank Music Series on July 7. (Courtesy photo) to take place on Sept. 8 and 9 in downtown Middleville. DDA board member Renee Smith said the art committee is hoping to receive more quotes soon on the cost of installing new banners on the downtown street lamp poles. “I’m getting quotes from companies within the area,” she said. “So, I’m hoping to get those back so we can put some beautiful banners up here for the summer.” Jachim also announced a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for Community West Credit Union’s new Middleville location scheduled for the morning of June 2. An exact time has yet to be announced as of press time. There was a soft opening of the branch at 303 Arlington Street (M-37) on Monday. YOU ARE NOT ALONE Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don’t let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Support �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20,2023 Caledonia Twp. seeks nominees for Hometown Hero Award Greg Chandler Staff Writer Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s Caledonia Hometown Hero Award. The award is presently each July to an individual who lives or works in Caledonia Township and has contributed to the communi­ ty in a significant way. Criteria to be considered for the honor include: — Exceptional, unusual and distinguished service to the Caledonia community - Demonstrated concern for neighbors and communi­ ty — Contributions that have shaped the community Nominations must be made in writing and include the name and position ofthe nominee; a description of that person’s contributions, services and characteristics pertinent to the award; a brief biography; and supporting letters, according to Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison. The deadline for nomina­ tions is June 1. Nomination forms are available at the township hall and through­ out the community. The township board will deter­ mine the award recipient and present the award to the Dan Erskine, a longtime honoree during the commu­ Village Council Trustee, and nity’s Fourth of July cele­ Walter Bujak, a longtime community volunteer and bration. Last year’s recipient was new Kent County Jodi VanderVelde, owner of Commissioner. the Family Tavern on Main Submit nominations to Street in the village. Recent Bryan Harrison at the town­ recipients have included Ken ship office, 8196 Broadmoor Gackler, a local historian, Ave. SE. Yankee Springs Township Veteran’s Committee to Celebrate Memorial Day on May 28 Arlington Cemetery. The holiday, then called “Decoration Day,” caused a bit of a kerfuffle when the North and the South decided to celebrate the ceremony on different dates. After World War I, the U.S. government changed the holiday to honor all Americans who died fighting in any war and, in 1968, subsequently settled the date issue, changing the official observance to the last Monday in May as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. So, Yankee Springs can respectfully take some lib­ erty by holding its ceremo­ ny on Sunday, May 28, to remember all who paid the ultimate price for our shared liberty on the bat­ tlefield. This ceremony will allow observers to honor our gal­ lant men and women who died in battle one day early and give them time to attend another ceremony on the official Memorial Day of May 29 if they wish. Please join us at the Yankee Springs Township Veteran’s Memorial (next to the fire station) at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 28th, in honor of our veterans. You will have a chance to enjoy the following: —A military Honor Guard and a 21-gun salute for our fallen heroes — Speakers offering a few brief words about the mean­ ing of Memorial Day — Songs by local musi­ cian, Mick Lane — Refreshments catered by Curley Cone Enjoy your family barbe- Our Memorial Day holi­ day has moved around quite a bit since it was first estab­ lished by General John Logan in 1868 on May 30 to remember “all” (Union and Confederate) soldiers at cue, hot dogs, and festivi­ ties, but take some time to recognize and pay your respects to the meaning of this holiday - to honor our fallen military members from all the wars fought on our behalf. Thank you, and God bless the USA! Dave VanHouten, Chair Yankee Springs Veteran’s Committee Caledonia Twp. planners OK Kraft Avenue 43-unit housing project Greg Chandler Staff Writer A proposed 43-unit sin­ gle-family site condomini­ um project in Caledonia Township got support from township planners on Monday. The township’s Planning Commission unanimously passed a resolution approv­ ing the project on a 17.34acre site at 7237 and 7295 Kraft Ave. SE. The devel­ oper is Mike West of Westview Capital, who pre­ viously developed the Morgan Woods subdivision in the township. The Township Board must approve the final plan. West had proposed a 47-unit condominium development in February. The property is zoned for medium-density residential use. “It was not our typical site condominium (devel­ opment),” Township Planner Lynee Wells said. “They didn’t have lot lines proposed where those units would be. Instead, the con­ cept was that people would own the four walls of the home, and then all the land around it would be com­ mon area.” But there were issues regarding how setbacks were measured and the dis­ tance of the homes from utilities to the north. So West revamped the proposal, including reduc­ ing the number ofhomes on the site. A private road sys­ tem would serve the devel­ opment, and sidewalks would be built on both sides of the road. The site has wetlands, and West will need to get a permit from the Michigan Department have a 45-foot rear yard, set of Environment, Great back from the property line Lakes and Energy to build 20 feet more than required the road network, according by township ordinance, to to Wells. provide separation from a An existing home at 7237 sanitary sewer main, West Kraft would be tom down. said. The original plan called for Commissioner Stan preserving and incorporat­ Bosscher, who attended his ing the structure into the last meeting as a commis­ project plan. However, sioner Monday after six West says that idea was years as a member, added a scrubbed “for a variety of condition that sidewalks be reasons.” added leading out of the “It allows us to get some development, with the idea additional lot depth on the that it could connect to the north side of Mammoth nearby Country Meadows Drive (the main private Village mobile home com­ road that will serve the munity to the south in the development)...By elimi­ future. nating that house, we were West didn’t object to able to shift that road about that provision but raised 20 feet further south and an issue concerning the pick up 20-25 feet of addi­ connectivity argument. He tional lot depth on the north pointed out that there are side,” West said. two parcels of land along Thirteen ofthe lots would Kraft between his property and the mobile home park, where there is no side­ walk. “What will likely happen is we’ll install the sidewalk, and it will go to nowhere for the foreseeable future until those two intervening parcels of land are devel­ oped - if they’re developed - to try to provide that con­ nection,” West said. “There needs to be a start,” Bosscher said. Commissioner Tim Bradshaw, the Planning Commission’s representa- WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers CORRECTION DeWeerd HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 tive on the Township Board, praised the updated plan. “I really appreciate (that) you listened. It’s a much better plan,” Bradshaw said. In order of business, commissioners voted unanimously to recommend rezoning 28.4 acres of land along Broadmoor Avenue, south of the Circle K gas station and convenience store. The land at 6949 and 7005 Broadmoor Ave. SE would be rezoned for general business and light indus­ trial use. Some of the land is currently zoned for rural residential use. Mike Houseman of Wolverine Building Group is asking for the rezoning. Wells called the proposed rezoning “somewhat con­ sistent” with the township master plan. However, it asks for more ofthe land to be zoned commercial (10.3 acres) than what the land use plan recommends (4.8 acres). “In a way, he already has some right to some of the commercial that’s on the property. It’s a question of the geometry of it and relo­ cating that commercial,” Wells said. Under the proposal, the first 328 feet of the proper­ ty along Broadmoor, south of Circle K, would be com- ACCREDITED BUSINESS A story in the May 13 edition of the Sun and News incorrectly reported how long new Thornapple Township Clerk Cindy Ordway worked in the title insurance industry. Ordway worked in the industry for 10 years before beiing named township clerk instead of42. The Sun and News regrets the error. mercial, with the remaining land further south being used as light industrial, Wells said. “It would put industrial on the frontage of Broadmoor,” she said. There is an overlay ordi­ nance for the Broadmoor/ Cherry Valley corridor that would put some limits on the types of businesses that would be allowed along the corridor, Wells said. The land includes some wetland areas, and Houseman said he has been working with a potential user of the site to mitigate one wetland area so it can be developed. The Township Board will now consider the rezoning. It must go through two readings before adoption. Commissioners also tabled a site plan for a 151,875-square-foot light industrial spec building at 6464 Patterson Ave. SE. DEG Development is pro­ posing constructing the building, which would be built near two similar-sized industrial buildings off of Patterson, north of 68th Street. Follow the, Sun & News, on Facebook tgkeepu&tjS date until the new edition is printed! �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023/ Page 7 Caledonia schools propose cutting federally-funded teaching positions Greg Chandler mately 18 staff members Staff Writer now, it allows our district to Caledonia Community fill the 11.5 vacancies inter­ Schools are considering nally with certified teachers eliminating 11.5 teaching in every position without positions created last year laying offany staffmember.” through a federal funding Last month, DeVries pro­ program designed to help jected a shortfall of schools affected by the $2,186,797 in the 2023-24 COVID-19 pandemic. budget if no changes were The move, proposed at made in staffing. After the Monday night’s Board of April presentation to the Education meeting, could school board, CCS save the district more than Superintendent Dr. Dedrick $1.31 million and cut its pro­ Martin directed district staff jected deficit for the 2023-24 to come up with ideas for fiscal year from nearly $2.2 cutting the deficit. million to slightly more than “Over the last month, my $875,000. A total of 18 peo- internal staff, as well as our ple, including some part-time building principals, (have) teachers, would be affected been having discussions by the move. about what could we do to The positions, consisting reduce the budgetary impact ofinterventionists and itiner­ without laying off any ofour ant teachers, were among 21 current staff who are here, new teaching positions estab­ with the intent that we want lished last year using funding to keep all ofour staffin our from the federal Elementary district,” Martin said. School and Secondary Martin said the district Emergency Relief (ESSER) currently has 308 teaching Fund, a part ofthe American staffmembers, including the Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). teachers brought in through Assistant Superintendent the ESSER funding. That’s Darrell Kingsbury said that compared to 279 in the the teachers that now hold spring of2020 when COVID these positions would be forced the shutdown ofclass­ moved to other teaching rooms. Meanwhile, the dis­ positions within the district trict’s enrollment has fallen to fill vacancies created by by 200 students, from 5,046 retirement or resignation. in the spring of2020 to 4,846 “Those were temporary now. positions that were going to CCS had budgeted about expire after the 24-25 school $4.35 million in ESSER year,” Kingsbury told the funding under the current school board. “What we are budget. However, that num­ looking at is eliminating 11.5 ber is expected to drop to positions, which happens to more than $1.82 million for be the same number of the 2023-24 school year. vacancies that we currently “Those funds will no lon­ have. So we can fill those ger exist after the 23-24 positions without bringing school year,” Martin said. more people into the organi­ Some positions created as zation, really exasperating a result of the first year of that deficit and having some ESSER funding, such as type of a massive layoff" in nurses, were moved into the the future.” general fund for the current District Finance Director school year. Health and Sara DeVries wrote in an wellness workers were email to the Sun and News moved into roles as elemen­ that the positions considered tary school aides and safety for elimination were never paraprofessionals, Martin meant to be permanent. said. “Our district has been “We heard very strongly transparent in that we would from our building adminisuse these funds to provide trators - please keep these additional supports to miti­ positions,” the superinten­ gate the impact of CO VID­ dent said. 19 and that these support Kingsbury told the board positions would be phased that moving people from the out once the ESSER funds ESSER-funded positions to are gone,” DeVries wrote. fill current district vacancies “By reassigning approxi-could be challenging. Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. Teachers from Caledonia Community Schools lis­ ten in as district officials outline a proposal to eliminate 11.5 teaching positions that had been funded through a federal program Monday. The district plans to take the 18 people who are affected by the pro­ posed change and move them into vacant teaching posts within the district. (Photo by Greg Chandler) “(The Michigan Department of Education) has pretty strict certification requirements. They have to be certified to teach specific ■subjects. It doesn’t all come together in one nice puzzle,” Kingsbury said. “Not only will the 11.5 staff members be impacted, but we also have to create some space within the organization, which might result and prob­ ably will result in some peo­ ple being displaced, moved to a different grade, possibly a different building, in order to absorb those staff mem­ bers into the district.” At least 20 teachers attend­ ed Monday’s meeting, a few wearing purple Caledonia Education Association T-shirts. “This is not easy for our staff. I see a lot of them out there. It’s tough for them, as well as for the board. The one thing that...is comfort­ ing is knowing we can keep all ofour staffifthey want to stay,” Kingsbury said. Board Vice President Brittany Barber Garcia expressed concern about the impact of the proposed changes on district program­ ming. “Ifwe have staffmembers moving positions, moving away from those support positions - interventionists • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED A new Peace Pole will soon replace its worn pre­ decessor in Middleville. The Barry County Democrats will care for the new Peace Pole and accompanying bench near the trailhead of the North Country Trail along the Thornapple River in Middleville. They take over for the now disbanded Progressive Democrats of West Michigan, who orginially gifted the vil­ lage a Peace Pole in 2006. A Peace Pole is an internationally-recog­ nized symbol of the hope, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in dif- ferent languages on each of its four or six sides. There are over 250,000 Peace Poles scattered across the world, with at least one in every coun­ try. One Peace Pole stands at the entrance to Thomapple Kellogg High School. The recycled plastic bench near the new pole has recently been repaired. The bench sits next to the Peace Pole for weary walkers to rest and contemplate peace of mind, peace toward nature and world peace. Representatives of the Barry County Democrats said they hope that the Peace Pole will inspire a spirit of cooperation and tolerance for one another in our community. and itinerants — how is that going to impact our current programming? What are we going to do to support those students who need that level of support, who have been getting that support and counting on that support? How are we going to make those changes?” Barber Garcia asked. “Unfortunately, I think we’re going to end up going back to the same interven­ tionist type of support and same type of counseling level support that we had prior to COVID, prior to the advent of COVID funding,” Martin said. The updated budget pro­ posal calls for flat enroll­ ment for the next school year and a $458-per-pupil Weary walkers can rest on the newly-repaired increase in funding from the bench near the North Country Trail trailhead state. Assuming the ESSERPeace Pole. Soon, the Peace Pole will be replaced funded positions are elimi­ with a newer, less worn duplicate. nated, the new projection calls for revenues of $66,683,262 and expendi­ Business Services tures of $67,558,325, result­ CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ ing in a shortfall of BUYING ALL HARD­ TIONS, REMODELING, $875,063. WOODS: Walnut, White Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns The district is expected to Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for & Decks. Licensed builder 25 end the current fiscal year on pricing. Will buy single Wal- years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ June 30 with a shortfall of nut trees. Insured, liability & 5937. nearly $831,000, reducing workman's comp. Fetterley MATT ENDSLEY, FAB­ Logging, (269)818-7793. CCS’ general fund balance to RICATION and repair, more than $8.41 million. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS custom trailers, buckets, The board is expected to LLC- Licensed and insured. bale spears, etc. Call 269­ approve the 2023-24 budget Call for free estimates. 269- 804-7506. next month. 838-1782. TzQ SPRlANYS FUOAt>M‘ OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — Middleville to receive new Peace Pole Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023 CHS has four all-conference athletes at OK Red Meet Caledonia junior Ian Fedewa takes a turn in the shot put during the OK Red Conference Meet hosted by Hudsonville Friday, May 12. Fedewa placed sixth in the shot put and was the conference runner-up in the discus. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor It took some time, but Caledonia junior thrower Ian Fedewa and senior sprinter Avah Winstrom eventually gravitated to the varsity track and field program. After just a couple sea­ sons, they have turned into a couple of the program’s top performers. Winstrom earned a earned had a top five finish in all four of her events at the OK Red Conference Championship at Eagle Stadium in Hudsonville. She set personal records in a fourth-placer;200-meter dash finish (26.88 seconds) and a fifth-place 400-meter dash finish (1 minute 0.49 sec­ onds). She placed fifth in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet 11.5 inches that was less than six inches shy of her personal record. Winstrom and her 4x200-meter relay teammates Audrey Howell, Brooke Heyboer and Teresa Abraham teamed up for a fourth-place time of 1:47.37, their fastest time of the sea­ son in the race and just about half a second off the school record time of 1:46.95 that they set in the race at regionals a year ago. Howell placed in four events too, in the two hurdles races and with the Scots’ sixth-place 4x400-meter relay. “We’re really close. We’re hoping to hit it at regionals,” Winstrom said of the 4x200 school record. The Caledonia teams were scheduled to be a part ofyes­ terday’s, May 19, Division 1 Lower Peninsula Regional Clipper CountryClipper.com Caledonia 4x100-meter relay anchor Ethan Berends is urged on by teammate Brock Townsend after getting the baton in their race at the OK Red Conference Meet Friday, May 12, at Eagle Stadium in Hudsonville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) hosted by Portage Central High School. The Scot teams will be in action Friday, May 26, at the MITCA Division 1 Team State Finals in Zeeland. Fedewa was the confer­ ence runner-up in the boys’ discus with a personal record throw of 142-6, surpassing the 140-foot mark forjust the second time. He also set a new PR in the shot put at 44-6. That put him in sixth place just. behind senior teammate Theren Sanders who pushed his PR to 44-9 to finish fifth in that event. “It was a good day. The weather felt good. I have been working all week in practice and everything kind of came together and clicked, and I threw a few good ones out there today,” Fedewa said. “I feel like I’ve really come together with my form.” Both Fedewa and Winstrom entered high school with thoughts of play­ ing lacrosse during the spring season. Covid nixed those plans for Winstrom before her freshman season could get rolling and then she spent the spring of her sophomore year playing club basketball. She was a captain on the CHS varsity girls’ basketball team this winter. Winstrom showed some talent as a middle school track athlete, and decided to return to the sport as a junior last spring. Fedewa said he was con­ vinced by some friends that it be fun to join the track team, and that being a throw­ er would give him time after Caledonia senior Avah Winstrom gets up to speed in the 400-meter dash during the OK Red Conference Meet at Eagle Stadium in Hudsonville Friday, May 12. She placed fifth in the race and then placed fourth in the 200-meter dash. She also scored for the Scots in the long jump and with the 4x200-meter relay team. (Photo by Brett Bremer) practice to lift weights to bulk up for football season. His top throw Friday has him nearly 40 feet further in the discus than his season record from his sophomore cam­ paign in 2022. He hit that 140-mark for the first time in an OK Red contest at Grandville May 3. “It felt good, so I just kept doing that over and over,” Fedewa said. “I fixed my wrap. I wrapped back and kind of wrapped back and got a lot more twist in. my body to slingshot right out of there.” East Kentwood senior Nathan Cobbs also set his PR Friday with a throw of 145-7 that won him the boys’ dis­ cus. Cobbs was the runner-up in the shot put behind West Ottawa senior Lucas Lesher who won with a PR put of 47-9. “In throwing, we all kind of love each other. We’re all trying to do better,” Fedewa said. “We’re all giving each other pointers. It is nice to see even when all your com­ petitors are doing well. It’s all fun. When everyone has a good day, it’s a good day.” Caledonia had two top-six conference medalists in the boys’ shot put too. Freshman Liam Moore was fifth with a personal record throw of 127-0. The top six individual See SCOTS, next page MAKE MOWING aJOYRIDE Imagine effortlessly steering a joystick as your mower glides across the yard. 735 E. Sherman Street Nashville, Ml Equipment Co. (517) 852-1910 m www.burnips.com Brooke Heyboer gets the baton to Teresa Abraham for the final leg of the Scots’ 4x100-meter relay run Friday, May 12, at the OK Red Conference Meet hosted by Hudsonville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023/ Page 9 SCOTS, continued from previous pag finishers and top three relay matched by her junior team­ teams in each event earned mate Abraham who was tenth in the event. Scot senior Lija medals. The Caledonia boys were Svems set her PR at 95-6 to fourth and the girls fifth in place eighth in the discus. the day’s final team stand­ Senior teammate Kendall ings. The Scots had four Benson was right behind the all-conference honorees: scorers with a ninth-place PR Winstrom, Fedewa, Howell throw of 92-10. and Jordan Gutierrez. The Rockford girls beat Gutierrez, a junior, was out the East Kentwood girls the Scots’ one conference 169.5-159.5 at the top of the champion. He took the boys’ standings Friday. The East long jump with a mark of Kentwood boys were just a 22-1.5. A state qualifier in bit further ahead of the runthe event last spring, ner-up Rockford boys in Gutierrez was over 22 feet their contest, 169-153. With for the second time Friday those results the two teams finishing three quarters of an share the OK Red Conference inch shy of his PR. Gutierrez Championship in both the placed fourth in the high boys’ and girls’ competi­ jump too matching his PR by tions. The East Kentwood clearing the bar at 6-0 - fin­ girls beat the Rockford girls ishing behind three East by ten points in their dual last Kentwood Falcons who all month and the Rockford cleared 6-2. boys edged the East The other top three perfor­ Kentwood guys by a point. mance from the CHS boys Winstrom and everybody was a runner-up time of else was on the heels of East 14.68 from junior Owen Kentwood senior Soleil Hager in the 110-meter high Moore in the 200 and the hurdles, which dropped his 400. She won the 200-meter PR in that event by more dash in 26.36 and the 400 in than four tenths of a second. 58.58. The four girls ahead Scot junior Molly Winger of Winstrom in the 400 all had a third-place leap of 10-6 finished in under a minute to place third in the girls’ all running their fastest time pole vault. of the season in the race. The Caledonia boys had Moore also was a part of the two medalists in three of the Falcons’ winning 4x200-mefive field events. Senior Jett ter relay team that had a time King pushed his PR to 21-3 of 1:43.81. while placing fourth in the East Kentwood also got a long jump. pair of win s from freshman On the track, the Soot boys Alana Bracey in the hurdles. had junior Sheldon Thomas She took the 100-meter race and junior Mason in a personal record time of Oosterhouse place sixth and 15.41 and then pushed her seventh in the 400-meter PR to 45.89 to win the 300dash; senior Jordan Domany meter low hurdles. fifth and junior Levi Moss Grand Haven sophomore eighth in the 3200-meter run; Valerie Beeck won two girls’ junior Dharius Walker sev­ races as well. She took the enth in the 100-meter dash;, 1600-meter run in a personal and junior Ayden Duffin record time of 5:05.10 and sixth in the 800-meter run. the 800-meter run in 2:19.13. The Caledonia team of Beeck finished off her night Jimmie Floyd, Walker, by anchoring the Buccaneers’ Brock Townsend and Ethan 4x400-meter relay team to a Bereneds, all juniors, placed victory in 4:00.95. fourth in the 4x 100-meter West Ottawa senior relay in 43.70 seconds. Arianne Olson, who was the Shaden Thomas joined 800, 1600, 3200 and a 4x800 Floyd, senior Matthew relay champion as a junior at Spoehr and Walker to place the OK Red Championship fourth in the 4x200-meter last spring, was the runner-up relay in 1:30.27. The Scot to Beeck in the 1600 and team of senior Jonathan then won the 3200-meter run Miedema, junior Micah in 11:04.67. East Kentwood had two Nagel, senior Anthony Lawlor and Duffin was also different throwers win con­ fourth in the 4x800-meter ference titles with personal relay in 8:14.47. record throws in the girl’s Heyboer set her PR in the contests. Junior Kayla Harris girls’ 100-meter dash Friday took the shot put at 40-7 and with a time of 12.91 that put senior Jayla Procter the dis­ her in fifth place. Howell had cus at 127-5. Rockford senior Maya two medal winning perfor­ mances in the hurdles. She Anderson was a three-time ran her fastest time of the champ winning the 100-meter season in the 100-meter hur­ dash in 12.70, the long jump dles, 16.34, to place fifth. at 18-6.25 and as a part of the She also had her best 300- Rams’ 4x100-meter relay meter hurdles time of the team that finished in 49.71. The Scots’ Hager was season, 49.22, to place fourth in that race. behind only East Kentwood A pair of other personal senior Joshua Hurt in the 110-meter high hurdles. Hurt record performances earned CHS girls medals in the field dropped his PR to 14.03 to events. Sophomore Emmi win that race by more than Mince pushed her PR up to half a second and he was also 4-10 in the highjump to place more than half a second seventh. It was a height ahead of his nearest compet- Caledonia’s Audrey Howell rounds the turn in the 300-meter low hurdles Friday, May 12, at Eagle Stadium in Hudsonville during the OK Red Conference Meet. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia junior Ayden Duffin closes in on a sixth­ place finish in the 800-meter run during the OK Red Conference Meet in Hudsonville Friday, May 12. (Photo by Brett Bremer) itor in winning the 300-meter hurdles in 39.85. Keiton Fase from Rockford set his PR at 10.82 to win the 100-meter dash and at 21.66 to win the 200-meter dash on the boys’ side. He was also a part of winning 4x 100-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay the 1600 and won the 3200 in 9:29.90. Those two also powered the Bucs to a win in the 4800-meter relay in 7:50.34. While a number of teams had guys go 1-2 in events, like senior Naikia Willis fin­ ishing behind his teammate teams for the Rams. Grand Haven dominated the distance races with junior Seth Norder setting his PR at 1:53.05 in winning the boys’ 800-meter run and also win­ ning the 1600-meter run in 4:16.07. His senior teammate Nolan Clark was second in Hurt in the 300 hurdles for East Kentwood, nothing matched the high jump. Willis won that event by clearing 6-2 and his team­ mates James Johnson and Marshaun Flakes were sec­ ond and third, both also clearing 6-2. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023 Ag Awareness Day introduces Barry County third graders to agriculture industry Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Third graders from all over Barry County learned about various aspects of the agricultural industry at Ag Awareness Day. Hosted by the Barry County Farm Bureau in part­ nership with several commu­ nity volunteers, the Thursday Hastings and Thornapple Kellogg FFA student volunteers pose for a photo at event allowed students to talk with industry profes­ the Barry County Expo Center. The students provided demonstrations of live ani­ sionals as well as older mals and other FFA projects to Barry County third graders. Future Farmers of America “It’s something that I’m part of what makes the day math to calculate how much (FFA) and 4-H students. Nearly 500 third graders grain was in a silo were some passionate about,” Christie so special - it’s a great way said. “I think that it’s so to get young students inter­ from Hastings, Thomapple ofthe demonstrations. Katie Christie, who now important to advocate and ested in agriculture and give Kellogg and Barry County them an idea ofhow they can Christian were bussed to the sits on the board of directors educate about agriculture.” Hastings and Thomapple get involved in the future. Barry Expo Center on for the Barry County Farm “I feel it’s best to have kids Thursday to partake in activi­ Bureau, said she attended Ag Kellogg FFA and 4-H Club ties and hands-on demonstra­ Awareness Day herselfwhen students helped run the talk to kids,” Christie said. “If tions. They were able to learn she was a third grader. event, with many presenting they have an animal, let’s have about many facets ofthe agri­ Christie, a fifth-generation their animals or projects to them present it, not someone cultural industry, notjust live­ farmer, said the event can be third graders. Christie said that’s their mom’s age.” It’s also important because stock and crops. Beekeeping, many of the students’ first having older students talk to younger students is a key many ofthe kids involved in electrical and even using introduction to agriculture. Department of Natural Resource officers Richard Cardenas (left) and Kyle McQueer (right) speak with students about dirt bike and ATV safety. FFA programs do not live on a farm or have prior agricul­ tural experience, she said. Those kids can show young­ er students they can get involved in agriculture pro­ grams without needing to live on a farm. “A lot of the FFA kids actually do not come from an agricultural background,” Christie said. “It’s cool that you can do hydroponics or aquaponics in your house.” Andria Mayack, a teacher at Hastings High School and the Hastings FFA coordinator, said the student-driven nature of the event helps give the younger students a better per­ spective on what FFA and 4-H are all about. Students get a look at what projects they can work on in the future and see how students collaborate. “There’s more to agricul­ ture than what they may think, and they all work together,” Mayack said. “They all need each other.” Michigan officials propose changes to deer hunting regulations Ashley Zhou Bridge Michigan Spring has onlyjust begun, but Michigan fish and game regulators are already focused on the fall. Deer sea­ son, specifically. Officials in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources last week recom­ mended several changes to deer hunting regulations for 2023, including new oppor­ tunities for youth and dis­ abled hunters, and changes to hunting limits in parts of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission could approve the proposed changes as soon as next month. Here’s a sampling of what’s under consideration: Statewide Across the state, DNR officials want to expand opportunities for youth and disabled hunters to kill deer during the annual “Liberty Hunt,” a weekend in September that’s only open to those groups. During a presentation last Thursday before the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, Deer, Elk and Moose Management Specialist Chad Stewart rec­ ommended lifting an existing limit of one deer per hunter, instead allowing hunters to kill a deer for each license type they possess. Hunting’s waning popu­ larity in Michigan has caused Lower Peninsula deer popu­ lations to skyrocket, Stewart Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted ed nearly 2,100 local deer and found no new infections. “We feel pretty comfort­ able in essentially removing the regulations around that Upper Peninsula surveillance zone and trying In the area surrounding to get back into a normal Dickinson County, DNR existence in that area,” officials want to lift a num­ Stewart said. ber of restrictions they In the northern U.P., DNR imposed to keep chronic officials want to lift a ban on wasting disease from spread­ killing does during archery ing in deer after officials dis­ season. The agency estab­ covered a deer sickened with lished that restriction in 2015 the disease in 2018. after several cold winters That includes ending ant­ knocked back deer popula­ ler-point restrictions specific tions. to the area, and removing a Avoiding does is one strat­ ban on baiting and feeding egy to boost deer numbers, deer. because does give birth to The incurable disease, future generations. But DNR which is similar to mad cow officials believe it’s no longer disease, attacks deers’ brains necessary in the northern U.P. in ways that cause them to Some U.P. residents stumble, starve and eventual­ pushed back during ly die. It can spread through Thursday’s meeting, arguing proteins contained in their there are still too few deer to feces, urine or saliva, which justify the change. makes communal -bait piles a “We have a dwindling hazard. population of deer right now But DNR officials said in those counties,” said Mike hunters in the area can safely Taylor, of Marquette. “I resume baiting deer, because drove down from Marquette CWD doesn’t appear to be all the way down here and spreading. Since the 2018 through the whole U.P. I did case, state officials have test- not see oneroadkill.” said. State officials hope that by allowing hunters to kill more deer they can counter­ act that trend. Your local agent insures your Over 40 years experience Lower Peninsula - In the Lower Peninsula, the department wants to rein­ state a 4-point antler point restriction in 19 southern counties that make up the Lower Peninsula’s chronic wasting disease management area. Years after the disease was first identified in Michigan’s wild deer, the DNR removed antler-point restrictions that had applied to some deer licenses, in hopes of containing the out­ break. By steering hunters away from younger bucks, the agency hoped to encour­ age hunters to kill more does, thereby driving down herd numbers to keep CWD from spreading. But DNR officials have found no evidence that eas­ ing restrictions made a dent in the deer population, Stewart said. Antler point restrictions are also generally popular with hunters because they allow bucks to grow bigger. As state regulators set the rules for next year’s deer season, lawmakers are con­ sidering just how severely hunters should be punished for breaking them. Last year, it became man­ datory for hunters to report their deer kill to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources within 72 hours. But the rule change also trig­ gered a state law that threat­ ens hunters with a stiff pen­ alty — 90 days in jail — for failing to comply. DNR officers have so far declined to enforce the law, which the agency views as too strict. But changing it would require action from the legislature. A bill sponsored by Sen. John Cherry, D-Flint, would reduce that penalty to a civil infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $150. The bill has cleared the Senate and is awaiting a hearing before the House Natural Resources Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee. Whether or not the bill passes, Stewart said DNR officials will continue priori­ tizing hunter education over doling out tickets, as hunters adjust to the new reporting system. “We know that it almost takes a couple of years to reach everyone,” he said. C ops J brucesframe.com F4BM BUREAU INSURANCE' iii Mietyang Jason Parks 415 2nd • Middleville 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville Cofxfxttta, (269) 795-8827 jparks@tbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Michigan regulators want to make a host of tweaks to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations for next fall. (Stock photo) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20,2023/ Page 11 Caledonia golfers sixth at final OK Red jamboree of the season Brett Bremer Sports Editor The OK Red Conference will wrapup w wrap up thee 2023 varsy varsity boys’ golf season with the 18-hole Post-conference tour­ nament at Thomapple Pointe Golf Club Tuesday. Rockford took the victory at the final conference jamboree of the season Tuesday, May 16, at L.E. Kaufman Golf Course. The Rams won a fifth-score tiebreaker to beat out Hudsonville for the top spot The two teams both had scores of 166. Grand Haven was third with a score of 168 ahead of West Ottawa 170, Grandville 173, Caledonia 180, East Kentwood 187 and Jenison 187. Senior Sam Baldwin led Caledonia with a 44. Senior Jacob Byanski and Seth Reiffer each scored a 45 for the Scots. Senior Dylan Meduna and sophomore Parker Little both scored a 46. West Ottawa junior Will Niziolek, Hudsonville sopho­ more Myles Secor, Grand Haven sophomore Luke Berry and Rockford junior Owen Hodel each scored a 39 to lead the league Tuesday. Last Friday, the Caledonia boys took a 167-175 win over Thomapple Kellogg in a non-conference dual at Broadmoor County Club. Baldwin shot a 37 to finish ahead of the field. Byanski scored a 39, and the Scots also got a 45 from Reiffer and 46’s from senior Mario Roeske and juniors Emersen Lippert and Tucker Dion. Senior Austin Pitsch led Thomapple Kellogg with a 40. TK also got a 43 from junior Jordan Parks, a 44 from soph­ omore Tyler Voss and a 48 fromjunior Noah Newland. The Scots were also in action Monday at Muskegon Country Club for the Mona Shores Invitational. They were 12*h in a field of 18 teams that was led by a 305 from one of two Grand Rapids Christian teams. Grand Rapids Catholic Central was second with a 326 and Forest Hills Eastern third at 329. Calhoun Christian upends CHS volleyball guys in district finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Calhoun Christian brought an end to the best boys’ vol­ leyball season yet at Caledonia high School. The Fighting Scots were bested in five sets in their District 4 Championship game at Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek Tuesday by the Cougars, who they’d bested during an early season match-up. The Cougars took the first two sets 25-15-25-18 before the Fighting Scots picked up their play. “We picked up our defense, and our serving,” Caledonia head coach Jeff Harp said of his team’s rally to force a fifth set. The attack was powered by strong outside hitting from Austin Kunter and Jon Collins, and a few key blocks in the middle by Quinn Silverman. The Scots won the third set 25-22 and then pulled out a 25-21 win in the fourth set. Calhoun Christian won out in the end, 15-9, in set num­ ber five. Coach Harp said the Cougars were a much deeper and improved team from their first meeting this sea­ son, but also a team that was beatable had his guys been playing to their potential the whole game. Caledonia started the eve­ ning with a 25-14, 25-18, 25-18 win over Loy Norrix in its district opener. The Fighting Scots were 9-3 in the Grand Rapids South Conference this spring with a 9-3 record behind only the 12-0 South Christian Sailors who narrowly beat them in three sets in their second meeting of the con­ ference season. Seniors Collins and Silverman will continue their volleyball playing days togeth­ er at Aquinas College next season. They were all-confer­ ence honorees this spring along with teammate Austin Kunter. Haden Lienesch and Christian Moorlag were both named honorable mention all-conference. Calhoun Christian will head to Grand Haven Wednesday to take on Hudsonville in the state quarterfinals. TK ladies split with Red Hawks, face GRCC for two on Wednesday Ntyiji-k fabitii Dabtfkk Etiteii |nmli K NW ptsijiiai iiini ri|kW Brett Bremer and after an intentional walk Sports Editor to Kylee Hoebeke, Payton The Thomapple Kellogg Stahl hit a fly ball into right varsity softball team bounced that scored Roodvoets from back from a tough weekend to third. win the first of two tight ball­ Zube was 2 for 4 with an RBI games with Cedar Springs in in the win. Stahl, Ella Palazzolo OK Gold Conference action and Rachel Shoemaker also had on the road Tuesday. RBI’s for the Trojans. The TK ladies took the Roodvoets was 2 for 4 in the opener of their doubleheader ballgame. Palazzolo doubled with the Red Hawks 6-4 and Shoemaker had a single. Tuesday .The Trojans snapped Hoebeke got the pitching a 4-4 tie with two runs in the victory for TK. Of the four top ofthe sixth inning. runs against her only one was The Trojans were playing earned. She struck out nine for one in the sixth, but hit the and allowed nine hits and four ball well enough to bring a walks. couple around. Jessie Drenton Cedar Springs took an led the inning with a walk and 11-10 win in eight innings in went to second on a sacrifice game two, fighting back from bunt by Ellie Vandefifer. a 7-3 hole after four innings Brittney Roodevotes fouled with two runs in the top ofthe with a single to the right side fifth and four in the top of the that put Drenton on third base sixth. TK scored twice in the with one out. Grace Zube bottom of the seventh to force knocked across what would an extra frame. prove to be the winning run The Cedar Springs girls with a double into Centerfield. pushed across two runs in the Roodvoets went to third, top of the eighth. TK got one back but then had the tying run tagged out before the plate to end the bailgame. TK outhit the Red Hawks 19-9 in the one-run defeat. Zube was 2 for 5 with a single and a double. The other 18 TK hits were singles. Drenton and Hoebeke were both 3 for 5. Drenton drove in two runs. Stahl, Shoemaker, Kenzie Bouma, Vandefifer and Jenna Robinett had two hits each. Robinett drove in two runs. Stahl, Shoemaker, Bouma and Roodvoets had one RBI each. Roodvoets sin­ gled in two at-bats. Stahl pitched the first five innings for TK. She gave up nine runs, but only two of them were earned. She struck out four, walked three and gave up seven hits. Hoebeke gave up one run on two hits in her three innings ofrelief. She came on after the Red Hawks had moved in front 8-7 with a run in the top ofthe sixth. nila® iMtW 11*11 |jjlH Spring Special A/C TUNE-UP Vmr$79 HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. TK was back in action Wednesday at Lowell falling 4-0 and 12-4 in two ballgames with the Red Arrows. Last Friday, May 12, the Trojans were bested 12-6 and 8-1 in a pair at Zeeland East and then fell 9-3 to Kingsley, 6-0 to Traverse City Central and 11-3 to Clare at Traverse City Central’s Under the Lights Invitational. The Trojans are scheduled to finish off the OK Gold Conference season with two ballgames at Grand Rapids Catholic Central Wednesday, May 24. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Four ways to use cash wisely There has been a lot oftalk about a “cashless” society, but it’s not here yet In fact, cash can still be a valuable element ofyour overall finan­ cial picture - if you employ it wisely. But how? 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A better alterna­ tive is to prepare in advance by building an emergency fund containing up to six months’ worth of living expenses in cash, or at least in a highly liquid account, held separately from your regular checking or savings account so you won’t inadvertently I r i I spend the money. • Short-term savings goal — When you are investing for a long-term goal - especially retirement - you will likely need to own a reasonable percentage of growth-orient­ ed vehicles, such as stocks and stock-based mutual funds. The value of these investments will fluctuate, so, ifit’s possible, you’ll want to avoid selling them when their price is down - which may make them unsuitable for short-term goals. But if you’re aiming for a goal that you want to achieve in a year or so - a wedding, a long vacation, and so on - you’ll want to be sure a specific amount ofmoney is there for you when you need it. Conse­ quently, you’ll want to put away cash for this type of goal, possibly in a short-term savings or investment vehicle that might pay somewhat higher interest than a regular checking/savings account. • Source ofinvestment - In regard to your longer-term investment strategy, cash can play two important roles. First, it can serve as its own asset class, alongside other classes, such as stocks and fixed-income vehicles. Unlike these other classes especially stocks and stock­ based mutual funds - cash won’t fluctuate in value, so it can potentially help lessen the impact ofmarket volatili- ty on your portfolio. And sec­ ond, having the cash avail­ able in your portfolio gives you the opportunity to quick­ ly take advantage of other investment opportunities that may occur. And you may be able to use your existing investments to help replenish the cash in your portfolio. For example, if you choose to take stock dividends in cash, these dividends can be “swept’ ’ into your brokerage account and held there until you’re ready to invest them. (However, depending on your comprehensive financial strategy, it may be a good move to simply reinvest the dividends into the same stocks or stock funds.) Keep in mind that you won’t want your investment accounts to contain too much cash, as its purchasing power can erode due to inflation. By managing your cash efficiently, and putting it to work in different ways, you can gain some key benefits and you’ll help yourself to keep moving toward your short- and long-term goals. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour local Edward Jones Finan­ cial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20,2023 TK ladies catch Bengals in final race, but not in final standings Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans weren’t going to catch the Bengals in the standings, but they were cer­ tain they were going to catch them before the finish line. The Thomapple Kellogg 4x400-meter relay team of Lindsey Velting, Payton Gater, Kenady Smith and Brooklyn Harmon took the OK Gold Conference cham­ pionship in the final race of the day at Forest Hills Eastern High School Friday - shaving nearly five sec­ onds off their previous best time in the race this season. The put up a time of 4 minutes 8.98 seconds to take a little bit of the sting off finishing second to the Bengals overall in the final OK Gold Conference stand­ ings. Ottawa Hills clinched the conference championship with 149 points Friday. TK was second with 129.5 ahead ofKenowa Hills 81, Wayland 70.5, Forest Hills Eastern 70, Cedar Springs 57, Catholic Central 52 and South Christian 52. Forest Hills Eastern hand­ ily won the boys’ championship outscoring Wayland 152.5 to 106.75 at the top of the standings. Velting opened the 4x400-meter relay with her fastest split of the season in the race and then got the baton to Gater, who was in third place when she took it. She chased down two com­ petitors with a 60-second split before getting the baton to Smith who soon caught up to Ottawa Hills’ Madisen Washington. Smith waited to swing by Washington until the final 100 meters of their leg and created a little bit of a gap before handing things off to Harmon. Harmon got to the finish a second and a half before the anchor Enna Bengals’ Wainer. It was the fourth top three finish of the day for the sophomore Harmon, and her third victory. She took the 100-meter hurdles in 15.84 seconds and lowered her personal record to 46.49 sec­ onds in winning the 300meter low hurdles. She was pushed to a PR in that race by Kenowa Hills sophomore Mel Holman who hit the fin­ ish line in 46.61. Of the first 11 finishers in that 300-meter hurdle event, one set her season best time and the other ten all ran a new PR. That group included TK freshman Mia Hilton who was sixth in 50.85 and junior Joselyn DeBoer who was eighth in 51.10. Harmon also placed third in the long jump with a leap of 14 feet 10 inches. The four members of the 4x400-meter relay team, junior Eva Corson and soph­ omore Ava Crews all earned all-conference honors for the TK girls. Corson was the runner-up in the high jump with a personal record leap of 5-2. That heigh was matched by Smith who was third and by Kenowa Hills junior Lauren Rokos who won the event on attempts. Corson was also a part of the fourth-place 4x200-meter relay team for TK and the fifth-place 4x 100-meter relay team, and placed sev­ enth in the 200-meter dash. Crews set her personal record in the 1600-meter run. She was sixth in that race in 5:29.27. She also placed fourth in the 3200-meter run with a time of 11:51.99 and was a part of the Trojans’ fifth-place 4x800-meter relay team. Velting led the TK ladies in the sprints. She was third in the 100-meter dash and fifth in the 200-meter dash. Ottawa Hills sophomore Semaj Robertson won both those races, and the Bengals had three of the top four fin­ ishers in both. Robertson was also a part of the Bengals’ winning 4x 100-meter relay and 4x200-meter relay teams. Robertson’s Bengal team­ matejunior Selma Anderson, won the 3200-meter run in 11:27.54, the 1600-meter run in 5:13.05 and the 800-meter run in 2:21.11 and was as part of her school’s winning 4x800-meter relay team. Forest Hills Eastern’s Addison Washier broke up the Bengals’ sweep of the individual running events by taking the 400-meter dash in 58.38 seconds. The top eight girls in that race all set a new PR including Gater who was fourth in 1:02.51 and Smith who was fifth in 1:03.05. In the field, TK had senior Elizabeth Guant and junior Elizabeth Middleton place third and fourth respectively in the shot put. Middleton improved her Pr to 29-6 and Gaunt had a mark of 29-10.5. A trio of Trojans scored in the discus with senior Preslee Hall fifth, junior Mollie Moore sixth and junior Kailyn Vandenboss seventh. Senior Emmerson DeVries cleared 8-6 to tie for ffifth in the pole vault. Sophomore Emma Dykhouse went 14-3 to place seventh in the long jump. Kenowa Hills was third in the boys’ meet, behind FHE and Wayland, with 100 points. Cedar Springs was fourth with 85 points ahead of Catholic Central 81.75, South Christian 47.25, Thomapple Kellogg 44.75 and Ottawa Hills 44. Freshman Nate Shoemaker had the top finish on the track for the TK boys. He set his PR at 42.79 to place fourth in the 300-meter inter­ mediate hurdles. Senior sprinter Tyler Gavette was sixth in both the 100-meter dash and the 200meter dash for TK. He set his Pr at 23.63 in the 200. TK had two top eight fin­ ishes in the 400-meter dash. Junior Jaxan Sias was sixth in 54.03 and senior Alejandro Rodas improved his PR to 54.41 to place eighth. Lucas Van Meter, ajunior, improved his 800-meter PR to 2:02.36 to place sixth in that race for TK. The top relay finish for the TK boys was in the 4x400-meter event with the team of junior Ethan Bonnema, senior Gabe LaJoye, senior Tyler Busman and Sias third in 3:31.12. The Trojan team had two scorers in the long jump. Junior Kyle VanHaitsma moved his PR to 19-6 to place seventh and Shoemaker was eighth at 18-10.5. In the pole vault, Bushman placed seventh by clearing the bar at 10-6. Rodas moved his PR to 5-10 in the high jump to place eighth. Senior Drake Snyder improved his PR to 42-2 to place eighth in the shot put. Forest Hills Eastern was powered to the win by victo­ ries in all four relay races on the boys’ side, wins by senior Bryson Kuzdzal in the 100meter dash and the 200-meter dash, senior Aiden Sullivan in the 400-meter dash and a 1-2 finish from teammates Henry Dixon and Brendan Hoving in the 3200-meter run. The Trojans were sched­ uled to travel to Sparta Friday, May 19 for their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional Meet. The TK ladies will also be a part of the May 26 MITCA Division 2 Team State Finals hosted by Berrien Springs. TK girls upset by Catholic Central in semifinals of OK Gold tournament Thornapple Kellogg freshman Tealy Cross chases after a bouncing ball along the sideline during the first half of her team’s 9-0 win over Ottawa Hills in the opening round of the OK Gold Conference Tournament Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) LIGHT TRUCK PARTS \ HMD HUTS •PICKUPS* ONE TOMS* VANS-SUV'S- JEEPS* 4X4S FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 'Ji USEO PARTS y USED TIRES WlflKESLMLAMMOO If I The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team opened the 2023 OK Gold Conference Tournament the way it wanted to. The Trojans scored nine goals in the first half to take a 9-0 win over visiting Ottawa Hills inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville. The Trojans, the second seed entering the tourna­ ment, were upset by third seeded Grand Rapids Catholic Central back in Middleville Wednesday eve­ ning. The Cougars took a 2-1 Thornapple Kellogg junior Emma Schut drives through the midfield with the ball during her team’s 9-0 win over visiting Ottawa Hill Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) win over the Trojans to earn The Trojans will be home a spot in this week’s confer­ to close out the conference ence tournament champion­ tournament Wednesday and ship game. then open the 2023 state Thornapple Kellogg tournament at home taking scored a 2-1 win over the on Zeeland West in an Cougars in Grand Rapids • MHSAA Division 2 District during their regular sea­ opener Friday, May 26. son meeting earlier this South Christian, the top month. seed for the OK Gold Conference Tournament, was set to square off against Cedar Springs in its semifi­ nal match Friday, May 19, to see who will face the Catholic Central girls in the tourna­ ment championship game. The TK girls fall to 11-4-1 overall this season with the loss. �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023/ Page 13 Cedar Springs sweeps series with Thornapple Kellogg boys SSN SN X "X> xx wsx, ws, S!* xx s S .k W I IL.. !S|| Brett Bremer adding a double and Graysen with two RBI’s. Logan Sports Editor Stahle a single. Snelling doubled, drove in one It has been a tough May for The lone TK hits were sin­ run and walked twice. the Trojans. gles by Gavin Snelling and Isaac Kimbel and Stahle The Thomapple Kellogg Verlinde in the game two shut also had hits for TK. varsity baseball team was still out Logan Snelling took the pushing for its first win ofMay Cedar Springs won 10-5 loss on the mound allowing heading into a doubleheader Thursday. The Red Hawks only five earned runs on nine hits in with Lowell on Senior Day in outhit die Trojans 10-5, but six five innings. He struck out two Middleville Friday, May 19. TK errors helped Cedar Springs and didn’t walk a batter. The Cedar Springs Red add three unearned runs. East Kentwood came to Hawks took a pair from the Wiersma had a big after­ Middleville Saturday morn­ visiting Trojans Tuesday after­ noon going 3 for 4 with a sin­ ing, May 13, and took two noon - scoring 3-1 and 7-0 gle, a double and a triple. He non-conference wins over the wins. The Red Hawks then drove in one run and scored Trojans. added a third OK Gold two runs. Verlinde was 3 for 4. The Falcons took game one Conference win over the visit­ Gavin Snelling was 2 for 4 3-1 and then won game two 9-6. ing Trojans Thursday. Brody Wiersma started and took the loss for TK in the opener. He allowed three earned runs on four walks and four hits. He struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings. Maddix Ferden came on to get the final out for the Trojans in the sixth. The bailgame was tied 1-1 heading into the sixth when Cedar Springs added a pair of runs. TK got its one run to tie the bailgame in the top of the fourth. Anson Verlinde reached on an error and then Logan Snelling singled behind him to put runners on first and second with nobody out. They moved up a base on a Cedar Springs error and then Verlinde scored from third on Thornapple Kellogg’s Gavin Snelling pitches a ground out by Ferden. during game one of his team’s non-conference dou­ TK had three hits in the bleheader in Middleville Saturday. (Photo by Brett game with Gavin Snelling Bremer) Singles by Wiersma and Verlinde were the only TK hits in game one. Gavin Snelling had an RBI. Verlinde allowed three runs on five hits and four walks in five innings on the mound. He struck out three. Gavin Snelling came on in the sixth and thew a pair ofscoreless, hitless innings ofrelief. He struck out two and walked two. East Kentwood trailed 6-3 after three innings in game two, but rallied for a four-run fourth and then went on to the 9-6 win. Verlinde was 2 for 3 at the plate for TK. Logan Snelling was 1 for 3 with two RBI’s. Kimbel also drove in a run for TK. Wiersma, Stahle and Ben Koster each singled once. TK closes out the OK Gold Conference season with one game at home against Catholic Central Tuesday and two at the home of the Cougars Wednesday. Thornapple Kellogg shortstop Brody Wiersma tries to turn two after getting a flip from second baseman Ben Koster and forcing out East Kentwood’s Alex Juliao-Perez at second during the seventh inning of game one in Middleville Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Scots win four straight outside of the OK Red, take one from Eagles Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity baseball team took game one ofits OK Red Conference set with Hudsonville this week, edging the Eagles 4-2 in Hudsonville Tuesday. Hudsonville bounced back for a 3-2 win in game two and then took the series win with a 7-2 victory in Caledonia Thursday. The loss in the nightcap Tuesday brought to an end a win streak by the Fighting Scots. Caledonia found a lot of success outside of the OK Red Conference over the weekend. The Scots beat Gull Lake 3-2 Friday while hosting a mother’s day cele­ bration, beat Kenowa Hills in two games on the north- west side of Grand Rapids Saturday and then beat Spring Lake on the road Monday evening. In that opener with Hudsonville, Caledonia took a 4-1 lead with two runs in the top of the fourth and two more in the top ofthe fifth. The Scots outhit the Eagles 5-2 with pitcher Carter Bom getting the win. He gave up just one unearned run in six innings on two hits and five walks. He struck out three. Nick Slater came on for a scoreless relief inning in which he gave up one unearned run. The five Caledonia hits were all singles, one each for Corbin Raffler, Alex Skibinski, AJ Szabo, Derek Pennington and Jace Lawton. Skibinski, Szabo, Pennington and Lawton each had an RBI. The Eagles took came two in walk-off fashion, snap­ ping a 2-2 tie with a run in the bottom of the seventh. This time, the Scots were held to two hits. Mitchell Smith and Skibinski both singled once. The two Caledonia runs were both unearned against Eagle start Gibson Sinke. Michale Douglass started for the Scots and gave up two runs, one earned, in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two, walked one and gave up four hits. Slater took the loss in relief. Hudsonville took a 7-2 win Thursday with singles by Szabo, Pennington and Slater the three Caledonia hits. Slater had his team’s lone RBI. Cam Myers took the loss. He went five innings on the mound for the Scots allowing two earned runs on six hits and one walk. He struck out four. The Eagles scored two unearned runs against him. The Scots scored a run in the top of the ninth to finish offthe 4-3 win at Spring Lake Monday. A couple of Laker errors and a wild pitch helped Skibinski work his way around the bases and score on a ground ball from Szabo. Lawton was 2 for 4 at the plate in the win. Sith and Slater had the Scots’ only other hits. Jacob Stoczynski and Smith combined to pitch five innigns of scoreless relief behind starter Aaron Hileman. The Scots scored 7-4 and 6-5 wins at Kenowa Hills Saturday. They smacked 11 singles in the opener. Szabo was 4 for 4 at the plate and Smith and Skibinski had two hits each. Smith got the win on the mound. He came on with one out in the fifth and held the Knights the rest of the after­ noon striking out two in 2 2/3 innings. Douglass started and threw four scoreless inning in which he struck out two and walked two. Neither Douglas or Smith gave up a hit, and neither did Stoczynski who started the fifth. The four runs against him were all unearned. He did walk two. The Scots had ten singles in the 6-5 game two win over the Knights which went 11 CHS doubles teams all score a win at OK Red Conference Tournament The Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis team placed seventh at the OK Red Conference Tournament hosted by West Ottawa last weekend. Rockford took the day’s championship with 20 points ahead of West Ottawa 18, Jenison 17, Grand Haven 14, Hudsonville 13, Grandville 12, Caledonia 6 and East Kentwood 2. All five of the Scots’ dou­ bles teams scored wins. The Fighting Scot first doubles duo of Allyson Abraham and Allison Weibel scored a 6-1, 6-1 win over the top doubles pair from East Kentwood. Kanika Verma and Abby Duong at second doubles for the Scots bested Grandville’s number two team of Cara Lauber and Grace Jenkins 6-4, 6-0. Fighting Scot third dou­ bles team of Sela Fitzell and Emily Sorstokke took a 6-3, 6-7,6-4 win over Grandville’s Haley Washbum and Emersyn VandeWater. At fourth doubles, the Caledonia team of Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Mertz scored a point with a 6-0, 6-2 win over East Kentwood’s Anya Chivis and Alexandria Torres. Anna Stone and Audrey Duong earned a win over the East Kentwood fifth doubles team. f ) I M • ) innings. Douglass hit a twoout single in the top of the ll”1 to score Stoczynski from second. Hileman set the Knights down in order in the 11™ to get the win. Isaac Jurrnu was 3 for 4 for the Scots and Zack Maurer went 2 for 4. Friday was a thriller too as the Scots took a 3-2 walk-off win against Gull Lake. The Scots scored two runs in the bottom of the first and led until the Blue Devils tied the game with two runs in the top of the seventh. Caledonia took the 3-2 win in the bottom of the seventh on a bases loaded walk by Pennington. The Scots worked four walks in the inning to push in the winning run. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20, 2023 TK’s Pitsch third at final OK Gold Conference Jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor K short handed Trojan team was led by senior Austin Pitsch Thursday at the final OK Gold Conference jamboree of the season. TK had just four guys competing. Senior Kyron Zoet scored a 38, junior Jordan Parks scored a 44 and senior Hunter Cisler tallied a 50. Pitsch opened his round with a birdie on the par-4 number three and then was at one under through seven holes after shooting a four on the par-5 number seven. He would finish at one-over-par in third place individually on the day. Forest Hills Eastern took the day’s victory with a score of 138. Grand Rapids Catholic Central scored a 145, South Christian 153, Cedar Springs 1'58, Wayland 159, Thomapple Kellogg 166 and Kenowa Hills 167. Forest Hills Eastern had five guys shoot 36 or better. The Hawks were led by freshman Hunter Morris who scored an even-par 33. Grand Rapids Catholic Central also had freshman Will Preston score a 33. Forest Hills Eastern soph­ omore James Seymour, freshman Jack Cavanaugh and junior Devin Kozal each scored a 35. The Trojans hosted the conference Tuesday at Yankee Springs GolfCourse. Grand Rapids Catholic Central won that competition with a score of 151 ahead of Pitsch scored a 34 as the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf team placed sixth at the meet hosted by Ottawa Hills at Indian Trails Golf Course in Grand Rapids. Thornapple Kellogg senior Kyron Zoet watches his tee shot fly on number at Indian Trails in Grand Rapids Thursday afternoon during the OK Gold Conference jamboree. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Be "SENSIBLE" about your water! SEE THE DIFFERENCE Over40 years of experience AYNARD'S WATER CONDITIONING SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL |R E SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS Thornapple Kellogg junior Jordan Parks blasts his tee shot on number one at Indian Trails Golf Course in Grand Rapids Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) South Christian 154, Forest Hills Eastern 157, Wayland 172, Thomapple Kellogg 174, Kenowa Hills 175 and Cedar Springs 176. Parks led the Trojans on their home course with a score of 41. Pitsch shot a 42, sophomore Tyler Voss scored a 45 and Zoet shot a 46. South Christian sopho­ more Brody Montsma shot a three-under-33. Catholic Central junior Matthew Sokorai was at one-under with a 35. Kozal and Catholic Central freshman Tommy Jandemoa both scored a 37. The Cougars took the win with junior Sebastian Deimel scoring a 39 and Preston tal­ lying a 40. The conference gets together again Wednesday, May 24, for the OK Gold Conference Championship hosted by Catholic Central at LE Kaufman Golf Course. TK senior Austin Pitsch flips a shot up onto the green on number nine at Indian Trails Golf Course in Grand Rapids Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Calcium and Iron ruining your home & appliances? See the difference: No iron stains No hard water stains Clean & clear water water test! AYNARD'S '■WATER CONDITIONING Stop staining laundry, sinks and showers. Call Today! Authorized 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia 49316 PRO’S PICK* Dealer 616789'1703'03 On the corner of M-37 arid 100th Street Mon-Fri. 8;30am-5:30pm and Sat. 8:30am-2pm WMAYNARDSWATERCONDITIONING.COM Trojan senior Hunter Cisler sends his tee shot flying on number one at Indian Trails Golf Course Thursday during the OK Gold Conference jamboree hosted by Ottawa Hills. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20,2023/ Page 15 Hudsonville holds off Scots in Red Tournament finale Caledonia freshman Bailey Devries (center) gets a hand off the field to catch her breath from senior teammate Gracie Gortmaker and assistant coach Taylor Kastens during the OK Red Conference Tournament Final hosted by Hudsonville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer the ballgame. Scoring chances Sports Editor were few and far between There was a little more hob­ through the first half for the bling than jogging as the Caledonia girls though as they Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer tried to get the ball ahead to team trotted across the grass to Gortmaker time and again. connect with its fans at the end Gortmaker was without her of the night in Hudsonville partner up top, senior Jocelyn Thursday. Herrema, who didn’t compete Hudsonville finished off an with the Scots Thursday night. undefeated OK Red Freshman Baylee Devries Conference season by outscor­ stepped up to help push the ing the Fighting Scots 4-2 in attack on the Hudsonville the championship game of the goal, and as a whole the Scots conference tournament. did a betterjob ofworking the The Eagles got two quick ball through the levels of the goals from Brooke Harmsen field in the second halfofplay. in the opening minutes and the The score stood at 2-1 for the Scots were playing catch-up final 35 minutes ofthe first half, all throughout the evening. but just three minutes into the Senior attacker Gracie second halfthe Eagles’ Maislin Gortmaker pulled the Scots Joldersma found space at the top within 2-1 five minutes into ofthe box to fire a shot into the Wifirtli iWtW Wayland beats TK by a point for fourth at Gold tennis tournament Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ ten­ nis team scored a fifth­ place finish at the OK Gold Conference Tournament last Friday. South Christian and Forest Hills Eastern both closed the day with 18 points. Catholic Central was right behind with 17 points. Wayland beat out TK 13-12 for fourth place, with Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs both scor­ ing 7 points and Ottawa Hills 4. Charlotte Nelson had a pair of wins for TK in the first singles bracket. She defeated Cedar Springs’ Kaitlyn Miller 6-1, 4-6, (10-8) and earned a 6-0, 6-0 win over Wayland’s Margaret Burchardt. She was bumped from the championship bracket by Catholic Central’s Ruth Rabaut who outscored her 6-1, 6-0 in their match-up. Forest Hills Eastern’s Muskan Rekhani took the first singles title. She edged out Ottawa Hills’ Divyana Varma 6-4, 6-4 in their championship round match. Holly Carpenter at third singles for TK took two wins and Hailey Dudik at second singles and Thea Zellmer at fourth singles had one win each. On the doubles’ side, TK had the number one team of Cailin Wodrich and Libby Hess go go 2-1 at the tournament. They beat duos from Cedar Springs and Kenowa Hills. Tyne Bufka and Ava Zellmer at second doubles and Emma Thompson and Emilia Rickert at third doubles both took one vic­ tory while the fourth dou­ bles team of Jordan Pranger and Isabelle Schilthroat was 2-1 with wins over Catholic Central and Wayland. net that nudged her team’s lead back to two goals. Scot junior goalkeeper Davanee Balczak helped keep her team within striking dis­ tance coming off her line to take a breakaway opportunity off the feet of the Eagles’ Kendall Aikens with 30 min­ utes to play. About ten minutes later, Devries drew contact in the box that earned the Fighting Scots a penalty kick. Junior Laney Peterson came up from the center of the Caledonia defense to bury the PK into the back of the net and get her team with 3-2. The Scots hope was short­ lived however. Less than three minutes later the Eagles were awarded a PK that Aikens put Caledonia junior defender Laney Peterson (17) clears the ball away from Hudsonville junior Maislin Joldersma during the OK Red Conference Tournament Final in Hudsonville Thursday evening. Joldersma and the Eagles took a 4-2 win to finish off an undefeated conference season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) into the lower left comer ofthe net The Eagles were a perfect 10-0intheirOKRedConference matches this spring. They also scored a 3-0 win over the visit­ ing Fighting Scots during the regular season. The Caledonia girls were 7-3 in conference play this season and are now 12-4—1 overall. Caledonia got into the tour­ nament final by scoring a 3-1 Road project in Gaines starts next week The Kent County Road Commission has announced that resurfacing work will begin next week on a onemile stretch of Eastern Avenue in Gaines Charter Township. Work is scheduled to begin Tuesday on Eastern between 68th and 76th Streets, and is scheduled to continue through June 16, Road Commission spokeswoman Maura Lamoreaux said. The project will consist of cold milling and resurfacing work. Two-way traffic will be maintained on the road during the project, Lamoreaux said. Reith-Riley Construction is the project contractor. Conference realignment will be big change for Trojans beginning in 2024 Thomapple Kellogg will face a very different OK Gold Conference beginning with the 2024-25 school year. TK will be the largest school in the OK Gold Conference after the latest edition of realignments shuf­ fle opponents around. The Trojans will remain league­ mates with Wayland, Forest Hills Eastern and South Christian. They are being joined in the OK Gold by Holland, Hamilton, Holland Christian and Unity Christian. Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs are offto the new OK Black Conference with Mona Shores Reeths-Puffer, Muskegon, Lowell, Greenville and Northview. Ottawa Hills and Grand Rapids Catholic Central are moving to the OK Blue to be joined by Grand Rapids Union, Coopersville, Fruitport, Spring Lake, Allendale and West Catholic. There will be no changes for the Caledonia Fighting Scots in the OK Red Conference. win over West Ottawa at Scotland Yard in the tourna­ ment semifinals Monday. The Panthers had bested the Scots 2-1 in Holland May 2, the only team other than Hudsonville to beat the Scots in the OK Red this spring. The Scots have the week to prepare for the state postsea­ son. They will face either East Kentwood or Ottawa Hills in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinals hosted by East Kentwood Tuesday, May 30. Rockford will take on either Byron Center or Wyoming in the first ofthe two semifinals in Kentwood that evening. Byron Center and Wyoming play their opening round match Thursday and the Bengals and Falcons start the state tournament Friday. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the April 19, 2023 Township Board of Triistees Meeting which were approved on May 17, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the web­ site at www.caledoniatownship.org. 199889 Help us kick off the official start of Summer at the Caledonia Community Green Park 9309 bobber Wenger Memorial br. Caledonia Township will be having the Grand Opening of our Splash Pad on June 2nd at 3:00 pm. Show up and wear your bathing suit for a “soaking good time!" �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 20,2023 Scots fend off Greyhounds to win one at home tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Fighting Scot catcher Malia Burke pulled her mask out and let out a yell as she skipped up the third baseline to where her teammates were celebrating around pitcher Molly Lieske. Burke got to the crowd and gave her teammate a lit­ tle kiss on the side of the head. The Fighting Scots were happy to pull out a victory. Lieske entered the circle in the bottom of the fifth inning of the Scots’ bailgame with Eaton Rapids at their own Caledonia Invitational Saturday morning. She got the final out to strand two Greyhounds on base. The scored in the top of the sixth to get within 6-5, then got an RBI double from Lieske and an RBI single from MacKenzie Parker to take a 7-6 lead in the top ofthe sev­ enth. Lieske preserved the onerun lead in the bottom of the seventh inning striking out the final Wo Greyhounds with tffc- bases loaded. The< Caledonia varsity softball team was 1-3 on the day. Vicksburg beat the Scots 10-0 to open the tour­ nament and Portage Northern took a 7-4 win over the Scots in their tournament finale. Parker had a big ballgame Fighting Scot pitcher Addy Olin fires the ball to the plate during her team’s win over Eaton Rapids Saturday at the Caledonia Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) against the Greyhounds in the Caledonia win. She was 3 for 4 with two RBI’s and two runs scored. Addy Lash, MacKenzie DeVries, Lieske, Burke and Jaz Dana had one hit £ach. Dana drove in one run.^Burke had two RBI’s and Lieske had the one RBI. Lieske also walked twice in the ballgame. Caledonia scored four runs in the top of the first. The Greyhounds responded by scoring three in the bot­ tom of the second and then pulled even with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Eaton Rapids then took the lead with two runs in the bottom ond inning of her team’s win over Eaton Rapids Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) of the fifth inning. Dana started in the circle for the Scots and gave up the first four runs through four innings. Only two of those runs against her were earned. She struck out four and walked three. Addy Olin was hit for two unearned runs in the fifth before Lieske took over. In the shut out loss to Vicksburg, the Scots got sin­ gles from Lash, Kyla Bisterfeldt, Burke and Dana. The Scots led Portage Northern 3-2 after one inning in the day’s finale, but the Huskies struck for five runs in the top of the fifth to take control. Caledonia had eight dif­ ferent girls get one hit in the loss to Portage Northern. Lash tripled and scored a run. Bisterfeldt was 1 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Lieske, Parker, Burke, Dana and Peyton Brenner each singled once. Burke drove in two runs. Keira Sundstrom was 1 for 3 with a double and a RBI. The Caledonia girls were scheduled to host Thomapple Kellogg for two non-conference ballgames Friday and will close the OK Red Conference in the week ahead with two at Jenison Monday and one at East Kentwood Wednesday. The Scots are currently 5-13 in the conference this spring. Hudsonville took 2-1 and 9-0 wins over the visit­ ing Scots Tuesday, May 16. A double by Lash and a single by Lieske were the only hits for the Scots in the game two shut out. In game one, DeVries sin- gled, stole second, sent to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a single into right by Burke to get the Scots’ their one run in the top ofthe fourth. It tied the bailgame at 1-1 at the time. fl| A single, a steal, a sacri­ fice bunt and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth pushed the Eagles back in front. Lieske went the distance in the circle for the Scots. In six innings she scattered nine hits. She didn’t walk or strike out a batter. That second run was the only earned run against her. Rockford took a 12-3 win over the Scots in Caledonia Thursday.Parker tripled and drove in two runs in the loss to the Rams. Lash doubled. Bisterfeldt, DeVries and Burke also had hits. Beginning May 1, we are now open 24/7! Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-H shift and want to lift weights before bed? Our fitness center is now accessible 24/7. Not a member? Call 269.9483139. 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived in May. Pennock Health & Wellness Center 915 West Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Spectrum Health uaieaonia outfielder Marissa Kohn fires the ball in from the warning track during her team’s win over Eaton Rapids Saturday at the Caledonia Invitational (Photo by Brett Bremer � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-05-27.pdf 662a147614f5e72037b77bec45fc893e PDF Text Text The, Sun and News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 21/ May 27,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year TK celebrates 2023 graduates with all the Pomp and Circumstance Some of the 324 Caledonia High School graduates flip their caps in the air at the conclusion of Tuesday’s commencement exercises at Calvin University’s VanNoord Arena. (Photos courtesy of Caledonia Community Schools) Over 320 grads receive diplomas at Caledonia High School commencement his memories — both good ple-robed graduate parad­ Staff Writer and bad - of his high ed up to the stage to' Tuesday was quite a day school experience. receive their diploma from in the life of Theren “The most memorable a school board member Sanders. moment for me of the past and shake hands with out­ For one thing, it was 12 years (was when) our going Superintendent Dr. 18th birthday. 2023 Male Athlete of the Dedrick Martin. The The other, he and 323 Year, Mason (McKenzie), superintendent didn’t other Caledonia High ran into the end zone shake hands with one School seniors received against Rockford in dou­ graduate instead he their diplomas during ble overtime, continuing grabbed his son, Camren, commencement exercises our trip to the state (foot­ in a bear hug as the young­ at Calvin University’s ball) finals,” said Sanders, er Martin received his VanNoord Arena in Grand a three-sport athlete who diploma. Rapids. It was the second played on the Fighting Tuesday’s commenceyear in a row that CHS had Scots football team that ment will likely be held commencement at finished runner-up in last Martin’s last official act as Calvin. fall’s Division 1 state tour­ superintendent, as he has “Thank you all for com­ nament. accepted the superinten­ ing to my birthday party,” Sanders spoke too, of dent’s job at the Kalamazoo quipped Sanders, who got the adversity he and his Regional Educational to speak as the recipient of fellow students dealt with Service Agency effective the school’s Alpha Beta - the COVID-19 pandem­ July 1. Award as the best citizen ic, online classes and Martin concluded his in the graduating class, exams, to name a few. brief remarks toward the which takes into account “We’re better, we’re end of the ceremony with scholarship, sportsman­ stronger, and more pre­ the words “Go Scots!” ship, courtesy and cooper­ pared for what’s next Earlier on Tuesday, the ation. because we persevered,” graduating class was honIn his seven-minute he said. address, Sanders shared One by one, each purSee GRADS, page 2 Greg Chandler Members of the 2023 Thornapple Kellogg graduating class (“the greatest class of all-time” according to closing speaker Thea Zellmer) conclude com­ mencement inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Thursday evening by flinging their mortarboards skyward. The members of the 238-person class in attendance heard songs from the honors choir, senior members of the concert choir, the symphonic band, an introduction from senior class member Any Liu, the senior class address from Mia Dickman, and got a ‘Last Lesson’ from TKHS teacher Cary Saxton, who was the evening’s keynote speaker. Read and see more of the celebration of the 2023 TKHS graduates in next weekend’s June 3 edition of the Sun and News. (Photo by Brett Bremer) No one hurt as area fire crews extinguish blaze at Bradford White facility Jayson Bussa Editor Several fire crews' were able to stifle a blaze that broke out at the sprawling Bradford White Corp, cam­ pus in Middleville, allowing the company to avoid injury to employees and prolonged disruptions to its operations. Late Monday afternoon, fire crews were dispatched to the Bradford White facility, where the Pennsylvania­ based manufacturer produces water heaters. The fire origi­ nated behind the building in a pile of wooden pallets. The pallets fueled the fire, which reached up to the facility’s Fire crews are stationed on the roof of the Bradford roof. Thomapple Township White production facility in Middleville on Monday See FIRE, page 3 evening, prying open steel panels to check for fire spread. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) • Freeport Girl Scout receives distinguished honor • Flats at Mid-Villa project gets final approval • Caledonia track teams get four through to D1 Track and Field Finals • Trojans have nine state qualifying performances at D2 track regional • Caledonia lacrosse girls face off with EGR in regional semis Wednesday �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023 GRADS, continued from page 1 Students celebrate at the conclusion of the ceremony. (Photos courtesy of Caledonia Community Schools) Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin hugs his son, Camren, as the younger Martin received his diploma Tuesday. The com­ mencement will likely be the last for Dedrick Martin as he has accepted the superintendent’s job at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency. ored at a morning assembly in the school’s north gym. Digital media and math teacher Andrew Crawley presented the faculty address about saying con­ nected with friends. Class President Ethan Pyshcer addressed graduates and underclassmen, inspiring them to-Step out of their comfort zone, get involved in school activities, and show kindness to others. Three major awards were presented during the assem­ bly. Erin Asper was named the recipient of the Principal’s Leadership Award, McKenzie was named the Male Athlete of the Year and Gracie Gortmaker the Female Athlete ofthe Year. Additional student awards were presented at a senior assembly May 17, and a complete list ofthose recipients can be found below. In addition to the 324 graduates, 12 foreign exchange students received certificates for their studies at CHS during the 2022-23 school year. Sanders, who will study engineering at the University ofMichigan this fall, encouraged his fellow graduates to show apprecia- tion for those who helped them make it to graduation and to tell people they love and appreciate them. “I encourage everyone to say ‘thank you’ to those who have helped you reach this moment,” he said. “Show kindness and com­ passion to those who need it, and maybe even apolo­ gize to someone who you may have hurt along the way. That shows compas­ sion, humility and responsi­ bility - three amazing traits we can all carry into the future.” Caledonia High School senior Theren Sanders addresses his classmates Tuesday. Sanders was voted by students and staff as the recipient of the 2023 class’s Alpha Beta Award for overall citizenship, based on scholarship, sportsmanship, courtesy and cooperation. He will attend the University of Michigan in the fall to study engineering. Scholarships, awards presented at CHS Senior Recognition ceremony higher by the end of first semester of this year, while The Caledonia High 101 others received Silver School graduating class of Academic awards for main­ 2023 featured outstanding taining a GPA of 3.5 to academic and athletic 3.99. achievements. A total of 39 students A total of 164 graduates received local scholarships received academic honors totaling $189,880, and the during CHS’ annual senior entire graduating class recognition ceremony on received 198 scholarships May 17 at the Peter V. with a projected four-year DeLille Fine Arts Center. A value of$4.48 million, CHS total of 63 graduates student services director received Gold Academic Stephanie Pearson said. awards for maintaining a In addition, 54 special 4.0 grade point average or and department awards Greg Chandler StaffWriter Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted were handed out during the ceremony and 67 students were named O-K Red Conference ScholarAthletes. Following is a list of award recipients. Gold Academic Award Erin Asper, Taryn Briones, Connor Cammet, Thomas Carey, Isaac Clark, Jonathan Collins, Matthew Collins, Abigail Dean, Matt DeGraafj Addison Deveney, Macey Douma, Anna Eliassen, Blake Elliot, Madelyn Fennema, Jack Finlan-Hitt, Sara Flynn, Ethan Folkersma, Grace Geer, Gaby Gonzalez, Isabel Grinstead, Stella Haan, Carly Hadaway, Ryan Hautala, Kiana Haywood, Austin Hurley, Nathan Huynh, Reagan Huyser, Henry Johnson, Elise Klein, Tanner Knoll, Megan Larsen, Anthony Lawlor, Gavin Long, Sydney Lopez, Camren Martin, Sydney Mertz, Anna Mince, Adam Morris, Annabelle Munson, Meadow Neubauer-Keyes, Justin Nguyen, Jordan Nyland, Selena Pham, Dilyn Pratt, Alyson Roush, Megan Russell, Anna Salmon, Theren Sanders, Katherine Schwartzfisher, Wyatt Snitzer, Taylor Somerville, Matthew Spoehr, Lija Svems, Leah Thompson, Livia Ubaldo, Caden VanderBerg, Kanika Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Help us support veterans and community functions. Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 Over 40 years experience and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. brucesframe.com Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, 0), coffee. * Menu subject to change Adults $12.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 Coffee For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 Donated by Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, MI Verma, Isaac Vire, Luke Vogeler, Jenna Waggoner, Paige Williamson, Jay Woltjer and Kalen Zuiderveen. Silver Academic Award Allyson Abraham, Clara Acton, Makenzie Allen, Sydney Allen, Angelica Araya, Sophia Arendsen, Ryan Arne, Samuel Baldwin, Holly Barker, Akira Beaulieu, Kendall Benson, Carson Beyer, Alyssa Bischoff, Cadence Bommarito, Ethan Brown, Tyler Burd, Zach Bumis, Jacob Byanski, Averil Byrd, Caden Chu, Hailey Clarke, Gabrielle Dark, Tyler Dean, Kaden DeHom, Michael Douglass, Miranda Dunham, Emma Dunn, Antoinette Fanco, Madison Fortune, Emersyn Geik, Omar Ghannam, Rylen Goosen, Kendall Graves, Evelyn Gray, Brett Guzman, Ben Hadzic, Hassan Hag Ali, • Avery Hallo, Noah Hanna, Jocelyn Herrema, Aaron Hileman, Reese Irons, Meghan Jackson, Robert Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Claire Johnston, Hailie Jurmu, Gavin Kern, Levi Lucas, Madison Maas, Zachary Maurer, Lauren McKenna, Raven Medina, Dylan Meduna, Lillian Merlo, Jonathan Miedema, Hadley Montague, Emma Morris, Reese Nething, Mystique Niles, Meghan Osborn, Morgan Osborn, Starr Palermo, Avery Palmateer, Mackenzie Parker, Quinn Pehrson, Trinity Perez-Ferner, Ethan Pyscher, Natalia Quigley, Rae Radtke, Levi Raymond, Natalie Reoch, Mario Roeske, Deanna Sanker, Brendan Scheid, Lane Shepard-Hatfield, Luke Shuster, Quinn Silverman, Alex Skibinski, Ben Smith, Mitchell Smith, Anna Stone, Ayden Sulzener, Arianna Swanson, Saylor Tague, Avery Talley, Ella Theaker, Halle Theaker, Leo Thomas, Charlie Timmer, Natalia Ulloa, Anders VanderEide, Lauren Van Middelkoop, Elizabeth VanOstran, Canyen Veldhouse, Katelyn Veldman, Cole Visser, Alexandra Walker, Alex Watterson, Allison Weibel and Avah Winstrom. Scholarship recipients Caledonia Education Association Scholarship: Stella Haan, Rae Radtke; Caledonia Education Association Dependent Scholarship: Kaden DeHorn; Be A Good Samaritan Scholarship: Holly Barker, Tyler Burd, Stella Haan; Kevin Remenap Memorial Scholarship: Macey Douma, Allison Weibel; Caledonia Education Foundation - Amy Lou Barnaby Scholarship: Holly Barker, Antoinette Fanco; See CEREMONY, page 3 �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27, 2023/ Page 3 FIRE, continued from page 1 Emergency Services, which is stationed just a few blocks from the Bradford White facility, werejoined by crews from Caledonia, Wayland and Yankee Springs. Chief Bill Richardson of TTES said that crews from both Hastings and Freeport were also called to the fire as officials were worried about the extent of the fire due to how large the building is. However, crews that initially arrived were able to get the fire under control and crews from Freeport and Hastings were called off while in route to the scene. “Crews did an amazing job getting over here, getting into the building and getting it out before it really got too far into the building,” Richardson said. “The fire suppression system inside helped. No one was hurt. It was a good day.” All employees at the facil­ ity were evacuated as fire crews worked through the evening extinguishing the blaze and prying open some of the steel panels of the building to check for any additional fire spread. However, the damage had minimal effect on operations at the facility, according to officials with Bradford White. Chief Bill Richardson of Thornapple Township Emergency Services can be seen walking near a pile of burnt wooden pallets as crews work to clean up the mess left behind by a Monday evening fire at Bradford White in Middleville. Crews from Thornapple Township, Caledonia, Wayland and Yankee Springs were on the scene of a fire that broke out at Bradford White in Middleville on Monday evening. “As a result of yesterday’s fire that occurred outside of the factory, Bradford White experienced a temporary interruption to production during the afternoon (second) shift,” Peter Kattula, senior vice president and general manager for Bradford White said in a statement to the Barmer. “Crews worked dili­ gently to clean up the scene, including burnt pallets and production was back up and running by the night shift. Normal operations have con­ tinued throughout (Tuesday).” Richardson said that it appeared the fire was caused by what he labeled “indis­ criminate smoking material.” He added that cigarette butts were “laced around the area,” which was confirmation of this stated origin of the fire. Richardson also said that wooden pallets are supposed to be stored off of buildings, but in this case, the pallets were near the building, which allowed the blaze to touch the facility. When asked if any policy changes might be imple­ mented because of the fire given the fire’s origin Kattula provided the follow­ ing statement. “Bradford White has strict and strong smoking policies in place. Throughout the building, there are clearly marked signs indicating a non-smoking area and out­ side the building there are clearly marked designated smoking areas. These poli­ cies will continue to be rein­ forced by plant supervisors and management.” Kattula concluded with: “We once again want to thank all of the local fire departments and first responders for their quick action yesterday.” Mince, Mackenzie Parker, Katherine Schwartzfisher, Lija Svems, Leah Thompson, Isaac Clark, Michael Douglass, Theren Sanders. OK Conference Girls Scholar Athletes: Allyson Abraham, Kendall Benson, Cadence Bommarito, Addison Deveney, Macey Douma, Madelyn Fennema, Sara Flynn, Madison Fortune, Grace Geer, Rylen Goosen, Evelyn Gray, Isabel Grinstead, Avery Hallo, Kiana Haywood, Taylor Johnson, Hailie Jurmu, Elise Klein, Madison Maas, Lauren McKenna, Lillian Merlo, Sydney Mertz, Anna Mince, Avery Palmateer, Mackenzie Parker, Dilyn Pratt, Natalia Quigley, Lija Svems, Ella Theaker, Leah Thompson, Kanika Verma, Allison Weibel, Paige Williamson, Avah Winstrom. OK Conference Boys Scholar Athletes: Ryan Ame, Carson Beyer, Tyler Burd, Jacob Byanski, Connor Cammet, Caden Chu, Isaac Clark, Jonathan Collins, Tyler Dean, Kaden DeHom, Michael Douglass, Blake Elliot, Jack FinlanHitt, Ethan Folkersma, Ryan Hautala, Aaron Hileman, Nathan Huynh, Anthony Lawlor, Gavin Long, Zachary Maurer, Dylan Meduna, Adam Morris, Ethan Pyscher, Mario Roeske, Theren Sanders, Luke Shuster, Alexander Skibinski, Mitchell Smith, Ayden Sulzener, Caden VanderBerg, Canyen Veldhouse, Isaac Vire, Luke Vogeler, Kalen Zuiderveen. CEREMONY, continued from page 2 Caledonia Education Foundation - Carl E. Workman Scholarship: Austin Hurley, Camren Martin; Caledonia Education Foundation Glidden STEM Scholarship: Lija Svems; Caledonia Education Foundation Millard and Eva Engle Scholarship: Rae Radtke, Ella Theaker; Caledonia Education Foundation Paula Welker Scholarship: Anthony Lawlor; Caledonia Education Foundation Business Women in Scholarship: Grace Geer; Caledonia Education Foundation Matt Christensen Scholarship: Cadence Bommarito; Caledonia Education Foundation - Margaret Ann Crawford Scholarship: Avery Hallo; Caledonia Women’s Club Heritage Scholarship: Antoinette Fanco; Caledonia American Legion Post 305 Scholarship: Saylor Tague; Cpl. Josh Hoffman Memorial Scholarship: Holly Barker; Caledonia Kiwanis Key Club Scholarship: Taryn Briones; Gaines Chamber of Commerce Scholarship: Ella Theaker, Camren Martin; Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce Human Service Scholarship: Cadence Bommarito, Maddox Gaier, Rylen Goosen, Anthony Lawlor; Macayla Kohn Lee Scholarship: Erin Asper, Taylor Somerville, Ella Theaker, Katelyn Veldman; Patricia K. Winchester Vanderbilt Scholarship: Cadence Bommarito; Lake Michigan Credit Union Hutt Scholarship: Ella Theaker; United Bank Community Dedication Scholarship: Avery Hallo, Ella Theaker; West Michigan Counseling Association Scholarship: Ella Pierson; Army ROTC Scholarship: Ryan Arne. Special Awards Alpha Beta Award: Theren Sanders; Ralph Keating Award: Caden VanderBerg; Army Scholar Athlete: Isaac Clark, Leah Thompson; Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award: Kendall Benson, Tyler Burd; Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award: Lily Goerbig, Clayton Sanford; Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award: Hailey Clarke, Jonathan Miedema. Department Awards Art Department Award: Erica Carly Hadaway, Business Postma; Department Award: Tyler Roush, Burd, Alyson Allison Weibel; English Department Award: Omar Ghannam, Gaby Gonzalez, Camren Martin, Raven Medina, Jenna Waggoner; MIPA Excellence in Student Media Award: Claire Johnston, Rae Radtke, Livia Ubaldo, Jenna Waggoner; Therrian Math Award: Jack Finlan-Hitt; Outstanding Choir Senior: Grace Geer; Outstanding Band Senior — John Philip Sousa Award: Caden VanderBerg; Outstanding Band Senior — Patrick S. Gilmore Award: Anders VanderEide; Outstanding Band Senior Jazz Award: Caden VanderBerg; Music Department Award: Noah Abdelkader; Outstanding Orchestra Senior: Jenna Waggoner; MSBOA Scholar Instrumentalist Award: Raven Medina; Physical Education Award: Jett King, Avery Talley; Science Department Award: Anna Salmon, Justin Nguyen; SEARS Award: Lauren Mahoney, Morgan Osborn, Rae Radtke; Millard Engle Social Studies Award: Hadley Montague, Jordan Nyland, Ethan Pyscher, Taylor Somerville, Caden VanderBerg; Technical Education Department Award: Joe Geglio; Director’s Award: Ella Orosz, Megan Russell; Technical Theatre Award: Raven Medina; Drama Award: Taryn Briones, Mystique Niles; German World Language Award: Megan Larsen, Raven Medina; Spanish World Language Award: Lija Svems, Jordan Nyland. Athletics Honors MHSAA Scholar Athletes: Cadence Bommarito, Addison Deveney, Grace Geer, Kiana Haywood, Hailie Jurmu, Sydney Mertz, Anna Spring Special A/C TUNE-UP '$mr$79 HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27, 2023 Local Girl Scout earns Gold Award Caydence Pawloski of Gold Award at the ceremony. Freeport was recently pre­ The Gold Award requires sented with the Gold Award, the highest award a a Girl Scout to develop and Girl Scout can earn, at a carry out a sustainable solu­ special ceremony. Only 5.4 tion to an issue in their percent of all Girl Scouts community and beyond. The project should make a achieve the Gold Award. Pawloski, a girl scout of positive change in the com13 years, is a member of munity. Scouts spend a Troop 3986. Four other minimum of 80 hours scouts also received the researching, planning and completing the project. Pawloski’s passion is helping special needs chil­ dren. After much research, she decided to create a musical sensory garden on the playground of Cherry Creek Elementary School in Lowell. Before begin­ ning, Pawloski talked to a mother with an autistic son about her project idea. The Pawloski, a former student at Cherry Creek Elementary, drew inspiration for her musical sensory garden after speaking with a mother of a child with autism. The sensory garden will give kids of all ages and needs a creative and sensory outlet. mother told her such a place would provide many bene­ fits for her son and his growth. As a former student at Cherry Creek, Pawloski saw a need to provide a space, especially for chil­ dren with special needs, to meet their sensory needs, improve communication skills and find a quiet place when overwhelmed. The project was complet­ ed at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year and is open to students during all recesses, as well as before and after school. It is also open to the community when school is not in ses­ sion. The garden offers color­ ful wind chimes, drums children can play and tac­ tile balls they can touch and slide around. It also has a variety of flowers and plants and provides a place for children to sit and remain quiet or talk with other children. The garden is wheelchair accessible. Pawloski earned money to purchase supplies and equipment for her project by selling homemade blan­ kets, Girl Scout Cookies and collecting and return­ ing pop cans. She also received several cash dona­ tions. Pawloski graduated on Caydence Pawloski, a Girl Scout in Troop 3986, was recently awarded the Gold Award. The Gold Award is the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, with only 5.4 percent of all Girl Scouts achieving the honor. (Photos provided) May from Epic 5 Homeschool Academy. She currently works at ChickFil-A in Grand Rapids. She wants to pursue a career in education or go on missions working with special needs children, along with also continuing her studies in American Sign Language. Nearly all Gold Award Girl Scouts hold leadership —Caledonia United w Methodist Church Church alaska cuc church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who mil reach the worth with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Sunday's Ministries Worship Service 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School -11:00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study 6: 00 PM Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd > Lutheran Church Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) .9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. v. Peter Berg g http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages..com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: roles in their everyday lives - such as at school, in their careers, or through volun­ teer work - and seven in 10 hold three or more leader­ ship roles. The Gold Award opens doors and provides a com­ petitive advantage with col­ lege acceptance, earning scholarships or getting a job. (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaIedoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass .................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC 5 OURNEY CHURCH 5J Tauf£ CALEDONIA: MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE Church @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 wwwitpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church g^Church Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou ^Sunday School..............: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM .10:30 Praising God through Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm ।■ m Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group...... 10:00 a.m. 11 ;00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFelIowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org THORN APPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023/ Page 5 Flats at Mid-Villa gets final approval from Middleville Council James Gemmell Contributing Writer A 144-unit market-rate apartment complex will be built at the site of the former Middle Villa Inn. The Middleville Village Council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to approve the final Planned Unit Development for Dutch Developers LLC’s Flats at Mid-Villa project. The plan­ ning commission had voted unanimously earlier this month to recommend that the village council approve the project, including the final plat. The council unanimously approved a zoning ordinance to rezone the 22-acre site along M-37 from a C-2 commercial highway designation to the PUD, which gives the developer more legal flexibili­ ty in the placement of the buildings. The parcels are at 4611 and 4691 N. M-37 Hwy. The overall project cost is estimated to be around $30 million. “I’m ecstatic; it’s a great day,” Dutch Developers principal Nate Heyboer told the Sun andNews after the council meeting. He and one of his brothers operate the Grandville-based company. “I’m very excited to get started with the village and get this project going,” he said. It was in January 2022 when the Middleville Planning Commission voted condition­ ally to approve the final PUD for the Flats at Mid-Villa, which Heyboer had described as “high quality, workforce residential units.” But then, several concerns arose about the site layout and amenities not included in the original proposal, such as the lack of a child play area and storage units for residents. As a result, Heyboer decided to postpone the project for about a year before reviving it this spring with a revised proposal that addressed several of the concerns. Other aspects to be includ­ ed in the development are pri­ vate drives off M-37 and Towne Centre Drive, plus more than 200 parking spaces. Some ofthe parking construc­ tion may be included in the project’s second phase. Pickleball courts and a gravel pathway between the apartment complex and Wildwood Trails will also be included among the added amenities. The development plan still calls for six buildings to be constructed, consisting of 24 apartment units each, or 144 units total. Three commercial out-lots near M-37 and private drives on-site will also be built. Die density of 8.6 dwelling units per acre slightly exceeds the maximum of eight units recommended in the village’s 2021 master plan. But tenant fees from the extra units will help offset the estimated $500,000 cost for a private lift station for sewage disposal that will be built on-site and for the relocation of a high-pressure gas line. The development will connect to an existing water line along M-37. Dutch Developers also pur- chased a building on the prop­ erty that will be converted into a clubhouse. Heyboer said he hopes development can begin either this fall or next spring. It will likely be built in two phases. Dutch Developers hopes to get the apartments up before stor­ age units are added. The total number of self-storage units has yet to be determined, but there may be up to 134. “I’m really hoping I can pull off both phases at the same time. And only make a mess once,” Heyboer told the village council. He said he would like to give the apartment residents first dibs on the storage units before allowing the general public to rent them. ‘1 would like a moratorium on those units for my apart­ ments first I love the public, but I don’t want them all to come and scoop up all the vacant units and then my tenants are driving across town to try to find anoth­ er one,” Heyboer said. President Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd said that storage containers might not be the best auxiliary use of the land next to the project’s green space. “Storage units like that create a lot of heat just from the amount of asphalt material. That might adversely impact the area,” he said. DeMaagd suggested sun­ setting the addition of storage units to a later date after the rest of the development is built Trustee Makenzi Peters noted there are several other storage sites around town. “The idea is to earmark a bunch of them for the actual residents themselves,” Heyboer responded. “We did call around to make sure that there wasn’t an overabun­ dance of empty storage units in the Middleville area. And our research that we did (found) there is a waiting list for those, also. So, I don’t want stuff sitting outside the (apartment) units.” Zoning and Planning Administrator Doug Powers, said the village has a site plan that includes the storage units as part of a future phase but said the timeline could be moved up. “I can definitely see the need, especially if you need some for your residents,” Village President Mike Cramer told Heyboer, who pointed out that interest rates have risen significantly. And so have construction costs. So, Heyboer said revenue from the rental of storage units would help offset sortie of the overall project costs. A public hearing was held at the village council meeting, but no one from the public spoke. Peters said Middleville is growing, and the project’s timing is good. “The apartments them­ selves are designed to be for starter housing for those get­ ting into the workforce, and that’s something that is needed here in Middleville,” she said. “A lot of Middleville busi­ nesses are looking for help Dutch Developers LLC principal Nate Heyboer addresses the Middleville Village Council at its meet­ ing Tuesday night at the village hall. (Photo by James Gemmell) regularly, and bringing in an Smith thanked everyone apartment complex that can who helped facilitate the proj­ house working individuals ect’s approval. will help with those employ­ “Nate has done a bang-up ment needs.” job, as has the zoning board. I Trustee Kevin Smith con­ think this is the culmination of curred and thanked Heyboer a lot ofeffort and planning and for his thoughtfulness in insightfulness. And I want to revamping the project to say it speaks volumes about address concerns raised about those who participated, both the initial proposal in 2021. from the Village ofMiddleville “To continue to add afford­ as well as Nate himself,” able housing is one ofthe most Smith said. important topics. We are, He added, “I’m excited for unfortunately, very low on Middleville to have affordable inventory. The inventory that housing. We desperately need we do have in the village has it. That’s just going to be a been historically very low in huge asset to our community. all realms of housing. So, this And I’m excited to see where is a great opportunity for our this leads in terms of opportu­ community,” Smith said. nity and the quality of people “I’d like to speak in favor who continue to move here. of the development as a And hopefully, he’s setting a whole,” DeMaagd said. “The bar where people feel good need for affordable housing about coming to Middleville and starter housing — even in and developing. Whether terms of apartment units — is that’s affordable housing or well past needed.” bringing a business here.” “I’m very pleased with the The former Middle Villa new PUD,” trustee Richard Inn closed in 2014 after 52 Hamilton said during final years in business. It was council comments. demolished in 2015. Local residents to honor veterans with Memorial Day observances Greg Chandler StaffWriter Memorial Day obser­ vances will take place in several area communities over the next couple ofdays as we remember those who lost their lives in defense of their country. In Caledonia, the annual Memorial Day parade will begin at noon Monday on Main Street downtown. The parade will proceed to Lakeside Cemetery, where there will be patriotic music and special speakers. Prior to the Caledonia parade, there will also be Memorial Day observances at the other four cemeteries in Caledonia Township: 9 a.m. at Alaska Cemetery, 68th Street and Thomapple River Drive; 9:45 a.m. at Blain Cemetery, 1270 68th St. SE; 10:30 a.m. at Dutton Cemetery, 7000 Hanna Lake Ave. SE; and 11:15 a.m. at Holy Corners Cemetery at the northwest comer of 84th Street and Kraft Avenue. In Middleville, the Lions Club will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade downtown at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The parade route will run from the village lot next to Thomapple Valley Church, north on Russell Street, then east on Main Street, stopping at the bridge over the Thomapple River for the national anthem and a ceremony honoring those lost at sea, then proceeding east again on Main, then north on Sheridan Street to Mt. Hope Cemetery, where American Legion Post 140 will hold a memorial dedi­ cation honoring the fallen. The Barry County Memorial Ride is expected to join the parade and fol- low it to the cemetery, then head out on State Road toward Hastings and Woodland. A pancake breakfast will be held before the Middleville parade from 8-10 a.m. at Middleville United Methodist Church. The cost for the general public is a donation, while all veterans eat free of charge. Yankee Springs Township will have its Memorial Day observance at 4 p.m. Sunday at the veterans memorial, located at the township fire station at 1425 S. Payne Lake Rd. County Commissioner Bruce Campbell will be the fea­ tured speaker, and local musician Mick Lane will offer patriotic music. Hot dogs and fries will be provid­ ed for free by the Curley Cone. SNYDER MONUMENTS, LLC YOU ARE NOT ALONE Respectful, Quality Memorials Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Consulting, designing and installing quality monuments. SNYDER MONUMENTS, LLC 10% OFF Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don’t let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming with this coupon Expires 6/23/23 Caledonia, MI • 616-291-2425 • snydermonuments.net cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Support �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023 Barry County Fair nets $52,000 in state grant money for new sign, speakers Jayson Bussa Editor As county fairs across Michigan prepare for their pivotal summer season, the state has issued nearly two dozen grants to provide them with an infusion ofcash. This includes the Barry County Fair, which received more than $52,500 to be used for a new digital sign to be installed in the front of the Barry Expo Center and wireless speakers to be installed throughout the fair­ grounds. On Wednesday morning, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced that 23 county fairs and expositions across the state were selected to receive a portion of a $1.5 million grant fund designed for building and other capital improvements at fairground facilities, including structur­ al improvements and other renovations. The Ionia Free Fair Association and the Allegan County Fair also each received $100,000 as part of the program. “Our county fairs and expositions are often the first connection people have to Michigan agricul­ ture and can be the place where our youth find a life­ long passion for farming and agri-food entrepreneur­ ship,” said Tim Boring, director at MDARD. “These grants invest in our rural communities, support our fairs and expos and help encourage our future ag leaders to learn and grow.” The $52,501.29 that the Barry County Fair received will not cover the full cost of its planned upgrades but will reduce expenses significant­ ly. The fair’s leadership hopes to install the new digi­ tal sign before the festivities begin in July. Fair officials also plan to use the grant money to put wireless speakers throughout the fairgrounds. The current wired speakers have limita­ tions, and announcements from those speakers are out­ side earshot of people at the camping area of the fair­ grounds. By investing in new speak­ ers and reconfiguring their setup, announcements about fair programming and emer­ gency announcements will more effectively reach fair­ goers in all comers of the property. Middleville Village staff receives authorization to seek Paul Henry 'frail bridge grant ering whether to rehabilitate James Gemmell the remaining bridge compo­ Contributing Writer The Middleville Village nents. Williams & Works said Council has given village in a memo that village staff staff the green light to pursue had expressed interest in a Michigan Spark Grant to being able to drive heavy help pay for the replacement maintenance vehicles over oftwo old bridges on the Paul the new bridges. Henry Thomapple Trail. A staff report mentions The Michigan Department that the Thomapple Trail fol­ of Natural Resources grants lows the path of the original could cover up to $1 million Michigan Central Railway, of the estimated replacement first built in 1869. A stamp on cost of slightly more than $1 the side of one of the steel million. The application I-beam stringers indicates deadline is June 30. they were made by the Jones The old train-trestle bridges & Laughlin Steel Company. cross the Thomapple River on The village estimates that the the south end ofthe trail. After steel sections used for the an inspection in 2021, Grand bridges were rolled about 100 Rapids-based engineering years ago. The timber pile consulting firm Williams & bent structures are' also Works estimated that it would thought to be at least that old. cost $800,000 to replace both Williams & Works princi­ bridges, if necessary. The cost pal Brandon Mieras gave a is now much higher. PowerPoint presentation at Department of Public Tuesday’s council meeting, Works director Alec Belson showing various bridge types said the bridges would be that the village could consider replaced in 2024 or 2025. The as replacements. Also-attend­ bridges are safe to walk on or ing the meeting was Neha ride a non-motorized bike Yadav, a civil and structural over, but they are deteriorat­ engineer with Williams & ing. The village is planning to Works. She will help to lead replace the deck and railing the technical aspects of the for the bridges and is consid­ bridge project. Mieras said the village would like the bridges to have a load rating of up to 30,000 pounds. But the current spans are not capable of supporting vehicular traffic. _ “The timber members are in poor condition, as you would expect. Generally, they have about 10 to 15 percent of their strength back when they were designed to carry loco­ motives,” he said. Mieras showed photo­ graphs of the existing bridges and where they are deteriorat­ ing, as well as the approaches to them. He also showed slides of different types of modem bridges. “We would need to take cores (samples) from the pile caps to determine the extent of the deterioration,” Mieras said, adding that replacement materials would be very expensive. Village staffmembers have discussed the possibility of having the northernmost of the two bridges on the south side of the trail be a covered bridge. Trustee Makenzi Peters said project engineers should consider saving some of the This image shows deterioration on one of the old train-trestle bridges under consideration for replacement over the Thornapple River. (Photo courtesy of Williams & Works) old bridge pieces for inclu­ sion in a possible museum walk-through that might be added to the Middleville Train Depot. The exterior of the historic depot was refur­ bished last year, and an interi­ or restoration is scheduled to be completed by fall. Mieras said a demolition specification calling for sal­ vaging materials could be included in a potential con­ tract to replace the bridges. “We could write down that we want a timber salvaged and delivered,” he said. “It’s all very possible.” Peters and Village ProTempore Johnny DeMaagd agreed that steel bridges might be the way to go if the existing ones are replaced. In other business, the council agreed to appoint Steven Baldry to the Zoning Board ofAppeals as a regular member for a term ending on April 30, 2025. Judy Kruse was approved as an alternate member, with her term to end on Oct. 27, 2023. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said he has been Caledonia American Legion Post #305 McnioiiahDaife SeWTcesW* Monday, May 29, 2023 Schedule for Cemeteries and Addresses • Alaska *9:00 AM - 68th St. and Thornapple River Drive • Blain *9:45 AM - 1270 68th St. • Dutton *10:30 AM - 7000 Hanna Lake Ave. • Holy Corners *11:15 AM - 84th and Kraft Caledonia *12:00 Noon 503 Elm St. discussing with Westside Solutions when the new ChargePoint electric vehicle charging stations will be installed behind the village hall. The project will be coor­ dinated with Windemuller Electric. The stations will be installed in the parking lot the week of June 5. On another matter, the Middleville Lions Club Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The liheup will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Main Street. The participants will walk to Mount Hope Cemetery for a ceremony of remembrance organized by American Legion Post #140. A pancake breakfast will be served at the Middleville United Methodist Church, 111 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. It will be hosted by the men’s group to honor all veterans. The cost for the general public is a donation and veterans will eat free of charge. The village council approved a special event per­ mit for the parade. The council also unani­ mously approved a special event permit for Middleville Pride to hold a Pride Month event at the Sesquicentennial Park pavilion on June 10, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.. There will be a speaker, music, face paint, chalk art and snacks. �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27, 2023/ Page 7 Caledonia aesthetic medicine practice hits one-year mark Greg Chandler StaffWriter Ena Osterhouse had been a physician’s assis­ tant specializing in cardiothoracic surgery for more than 20 years before launching her medical and aesthetics practice in Caledonia last year. This Wednesday will mark one year since Osterhouse opened Proper Eu (pronounced “you”) at 9809 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, Suite C. “We make people a bet­ ter version of themselves,” Osterhouse said. “We’re not interested in changing people, but we want to make people to feel bet­ ter.” Proper Eu — a name Osterhouse came up with, using the Greek prefix “eu,” which means “well” or “good” — offers a vari­ ety of services for its cli­ ents, including neuromod­ ulators such as botox, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, minimally-invasive facelifts, facials and peels, and acne treatment for both adults and teens, she said. Aesthetic medicine has grown significantly as an industry in recent years, highlighted by television shows such as Extreme Makeover.” Polaris Market Research estimat­ ed the global market value of the industry at $12.5 billion in 2021 and expects the market to grow to more than $30 billion by 2030. However, the industry has taken its share of neg­ ative publicity because of botched procedures done by untrained practitioners. Osterhouse said her employees have gone through hundreds ofhours of training in proper pro­ cedures, and sees her role as much as an educator as a practitioner in showing people that aesthetic med­ icine can be safe and effective. “You need to know your anatomy. You need to treat each individual person, not just a general blanket for everyone,” she said. “We see a lot of people in here that have side effects or complications (from treatments) that have been in other prac­ tices. We apologize to them on behalf of the other practice and let them know we don’t do blanket medicine. We treat each individual person and each individual person’s anatomy, because everybody is structurally different.” Osterhouse explained what a customer may experience the first time they visit her practice. “Every consultation is an educational session, on how the skin works, how aging works and what we can do to fix what they consider their problem areas,” she said. providing prolonged car­ diac and respiratory sup­ port for those whose heart and lungs are unable. “I was going down there quite frequently, about every three weeks, to take care ofpatients,” she said. Osterhouse _ went through an aesthetics training program in Chicago, and six months after completing that training, opened Proper Eu. While the two types of practices may seem far apart from each other, she’s able to bring them together. “In cardiothoracic sur­ gery, I’m primarily work­ ing with my hands, which makes the transition for a lot ofthe hands-on proce­ dural stuff (here) quite easy for me,” Osterhouse said. “The reason that I Proper Eu owner Ena Osterhouse is getting ready like this is because I love the first anniversary of her business next week. working with my hands (Photo by Greg Chandler) and I love that surgical piece. So this fills that void as I age and make And if you’re thinking Osterhouse struck out this my pre-retirement about getting a procedure, bn her own a couple of plan.” such as botox or hormone years ago, recognizing the Osterhouse has lived replacement therapy, grind of her work in car- with her family in make sure the practice is diothoracic surgery. She Caledonia Township for reputable. also was traveling to the past 15 years, and “You don’t want to just Florida to assist patients thought it be a great place look for a good deal. You needing extracorporeal to open a business given want to know that you’re membrane oxygenation the community’s growth. getting sound medicine,” (commonly known as “It was a no-brainer to Osterhouse said. ECMO), a method of open right here, because then people don’t have to travel 20-ish minutes to the nearest place to get treatment,” she said. Nine employees work at Proper Eu, including a couple of nurses, an aesthetician, massage thera­ pist and two people in training to become physi­ cian assistants, Osterhouse said. While she continues to work as a physician’s assistant at a Kalamazoo hospital in addition to operating Proper Eu, Osterhouse is confident that it won’t be long before she will step away from the hospital setting to focus solely on her practice. “I would say that we are ahead ofwhere we expect­ ed to be after a year,” she said. The company’s long range goal is to open a practice in Florida, where Osterhouse holds a license to practice medicine. A mother of three, Osterhouse holds a bache­ lor of arts degree in biolo­ gy and a bachelor of sci­ ence in nursing from Hope College and a mas­ ter’s from Western Michigan University. You can find more information about Proper Eu at propereu.com. We Accept DELTA DENTAL* Middleville TOPS 546 The May 15 meeting Linda lost the Ha-Ha opened with the secre­ Box. tary's report and the roll The meeting ended call. Three fish jumped with marching in place into the fishbowl and two as the group recited the jumped out. TOPS pledge. Session 4 of the Daniel There will be no meet­ Plan was viewed and dis­ ing on Memorial Day. cussion followed. TOPS, a weight loss Linda won the Ha-Ha support group, meets Box. every Monday at Lincoln The meeting ended Meadows in Middleville. with marching in place as Weigh-in is from 3:30 the. group recited the p.m. to 3:45 p.m., fol­ TOPS pledge. lowed immediately by The May 22 meeting the meeting. Press the opened with the secre­ tary's report and the roll apartment 318 button for call. Three fish jumped entry. Anyone with questions into the fishbowl and one may call Virginia, 269­ fish jumped out. Session 5 of the Daniel 908-8036. or Maryellen, Plan was viewed and dis­ 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. cussion followed. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? 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Main St., Caledonia Skag Mowers Husqvarna Outdoor Products Phone: 616-891-5750 Caledonia D&W Center Phone: 616-891-0050 9800 Cherry Valley, Caledonia �Thank You to these businessesfor sponsoring the Caledonia Grads Congra tula tons Graduates 9980 Cherry Valiev Caledonia *(M-37) (616) 891-0303 f ION WlCAUDOBU FA1M1IS UUTOIFAM1LT Conyxatiilation^ Caledonia Cjtaduates 146 E Main, Caledonia FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 210 E. Main SI., Caledonia Call Frontier Now! (616) 891-8108 616-891-8900 www.cfeco.com COMMUNITY BANK BROKB SEIF ------ ^SMOKER CHIROPRACTIC^ 1-888-422-2280 hjphDQintcommurntytxnLtfln] 549 Emmons St SE. Caledonia! PNOM: 616-891-8153 Member FDIC Phone: 616-891-0150 110 Johnson St, Caledonia /fWi GLrrrti V^llr.-I Southern P>tS< J InCaMtmia 616-891-7500 dierryvafleystove.com COMPL£Tf AUTO REPAIR MiMlevitte ■ 269-795-3550 500 Arlington St Caledonia • 616-891-3550 9820 Cherry Valley Rd. TIRES2000.NET -//nnoi anVjn Congratulations <Mhrrar Caledonia Graduate (,.itrnn Middleville. KI 4931 269-24H050 . 1900 Patterson Rd. Fvtidu'iwviiiv, Mi 49333 269-241-1040 mtd-inc.com MM 100th Street SE •fes Caledonia w616.891.6055 �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27, 2023 Business Services MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. CAVALIER KING CHARLES Spaniel/Mini Poodle Pup­ pies For Sale- Family raised, dewormed and vaccinated. Ready to go on Monday, May 29th 2023. Pictures available. Call 517-852-2173. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reasona­ ble rates. 269-331-9999. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $300.00. 269-223-9194. Help Wanted ANIMAL CARE/KENNEL ASSISTANT: Seeking part time help (10-15 hours/week) for a private show dog kennel. Responsibilities will include cleaning kennels, feedihg/ walking dogs and other dai­ ly care. Flexible working around school/sports sched­ ules, weekends/occasional holidays will be required. Will train on all tasks! Pay is competitive with other entry level jobs. Located south of Middleville. Please contact by email, kaybelter@gmail.com or text 616-808-6460. Gaines Township Planning Commission rejects Warren Woods Preserve PUD James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Planning* Commission voted 6-1 on Thursday, May 25, to recommend that the township board reject a developer’s request to rezone some property to accommodate a 149-unit housing devel­ opment. The commissioners opposed to the rezoning request said they do not think the proposed town­ homes would fit in with the existing neighbor­ hoods. Commissioner Talimma Billips was the only one voting in favor of the project. The site plan, submit­ ted by Grand Ridge Investments (GRI), pro­ posed that the Warren Woods Preserve complex be built on two parcels at 2355 76th Street and 2201 76th Street in the Caledonia/Dutton area. The proposed zoning change from an RL-14 residential designation to a Unit Planned Development (PUD) would have allowed for a mix of single-family and townhome residences to be built. Four-unit townhomes are not permitted in an RL-14 district but would be in a PUD. Sixteen residents had spoken out against the project in a public hearing at the March 23 township planning commission meeting before it was tabled. Several more citizens expressed their concerns at Thursday night’s meeting at the township hall. One of them was Don Terhaar, who lives on 76th Street. “He said officials should consider the residents' well-being before the developer’s concerns. “It’s not the township’s job, I don’t believe, to ensure their profitability... They’re goingto wipe out 30 acres ofwoods— basically, a perfect environment that took hundreds of years to create — and they’re going to wipe it out to put in this devel­ opment. It’ll probably be a $30 million to $50 million project by the time Your local agent insures your fr&rm Ml FWM BUREAU WKB. INSURANCE* Miefyattg fusuraftce, G»np<uty> it’s done,” Terhaar. said. Another 76th Street resident, Randy Martin, said he disapproves of the dwelling units being rent­ als instead of condomini­ ums. “I mean, nobody wants that. Nobody. We all have ownership of our homes, our property. You bring in that kind of development (and) they don’t have that same respect. They don’t have that same mentality,” he said. The commissioners had tabled the plan previous­ ly, but this time, they had a revised site plan to review. It included a request to have the 56-acre property rezoned to accommodate the construction of 28 four-unit townhouses, 112 units total, in the southwest section of the development. The townhomes would consist of two- or three-bedroom units with attached single-stall garages. A homeowners' association would be established to help govern the property. Community Development Director Dan Wells said it is up to GRI to decide whether it wants to continue pushing for the project now that the planning commission has recommended denying the most recent site plan. “They may withdraw the plan. They may not go to the (township) board. Or they may proceed to the board to see if they can get the board to approve it. It’ll really be up to them where they go with it,” Wells said. GRI won’t be able to return to the planning commission with the same design plan, but it can come in with an RL-14 project and develop a plat by right. There are a lot of ways they can lay that out. It’s really up to the landowner to decide how they’re going to develop iit,” Wells said. “They wanted the townhouses, but obviously, the plan­ ning commission recom­ mended denial. So, we’ll see if they withdraw orr whether they modify the plan significantly.” The proposed removal of some trees is one of the concerns township planners cited in the GRI’s original site layout. Township staff has said A front-facing rendering of townhouses proposed for the Warren Woods project. The developer has presented different facades and colors for the homes. (Photo of layout by James Gemmell) there has to be a plan for setting aside sections of the wood line. Widening the 30-foot setbacks in the backyards of the northern lots might be one way to address citizens* concerns about the loss of trees there. Township planners also wantt a paved path installed rather than the mowed trail the developer initially proposed. The path would be needed to provide a public benefit for the project. In its recently adopted parks and trails master plan, the township calls for a trail network in the Caledonia/ Dutton area. They would like the future trail system to include Warren Woods and Alexander Trails and connect to 76th Street and Prairie Wolf Park further south. The developers have said they would be open to a possible easement for the public trail. Their revised plan included a paved path connected to some pedestrian bridges •that would go across the creek channel. “But they also left it very open as to who would manage it over the long term,” Wells said in a post-meeting interview. “And they kept saying it would be turned over to a parks and trails committee, that the township would take over that public space at some point. And I don’t think the board is really interested in that. And we would have to pay for mainte­ nance of it over the long haul and mow it. We don’t have staff for it; we don’t have funding for it. Township planners wanted the developers to SPRAYFOAM 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Antenna Men Mf- Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Jason Parks take responsibility for managing the path. Under the plan submitted by GRI, the town­ homes would all be rent­ als, and the southern section of the development likely would have a single owner. The northern sec­ tion of Wanpn Woods would have about 30 single-family lots serviced by public streets. • Planning Commissioner Ryan Wiersema expressed concern at the March meeting that the proposed townhomes would be rentals and not condo­ miniums. Some citizens in the area dihce again voiced concern about potential flooding, worried the development would worsen the problem. But engineers have said they could take steps to diminish the water issue. Project Manager Todd Stuive with Exxel Engineering represents the developer. He said there would be two land-division parcels with access off 76th Street in the north section where the single-family lots would be developed. The townhome area in the western section would have a private roadway with two access points to 76th Street. Exxel Engineering made somechanges to the site plan after it received feedback from the planning commission and the public in late March. One ofthe chang­ es is a proposed 10-footwide public walking trail from 76th Street looping over to the ■ Alexander Trails proposed development. In addition, some open space was added around the townhomes. The 25 acres of open space would represent 46 percent of the site. A couple of concrete walk­ ways were also included in the revised plan. “We did reduce the number of buildings in the townhome section,” Stuive said. “Five build­ ings were eliminated or 20 units. Stuive said the wet­ lands would not be impacted, and retention ponds would be built to manage the water runoff generated by the develop­ ment. The water would be discharged into Plaster Creek at a controlled rate. Residents continue to express concerns related to anticipated heavy traf­ fic in what has been a primarily rural area. Another large but sepa­ rate residential project, Alexander Trails, is already under considera­ tion by the planning commission to the east of the proposed Warren Woods project. Alexander Trails has been under review for a couple of years and, if approved, would be built in multiple phases over several years. The project would be in the Kentwood Public Schools district and near the Caledonia Community Schodls district;' which residents cited as another traffic concern. Mountain Knoll Avenue would serve as the primary road in and out of the Warren Woods development near 76th Street. Residents who addressed the plan­ ning commission have said there have been mul­ tiple car accidents in the area. Planning Commissioner Tim Haagsma pointed out recently that the road near the two entrance and exit points would need to be widened to accommodate left-turn lanes. Haagsma also is the Director of Traffic & Safety for the Kent County Road Commission. One possibility is that the respective developers of the two proposed developments might con­ sider sharing the cost of extending utility lines to their properties. Municipal water and sewer line extensions were previously proposed from the nearby Crystal Springs subdivision to Alexander Trails. • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd,, Vermontville 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignaliyos.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023/ Page 11 Michigan gas prices rise as Charlie Miller retires as summer, Memorial Day approach Middleville wastewater Janelle D. James Bridge Michigan w ®fcnj W: Michiganders felt some relief at the pumps over the last year as gas prices declined. But fuel prices, which moved up in April, are expected to trend up again this summer. As many people plan weekend trips ahead of Memorial Day, they may notice they’re spending more money at the pump. Gas prices fluctuate all the time and most people expect prices to go back down after the holiday weekend. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, an app that helps people save money on fuel, debunked the myth that gas prices usu­ ally go up around certain holidays but fall back down after. “Typically prices actu­ ally peak before the start of the summer ... sometime in spring between De April and May, Haan said. “Much of that is due to the refinery maintenance that hap­ pens between winter and spring and also the change over to t summer blends of gasoline.” Summer-grade fuel is more expensive to produce and people tend to drive more as the weather warms, increasing demand — yet another factor in higher summer prices.. The Clean Air Act gives The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to require states to switch over to summer-grade gas. Summer-grade gasoline typically contains 2 per­ cent of butane, a colorless, odorless gas that is used in lighter fluid for example. In the winter, gas contains more butane, to help vehicles start up in colder weather. Fuel terminals are required to make the switch by May 1, accord­ ing to the Energy Information Administration. Gas stations across the country have just a few more days switch to sumto mer-grade gasoline by the June 1 deadline. The summer blend bums cleaner and contributes less to air pollution, which is more of a threat in hot weather. Last week the average price for a gallon of regu-lar gas iri Michigan was $3.33. This week the average is $3.56, a jump of 23 cents a gallon, ®k! j (lit hi tain ti kites sailht [taboj b; hftari- tehilr OMOir apjffli bM n toct OKWV it ii« tflii fcftn Itli Hyflit rt® jfctsu Ilf! 0»S |(F son ® according to AAA Michigan. But that’s still far better than a year ago. At this time last year, the average price for one gallon of regular gas in Michigan was $4.58. Now, residents pay over a dollar less. Fuel terminals and gas stations will make the switch back to the winter blend after September 15. “Prices are going to be higher in the spring and summer and lower, in the fall and winter,” De Haan said. De Haan said drivers can save money on fuel by comparing gas prices in different areas and shopping around for cheaper fuel. AAA listed the average price for regular gas in Michigan metropolitan areas: — Traverse City $3.64 per gallon — Jackson $3.63 per gallon — Lansing/East Lansing $3.60 — Marquette $3.60 per gallon Grand Rapids/ Muskegon/Holland $3.59 per gallon — Saginaw/Bay City/ Midland $3.58 — Ann Arbor- $3.58 per gallon — Flint $3.58 per gallon — Benton Harbor $3.53 per gallon — Metro Detroit $3.51 plant supervisor Charlie Miller (right) smiles during his retirement ceremony Tuesday evening at Middleville Village Hall. He served as the wastewater treatment plant supervisor for 11 years. Holding a certificate of appreciation is DPW Director Alec Belson. Village President Mike Cramer is on the left. (Photo by James Gemmell) James Gemmell ed working for the village in 1993. He had 43-andCharlie Miller has a-half years of municipal retired in style after serv­ wastewater service in the ing the Village of community," Belson said. Middleville for three Village President Mike decades, including the Cramer also participated past 11 years as its waste­ in the ceremony, con­ water treatment plant gratulating Miller. supervisor. "I'm very grateful for all He was given a framed his words of wisdom and certificate of appreciation no-nonsense approach to and plenty of kudos things," said Belson, who during a brief presenta­ is also assistant village tion before the Middleville manager. "(I was) Always Village Council meeting looking for him to help Tuesday evening in the troubleshoot and just give village hall chambers. insightful ideas on things." Department of Public Miller simply replied, Works director Alec "Thank you." He then Belson addressed the received a round of audience. applause from everyone "I'd like to thank in the room. Charlie for his 30 years of Later, during the coun­ according to a copy of service for the village. A cil meeting, village trustthe draft ordinance. lot of people don't know ee/pro-tempore Johnny The ordinance change this, but he actually startalso expanded review standards for site plans to include “safe, convenient, uncongested and well-defined vehicular and pedestrian circulation within and to the site” as well as assuring that “removal of surface waters' will not adversely affect neighboring prop­ erties or nearby bodies of water,” which may lead to requiring the use of detention or retention ponds. It also calls for -Gas exterior lighting to be deflected away from neighboring properties and for off-street and loading areas to be pro­ vided where required, according to a copy of the draft ordinance. The current zoning ordinance requires the planning commissioners to review site plans for any non-residential use of land in the village, includ­ ing commercial, industri­ al and agricultural zoned districts. Contributing Writer Village Planning Commission recommends site plan , zoning compliance changes Greg Chandler StaffWriter Proposed changes to the village of Caledonia's site plan process are headed to the Village Council. The Planning Commission voted 5-0 Thursday night to recom­ mend that the council adopt changes to the vil­ lage's zoning ordinance regarding the site plan and zoning compliance process and who would review such plans. The council is expected to address the new rules at its June 12 meeting, Village President Jennifer Lindsey said. The commissioners' decision came after they got input from Lance Gates of Imperial Municipal Services, who serves as zoning adminis­ trator for the village. Commissioners asked Gates about how site plans are addressed in other communities he works with. One of the major changes proposed under the rewrite would allow the zoning administrator to issue a zoning compli­ ance permit, meaning the applicant wouldn't have to go before the. planning commission if the project involves a change from one permitted use to another without any change to the exterior or dimensions of the build­ ing, according to a copy of the draft ordinance. It's expected to be both a time- and cost-saver for applicants. Another change would have the zoning adminis­ trator review and approve site plans if the project involves an increase of up to 20 percent in the gross floor area of the building and requires the addition of five or fewer parking spaces, according to a copy of the draft ordi­ nance. Planning commission­ ers would have the final word on site plans for any new buildings and build­ ings that would expand by more than 20 percent. They also must approve any special land use, DeMaagd took time to mention Miller. "I just wanted to echo recognition and a sense of gratitude for Charlie. It's a heck of a long time in one spot, and his knowl­ edge and expertise was so valuable and still is," he said. Others on the village council acknowledged Miller's service, as well. George Holzworth was hired in December to take over for Miller upon his retirement. Holzworth previously worked as a contract operator for the City of Hastings' water and wastewater depart­ ments. The village wastewater treatment plant is located at 607 Sheridan Street. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers i �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023 Scots get four through to DI State finals in Rockford Brett Bremer Sports Editor Having already hit the state qualifying mark in the rain Friday, all it took was a little patience and a couple leafblowers to add another foot. Caledonia sophomore Molly Winger qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Track and Field Finals in the pole vault for the sec­ ond year in a row Friday at the Division 1 Regional meet hosted by Portage Central High School. Winger cleared the bar at 10 feet 3 inches, the state qualifying mark, in the rain Friday afternoon and then had to wait through COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the May 9, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on May 23, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. 2nd Annual fafroll Icwtes we ateTubutw AacfTb aw 50’s Sock Hop & Car Show Friday June 9,2023 5pm - 8pm car show, food trucks kids 4 adults hula hoop contest & prizes for the best 50 s attire i j Catec&ma (owwm^ (jAeex, l£| 9309 Dobber Wenger Memorial Drr Caledonia. MI 99316 Line up will begin at 9pm enter off of 92nd st (UVOmU fov 1st. 2nd & 3rd place^ Caledonia Township is again turning back the clock for an old-school night offun! • Slip on your poodle skirts and leather jackets, on June 9th from 5-8 pm at the Caledonia Communi­ ty Green for our SECOND annual Summer Sock Hop. 9309 Dobber Wenger Memorial Dr. • Both kids and adults can bust out their moves at our hula hoop contest or twist the night away in your best 50’s attire for a chance to win a “Best Dressed” trophy. Trophies for adults and children will be given. • For all you Hound Dogs & Beauty School Drop­ outs, if dressin’ up isn’t your jive, no worries, we’ll have plenty of musical hits by a live DJ that is sure to keep you swinging all night long. And because music, dancing, and good food go together like rama lama ding dong, we will have a few games to play and a few food trucks to satisfy your hunger cravings. • And if that’s not enough, word from the bird is that the classic car show is returning for a sec­ ond year. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded. • Car Show lineup will begin at 4:00 pm along Dobber Wenger. Enter off of 92nd Street • Trophies will be handed out at 7:30 pm Come, listen to music, enjoy the food and sights, andjust have fun. You won't want to miss this! Rain date - June 16th, 2023 a rain storm and the time needed to dry off the run­ ways for safety before getting the chance to go as high as 10-9. That put her in fifth place in the final stand­ ings for the day. She was one of a number of Fighting Scots' top-eight medalists at the regional and one of four state the qualifiers from Caledonia program. Junior Jordan Gutierrez is headed back to the state finals, in Rockford June 3, in the long jump after a runner-up leap of 21 feet 10 inches Friday. Scot junior Ian Fedewa fired off his best discus throw yet, 149-0, to surpass the state qualifying mark in a fourth-place finish. Another Caledonia junior, Owen Hager, qualified for the state finals in a blistering final of the 110-meter high hurdles. He was fifth in the race with a time of 15.23 seconds. The top two in each event at regionals across the state last weekend earned spots in next weekend's state finals as well as others who met the pre-determined state qualifying times and measurements. The Caledonia girls' 4x200-meter relay team just missed a state qualifying finish. Senior Avah Winstrom, junior Audrey Howell, junior Brooke Heyboer and junior Teresa Abram broke their own school record in the race to finish in 1:46.71, but that still left them five hundredths of a second behind the St. Joseph girls who were in second in the race. They were 11 hundredths of a second off the state qualifying time. Winstrom was also third in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:01.20. The only other points in individual races on the track for the Caledonia girls came from Howell. She was third in the 300meter- low hurdles in 48.72 and seventh in the 100-meter hurdles in 17.33. The Caledonia boys had a pair of fourth-place relay finishes. Shaden Thomas, Jimmie Floyd, Matthew Spoehr and Dharius Walker combined for a time of 1 minute 31.26 seconds in the 4x200-meter race. Junior Mason Osterhouse, senior Kalen Zuiderveen, junior Ayden Duffin and junior Sheldon Thomas were fourth in the 4x400-meter relay in 3:34.06. Fedewa wasn't the only Caledonia guy to have a good day in the throws. Senior Theren Sanders unleashed his best shot put ever to place third in that event. He got a mark of 47-10.5. Gutierrez added a sixth-place jump of 6-0 in the high jump and he was joined by senior Jett King in scoring in the long jump. King flew 21-2.5 to place fifth. Another King scored in the long jump for the CHS girls, as freshman Jolie King improved her personal record to 15-11.75 to place seventh. Caledonia had at least one girl score in every field event. Sophomore Emmi Mince and junior Teresa Abraham tied for third in the high jump at 4-8. Junior Kiersten DeHaan threw a PR of 97-0 in the discus to place fifth. fifth. Senior Kendall Benson fired off her best shot put ever at 32-2. . Hager added a sixthplace time of 42.09 in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles to his state qualifying finish in the 110's for the Caledonia boys. The Scots had two scorers in the boys' sprints. Walker was fifth in the 100-meter dash with junior teammate Ethan Berends eighth. In the 200-meter dash, Spoehr was seventh and Thomas eighth. Thomas had a fifth-place performance in the 400-meter dash too, dropping his PR to 51.87. In the distance races, the Scots got points from an eighth-place time of 2:02.75 fromjunior Ayden Duffin in the 800-meter run and a fifth-place time of 4:32.89 from Jordan Domany in the 1600meter run. In the end, the Caledonia boys were fourth in the standings as a team and the girls were sixth. East Kentwood won the regional champion- Senior Theren Sanders fired off a personal record throw in the shot put during the Fighting Scots’ day at the MHSAA Division 1 Regional hosted by Portage Central Friday, May 19. He placed third in the event with a put of 47 feet 10.5 inches. (File photo) ships for both the boys and the girls. The EK boys finished with 111 points, ahead of St. Joseph 89, Kalamazoo Central 86, Caledonia 66, Loy Norrix 60, ByronCenter 52, Portage Central 44, Ottawa Hills 38, Mattawan 35 and Greenville 27.5 in the top ten. St. Joseph nearly kept pace with the Falcons thanks in part to having the meet's top sprinter, senior Trey McGinnis. He won the 100-meter dash in 10.69, the 200meter dash in 10.93 and the 400-meter dash in 49.22. He wasn't the only three-time individual champion on the track. Only McGinnis and Anderson won races. Ottawa Hills senior Benne Anderson won the 800-meter run in 1:52.98, the 1600-meter run in 4:14.23 and the 3200meter run in 9:10.53. There was a hurdles sweep too. Kalamazoo Central senior Kayenn Mabin took the 110's in 14.33 and the 300's in 39.21. Mabin was a four-time regional* champ, also helping the Maroon Giants to wins in the 4x 100-meter relay and the 4x200-meter relay. Loy Norrix foursomes won the 4x800-meter relay and the 4x400-meter relay. St. Joseph senior Gerald Capaccio won the boys' throws. He took the discus at 164-8 and the shot put at 55-0. In the girls' meet, the Falcons won with 148 points. St. Joseph was second with 86 ahead of Forest Hills Central 78, Portage Central 68.5, Lowell 57.5, Caledonia 45, Byron Center 44.5, Ottawa Hills 41, Portage Northern 35 and Kalamazoo Central 25.5 in the top ten. There was a bit more variety in the girls' cham­ pions. Eight different girls won the eight different individual running events. The only girl to win two individual events was East Kentwood freshman Abbie Terry who improved her PR to 5-2 in the high jump and won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.08. EK senior Soleil Moore won the 400-meter dash and joined freshmanAlana Bracey, junior Lexi Hurst arid senior Cadence Schultz on her team's winning 4x400-meter relay team. Freshman Emma Goring won the 200meter dash and was a part of Forest. Hills Central’s winning 4x200-meter relay team. St. Joseph junior Gail Vaikuits won the 800meter run and was a part of St. Joseph's winning 4x800-meter relay team. Scots tie for fourth at OK Red finale; regional in Hudsonville Tues. Brett Bremer 327, Caledonia 328, West Ottawa 328, Grand 333, East Hudsonville broke away Haven from the pack a little to Kentwood 357 and win the OK Red Jenison 382. Caledonia senior Sam Conference Postseason tournament at Thomapple Baldwin scored a 76 to Pointe Golf Club put him in a tie for third Tuesday. individually with West Caledonia finished tied Ottawa's Carson Witvoet, for fourth with West behind Grandville junior Tony Spicuzza and Ottawa on the day. senior Hudsonville fired a Hudsonville score of 317 ahead of Lincoln Loughin who Rockford 321, Grandville each scored a 75. Sports Editor Senior Jacob Byanski Behind Loughin for finished in a five-way tie Hudsonville, sophomore for tenth with an 80. Myles Secor shot a 77, Caledonia also got an junior Collin Quist an 80 83 from sophomore and senior Ethan Parker Little and an 89 Schroeder an 85. from senior Noah Caledonia will be at Abdelkader. Caledonia's Sunnybrook Country fifth and sixth golfers had Club along with the rest scores that matched the of the OK Red confer­ fifth and sixth scores for ence and a handful of West Ottawa. other teams for the Senior Dylan Meduna MHSAA Division 1 fired a 92 and sophomore Regional Tuesday, May Lukas Keson a 97. �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023/ Page 13 1 Scots face FHE in Memorial Day Game, then EK in district semifinals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Jenison upped its OK Red Conference record to 15-6 with a sweep ofits conference series against the Fighting Scots this week. The Caledonia varsity base- ball team concludes the conference season at 5-16. The Scots were slated to take on Grand Rapids Christian in GR Friday and will go to Forest Hills Eastern for the Hawks’ annual Memorial Day Game Monday. The Scots will be in Lowell next Saturday, June 3, for their MHSAA Division 1 District Tournament. Caledonia takes on East Kentwood in the first oftwo semifinal contests start­ ing at 9:30 a.m. The Jenison Wildcats took 11-2 and 11-1 wins in Jenison Monday afternoon and then bested the Scots 7-1 in Caledonia Wednesday. The Scots’ Nick Slater walked, Michael Douglass singled and Maddox Wysocki moved them over with a sacri­ fice bunt in the bottom of the second inning. AJ Roszkowski followed with another bunt that scored Slater from third. The run tied the game at 1-1 at the time. The Wildcats kept pushing runs across though, scoring once in the third, once in the fourth and then sealing the win with two runs in the sixth and two more in the top ofthe seventh. Corbin Raffler was 2 for 4 at the plate for Caledonia. AJ Szabo, Douglass, Mitchell Smith and Jace Lawton had one hit each. CHS tennis team gets a few doubles victories at DI regional Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity girls’ tennis team scored three points and finished in a tie for eighth at its MHSAA Division 1 Regional hosted by Hudsonville May 18. West Ottawa won the regional title with 26 points. Jenision and Rockford tied for second with 19 points, both also qualifying along with the Panthers for the June 2-3 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Girls’ Tennis Finals. Hudsonville was fourth with 12 points ahead of Grand Haven 10, Kalamazoo Central 8, Grandville 8, Caledonia 3, East Kentwood 3, Loy Norrix 2 and Grand Rapids Union 1. The three Caledonia wins all came on the doubles side. The duo of Abby Duonand Kanika Verma at number two topped the second dou­ bles team from Kalamazoo Central to start the day before falling to OK Red Conference rivals from Hudsonville in the second round. At third doubles, the Caledonia team of Sela Fitzell and Emily Sorstokke scored a straight-set win over Grand Rapids Union before falling to the stop seeded team from Rockford at their flight. In the fourth doubles bracket, the Scots’ Zoe Fleming and Sawyer Mertz opened with a win over Grandville’s team of Mallory Woodruff and Arianna Rodriguez in three sets, pull­ ing out the 6-2. 4-6, 6-4 win. They then ran into the top seeded fourth doubles team, from Rockford which went on to win the flight title. Dudik and Zellmer score wins for TK girls at tough tennis regional Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ tennis team took a pair of singles victories at its MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament hosted by Portage Central Saturday. Hailey Dudik took an open­ ing round win at second sin­ gles for the Trojans, outscor­ ing Anna Steenwyk from Zeeland East 6-4, 6-2. Next she had to face Anna Dinsmore from Portage Central, the top seed at the flight, and Dinsmore the first ofher three straight straight-set wins to the flight championship. Thea Zellmer at fourth sin­ gles had a similar set-up. She knocked offPortage Northern’s Avery Myers 6-1, 6-0 I the opening round, then fell in straight sets to Mattawan’s Sienna Watts. Watts went on to win the regional championship at their flight Watts and the Mattawan girls won the regional title with 22 points. Portage Central was second with 20 points followed by St Joseph, 18, Byron Center 16, Holland 10, Zeeland East 5, Portage Northern 4, Zeeland West 4, Sturgis 3, Thomapple Kellogg 2 and Wyoming 0. The top three teams all qual­ ified for the June 2-3 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ Tennis Finals. Thornapple Kellogg boys shoot to fourth at OK Gold Championship Brett Bremer Utt Mih tiffin Sports Editor The Trojans will head to Diamond Springs in Hamilton Thursday, June 1, for their MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament hosted by the Hawkeyes. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ golf team capped offthe regular season by placing fourth at the OK Gold Conference Championship hosted by Catholic Central at LE Kauffman in Grand Rapids Wednesday. The Cougars wrapped up the conference champion­ ship with junior Will Preston shooting a four-un­ der-68 to earn the day’s top individual honors. His teammate, junior Matthew Sokorai was eight strokes back with a 76 in second place. TK senior Austin Pitsch and Forest Hills Eastern freshman Dylan Morse tied for third with 77’s. The Trojan team got an 88 from sophomore Tyler Voss, a 91 fromjunior Jordan Parks and a 93 from senior Kyron Zoet. jl to lift Weis ffflj IS Trojans host South Christian for baseball district semifinal Saturday ffFhtt Brett Bremer fftafcis Malta ■ttii tstali ■ fa tr Ita'i Ma [mi lit® insip® Wil it® Ilin®' ijiti iii lift |U^ pin ki> $ ik i' Sports Editor Grand Rapids Catholic Central took three wins over the Thomapple Kellogg varsi­ ty baseball team to close out the OK Gold Conference sea­ son this week. The TK boys close the con­ ference season with a 3-15 mark in the Gold. TK will see a conference foe again Saturday in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals in Middleville. The Trojans take on South Christian in the second of two semifinals Saturday. West Catholic will take on either East Grand Rapids or Grand Rapids Christian in the first one, beginning at 10 a.m. The last contest with the Cougars was the best one of the Trojans, the nightcap of a doubleheader in Grand Rapids Wednesday. Catholic Central won the series opener 7-1 in Middeville Tuesday and then took game two 10-0 Wednesday afternoon. Catholic Central scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie and went on to the 2-1 win in game’two. TK had just tied the bail­ game at one with a run in the top of the sixth. Brody Wiersma led off with a walk, stole second and third and then scored on a Cougar error with Gavin Snelling running the bases behind him after a walk ofhis own. Dylan Lawrence doubled and Gavin Snelling and Logan Snelling had hits for TK the ballgame. The Cougars’ runs were unearned too. Logan Snelling pitched for TK and allowed the two unearned runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out four. A single by Lawrence was the only hit for TK in the 10-0 shut out loss to start the day. Logan Snelling was 2 for 3 in the game one loss in Middleville Tuesday after- noon. The TK boys are sched­ uled for one last district tuneup at home against South Haven Tuesday afternoon. 200098 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 hone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CALEDONIA TOS'NSHIP CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE Help us kick off the official start of Summer at the Caledonia Community Green Park 9309 bobber Wenger Memorial br. Caledonia Township will be having the Grand Opening of our Splash Pad on PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinance to renew the Consumers Energy franchise has been posted in the office ofthe Township clerk at the Caledonia Charter Town­ ship offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and has also been posted on the Town­ ship’s website, the address of which is www.caledoniatownship.org. The pro­ posed ordinance would provide electrical service in the Township for 10 years, subject to revocation, and includes provisions concerning the grant of franchise and term; repair and use ofright-of-way; indemnification; extensions; and other matters. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting ofthe Township Board held on May 17, 2023 and is expected to be considered on second reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on June 7, 2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. June 2nd at 3:00 pm. Show up and wear your bathing suit for a “soaking good time!" Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023 Harmon wins regional hurdles titles for TK in Sparta Brett Bremer Sports Editor Downed by an injured ankle the moment she crossed the finish line, Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Brooklyn Harmon turned to look back at freshman teammate Mia Hilton just in time. “I saw her face when she looked at her time on the board,” Harmon said with a smile. Hilton was gazing back at the clock at the far end of Sparta’s Spartan Stadium to see that she had qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals along with her regional champion teammate, Harmon, in the 300-meter low hurdles Friday. Thomapple Kellogg’s var­ sity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams combined for nine different state qualifying fin­ ishes at the Division 2 Regional Meet hosted by the Spartans Friday. Harmon was the regional champion in both the 300meter low hurdles and the 100-meter hurdles. She won the 300 hurdles in 48.60 sec­ onds. Hilton and junior team­ mate Joselyn DeBoer were seeded sixth and seventh respectively heading into that race. Hilton cut nearly two seconds off her previous best time in the race to place sec­ ond in 48.92. DeBoer finished Trojan hurdlers Joselyn DeBoer (left), Mia Hilton (center) and Brooklyn Harmon (back right) come off the track to the support and accolades of their teammates after the final heat of the 300-meter low hurdles at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Sparta’s Spartan Stadium Friday, May 19. Harmon and Hilton. Harmon and Hilton finished 1 -2 in the race to earn spots in the June 3 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals in the event. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg senior Alejandro Rojas takes off around the first turn in the 400-meter dash Friday, May 19, at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Sparta High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 11th, just offher PR time from the previous weekend at the OK Gold Conference Championship. The top two in each event and others who met the pre-de­ termined state qualifying times and measurements at the regional earn spots in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals that will be held June 3 at Forest Hills Eastern High School. The TK ladies had some work to do before that. They also earned the chance to com­ pete in the MITCA Division 2 Team State Finals which were held Friday, May 26, at 200229 Yankee Springs Township 284 N. BRIGGS ROAD- MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION TO: PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on June 15, 2023, commencing at Thomapple Kellogg senior Dylan LeClaire clears one of the final hurdles in the 300-meter intermediate hurdle race at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional inside Spartan Stadium in Sparta Friday, May 19. LeClaire was 16th in the race with his fastest time of the season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joseph Shea (ioeshea@yankeespringstwp.org). Letters and emails are due by June 7,2023, or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091, PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. CSPR 23-04-02, Parcel ID: 16-020-013-11,11899 W. M-179 Hwy. Wayland, Ml 49348 A. A request by owner of the above property, 179 Hwy LLC, pursuant to Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance Section 5.7 Business Site Plan Review. I. This request is for site plan review of phase 2 of this development, which proposes an additional five storage buildings to be constructed on the property. 2. SEU 23-05-03, Parcel ID: 16-018-011-30,12878 Cobb Lake Rd., Wayland Ml 49348 A. A request by owner of the above property; Gary Godley, for a Special Exception Use pursuant to Article IV ofthe zoning ordirrahce. i. This parcel is approximately 1 acre in size and-is zoned RR(Rur^ Residential).. The owner is requesting a special exception use to allow a hom'e business of mobile home sales, including placement of a model mobile home on the parcel. 3. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to Individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Shana Bush, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 {269)795-9091 Berrien Springs High School. Hannon was just three hun­ dredths of a second offher PR in winning the 100-meter hur­ dles in 15.40. She has made big strides in that race this season moving from a fourstep approach to a three-step approach beginning last sum­ mer. “The first meet [attempting to three-step the hurdles], I almost biffed it over the sec­ ond hurdle like bad,” Harmon said. “Like I have never been that close before. I ran a full three-step and ever since then sometimes I go way too fast and I feel like my feet are going to slip out from under me. But, it’s pretty fun. I love it. It is probably my new favorite race. Last year, it was the 300 hurdles’.” Hilton wasn’t far behind in that 100 hurdles race Friday. She placed sixth in 17.29. Harmon missed qualifying for the state finals in the 300 hurdles by about a second as a freshman last spring. She said wanting to qualify for the finals in that race pushed her through the pain from her injured ankle to the finish line. She was also thankful to have tough competition at the regional pushing her to the Harmon and Hilton aren’t finish line. the only TK hurdlers headed Hilton had one extra run to to the state finals. Freshman make at the end of the day. Nate Shoemaker from the TK Harmon sat out the final race boys’ team lowered his per­ ofthe evening, the 4x400-me- sonal record time to 42.79 in ter relay, with an ice bag the 300-meter intermediate strapped tightly to an ankle hurdles to finish second in that and her hurdle partner was the race behind Catholic Central top alternate on coach Maggie junior Mill Coleman who also Wilkinson’s list. ran a personal record time of The TK ladies didn’t miss a 40.78 to win it. beat. Hilton, senior Lindsey “Ijust came along, not even Veiling, junior Kenady Smith going to do the hurdles at the and freshman Payton Gater beginning of the season and combined for a runner-up time then [coach Matt] Wonders of 4 minutes 10.19 seconds to was like, ‘you look like a hur­ qualify for the finals - finish­ dler, go over a hurdle.’ I went ing only behind the winning over one and he was like, ‘all East Grand Rapids foursome right, I’ve got you in them,”’ in the event. Shoemaker said. The last race of the night Shoemaker ran some hur­ was the boys’ 4x400-meter dles as a seventh grader, but relay. The TK boys saved up then focused on longjump and their energy hoping to turn in running events as an eighth their best time ofthe season in grader. The TK boys’ team the race and qualify for the had just one returning hurdler finals, and it paid off. Senior this spring, senior Dylan Gabe LaJoye, junior Jaxan LeClaire. Sias, senior Tyler Bushman When on the hunt for a new and junior Ethan Bonnema hurdler Wonders said he is combined for a third-place looking for “someone who is time of 3:31.33 that beat the fast. I know that sounds dumb, state qualifying mark by about but someone who is fast. a quarter ofa second as the sun Someone that is a little bit started to set behind the bleachers. See TROJANS, continued next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27,2023/ Page 15 TROJANS, continued from previous page Thornapple Kellogg’s Kenady Smith, Payton Gater, Mia Hilton and Lindsey Velting celebrate their runner-up finish in the 4x400-meter relay at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Spartan Stadium in Sparta Friday, May 19. It was one of nine state qualifying performances by the TKHS varsity boys’ and girls’ teams at the regional. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Ava Crews hits the finish line in the 3200-meter run Friday at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Sparta High School. She met the state qualifying time in the race. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg 4x400-meter relay teammates Tyler Bushman, Ethan Bonnema and Caleb LaJoye celebrate qualifying, along with teammate Jaxan Sias, for the state finals after their race at the MHSAA Division 2 Regional in Sparta Friday, May 19. (Photo by Brett Bremer) fearless. They have to be the type of kid who can fall down a few times and pick them­ selves up. They have to be someone who is willing to say, ‘hey, I’ll do this because it’s going to help our team,’ and that’s Nate.” Shoemaker didn’t make the finals of the 110-meter high hurdles Friday, but he was tenth in the prelim’s with a personal record time of 17.57. LeClaire ran his fastest times ofthe season in both the 110’s and the 300’s Friday too. “There is a culture of kids that help each other out,” Wonders said. “Nate didn’t get here from just himself. Dylan LeClaire has helped him out a ton. He has acted like another assistant coach in the hurdles. Our girls that hur­ dle as well, they go there and they drill and they work on their craft. They work on those little things and that is what they do.” In between the . hurdles and the relays, TK sophomore Ava Crews needed to run her fastest 3200-meter race ever to keeper her state finals string rolling. A two-time state qualifier in cross country, Crews is now a two­ time state qualifier in track and field. She cut more than six seconds offher PR in the 3200 to place fifth in 11:37.75 and beat the state qualifying time of 11:43.50. Her previous PR was 11:43.93, which she set three weeks ago at the Frank Grimm Invite in Wyoming. Smith cleared the bar at 5-0 in the high jump to place sec­ ond in that event and is a three­ time state qualifier overall. She also teamed with DeBoer, junior Eva Corson and Velting to place second in the 4x200-meter relay with a time of 1:49.58. The TK girls were third in the day’s standings behind only perennial state power­ houses Grand Rapids Christian and East Grand Rapids at the 14-team regional. The TK boys finished in a tie for sixth. Forest Hills Eastern’s boys dominated the field, outscor­ ing runner-up Wayland 156­ 99. The Grand Rapids Christian girls won the region­ al title with 111 points ahead ofEast Grand Rapids 102, TK 90 and Forest Hills Eastern 70 at the top. The state qualifying perfor­ mances were far from the only outstanding finishes for the TK teams. Sophomore Emma Dykhouse had a big PR in the long jump with a leap of 14-10.5 which put her in third in that event. Harmon also scored in the long jump with a mark of 14-1.75 that put her in eighth place. TK had a pair score in the high jump too. Smith had her state qualifying leap and Corson was fourth with ajump of4-9. Senior Elizabeth Gaunt placed seventh in the shot put with a throw of 29-5. Velting placed fourth in the 100-meter dash with a person­ al record time of 13.37 and was sixth in the 200-meter dash in 28.06. Corson added a seventh place time of 28.78 in the 200. The Trojan 4x800-meter relay team of junior Kendra Coe, Gater, freshman Madison Kietzman and Crews was fifth in 10:15.15 and the 4x 100-meter relay team of DeBoer, Dykhouse, Corson and senior Emmerson DeVries placed sixth in 53.38. The TK boys had a pair of third-place relay teams. Bonnema, Sias, junior Tyler Gavette and LaJoye placed third in the 4x200-meter relay in 1:33.62. The TK 4x800-meter relay team ofjunior Lucas Van Meter, Bushman, sopho­ more Caden Strait and sopho­ more Lucas McNabnay was fourth in 8:39.73. The 4x 100-meter relay team of senior Alejandro Rodas, LaJoye, Bonnema and Gavette was sixth in 45.63. Gavette had a seventh-place finish in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.91. Van Meter set his personal record in the 800-meter run placing fifth in 2:01.16. tn the field, the TK boys’ team got a personal record put of 42-7.75 from junior Drake Snyder in the shot put which put him in fourth place in that event Junior Kyle VanHaitsma was seventh in the long jump with a leap of 19-3. Forest Hills Eastern senior Bryson Kuzdzal was the day’s top sprinter on the boys’ side. He won the 100-meter dash in a personal record time of 10.99 and then won the 200-meter dash in 22.48. His teammate David Molhoek, a sophomore, was the runner-up in the 200 in 22.51 and placed fourth in the 100. Those two powered the Hawks to wins in the 4x 100-meter relay and the 4x200-meter relay, joined in those relays by juniors Brady Hilty and Tobi Thielmann. The FHE boys’ team also had senior Aiden Sullivan win the 800-meter run in 1:58.40 and the 1600-meter run in 4:25.69. Sullivan, senior Alex Parker, junior Liam Hinman and sophomore Henry Dixon won the 4x800-meter relay for the FHE boys too in 8:08.26. Wayland athletes won the long jump. Wildcat junior Kaharrie Pureifoy won the boys’ event with a leap of 20-7.25. Senior Breanna Hyde won the girls’ contest at 16-1125. The Wildcat girls’ team also had the top two finishers in the pole vault Freshman Evie Mathis and sophomore Kennedy Jasinski both cleared 10-9 to finish 1-2 in that event. Grand Rapids Catholic Central junior Allyson Broaddus won the two girls’ throws. She took the shot put at 34-4 and the discus at 108-1 setting a new PR in both events. Forest Hills Eastern junior Addison Washier won a pair of individual races, taking the girls’ 200-meter dash in 26.31 and the 400-meter dash in 58.09. Addison was joined by freshman Kennedy Washier, sophomore Zhana Sprague and senior Payton Gripso in winning the 4x200-meter relay in 1:48.61 - finishing almost a second ahead of the runner-up team from TK. East Grand Rapids won two relays. Pioneer foursome of senior Claire Weaver, junior Avery Hecksei, junior Drew Muller and senior Camryn Bodine won the 4x400-meter relay in 4:05.76. Bodine, fresh­ man Catherine Schellhammer, sophomore Sadey Seyferth and Muller won the 4x800-meter relay in 9:48.09. Muller won the 1600-meter run in 5:03.32 and Bodine took the 800-meter run in 2:13.14 with Muller the run­ ner-up in that race. Beginning May 1, we are now open 24/7! Enjoying exercising before the sun comes up? Work the 3-11 shift and want to lift weights before bed? Our fitness center is now accessible 24/7. Not a member? Call 269.9483139. 24/7 new member enrollment fees waived in May. Pennock Health & Wellness Center 915 West Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, May 27, 2023 Scots face EGR in clash of top ten teams in D2 doubleheader | Regional Semifinals had 13 hits and four of CHS girls fend off TK In game one, sweep non-conference Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia took two from the Thomapple Kellogg varsity softball team in Middleville Friday afternoon, May 19. The Fighting Scots pulled out a 6-5 win in the opener and then took an 11-6 victory in the nightcap. Thornapple Kellogg made things interesting late in game one with a run in the top ofthe sixth and then two more in the top of the seventh inning. TK’s Peyton Stahl drilled a two-out double that scored Elaina O'Riley from third and Grace SMW. & Newsd W EacebooKC date until t-h^ new edition is printed! Zube from second in the top- of the seventh. Stahl never got any closer to home though as Scot pitcher Molly Lieske, who came on to get the Scots out of the jam, got Rachel Shoemaker to hit a ground ball to first baseman MacKenzie Parker that ended the opener. Jaz Dana was the winning pitcher. She went 6 2/3 innings for the Scots striking out eight. She walked one and gave up nine hits. Ofthe five runs against her three were earned. Addy Lash had a big game at the plate for the Scots. She was 2 for 3 with a triple and a double. She drove in two runs and scored once. Mackenzie DeVries went 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBI’s. Malia Burke also drove in two runs for the Scots. She was 1 for 3 with a run scored. Caledonia also got hits from Keira Sundstrom, Dana and Lillian Merlo. Shoemaker was 1 for 4 with a double and three RBI’s for TK. Grace Zube, Kylee Hoebeke and Stahl were all 2 for 4 at the plate. O’Riley, Shoemaker and Jessie Drenton had one hit each. Hoebeke took the loss in the circle for TK. She struck out eight in six innings, walking one and giving up eight hits. After going up 4-0 in the top of the second the Scots kept adding to their lead in game two. They finished the ballgame with 11 runs on 14 hits. Kyla Bisterfeldt was 3 for 4 with a home run, three RBI’s and two runs scored. Lash, Burke, Karine Kinninger and Peyton Brenner had two hits apiece. DeVries singled and drove in four runs. Lash, Kinninger and Marisa Kohn each had an RBI. Lieske was the winning pitcher. She gave up one unearned run in three innings. She struck out one, walked one and gave up three hits. Shoemaker was 2 for 4 with a home run, a double and three RBI's. Zube was 2 for 3 with a pair of singles. TK also got two hits from Jenna Robinett who had one RBI. Stahl doubled for the Trojans, and Bouma and Drenton both singled once. Robinett was the losing pitcher. She struck out three and walked one in six innings. The Scots their 11 runs were unearned. It was back to conference play for the two teams this week. The Fighting Scots were swept in an OK Red Conference doubleheader at Jenison Monday. The Wildcats took 10-0 and 11-1 wins. East Kentwood walked off with a 6-5, eight-in­ ning win over the Scots in Kentwood Wednesday, The Trojans were edged in two tough ballgames at Grand Rapids Catholic Central, falling 5-3 and 5-4 to the Cougars. TK only scored three runs in game one despite ten hits — nine of which were singles. Shoemaker had a double. O'Riley and Kenzie Bouma had two hits apiece. In game two, the Trojans scored four runs on four hits, but the Cougars smacked 13 hits and scored the winning run in the top of the seventh after TK had evened things at 4-4 with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. One of the four TK hits was a Hoebeke solo home run. O'Riley doubled and TK got singles from Brittney Roodvoets and Stahl in the loss. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots hav­ en't been beaten since April, they won their post­ season opener by 19 goals, and here they are the underdogs. The Caledonia varsity girls’ lacrosse team, ranked eighth in the Michigan Power Rankings, will take on number six East Grand Rapids in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Semifinals at Forest Hills Central High . School Wednesday. The match is scheduled for a 5 p.m. Start. “Looking into our big game next week, we are really just looking to fine tune our fundamentals in places that make good teams great,” Caledonia head coach Kendra Venema said. “We are looking at some new offensive opportunities, with playing a new defense, but [EGR is] also a fast team and how to slow their transition and really just take advantage of our strengths.” Half of the top ten in the Michigan Power Rankings are a part ofthis regional tournament — a group that also includes number two Forest Hills Central, number seven Northview and number ten Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Northview and Forest Hills Central have already been eliminated from the state tourna­ ment. The Wildcats fell to East Grand Rapids 12-6 in their first round region­ al match. Catholic Central knocked off Forest Hills Central 10-9 in their first round contest. Catholic Central takes on Spring Lake in the second ofthe two regional semifinal matches at FHC Wednesday. The Regional Final is planned for 7 p.m. Friday, June 2. It will have been a week and a half since the Scots tournament opener. They defeated Lowell 20-1 on the road Monday Rylen Goosen had five goals. Addie Roe and Cambria Gaier scored four goals. Dilyn Pratt, Whitney Graham and Ryleigh VanderBerg all scored twice. Ellie Hudson added one goal. “We had assists on nine of the goals and really played as a unit,” Venema said. Senior goalkeeper Marina Valverde Gaya made four saves. mm • TOXIN • MASSAGE • HORMONE THERAPY • FACIALS • IV INFUSION THERAPY • HAIR REJUVENATION • TE It has been one year of us providing quality services to our patients and we want to celebrate with you! Join us May 31st, 9AM-7PM Giveaways ^- Raffles^Exclusive Specials Light refreshments will be provided. SCAN HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE! AD LIFTS @ WWW.PROPEREU.COM 99 809 CHERRY VALLEY AVE. SE, SUITE C, CALEDONIA Ml t 616.327.5155 � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-06-03.pdf c5e26ca0261cee4c1e8fb52e9c236d1f PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 22/ June 3, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 TK class of 2023 receives ‘Last Lesson’ at commencement Brett Bremer Sports Editor There were rows and rows of folding chairs filled with many of the 238 Thomapple Kellogg graduating seniors of 2023. The Bob White Stadium grandstand was filled with proud spectators. The high school staff and administra­ tion were seated on the field turf, looking up at the com­ mencement stage. In the sea of people, the Trojans spoke of finding humanity during commence­ ment Thursday, May 25. Senior Andy Liu, graduat­ ing with highest honors, pro­ vided a gaming-themed open­ ing. “We must appreciate and cherish each victory in our lives,” Liu said. “Roadhog teaches us success comes from hard work and determi­ nation and the courage to take risks. These are the same qualities that have brought us to this momentous occasion today. Congratulations, class of 2023. May our future be as bright as a golden scar and as victorious as a victory royale.” In the end, finished with the lessons learned with friends with an online slant, Liu sought out classmate American Legion continues Memorial Day tradition in Caledonia, Greg Chandler Thornapple Kellogg graduating senior Andy Liu welcomes his classmates to their 2023 commencement inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville on Thursday, May 25. (Photos by Brett Bremer) Austin Chivis in the crowd. He had Chivis stand through a rendition of “Happy Birthday to You,” performed by nearly everyone in attendance. “It is [assistant superinten­ dent Christopher] LaHaie’s birthday too, everybody,” Thomapple Kellogg High School Tony School principal Petersen said as he returned to the microphone. “He doesn’t want us to sing to him,” he added with a smile. Later, senior Luke Kaiser introduced the evening’s key­ note speaker, TKHS English teacher Cary Saxton. “Mrs. Saxton both inspires her students and is proud of 145th year Staff Writer Hundreds ofpeople lined Main Street and nearby side streets Monday for Caledonia’s annual Memorial Day parade. American Legion Post 305 organized the parade and services at Lakeside Cemetery afterward, as those in attendance honored those who gave their lives in defense of their country. The legion post has held Memorial Day observances for nearly 75 years, post adjutant Scott Baldwin said. “It is a conscious effort to remember that Memorial Day is about more than bar­ becues and the kickoff of our summer months,” Baldwin said. Post member Brian Stauffer was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Stauffer served in the U.S. Army for 26 years in the medical field, rising to the rank of command sergeant major. He served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. Among his military honors are the Legion of Merit Award, Meritorious Service Medal, Airborne Wings and the Bronze Star. Stauffer spoke ofthe need to remember not only those who lost their lives but also their families. “While this day is typically spent recalling the valor of (the) men and women who died while See MEMORIAL DAY, page 3 them,” Kaiser said. “In her curriculum, Mrs. Saxton chal­ lenges students to adjust to unexpected obstacles in cre­ ative ways and to regard the world through new perspec­ tives. Armed with an endless stream of classroom ideas, See LAST LESSON, page 2 Book vending machine unveiled at Page Elementary Greg Chandler acquire the machine. StaffWriter “I just think it’s cool. A lot Clara Keizer approached of kids are excited about it,” the newly-installed vending Clara said. “Reading is machine in the lobby of Page always a good thing.” Elementary School, inserted The Page student council a token and pushed the but­ and the school’s Parent tons to select what she want­ Teacher Organization ed. worked together over the But the fourth-grader past year to bring in the book didn’t receive a candy bar or vending machine. Fourth­ a bag of chips. grade teachers Stacy Sikkema Instead, Clara received a and Jacki Schneider, advisers book — “Whatshisface” by to the student council, came children’s author Gordon up with the idea. Sikkema Korman — the first book to had seen a news story of a similar project in another be dispensed out of Page’s new book vending machine community and thought it unveiled Thursday after­ would be worth trying to noon. bring into Page. “In fourth and fifth grade, Clara, a member of the Page student council, played we know that research shows a key role in acquiring the that the enjoyment ofreading book vending machine. She starts to go down a little bit,” Sikkema said. “Sometimes wrote a grant application to the Barry Community our kids see reading as a pun­ Page Elementary School fourth grader Clara Keizer ishment rather than as a Foundation’s Youth pushes the buttons to select her book from the book Advisory Council, asking for funding to help the school See BOOK VENDING MACHINE, page 5vending machine. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Members of American Legion Post 305 conduct a rifle salute in memory of those who lost their lives in service to their country. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • Middleville, Yankee Springs honor vets for Memorial Day • Tesla proposes installing charging stations in high-traffic area of Gaines Township • Caledonia soccer girls chasing first district title since 2013 • Thornapple Kellogg girls shut put Hamilton in district championship • Scot senior, Baldwin, shoots his way into D1 Boys’ Golf State Finals �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3,2023 LAST LESSON, continued from page 1 Thornapple Kellogg seniors move their tassels from right to left at the conclu­ sion of their commencement in Middleville on Thursday, May 25. Thornapple Kellogg graduating senior Thea Zellmer offers closing remarks to Ray Rickert leads the Thornapple Kellogg High School symphonic band in the Trojan fight song at the end of commencement. Wyatt Jacobson accepts his diploma on the stage during the Thornapple Kellogg High School 2023 commencement. Cook's Hot Dogs 75 th Anniversary Join us in celebrating 75 years! Mrs. Saxton is always inno­ vating her teaching process, pushing students outside their comfort zone to galvanize growth. Perhaps most impor­ tantly, Mrs. Saxton is also a great friend.” Pulling some inspiration from musician J. Cole, Saxton reminded the class of 2023 that there is “beauty in the struggle.” “It is a daunting task, right, Bruce's Frame and Alignment] Weekly Specials Include: Full Service Body Shop June 6-10:1 free drink refill per person (excluding lemonade) • June 13-17: $0.75 off ice cream • June 20-24:10% off your order • June 27-July 1: Buy 2 dogs and get a free chip Each purchase in June enters ’ you into a drawing for various prizes! 6874 Hammond Ave SE Caledonia Ml 49316 Facebook: Cooks Drive-In Instagram: Cookshotdogs to try to write this speech,” Saxton said. “It is a lot of pressure to deliver the last lesson you students are ever going to receive in an official capacity from a TKHS staff member. I wasn’t sure I was up for it, but of course, when I got the news, I started think­ ing, and I rolled up my sleeves, and I went right to the computer, and I opened up Chat GPT and let that • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com thing take a crack at it. “For those of you who don’t know, Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot, and it is quite impressive. You can ask it to do anything, like write a 1,000-word essay on the main characters in “Of Mice and Men,” and it really does it In mere seconds. It can write poems, answer cal­ culus questions, I’m sure, and help you plan a birthday party. Give it almost any writ­ ten task, and it will cheerfully complete it. “Of course, I am explain­ ing all of this for the benefit of the adults here. The senior class is well aware of this technology, I am sure, and some of them may have even dabbled with it from time to time. I get it. I get it, right. I get the temptation to use Chat GPT and other modem short­ cuts. I get why the automation of tasks is preferable to the accomplishment of tasks in some situations. Heck, I do it myself. I use a washing machine, a car and a phone, just like everybody else. I don’t have to walk to Freeport to tell my friend some funny joke. I swipe a touch screen a certain way, and my friend in Freeport looks down at her phone and laughs, and it took two seconds, right, instead of two hours. But, this blessed efficiency is a double-edged See LAST LESSON, page 3 �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3,2023/ Page 3 LAST LESSON, continued from page said. “As we venture into our sword.” Saxton not only spoke to lives, let us be tffe^guiding the students about using tech­ light of hope, empathy and nologies to accomplish tasks determination. Let us be the but also about how and when catalyst for positive change, those technologies are used to the voices for the voiceless push tasks and struggles to and ignite the flame of possi­ the back of one’s mind. bility in the hearts of others. “If we use technology to Each and every one of us soothe the anxieties the tech­ possesses the power to make nology has caused, where a difference in our own does that leave us as humans?” unique way. We have the Saxton asked. “We are caught power to bridge divides, fos­ in the middle of this loop in a ter understanding and spread place where it is very easy to compassion. We have the alleviate our suffering but power to make change. We also very hard to develop a have the power to make sense of agency. In that loop, tomorrow a tittle bit better.” it is less about choosing the The TKHS symphonic life we want for ourselves and band greeted spectators and more about retreating away graduates as they entered the from the life we don’t want. I stadium on the sunny, breezy would argue (that) if we give evening, which had mortar­ up our agency, our freedom board tassels swaying from of choice because we don’t right to left and back again want to suffer through the even before senior Graysen uncertainty of making them Stable led his classmates in or do the work to follow the official tassel moving cer­ through with them, we give emony at the end of the fes­ up our innate humanity. Ifwe tivities. avoid and delegate and dis­ The TKHS honors choir tract ourselves through life, and senior members of the what exactly is the point? conference choir performed Now, anyone out there who “You Raise Me Up.” has ever had to work hard and TK Schools Superin­ struggle through something, tendent Tony Petersen pre­ you know the ecstasy of sented, accepted and recog­ accomplishment. Whatever nized the class of 2023. has been hard for you, if you Senior class advisors Caeli have chosen to face it head-on Loris and Pat Pullen read the and actually made it through, class role as the graduates you know that is the best feel­ took the stage to receive their ing in the world. That is what diplomas one after another you graduates are feeling some with a look ofjoy on right now. That is life. That is their faces, others pride, sati what makes it all worth­ faction and determination. while.” “I would like to congratu­ While there is time to try, late each of you,” Petersen fail and try again in college, said early in the evening. jobs or whatever future lies “You have worked diligently ahead of the class of 2023, to reach this milestone. You Mia Dickman, who provided are here because you have the senior class address, does demonstrated grit and perse­ not want her classmates to verance. You have pushed wait too long to start trying to yourselves to succeed and leave their mark on their have risen to the challenge world. and the rigors that have been “We only have so many put before you. I am proud of tomorrows, so make every each ofyou and the resilience day a choice, a choice to you have demonstrated, and I make a difference, to leave an am confident you will be sucimprint on your community cessful in your future endeavand all those around you, to ors. It has been an honor to be a force for good,” Dickman serve as your principal, and it has been a privilege to watch ...you grow into the incredible .young meh and women that '-you are today. As you leave here today, please note that no matter where life leads you, you will always be a part of the TK family, and you will forever be a TK Trojan. I wish you all the very best.” Before the mortarboards flew, senior Thea Zellmer gave her classmates one last reassurance about the steps ahead. “When we walk out of the stadium today, some of us may feel nervous for the chapter ahead - making new memories and pursuing our passions in hew environ­ ments. However, some of us may feel excited for what is yet to come. When we step out of this stadium today, we will begin to play a game where living with a positive perspective can be our great­ est power. However, it is up to us to decide how we will play. While I can not tell you how we all may succeed, I can say that everyone single of us has the power and the perspective to change the world. We are powerhouses of innovation and imagina­ tion. We will push boundaries that can change this world for the better. For us, a new day can bring opportunities for greatness and a reminder not to let our past failures define our futures. In the game of Thousands of dollars in scholarships were awarded to Thomapple Kellogg High School seniors last week at the annual Senior Honors Ceremony. Students also received recognition and awards for their academic, community service and ath­ letic successes. More than 50 scholar­ ships, from corporations, memorial funds and other sources, were announced with many coming from the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation. The following scholar­ ships and awards were awarded: — University ofMichigan Award: Andy Liu and Natalie Alden The Barry County University of Michigan Alumni Club each year pres­ ents these students with a dictionary. — Henry J. Dugan Principal’s Award: Tag Fortuna This award is intended to bring public recognition to a senior student who has earned the respect of his or her school and the commu- nity. The recipient is not always an active partici­ pant in every school func­ tion but ..someone who demonstrates that they can contribute without hurting others and that they can succeed by helping others to succeed. -Ray Page ServiceAward: Mia Dickman This award is intended to bring recognition to a senior student who has contributed extra time and effort to help out when and where needed. The recipi­ ent isn’t necessarily a straight ‘A’ or ‘B’ student, but someorite who always seems to be there when needed. — Scholastic Excellence Award: Luke Kaiser and Thea Zellmer This award is intended to bring recognition to a senior student who demonstrates the qualities of an exemplary citizen, role model to young­ er students, traits of courage, poise, self confidence, and leadership. Scholarships (Business), Beth Helrigel Wester -Memorial, Gerald and Ceta Williams, Michigan BloodAward — Myah Andrus: Millicent FroceKnox - Carsen Burbridge: Logan Michael Kimbrue Memorial, Lois Ann Nagel Seppanen - Lane Cross: Clay Hills Farm -Anna Davis: Barry County Humane Society - Catherine Densham: Alecia Lorraine Holst Memorial, Tad Thatcher, Samuel McKeown Memorial (Medical), Michigan Blood Award - Mia Dickman: GFWC Gun Lake Women’s Club, Southside Pediatrics, Adele and Arnold Parker, Dr. Wayne andMarie Finkbeiner, Thomas Hamilton Memorial, Rotary -Tag Fortuna: Don and Catherine Williamson — Zack Gibson: Rotary.. - Lainey Guikema: Michigan Blood Award - Liberty Hess: TKEA - Dylan LeClaire: 'Brian Appel — Natalie Alden: Samuel McKeown Memorial See HONORS, page 4 life, vje rta^^agd’i^allg^s and criticisms, but we are all equipped with a perspective of the world that will not hin­ der us from going after the things that we want to achieve. “What we have learned in our time in high school has taught us to believe whole­ heartedly that there is nothing we can not do. I hope that we will leave this stadium today remembering the lessons TK has taught us and ready to take hold of the lives we are going to lead. Thank you, and congratulations to the greatest class of all time, the class of 2023!” MEMORIAL DAY, continued from page 1 serving our nation, we must never forget the families they left behind — the somber moment when those men and women were laid to rest once the funeral, with full military honors, concluded with the playing of “Taps” and the American flag is presented to the family — they have to carry on trying to keep the memory oftheir soldier, sail­ or, Marine, or airman alive,” Stauffer said. Stauffer also encouraged those at the service to remember those now serving in the military. In addition to the ceremo­ ny at Lakeside Cemetery, Post 305 held similar cere­ monies in the morning at four other cemeteries around Caledonia Township — Alaska, Barber, Daniels and Holy Comers. Thornapple Kellogg Class of 2023 receives honors and awards Your One-Stop Water Store • Water Softeners • Iron and Odor Filters • Drinking Water Systems • Bottled Water • Pool and Sidewalk Salt • Softener Salt-Pickup or Delivery Servicing All Makes & Models RED-OUT DURA-CUBE SALT (40lbs.) DURA-CUBE SALT (40lbs.) With Handles With Handles Regular Red’Out Best Price, Quality, Service F WATER CONDITIONING STORE HOURS Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm; Saturday 8:30am-2pm Post 305 member Brian Stauffer, a 26-year Army veteran, speaks at Monday’s Memorial Day service at Lakeside Cemetery. 9980 Cherry Valley, Caledonia (M-37) (616)891-0303 �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3,2023 HONORS, continued from page 3 - Henry Leon: Coleman Agency, GFWC - Gun Lake Women s Club Skilled Trade - Andy Liu: Adam Dipp, Lorraine Dahlgren Memorial, Rotary - Stephany Lopez Tapia: Gerald and Lois Page, Rotary - Emelia MacDonald: Julie Bender Women’s A thletic, Woody. Wyngarden, TKEA - Ella Palazzolo: Jody Helrigel Pratt Education, McCullough Family, Millicent Grace Knox, Terri Yoder - Alejandro Rodas: Class of1957 - Jakob Rodriguez: Ray Page Scholar-Athletic Memorial - Molly Shepard: Robert Eveans Memorial, Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association, Josh Hoffman (Caledonia American Legion), Michigan Blood Award - Payton Stahl: Samuel McKeown Memorial (Medical), Jon and Kay Simpson, RKW Working Students - Parker Stewart: Ethel Denton Groos, Lynn Helrigel Summers; Village Players of Middleville - Emma Thompson: TKEA — Hope Vander Heide: Emil Tyden Founders, Rodney and Rena Schad Memorial, Samuel McKeown Memorial (Business) — Aislinn VanDommelen: Michigan BloodAward — Tessa Wenger: Michigan BloodAward - Thea Zellmer: Lydia Cole Memorial, West Michigan Viking Group, Katherine and Edward Middleville Wieringa, Women’s Club Zoey Ziny: First Presbyterian Church of Hastings - Grace Zube: Rotary Athletic Awards - OK Conference Scholar Athlete: Logan Archambault, Carsen Burbridge, Tyler Bushman, Austin Chivis, Lane Cross, Benjamin Cuison, Jackson Curtis, Anna Davis, Zackary Gibson, Audrey Guikema, Lainey Guikema, Preslee Hall, Maggie Harmens, Corey Holt, Luke Kaiser, Gabriel LaJoye, Evin Lamance, Dylan LeClaire, Emmie MacDonald, Andrew Middleton, Calvin Myers, Madison Nagel, Connor Newland, Elaina O’Riley, Ella 1Palazzolo, 1 Austin Pitsch,,, Rein Pranger, Peyton11 Pratt, Rachel Shoemaker, Payton Stahl, Greysen Stahle, Ellie Vandefifer, Lucy VanDemark, Lindsey Velting, Thea Zellmer, Kyron Zoet, Grace Zube - Senior Athlete Award: Wyatt Barnes, Lydia Berg, Carsen Burbridge, Tyler Bushman, Austin Chivis, Hunter Cisler, Alana Compton, Jackson Curtis, Zackary Gibson, Preslee Hall, Presley Hall, Corey Holt, Wyatt ' Jacobson, Ethan Kriekaard, Gabriel LaJoye, Madison Nagel, Elaina O’Riley, Brendan Peters, Peyton Pratt, Noah Rosenberg, Kenneth Simon, Emma Thompson, Lucy VanDemark, Lindsey Velting, Kyron Zoet - Tri-Sport Athletes: Tyler Bushman, Austin Chivis, Corey Holt, Manon Mercier Perucchetti, Elaina O’Riley, Brendan Peters, Peyton Pratt, Olivia Renner, Monica Serrano Aguilar, Emma Thompson, AJ Wessoleck - TK Athletic Booster Carsen Scholarship: Burbridge, Emmie MacDonald, Elaina O’Riley, Lucy VanDemark - Senior Athletes of the Year: Tyler Bushman and Payton Pratt University and College Awards - Western Michigan University Bronco Merit Award & School of Music Jazz Studies Scholarship: Haden Bovee - KCTC Agriculture Science Program Certified Green Industry Professional Certificate: Jasmin Cruz Rapids — Grand College Community Benjamin Scholarship: Cuison - Colorado esa University Distinguished Scholar Scholarship: Tag Fortuna - University ofKentucky Bluegrass Academic Scholarship: Maggie Harmens — Odyssey ofthe Mind and Natural Talent Scholarship: Liberty Hess - Davenport University Excellence Scholarship: Amber Niemi — Aquinas College of Merit and GolfScholarships and St. Albertus Magnus Scholar Scholarship: Austin Pitsch - Kuyper College Faculty Scholarship: Jakob Rodriguez - KCTC Diagnostics Program - 2nd Place HOSA Regional Competition Health Career Photography: Noelle Smith - Kalamazoo College Lux Esto Scholarship: Lucy VanDemark - Michigan ch University Presidential Platinum Scholarship and Excellence Award: Hope Vander Heide - Western Michigan University Bronco Merit Award and Alumni Association Scholarships: Legacy Tessa Wenger — University ofMichigan HAIL Scholarship: Grace Zube TKHS Senior Department Awards -Art Department Award: Tahlia Choiniere, Emma Thompson, Anna Davis — Business/Computer Science Department Award: Natalie Alden and Cameron Phillips - Drama Award: Natalie Alden, Kaitlyn Baldry, Ethan Biltawi, Haden Bovee, Catherine Densham, Parker Stewart, Aislinn VanDommelen, Tessa Wenger. - English Award: Natalie Alden, Kaitlyn Baldry, Luke Kaiser, Emelia MacDonald, Lucy VanDemark. - Foreign Language Department Awards': Thea Zellmer, Keely Lambert, Madison Nagel, Zoey Ziny, Lucy Van Demark - Math Department Award: Luke Kaiser and Andy Liu - Science Department Award: Adam Johnson, Luke Kaiser, Matthew Lozada, Emelia MacDonald, Payton Stahl, Dakota Troseth, Hope Vander Heide, Thea Zellmer. Social Studies Department Award: Matthew Lozada - Technology Education Department Award: Austin Pitsch and Hope Vander Heide — Digital Media Department Award: Jace Averill, Adrian Bickford, Micah Bowerman, Connor Clay, Mark Douglas, Evin Lamance, Ziah Moore, Gavin Snelling, Parker Stewart. - Student CouncilAwards: Mia Dickman, Tessa Wenger, Thea Zellmer, Zoey Ziny. National Honors Society Awards: Natalie Alden, Kaitlyn Baldry, Olivia Beckering, Haden Bovee, Dillyn Bowers, Carsen Burbridge, Katie Burkhead, Austin Chivis, Tahlia Choiniere, Carly Cook, Jackson Curtis, Anna Davis, Catherine Densham, Mia Dickman, Nicol Figuereo Reyes, Lainey Guikema, Preslee Hall, Maggie Harmens, Ethan Hey, Luke Hinton, Luke Kaiser, Samantha Kruisenga, Keely Lambert, Dylan LeClaire, Andy Liu, Matthew Lozada, Emelia MacDonald, Andrew Middleton, Madison Nagel, Connor Newland, Amber Niemi, Anna Niemi, Elaina O’Riley, Ella Palazzolo, Rein Pranger, Peyton Pratt, See HONORS, page 5 4—Caledonia United alask 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the work! with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Middleville w Methodist Church church Sunday’s Ministries Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/1 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY St/J’auf,Xiitiuran ChutiH C HU R C H ONECHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cheny Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 ________www\s tpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 >*Bfi51e^Church 8655 Whitneyville.Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School..............: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship..,...,.,. 10:30 AM Watch our services Horn our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday (to am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News. Saturday, June 3, 2023/Page 5 BOOK VENDING MACHINE, continued from page 1 reward. So we really wanted to tie it into our reward sys­ tem and (get kids) to see that reading truly is a reward and books should be seen as a prize.” The Page student council contributed $1,000 to the project from various fund­ raising events. The Youth Advisory Council approved Clara Keizer’s grant applica­ tion for $876. YAC consid­ ers applications twice yearly from schools and other groups for its grants. “(The grant) has to be stu­ dent-written,” said Zoey Ziny, who represented Thomapple Kellogg High School on the YAC. “(It can be) from any school in Barry County, any nonprofit, any organization, as long as it’s student-written, and it has to benefit the youth of Barry County.” But the cost of purchasing the vending machine was more than $6,000, so the project needed a boost. where they receive tickets That’s when the PTO stepped that they can redeem for in. prizes. “The PTO had funds, “The books are going to (and) they wanted to put it be prizes ... They can use toward a project. (They their tickets to redeem it for a asked) ‘What do you have in book token, and the book place?’” Sikkema said. token gets them the book,” “They were super on board Sikkema said. with it.” Thornapple Kellogg The PTO contributed Schools Superintendent $5,000 to the project. Craig McCarthy praised the With the machine in place, efforts of the Page staff in the next question was how to bringing the project to com­ fill it with books. Enter the pletion. Bradford White Corporation. “This was really something The Middleville-based man­ that staff have just taken ufacturer contributed $1,000 charge of and made happen,” to buy books to fill the McCarthy said. “I think that machine. is a tribute to the kind of staff “We have enough to start members that we have, that and keep it going for a are always looking to find while,” Sikkema said. ways to encourage kids to So how do kids get the read and to learn more. I’m opportunity to get a book just proud ofthe fact (that) we from the machine? Page have staff members like this already has a system that that are willing to go above rewards students for demon­ and beyond and find addition­ strating “safe and respectful al ways to interest students in and responsible” behavior reading.” The Page Parent Teacher Organization contributed $5,000 toward the pur­ chase of the new vending machine. Pictured from left are PTO members Mindy Wilson, Mary Breckon, Sarah Hansen, Jillian Reil, Dawn Graham and Sara Syswerda. HONORS, continued from page 4 Joumie Scheltema, Molly Shepard, Josie Smith,* Ian Sonza, Payton Stahl, Graysen Stahle, Parker Stewart, Emma Thompson, Ellie Vandefifer, Lucy VanDemark, Hope Vander Heide, Aislinn VanDommelen, Lindsey Velting, Tessa Wenger, Thea Zellmer, Zoey Ziny, and Grace Zube. Foreign Exchange Student Recognition - Brazil: Pietra Soares de Oliveira de Andrade — Czech Republic: Zuzana Kosova - France: Manon MercierPerucchetti and Clemence Murzyn — Germany: Karl Dittmann, Olivia Renner and Antje Wessoleck - Japan: Mariko Otomo and Taku Sugiyama - Poland: Emilia Egeman - Spain: Carmen Gonzalez Martin and Monica Serrano Aguilar Honor Students Seniors who have a GPA of 3.98 and above are desig- nated as Highest Honor Seniors and received a gold cord. Seniors with a GPA of 3.7 to 3.97 received a silver cord (High Honors) and seniors with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.69 received a bronze cord (Honor). Students are listed in alphabetical order - Highest Honors Seniors: Natalie Alden, Kaitlyn Baldry, Haden Bovee, Benjamin Cuison, Jackson Curtis, Anna Davis, Catherine Densham, Mia Dickman, Tag Fortuna, Audrey Guikema, Lainey Guikema, Ethan Hey, Luke Kaiser,' Zuzana Kosova, Keely Lambert, Andy Liu, Matthew Lozada, Emelia MacDonald, Manon Mercier-Perucchetti, Andrew Middleton, Clemence Murzyn, Madison Nagel, Connor Newland, Mariko Otomo, Rein Pranger, Anastasia Saba, Monica Serrano Aguilar, Pietra Soares de Oliverira, Payton Stahl, Graysen Stahle, Emma Thompson, Dakota Troseth, Lucy Van Demark, Hope Vander Heide, Aislinn Van Dommelen, Tessa Wenger, Thea Zellmer, Grace Zube — High Honors Seniors: Dillyn Bowers, Carsen Burbridge, Katie Burkhead, Tyler Bushman, Austin Chi vis, Tahlia Choiniere, Carly Cook,, Lane Cross, Emilia Egeman, Zackary Gibson, Maggie Harmens, Morgan Hoffman, Corey Holt, Adam Johnson, Dylan LeClaire, Calvin Myers, Amber Niemi, Anna Niemi, Elaina O’Riley, Ella Palazzolo, David Quist, Olivia Renner, Joumie Scheltema, Molly Shepard, Josie Smith, Parker Stewart, Ellie Vandefifer, Emily Veenstra, Lindsey Velting, Antje Wessoleck, Kyron Zoet > - Honor Seniors: Logan Archambault, Olivia Beckering, Ethan Biltawi, Nicol Figuereo Reyes, Carmen Gonzlez Martin, Ava Grummet, Preslee Hall, Luke Hinton, Samantha Kruisenga, Gabriel LaJoye, Evin Lamance, Austin Pitsch, Peyton Pratt, Rachel Shoemaker, Gavin Snelling, Zoey Ziny THORNAPPLE KELLOGG SCHOOLS NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on June 12,2023, at 7:00 o’clock p.m., at Thomapple Kellogg Early Childhood Center, Middleville, Michigan, the Board of Education of Thomapple Kellogg Schools will hold a public hearing to consider the District’s proposed 2023-2024 budget. The Board may not adopt its proposed 2023-2024 budget until after a public hearing. A copy of the proposed 2023-2024 budget, including the proposed property tax millage rate, is available for public inspection during normal business hours at 10051 Green Lake Road, Middleville, Michigan. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. This notice is given by order ofthe Board of Education. Anne Hamming Secretary Mia Dickman receives the Ray Page Service Award from TK High School Principal Tony Petersen. Dickman also received several other scholarships includ­ ing the GFWC Gun Lake Women’ Club, Southside Pediatrics, Adele and Arnold Parker, Dr. Wayne and Marie Finkbeiner, and Thomas Hamilton Memorial. FIVE QUESTIONS EVERYONE SHOULD ASK I am transitioning (or LBGTQ); is there a God for me? If you are told it is too late for you, that is a lie. If you are told God accepts you just as you are - that is another lie. We are all sinners standing filthy before God’s righteousness. So what is the truth? God knew you before He created the world. He loves you just as you are. He has a plan for you. What changes will I have to make if I turn to God? That’s between you and God but you have to give your entire life over to Him, otherwise you will become like one of those fake Christians headed for hell. There is nothing worse than being religious all your life and still ending up in hell. What does God offer me if I turn my life over to Him? PEACE Not the world’s peace but God’s peace In all situations. Transitioning people have one of the highest rates of suicide of any group of people. PURPOSE God will take your life and miraculously use you in a new way, give you a new purpose. See what an amazing thing He will do with your life PASSION for life A new joy and reason for living. What do I have to do? Pray this prayer Lord Jesus, Take this life and use it for your glory. I give you every part of my life and will serve you with everything I am. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name Amen �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3, 2023 Middleville parade, ceremony mark another Memorial Day Greg Chandler The annual Middleville Memorial Day parade makes its way up the hill on Main Street in downtown headed toward Mount Hope Cemetery Monday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) StaffWriter Memorial Day in Middleville on Monday included the annual parade, sponsored by the local Lions Club, and ceremonies at Mt. Hope Cemetery, where local residents paid tribute to those who gave their lives in ser­ vice to their country. American Legion Post 140 Commander Rich Jenkins spoke of the 13 area resi­ dents whose names are engraved on the veterans’ monument, who lost their lives while in military ser­ vice. “This day is not about me; it’s about them. It is all about the ultimate sacrifice so all of us can enjoy the life we live,” Jenkins said. “I hope you’ve enjoyed Memorial weekend to its fullest because my brothersin-arms would have wanted that as well.” Andrew Beck, this year’s honored veteran in Middleville, gave the key­ note address at the cemetery. He shared the story of two of his Army comrades - Robert Unruh and Andrew Ward who died in Iraq. “(They) are part of the collective reason why we’re here today,” Beck said. “Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and reflection while we honor their selfless service. We remember the time we shared together, we reflect on our lives since we’ve lost them and we con­ template how to best honor their memories. “While freedom comes at a cost, the men and women who laid down their lives did it so that we would have opportunities to build a bet­ ter world. Today, I challenge you to celebrate their lives and honor the continual cost of our freedoms by living a life worthy of their sacri­ fice.” The service concluded with a rifle salute and the playing of “Taps.” Young pilot flyover highlights Yankee Springs Memorial Day ceremony Greg Chandler StaffWriter It’s not often that a 19-year-old college student gets asked to do a flyover at a patriotic event. But when the opportunity was presented to him, Cooper Marcukaitis jumped at it. Marcukaitis, who just completed his freshman year at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, opened the Memorial Day observance in Yankee Springs Township Sunday by flying his Piper Cherokee 180 over the veterans memo­ rial next to the township fire station. His uncle, Tony Marcukaitis, a 30-year mili­ tary veteran, was on board the plane as well. The son of the Brian and FINANCIAL FOCUS B Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones What should you expect from your investments? To help achieve your anticipate that the value of financial goals, you may your existing, lower-paying need to invest in the finan­ bonds may decrease, and cial markets throughout your when rates fall, the value of life. However, at times your your bonds may increase. investment expectations • Recency bias — Investors may differ from actual exhibit “recency bias” when returns, triggering a variety they place too much empha­ of emotions. So, what are sis on recent events in the reasonable expectations to financial markets, expecting have about your invest­ that those same events will ments? happen again. But these Ideally, you hope that your expectations can lead to neg­ investment portfolio will ative behavior. For example, eventually help you meet in 2018, the Dow Jones your goals, both your short­ Industrial Average fell term ones, such as a almost 6% — so investors cross-country vacation, and subject to recency bias might the long-term ones, such as a have concluded it was best comfortable retirement. But to stay out ofthe markets for a while. But the Dowjumped your expectations may be affected by several factors, more than 22% the very next including the following: year. Of course, the reverse • Misunderstanding — Var­ can also be true: In 2021, the ious factors in the economy Dow rose almost 19%, so and the financial markets investors who might have trigger different reactions in been susceptible to recency different types of invest­ bias may have thought they ments — so you should were in for more big gains expect different results. right away — but in 2022, When you own stocks, you the Dow fell almost 9%. can generally expect greater Here’s the bottom line: price volatility in the short Recency bias may cloud term. Over time, though, the your expectations about “up” and “down” years tend your investments’ perfor­ to average out. When you mance — and it’s essentially own bonds, you can expect impossible to predict accu­ less volatility than individual rately what will happen to stocks, but that’s not to say the financial markets in any that bond prices never given year. change. Generally, when • Anchoring - Another interest rates rise, you can type of investment behavior is known as “anchoring” — an excessive reliance on your original conviction in an investment. So, for instance, ifyou bought stock in a company you thought had great prospects, you might want to keep your shares year after year, even after evidence emerges that the company has real risks — for example, poor man­ agement, or its products could become outdated, or it could be part of an industry that’s in decline. But if you stick with your initial belief that the company,will inevi­ tably do well, and you’re not open to new sources of information about this investment, your expecta­ tions may never be met. In many areas oflife, real­ ity may differ from our expectations — and that can certainly be true for our investments. Being familiar with the factors that can shape your expectations can help you maintain a realistic outlook about your invest­ ments. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Kris Marcukaitis, Cooper earned his pilot’s license in high school while he attend­ ed West Michigan Aviation Academy, which is located at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. He is current­ ly in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at Michigan Tech and is study­ ing geospatial engineering, said his grandmother, Sandy Marcukaitis; who was one of the organizers of Sunday’s ceremony. Bruce Campbell, a Barry County commissioner and commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 422 in Delton, was the key­ note speaker for the ceremo­ ny. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis spoke on the Cooper Marcukaitis flies with his uncle, Tony Marcukaitis, on Sunday for a Memorial Day celebration in Yankee Springs Township. (Photo courtesy of Sandra Marcukaitis) history of Memorial Day. Musician Mick Lane, who has performed at past Memorial Day events in Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Yankee Springs, sang several patriotic songs. The ceremo­ ny ended with a. 21-gun salute, the playing of “Taps” and a moment of silent in memory of those who lost their lives in service to their country. Cooper Marcukaitis will join the Air Force as a com­ missioned officer after grad­ uating from MTU and has made it a goal to fly F-15s while in the Air Force. He is active in Civil Air Patrol and belongs to the Thomapple Flying Academy. YOU ARE NOT ALONE Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in meh. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don’t let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming pio cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Support �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3,2023/ Page 7 Tesla proposes to install EV charging stations in parking lot adjacent to Meijer in Gaines Marketplace James Gemmell Rhyne said Tesla considers utility access when choosing The Gaines Township a site because it needs a dedi­ Planning Commission has lis­ cated utility service for all its tened to a preliminary pitch EV-chaiging projects. from Tesla Inc. to install a The new master plan that dozen electric vehicle the township board adopted charging stations in the Meijer this spring notes that Gaines parking lot of the Gaines is well-served with gas sta­ Marketplace shopping center. tions along the northern and Vehicles would back into western edges of the town­ the charging stalls and face ship but lacks electric vehicle the store. charging stations. The master Jordan Rhyne, a market plan mentions that charging leader in charging infrastruc­ stations should be promoted ture for Tesla, gave a presen­ in commercial areas for tation to commissioners at patrons to use while shopping their May 25 meeting in the at local businesses. township hall. It was a pre­ The Meijer building is liminary review for a pro­ about 100 yards away from posed major Planned Unit the proposed location of the Development amendment. charging stations, which Commissioners voice-voted would be an easy walk during 7-0 to set a public hearing for good weather, but, as some their June 22 meeting. The planning commissioners applicant also must submit pointed out, difficult during photometric plans pertaining bad weather or icy conditions. to the brightness ofthe lights “If I’m in my car and it’s that will be illuminating the February — or ifthere’s bad charging stations at night for weather ofany kind — there’s the planning commission to no way I’m walking across consider at the hearing. that parking lot,” Wells said. Rhyne said that Tesla has He pointed out that one of leased space in the parking lot Rhyne’s colleagues had menat 1801 Marketplace Dr., tioned about eight months which runs east ofKalamazoo ago the possibility oflocating Avenue, north of 68th Street. the charging stations between The company is proposing to the Meijer building and one install the “supercharging” ofthe adjacent businesses. stations on the south side of “That seemed like the per­ the lot. They would service fect location because then Tesla vehicles and take about you’re really close to the 15 minutes to recharge a vehi­ businesses,” Wells said. “And cle so it can run up to 200 one of the things that I always miles. want to look at is, ‘Are we “This would be the first enabling support of our local charging station in the town­ businesses?”’ ship that’s of this scale,” According to a memo from Community Development * township staffto the planning Director Dan Wells said. commission, the addition of “There are 12 stalls with the EV stations is not anticisome related infrastructure, pated to result in increased kind of a small transformer traffic congestion or traffic and electrical connections.” hazards. “With only 12 charging On behalf of Tesla, SMJ International Zoning and stations being proposed, the Permitting Manager Aaron traffic generated by their use Adelman sent the township a is not anticipated to be signifletter explaining the proposal icant,” the memo read. in more detail. It said that But the entrance and exit Tesla would install one ADA- points in the Meijer parking accessible charging station on lot can get quite busy at times, the west end of the stalls. At as can Marketplace Drive. One concern is that a sinthe east end, four parking spaces would be removed and gle-family neighborhood is converted into an island for situated on the south side of some electronic equipment Marketplace Drive, and the needed to operate the charging lights from the charging stastations. Consumers Energy tions would have to be arrayed would power them. so they do not pose a problem Rhyne said the site was for neighbors. They would chosen because it has a large have to be deemed compatible with adjacent uses. parking lot. “I know the' neighborhood “We get a lot of direction on our site selection from immediately to the south of Meijer where we can be on this has had a lot of concerns their property,” he said. “We about light spill coming from have a great relationship with the commercial development them. We know they’re based on the north side over the here. So, I’m in and out of years,” Wells said. Three light poles would metro Grand Rapids fairly often to meet with them. In illuminate the charging stageneral, they often look at tions. “We’ve had a lot of comwhere their existing parking pressure is from their plaints throughout the years non-Tesla customers. The with the lighting over against other main thing they look at the bank of houses that line is their future potential out lot that,” Planning Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo development.” Contributing Writer told Rhyne. “So, that location right there —given our histo­ ry — ifthere’s any way you could swing it around the cor­ ner, it might be to your advan­ tage.” Rhyne said Tesla would be open to reducing light pollu­ tion by potentially cutting back on or eliminating the new lighting from the pro­ posed plan. “The stations themselves don’t produce much or really any light. We’d like to add lighting for customer-safety reasons,” he said. Aesthetics would also have to be considered. There needs to be screening around the charging stations in the pro­ posed plan. In addition, there would be fencing around the switchgear. Township staff has said more visual screen­ ing is needed, and a landscap­ ing plan must be submitted before the public hearing and site plan review meeting. “We do have some screen­ ing already proposed around the electrical equipment,” Rhyne said, adding that Meijer has an enclosure requirement for all its EV-charging providers. “We can certainly look to add some other landscaping around that.” “The landscaping has grown in pretty well through that area on the south side of the road,” Wells said. “The north side of the road is, obvi­ ously, fairly sparse and is still pretty much just grass. A few things popped up there — small trees. But not enough to block the light generated from this.” A major PUD amendment is needed because charging stations are not defined in the township zoning ordi­ nance. Vice Chairwoman Ronnie Rober asked Rhyne if there will be enough traffic to war­ rant having the charging sta­ tions operating at night. Rhyne replied that there will be because Meijer and some nearby restaurants are open at night. We are excited to introduce West Michigan Flower Market located at Creekside Growers A collective of local flower farmers providing the freshest product for all your floral needs. Did you know over 80% of cut flowers sold in the US are grown out of the country and shipped in? Most being in boxes and traveling by air for over 1 week. It is our goal to bring local flowers back into your home. Benefits of buying local flowers: • Never boxed or flown - harvested daily for the freshest flowers, giving you the longest vase life possible • No harmful pesticides used - many countries do not have regulations on pesticide use and use unsafe practices • Unique flowers not “shippable” - giving designers more flexibility in their bouquets and arrangements Supporting local growers that give back to your community We provide flowers for designers, florists and local customers. We have both online ordering and Shop hours for pick-up or delivery. Do you have an upcoming event? We sell DYI buckets for you to work with or we are happy to create beautiful arrangements just for you. Stop in and visit our large walk in cooler. It is stocked with 100% locally grown stems and bouquets for you to shop front Harvested daily with seasonable flowers for you to enjoy. We are also a full service flower shop for your special occasion. We love creating flowers for anniversaries, birthdays, get well and everyday bouquets. OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS (ask us how to set up an account) We hope to see you soon When you think flowers, think local I WEST MICHIGAN FLOWER MARKET Floral Shop Hours: Monday: Closed for Harvest (online ordering available) Tuesday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 9-1 Follow along on our Instagram Account: wmflowermarket to keep updated on current flower availability A DIVISION OF CftEEKSIDE GROWERS 10197 GarbowRd. • Middleville • 269-795-7674 �Just Say “A^^tJv^rtised in the Sun News - oarurcray, JWunfe 3, 2023^- R raag^ee^l B Brianna Adkms L Faith Bronkema Aidan Buist Carsen Burbndge Clayton Count-Strrm back lane Cross Mason Cross Jasmin Cruz Karl Dirtmann Mark Douglas Cole Dunkelberger Emilia Egeman Dill) B bI Tyler Bushman Katie Burkhead 1 Aidan Carlson Connor Carn B Wk Itt E i rux ’I Jacob Chapman Austin Chivts Morgan Hoffff mma:a B S BBB IS Beniamin Cuison Kyla Fields Jackson Curbs Jacob Davidson Nicol Ftguereo Reyes Jade Flikkema g BB Preslee Hall Presley Hall Maggie Karmens Ryann Hautau Benjamin Haynes Liberty Hess Ethan Hey Avrey Hlcswa Luke Hinton Savannah Koning iZuzana “ Kosova ~Ethan Krtekaard1- Samantha Kruisenga Lacey Lafferty Gabriel Lajoye Evin Lamance Keely Lambert Mattilynn Lambert Dylan LeCtoire' Logan Mason Kaylee McDonald Manon Mercier-Perucchetti Aaron Michalk Andrew Middleton Jake Middleton Wyatt Miller Steven Mohn Elizabeth Mohr Britain Moore Mathew Penn-Davies Brendan Peters Noah Peterson Cameron Phillips Austin Pitsch Emily Podbevsek Carly Post ma Rein Pranger Peyton Pratt David Quist Kayfie Sayer Joumie Scheltema Monica Serrano Aguilar Molly Shepard Rachel Shoemaker Kenneth Simon Ethan Skidmore Josie Smith Gavin Snelling Manory syren Emma Thompson Zachary Timm Kahe Thick Dakota Troseth Ellie Vandeftfer Lucy vanDemark Hope Vander Heide Madison VanderMoten THANK YOU TO THESE BUSINESSES FOR SPONSORING OUR GRADUATES Good Luck Athletes Andrew R. 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S.E., Caledonia “Innovation is a deliberate focus” Ph (269) 948-8281 Fax (269) 948-8590 1900 Patterson Rd. Middleville, Ml 49333 269-241-1040 mtd-inc.com 221 W. Apple St. Hastings, MI 49058 �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3, 2023 Gaines Township Planning Commission approves site plan for daycare building expansion at Kentwood Community Church James Gemmell Contributing Writer Some development activity will soon take place at the Kentwood Community Church in Gaines Charter Township. The planning commission has approved a site plan for a building addition on the back of the existing daycare opera­ tion at the church. In April, the township board passed an amendment to the township’s office-ser­ vice zoning that allowed the operation of an expanded daycare facility at the church, 1200 60th St., west of Kalamazoo Avenue. At its May 25 meeting, the township planning commis­ sion roll-call voted 7-0 to approve the site plan for the 7,138-square-foot addition to the daycare center. It will operate in the township’s office-service (O-S) zoning district. Orion Construction is the project applicant. Township staff recommended the approval of the plan on the condition that any landscaping removed during construction be replanted. Also, the township engineer and local fire department must approve the plan. Project Engineer Robb Exxel Lamer with Exxel Engineering drew up the site plan for the daycare addition to the south side of the exist­ ing building. It complies with the township’s recently adopted master plan because it has a compatible use with the church. The project will replace the existing playground and wood chip area. “It’s really fun to work with a project where there’s a lot of space. There is a thriv- ing business that wants to expand, and it seems like this is the perfect fit for it,” Lamer told the planning commis­ sion. There are multiple access points around the existing facility. Additionally, it has a lot of green space, which engineers believe will help address stormwater runoff. A special-use permit was recent­ ly approved for the use of the property. “I do believe we’re going to help the neighbors’ runoff. I really do think that’s proba­ bly going to happen,” Planning Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo said. “There’s plenty of parking for this additional use,” town­ ship Community Development Director Dan Wells said. Meanwhile, a separate project calling for a multi-family townhouse development adjacent to the church still has several hur­ dles to clear. The planning commission voted 6-1 to approve a request from Orion Construction to conditionally rezone two parcels, or 30 acres, from residential (RL-10) and dential (RL-10) office-service (O-S) to multiple-family residential (R-3). The conditions include future modifications to the zoning contract and provisions regarding the 61st Street right ofway. Commissioner Commissioner Tim Haagsma cast the only “no” vote. Right now, KCC owns the property. It would be divided into two parcels at 1200 60th St and 1326 60th St. In April, the planning commission tabled the rezoning request. Orion proposed building 152 market-rate townhome units on the western parcel and 124 units on the northern parcel. Each would be single-entrance or single-family units. There will be no apartments. The church would be split off from the overall development, meaning the church would have to sell the property first Several citizens spoke against the proposed project in a public hearing at the April meeting, citing flooding, traffic congestion and impact on wildlife as primary concerns. The developer would have to build retention ponds and drainage outlets to prevent runoff and flooding. Wells noted that 61st Street will remain as it is and will not be connected to the development. An existing road stub will be abandoned or “vacat- ed” on the property. “They’re reconfiguring some of the drive lanes to show that there will not be a road going into 61st Street,” Wells said. However, the developer has an agreement with the church to use the south drive going out to Ridgebrook Avenue. So, there will be two drives in the development. There was no public hear­ ing at the May 25 planning commission meeting. However, several citizens were given the opportunity to speak about the proposed development during the pub­ lic comment period. Wells said Orion will have to present a site plan to the township for review. It is still working on engineering aspects of the plan, including how to address stormwater. He said it does comply with the township’s recently adopted Future Land Use Plan, which envisions a vil­ lage-residential development such as townhouses. There is a portion of the property on the northwest comer that is zoned RL-10, but the township master plan allows for a slight deviation because the land is part of a larger development that is zoned R-3. Township staff recommended approval of the rezoning request. But Haagsma called the site plan “terrible,” pointing out that it shows no open space or recreational uses. He said the contract negotiated between the township attorney and the developer’s attorney specifically refers to the site plan. Haagsma said he prefers that the development be under a planned unit development (PUD) rather than conditional rezoning because a PUD allows the planning commis­ sion to have some say in how the development is laid out. “What hammer do we have when the next site plan comes in — and we don’t like it — and then the developer says, ‘Well, it’s conditional-re­ zoned.’ What hammer do we have back that says we can tweak the site plan to what we wanted to see?” Haagsma For Rent CALEDONIA RURAL RES­ IDENTIAL, 2 bedroom, 1 bath in lower level of walk­ out ranch. Large master The Gaines Township Planning Commission reviewed a proposed multi-family residential devel­ opment on 60th Street at its May 25 meeting. cloths. Thurs.-Sat., June 8, 9 & 10th, 2023. 9:00am-5:00pm. 132 & 140 Grand Rapids St., Middleville. Several citizens attended and spoke at the May 25 Gaines Township Planning Commission meeting. A proposed residential development adjacent to Kentwood Community Church was one of the topics. (Photos by James Gemmell) MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom asked. Wells replied that the rezoning would be to R-3 standards. The developer will have to meet those standards or be denied. “It’s just like a plat, where you have a piece ofland that’s future-zoned for a certain thing. Ifthey meet those stan­ dards, it’s pretty much a by-right thing,” Wells said. “Then, I don’t like our R-3 standards being applied to this parcel,” Haagsma said. “The way they’re currently written I don’t think gives us enough power to get things on this site that we want” “We don’t have the ability to make sure the site plan will be the way we want it,” Giarmo said. Wells said the developer’s final site plan could be attached to the contract, so commissioners will know exactly what is being planned for the site. The site plan will be submitted this summer for review. A spokesman for the devel­ oper said the existing wet­ lands will be enhanced, and the drainage down to 61st will be improved. In addition, there will be a dedicated com­ mon area with walking paths that will connect to sidewalks throughout the development. Haagsma said he would like a park or open space in the plan. “I’m not going to tell them they have to have a communi­ ty center. But ifthey had that. It would be really great ifthey had some kind of playground or recreational facility or a soccer field. They’re building right over top of two existing softball diamonds ... things that would (allow) the resi­ dents to have some activity outside,” Haagsma said. He added that recreational areas would help the develop­ er market the property and entice people to live there. The developer said the cost of the townhomes has yet to be solidified, but some of them would be long-term rental units. Additionally, some units would be sold. There would be two building types. One would have a back loaded garage with sidewalks in front of the home. The other would be more of a standard townhome with a typical garage facing the street. \ The township board will hold a public hearing on the final site plan at a later date. trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, lia­ bility & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818­ 7793. LAB PUPPIES, VERY cute & adorable. 1st shots and de­ wormed. Mom on site. $300. 517-726-0706. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. KING CHARLES CAVAILER Spaniel/Mini Poodle Cross Puppies For Sale­ Family raised, dewormed and vaccinated. $400. Pic­ tures available. Call 517­ 852-2173. Help Wanted ANIMAL CARE/KENNEL ASSISTANT: Seeking part time help (10-15 hours/ week) for a private show dog kennel. Responsibil­ ities will include cleaning kennels, feeding/walking dogs and other daily care. Flexible working around school/sports schedules, weekends/occasional holi­ days will be required. Will train on all tasks! Pay is competitive with other entry level jobs. Located south of Middleville. Please contact by email, kaybelter@gmail. com or text 616-808-6460: Your local agent insures your HAme J FARM BUREAU INSURANCE9 LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS • PICK UPS • ONE TONS • VANS • SUITS • JEEPS • AMS FULL SERVICE & YOU POLL IT 269-381-2300 Mictyane 6tetu^uiee> Contpmuj, USED PARTS I Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com 1811LAKEST, KALAMAZOO �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3,2023/ Page 11 Scots get one senior through to DI Boys’ Golf Finals Brett Bremer Caledonia senior Noah Abdelkader flips his ball up to the green on number 11 during the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Tournament at Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Fighting Scot senior Dylan Meduna sends his tee shot flying on number nine at Sunnybrook Country Club Tuesday during the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Tournament in Grandville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ^5 Cft42> Sports Editor Only three guys were better than Caledonia senior Sam Baldwin at the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Tournament at Sunnybrook Country Club in Grandville Tuesday,., Baldwin earned a spQtin the MHSAA . Lower Peninsula Division’•LBoys’ Golf Finals by scoring a "^5 to finish among, the three individual state qualifiers from the regional. Baldwin’s senior team­ mate, Jacob Byanski, was just off the state qualifying group with a 79. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those three teams at the regional earned spots in the state finals that will be held June 9-10 at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University in Allendale. Caledonia finished 12^ as a team in the field of 18 Tuesday. Portage Central won the regional champion­ ship with a score of 306. Mattawan was second at 318 and Byron Center beat out Mona Shores on a tie­ breaker to earn the final state qualifying spot. The top four Bulldogs and Sailors both combined for scores of 324. Hudsonville and Grand Haven out of the OK Red Caledonia senior Sam Baldwin fires an iron shot towards the green on number Conference finished fifth 11 during the MHSAA Division 1 Regional at Sunnybrook Country Club in and sixth with scores of Grandville Tuesday. Baldwin fired a 75 to earn a spot in the MHSAA Lower 329 ahead of Rockford Peninsula Division 1 State Finals. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 334, Grandville 337, West Ottawa 338, Forest Hills regional champion with an sophomore Luke Berry. Bulldogs with a 76. Northern 338, Loy Norrix even-par-72. Mattawan Berry qualified for the state Baldwin earned his state 339, Caledonia 343, East junior Matthew Novak and finals along with Grandville finals appearance with a Kentwood 350, Reeths- Portage Central junior Will junior Tony Spicuzza who great start. He was even Puffer 356, Jenison 364, Thomas both scored 74’s. shot a 78. through his first nine holes, Portage Northern 364, Baldwin’s 75 was Senior Drew Leatherman Kalamazoo Central 367 matched by Grand Haven led the Byron Center See GOLF, page 13 and Battle Creek Lakeview 402. The day’s top three play­ ers were all from those state qualifying teams. Portage Central Ethan Tiller was the GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP COUNTY, MICHIGAN GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold three public hearings to consider the following requests at the June 22nd, 2023, 7:00 PM meeting: 1. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: 2. Request to rezone two parcels from Agricultural/Rural-Residential (A-R) and Agricultural/Agri- Business (A-B) to Light Industrial (1-1). Property Address: 4149 76th Street SE & 4450 76th Street SE; Parcel Numbers: 41-22-12-300-010 & SE; Parcel Numbers: 41-22-12-300-010 & 41-22-12-400-006. A true and complete copy of the amended ordinance a provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending the Township Zoning Map can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 *As posted in the 5/27/2023 edition of the Grand Rapids Press (via M-Live) a. Property Address: 1100 92 nd Street SE, Byron Center, Ml 49315 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-29-100-002 • c. Applicant: Lynn Haddow, Gias Associates Site plan and Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning consideration for the construc­ tion of 35 townhome units, 156 apartment units, and 12 commercial units for one parcel currently split-zoned Residential (RL-10) and Single-Family Residential (RL-14). a. b. c. 41-22-12-400-006. Applicant: Eric Calcatera, Steelcase. The Public Hearing will be held at the June 12, 2023 7PM meeting of the Gaines Charter Township Board of Trustees, to be held at the Township Hall located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The Board will consider the approval of a proposal to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending the Township Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following properties in their entirety: from Agricultural/Rural-Residential (A-R) and Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) to Light Industrial (1-1). Property Address: 4149 76"1 Street SE & 4450 76^ Street Special Land Use request to allow for a total of 3,456 square feet of residential accesso­ ry buildings in the Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) zoning district. 3. Property Address: 8190 Division Avenue SE, Byron Center, Ml 49315 Parcel Number: 41-22-18-300-012 Applicant: Dan Hibma, Land & Company A major amendment to the Gaines Marketplace Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow for the installation of twelve (12) Tesla vehicle charging stations. a. b. c. Property Address: 1801 Marketplace Drive SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Parcel Number: 41-22-04-301-015 Applicant: Aaron Adelman of SMJ International, on behalf of Tesla Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on June 22nd, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP OFFICES, BOARD ROOM, 8555 KALAMAZOO AVE., SE, CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3,2023 Shutout of Falcons gets Scots into district championship Caledonia sophomore defender Allye Risner (right) chases down East Kenwood’s Ella Zoerhoff as she tries to start a counter-attack during the second half of their MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal in Kentwood Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor “Fairy tales do not start, nor do they end in the dark forest. That son of a gun always shows up smack­ dab in the middle of a story. But it will all work out,” fictional professional soc­ cer coach Ted Lasso tells his AFC Richmond soccer squad during one particularly tough stretch during season two of his Apple TV show. After a 9-1-1 start to the season as a whole and a 4-0 PUBLIC NOTICE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING SYNOPSIS May 8,2023 The Gaines Charter Township Board held a regular meeting on Monday, May 8,2023 and took the following actions. 1. Reviewed the Consent Agen­ da. 2. Approved the Meeting Agen­ da 3. Approved the Consent Agen­ da 4.Purchased wellness equip­ ment at a cost of $12,329.68. 5. rchased of a mower from Starr Lawn and Garden for $12.490.00. 6. Set a Public Hearing for June 12,2023 for a Steelcase Rezoning Request. 7. Approved the 60*“ Street San­ itary Sewer Lateral Agreement 8. Approved the Prairie Wolf Station Sanitary Pump Station De­ sign Agreement 9. Approved the renewal of the contract with The Rapid 10. Approved the Assessor’s out of state conference request 11. Discussed the 48/96 shift trial for the fire departments, ARPA monies, discarding old equipment, ruts left from boring holes along Kalamazoo Avenue, and further discussion needed for adding ad­ ditional officer for Public Safety. 12. Adjourned the Regular Board Meeting at 8:09 pm A complete copy of the minutes of these meetings and any resolu­ tions or ordinances adopted at the meeting are on file and available for review at the Gaines Charter Township office, 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michi­ gan 49316. Ordinances, meeting schedules, meeting minutes, and other Township information are also available at www.gainestownship.org Michael Brew Gaines Charter Township Clerk start to the OK Red Conference season, the Caledonia varsity girls’ soccer team hit its dark for­ est in back-to-back losses to the West Ottawa and Hudsonville girls. “Now, it may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does, but believe me, it will all work out, exactly as it is sup­ posed to”- Lasso told his team. “I think earlier in the sea­ son we were feeling a little bulletproof,” Caledonia head coach Sam Stearns said. “A couple tough games in a row just kind of made things real for us. In knowing that we have our vulnerabilities, I think they take things even more seri­ ously now - not that they weren’t before.” “It’s realizing we are not infallible, but we are capa­ ble when we’re on our game,” he added. The only loss since that stretch was a 4-2 defeat at the home of the fourth ranked Hudsonville Eagles in the championship game •of the OK Red Conference Tournament. The Scots did avenge the earlier loss to West Ottawa in the confer­ ence tournament. “We wanted to win. We made a pact. We got this. This is our year, we’re going to get it,” Caledonia junior goalkeeper Dayanee Balczak said. “Obviously, we had a couple of those upsets, but everyone still wanted it just as much. We get to play Hudsonville, if we win [districts]. Hopefully, we can show them this time.” Things are working out for the Fighting Scots in their MHSAA Division 1 District Tournament. Playing for their first dis- Caledonia senior Gracie Gortmaker and freshman Bailee DeVries get off the turf to celebrate DeVries’ goal which put the Fighting Scots up 1 -0 over host East Kentwood in their MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) trict title since 2013, the Caledonia I varsity girls’ soccer team earned a spot in Friday night’s, June 2, dis­ trict final in Kentwood with a 3-0 win over the East Kentwood girls in the dis­ trict semifinals Tuesday. The Scots were set to face Byron Center in the district final Friday, a Bulldog team that bounced the Scots from the state tournament a year ago and played them to a 0-0 draw back in April. Balczak smothered a hur­ ried free kick from the Falcons as the final seconds ticked off the clock at the home of the Falcons Tuesday, making her first save of the match. For most of the match, things had gone like they did seconds earlier. East Kentwood sophomore Ella Zoerhoff pushed to beat Caledonia junior defender Laney Peterson one-on-one moving towards the box only to have senior defend­ er Stella Haan swoop in from right to left at the last moment to slide the ball safely away before the Falcons could even get a shot off. “It is fun to be able to watch the game. There is a lot of pressure on me per­ sonally, but when you get to watch the team perform how they do it is fun to watch and give them advice,” Balczak said. “I always give credit to my defense. They’re mak­ ing just as many saves as I do. Every time they make a See SCOTS, continued next page VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET FOR 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 12, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., the Village Council of the Village of Caledonia will hold a public hearing at the Caledonia Village Hall, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, to hear and consider comments regarding the proposed Village budget for the July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 fiscal year. A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at the Caledonia Village Offices. The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject ofthis hearing. This notice is given pursuant to Act 43 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan of 1963 (Second Extra Session), as amended. Dated: June 3, 2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA Caledonia senior Jocelyn Herrema races up the left side with the ball early in the first half of her team’s 3-0 win over East Kentwood in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal in Kentwood Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, Jone 3,2023/ Page 13 SCOTS, continued from previous page Caledonia junior Kendall Maynard goes after a bouncing ball in the midfield during her team’s 3-0 win over East Kentwood in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinals in Kentwood Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) GOLF, continued from page 11 — a stretch that included bird­ ies on the par-5 number one and par-4 number 5. He also birdied number 11 Tuesday. Spicuzza won a playoff with Mona Shores senior Nicholas Taylor for the final state qualifying spot, meaning Taylor just missed qualifying for the finals both with his team and indi­ vidually. Byanski did his best to fight back from a dou­ ble-bogie on number 13 that put him at eight-over for the day with two holes to go. He sank a par putt on number 14 and then birdied the par-5, number 15 to close out his round. Behind those top two for the Scots, senior Dylan Meduna shot a 92 and sophomore Parker Little a 97. Senior Noah Abdelkader was right behind with a 98. Portage Central won the regional champion with Tiler and Thomas leading the way, senior Charlie Anderson shooting a 79 and junior Jake Longman add­ ing an 81. The Mustangs came into the regional ranked eighth in the lower peninsula in Division 1. Behind Novak for Mattawan, senior Will Kuiper shot a 79, junior Brian Graver an 81, and junior Cameron Graver an d senior Blake Welch both scored an 84. Byron Center earned its state finals place with senior CJ Bushey tallying a score of 86 which was four strokes better than Mona Shores got from its fifth-best player on the day. Behind Leatherman for the Bulldogs, Zach Bush shot an 80, Evan Kaiser 83 and junior Cade Pratt an 85. tackle or stop their best player, I always compli­ ment them for that. They’re saving me. We all do our jobs and we get results.” The job of seniors Gracie Gortmaker and Jocelyn Herrema and freshman Bailey DeVries is to put the ball in the net, and the trio made that happen early on in the match with the Falcons. Herrema pushed up the left side with the ball in the third minute of play and slotted a pass to the top of the box for Gortmaker, who received it with her .back to the net. Gortmaker found DeVries streaking in from the right side and fed a pass in front of her in the box. DeVries ran onto it and fired the ball by Falcon’s starting keeper. The score stood at 2-0 The Fighting Scots made it 2-0 in the fifth minute of until Peterson buried a pen­ play. Sophomore Josie alty kick in the 77th minute Wilcox put a comer kick to seal the three-goal victo­ into the Falcon box. The ryPeterson, Balczak and ball deflected out up high and Herrema was there to the Fighting Scot defenders have done their fair share of head it back into the net. “It was exactly our style starting the attack this sea­ son. of play,” Stearns said, “I feel like my team is “build out of the back, quick counter attacks. really good at building up,” Getting the goal early was Balczak said. “I have played always in the game plan. It with a lot of these girls for is a good result. We had the a really long time, so I feel same kind of thing last time like being able to build up through the middle to get it [against East Kentwood] to the forwards is a vital the first couple minutes. “It is kind of like a shock part of what we do.” factor, using Jocelyn and Stearns said his girls Gracie kind of opens the played really, really well in game up. People are usual­ the regular season meeting ly kind of slow to get into with Byron Center, creating the flow of the game and a number of chances. “We have a game plan,” you can take advantage of that.” Steams said. Scot baseball falls by a run at FHE Brett Bremer Sports Editor Forest Hills Eastern snapped a 4-4 tie with a ran in the bottom ofthe sixth and went on to a 5-4 win over the Caledonia varsity baseball team in an non-conference bailgame to close the regular season in Ada Tuesday. Alex Skibinski was 2 for 4 at the plate for the Scots. AJ Szabo, Corbin Raffler, Nick Slater, Tommy Cleary and Mitchell Douglass had the other Caledonia hits. Slater and Douglass both doubled once. Caledonia worked out its arms on the mound, with five different pitchers throwing. The Scots had a 3-1 lead after two innings. Skibinski got things stated with a lead-off single and then scored as Slater fol­ lowed with an RBI double into center. Szabo and Douglass also had RBI’s for the Scots. The Fighting Scots are at Lowell High School today for their MHSAA Division 1 District Tournament They will face East Kentwood in the first of two district semifinal con­ tests. Game time is set for 9:30 a.m.. Forest Hills Central and Lowell meet in the tourna­ ment’s second semifinal match. CHS girls score walk-off win over Wayland Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity softball team closed out the 2023 regular season with an 8-7 walk-off win over visit­ ing Wayland Thursday after­ noon. Grace Siekman scored on a ground-ball of f the bat of teammate Addy Lash with two out in the bottom of the seventh to snap a 7-7 tie after the Wildcats had scored a run in the top half of the inning. Siekman reached base with a line drive double into left with one out and went to third on a ground out by teammate Peyton Brenner. The teams were back and forth all afternoon. The Scots scored five times in the bottom of the third to lead 5-0. The Wildcats answered with six runs in the top of the fourth inning. Caledonia struck back with two in the bottom of the sixth to take a 7-5 lead. Caledonia outhit the Wildcats 14-6 in the ball­ game. Siekman was 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles. She scored two runs. Avery Hallo, Keira Sundstrom, MacKenzie Parker, Malia Burke and Kyla Bisterfeldt all singled twice. Burke and Hallo had two RBI’s each and Siekman, Brenner and Parker had one RBI apiece. Lieske also singled once for the Scots. She started in the circle and went 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks. She struck out three. Jaz Dana came on in relief and held the Wildcats to two runs over the final 3 2/3 innings. Only one of those two runs was earned. She gave up four hits and two walks while striking out three. Hamilton took two from the visiting Scots on Tuesday, scoring 4-1 and 6-4 wins. Caledonia is at Wyoming High School today, June 3, for its 1 MHSAA Division District Tournament. The Fighting Scots face the Wolves in one of two dis­ trict semifinal match-ups. East Kentwood faces off against Byron Center in the first game of the day at 9:30 a.m. The Scots and Wolves are scheduled to begin about 11:30 a.m. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE JUNE 28th, 2023 @ 6 PM PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING The Yankee Springs Township Board will hold a Special Meeting to conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed Township Budget Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at the Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 on: Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 At 6:00 PM - ONLINE ONLY- Public AUCTION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023 FIRST LOT ENDS AT 6:00 P.M. 3130 22nd Street, Hopkins, Ml John and Dory Ritsema are moving to Florida and their personal property will be sold via online only Public Auction including: 2009 Kia Rio, Craftsman lawn tractor, Power Equipment, Tools, Furniture, Office equipment, Household goods. See our website for details and bidding: Caledonia senior senior Jacob Byanski hits his tee shot on number 11 at Sunnybrook Country Club Tuesday during the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Tournament. Byanski finished 11^ individually with a score of 79. (Photo by Brett Bremer) www.VKauctions.com (616) 437-1047 www.VKauctions.com The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed Budget will be a subject of this hearing. A copy of the proposed budget is available for public in­ spection at the Township Office on June 16, 2023 during regular office hours. American with Disabilities Notice: The Yankee Springs Township Board Will provide necessary and reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed Materials being considered at the meeting to individu­ als at the Meeting upon 5 days’ notice to the Township Clerk, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333. Phone 269-795-9091/Fax 269-795-2388 Mike Cunningham Yankee Springs Township Clerk �Page 14/The Sun and News* Saturday, June 3,2023 Trojan golf season ends in 16th-place regional finish Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ranked number one in the lower peninsula throughout the season, the Grand Rapids Christian varsity boys’ golf team dominated the MHSAA Division 2 Regional at Diamond Springs Golf Course Thursday. The Eagles shot a 296 as a team with sopho­ more John Cassiday and junior Maxwell O’Grady battling for individual regional medalist honors each scoring a 72. The Eagle team had four guys in the 70’s with junior Dylan Clark shooting a 75 and fresh­ man Cooper Reitsma fir­ ing a 77. The top three teams and top three players not on those teams earned spots in the June 9-10 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Boys’ Golf Finals. South Christian fin­ ished second, closer to placing eighth than first, with a score 323 and Unity Christian was third with a 327. Otsego finished fourth in the day’s team stand­ ings with a score of 332 ahead of Zeeland West 348, Plainwell 348, Hamilton 348, Charlotte 360, Holland 362, Hastings 368, Wayland 369, Holland Christian 369, Zeeland East 372, Allegan 374, Ionia 376, Thornapple Kellogg 378, West Michigan Aviation Academy 422 and Lansing Waverly 516. Senior Austin Pitsch led Thornapple Kellogg with an 89. Junior Jordan Parks shot a 95 Thomapple Kellogg junior Noah Newland fires his for the Trojans and sophomore Tyler Voss ball towards the green on number 16 at Diamond and senior Kyron Zoet Springs Golf Course Thursday during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament. (Photo by Brett Bremer) both scored 97’s. I00764 VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN Notice of Adoption of Village Ordinance and Summary of the Regulatory Effect Thereof PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on May 23, 2023, the Village Council of the Village of Middleville adopted Ordinance No. 2131, amending Section 78.04 thereof, the Village Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following described lands within the Village. The principal provisions ofthe amending ordinance are as follows: Section 1. Planned Unit Development. The following described lands within the Village were rezoned from the C-2 Highway Commercial District to the Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development (PUD) District. PARCEL 1: That part ofthe Northeast 1/4, Section 22, Town 4 North Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the Nporth 1/4 comer of Section 22, thence North 88 degrees 53 minutes 06 seconds East 70.65 feet along the North line of said Northeast 1/4; thence South 29 degrees 52 minutes 40 seconds East 1551.32 feet along the centerline ofM-37 (120 feet wide) to the PLACE OF BEGINNING ofthis description; thence South 29 degrees 52 minutes 40 seconds East 48.68 feet along said centerline; thence South 54 degrees 30 minutes West 420.02 feet; thence South 29 degrees 52 minutes 40 seconds East 360.39 feet; thence North 60 degrees 07 minutes 20 seconds East 205.00 feet; thence South 34 degrees 52 minutes 40 seconds East 244.00 feet; thence South 60 degrees 07 minutes 20 seconds West 300.00 feet; thence South 01 degree 07 minutes 20 seconds West 185 feet more or less to the North line ofthe South 10 Acres ofthat part of said Northeast 1/4 which lies Westerly ofthe centerline ofArlington Street; thence Westerly 696 feet more or less along said North line to its intersection with the West line ofsaid Northeast 1/4; thence North 01 degree 30 minutes 31 seconds West along said West line a distance of 1023 feet, more or less to its intersection with the South line of PIONEER FARM SUBDIVISION; thence North 88 degrees 09 minutes 21 seconds East 807.78 feet along the South line of PIONEER FARM SUBDIVISION and its extension to the place of beginning. PARCEL 2: That part ofthe Northeast fractional one quarter of Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, Thomapple Township, Barry County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 post ofSection 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, thence East 1.1 feet to Westerly right ofway ofHighway M-37, thence South 29 degrees 53 minutes East 2,236.2 feet to point ofbeginning; thence South 29 degrees 53 minutes East 500 feet, thence West 625.5 feet, thence North 01 degrees 07 minutes 20 seconds East 185 feet, thence North 60 degrees 07 minutes 20 seconds East 300 feet, thence North 34 degrees 52 minutes 40 seconds West 244 feet, thence North 60 degrees 07 minutes 20 seconds East 213 feet to center line ofM-37, thence Southeasterly to point ofbeginning. EXCEPT: That part ofthe Northeast 1/4, Section 22, Town 4 North, Range 10 West, described as: Commencing at the North 1/4 comer of Section 22; thence South 00 degrees 46 minutes 03 seconds East 2393.27 feet along the West line ofsaid Northeast 1/4; thence North 89 degrees 30 minutes 54 seconds East 1215.20 feet along the North line ofthe South 10 acres ofthat part ofthe Northeast 1/4, Section 22 which lies West ofthe centerline ofArlington Street to the place ofbeginning ofthis description; thence North 60 degrees 51 minutes 33 seconds East 133.20 feet; thence South 29 degrees 08 minutes 27 seconds East 72.79 feet along the centerline of Highway M-37; thence South 89 degrees 30 minutes 54 seconds West 151.80 feet along said North line to the place ofbeginning. Section 2. Rezoning of Lands. The rezoning of lands to the Mixed-Use Planned Unit Development (PUD) District is subject to certain terms and conditions including the review and approval of the final development plan for The Flats at Mid-Villa, and certain requirements with respect to phasing ofthe proposed development, site access, parking requirements, landscaping, public utilities, signage, outdoor lighting, and other similar provisions. Section 3. Findings. Section 3 ofthe Ordinance includes certain findings by the Village Council as required under Section 78-474 ofthe zoning ordinance. Section 4. Enforcement. Section 4 of the Ordinance sets forth the enforcement mechanisms available to the Village in event of a violation ofthe Ordinance. Section 5. Publication and Effective Date. The amending ordinance will become effective on June 10,2023; A copy ofthe ordinance may be examined or purchased at the offices ofthe Middleville Village Clerk, 100 East Main Street, Middleville, Michigan, during Village office hours. Dated: May 23,2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE Hamilton senior Eli Timmerman was fifth overall on the day indi­ vidually and the top individual state qualifi­ er from the tournament with a score of 77. The other two individ­ ual state qualifiers came from the fourth-place Otsego team - sopho­ mores Spencer Shearer and Landon Eastman, Shearer shot a 78 and Eastman a 79. Eastman had to beat out Zeeland Trojan sophomore Tyler Voss hits his ball from the edge of the fairway to the green on number 16 during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Tournament hosted by Hamilton at Diamond Springs Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) West sophomore Logan Borners and senior Malachi Le in a three-person playoff for that final state qualifying spot as all three guys put up scores of 79. Hastings was led by an 88 from freshman Daniel Jensen. The Saxons also got an 89 from senior Collin Fouty and a 90 from junior Owen Carroll. Thornapple Kellogg senior Austin Pitsch watches his tee shot go on number 17 at Diamond Springs Thursday during the MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by Hamilton. (Photo by Brett Bremer) HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS WE’RE Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerdRjtrft HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERiDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ■■■■MM ACCREDITED BUSINESS �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 3, 2023/ Page 15 Influx of freshmen helps TK program to district title Brett Bremer Sports Editor For a few varsity stal­ warts it was a long time coming, but the Trojans are mostly ahead of schedule. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team, with two seniors and nine freshmen on the roster, cap­ tured the program’s first dis­ trict championship since 2018 by scoring a 1-0 win over Hamilton in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Thursday. “I think that it could have been done years ago, but I think this team has been strong since the beginning of the season and I knew we were going to do big things since the beginning of the season,” Trojan junior mid­ fielder Emma Schut said after the victory. “The hard work we have put in at practice, and just with all the freshmen coming in I think it has been an amazing expe­ rience and we worked hard and we deserved this.” Freshman Tealy Cross scored the game’s only goal. The Trojans, now 15-4-1, dominated possession throughout the first half, and really most of the ballgame, against the Hawkeyes. It wasn’t until the 25th minute that Cross was able to break free for the shot that beat the Hamilton keeper. The ball came to Cross on a long clear from sophomore cen­ ter back Emma Geukes. “I was just trying to get the ball out of there,” Geukes said. “It was crazy that she scored off of that. I was not expecting that at all.” Cross watched her shot hit the back of the net and then turned back towards the center of the field and found senior Peyton Pratt coming her way. She leapt into Pratt’s arms and they spun together until they were surrounded by their teammates. Geukes was joined in a reworked Trojan defense this season by freshman center back Ella Fischer, freshman Natalie Borrink and senior Anna Davis on the outside and freshman goalkeeper McKenna Hoebeke. How that group would come together was one of the big questions for the Trojans entering this season, and the TK program got a big answer with the shutout in the district cham­ pionship game. “That was kind of scary with our whole back line being all freshmen, but they have adjusted so well and they have become so strong,” Schut said. “It has just been amazing to see everyone grow so much.” “It was pretty hard at first,” Geukes said. “We don’t talk as much as we should,, but over the season we have started communi­ eating better and working better together.” She said Hoebeke is the best communicator of the group, and always has encouraging words for her back line. “Both of us have spoken a lot this season with them about being aggressive,” TK co-head coach Ben Sleeman said of himself and coach David Wood, who are leading the girls’ program in Middleville for the first time this spring. “They’re so young. One of them has never played center back and one of them is a fresh­ man. Their biggest thing is being timid and not wanting the ball. Tonight, [Hamilton] had a good player up front, and we spoke to both [Geukes and Fischer] about being a bit more aggressive and trying to limit the amount of chances she got on the ball and they did a good job of that.” The Hawkeyes, who closed the season at 10-7-1, got through the Trojan defense to put a couple of solid balls at the net in a flurry ten minutes into the second half, but Hoebeke Thornapple Kellogg senior Peyton Pratt accepts her district championship medal from high school athletic director Brian Hammer Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girts’ soccer team celebrates it’s MHSAA Division 2 District Championship after a 1 -0 win over Hamilton on the turf inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) was up to the task and got a little help from one of her posts. The Trojans will head to Vicksburg next week Wednesday, June 7, for their Division MHSAA 2 Regional Semifinal ballgame against the winner of this week’s district final hosted by Stevensville Lakeshore. The TK ladies will play their next tournament game without their top scorer, junior attacker Holly Velting, who received a red card with about ten minutes to play in the district final. She picked up a yellow card as the official determined she’d had a little too much contact with the Hamilton goalkeeper on . more than one occasion. She picked up her second yellow, an automatic red, with a hard tackle late in the second half. “At the end of the day, we talked about being a team and having to defend for the last 20 minutes or whatever it might be,” Sleeman said. “Then when we lose Holly and everything goes into a little more of a panic mode and trying to maintain our emotions and keeping every­ thing in check. “We lose our fastest play­ er on the field and we lose our leading goalscorer, but at that point [in the district final] it is kind of is all right because we needed to defend. Even though you lose a number, you drop everybody back a level and they look to pick up the slack. Tealy and Paige [Abshagen] we ask them to do a lot when we lose our striker, where they are try­ ing to press high and then get back and even come cen­ trally a little bit. They did a lot of work on the outside.” Schut was proud of the effort she saw Velting giving throughout the match. “She worked so hard and that just shows how hard we were working, for a girl to get a red card,” Schut said. “She was winning every ball. I just think, if you get a red card you’re working hard. I think that is just awe­ some. Just the way we fought until that last whistle, I just think that was amaz­ ing.” The Trojans earned their place in the district final with a 3-1 win over Zeeland East and a 5-1 win over Zeeland West in the first two rounds of the district tournament in Middleville. While the Trojans domi­ nated from the start Friday, May 26, against the Zeeland West Dux and were in con­ trol of much of Tuesday’s district semifinal against the Chix, Zeeland East had a 1-0 lead at the half before the Trojans surged for the win in the semifinal. “[Co-head coach] David [Wood] and I were really proud of the girls’ effort and energy in the second half of a must-win game,” Sleeman said after his team’s 3-1 win over Zeeland East in Middleville Tuesday. “Being behind and playing well was frustrating, but they responded well to our talk at halftime and showed that they were the better team. We are definitely excited and ready for Thursday’s final against Hamilton and feel that we are in a good place to win if we play well and do the things that we’ve been doing all season that have made us successful.” Velting scored two goals 20 seconds apart to pull the Trojans even and then give them the lead early on in the second half. The Trojans continued to create chances through the second 40 minutes and eventually got a third goal from Abashagen to seal the win. “It pretty much mirrored the game when we played them a few weeks ago at their place,” Sleeman said. “I felt that we really domi­ nated the first 15-20 minutes and created some good chances to score but just couldn’t find the back of the net. Then, with about eight minutes left in the first half we failed to win a punt from their keeper and allowed one of their attacking play­ ers to have an uncontested look at goal - which she took well. “Not long after that McKenna Hoebeke made a fantastic double save on a free kick to keep us from being down two goals.” The Trojan coach did feel See DISTRICT, page 16 BWSKP Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — ✓ Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs / State & I-CAR Certified Technicians 7 Direct Repair Facility * ^NFIB (faW) Most insurance companies tffijgfo GOLD CLASS Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 ajn. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr,, Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com �PagolfifflwSwi and News, Saturday, June 3,2023 D/S7WCT, continued from page IsS fired up. Thornapple Kellogg sophomore defender Emma Geukes works to get the ball off the feet of Hamilton’s Mari Dellavecchia in the midfield during their MHSAA Division 2 District Final in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) like his girls missed out on what should have been a penalty kick as they tried to pull even late in the first half. Hamilton earned its spot in the district final with a 2-0 win over Holland in Middleville Tuesday after­ noon. Last Friday, the Zeeland West girls struggled to con- tain Schut, which always has to be a fine line for opponents. They can’t let Thomapple Kellogg junior midfielder have any space. They also can’t get her too A hard tackle by Zeeland West midfielder Amarra Blattner took Schut out of the play and drew a whistle ten minutes into the second half of the Dux’s MHSAA Division 2 District opener inside Bob White Stadium. After gathering herself, Schut whizzed the free kick just wide of the upper left 90 on the goal at the south end of the field. A few minutes later, Schut finished off her hat­ trick in a 5-1 Trojan victory. Schut also found just enough space in the middle of the Dux’s box Friday to head two comer kicks from Pratt into the net. Veiling and sophomore Madilyn Chivis also scored for the Trojans. A header by Schut was the lone goal of the first half Friday. Veiling scored on a fine little give and go at the top ofthe Dux’s box with fresh­ man attacker Tealy Cross to put TK up 2-0 less than two minutes into the second half. A failed clearance attempt up the middle by the Zeeland West defense gave Schut a head of steam moving towards the met five min­ utes into the second half, and she quickly upped her team’s lead to 3-0 with a shot into the lower left-hand We Accept E Keep YourTeeth fora LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! YouDon’t Haue To Brush RLL Vour Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. We e spec specialize aze inn the e preven prevention, on, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan (LUe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries ------ DDS LfieJI new patfeiHsd appoi^tm^t! DEVRIES CENTAL 6650 Crossings Dh S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmKcom Thornapple Kellogg freshman wing Paige Abshagen (right) battles for possession of the ball with Hamilton’s Caia Andrews during the MHSAA Division 2 District Final in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) comer of the net. The lead grew to 4-0 as Schut headed a second cor­ ner kick into the goal with 20:43 to play. Chivis’ goal came on a stunning shot from just out­ side the Dux’s box to the left. She dispossessed a defender of the ball and then curled a shot from the tough angle just inside the far post on the right side the clock ticked under ten minutes to go. Rylee Terpstra scored the lone goal for Zeeland West with 12:26 to play. Sailors best TK ladies in Pre-District softball game Brett Bremer Sports Editor South Christian ended the Thomapple Kellogg varsity softball season in the MHSAA Division 2 Pre­ District ballgame in at South Christian High School Tuesday afternoon. The Sailors scored in five of the seven innings and pounded 16 hits in the 13-4 win. TK answered South Christian’s two runs in the top of the first by scoring once in the bottom half of the inning, but he Sailors came right back with three runs in the top of the second and led for the remainder of the bailgame. Kylee Hoebeke hit a tworun home ran to left field for the Trojans in the bottom of the fifth inning that pulled her team within 12-3 at the time. Hoebeke was 2 for 3 at the plate with a walk and three RBI’s. TK’s other four hits were singles by Pjiyton Stahl, Rachel Shoe oemaker, Kenzie Bouma andd Elje Vandefifer. The Saiilor J were helped by four TK errors which led to seven unearned runs. Hoebeke started in the circle. She was charged with nine runs, but only three were earned, in her four innings. She struck out six, allowed nine hits and didn’t walk anyone. Stahl threw the final three innings for TK. Ashley Raredon led the South Christian attack going 4 for 5 with a home run, a double and six RBI’s. She scored four runs. Ava Sherwood also had four hits in five at-bats. She drove in two and scored once. TK closes the season with a 7-21 overall record. The 9-10 Sailors will face 7-18 Hopkins in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals in Wayland Saturday morning, June 3. Wayland takes on Allegan in the district’s second semi­ final match-up Saturday. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-06-10.pdf be759d6078987d9659c171105f156955 PDF Text Text The, Ssn and News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 23/ June 10, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia Concert Series back for another year, fueled by local music junkie Jayson Bussa More than 50 kids gathered last week to mark the The new splash pad at Community Green in grand opening of the new splash pad at Caledonia’s Caledonia will be open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 8 Community Green Park. (Photos by Greg Chandler) p.m. SPLISH SPLASH: New splash pad opens at Community Green in Caledonia Greg Chandler StaffWriter With sunny skies and tem­ peratures in the low 90s, it was the perfect time to open the new splash pad at Caledonia’s Community Green Park. More than 50 kids, along with their families, counted down from 10 before water shot up through openings in the concrete, then squealed with delight as they played in the water and batted around beach balls that were dropped from a Caledonia fire truck ladder during the June 2 grand opening for the splash pad. “It’s awesome. I think add­ ing an amenity like this that kids can enjoy just makes this space even greater,” said Caledonia Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison, who was joined by kids in swimsuits in cutting the rib­ bon to mark the splash pad’s official opening. Community Green is owned by the town­ ship but is located within the village limits of Caledonia. Village President Jennifer Lindsey was also in atten­ dance for the grand opening. Leighton Township resi­ dent Laurie Kimes, who brought her grandchildren, 6-year-old Liam and 3-yearold Tatum, had been eagerly anticipating the splash pad opening since plans for the park were developed five years ago. “We’ve been watching the plans and everything. This is amazing, just to see the kids (having fun),” Kimes said. “It’s wonderful. It will be an asset for all the kids and the parents, too.” The splash pad was origi­ nally planned to be part ofthe first phase of Community Green’s development when it was built in 2019. However, the splash pad was shelved when costs for the project came in higher than expected. Later, a second set of pickle­ ball courts was built on the site originally planned for the splash pad, and the township opted to move the splash pad to the northwest side of the park, near the Caledonia branch of Kent District Library. The splash pad was built late last year at a cost of about $370,000, slightly higher than the $350,000 the township had budgeted for the project. Holland-based EV Construction built the splash pad with engineering assis­ tance from Vriesman & Korhom Civil Engineering. The splash pad will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. LGBTQIA+ Pride resolution fails in Middleville after lengthy debate in front of village’s Committee of the Whole Greg Chandler Former Middleville village president Amanda Fisk, who is one of the organizers of Saturday’s Pride festi­ val, explains her support for a resolution marking the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the village during Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting. (Photos by. GregChandler) , . v .. ■ Y StaffWriter Efforts by a Middleville Village Council member to pass a resolution marking the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in the village went down to defeat on Tuesday at the council’s Committee of the Whole meeting. President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd moved for the resolution to be added to next Tuesday’s regular council agenda as a consent item. However, the motion died for lack pf a second. The action came four days before a sched­ uled Pride Festival to be held on Saturday afternoon at the village’s Sesquicentennial Pavilion. “This board is a non-par­ tisan board who vote on non-partisan issues. When we run for this office, we do not run as a Republican or a Democrat, but as a citizen of the Village of Middleville,” Council Trustee Kevin Smith said. “With that, I do not support See LGBTQM+PR/DE, page 3 Editor The Caledonia Concert Series is a labor of love for Adam Stauffer, and residents community-wide have the opportunity to enjoy his care­ fully-curated lineup ofbands again this year. Stauffer, the owner of Caledonia-based Stauffer & Wiggers Insurance and self-proclaimed music junk­ ie, is the brains behind the Caledonia Concert Series, which is now in its third year. All the action takes place at the amphitheater at the Community Green Park. On six different nights, visitors are able to enjoy a free night of music while a dessert and food truck park nearby to dole out food and drink. The concert series has slowly gained momentum, especially considering the fact that it operates on a shoe­ string budget, albeit one that has grown thanks to a flurry of sponsors. “I don’t have a very big budget — it’s free to the community so advertising is tough,” Stauffer said. “You do what you can do — hand out flyers, run the Facebook page. I felt like we were always getting around 100 people out to each show (last year). There were some shows where we got 300 to 400 people.” When it comes to musical genres, Stauffer is a bluegrass fan, which has been reflected in each year’s roster of bands. This year, Stauffer will feature Colorado-based Stillhouse Junkies, which were named the 2021 International Bluegrass Music Association Momentum Band ofthe Year. But still, Stauffer resists the urge to book only a single type of music. Because, like his own taste in music, the concert series is all over the map, all the way to CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, which per­ forms a brand of Zydeco. Chenier is strapped with a giant accordion. “It’s hard to get outside of (my musical tastes) because my preferences are so large. I See C41ED0N1A CONCERT SERIES, p^e 2 Durango, Colo.-based trio Stillhouse Junkies will headline the June 27 installment of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series. This year’s series features six nights of performances, held at the Community Green Amphitheater. (Photos provided) • Campau Corners manager named Hometown Hero • Middleville council creates committee to look at off-road vehicle ordinance • Caledonia baseball wins its way into Division 1 Regional Semi’s • Overtime goal gives Plainwell girls win over TK in D2 Regional • Scots and Trojans win medals at 2023 MHSAA Track and Field Finals �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023 CALEDONIA CONCERT SERIES, continued from page 1 used to joke about how I like doing this because I get to choose the music that I want to hear,” Stauffer said. “But, I try to get a variety for everyone.” Stauffer acknowledged that summer concert series are prevalent throughout West Michigan. In fact, near­ by areas like Hastings, Middleville and Wyoming all host live music and enter­ tainment throughout the summer. One way that he sets his music series apart is by booking bands that residents won’t get to see on any other weekend — bands that hail from all comers ofthe coun­ try. “I’m all for local music, don’t get me wrong, but my approach is to get something you can’t go see every CALEDONIA SUMMER CONCERT SERIES June 13: Josh Rose and the Founding Fathers June 27: Stillhouse Junkies July 11: John “Papa” Gros July 25: Good Morning Bedlam Aug. 8: CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band Aug. 22: Schrock Bros. With Peter “Madcat” Ruth weekend at a local bar. I got one band from New Orleans and one from Minnesota and Colorado......I try to put a Michigan band in there, too.” “I don’t like repeats, either,” Stauffer added. “There is just so much music out there.” On each scheduled night, an opening band takes the stage at 6 p.m. with food and dessert trucks available. The headlining act performs at 7 p.m. Crowds gathered last year at Community Green Park to enjoy music and food trucks as part of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series. Campau Corners store manager Bernie Pleva named Caledonia Hometown Hero Greg Chandler StaffWriter Stop in at Bricks Campau Comers convenience store at the southwest comer of 68th Street and Whitneyville Avenue most days, and you’ll see Bemie Pleva hard at work. Whether interacting with customers, stocking shelves or even pushing a broom to ensure the store is spotless, Pleva goes about his busi­ ness with a smile on his face. “I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t work,” said Pleva, who has been the manager at the Campau Comers store for 26 years. But Pleva also leaves plenty of time for fun and serving his community. Whether holding a holiday light decorating contest, a sponsoring March Madness-type basketball shooting contest inside his store or holding a coloring contest around Easter, he tries to bring joy to the peo­ ple around him. For those reasons and more, Pleva has been named Caledonia’s Hometown Hero for 2023. The announcementt came at Wednesday’s Caledonia Township board meeting. Pleva will take part in the community’s annual Independence Day parade, which will be held Saturday, July 1. “One of Bernie’s remark­ able qualities is his unwav­ ering willingness to help others,” Township Trustee Dale Hermenet wrote in nominating Pleva for the honor. “He goes above and beyond his role as store director by organizing delightful events and con­ tests for the community ... M's Frame oni Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brupesfrqme.com day. “You get to see the same people every single day,” Pleva said. “We’re not the typical gas station; we’re not the truck stop gas station where you’ll never see the customer ever again. We see our customers every day, and it’s fun just to get to know them.” In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pleva sponsored a Christmas light display contest. Maps were provided to visitors who wanted to check out the homes participating in the display, and visitors could vote on their favorites. Proceeds from the display were donated to a local food bank. “It was a super success, and I think partly because there wasn’t a whole lot that people could go do,” Pleva said. Pleva has gone on to hold Christmas lighting contests the last two years -16 hous­ es participated in last year’s display - and plans to hold another one this Christmas. In March, Pleva holds a Pop-A-Shqt basketball shooting contest inside his store. It’s been a staple event at the Campau Comers store for the last two decades. “We get 64 customers, (and) we draw up brackets just like the college bracket is,” he said. “We play all the way through the whole bracket, and we bring the final four in one night, and they shoot against each other ... half the bracket is adults, half the bracket is kids. When it comes down to the final four, it’s two adults and two kids going at it. We’ve had 30 people here watching the finals - family and friends.” Pleva’s community service includes having of-going-to the--store every--eoaehed -his- daughters- in Bernie consistently finds creative ways to engage and entertain the community.” “His positive energy, gen­ uine care for others and commitment to community service make him an excep­ tional hometown hero,” Hermenet added. Pleva said he was taken by surprise when Hermenet informed him of the honor. “It was pretty neat (to hear the news). But I said, ‘Come on, Dale, there’s gotta be somebody better.’ There’s a lot of people bet­ ter,” Pleva said. Pleva, 60, learned the value of hard work early in his life. His parents, Bemie and Irene Pleva, owned a grocery store in Cedar, a small community near Traverse City, for 45 years. “When I was old enough to carry the eight-pack of glass bottles of pop, I went to work,” Pleva said, figur­ ing this was when he was about eight or nine years old. After high school, Pleva earned a business manage­ ment degree from Northwood Institute (now University) in Midland. He then worked in management at Meijer Inc., first at its Alpine Township store and later as manager ofthe photo department at the chain’s Cascade Township store, a position he held for 13 years. Then in 1997, an opportu­ nity arose. A friend and fel­ low parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Caledonia, Don Ziemke, had purchased the Campau Corners store and approached Pleva about managing it. “There it went,” Pleva said. More than a quarter-cen­ tury later, Pleva gets joy out Bernie Pleva, manager of the Bricks Campau Corners convenience store at 68th Street and Whitneyville Avenue. Pleva has been named Caledonia’s Hometown Hero for 2023. T-ball and soccer, and he three adult daughters now supports his grandchil­ Samantha, Shannon and dren in their athletic activi­ Rebecca - and six grand­ ties. He has also been active children, two from each in the local Knights of daughter. Columbus council at Holy “The deep sense of family Family. values is evident in his inter­ Pleva is deeply devoted to actions with others, as he his family. He and his wife, extends his warmth and care Patty, will celebrate their to everyone he meets,” 40th wedding anniversary in Hermenet wrote in his nomOctober. - -The couple have ination letter.-- < * �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/ Page 3 LGBTQIA+ PRIDE, continued from page 1 this board to participate in a and create unity,” Archer partisan, divisive and said. “It would be making a destructive topic that only statement for the entire divides our community ... community of Middleville just as religion and guns, with many things that the abortion or other highly people of Middleville ... volatile topics. That is not can’t affirm, such as the our place; that is not our approval of transgender surgeries and procedures, role.” The resolution “com- which can call irreversible mends the bravery, solidar­ damage to people. It would ity and resiliency of be stating that all of us are LGBTQIA+ individuals in celebrating of sexual acts the face of violence and between a man and woman discrimination, and stands that are not married to each in solidarity in the continu­ other, and it would be celeous fight for equity” and brating and affirming, for “celebrates the contribu­ all of us, that we all believe tions of the LGBTQIA+ that being male and female communities and commits is not a real thing, but is a to supporting and uplifting social construct. LGBTQIA+ voices in “We can respect each Middleville and beyond.” other, we can love each The resolution also initially other, but we can’t affirm sought to have the Pride all these things that would flag be flown in front of the be communicated by doing Village Hall, but this was this. Therefore, I think that later deleted in DeMaagd’s is not something that our motion. community can or should An overflow crowd of support.” people from throughout Candace Johnson, who Barry County packed the moved to Middleville four Village Hall council cham­ years ago, spoke out against bers, spilling out into the the drag show that’s hallway and an adjacent planned as part of the Pride conference room. Speakers festival. from Nashville, Hastings, “It’s been promoted as a Rutland Charter Township, family-type function, and Irving Township and when you go that direction, Yankee Springs Township my concern is the children,” took to the podium in addi­ Johnson said. “Now it tion to Middleville resi- becomes a grooming event dents. The vast majority of for children. What are we speakers objected to the teaching our children? Are resolution and the Saturday we teaching them that hav­ festival, with some citing ing a mom and a dad isn’t passages from the Bible to right? When we’re bringing back their position. confusion - and Satan is the DeMaagd, who owns author of confusion - we’re Left Field Cafe in down- not doing right by everytown Middleville, expressed body, and we’re not doing disappointment with the right by our children. We council deciding not to take need to let children be inno­ up the resolution. cent, and we need to let “This resolution, not hav­ them be safe and we need to ing support this evening, protect all children at every doesn’t impact me,” he level.” said. “Thankfully, I am George Hubka of secure enough in my rela- Johnstown Township held a tionship with my higher sign asking, “When is power. I am secure enough Straight Month?” as he in my own identity with my addressed the council. friends and my family and “I wonder why we don’t my community. I love have pride months for white Middleville. It is extremely pride month. Why would disheartening ... hearing you not pass a resolution the division, that Scripture for law enforcement pride is being used against (cer­ month? Why don’t you pass tain) populations. a teacher pride month? If Historically, Scripture has you’re going to go there, been used to justify slavery; let’s honor our medical it’s been used to justify workers with a pride month. white nationalism, to justify Let’s honor our truck driv­ segregation ... and to justi- ers out there with a pride fy the less than 100 percent month,” Hubka said. Several speakers called acceptance and celebration on the Village Council to of people in who they are.” Nate Archer, the pastor revoke the permit allowing of First Baptist Church of the festival because the Middleville for the past drag show was added to the decade, spoke of the value festival lineup after the of each person as being cre­ council approved the permit ated in the image of God last month. No such action and the freedoms that all of was taken Tuesday. Stevi Barnett, who owns us as Americans should small business in enjoy. He opposed the reso­ a lution as going beyond that. Middleville and has two who attend “Flying the LGBT flag children Kellogg and declaring this as Pride Thornapple Month would do more than Schools, defended her sup­ just that. It would do more port of the resolution. “I have never in all my than the things that we can all get behind,gp^agfqp^n lif^ so much^hate. in , Middleville Village Council President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd, sponsor of the resolution, offers his thoughts in response to community opposition. George Hubka of Johnstown Township displays a hand-held sign and talks about other groups the vil­ lage of Middleville should recognize in expressing his opposition to the resolution recognizing Pride month in the village. this wonderful place as I have seen in the last four or five years - so much hate for people who deserve our love and, most importantly, , our protection,” Barnett said. “I want to be clear that those who are using their personal religious beliefs not to recognize Pride Month in Middleville, or to diminish members of the LGBTQIA+ community, do not speak for all of us. While you often may be much louder than most of us, you do not speak for me or speak for the many incredible people in this loving, inclusive place.” Rhonda Hulbert, who has two children who went through Thornapple Kellogg Schools, shared the story of a family that expe­ rienced the loss of a 15-year-old who had come out as gay to suicide earlier this year. She also spoke of one of her children who recently moved to Denver with her wife and a phone conversation they had last weekend. “(She said), ‘Mom, it is so strange to live some­ where that is accepting. That was never the case in Middleville,’... It breaks my heart that my child had to move to another state to be filled with peace,” Hulbert said. “I work in a high school. These kids are bullied enough by their peers, who have unaccept­ ing parents, who learn to hate, who learn to bully, who learn to judge. If Middleville turns down the Pride Month resolution, you are telling these kids and adults that they don’t matter as people, that they are not important in this world or in this communi­ ty.” Former Village President Amanda Fisk, who is one of the organizers of Saturday’s festival, spoke of the vil­ lage over the years passing resolutions to honor indi­ viduals and groups in the community and said the Pride resolution had “no real legal backing.” “None of this excludes anybody,” Fisk said. “You’re not forced to do anything. Nobody has to go be gay for the month of June. None of it actually has any real weight. But it does represent that some­ thing, you’re being noticed. You’re being seen. I see you, and I appreciate you, and I respect you as whoev­ er you are, and that’s what Pride Month is about with LGBTQ people.” In a text message sent to the Sun and News after Tuesday’s meeting, Fisk said the organizing commit­ tee did not have a firm com­ mitment for the drag queens to perform at the festival until Sunday. “We’d been in talks with a few and did our due diligence to vet them, clarify our roles, and approve music and whatnot, and all that was completed Sunday afternoon,” Fisk wrote in her text. Fisk wrote in the mes­ sage that she wrote the words “small pride month event — face paint, chalk art, snacks, small speaker with music, etc.” on the permit form for the festival. The Village Council unani­ mously approved the permit on May 23. Village President Mike Cramer said the Pride Month resolution would logistically “open Pandora’s box” and lead to countless other resolution requests for the village. But he took exception with the tone of some of the emails he received from resolution opponents. “Some of the people that have been sending those need to learn acceptance,” Cramer said. “(Emails that say) ‘They’re welcome here, but’ doesn’t really fly. Please speak to your pastor about that. I’m not calling out anybody in the room, I’m not naming anybody, but I’ve gotten a lot of emails, and they are not accepting, and that hurts because it’s tough to be in your position.” “I don’t understand it; I don’t relate to it. It’s not my lifestyle ... I’ve seen (discrimination) with my own eyes, I’ve seen it in the workforce, I’ve seen it in prisons,” Cramer added. The Pride festival will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. DeMaagd said that despite the resolution not passing, he will contin­ ue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Middleville. “I would just like to state that gay and trans neighbors and my siblings have a place here. You are welcome here. To anyone contemplating that they would be better off six feet under than celebrating authentically who you are, I’m here for you. I wel­ come you with open arms - always, always, always,” he said. THE HOTTEST STARS Your local agent insures your Lake EstaXe PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 Cotttftcuuj, Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com GET YOUR vh<r n- FIREKEEPERS CABSATINTLOE •CHREOETKEL I-94 to Exit 104 I 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10, 2023 Middleville TOPS 546 The June 5 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. One fish jumped out of the fish­ bowl. Session 6 of the Daniel Plan was viewed. Maryellen won the Donna Rens!a n On Thursday, June 1, 2023, our beloved Donna Rcnsland went home to be with the Lord at the age of 86. She passed peacefully at her home following a long illness, taking her last breath in the embrace of family. Donna, the daughter of Forrest and Stella Long, was preceded in death by her brother, Wendell Long and his wife, Lucille; sister, Joyce Perry and her husband, Jack. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 53 years, Raymond, sever­ al nieces and nephews, and many dear and loyal friends. During her life, Donna deeply loved her many pets, traveling to far off lands, spending winters in Florida and summers at Gun Lake where she enjoyed the beau­ tiful flower gardens created by Ray. She was an accom­ plished organist and could often be heard playing a favorite tune on one her two Lowreys - the last piece played, “My Favorite Things”, from the Sound of Music rests in the music stand. Donna was also a serious euchre player and usually had a good book or two going. These are just a few Ha-Ha box. She was also the best loser for May. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. The group will now go back to meeting in the Community Room. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meet- ing. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with ques­ tions may call Virginia, 269-908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-3183545. The first meeting is free. Local students on Ferris State’s Academic Honors list Ferris State University in Big Rapids recently recog­ nized several local students for excellence in academics on its summer 2023 Academic Honors list. To be eligible for Academic Honors, the minimum requirements for full-time students each term are: 3.5 GPA and completion of 12 Ferris credit hours or more of graded course work at the 100 level or higher. The minimum requirements for part-time students each term are: 3.5 GPA with completion of at least 12 accumulated Ferris credit hours of graded course work at the 100 level or higher. Area students named to Ferris State’s Academic Honors list are: Alto Sarah Devries, among many of her favorite pastimes. Visitation was held at Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Caledonia United Methodist Church, 250 Vine St. SE, Caledonia. Visitation was followed immediately by funeral services at the church, with Rev. Christine M. Beaudoin officiating. Donna’s family and friends gathered at the church for a luncheon in celebration of her life and a time of fel­ lowship. Burial took place after the luncheon at Caledonia Lakeside Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial contribu­ tions to Barry County Animal Shelter. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Ferris State University William Malinowski, Caitlin Osterhouse, Matthew Kaczanowski, Conner Manning, Paul Riha, Scott Beatson, Lorrin McCarty, Lilli Kempisty, Timothy Knoertzer, Makayla Vanderby, Cortland Davis, Kylie Gardner and Lauren Herzog. Caledonia - Lejla Husic, Abby Mitchell, Lily Le, Samuel McLean, Scott Singstock, Taylor Vander Berg, Olivia Torres, Logan Reynolds, Carlie Crank, Church alaska 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 - www.alaskabaptist.org Alaina Reiffer, Ashley Grove, Cheryl Long, Mackenzie Curtis, Doomyong Amisi, Kyla Harris, Allison Vigna, Claudia Wilkinson, Andrew VanNoord, Madeline Clark, Abbie Wayt, Eulalia Nichols, Sara Bajric, Alexander Macklin, Hannah Zawacki, Madelyn Saunders, Kyle Bennink, Kaitlyn Baldwin, Brooks Day, Maci Vander Laan, Josh Oom, Chloe Parry, Cooper Sorsen and Caleb Tenhaaf. Caledonia United Methodist Church (church Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committedfollowers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays .9:30 & 11am FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg Hl aAa http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages ..com ■■ ■ Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddieville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: Freeport - Brendan Vandam, Haydin Hawkins and Jessica Durkee. Middleville - Amelya Thorne, Madeline Hoover, Olivia Landry, Jack Geukes, Chloe Powers, Madison Hess, Brendan Caswell, Olivia Branch, Savanna Coulter, Trinity Palasek, Ryan Stanton, Hunter Poe, Morgan Chapin, Benjamin Trudell, Mitchell Middleton and Auston Ruth. Shelbyville Ethan Keppel. (269) 795-2391 Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving - Strengthening - Connecting HOLY FAMILY ^/CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass .................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see bur website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. CHURCH Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church Bible 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday Schoo]------------9:30 9:30 AM AM Sunday Worship............10:30 10:30 AM AM TT;r- l\ LhSdtS J Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Praising God through Worship Services Sunday-io am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship...................... 10:00 a.m. Community Group...................... „........ 11 :qo a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor, wwwyankeespringsbiblechurch.org THORNAPPLE VALLEY CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/ Page 5 Middleville council creates ad hoc committee to look at ORV ordinance Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Tuesday, the Middleville Village Council approved the creation of an ad hoc committee to revise or replace the village’s cur­ rent ordinance regulating the use of off-road vehicles. Meeting as a Committee of the Whole, the council voted 5-1 to establish the committee, with Village President Mike Cramer being the lone dissenting vote. Trustee Robert Bishop was absent from the meeting. “I personally feel that we should ... consider creating an ordinance to at least give people a chance to prove they can be safe and operate within appropriate traffic laws and ordinances, to be able to operate ORVs within the village limits,” said Trustee Makenzi Peters, who made the motion to create the committee. The village received a petition signed by more than 50 business owners on Feb. 28 asking for ORVs and golf carts to be allowed on public streets. The current ordi­ nance, which has existed since 2001, allows ORVs only to be driven on private property, with some restric­ tions. Village Attorney Mark Nettleton told the council last month that state regula­ tions prohibit ORVs and golf carts on public roads in a community unless the local government permits their use. Barry County allows ORVs to be driven on desig­ nated county roads, but its ordinance does not apply to Middleville. Some supporters of the change look to the Village of Lake Odessa, which on April 17, adopted a utility terrain vehicle ordinance that allows ORVs to use public streets except for M-50, as long as they travel with the flow of traffic on the far-right side of the road and travel no faster than 25 miles per hour. Cramer has been strongly opposed to any changes in the off-road vehicle ordi­ nance. His position is that anyone who wants to take their ORV onto a village street should get that vehicle insured and made street legal. He says that from a mathematical standpoint, ORVs cannot safely share the same road as cars and trucks. “Our roads are 120 inches that are driveable (per lane). That’s 10 feet,” Cramer said. “A (Polaris) RZR is 74 inch­ es wide. A traditional Gator is 60 inches wide, the XTV models, 70. A Can-Am can be either 64 or 72 inches wide. My van out there is 82 inches wide; with a trailer, it’s 96. Now you take 96 from 120, and you’ve got two feet left. If you can explain to me how a side-by­ side can operate outside of the flow oftraffic in two feet, you can probably figure it out.” “It’s not that I don’t sup­ port ORVs. It’s not that I don’t support the use ofthem. But there’s a process in place, and that’s what should be followed,” Cramer added. Trustee Kevin Smith pro­ posed a measured approach to an ordinance change. “The public has spoken and been reasonable about it,” Smith said. “I also believe that if we’re going to do that, I don’t think we should be making a decision as a blanket decision, but I think it needs to be a road­ map - a clear, concise road­ map in terms of acceptance.” The committee is likely to include three council mem­ bers as well as one member from the public. Andrew Beck, who has campaigned for the allowance of ORVs on public streets, said he would be willing to be part of the committee. No time frame has been set for the committee to come back with a recom­ mendation. Middleville library group seeks support from Yankee Springs Greg Chandler Staff Writer A group seeking to bring a standalone public library to Middleville is reaching out to a neighboring township to see if it might be interested in being part of the library. Josh Mosey, representing the group Middleville Needs A New Library, gave a pre­ sentation on the effort to the Yankee Springs Township board Thursday night. The group has been meeting for more than a year to try to establish a public library sep­ arate from Thomapple Kellogg Schools. The district has hosted the current library since 1934. The tentative boundaries for the new public library would follow along those of the existing Thomapple Kellogg School and Community Library, which would include about twothirds of Yankee Springs Township, Mosey said. “There are a few problems that we face (under our cur­ rent arrangement),” Mosey told the board. “One of the major ones is the fact that it’s just inaccessible, with the fact that it’s not open during the school year during school hours ... We are only open during the school year 12 hours a week. Compare that to the (library in the) town of Alto, which is open for 38-1/2 hours a week, or Caledonia, which is open for 49 hours a week, or Hastings, which is open for 59 hours a week. It is hard to get to the Middleville library when it’s open.” In addition, the Middleville library does not offer pro­ gramming that neighboring libraries do, such as toddler story times, craft events and reading programs. It also lacks programs for seniors, Mosey said. Another concern under the current arrangement with TK schools is security, Mosey said. “You don’t really want strangers hanging around the school at any given time. The fact that it’s in the school is a problem,” he said. Also, Mosey said the library is severely under­ funded, with an annual bud­ get of $19,000, with the only revenues coming in the form of state aid and penal fines. There is no tax levy to sup­ port the library, unlike other standalone libraries. The group has hired a con­ sultant to conduct a needs assessment for the library. 4‘We’re going to nail down the location. Once we have the location, we can figure out how big of a building we need, we can start fundrais­ ing, and then comes con­ struction,” Mosey said. The process will likely take about two to three years to complete, Mosey said. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis thanked Mosey for the presentation, calling it “very informative.” The board offered no other response and took no action. Last year, a group of town­ ship residents campaigned to have the portion of Yankee Springs that is part of the Wayland Union school dis­ trict become part of the Henika District Library in Wayland. However, about 72 percent of voters that turned out for the August election rejected a 1.3511-mill levy that would have supported library operations and allowed the township to join the district. In other township busi­ ness Thursday: — The board set a special meeting for 3 p.m. Western Week on tap for Caledonia this month Greg Chandler Staff Writer Western Week is fast approaching in Caledonia. The four-day festival that celebrates the community's agricultural heritage will take place June 20-23, with the brunt of the events tak­ ing place on Main Street in the village's downtown area. The festival is marking its 13th year, with new themes every day. On Tuesday, June 20, the Pave Steger between the fire department and local merchants will take place at the varsity soft­ ball Held. Wednesday, June 21, is Connecting Kids With Creatures Day, featuring 4-H exhibits, the Western Week Pet Parade, a Kent County sheriffs mounted unit and horse-drawn wagon rides. Thursday, June 22, will feature the Taste of Caledonia, including food from 11 local restaurants, a The festival closes Friday, June 23, with the car, truck, tractor and motorcycle show on Main Street and a street dance. Portions of proceeds raised from Western Week will go to support Karin's Horse Connection, the Caledonia equestrian team and the Cherry Valley Livestock 4-H Club. Complete details and a full schedule of Western Week will be featured in next Saturday's edition of Mejuoiiai .Softball, game.iakjjLsJw tyidliv.<uiw<\.- fte.SvjKctjyLMeMis.' . Wednesday to work on the township budget for the fis­ cal year that begins July 1. A public hearing on the budget and adoption by the board is set for June 28 at 6 p.m. — The board set Tuesday, July 18, as the date for an open house unveiling the expanded and renovated township hall and offices. The open house will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. — The board received a donation of a painting honor­ ing veterans from John R. and Sally Smith. The Smiths won an auction for the paint­ ing, created by township res­ ident Annie VanHouten, at a Veterans Day event last fall and decided to donate the painting. “The values that are demonstrated in this painting are really the values of not only our leadership but our township. We value our vet­ erans, and that’s demonstrat­ ed by the events we offer to our veterans,” John R. Smith said. — The board approved spending up to $7,000 to remove the storage shed behind the township office and install a new one. The current shed was built in 1971 and is in poor condi­ tion, Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. — The board approved the installation of 12 concrete bumpers for the parking spaces facing into the sloped drainage and landscape area of the new parking lot at the township park at the cost of $3,250. — The board voted to renew a contract for Dan Scheuerman to remain the township assessor for the next two years, up to June 30, 2025, with no change in terms and conditions from the previous contract. — The board announced that the annual firefighters’ breakfast will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 7 to 10:30 a.m. at the fire station, 1425 S. Payne Lake Rd. The cost of a meal is a donation. YOU ARE NOT ALONE Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don't let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming cornerstonechurch corn«stonemi.org/Sup mi �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10, 2023 Construction on 84th Street, Kalamazoo Avenue roundabout starts Monday; Will cost $1.25 million The Kent County Road Commission will begin con* struction of its first major roundabout at the intersec­ tion of 84th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue in Gaines Township on Monday. This decision follows a compre­ hensive analysis of traffic patterns, crash history, and projected growth in the area. By implementing a round­ about at this intersection, KCRC aims to enhance its transportation infrastructure while prioritizing safety and efficiency. “Research consistently demonstrates that round­ abouts have a significant, positive impact on road safe­ ty. With their ability to reduce intersection colli­ sions, regulate traffic flow, and minimize delays, more communities across the state are embracing roundabouts as a viable and effective solution, where feasible,” KCRC Deputy Managing Director of Engineering Wayne Harrall said. The circular design of the roundabout eliminates the potential for high­ speed, high-impact colli­ sions, thereby reducing the severity of crashes. Moreover, the absence of head-on or right-angle crashes, which are com­ mon at traditional intersec- tions, further mitigates the risk of severe injuries and fatalities. Determining the suitabili­ ty of a roundabout at a spe­ cific location involves con­ sidering factors beyond just traffic behavior and crash history. These include the availability of right of way, utilities, access management, safety impacts, and existing and projected future traffic volumes. Although the intersection has been operating with a four-way stop and met the requirements for a traffic sig­ nal, KCRC’s research con­ cluded that constructing a roundabout was a safer solu­ tion, meeting all necessary criteria. The cost of the project is estimated at $1.25 million. The project received a $600,000 federal transporta­ tion safety grant and a $300,000 federal air quality grant. KCRC will cover the remaining costs, Harrall said. The contractor is Brenner Excavating. For the project’s duration, which is expected to be completed by Aug. 11, the intersection of 84th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue will be closed to all traffic. Detour routes will be clearly marked and posted for drivers’ con­ venience. Annual Brian Diemer Family of Races to take off in Cutlerville James Gemmell Contributing Writer The 33rd annual Brian Diemer 5K Run/Walk will kick off on 68th Street in Cutlerville on Saturday, June 10. The main race will start at 8:30 a.m. Other events in the nonprofit Diemer Family of Races will include a hand cycle race at 8:25 a.m. and the Mobility 5K at 8:28 a.m., where a group called My Team Triumph Start will push participants who use carts up to the starting line. The races will all begin and end outside Legacy Christian School, 6768 68th St. SW. A Junior Jog and Steeplechase, entailing kids jumping over hay bales and water pools, will take place from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on the soccer field behind the school. Hundreds of people participate in the Diemer Family of Races the second Saturday of June each year. (File photo from DiemerRun. com) “We’re hoping to have around 700 runners,” Race Director Rob Hyde told the Sun and News. “We’re still bouncing back from (the COVID-19 pandemic). In the heyday, we probably had 1,500 runners.” Because the Diemer race offers prize money, it draws a lot of elite runners. This This sign is located outside Legacy Christian School on 68th Street in Cutlerville. (Photo by James Gemmell) DEMAND JUSTICE Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have rights. Victims who suffered from sexual abuse by a member ofthe dergy in Michigan can seek compensation. While nothing can undo you or your loved one's pain, you can recover compensation from the abusers and the institutions that enabled them. You no longer need to suffer in silence. TOGETHER, WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. Call today for your free, confidential consultation. CLERGY ABUSE ATTORNEY HOTLINE JI 3-484-0302 2P9u2b5s Rkii1c IK ihmh<oeWnSdWL. la7w25FHiromuStOnTX77098 A PulTa AsTkTiOKThROsiN kRhE fN r IY aEw AY Fi DrAmVDEVERTISING laAskTi KThOsikRhfN r I aEwY FirAmDVERTISING m ,o>, uHoustnon,, I Stinar Law PLLC 5700 Crooks, Suite 200, Troy, Ml 48098 77 uPauusPlaski Ksherk rherhareL waraw rfmirm, with principal office auslaski Ksherk waw L rfmirm, with principal office in Houston, Texas, is responsible for the content ofthis ad. thisphoto is afiamol scene. year’s prizes include $550 for the Kent County Sheriff’s the men’s and women’s first- Department, township staff, place finishers, $400 for sec­ local businesses and nonprofits. ond place and $300 for third A carnival and craft show place. For the 50-and-older was held at Cutler Park during Grand Masters race, first the day, followed by commu­ place earns $100. For the nity fireworks behind the old Handcycle Women/Men South Christian High School Open, first place wins $300, on 68th Street. That building second place $200 and third is now the headquarters for place $100. Special Olympics Michigan. The race is named after “This was achieved by the Brian Diemer, the three-time community coming together U.S. Olympian who starred in and, most importantly, volun­ track at South Christian High teers,” Lemke said. School and the University of Hyde said Cutlerville Days Michigan. He won the bronze is what helped launch the medal in the 3,000-meter Diemer Run. steeplechase at the 1984 “We would do the 5K, and Summer Olympics. the parade used to finish right ■ “And we have a fun thing behind us. That’s kind ofhow where, if you beat Brian in we got involved in this. And the race, you win a doughnut. then, when they got to the So, at the end, he always point where they were unable stands and high-fives every­ to do it, the race put on the body. And we hand out parade and even the fireworks U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Brian Diemer (Image doughnuts to people,” Hyde and had some bands play. courtesy of DiemerRun.com) said. “But to be honest, putting. Six bands will be perform­ on the race itself is a lot of Christian Mental Health Movie in the Park event on ing a variety of music, from work. So, to do all that, our Hospital. Friday, Aug. 4, on the lawn blues to rock, along the race committee didn’t have the “I’m going to encourage outside the township hall. It course on 68th Street. energy (anymore),” Hyde and try to solicit everybody in will include a business expo. “This race is a great way said. this room to start thinking The Chamber of Commerce, for family and neighbors to “I have not heard that any­ about how we can bring the Kent District Library and come together and celebrate one wants to volunteer to rec­ (Cutlerville Days) back,” the township are partnering to with each other and our com­ reate Cutlerville Community Wells told the luncheon audi­ host that event. munity during this event each Days,” Gaines Chamber ence. “The township has “We will have food trucks, year,” Gaines Township Executive Director Barb some limited powers that fun activities, Business Expo Treasurer Laurie Lemke said. Nauta said. way. But I’ve heard it from so table sponsors, fire and sheriff “This race has survived Dan Wells the many different angles that is department (displays) and more because of interested parties Community Development people really miss that event. for this event,” Nauta said. coming together to make it Director for Gaines Charter And if there are some people She added that all proceeds happen.” Township. in this room who are willing will go to The Community The Diemer Run used to be “The problem is, it’s not to take that challenge up and Food Basket and Streams of part of a bigger daylong event really a township-driven be a champion to get that Hope Food Center Pantry. the called Cutlerville thing,” he said, noting that it event going again - even if The annual Gaines Community Days that ran for will be up to potential volun­ it’s small-scale at first - I Heritage Festival is slated for many decades in Gaines and teers or business leaders to think the community response Oct. 14 outside the township Byron Townships. The bring Cutlerville Days back would be tremendous.” hall. The festival is run by the Community Days included a to life. So far, no one has stepped Gaines Historical Society, pancake breakfast and a morn­ Wells addressed the matter up. and it typically features all ing parade that ran down 68th in December when he gave However, a couple of kinds of food vendors, arts Street and featured local school the keynote speech at a social activities are on the and crafts, a petting zoo, and bands, crews from the Gaines Chamber quarterly schedule this summer in more adjacent to Prairie Wolf Cutlerville Fire Department andluncheon — atr T>ip^j..'LResV-Gaines. .Jq^hiip. *^10^ Bar L'r �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/ Page 7 Wayland native serves aboard United States Navy amphibious warship in Japan SASEBO, Japan Fireman Martin Beckwith, a native of Wayland, Mich., serves in Japan aboard a U.S. Navy warship. Beckwith attended Wayland Union High School and graduated in 2022. Beckwith joined the Navy 10 months ago. “I joined the Navy to see the world and for both the education and economic ben­ efits,” said Beckwith. Today, Beckwith serves as an engineman aboard the USS Green Bay. Skills and values learned in the Navy are similar to those found in Wayland, Beckwith said. “Growing up, I learned to stick with it, never give up learning and to always be prepared,” said Beckwith. The USS Green Bay is an amphibious warship. These types of ships embark, trans­ port and land U.S. Marines for a variety of warfare mis­ sions. Because of their inher­ ent capabilities, these ships have been and will continue to be called upon to support humanitarian and other con­ tingency missions on short notice, according to Navy officials. As a member of the Navy, Beckwith is part of a world­ class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in sup­ port of the National Defense Strategy. “The Navy is everywhere on the globe, and we are the first line of defense,” said Beckwith. “Our adversaries have to cross the water to attack us.” dom and well-being.” Beckwith serves in Japan Beckwith and other sailors as a part of the Forward have many opportunities to Deployed Naval Forces. achieve accomplishments These naval forces operate during their military service. with allies and partners to “My biggest accomplish­ preserve a free and open ment has been getting orders Indo-Pacific region. Service and making it.to Japan,” said members in this region are Beckwith. part ofthe U.S. Pacific Fleet, As Beckwith and other which has the largest area of sailors continue to train and responsibility in the world. perform missions, they take “As the largest force in pride in serving their country our nation’s front line against in the United States Navy. revisionist actors, U.S. “Following (in) the foot­ Pacific Fleet meets this great steps of my grandfather and responsibility with strength, continuing the legacy of mil­ resolve and confidence,” itary service (that) my family said Adm. Samuel Paparo, (has) is a great source of U.S. Pacific Fleet pride,” said Beckwith. Commander. “Together with Beckwith 'is grateful to our joint and combined part­ others for helping make a ner operations, we are posi­ Navy career possible. tioned to defend - across all “I would like to thank my domains — any attempts to parents for supporting my threaten our nation, our allies decision to join the military,” and partners’ security, free­ added Beckwith. Fireman Martin Beckwith Barry County animal shelter launches Adoption Week as facility is at capacity Jayson Bussa Editor The purpose of Adoption Week at the Barry County Animal Shelter is two-fold. As is always the case, Director Ken Kirsch wants to place his current residents into loving forever homes. But at the same time, Kirsch and his team are desperate to open up some space in their facility, which is currently at capacity. “We’re just trying to get some space,” said Kirsch on Tuesday, the second day of the shelter’s Adoption Week. “We’re even getting swamped with calls, emails and people coming in from outside the county because other counties are also full.” For us, this is the first time we’ve been this full, at least since I’ve been here,” added Kirsch, who has been at the helm of the county’s animal shelter since 2017. To make dog and cat adoptions even more finan­ cially accessible, costs asso­ ciated with the adoption pro­ cess have been slashed for Adoption Week. Through Friday, June 9, people can adopt a dog for $45 plus a $7 license, which is good for a year. Cats cost $35 to adopt, and this special does not include puppies and kittens. The adoption fee is virtu­ ally the only expense as all dogs and cats have been spayed and neutered, micro­ chipped and have also received their rabies and other shots. They also come with free registration. Adoption Week isn’t an annual event but rather an impromptu and potential solution to what has become a crippling problem at the Barry County Animal Shelter. The shelter, as of Tuesday, housed 20 dogs. Over out there - that sort of thing. Memorial Day weekend, the Of course, if people are total went up to 23 dogs, struggling, we offer food for which was over capacity given cats and dogs, puppies and the 22 kennels in the facility. kittens. When we have it The animal shelter is also available, we offer cat litter, at capacity with 24 cats. scoops, bowls, blankets, “We’re just inundated leashes, collars, towels and with dogs and cats right beds ... people just have to now,” Kirsch said. “It’s that come down and get it.” time of year - at least, for “There are certain areas of cats, it is. For dogs, I don’t the county where (dogs) get know what’s going on, to be dumped - more rural areas,” honest. A lot of them are Kirsch continued. “And I owned, and peoplejust aren’t would say over 70 percent of coming to get them any­ them are already spayed and more.” neutered. A lot of them know When asked what sort of commands, so .you know seasonal, or even socioeco­ they’re owned by somebody ... nomic, factors might be I wish I (knew why) because I behind the influx of aban­ would like to solve it.” The Barry County Animal doned dogs, Kirsch, who has had a decades-long career Shelter is located at 540 N working with dogs, couldn’t Industrial Park Dr. in Hastings. quite put his finger on it. Staff are standing by during “I’ll be very honest with business hours to assist those you, I don’t really know,” he interested in potentially adoptsaid. “There are lots ofjobs ing a new pet. Ozzy has been held at the Barry County Animal Shelter since Thanksgiving and is currently available for adoption. (File photo) SUMMER SHOP HOP ~ June 12 thru 17 ~ 15% OFF SALES With Passport Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; J* Visitors to the Barry County Animal Shelter are greeted by photos and information about the various dogs andd cats cats that that are are currently currently avaiWItPfor'adoption. avaiWItPforadoption ‘(Phb.tp (Phbtp by by Jaysdh Jaysdh BtSssa) BtSssa)1 rsffbi:V 1 wj Saturday 9 am-3 pm �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023 Ultimate Frisbee thrives in West Michigan; local opportunities available to players of all ages Shari Harris Contributing Writer While Ultimate Frisbee has been around since the 1960s, the game has only recently gained popularity locally. Just a few years ago, the Detroit Mechanix of the American Ultimate Disc League moved its team to Grand Rapids sim­ ply because that’s where the fans and following were. “They wanted to play for a crowd, so they came here a few years ago,” said Sonja Harrison. But budding Ultimate Frisbee players don’t have to be professionals to enjoy this growing sport - it’s accessi­ ble to boys and girls, men and women of all ages throughout West Michigan. Harrison, for example, is the manager for a team at EPIC Homeschool Academy, which is based in Middleville and made available with the help of an organization called ZigZag Ultimate. ZigZag Ultimate, with teams across West Michigan, began in 2012 and organizes club teams and games for players of all ages and abili­ ties. Founder Mike Zaagman, known to most players and coaches as “Zaags,” is excit­ ed about bringing this sport Ben Harrison of Middleville’s EPIC Homeschool Academy Ultimate Frisbee team catches a pass during action last season. EPIC Homeschool’s Janessa Harris catches a pass out from under an opponent. to new areas. “Zaags loves seeing this grow and getting into new schools to form new teams,” said Harrison. Many schools in West Michigan, including Forest Hills, Rockford and Cross Creek Charter Academy in Gaines Township, already have teams.. More and more kids are playing each year. In a recent letter to team parents, Zaagman chronicled the FREE COMMUNITY EVENT Join us for a Blue Zones event for the whole family with food and drinks, local business booths, prizes, a kids bike & helmet giveaway, and fami activities inspired by blue zones regions around th e world! With Keynote Speeker* Nick Buettner, e Zones Vice President Barry County Expo Center 1350 M-37, Hastings, Ml 49058 Wednesday, June 14, 2023 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Members of the 2022 EPIC Homeschool Academy Ultimate Frisbee team, including, front: Hudson Hawkins, Ben Harrison. Back: JJ Harris, Coach Dan Preston, Peter Faber, Caden Preston, Gavin Ackert, Liam Roodvoets, and Elliott Hawkins. (Photos provided) growth ofthe sport in the area, saying, “It’s been a fun jour­ ney from starting one high school team in 2012 to having ... a lot more of us today.” According to Zaagman, 375 students between fourth and eighth grade participated in the recent spring season. They were spread across more than 25 teams from 14 different schools. Leagues for high schoolers and adults are also available. Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport where two teams work to score points by throwing and catching a frisbee down a field. Like many sports, in order to score, the disc must make it into the opponent’s goal. However, unlike other sports, there are no referees. Jesslyn Hawkins, who has two sons on the EPIC Homeschool Academy team, said, “I love the culture that surrounds this sport. There are rules of the game and specific knowledge and skills the kids learn, but they are coached to know them and own the game. They officiate their own games. These kids learn how to both win and lose with grace and integrity. They play hard and love the sport but not at the expense of their opponents or their own teammates.” Hawkins’ son, Elliott, said he loves Ultimate Frisbee because “people are good sports, but it’s also really competitive. It’s challenging in a fun way. It’s cool because you have to work with your team to score a point; you can’t just do it by yourself.” Elizabeth Ackert, a Caledonia resident whose son also plays Ultimate Frisbee, said that when they started, “We didn’t know anything about it, but we signed up and took a chance, and I’m so glad we did.” ZigZag Ultimate is also offering summer camps which begin June 12. For more information about join­ ing an existing team, starting a new team or signing up for the summer camp, visit ZigZagUltimate.com. Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force giving away free marijuana lock boxes The https://docs.goog Gavin Ackert reaches to catch the disc during a game. Barry County Recipients are asked to /Sdu/eb/s1tFanAcIep AQbLuSse5TxafsGk GFoarkcteh vdVriuvKe GtJhMroZuagLh G2thye1kgBcaOrrCy will give out free lock boxes County Mental Health for marijuana storage on building parking lot, 500 Saturday, June 10. Barfield Dr., Hastings, to Those interested in receive their boxes. receiving a free lock box The Substance Abuse can attend the drive-thru Task Force is giving away event between 10 a.m. and the free marijuana lock on ■1*» p.m. on Saturday.. boxes to help,prevent acci- dental poisonings and elimi n at e a c ce s s to m ar ij u a n a for young children, pets and others. More information on the Substance Abuse Task Force and the lock box event can be found at BarryCountySATF.com/ rfiariju niiV - o h _ un 8 H 6 X sb 4W W g / v i ew �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/Page 9 Area residents asked to cease open burning as state is subjected to dry spell, high temperatures Jayson Bussa Editor Like the rest of the state, Barry and Kent Counties remain parched for rain, and the prolonged period of drought is starting to impact both the residents and the agricultural indus­ try here. According to data col­ lected by the National Weather Service at a Hastings climate station, only 1.07 inches of rain fell in May, and it has yet to rain at all in June. A typical month of rainfall in May provides around 4.40 inch­ es of rain, and typically, the area would have seen about a half inch of rain at this point in June. This climate situation has been compounded by the higher-than-usual tempera­ tures accompanying the dry climate. Average tempera­ tures this June for the area have come in at around 71.8 degrees, while 63.3 is the average. All this has created a tinder box for potential fires, the Michigan and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently classified fire risk in the state as “extreme. This is a risk that the 'entire state wasi&minded of recently when a wildfire broke out in Crawford County and engulfed roughly 2,400 acres of land. Crews have now contained the wildfire, which stemmed from a campfire. On top of that large fire, the DNR reported earlier this week that its own crews have responded to 193 fires so far this summer. No reliefwas in sight this week, but there is a glim­ mer of hope for some rain this coming weekend. Because of the dry con­ ditions and high risk for wildfire, counties around Michigan, including Barry County, have stopped issu­ ing burn permits, and residents are asked not to openly bum trash or yard debris. However, local govern­ ments cannot temporarily ban camping or cooking fires - those orders must come down from the state. That’s why local fire crews are urging caution. “Ifyou’re going to have a campfire, it needs to be a small fire,” said Jim Yarger, who serves as Emergency Management Coordinator for Barry County and is also chief of the Freeport Area Volunteer Fire Department. “And to quote an old DNR fire officer I used to know ... the best way to tell if it’s really cooking fire, I should be able to walk up to it with a two-foot stick with a marshhTallow^bVft *and Ydast M ‘ without being overcome by the heat.” Yarger also cautioned people not to bum any­ thing that might send embers floating into the air. Once someone is done with a fire, Yarger said the proper way to put it out is by drowning it with water, stirring it up, and then drowning it again. Ifyou’re going to have a campfire, it needs to be a small fire.” - Jim Yarger, Emergency Management Coordinator of Barry County “Otherwise, you might think you got it out, and the Most lawns and properties around the area look a lot like this. The property outside of the Barry Expo wind comes along and Center hasn’t had a drink in weeks while dealing with higher-than-usual temperatures. (Photo by Molly blows the embers,” Yarger Macleod) said. While Yarger Yarger’’ss fire “This crop is of particu­ affect yield ...It pulls best wheat crops, but Whittington acknowledged department is always standlar concern right now with moisture up into those ker­ now, a month later, this is that they are also starting to ing at the ready - brush fire these drought conditions,” nels.” looking to be a pretty hor­ feel some stress. equipment remains accessi- Whittington Whittington told The “I spoke to a farmer in rible crop,” Whittington “Farmers are really hav­ ble all season long - he said Banner. Banner.“Right “Right when Montcalm County, and he added. ing to kick up their irriga­ that during dry spells ofthis they’re at this stage, you said if you talked to me a Other crops like com and tion,” he said. “If they have nature, crews tend to be want good moisture levels. month ago, I would have soybeans were put in the dry land, that will be a par­ even a little more vigilante That’s really going to told you it’s one of my ground not long ago, and ticular challenge.” when they spot smbke on the horizon. It’s not uncommon for a fire crew to investigate smoke to see if residents are unlawfully burning materials without a permit. Yarger said, in some cases, it’s a simple misunderstanding, and they issue a warning. “Most people are good about it,” Yarger said. Even if Barry County does see some rain this weekend, it might not be enough to lift the burn restrictions quite yet. “It’s going to take a sub­ stantial amount of rain before we lift the burn restriction,” Yarger said. “I always get that someone calling me when we get a quarter inch of rain asking, ‘Why can’t I bum?’ That’s because it’s still dry.” The dry, hot water is also starting to affect crops, even though national drought maps don’t place much of Michigan in a definitive drought. Steve Whittington, who works with the Michigan We specialize in the prevention, State University Extension diagnosis and treatment of the oral and specializes in crop cavity, including the teeth and gums. growing, said that winter You too can get your ■ wheat is one such crop. 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DeVries DDS �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10, 2023 Michigan bills would give farmers ‘right to repair’ tractors, equipment their stuff by depriving them of the necessary tools Bridge Michigan Farmers at Faist Farms in or manuals to make their Jackson County were plant­ own fixes. Some Michigan lawmak­ ing their annual com crop this spring when their John ers say that needs to change. At a House Agriculture Deere tractor ground to a halt, displaying an error Standing Committee meet­ ing Wednesday in Lansing, code. Hoping to diagnose the lawmakers heard testimo­ problem, Jacob Faist pulled ny on House Bill 4673, out the manual and looked which would require agri­ up the code. But the manu­ cultural equipment manu­ al simply said to call a facturers to make diagnos­ John Deere technician for tics, maintenance, repair parts, tools and documen­ help. Faist missed two days of tation available to owners planting while he waited for and independent repair a technician to come fix the providers. Rep. Reggie Miller, issue. Frustrated farmers like D-Van Buren Township, Faist are part of a growing chief sponsor of the bill, “right to repair” movement called it a “common sense” across the country. They move to expand options for argue corporations that farmers. She is still discuss­ make everything from farm ing concerns with manufac­ equipment to laptop com­ turers and their industry puters are making it too lobbyists, but said she is difficult for people to repair confident that a point of Ashley Zhou agreement is achievable. Similar bills in the House and Senate include Democratic and Republican sponsors. Among them are twin bills championed by Senators Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, with Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, and Representatives Dale Zorn, R-Onsted, with Donovan McKinney, D-Detroit. Similar right to repair laws have been introduced in at least 16 states, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. Right to repair advocates say a corporate strangle­ hold on the equipment repair industry harms con­ sumers and independent repair shops and promotes waste by forcing people to throw away easily-fixable items. “Simply put, this bill is about making sure we have the right to fix our own farm equipment or to take ■our equipment to a repair professional of our choos­ ing,” said Bob Thompson, president of the Michigan Farmers Union. “It’s about choice and fairness for farmers.” The bill also has support from environmental groups like the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “We must design and build for durability, longev­ ity and repair,” said Christy McGillivray, legislative and political director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter. “This is a next step in acknowledging our economy exists within our ecosystem, which has lim­ its.” Opponents of the bill disagree. Some argue the real problem is a shortage of agricultural repair technicians, while others contend the bill would hinder competition among equipment manu­ facturers. Yet others say they fear farmers would use their newfound knowledge to wrongfully modify machin­ ery. “Identifying such tam­ pering becomes a chal­ lenge, making it difficult to guarantee the safety com­ pliance and environmental sustainability of the equip­ ment,” said Scott Wadsworth, sales manager at Tri County Equipment, a John Deere dealer with locations throughout east­ ern Michigan. But Rep. Miller disputed those arguments, noting that the bill protects manu­ facturers from being forced to divulge trade secrets and other important proprietary information. Beyond those concerns, opponents claim the bill is unnecessary. That’s because this year, John Deere and other equipment manufacturers struck a deal with the nation’s leading farm lobby that gives farm­ ers more freedom to make DIY repairs. Andrew Vermeesch, leg­ islative counsel for the Michigan Farm Bureau, said in an email the group “would like to see these agreements fully imple­ mented” before considering bills to enshrine the right to repair in law. That’s not a universal view among farmers, some of whom argue farmers need legal protections instead of a voluntary agreement. Committee members didn’t vote on Miller’s bill Wednesday, leaving it still several steps away from potential passage. Hands-free’ distracted driving law takes effect June 30 in Michigan; 25 other states have similar laws Lauren Gibbons Bridge Michigan Starting this summer, Michigan drivers will have to put down their phones while behind the wheel or risk a ticket. On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation making Michigan the 26th state to enact a “hands-free” distracted driv­ ing law, which bars motorists from driving while holding cell phones to talk on the phone, text, watch or record videos or look at social media. The legislation is poised to take effect June 30, just ahead of the Fourth of July weekend. Whitmer said driv­ ers should expect a statewide awareness campaign in the coming weeks, followed by aggressive enforcement of the new policy once it takes effect. “This will reduce distract­ ed driving crashes that have taken too many lives and shattered so many families across Michigan,” Whitmer said during an event at Plymouth’s Mitchel Kiefer Memorial Rink in USA Hockey Arena, which was dedicated to Mitchel Kiefer after he was killed when his car was rear-ended by a vehi­ cle driven by a distracted Transportation. He’s hopeful driver in 2016. Michigan will see similar Michigan has had a tex- results that improve traffic ting-and-driving ban for more safety for drivers and road than a decade, but at the time crews. it was passed, most cell phones still had keyboards and couldn’t do much more than take a pixelated picture or Send a text message. Safety advocates contend the current rules are not strong enough to deter dis­ tracted driving, which caused 3,522 traffic deaths in the United States in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A similar law recently enacted in Ohio has resulted in a 9 percent decrease in distracted driving crashes so far, said Brad Wieferich, director of the Michigan Department of Business Services Pets MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ LLC- Licensed and insured. Call for free estimates. 269­ 838-1782. able rates. 269-331-9999. Help Wanted BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Wednesday barring drivers from holding their cell phones while driving except in emergencies. (Photo by Lauren Gibbons/Bridge Michigan) HOUSE CLEANING WITH 30 Years experience. 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Please call 269-207-4218 or email at zlpowell@yahoo. cbfrftf mtfeiftStb'fl.v Li A Ah �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/ Page 11 Bulldogs bounce Scots from DI state soccer tournament Brett Bremer KN Oil 5 5 Sports Editor Time was not on the Fighting Scots’ side and the Bulldogs weren’t about to give them any extra. Relentless pressure from the Byron Center Bulldogs from end to end kept the Caledonia varsity girls’ soc­cer team from stringing much of attack together, and shouts of “Double! Double!” rang out from the Bulldog sideline every time the ball approached Caledonia’s top senior attackers Gracie Gortmaker and Jocelyn. Herrema. A moment where the Fighting Scots allowed the Bulldogs too much time was the difference in a 1-0 Byron Center victory in the MHSAA Division 1 District Final at East Kentwood’s Pat Patterson Stadium Friday. Byron Center earned a comer kick in the 24th min­ ute and the Fighting Scots were slow to get out onto a pair of Bulldogs in the cor­ ner. Emily Way tapped the comer to teammate Jordan Kems as Herrema charged out on the duo. Kems took a couple strides towards the box and then fired a ball across the top of the six to the far side of the net where the Scots had lost the Bulldogs.’ Laiken Pettit. Pettit headed the hard, line-drive pass into the middle ofthe net for what proved to be the game winner. The Scots end the season at 13-5-1 overall. Byron Center scored its 14™ victo­ ry of the season Friday, and closes the year with a record of 14-4-4. The Bulldogs were bested by the Fighting Scots’ OK Red Conference rivals from Hudsonville in the regional semifinals in Byron Center Tuesday. The Caledonia back line led by senior Stella Haan was solid throughout the rest of the evening last Friday. The Bulldogs attempted a few long balls through early that created a bit of a stir out in front of the Fighting Scot net, but Byron Center had a direct kick from just above the top of the box sail over a Caledonia wall and then over the net in the second minute of play. That was really the Bulldogs’ next­ best attempt towards the Caledonia goal. Caledonia freshman forward Baylee DeVries clears a Byron Center corner kick away from her net during the Bulldogs’ 1-0 win over the Fighting Scots in the MHSAA Division 1 District Final at East Kentwood’s Pat Patterson Stadium Friday, June 2. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Most of the bailgame was played between the boxes. Caledonia finished the bailgame with just four shots on goal. Fighting Scot keeper Devanee Balczak made two saves on three Byron Center shots. Hudsonville won its regional final 1-0 over Portage Central Thursday evening and will face an undefeated Northville team in the MHSAA Division 1 State Semifinal at Grand Ledge Wednesday, June 14. Rochester Hills Stoney Creek takes on Saline in the other DI State Semifinal Wednesday, at Stoney Creek High School. The MHSAA Division 1 Girls’ Soccer Final is set for Saturday, June 17, at 4 p.m. at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Soccer Stadium in East Lansing. w ■ilk Caledonia senior Reese Nething (center back) talks to her team following its 1-0 loss to Byron Center in the MHSAA Division 1 District Final hosted by East Kentwood Friday, June 2. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia senior Gracie Gortmaker and her teammates get fired up for their MHSAA Division 1 District Final against Byron Center at East Kentwood’s Pat Patterson Stadium Friday, June 2. (Photo by Brett Bremer) WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS I Mi* W 111$ Residential & Commercial Gas Furnaces Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters Humidifiers 1^ .icW $ DeWeerd Caledonia’s Kendall Maynard (right) and Laney Peterson (left) team up to keep Byron Center’s Laiken Pettit away from their net during the first half of their MHSAA Division 1 .District Final in Kentwood June 2. (Photo by Brett; Brejnef)., HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023 Scots last OK Red squad in state tourney back in April, a 4-2 win over Grandville. He threw that game with a broken bone in his wrist, but it kept him from pitching again all sea­ son until he tossed a com­ plete game shut out in the Fighting Scots’ 5-0 victory over Lowell in the MHSAA Division 1 District Final at Lowell High School last Saturday. Veldhouse struck out nine Red Arrows in seven innings, walking one and allowing just two singles in his return. Veldhouse took the mound again to start the bottom of the seventh in the regional semifinal, the first relief appearance he can remem­ ber, after starting the game in Centerfield. He gave up a lead-off double to Nate Sommers, but picked up the save with Sommers still stranded on second by get­ ting a strike out and two fly­ The Fighting Scots celebrate around senior pitcher Canyon Veldhouse who earned the save at the end of balls. “Coach told me earlier in their 6-3 win over Grandville in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal at Grandville High School Wednesday the week that he was going to afternoon. The win earns the Scots a spot in today’s, June 10, MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against save me,” Veldhouse said. “I Traverse City West at Central Michigan University. The winner of that ballgame will play a state semifinal bail­ didn’t know for sure if I was game in the afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) going to go in because of the situation of the game, but he As I went in the game, I kind had me warm up a little bit. of was relaxed in there because we had a three-run lead. I went in there and shut it down.” Aaron Hileman got the win in relief Wednesday after throwing a perfect bot­ tom ofthe sixth for the Scots. He kept the Scots in striking distance for their one final rally. “It didn’t look great all the time, but we just ended up hanging around,” Caledonia head coach Jason Burghardt said. “They had a couple of nice hits. At the beginning of the year we put out our man­ tra that’s hanging with us keep fighting. The seventh inning was a perfect exam­ ple. Don’t give up when the bad stuff doesn’t go your way. We hung around enough to fight and the bunts in the seventh inning are always the team plays. Not everyone is always willing to do that. Picks everyone else up. That rally started with the team’s 7-8-9 hitters in the top of the seventh and Caledonia’s Drew Drennan rounds third and heads Grandville leading 3-2. for home to score his team’s fourth run in the top of Veldhouse singled through the seventh inning against Grandville Wednesday in the left side to leadoff the the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal at Grandville inning. Tommy Clarey Cam Myers pitches for the Fighting Scots during their 6-3 win over Grandville High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) dropped down a bunt looking in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal at Grandville High School Wednesday to move courtesy runner afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Isaac Jurmu over to second. Clarey and the ball arrived at get a squeeze bunt down fair, good jump off third on the Szabo from third and pushed first at the same time and got and eventually struck out. squeeze that there wasn’t Drew Drennan, running for by the Bulldog first baseman. But the Scots had more even a throw into home plate the catcher Lawton, to sec­ The Grandville error put chances. Lead-off hitter AJ as he tied the game at 3-3. ond. A single into left by Scots on second and third Szabo got abunt down back Caledonia took the lead Corbin Raffler scored with nobody out. to the Bulldog pitcher Kaden one pitch later. Szabo stole Drennan from third pushing Michael Douglass couldn’t Dewey, but Jurmu got such a second with Jace Lawton at the Scots’ lead to 6-3. the plate, and when the Nick Slater followed with , Bulldogs fired to second a walk before Grandville’s CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Clarey raced in to score from Jared Jollands came on to BOARD OF TRUSTEES third. replace Dewey and strike out i JLawton singled into right Alex Skibinski to get his to put runners on the comers, defense off the field. The minutes for the May 17, 2023 Township Board of Trustees and then Dewey shuck out “It was pretty exciting,’-’ Meeting which were approved on June 7,2023, are posted at the Derek Pennington looking Veldhouse said of the sevTownship Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the web»ite at www.caledoiniatownship.org. for the ..-second out of the Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity baseball bus was rockin’ as it pulled away from the Grandville High School baseball diamond Wednesday evening. Now it’ll roll into Mount Pleasant for Saturday’s MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final. Batting around in top of the seventh the Caledonia varsity baseball team scored four runs to wipe out a onerun Grandville lead and held on for a 6-3 win over the host Bulldogs in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal in Grandville. The win puts the Fighting Scots in the regional final at Central Michigan University Saturday morning at 10 a.m. where they will face Traverse City West. After finishing seventh in the OK Red Conference this spring, the Caledonia boys are now the last OK Red Conference squad standing in the state tournament. Senior ace Canyon Veldhouse earned the win in Caledonia’s season opener Meeting Minutes mmng. A inert page �1 I The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/ Page 13 SCOTS, continued from previous page Caledonia’s Jace Lawton hits a single into right field during the Scots’ four-nun rally in the top of the seventh inning Wednesday which put them in front of Grandville by a score of 6-3 in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal at Grandville High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) enth-inning rally. “I started gave up three runs on four getting a little excited, but hits and a walk. Mitchell then I had to tone it down Smith came on to record the because I knew I still had final out of the fifth after business to take care of. I the Bulldogs started to had to dial it in a little catch up to Myers. A walk, an RBI double from Tyson bit.” There had been a little Mann and an RBI single back and forth in the ball- from Owen Barrett nudged game until that seventh Grandville to a 3-2 lead. Of the Scots’ nine hits, inning. Grandville took a 1- 0 lead in the bottom of Pennington’s double was the first off Scots’ starter the only one that wasn’t a Cam Myers. A one-out single. Veldhouse, Raffler walk, a passed ball and a and Lawton had two hits two-out single into center each. Landon Terry started for by Tyson Nesbitt brought in that first run of the ball­ the Bulldogs. He gave up two runs on five hits and game. Caledonia pulled in front struck out two in his five innings on the mound. He 2- 1 in the top of the third. Douglass and Lawton sin­ didn’t walk a batter. Dewey gled and Pennington deliv­ came on to start the sixth ered a two-out, two-run and was charged with four runs in 1 2/3 innings taking double into center. Myers would go 4 2/3 the loss. He struck out three innings for the Scots. He and walked two while giv- ing up four hits. A second regional final will be held Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at CMU between Mattawan and Cedar Springs, and those two regional finals will be fol­ lowed by a 3 p.m. MHSAA 1 Division State Quarterfinal contest. “All we have to do is keep fighting. We just have to keep doing what we have been doing,” Burghardt said. “We have preached to the guys we don’t need Superman. We just Heed the Tommy Clareys to be Tommy Clareys and we need them just to be them­ selves, nothing extra. I think they’re relaxed and I think we played better relaxed.” Caledonia jumped out Lowell early in last week­ end’s district final, scoring two runs in the top of the first and then another in the second to move in front 03.- The Scots tacked on two more in the top of the sixth and that was all they needed with Veldhouse dealing. Lawton was 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI’s in the win. Szabo had a pair of singles in the leadoff spot and scored two runs. Douglass, in the nine spot in the order, was 3 for 3 at the plate. The Scots also got hits from Slater, Skibinski and Clarey. Clarey scored a run. Skibinski and Slater both had a RBI. Caledonia took out OK Red Conference foe East Kentwood 9-5 to start the day in Lowell in the district semifinals - powered by an eight-run fourth inning. Caledonia shortstop AJ Szabo snags a bouncing ball before firing to first for an out during the bottom of the fifth inning of the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Semifinal hosted by Grandville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Fighting Scots had eight hits and got the help of a couple Falcon errors in that big inning. The inning started innocently enough. Szabo was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lawton. Pennington drilled a dou­ ble to right field that scored Szabo from second for the first run of the game. A Falcon error put Pennington on third and Raffler on first with one out. Consecutive singles by Slater, Skibinski, Smith and Clarey got the Scots rolling. Szabo finished the bail­ game 3 for 3 at the plate with an RBI and three runs scored. Lawton an dPennington had two hits each. Pennington drove in two runs and Lawton had an RBI. Clarey, Smith and Slater each had an RBI. Hileman got the win. He gave up five runs through the first five innings. The Falcons pulled within 8-2 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Scots got one run in the top of the sixth and then the Falcons answered with three in the home half of the inning. Hileman gave up seven hits and one walk while striking out six. Smith came onto the mound to get the Fighting Scots out of the sixth and then pitched a scoreless seventh inning. He gave up three hits and a walk while striking out two to earn the save. Wolves hold Scots scoreless in district semifinal ballgame Brett Bremer Sports Editor Wyoming shut out the Caledonia varsity softball team in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinals at Wyoming High School Saturday. A double by Malia Burke was the only hit for the Fighting Scots in their 2-0 loss off of Wyoming pitcher Kalani Stowe. The Wolves scored a run in the top of the first and then tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth. The first inning run was unearned following a Caledonia error. Molly Lieske took the loss in the circle for the Scots. She gave up the one earned run in six innings. She walked two and gave up six hits while striking out four. Isabelle Castro and Kellsie Dieterle had RBI hits for the Wolves, and Maddy Lee went 2 for 3 at the plate. South Christian shuts out TK in district semi’s Brett Bremer Sports Editor South Christian pitcher Reed Grinstem scattered five Trojan hits in a 6-0 shutout of the Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity baseball team in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals in Middleville Saturday. The Sailors took a 6-0 win over the Trojans to advance to the district final. Grand Rapids Christian defeated * WcsP'-Michigan Aviation Academy 11-0 in five innings in the district’s other semifinal ballgame, and the Eagles went on to defeat South Christian 4-0 in the district championship game. The Sailors scored a run in the opening inning against TK and then added four runs in the top ofthe second inning to take control of the ball­ game. They added one more run in the top of the seventh. Gavin Snelling took theloss on'the -<noijnd;fcff- TK. South Christian managed 11 hits in his 6 2/3 innings on the mound. He struck out six and walked one. Of the six runs against him, five were earned. Logan Snelling took over to get the final out of the ball­ game, allowing one hit and then getting a strikeout. The five TK hits were all singles. Logan Snelling and Maddix Ferden were both 2 for 3. Jacob Davis also sin­ gled once. • •(SrmsteFW rtreck out-seven East Kentwood defeated Byron Center 6-3 in the dis- trict’s other semifinal contest and the Falcons defeated the Wolves 10-1 in the district final. mmar Caledonia, MI Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — / Complete Collision Service </ Frame Repairs / State & I-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies NFIB (SWH) iwmbai Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St, Caledonia • ivww.edsbody.com �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10, 2023 Crews adds 400 meters to her day and a medal Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg soph­ omore Ava Crews ended the day at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals with an all­ state medal around her neck. She earned it an a different way than she had hoped, or ever really even imagined. Crews Jed off the 4x400-meter relay for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ track and field team in the final event of the day at the finals, joining junior Kenady Smith, senior Lindsey Velting and fresh­ man Payton Gater in placing sixth with a time of 4 min­ utes 10.17 seconds. It was just the second time all season that she ran a com­ petitive 400 meters, and the first time wasn’t nearly as competitive as a part of the Trojans’ distance medley relay team at the 55th Annual Frank Grimm Invitational in Wyoming back in April. Crews was a last-minute fill-in for a fill-in Saturday, and had just finished up competing in her signature event, the 3200-meter run, when she found out she was needed in the 4x400-meter relay. TK head coach Maggie Wilkinson said it was fortu­ nate that there were two heats of the boys’ 3200meter run and that her girls were running in the final, fastest heat ofthe 4x400-meter relay. “I knew she could do it. She’s fine. That team is about, ‘okay, let’s go,’ Wilkinson said. “She is like a power­ house,” she added. “She has PR’s when we haver her run all four distance events. I was like ‘eh, she’s run one event. She’s fine.’ She has only gotten stronger this whole entire season.” Crews got to practice a few hand-offs before the start and peppered Velting TK senior Lindsey Velting takes off with the baton after getting a hand-off from sophomore teammate Ava Crews in the 4x400-meter relay at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) with questions. “I was asking [Velting] do I sprint this first 200 meters? And she was like, ‘yeah, you just go all out until the end,”’ Crews said. “I was like, okay I think I got this.” TK sophomore Brooklyn Harmon succumbed to an injury after winning regional championships in the 100meter hurdles and the 300meter hurdles May 19, and was replaced by freshman teammate Mia Hilton in the 4x400-meter relay at region­ al. The heat, with tempera­ tures around 90 all day and higher than that on the track and artificial turfin the bright sun in the Hawks’ stadium, got to Hilton enough that it was decided it was best she not push things after her medal-winning performance in the 300-meter low hurdles Saturday. Crews managed to beat the heat and provide a solid split in the 4x400-meter relay after setting her PR at 11:32.51 in a 14th-place fin­ ish in the 3200-meter run. “I was expecting maybe I could get all-state in the twomile, but I kind of doubted it. I wasn’t expecting this,” Crews said. “She did great,” Smith said. “She was so nervous about it. She was like I don’t have the right spikes. I’m going to let you guys down. I have only run a 400 one time. She ran a 1:03 and she did great and everything worked outjust fine.” Thornapple Kellogg freshman Mia Hilton flies over a hurdle on her way to an eighth-place finish in the 300-meter low hurdles Saturday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada. She set her PR at 48.21 seconds. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The East Grand Rapids girls won that 4x400-meter relay in 3:58.18. Junior Drew Muller was a part of that relay and also won the 1600meter run, set a PR in a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run and helped the Pioneer 4x800-meter relay team to a win. Her senior teammate Camryn Bodine was a part of both of those relay victories and also won the 800 in a personal record time of 2:11.53. Those two powered the Pioneers to the team state championship. Hilton did get her state medal too thanks to an eighth-place finish in the 300 hurdles in which she ran a personal record time of48.21 seconds. Smith was a two-time state medalist for the Trojans. She placed fifth in the high jump, clearing the bar at 5 feet 3 inches. That is her best jump of the season and just an inch off her personal record. “It was funny, because at 5-2 I got it on my second try,” Smith said, “and then 5-3 I just flew over it on my first try and the five girls I was doing it with none of them made it, but I did in our five-alive group. So, that was See TROIANS, next page Invitation to Comment on a Proposed Wireless Telecommunications Facility Interested persons are invited to telecommunications project proposed comment on the at 607 Sheridan wireless Street in Middleville, Ml (42° 43’ 10.2” N, 085° 27’ 04.5” W), with respect to Environmental Effects. The project will consist of installing a new 300-foot self-support tower (overall height of 320 feet) and the associated ground equipment. The FCC Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) filing number is A1246277. Environmental Effects - Interested persons may review the application (www.fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the filing number. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest) and online filings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to file a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554. This notice is provided in accordance with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, 47 C.F.R. Part 1, Subpart I and Appendices B. 200965 Thornapple Kellogg junior Jaxan Sias gets moving after getting the baton from senior teammate Gabe LaJoye in the 4x400-meter relay Saturday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023/ Page 15 TROJANS, continued from previous page cool. Then 5-4 came along and my form just wasn’t there. It’s okay. I am really happy with fifth place at state. That is crazy.” Smith was in three events at the finals. She teamed with junior Joselyn DeBoer, junior Eva Corson and Velting for a time of 1:48.45 which had them 15th in the 4x200-meter relay. The Thomapple Kellogg boys’ team team had the 4x400-meter relay team made up of senior Gabe LaJoye, junior Jaxan Sias, senior Tyler Bushman and junior Ethan Bonnema place 12th in 3:29.87, less than three seconds behind the last of the eight medal-winning teams. They cut nearly a second and a half from their regional time which was their previous best this sea­ son. Trojan freshman Nate Shoemaker was 22nd in the 300-meter intermediate hur­ dles with a time of 42.80. Corunna won the boys’ state title in Division 2 with 41 points, ahead of Mason 35, Forest Hills Eastern 35, Whitehall 33, Frankenmuth 29, Vicksburg 26, Freeland Thornapple Kellogg’s Ava Crews (from left), Payton Gater, Lindsey Velting and Kenady Smith celebrate their sixth-place finish in the 4x400-meter relay at the end of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals Saturday at Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 24, Berrien Springs 24, Dearborn Divine Child 21, Adrian 20 and Alma 20 in the top 11. Corunna junior Wyatt Bower set his personal record at 22-8.5 to win the boys’ long jump, and his twin brother, junior Tarick Bower, was third in the event at 21-10. The Bower brothers teamed with fresh­ man Isaac Jacobs and senior Nick Strauch to win the 4xl00-meter relay and place second in the 4x200-meter relay. EGR’s girls closed the day with 50 points. Sturgis was second with 34 ahead of Mason 26, New Boston Huron 26, Otsego 26, Tecumseh 24, Grand Rapids Christian 22.5, Saginaw Swan Valley 19, Grosse He 18, Warren Regina 18 and Cadillac 18. Hastings was 12th with 16 points, tied with Dearborn Divine Child. TK freshman Payton Gater gets up to speed in the 4x400-meter relay after getting a hand-off from junior Kenady Smith at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field Finals hosted by Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Plainwell scores late in overtime to end TK postseason to lose that close to having Sports Editor basically a 50/50 chance to Plainwell notched its sixth advance to the final,” consecutive shut out in a 1-0 Thomapple Kellogg co-head overtime victory over the coach Ben Sleeman said. Thomapple Kellogg varsity “Overall, I’d say it wasn’t the girls’ soccer team in the best game we played techni­ MHSAA Division 2 Regional cally this season, but that we Semifinals at Vicksburg High battled and worked harder School Wednesday. than in any other game and The blue and white Trojans for that [co-head coach] from Plainwell, ranked ll**1 David Wood and I were in the lower peninsula head­ proud of this group of girls.” ing into the state tournament, Eliza Harris earned the got a goal from senior Laken shutout, and each of the pre­ Whittington with four min­ vious five as well, in goal for utes remaining in the second the Plainwell girls. ten minutes of overtime to The Trojan defense and break the scoreless tie. freshman goalkeeper Alayna Eldred pushed a ball McKenna Hoebeke were stel­ ahead to left comer for lar throughout in keeping the Plainwell teammate Kayla Plainwell attack at bay too. “Plainwell has two of the Baar, and Baar fired a perfect cross towards the far post on best attacking threats that the right side where we’ve seen all season, and we Whittington was waiting to had talked a lot Monday and head it into the back ofthe net. Tuesday at practice about “Up until then, we felt pret­ containing them and remind­ ty good about going to penal­ ing the girls that they would ties and it was really deflating have to play aggressive and Brett Bremer physical defense ifwe wanted to stay in the game,” Sleeman said. “Our back line and McKenna Hoebeke in goal played probably the best they have all season and really kept them quiet, limiting them to a few chances from distance over the course of regulation. Our defensive effort as a team was fantastic as well with both our wide midfielders working back to defend while also trying to give us an attacking threat whenever they could.” The TK Trojan attack was limited a bit withjunior Holly Velting, the team’s top scorer, out having picked up a red card in her team’s 1-0 win over Hamilton in the district final the previous Thursday. “We really missed Holly Velting up top and think that she would have made a mas­ sive difference in the game because of the threat she pos­ sesses to get behind an oppos­ ing defense. [Plainwell] defi­ nitely had the better of the chances, but we had one or two good opportunities that we couldn’t quite make the most of,” Sleeman said. “Tealy Cross did a solid job filling in for Holly, but it’s a position she hasn’t played much this season and we had to shuffle other players around to make up for her being up top which is always a tough situation to deal with.” Some of the TK girls’ best scoring chances came in the first ten minutes of overtime, with two or three good oppor­ tunities just not finding the net. The Plainwell girls improve their season record to 17-2-3 with the victory. They started the year 1-2-2 and have now gone unbeaten in their past 17 matches with 16 wins during the stretch. Their district cham­ pionship was the first in ten years. Plainwell was set to face 15-1-1 Pinckney, ranked fourth in the lower peninsula in Division 2, in the regional final Friday back in Vicksburg. Pinckney defeat­ ed Gull Lake 1-0 in its region­ al semifinal match in Vicksburg Wednesday. TK closes the season with a 15-5-1 overall record. “The future is bright for this group of girls though,” Sleeman said. “We started five freshmen, two sopho­ mores, two Juniors, and two Seniors. While we will miss our two seniors [Anna Davis and Peyton Pratt] it’s hard not to look at a 15-5-1 season with the overwhelming majority of our starting 11 for most matches returning with a significant amount of expe­ rience going into next season. They all play club soccer at a high level and we are confi­ dent they will be ready to pick back up where we left off this season and hopefully beyond.” The state’s other three MHSAA Division 2 Regionals had already wrapped up heading into the weekend. The Pinckney/ Plainwell winner will face East Grand Rapids in the state semifinal in Holland June 13 while Grosse Pointe North faces Linden in the state semifinal in Waterford that same evening. The MHSAA Division 2 Girls’ Soccer Final will be held June 16 at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Soccer Stadium in East Lansing. 201055 PUBLIC NOTICE The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ soccer team talks things over between the two ten minute overtime periods against Plainwell Wednesday at Vicksburg High School. The TK ladies fell 1-0 to the Plainwell Trojans in the MHSAA Division 2 Regional Semifinal match. »............ ■ The Village of Middleville Public Works Department will be flushing fire hydrants beginning at 7:00 am on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and will continue throughout the month of June. Village water customers may experience some discoloration, and or pressure difference while this regular maintenance is being accomplished. The water remains safe to drink during this process. Usually let­ ting the tap run for a few minutes will clear up any discoloration and normal pressures will return once flushing operations have been completed. If you have any questions regarding this opera­ tion, contact the Department of Public Works at 269-795-2094. Village water operators appreciate your patience in our endeavor to provide you the highest quality water possible. �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 10,2023 Hager medals in 110 hurdles at DI frack Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Owen Hager went from fin­ ishing eighth at regionals as a sophomore in the 110-meter high hurdles to earning an all­ state medal for an eighth place finish at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Track and Field Finals to close out his junior season. Hager broke the 15-second barrier for the second time in the preliminary heats crossing the finish line in 14.73 sec­ onds to earn his spot in the 110-meter hurdle finals at Rockford High School Saturday, and then ran to a time of 15.25 seconds in the final to earn his eighth-place medal. Hager has only been faster than he was in the prelim’s once, at last month’s OK Red Conference Championship where he set his PR at 14.68 in a runner-up finish. Every other guy in the 110.meter high hurdle final set their personal record in the race, with three guys finishing in less than 14 seconds. Ann Arbor Huron senior Braxton Brann won the state champi­ onship with his time of 13.77 seconds. Kalamazoo Central senior Kayenn Mabin was sec­ ond in 13.87, and went on to win the state title in the 300meter intermediate hurdles later in the day. East Kentwood had senior Joshua Hurt place third in 13.92 and senior Makia Willis fourth in 14.31. Brann also won the 200meter dash with a personal record time of 21.12 seconds. It was as blistering day in the hurdles, not just because of the hot June sun which pushed temperatures well over 80 degrees. The girls’ 100-meter hurdles also fea­ tured three finishers who clocked in at less than 14 seconds. The trio was led by Oak Park senior Nonah Waldron who won the race in 13.56 seconds before follow­ ing that up with a personal record time of 40.37 in win­ ning the 300-meter low hur­ dles too. Her teammate, junior Morgan Roundtree, was third in the 100 hurdles and second in the 300 hur­ dles, while Oak Park sopho­ more Carrie VanNoy placed fourth in both races. Hager was the Fighting Scots’ lone medalist at the finals, and the only athlete competing on the track for the Caledonia varsity boys’ and girls’ track and field teams. The rest of the Scots compet­ ing Saturday were in the morning’s field events. Junior Ian Fedewa improved his own personal record in the discus to 149 feet 7 inches - a mark which put him in a tie for 11th place for Yoi?re Invited the day. Fedewa was less than four feet behind the last of the eight state medalists in the event St Joseph senior Gerald Capaccio won the boys’ dis­ cus with a throw of 167-2. Caledonia junior Jordan Gutierrez was 13th in the long jump with a top mark of 20-5.25. No one could catch Canton senior Quincy Isaac in that event. He had a state winning jump of 22-11. He was one of four guys to go beyond 22 feet. Rockford junior Carter Bissell was the runner-up with a personal record mark of 22-7. In the girls’ competition, Fighting Scot junior Molly Winger cleared the bar at 10-9 in the pole vault but couldn’t quite make it over in her three attempts at 11-3. U RAMS » She finished in 11th place for M RAMS W the day. Forest Hills Central junior Brooke Bowers won the girls’ pole vault by clear­ ing 12-3. There were only four girls in the event who went higher than 11-3. Cedar Springs junior Taylor Diemond was second at 12-0. Salem junior Caledonia junior Owen Hager flies over a hurdle during the finals of the 11OKatie Stewart and Rockford meter high hurdles during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Track and Field freshman Maiya Corrigan Finals at Rockford High School Saturday. Hager earned an all-state medal with his both cleared 11-9 to finish eighth-place finish in the event. (Photo by Brett Bremer) third and fourth respectively. All those hurdles points 80 points. Detroit Renaissance Lansing 18 in the top ten. 23 in the top ten. helped the Oak Park girls to a and Ann Arbor Pioneer were St. Joseph won the boys’ OK Red Conference dis­ state championship. Their in a high-scoring battle for meet with 40.75 points. tance star Seth Norder cap­ team finished the meet with second with the Renaissance Clinton Township Chippewa tured the 3200-meter state girls coming out ahead 58-56. Valley was second with 38 championship on the boys’ Farmington Hills Mercy points ahead of Rockford 36, side with a time of 9:04.68. was third with 32 points Ann Arbor Huron 30, Detroit Rockford boys won the to join us at our ahead ofRockford 27.5, West U-D Jesuit 29, Rochester 4x 100-meter relay. Bloomfield 24, Walled Lake Adams 28, Kalamazoo Rockford senior Maya Central 24, Detroit Cass Tech Central 26, Northville 25.75, Anderson won the girls’ long 22, Zeeland East 20 and East East Kentwood 25 and Saline jump with a mark of 18-6.5. HMS MAMS Community Celebration Join us in celebrating 1OO years of caring for our community. Wednesday, June 21 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pennock Hospital 1009 W. Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 Q Corewell Health* Foundation West Michigan Join us in celebrating our past, present and future. • Picnic cook-out • MOO-ville icecream • Tours of the Health & Wellness Center • Tours of the Baum Family Surgery Center • Door prizes • Explore the Betty Ford Breast Care Services mammography bus and more! Caledonia junior Molly Winger tries to pull herself over the bar at 11 feet 3 inches in the pole vault during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Track and Field Finals at Rockford High School Saturday. (Photg by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-06-17.pdf 2cbb0d1fa6c8592a9e0bbc831718bc74 PDF Text Text No. 24/ June 17, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 4905§stinCJS Pnhlin I ikl.^?'year now hub to regional cut flower industry Greg Chandler Staff Writer For the past 25 years, area residents have been flocking to Creekside Growers, just north of the village of Middleville, to buy flowers and other garden supplies. However, the business owned by Sue Dykstra at 10197 Garbow Rd. is taking on a new direction. Creekside is now serving as the hub for a collective of 13 flower farms called the West Michigan Flower Market. The collective includes farms from as far north as Rockford, as far west as South Haven and as far south as Battle Creek. “We’ve always been a garA crowd of attendees filed into downtown Middleville on Saturday for Pride Festival, filling the den center and a greenhouse, Sesquicentennial Park Pavilion. Local organizations brought free games and activities, and many handed out and we’re switching over to Pride-themed swag. (Photo provided by Olivia Bennett) more cut flowers for the wholesale industry and the retail (industry),” Dykstra Middleville hosts first ever Pride event with overwhelming support, organizers say Hunter McLaren offered their support. members of the Free Mom StaffWriter “We really started going, Hugs non-profit group. The Middleville hosted a Barry ‘Oh, there’s a lot of people group aims to help LGBT County first this weekend. who actually want to be at youth feel more accepted by The village held its first this thing, Bennett said. providing “mom hugs” for Pride Festival celebrating the “We didn’t plan on really kids with unaccepting par­ LGBTQ community on having booths until people ents. Pride-themed stickers, Saturday afternoon at its started reaching out, and then tattoos, flags' and other swag Sesquicentennial Park it started just kind of kicking items were widely available. Pavilion. off from there.” “Every table had some Olivia Bennett, who orga­ Several local organiza­ kind of sticker, bracelet, or nized the event alongside tions had tables at the event mini flag they would hand former village president with games and activities, out to the kids,” she said. Amanda Fisk, said the turn­ including Michigan State “By the end, all the kids are out was much bigger than Police, Kent County Health just covered head to toe in expected. When they started Department, Barry County rainbow.” planning the event in May, Substance Abuse Task Force, The festival included a the two thought it might just Farmers Insurance, Barry family-friendly drag perfor­ be a small picnic downtown. County Democrats and more. mance, with drag queens car­ As word got out about the Attendees could play com- rying out a choreographed event, more and more orga­ hole, get their faces painted, dance routine to several dif­ nizations and individuals and even get a hug from ferent songs. See FLOWER MARKET, page 2 The drag performance itselfwas the subject ofmuch conversation last week at a highly attended Middleville Village Council meeting. Many members of the public showed up to the meeting to oppose a symbolic resolution recognizing June as Pride Month, with some comment­ ers separately calling for Saturday’s drag performance to be canceled. The Pride event was approved by the village council at a prior meeting. While the symbolic resolution recognizing June as Pride Month was not passed, no action was taken against Saturday’s Pride Kelly Lewis (left) and Sue Dykstra (right) manage and own Middleville-based Creekside Growers, See PRIDE EVENT, page 2 respectively. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Western Week takes over Main Street in Caledonia next week Greg Chandler StaffWriter An annual event celebrat­ ing Caledonia’s agricultural heritage and community spir­ it returns next week. Western Week will take The Cherry Valley Livestock Club performs a sheep shearing demonstration at the 2019 Western Week. place Tuesday through (Photos by Greg Chandler) Friday, with most of the said. Dykstra has been working on this transition over the last five years. The idea behind the collective is to help all its member farms supply design­ ers and florists with local­ ly-grown flowers. “We grow everything, or one of the farms in our col­ lective grows it,” Dykstra said. What many peopje. may not realize is that about 80 percent of the cut, flowers sold in the United States are imported. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States imported nearly $3.3 billion in cut flowers, plants and nursery stock during the 2022 fiscal year. Leading exporters of cut flowers to the U.S. include Colombia, Canada, events taking place on Main Street in the village’s down­ town area. It’s the 13th year of the festival. “It’s just a wonderful fam­ ily (festival), an opportunity to come out for little-to-no See WESTERN WEEK, page 3 • TK Schools superintendent extends contract • Caledonia bus drivers take top honors at statewide competition • First Barry County case of rabies­ positive bat found in Middleville • Local hospital celebrates milestone anniversary • Caledonia baseball’s postseason journey ends in regional finals �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023 PRIDE EVENT, continued from page 1 Festival. Bennett said there was a huge focus on the event being family-friendly from the very start, and the drag performance was no excep­ tion. Even though drag per­ formance isn’t inherently adult-oriented, Bennett said she took extra care to ensure the performance would be appropriate for all ages. She invited three performers she knew personally, made sure the outfits were all-ages appropriate and vetted the songs chosen for the show to exclude any with explicit language or sexual innuendo. Much of the concern around drag performances being inappropriate for all ages comes from unfamiliar­ ity with the medium, accord­ ing to Bennett. Drag is an art form like any other, she said, andjust like TV shows, mov­ ies and other mediums can be both kid-friendly and adult-oriented, so can drag. “On social media and such, there’s a lot of people who don’t really understand what a drag show is. They don’t recognize that (it’s just a) different art form,” she said. “Every art form has range. You know, there’s paintings of butterflies and stuff. There’s also paintings of naked women. People can watch ‘Paw Patrol,’ but Performer Misfit Martini strikes a pose with tips they’ve collected from audience members, a practice that’s customary and part of the act of many drag performances. there’s also ’50 Shades of Grey.’” Bennett said that while she recognized some detractors of the event at the festival Saturday, they kept to them­ selves, acted respectfully and otherwise did not disrupt the event. Some even stayed to watch the drag performance, she said. “Maybe they were sitting there thinking they were going to watch and see if anything inappropriate hap­ pens and maybe stop it. I don’t know,” Bennett said. “Maybe they were genuinely curious. Hopefully, their hearts and minds will change.” Middleville’s first Pride Festival was a huge success in both support received and community turnout, she said. While she’s not sure exactly what is next for the festival, she said she does know one thing: it will be coming back, bigger and better. “Even people outside of the county showed up, so I’m looking forward to big­ ger and better next year. I think there’s definitely a need or a desire to have more based on the huge response that we got,” Bennett said. “I don’t know what next year totally looks like, but I guarantee you it’s going to be bigger.” Drag performer Countess Hexen performed their first routine in this fairy-in­ spired outfit at Middleville’s Pride Festival on Saturday. FLOWER MARKET, continued from page 1 Ecuador and the European Union, according to the agri­ culture department. “Most of the plants that come in from Ecuador are in a box, on an airplane, for up to a week,” Dykstra said, also noting that such plants are usually treated with pes­ ticides. Farms of the collec­ tive do not use pesticides on their flowers, she said. “How can you think that a plant that is probably cov­ ered with pesticides, been put in a dark, dark box, been on an airplane, been handled again as it’s been divided out, is better quality than one that was harvested wedding and they need 100 (locally) within 24 hours, white peonies, we can meet (with) no pesticides?” that need ... We’re produc­ Dykstra asked. ing quantities that will work With the development of for them to produce their the collective, Creekside has events.” changed its approach to The West Michigan growing flowers, both in its Flower Market has a whole­ greenhouse and 2-acre out­ sale division where florists door area. Flowers are har­ and designers can purchase vested daily, Dykstra said. cut flowers online - the web­ “We have 100,OCX) plants site is rootedfarmers.com. in the ground, easily,” But there will still be flowers Dykstra said. “We plant available for retail sale inside 10,000 of one thing at a time Creekside Growers. because that’s what the “People have the option to industry needs. We want come in and grab something people to know we have the - men on their way home if quantity. If (someone has) a they want to grab something for their wives, we’re here, we have (flowers) already in vases or (flowers) in sleeves they can grab and go,” Dykstra said. Kelly Lewis, manager for Creekside, says the center’s location is perfect for servicing the West Michigan region. “It’s kind of cool, the fact that Middleville being the stagecoach stop between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, we are the flower stop for designers and flo­ rists from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids,” Lewis said. Dykstra expects the col­ lective to operate year-round. The floral shop will be open Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop will close Monday for harvesting of flowers. Creekside Growers is now serving as the hub for a collective of 13 flower farms called the West Michigan Flower Market. �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023/ Page 3 Caledonia Twp. board to interview manager candidates Monday Greg Chandler Michael Bums. StaffWriter After the Bums interview, Three candidates who the board is scheduled to have applied to become the deliberate and could come .to next Caledonia Township a motion if they agree on a manager will interview with preferred candidate, accord­ the Township Board ing to the meeting agenda. Monday. The board has been in dis­ The board has scheduled a cussions for several months special meeting for 9:45 a.m. on the township manager at the Township Hall, 8196 search. Township Treasurer Broadmoor Ave. SE (M-37) Richard Robertson has func­ to conduct the interviews. tioned as township adminis­ The first interview will trator since 2015. In October take place at 10 a.m. with 2020, the board approved a Joshua Westgate, deputy managerial organization plan township supervisor of that gave Robertson the title Jamestown Charter of township manager - con­ Township in Ottawa County. tingent on the board starting That will be followed at 11 a search for a new manager a.m. by an interview with in the summer of this year. Alison Nugent, municipal The township hired Walsh district manager for the Municipal Services of Frisco West Water Control Okemos earlier this spring at and Improvement District of a cost of $11,900 to assist in Denton County, Texas. the search for a new manag­ After a lunch break, the er. Only four townships in third and final interview is Kent County have full-time scheduled for 12:30 p.m. managers, including Gaines with Lowell City Manager Charter Township. Westgate has been deputy township supervisor in Jamestown Township since February 2021. He also works with Newaygo County Emergency Services, manag­ ing and overseeing mitigation and special projects. He also served as township supervisor in Ottawa County’s Wright Township for 12 years, from 2008 to 2020. A native ofLowell, Nugent has served as municipal dis­ trict manager for the West Frisco WCIDDC since July 2021. Prior to. that, she was vice president of the board of directors for the Frisco WCIDDC for three years. Bums has been the city manager in Lowell since 2016. Before that, he had been the assistant city man­ ager in Fenton, near Flint, for seven-and-a-half years. He was also a sheriff’s deputy in Macomb County for nine years before entering munic­ ipal management. WESTERN WEEK Schedule ofevents TUESDAY - 6:30 p.m.: Dave Steger Memorial Softball Game between the fire department and merchants, Varsity Field WEDNESDAY ‘‘CONNECTING KIDS WITH CREATURES” - 5 to 9 p.m.: Old-fashioned kids’ games and crafts. - Inflatables - Dunk tank - Caledonia Fire Department ladder truck - Pheasant Forever and BB Target - Caledonia Equestrian Exhibits and photo opportunity - Cherry Valley Livestock Exhibits - Kids’ Archery by Caledonia Sportsman’s Club - Horse-drawn wagon rides - Safari Club International - Kent County Mounted Unit & Michigan State Police Display & Kent County Sheriffs Office Display - 7 p.m.: All Pet Parade (Lineup at 6:30 at the old fire bam, 240 Maple St.); ice cream social for participants after the parade - 7:45 to 9 p.m.: Legacy Stables and Karin’s Horse Connection educational demonstrations - 8 p.m.: Frog and Turtle Races (bring your own frog and/or turtle) THURSDAY - 5 to 9 p.m.: Main Street Market Taste of Caledonia Horse-drawn wagon rides 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Caledonia Dance and Music Center Performance - 6:45 to 8 p.m.: Talent Show - 8:15 to 9 p.m.: Live Music featuring Easy Idle String Band WESTERN WEEK, continued from page 1 The Caledonia Pipe and Drums Group leads the procession at the Pet Parade during a previous installment of Western Week. cost events and enjoy what our village has to offer, what our town of Caledonia has to offer,” said Terry Muller of Muller Paint & Design, one of the organizers of Western Week. “We’re a farm town. We have a fanning and agricul­ tural background. We have a strong equestrian neighbor­ hood ... We have a state champion equestrian team, three years consecutively.” Activities will get under­ way on Tuesday night with the Dave Steger Memorial Softball Game, pitting the fire department against local mer­ chants at the Caledonia varsi­ ty softball field, to be fol­ lowed a day later with activi­ ties designed to connect kids with creatures. The “Kids With Creatures” theme will include the annual All-Pet Parade, an educational eques­ trian demonstration by Karin Schmidt of Legacy Stables and Karin’s Horse Connection and the ever-popular frog and turtle races. “The children are obvious-­ - ly the future of our village, of our town,”, Muller said. .“We’ve had 13 years of bringing children from infan­ cy (and introducing them to animals). One of our custom­ ers (brought a) three-day-old baby (to) the village, and now their child’s 13 years old, and they’re coming back” Among those hosting demonstrations on Wednesday will be the Cherry Valley Livestock Club, which will host a sheep shearing exhibi­ tion. The club has young peo­ ple who raise sheep, beef, hogs, rabbits, goats and chick­ ens, said John Hawkins, a longtime club leader. Club members range in age from five to 19, and they learn a lot of valuable life lessons, such as gaining self-confidence, through their involvement in the club, Hawkins said. “They learn how to deal with people. They learn how to deal with circumstances beyond their control. This is an opportunity for them to deal with things that aren’t perfect,” Hawkins said. Thursday is highlighted by the annual Taste of Caledonia celebration, where attendees can sample foods from at least 11 local restaurants in the com­ munity. In addition, the Main Street Market will take place, as well as a talent show, a per­ formance by students from the Caledonia Dance & Music Center and live music from the Easy Idle String Band. Then on Friday, it’s the annual Car, Truck, Tractor & Motorcycle Show featuring classic vehicles from several different eras, followed by a street dance downtown. Muller says the variety of events offered at Western Week sets this festival apart from other events. “It gives the people options. If their interest is animals, come Wednesday. Ifthey like the Taste (ofCaledonia), come Thursday. If they like cars, (come Friday).” Western Week had been put on hold over the last sev­ eral years. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the festi­ val in 2020 and 2021, and a road construction project on Kinsey Street last year result­ ed in concerns about Main Street also being closed for the festival, so no Western Week was held. The historic Barber School Museum, a former one-room schoolhouse built in the 1850s when the community was first being settled, will be open during Western Week, as will the historic village blacksmith shop. SUMMER SPECIAL ft /(! INSTALLBTIOH «200 OFF With this coupon FRIDAY - 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. - Car, Truck, Tractor & Motorcycle Show (awards presentation at 9 p.m.) - 1899 Popcorn Wagon - 8 to 10 p.m. - Street Dance Parking is available at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium and at Village Hall, 250 Maple St. HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023 Cal bus drivers take top honors at state school bus competition Randall L. Mack Randall L. Mack passed away on June 8, 2023, just weeks before his 80th birth­ day. Randy was bom in Midland, MI to Arnold O. and Leonora Mack in 1943. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Theology and his master’s degree in Labor and Industrial Relations, Randy worked for CITA, where he matched unem­ ployed people with jobs, before serving as a person­ nel director for Kent Oaks and Kent Community Hospital. He went on to join the Meijer organization for 20 years. In addition to these vari­ ous positions, Randy was the longtime co-owner of Orchard Hill Farm in Dutton, where he was a major storyteller, often stop­ ping along Glen Creek while driving his antique John Deere tractor pulling a wagon load of school chil­ dren. Most recently, Randy was a long-term resident of Spectrum Rehab and Nursing on Kalamazoo Avenue, where he enjoyed the visits of family and friends. In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his son, Kipton, and his sister, Lenora Jadun. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Pam; his daughter and son­ in-law, Megan and Roger Vajda, and their two sons, Joe Vajda and Louis and Victoria Vajda; his sister, Jerol and Doug Riesch; his brother, Gale and Nancy Mack; his brother-in-law, Sunny Jadun; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Randy’s life will be cele­ brated with a memorial ser­ vice on Saturday; July 1, at 2 p.m., at Stroo Funeral Home, with Pastor F. Bert Nelson, officiating. A cookout in Randy’s honor will follow the service at Dutton Shadyside Park. Greg Chandler StaffWriter For the first time in the event’s history, a bus driver from Caledonia Community Schools took home first place at the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation’s School Bus Roadeo state championship. Betty Nelson, a driver with CCS for the last six years, took home the top spot in the state championship event held last weekend at Baldwin Street Middle School in Hudsonville. She was one of three Caledonia drivers who placed in the top five at the event. In the pro­ cess, Nelson defeated the four­ time defending state champion from Grandville Public Schools. “It’s an incredible achieve­ ment that shows your skills are second to none,” CCS Transportation Director Michaellita Fortier wrote in a letter to Nelson. “Your victo­ ry proves that with hard work, anything is possible, and you have set a new stan­ dard of excellence for future Church roadeo participants.” Chad Hargrave placed third at the state meet, and Michelle Kowalski took fifth place. “Your success has not only brought recognition and praise to our department but has also inspired us all to strive for excellence and never give up on our dreams,” Fortier wrote to her team. “You are an inspiration to us all, and I am grateful to have such talented and dedicated employees on my team.” The School Bus Roadeo is an annual event that highlights the driving abilities of school bus drivers while promoting driver safety. Participants undergo a written test and a driving skills test that includes navigating a course of cones, simulating pickup and drop­ off of students and handling emergency situations. Caledonia took the team championship at the MAPT regional school bus roadeo in May. at Caledonia High School, with four CCS driv­ ers placing in the top five. alaska curc hurch 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission Is to worship Godand disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Middleville Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) (269) 795-2391 NOFP OPEN TO PUBLIC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS 1664 M-37 Church: @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School Sunday Worship . 9:30 AM 10:30 AM rrriA inTfMTrqSgj I4W? our servicesfrom our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship............. Community Group............................... Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaIedoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone:616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY MIDDLEVILLE: 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg cornerstonemi.org/weekend CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Michael L. Myers, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Caledonia United IL Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Sunday's Ministries 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonechurch Caledonia Community Schools bus driver Betty Nelson, center, took first place at the Michigan Association for Public Transportation School Bus Roadeo state championship in Hudsonville last week­ end. Nelson is joined by fellow drivers Michelle Kowalski (left), who finished fifth in the competition, and Chad Hargrave (right), who placed third. (Photo courtesy Caledonia Community Schools) 10:00 a.m. j1;00 a m Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023/ Page 5 TK school board approves 2023-24 budget, teacher hires and contract with support staff Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Kellogg Schools expect to end the current fiscal year with a sur­ plus of more than $1.38 mil­ lion and will tap into a portion of that surplus under the new district budget unanimously adopted by the Board of Education Monday night. The 2023-24 budget, which goes into effect July 1, calls for revenues and trans­ fers in of $45,819,976 and expenditures and transfers out of $46,018,867, resulting in the district having to use $198,891 of fund balance, TK Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. LaHaie reported that the TK district will likely end the current fiscal year on June 30 with revenues and transfers in of $46,584,831 - a figure nearly $3.2 million more than the district expect­ ed to bring in for the year and spending and transfers out of $45,199,975, resulting in a surplus of $1,384,856. That would boost the dis­ trict’s reserves to more than $7.65 million, or about 17.5 percent of its spending, LaHaie said. final round offunding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and school curricula, textbooks and other learning materials. They include a new K-5 reading and English language arts curriculum and books, a new social studies curriculum and It s fantastic to see those high school students textbooks at Page Elementary, thatknew they wanted to be teachers, that went a new Spanish curriculum through our teacher prep program, went on and textbooks at the high to college, got an education degree, and came school and middle school and compensatory learning tools back here to the community to give back to the to help students at all grade community.” levels who may have fallen behind in their academic progress, LaHaie said. - Thornapple Kellogg Superintendent Craig The budget also projects at McCarthy on the high school Teacher Cadet least a $450 per pupil increase program in the district’s foundation allocation from the state, LaHaie told the board that safety grants, LaHaie said. from $9,150 to $9,600. The the major reason for the dis­ “We’re really going to use final per-pupil allocation trict ending the current fiscal that revenue next year to do must still be determined by year in the black was because some great things for kids in the Legislature and the gover­ of more than $1 million in the district,” LaHaie said. nor. The budget also projects federal categorical grants The new budget calls for an increase in enrollment of “that we weren’t sure we three additional teaching at least 18 full-time students, were going to receive back in positions due to expected from 3,150 to 3,168. February.” They include growth in the elementary “Our kindergarten class is funding directed toward pro­ buildings and an additional booming. This may be a little grams to help students that counselor at Thomapple bit conservative as well,” had experienced losses in Kellogg Middle School. It LaHaie said. “We will see. It learning tied to the COVID- also calls for more than just depends on what hap­ 19 pandemic, as well as a $650,000 to be spent on new pens over the summer months.” About 85 percent of the district’s spending is on staffing, including teachers, counselors, bus drivers and paraprofessionals. “We don’t outsource any of our services. We don’t outsource transportation; we don’t outsource custodial, grounds, etc. It’s all done by district employees,” LaHaie said. . In related action Monday, the board approved hiring 11 new staff members for the district for the upcoming school year, including seven elementary teachers, two mid­ dle school counselors, a high school agriculture science teacher and a part-time speech pathologist Three of the new elementary hires Kara Burbridge (kindergarten), Alexandra Blair (fourth grade) and Ryan Gorton (fifth grade) - are TK graduates who were part of the high school’s Teacher Cadet program when they were students. “It’s fantastic to see those high school students that knew they wanted to be teachers, that went through our teacher prep program, went on to college, got an education degree, and came back here to the community to give back to the communi­ ty,” TK Superintendent Craig McCarthy said. The board Monday also approved a new two-year contract with the Thomapple Kellogg Educational Support Personnel Association, which represents custodians, bus drivers, food service workers, administrative assistants and paraprofes­ sionals. The contract, which expires June 30, 2025, calls for a step increase for all members and a 3.75 percent pay increase in the upcoming fiscal year for most employ­ ee groups except for bus drivers and cleaners. The normal base pay for bus driv­ ers has been increased to $19 per hour, while the base for cleaners was boosted to $14 per hour, according to dis­ trict documents. Thornapple Kellogg board approves McCarthy contract extension Greg Chandler StaffWriter . On Monday, the Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education approved an extension of Superintendent Craig McCarthy’s contract through the end of the 2025­ 26 school year. The school board changed the format of McCarthy’s contract with the district to a rolling contract, which will allow the board to approve annual extensions. “Every spring, he’ll notify the board president that he would like to extend his con­ tract another year, and then the board will accept or decline that,” School Board President Matt Powers said. McCarthy became TK’s superintendent in January 2022 after serving as interim superintendent for the district for four months and assistant superintendent for four years. Before that, he had held an assistant superintendent posi- tion at Northview Public Schools in suburban Grand Rapids for nine years. McCarthy received a rating of “highly effective” from the school board in a job perfor- mance evaluation conducted last December. The new con­ tract calls for such an evaluation each spring. McCarthy received a sala­ ry boost under the contract extension. He will be paid $195,422 during the 2023-24 contract year, according to the contract document. McCarthy would then receive a 3.5 percent pay increase for the 2024-25 school year, and any future salary increases would be subject to negotiation with the board, according to the contract document. “We try to keep our (administration) salaries in the ... top half, to be compet­ itive with (other districts) in the Kent (Intermediate School District),” Powers said. In addition to the salary increase, the district will contribute 8.1 percent of McCarthy’s base salary to a qualifying 403(b) retirement plan. He will also receive 25 vacation days and 15 sick days annually, according to the contract document. In his evaluation last December, McCarthy was praised for his leadership in completing building projects tied to the $42.8 million bond issue that TK voters approved in November 2019, as well as the district’s improved academic perfor­ mance and his efforts to increase his presence in the local community. FAMILYFUN V * & FIREWORKS CELEBRATION BOUNCE HOUSES | GAMES | FOOD | MUSIC Craig McCarthy Saturday, July 1 I Activities Start at 7pm | Fireworks Start at 10pm Cornerstone Church (84th St. Campus) -1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Middleville TOPS 546 The June 12 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. There are no fish in the fish­ bowl. Virginia and Maryellen talked about the Weight Recorder Seminar they attended last Saturday. An award party was planned for June 25 to honor the divi­ sion winners for last year. New officers were dis­ cussed, and they will be honored as well. Virginia will continue on as the club’s leader. Alice will be the new co-leader. Maryellen will be new weight recorder with Virginia as assistant weight recorder. Virginia will con­ tinue on as treasurer. Maryellen will be the web designate. Maryellen lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. Join us outside for an awesome event for the whole family as we celebrate Independence Day together! Starting at 7pm, we’ll have bounce houses, games, food, beverages, and music. Then, at 10pm, our neighbor to the south will light up the sky with a dazzling fireworks show! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and have a fun family-filled night with us! Donations are encouraged for parking. All proceeds will go to Cornerstone Student Ministries. No alcohol please. Rain date is Sunday, Note: There will be construction at the intersection of 84th St and Kalamazoo Ave, so we recommend entering from the east or north entrances. cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Events �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023 Board approves raise for TIES chief Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Township board approved a $5,000 raise for Thornapple Township Emergency Services Chief Bill Richardson on Monday. The increase, passed on a 6-0 vote, will boost Richardson’s pay to $92,000 a year, Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. The raise followed a review of Richardson’s job performance over the past year and a comparison with salaries for people in similar positions, according to a memo from the township EMS and Personnel and Compensation committees. Richardson is nearing the end of his first year as TIES chief. He was hired by the township in July of last year after the retirement of previ­ ous Chief Randy Eaton. Richardson served 23-and-ahalf years with the Meridian Township Fire Department near Lansing, the last eight years as senior captain and acting battalion chief, before coming to the township. In other business, the board approved a new pay scale for TTES members that will allow for easier imple­ mentation of raises and pay rate changes as members receive additional training and certification. The move is meant to do away with inequities that had been in the previous system. “I don’t want ever to (have a situation) where someone who has been here for two years is making more than a lieutenant who has been here seven years. That’s where we were at,” Richardson said. Under the new pay scale, firefighters who are on a pro­ bationary status will start at $17 per hour, while a tenured firefighter will begin at $18 an hour, an emergency medi­ cal technician at $20 per hour and a tenured firefighter who is also an EMT will start at $22 per hour, according to township documents. “For members who helped this community during the Rabid bat found in Middleville Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Barry-Eaton District Health Department is reporting its first case of a rabies-positive bat in Barry County this year. The health department announced in a news release Friday morning that the bat was found in Middleville and has test­ ed positive for rabies, which is a deadly but pre­ ventable disease. Bats are the leading cause of rabies deaths in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Bats are the most com­ mon way that people in Michigan and U.S. come in contact with the dis­ ease, BEDHD spokes­ woman Emily Smale said. “Rabies can spread to people from bats after minor, seemingly unim­ portant, or unrecognized bites or scratches,” Smale said in the news release. “Any direct con­ tact with a bat should be considered as a possible exposure to rabies. Other possible exposures include finding a bat in the same room as a per­ son who may not be aware that contact has occurred, such as a sleeping person, a child, or someone who is men­ tally disabled or intoxi­ cated.” Those who have been bitten by an animal, or have been in contact with, exposed to or bitten by a bat, are urged to call BEDHD at (517) 541­ 2641 as soon as possible. The law requires all ani­ mal bites to be reported to local animal control and the local health depart­ ment. Anyone exposed to a bat is urged to capture the bat to be tested for rabies and immediately call the health department. If the bat is unavail­ able for testing, treat­ ment will be recommend­ ed to prevent rabies. If the bat is tested and does not have rabies, treat­ ment is not needed, Smale said. It is also important to protect pets against rabies. The best way to do this is to have dogs, cats and ferrets vaccinated against rabies by a veteri­ narian and to prevent pets from coming into contact with wild animals while outside. If a pet might have been bitten or scratched by a wild ani­ mal such as a bat, rac­ coon, or skunk, contact a veterinarian for instruc­ tions on how to prevent rabies. For more information, visit michigan.gov/ Rabies. To speak to the BEDHD communicable disease nurse, call 517­ 541-2641. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS staffing crisis and were given raises above the attached scale, (they) shall maintain their current rate of pay until the pay scale exceeds their current hourly rate,” Richardson said. The board also approved the purchase of a special washing unit for washing the turnout gear of TTES mem­ bers at a cost of more than $19,000. The township will purchase the unit from Universal Laundry Machine ofWestland. Richardson told board members that washing turnout gear in a regular clothes washer damages the gear and doesn’t eliminate the cancer-causing agents that firefighters may encoun- Thornapple Township Emergency Services Chief Bill Richardson is seen here at the scene of a recent fire at Bradford White in Middleville. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) ter while on a call. In addition, the board approved a contract with a local firm, Red Maple Roofing, to replace the roof at both the Township Hall and at the TIES headquar­ ters that had been damaged by hail earlier this spring. The cost of the project is being covered by insurance tied to the storm. Middleville Council approves proposal to move tornado siren to TTES building Field Cafe. The village had been using the 6,075-square-foot build­ ing for storage. As part ofthe purchase agreement, the vil­ lage has to remove all of its property from the building by Aug. 1 and remove the tornado siren from the site, as well. The decision to move the siren to the current TIES property puts it back under the control of emergency ser­ vices. The village had bought the old fire station from Thomapple Township in 2005 for $13,500. At that time, the tornado siren was left at the old station. It was replaced by the village in 2012 with a modem pole-mounted siren at a cost of about $35,000. The village is planning to pay all of the expenses of moving and reinstalling the siren. The cost will be a max­ imum of $5,000 to be drawn from the village’s fiscal year 2023 general fund. Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson said moving the tornado siren only a block down the road will allow everyone who can currently hear the siren to be able to continue to Kim Dannenberg smiles during the June 13 village hear it when it sounds from council meeting. She has been chosen as the village’s the new location. new deputy clerk. (Photos by James Gemmell) “It just disappoints me that, because it falls under emergency services or equip­ New Collections by ment that would be used in an emergency, that the town­ Moda® ship isn’t absorbing some of this cost. Being that, techni­ Patriotic Cottons cally, under the parameters of what its function is - it is Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up what the township is respon­ Station < sible for as far as emergency services go,” village trustee Makenzi Peters said. The township will pay $400-$500 annually for <<< maintenance of the siren, 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 Township Supervisor Eric OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Schaefer said. James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Middleville Village Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the relocation of the vil­ lage-owned tornado siren to the Thomapple Township Emergency Services build­ ing. That facility is located at 128 High St., just down the road from where the siren currently is mounted on TTES’ former fire bam site at 115 High St. The 7-0 vote at Tuesday’s meeting authorizes owner- ship of the tornado siren to be transferred to Thomapple Township. The Village Council’s approval came one day after the Township Board approved taking own­ ership of the siren. Last year, the village agreed to sell the old fire bam property to Acom Treehouse Ventures LLC, which is owned by village council Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd. He was not on the village council at the time. The building will be used to expand production for his coffee-shop business, Left SiatenA ‘Ja&tite < See TORNADO SIREN, page 1 �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023/ Page 7 TORNADO SIREN, continued from page I ri RMi Mtiida tUfijii oil ft n nflfc Im SforJlUt ^inh tMikl islhii B tin ffldm. «M tifi» iifittp Jtglliil d®i: itiif® jrihl IW$ p MKRl*lH *i^ pi N1’ J ir Jr J Trustee Kevin Smith The village staff sent out a pointed out that a 911 com­ Request for Qualifications munications tower is pro­ on Tuesday for potential posed to be built at 607 developers to come forward Sheridan St., adjacent to the with ideas and conceptual village’s wastewater treat­ designs for how they might ment plant. He suggested like to develop some prime that, perhaps, the 300-foot- property along the tall tower would be a better Thomapple River. location for the tornado siren. The village approved a “It’s ideal, I think, because public notice for the RFQ in it’s on higher ground. April on the site at 36 State Because this particular siren St. It will provide potential is in a bowl, it might make developers with a detailed better sense (acoustically) to description of what village include it there,” Smith said. officials envision for activatBut Belson said the tower ing the property along the would not be a suitable struc­ south bank of the river. They ture for the siren. foresee a multi-family devel­ “You could put the siren opment that would be medi­ on that property but not on um to higher density. the tower. No. Because that The village council and is actually a rotating siren,” planning commission held a Belson said. “It would move joint meeting at 4 p.m. it another two or three blocks Tuesday, and members of to the east. That means we’re both boards walked from the moving it that much farther village hall to the riverfront from the west side of town.” property being considered Village President Mike for development. Cramer said the current site At the on-site meeting, works for the west side ofthe Village Manager Craig village. Stolsonburg, Planning and “We can hear it clearly at Zoning Administrator Doug the middle school, which is Powers and Barry County the extent of the village Economic Development boundary to the west,” he Director Nichole Lyke gave said. a presentation on the proper­ Cramer also pointed out ty to potential developers. that the communications “And we’re going to send tower won’t be erected by ’ that out to even more develAug. 1, which is the deadline opers with the help of the for the village to remove the Michigan Economic siren from the fire bam prop- Development Corporation,” erty it sold. Stolsonburg said. Barry County < Central He added that they hope to Dispatch is tentatively plan­ receive some concrete proning for the construction of posals from developers by the 800 megahertz communi- the end of the year for 36 cation tower to begin by late State St. Last summer, Grand fall or early winter. The state Rapids-based engineering has budgeted $3 million for firm Williams & Works prothat project, which will vided some preliminary conimprove signal strength in ceptual drawings that includthe region for police, fire and ed 19 market-rate townho­ rescue communications. mes that would be built on Belson said a study could the 3.6-acre site. The concept be conducted to determine plan also envisioned some the ideal location for the docks being added to acti­ siren. vate the river’s edge, plus “I talked to the original large sections of green space company that installed it. To and a trail easement to con­ take it down, put it back up nect the northern and south­ and remove it (would cost) ern portions of the site. $2,800. Then we’d have to get the electrical costs. And Council hires new so, that’s why I asked for deputy clerk about $5,000 (to move the The village council wel­ siren),” Belson said. comed Kim Dannenberg as “So, if we eat this $5,000 the village’s new deputy now, we’re off the hook for clerk and administrative any future maintenance ... assistant, effective June 26. there are a lot of residual Some of that work will costs,” Cramer said. include assisting Belson at Belson said the township the DPW garage for eight did not agree to share the hours per week. Dannenberg cost of moving the siren is a Middleville-area resident because of the financial obli­ and a special education sec­ gation and responsibility. retary for the Thomapple “Personally, I feel com- Kellogg Schools. She has fortable just handing it over been with the district for 15 to the township as is,” Peters years and worked at Amway said. Corp, before that. She then made a motion to Dannenberg replaces authorize village staff to Rhonda Van Polen, who move the tornado alarm to recently was promoted to vilthe TI ES building at a max- lage clerk and FOIA imum cost of $5,000 and Administrator. Former clerk transfer ownership ofit to the Giorima Ayala became the • township. village’s Finance Director and Title VI Coordinator after former Finance Director RFQ released for Alexandra Longstreet left the development of 36 State Street property village on March 31. Village approves street, bridge projects. The village council also approved resolutions con­ cerning some street projects. One amends the village’s contract with Consumers Energy to add three addition­ al street lights to Green Lake Road near Bender Road. That will address inadequate street lighting around the schools that village staff says has created safety hazards for pedestrians. Third Street will be closed from M-37 to Sunset Ridge sometime after July 4. The approximate $800,000 road construction project is being funded by the village. Last fall, a major water­ main break on Dearborn Street caused a 100-foot section of road to buckle. The village is planning to replace the water main and rebuild the road from Cherry Street to Larkin Street at a cost of about $550,000. However, the village must wait a few more weeks for a permit from the state for culvert work under Dearborn Street. After that, the project can be sent out for bid. Given the timeline, the village is now consider­ ing doing that project in 2024 instead of this sum­ mer. “We were planning on doing a complete reconstruc- The Middleville Village Council held its monthly meeting Tuesday night at the village hall. Left to right: Richard Hamilton, Makenzi Peters, Robert Bishop, Village President Mike Cramer, Ann Williams, Kevin Smith, Pro-Tempore Johnny DeMaagd. tion this year. Unfortunately, with permitting delays with (the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy), we’ve had to delay that until next con­ struction season,” Belson said. Meanwhile, a maintenance project on the Crane Road bridge is set to start on July 5. Crane Road will be closed beginning July 10 for about two weeks. The village received a matching grant from the Michigan Department of Transportation for preven­ tive maintenance on that project. New EV charging station installed out­ side village hall One ofthe two ChargePoint electric vehicle charging sta­ tions has been installed in the parking lot behind the village hall. The other one is sched­ uled to be mounted soon. The village opted last fall not to renew its original fouryear contract with Miami­ based Blink Charging and had its charging stations and equipment removed recently. In March, the village council accepted an offer from Richland-based Westside Solutions Inc. to install the two level-2 ChargePoint stations at an initial cost of $23,000. ChargePoint Inc. is based in California. “My intention is to set rates at $l/hour for the first 2 hours and $5/hour for every hour thereafter,” Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg wrote in a memo to the village council. “This is comparable to other municipal stations, includ­ ing Hastings, around the area. I will set up the fee schedule to begin July 16, giving people one month of free charging service.” Staffwriter Greg Chandler contributed to this story. Clark Brothers Building Contractors is hiring skilled carpenters! CuuntllMimto If you have 10 years of experience and a good attitude, we want to talk to you! 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NIUHNt CONTRACTORS, UC 269.623.4870 Successful candidates will meet the following criteria: -Qualifications • 10+years of experience • Ability to lead & teach • Able to consistently pickup 80LBS • Confident with heights, slopes and ladders • Owns basic set of hand tools and PPE • Reliable transportation and valid driver's license • Has great attendance record • Ability to pass drug test • Ambitious and positive attitude -Compensation & Benefits: • Health insurance • IRA - Retirement with employer match • Vacation pay • Paid time off • Bonuses • Compensation is based on experience • Steady work with typical hours for the construction industry and overtime regularly available If your values align and you think you would be a good fit at Clark Brothers, we encourage you to apply at www.clarkbrothersconstruction.com/employment or call 269.623.4870 • Delton, Ml 49046 Www.ARWCompanies.com �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023 Caledonia Village Council approves 23-24 budget Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Village ofCaledonia’s budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1 calls for increased spending but no change in the village’s tax rate. Th£ Village Council Monday approved an $883,072 general fund bud­ get for the 2023-24 fiscal year, an increase of more than $61,000 from the cur­ rent fiscal year budget of $821,622. The budget is bal­ anced, meaning the village should not need to spend out ofits reserves. The village’s tax rate will remain the same at 7.944 mills, which is the rate it has been for several years. The budget includes raises for village employees as well as for elected officials. Village Manager Jeff Thornton’s salary will increase from $78,692 to $82,626. Thornton will also be paid an additional $3,000 for serving as village clerk, up from $2,500. The budget includes includes $164,2423 for capi­ tal outlay projects. It also includes $108,593 in salaries for the Department of Public Works, an increase from $100,585 in the current bud­ get, according to village doc­ uments. The village has been seeking a public service director to head the depart­ ment for more than a year but has been unable to find one. Village President Jennifer Lindsey will receive a salary increase from $3,600 to $3,750. In addition, Lindsey will be paid $95 for each regular meeting attended and $75 for each special meeting attended. Her fellow trustees will also be paid $95 per reg­ ular meeting attended and $75 per special meeting attended, according to vil­ lage documents. Planning commissioners will also receive an increase in compensation, to $90 for the chairperson per meeting attended, $85 for the record­ ing secretary per meeting attended, and $75 for all other members per meeting attended, according to vil­ lage documents. The council also approved a major streets fund budget of $152,339, an increase from $144,500 in the current fiscal year, and a local streets fund budget of $138,951, up from $129,951 this year, according to village docu­ ments. Construction underway on roundabout at busy Gaines Township intersection James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Kent County Road Commission has begun con­ struction of its first major roundabout at the intersec­ tion of 84th Street and Kalamazoo Avenue in Gaines Charter Township. The single-lane roundabout will replace the traffic signal there. The Gaines Charter Township offices and Kent County Sheriffs Substation are on the southwest comer of the intersection. The north­ east comer is farmland owned by the Snyder Family. Cornerstone Church sits more than 150 yards away. The old Dodge Schoolhouse is locat­ ed at the southeast comer of the intersection. The property there is owned by the Wyngarden family. « KCRC Deputy Managing Director of Engineering 4 Wayne Harrall said in an ear­ about here is this intersection lier interview that the inter­ needs something because it section will likely reopen to backs up significantly at (certraffic by mid-August. tain) times of the day,” KCRC The intersection will be Traffic and Safety Director converted into a roundabout, Tim Haagsma said in a previ­ not a traffic circle. ous interview. He is also a Roundabouts are usually member of the Gaines smaller than traffic circles, Township board and the townand before entering, drivers ship planning commission. The estimated construcmust yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. tion cost for the roundabout The Michigan Department is more than $1.2 million. of Transportation approved Grand Rapids-based engithe project in December 2021. neering neering firm Fishbeck, The roundabout will be Thompson, Carr & Huber is about 110 to 120 feet in out­ the contractor for the project. side diameter. The KCRC said the roundA KCRC study showed about will be shifted a little that more than 12,000 cars to the west of the midpoint of go through the 84th Street/ the current intersection to Kalamazoo Avenue intersec­ minimize impacts on the old tion each day, and it esti­ schoolhouse property. mates that about 18,000 The road commission plans vehicles will be traversing it to use federal funding to pay 20 years from now. for most of the project. The “The reason for the round- roundabout was selected for This photograph, taken on June 12, shows some preliminary road and side­ walk work that has begun at the 84th Street/Kalamazoo Avenue intersection in Gaines Township. (Photo by James Gemmell) $600,000 in grants from the Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. $300,000 in new federal funding will be applied to the project, as well. Last year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced a new five-year program to distribute $6.4 bil­ lion in formula funding to help states reduce carbon emissions under the biparti­ san infrastructure law. LIGHT TRUCK PARTS IPublic hearing set for July 10 on proposed townhouse development on FULL SERVICES YOU PULL IT 60th Street in Gaines Township 269-381-2300 \ USED FARTS* PICK UPS* ONE TONS *NMS* SUITS* JEEPS *4MS ’ USEOPARTS p USES TIRES 1811 LAKE ST., KALAMAZOO ..................... IIIIII null 7 -(wBatGi/js James Gemmell Contributing Writer In July, the Gaines Township Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed townhouse development at 1200 and 1326 60th St., adja­ cent to the Kentwood Community Church. The board had its first read of the proposal at its June 12 meeting. The planning com­ mission voted 6-1 in May to conditionally rezone the two parcels from residential (RL10) and Office-Service (O-S) to Residential-3 (single-fam­ ily only), with the condition DEMAND JUSTICE Victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have rights. Victims who suffered from sexual abuse by a member of the clergy in Michigan can , .. seek compensation. While nothing can undo you or your loved one's pain, you can 'Memo'”' GIVE US A CALL TODAY! HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP FULL ATTjg RESTORATION 10 YEAkI/VARRANTY r 517-599-1019 WWw.fhebatguysbatremoval.com recover compensation from the abusers and the institutions that enabled them.' ’ You no longer need to suffer in silence. TOGETHER, WE CAN HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. Call today for your free, confidential consultation. ■^ CLERGY ABUSE ATTORNEY HOTLINE 313-484-0302 Pulaski Kherkher Law Firm 2925..Richmond, Suite 1725, Houston, TX 77098 Stinar Law PLLC 5700 Crooks, Suite 200, Troy, Ml 48098 ATTORNEY ADVERTISING Pulaski Kherkher Law Firm, with principal office in Houston, Texas, is responsible for the content of this ad. This photo is a fictional scene. that the development be restricted to townhomes or detached single-family homes. Orion Construction has proposed building 152 mar­ ket-rate townhome units on the western parcel and 124 units on the northern parcel. Planning commissioner and township trustee Tim Haagsma voted against the rezoning request. Ifthe rezoning is approved, Kentwood Community Church is planning to divide the parcel so that the rezoned portions are separate from the church. The rezoned par­ cels would then be subject to guidelines for a townhouse development, contingent upon site plan review and approval by the Planning Commission. The current Gaines Township Future Land Use Plan was recently updated to categorize the parcels for Village Residential. Haagsma also voiced opposition to the draft site plan at a planning commis­ sion meeting last month, calling it “terrible” because it shows no open space or rec­ reational spaces. He said he prefers developments like that to be under a planned unit development designaSee 601H STREET, page 9 �T The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023/ Page 9 60TH STREET, continued from previous page tion, so the township has some say in how they are laid out. Haagsma reiterated at Monday’s township board meeting that conditional rezoning limits what the township can control. “I’m a little concerned that our control over the develop­ ment and what happens on that site is not going to be as good as what it would be under a PUD,” Haagsma said. “My concern is that we enter into this as a condition­ al rezoning, and then we decide we don’t like it any­ more. Are we going to end up right back in court?” “I think some of that actually deals with the process,” Supervisor DeWard said. “It’s an internal process with the township. Do we want to fully do away with PUDs, which is what we’ve (used) for the past 30 years, towards an effort to develop these village centers?” Haagsma said he would have no problem with condi­ tional rezoning if it spelled out what the township wants in developments that are governed by it. Township Supervisor Rob DeWard also has concerns with conditional rezoning. “What I’m saying is, you’d might as well get used to it, or we’d better change it,” DeWard told Haagsma. “Because this is the way it’s going to happen every time from here on whenever it’s going to come up.” “And maybe it wouldn’t be as big of an issue if we had the zoning ordinance that backs up our new master plan,” Haagsma said. Several neighbors near the proposed development expressed concern at a public hearing in April about poten­ tial flooding, traffic conges­ tion and wildlife impacts. Community Development Director Dan Wells said recently that the proposed project does comply with the township’s recently adopted Future Land Use Plan, which envisions a village-residen­ tial development such as townhouses. But DeWard said Monday that the conditional rezoning should specify that the town­ ship wants the development to include amenities such as open space, recreational uses or trails. “Until we’re able to spell that out, the developer comes in here, hat in hand, not knowing what to do,” DeWard said. “And I’m just disappointed to find out today that they haven’t even started on the (zoning- ordi­ nance text amendment) yet... we just keep kicking the can down the road.” “We’ve begun the process, but we haven’t fine-tuned what chapters are going to take priority,” Assistant Planner Natalie Davenport said. “We’re just now in the stakeholder interview stages of the zoning ordinance rewrite. So, we’re just now starting the process to over­ haul the zoning ordinance and change it.” Davenport said she believes township consultant David Jirousek and township staff intend to create an ordi­ nance that complies with the new village-center category included in the township’s new master plan. The revised zoning ordi­ nance will be written to spec­ ify more of what the town­ ship would like to see in conditional rezoning. The draft has yet to be written and will have to be reviewed by the planning commission after it is finalized. ‘To my knowledge, that is the intent — to bring it into conformance with the master plan,” Davenport said. Haagsma said he has no problem with the proposed use of the property, just the the township board. His company has been working on behalf of the developer since October 2021 to move the project forward. “We have already recon­ figured how we want to go around the wetlands and not disturb them,” he said. “We have walking paths ... we want this development to be a community that’s walk­ able.” Rehkopf said a pickleball court, a small basketball court area and a playground area are all being considered as part of the project. “We do know the plan has to have amenities,” he said, adding that some of the adja­ cent church’s wintertime activities could possibly be extended onto the townhouse site. The township board voice-voted unanimously to set a public hearing for its July 10 meeting on the con­ ditional rezoning request. lack of control the township might have under the condi­ tional rezoning. “I’ve always been a propo­ nent of PUDs, and we’re get­ ting away from that. I think we may have to steer the ship around,” DeWard said. “So, maybe at a board meeting, we can start to look at that.” The township board’s next meeting will be June 26 at 5:30 in the lower level of the township hall instead of the usual location upstairs in the board room. The trustees will be discussing what to do with their American Rescue Plan Act funds. DeWard said it might be a good time to start discus­ sions about PUDs versus conditional rezoning. Once finished, the site plan for the proposed devel­ opment on 60th Street will be tie-barred to the conditional rezoning contract. Orion Construction CEO Roger Rehkopf addressed CALLING ALL PADDLERS: Charitable river Yankee Springs trip planned for Middleville on Sunday Fire Department The Thornapple River dling event on Sunday, Middleville. While the trip vices. Watershed Council, the June 18, starting at 11:30 is for fun, it will also raise Anyone interested in hosting blood drive Michigan Water a.m. funds for Water For People, joining the event can email The Yankee Springs Township Fire Department will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20. Versiti Blood Center will be the service provider. The fire station is locat­ ed at 1425 S. Payne Lake Road in Wayland. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more than 110 pounds may be eligible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is time. In return, donors leave knowing they have helped sustain some­ one’s life. High school donors make up over 35 percent of the daily blood supply. Garage Sale GUN HO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GARAGE SALE! Fri-Sat, June 23-24,2023. 9am5pm. Rain or Shine! This is a multi-family association sale! Sale locations between W Joy Rd & Lynden St in Shelbyville (Gun Lake). Antiques, tools, household items, home stag­ ing decor, lake toys, clothing, furniture, and so much more. Business Services CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. When schools are on sum­ mer break, patients need their communities support even more. Blood is vital, precious and in short sup­ ply, say organizers. Each donation can help save three lives. While all types of blood are needed, Type O blood, especially, is rou­ tinely in short supply and in high demand by hospi­ tals. Questions may be direct­ ed to Versiti blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD, or 269­ 795-9091. Appointments are preferred and may be made at donate.mivchigan. versiti.org, but walk-ins are welcomed. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates.- Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Environment Association and Indian Valley Campground and Livery are sponsoring a pad- Paddlers will embark on the three-hour trip down the Thomapple River from Sesquicentennial Park in A DELTA DENIAL* Keep VourTeeth fora LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. Vnn tnn ran net nnnr teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! MATT ENDSLEY, FABRICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. HOUSE CLEANING WITH 30 Years experience. Dependable with great references. Call Jan 616-644-0502. Pets (LUe DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. 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Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023 Pennock Hospital celebrates 100 years of serving Barry County residents Jayson Bussa Editor Cheryl Sinclair affection­ ately refers to herself as a “lifer” at Pennock Hospital. She is in her 26th year working at the hospital, now known as Spectrum Health Pennock, part of Corewell Health. But, she still has work to do before she matches her mother’s career there, which spanned nearly 50 years. While Sinclair’s lengthy tenure there is noteworthy, she’s certainly not the only one. In fact, the staff at Pennock is riddled with long-standing employees that, like Sinclair, were bom, raised or reside within the local community. “It’s very family-orient­ ed,” said Sinclair, who serves as Surgical Services Manager. “You have a lot of family members that work here, and they take a lot of pride in that because they’re able to care for those in their community or often family and friends. I’m part of four generations that worked here, and we’re all incredibly proud of that.” This steady, reliable and local workforce is one of the many factors that have played a role in Pennock Hospital’s longevity. Administrators and staff at the hospital will mark yet another milestone next week when it celebrates the 100th anniversary of open­ ing the hospital on Green Street in Hastings, where it initially offered 28 beds thanks to a $20,000 initial gift from Barry Township Pennock Hospital 100th Anniversary Celebration Spectrum Health Pennock 1009 W. Green Street in Hastings Wednesday, June 21; 3 to 6:30p.m. Picnic cookout, MOO-ville ice cream, prizes and tours of the Health & Wellness Center, Baum Family Surgery Center and the Betty Ford Breast Care Services mammography bus farmers Eben and Elvira Pennock. The Pennocks pledged the money in 1913 and stip­ ulated that the hospital must be constructed within 10 years. On Wednesday, June 21, the hospital will host an invite-only eventz in the morning followed by a day of festivities that is open to the public from 3 to 6 p.m. Residents are invited to par­ take in a cookout while touring the hospital’s vari­ ous facilities, including the Baum Family Surgery Center that opened in 2020. The picqic will take,.place in a large tent behind the sur­ gery center. Sinclair will be inside the Baum Center conducting demonstrations of a surgical robot. While she now over­ sees the surgical department including operating rooms, pre- and post-sur­ gery and endoscopy - she has seen the hospital from every angle during herjour­ ney to that position. This journey started when Sinclair worked as a volun- Cheryl Sinclair (far left) stands with a portion of her team at the Baum Surgery Center. Sinclair has worked at Spectrum Health Pennock for 26 years, starting as a volunteer candy striper. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) teer candy striper when she was only a teenager. From there, she went to the dietary department, where she Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE JUNE 28th, 2023 @ 6 PM PROPOSED 2023-2024 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING Note changes since the May 27th Notice! Spectrum Health Pennock, part of Corewell Health, was established in 1923 on Green Street in Hastings, thanks to an initial $20,000 investment from Barry Township farmers Eben and Elvira Pennock. Now, the hospital features a sprawling facility that offers an abundance of medical services. washed dishes and became familiar with and inspired by the work administered by the facility’s nurses. That’s when she decided to pursue nursing. Sinclair worked as a nurse tech and then as a nurse on the medical-surgi­ cal floor. She was eventual­ ly transferred to critical care and then nursing informat­ ics. After that, Sinclair was a circulating nurse in the operating room and then became a first assistant in the O.R. until finally reach­ ing her leadership role. In those 26 years, she said that Pennock has main-, tained its core identity as a community hospital, even when being acquired by Spectrum Health in 2015. Now, after Spectrum’s merger with Beaumont Health, Pennock exists under the Corewell Health banner. “It’s being open-minded to the fact that we knew change was coming when­ ever there is an integra­ tion,” Sinclair said about the hospital’s ability to maintain its down-home dynamic. “It’s been so ben­ eficial to us because now we have a multitude of resources.” In a climate where rural, standalone hospitals are not faring well or have shut 201055 The Yankee Springs Township Board will hold a Special Meeting to conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed Township Budget Fiscal Year 2022-2023 at the Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 on: Wednesday, June 28th, 2023 At 6:00 PM The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed Budget will be a subject of this hearing. The 2023-2024 Water System budget will also be a subject of this hearing. A copy of the proposed budgets will be available for public inspection at the Township Office on and after June 19,2023, during regular office hours. American with Disabilities Nptice: The Yankee Springs Township Board Will provide necessaiySnd reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed. Materials being considered at the meeting to individuals at the Meeting upon 5 days’ notice to the Township Clerk, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333. Phone 269795-9091/Fax 269-795-2388 Mike Cunningham Yankee Springs Township Clerk ________ PUBLIC NOTICE The Village of Middleville Public Works Department will be flushing fire hydrants beginning at 7:00 am on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and will continue throughout the month of June. Village water customers may experience some discoloration, and or pressure difference while this regular maintenance is being accomplished. The water remains safe to drink during this process. Usually let­ ting the tap run for a few minutes will clear up any discoloration and normal pressures will return once flushing operations have been completed. If you have any questions regarding this opera­ tion, contact the Department of Public Works at 269-795-2094. Village water operators appreciate your patience in our endeavor to provide you the highest quality water possible. down altogether, Pennock has bucked the trend. Bill Hoefer, the new president of Pennock, pointed to a vari­ ety ofreasons as to why that is, but none more important than the community sur­ rounding the hospital. “We live in a very vibrant community. We have a community that is very sup­ portive of the hospital, not just in terms of being loyal to us, but there are a lot of people in the community that have put a lot of time and energy into helping this hospital be successful and for that, we’re very grate­ ful,”, Hoefer told the Sun and News. Larry and Earlene Baum, owners of Hastings Fiberglass, are two high-profile members of a dedicated donor base in Hastings. The couple issued a statement to the Sun and News as Pennock approached its milestone: “We love our hometown of Hastings and have been blessed to have our local hospital serving our com­ munity for these 100 years,” the couple said. “This is the reason that our family and foundation has continued to offer support for the hospi­ tal and its healthcare initia­ tives. We are proud to be a part of the hospital’s lega­ cy.” Hoefer’s praise for the community also included employees like Sinclair and her colleague who have worked for decades within the hospital. “That’s one of the things I love about this hospital,” Hoefer said. “When I first came here, I noticed^®: vast majority of people that work at Pennock Hospital live in this community. This is a hospital where the nurs­ es and the physicians and the housekeepers ... they are people that live in this community, and that team takes great pride in doing a great job in this hospital because the people who are coming here are their family members and neighbors and other people in the commu­ nity.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023/ Page 11 Alex Russeau wins the Brian Diemer 5K Run in Cutlerville James Gemmell Contributing Writer With favorable weather conditions in Gaines and Byron townships on Saturday, June 10, Alex Russeau of Dundee, Mich., won the 33rd annu­ al Brian Diemer 5K Run. The 34-year-old ran the race on 68th Street in 14:45. He won $550 for finishing first in the men’s open. Patrick Letz of Aurora, Ill., age 27, came in second at 14:49, claiming the $400 prize. The third-place finisher on the men’s side was Micah Meindertsma of Grand Rapids, age 24, who posted a 14:48 time, earning him $300. Megan O’Neil of Rochester, Mich., came in first on the women’s side. The 27-year-old clocked in at 16:17, claiming $550. An anon­ ymous participant fin? ished in second place, with a run time of 16:38, earning her $400. Coming in third was Jane Bareikis, age 33, of Crestwood, Ill. She posted a time of 16:48 and won $300. About 600 runners par­ ticipated in the Brian Diemer Family of Races, which included a Master’s division, a handcycle race and a Junior Jog and Steeplechase for children on the soccer field behind the Legacy Christian School, 6768 68th St. SW, which entailed kids jumping over hay bales and water pools. “Overall, I was pleased with the event,” Race Director Rob Hyde said. “Our numbers still are not what they were pre­ Covid (when about 1,500 runners participated). But the quality of the race and organization are still at a very high level. We had some pretty amazing performances for their overall winners and masters divisions.” Brian Diemer, after whom the race is named, ran the 5K in 20:03, which placed the 61-yearold Grand Rapids native 94th overall. Diemer was a three-time U.S. Olympian who won a state championship at South Christian High School and a national championship at the University of Michigan. He won the bronze medal in the 3,000-meter stee­ plechase at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Race organizers treated everyone who beat Diemer’s time Saturday to a free doughnut. “One of the most excit- ing parts is that, with our sponsorship money com­ ing in at almost record levels, we are able to give back to our eight charities,” Hyde said. “We are looking for­ ward to putting on this event again next year for the 34th anniversary on June 8. So happy to be part of the Cutlerville community.” Six bands performed a variety of music along the race course. The handcycling division at the Diemer Run is one of the more popular events. (Photo by Katy Batdorff/ DiemerRun.com). GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP. At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, June 12, 2023 the Township considered an amendment to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amend­ ing Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map and to accept a voluntary offer as a condition to rezoning so as to rezone the following property from Office-Service (O-S) and Residential to Residential-3 (RL-3): The land being commonly described as parcel 41-22-05-201-004 located at 1200 60^ Street SE, and rezone the entirety of 41-22-05-201-005 located at 1326 60th Street SE. Pursuant to Section 405 of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Act 10 of 2006, as amended, this Rezoning is conditioned upon the voluntary offer submitted by the Applicant on March 23, 2023. The condition is a limitation on the allowable use of the site, which will restrict future use of the rezoned areas, without limitation, dwellings in townhouse-style buildings (i.e., town­ houses as shown on the approved site plan are allowed even if they are considered multi-family housing); Home occupations; Private community centers, recreational facilities, parks, trails, and similar uses; USES customarily incidental, subordinate, and accessory to the above uses. The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will hold a public hearing at a regular scheduled meeting to be held July 10, 2023, to consider the approval of a proposal to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provide for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following properties in their entirety Office-Service (O-S) and Residential to Residential-3 (RL3), conditioned upon the voluntary offer submitted by the Applicant on March 23, 2023. The condition is a limitation on the allowable use of the site, which will restrict future use of the rezoned areas, without limitation, dwellings in townhouse-style build­ ings (i.e., townhouses as shown on the approved site plan are allowed even if they are considered multi-family housing); Home occupations; Private community centers, recreational facilities, parks, trails, and similar uses; USES customarily incidental, subordinate, and accessory to the above uses. A true and complete copy of the proposed amendment to the ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 6 and the Township Zoning May can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk Alex Russeau of Dundee, Mich., crosses the finish line first to win the Brian Diemer 5K with a clock time of 14:45.74 and a chip time of 14:44.31. (Photo by Katy Batdorff/DiemerRun.com). IBWBW1W GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING - AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP. At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, June 12, 2023 the Township considered an amendment to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 there­ of by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map rezoning so as to rezone the following property from Agricultural-Agri Business to Planned Unit Development-Mineral Removal (PUD-MR): The land being commonly described as part of parcel 41-22-33-100-008, and 10287 Kalamazoo Avenue S£. The legal description is as follows: Part of the NW % of Section 33, T5N, R11W, Gaines Township, Kent County, Michigan, described as: That part of South % of said NW % lying Westerly of the centerline of Kalamazoo Avenue EXCEPT: the North 16.5 feet thereof ALSO EXCEPT: Beginning at the intersection of the centerline of Kalamazoo Avenue and East - West % line, thence West along the East - West % line 347.90 feet, thence North perpendicular to the East - West % line 150 feet, thence East parallel with the East - West % line 232.93 feet to said centerline, thence Southeasterly 189 feet along said centerline to the Place of Beginning. The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will hold a public hearing at a regular scheduled meeting to be held July 10, 2023, to consider the approv­ al of a proposal to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provide for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map, to rezone the following property from Agricultural-Agri Business to Planned Unit Development­ Mineral Removal (PUD-MR): The land being commonly described as part of parcel 41-22-33-100-008, and 10287 Kalamazoo Avenue SE. A true and complete copy of the proposed amendment to the ordinance as pro­ vided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 6 and the Township Zoning May can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023 Middleton among Bulldogs celebrating title at White House “This honor is amazing The back-to-back NCAA Division II National and it’s a once in a lifetime Champion Ferris State experience for all ofus,” said University football squad FSU head coach Tony was honored along with Annese. “This is an incredi­ other national championship ble opportunity for our guys teams from across the coun­ to be here. It’s an honor not try on Monday, June 12 only for us, but also for Ferris during a special ceremony at State University and the Big the White House in Rapids community.” The group arrived late Washington, D.C. morning in The Bulldogs, who Monday received an invitation from Washington, D.C., for the the 46th President of the ceremony on the South Lawn United States Joe Biden followed by sightseeing along with First Lady Jill opportunities at historic Biden, sent a group of nearly landmarks before returning 25 FSU student-athletes home. The trip covered near­ including Thornapple ly a 24-hour span after a Kellogg High School gradu­ lengthy flight delay in ate Mitchell Middleton, head Chicago on the trip back to coach Tony Annese and West Michigan. The NCAA Division II selected staff, who departed on Monday morning for National Champion Ferris Washington, D.C., with the State Bulldogs, which claimed ceremony taking place on the a second consecutive national South Lawn as part of a title this past fall, were previ­ “College Athlete Day” hon­ ously honored in March by the oring several national cham­ state of Michigan during a pionship teams from NCAA special visit to the State Capital in Lansing. Divisions I, II and HI. This past fall, the Bulldogs Middleton booted eight kickoffs in the NCAA captured a second consecu­ Division II National tive NCAA Division II Championship Game in National Championship, fin­ December, a 41-14 Bulldog ishing with a 14-1 overall victory over Colorado Mines. record. Over the past two sea- Members of the 2022 NCAA Division II National Champion Ferris State University Football program, includ­ ing Thornapple Kellogg High School graduate Mitchell Middleton, celebrate outside the White House in Washington D.C. Monday during the annual College Athlete Day. sons of action, the Bulldogs own a 28-1 overall record and FSU has reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs eight consecutive years and count­ ing. Ferris State has also reached the NCAA Division II National Semifinals five FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Special needs trust could ease families' stress If you have a family mem­ ber with special needs, you might face emotional and physical issues, but you also may be concerned about maximizing the financial sup­ port your loved one requires. Consequently, you may want to consider establishing a special needs trust. This type of trust can help maintain the financial securi­ ty and lifestyle of an individ­ ual with special needs. Fur­ thermore, a special needs trust can allow the trust’s beneficiary to receive finan­ cial support for supplemental needs without losing public benefits, such as Supplemen­ tal Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Here’s how it works: You, as the trust’s grantor, estab­ lish the trust and name a trustee who is responsible for managing the trust. You can fund the trust with gifts throughout your lifetime or from other sources, such as inheritances or court settle­ ments. But another popular funding mechanism is life insurance, which the trust can purchase on the life of one or both parents of a spe­ cial-needs child. And as long as the trust is also named the beneficiary of the policy, government benefits will be protected. In a special needs trust, the role of trustee is important. A trustee must manage the funds within the trust and ensure those funds are used familiar with some of the only to supplement SSI and possible areas of concern Medicaid, the government regarding special needs programs that typically pay trusts. For one thing, because for food, housing and medi­ the trustee totally controls cine. Instead, a special needs when and how funds are dis­ trust can be used for most tributed, beneficiaries can get other expenses, including frustrated if their requests for transportation and travel, money are denied. Addition­ education, entertainment, ally, while third-party special professional services and per­ needs trusts are funded by sonal items. someone other than the bene­ You could serve as trustee ficiary, first-party special yourself or choose a relative needs trusts are funded by the or a trusted friend. Ideally, beneficiary’s own assets — you want someone who’s and for these first-party spe­ familiar with your wishes and cial needs trusts, the trust the needs of your family must typically pay back Med­ member with disabilities and icaid for money it has spent who is also competent at on the beneficiary’s behalf managing finances and stay­ after the death of the benefi­ ing current on SSI and Med­ ciary. This repayment could icaid regulations. deplete the trust, depriving As an alternative, you secondary beneficiaries of could hire a professional trust any assets they might other­ company to manage your wise receive. Third-party spe­ special needs trust. This type cial needs trusts do not of company has expertise in require Medicaid repayment. asset management and gov­ Consult with a legal pro­ ernment regulations and can fessional before establishing provide you with strict a special needs trust to ensure recordkeeping of all the this arrangement is appropri­ financial transactions associ­ ate for your family’s situa­ ated with your trust. Ifyou go tion. But if it is, and if it’s this route, you’ll want to managed properly, it can compare different trust com­ relieve you of some of the panies’ costs and services. stress you may feel over the For such a personal matter as future ofyour loved one with administering a trust for your special needs. special-needs family mem­ This article was ber, you’ll want to be sure written by Edward Jonesfor you’re comfortable with use by your local Edward whatever company you Jones Financial Advisor. select. Edward Jones, Member Also, you’ll want to be SIPC times in the past six seasons of action and ranks as the country’s winningest pro­ gram over the past eight full seasons in D2 Football. FSU is 55-3 over the last three sea­ sons of on-field action. The Bulldogs are also the country’s preseason #1 team heading into the 2023 cam­ paign, according to Lindy’s Sports. Story courtesy of Ferris State Athletic Communications. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 12,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Six members present with Ross DeMaagd absent. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved with the condition that the list of those attending from the May 8, 2023, Board Meeting Minutes be corrected regarding the resident named John. 3. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 10-2023, “2023 Barry County Hazard Mitigation Plan.” 4. Approved motion to accept Red Maple Roofing’s contract to repair the damage from hail to Thornapple Township’s two,facilities. 5. Approved motion to approve the purchase of ESO’s scheduler and asset management software. 6. Approved motion to take ownership of the Tornado Warning siren from the Village of Middleville after it is moved to the fire station property (pending Village ) e of Middleville approval.) 7. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 1-2023, “ Poverty Guideline Resolution” with the ad­ dition of line # 7, “Asset Ceiling.” 8. Approved motion to purchase a new NFPA compliant gear washer at a cost NTE $19,016.00 (includes shipping and installa­ tion.) 9. Approved motion to approve the attached TTES Pay Scale. 10. 10. Approved Approved motion motion to to give give Chief Richardson his annual merit raise beginning July 1, 2023, to bring his salary to $92,000/year. Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp.org/meeting-miniites/ Of­ fice hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Ferris State University kicker/punter Mitchell Middleton stands outside the White House in Washington D.C. As the Bulldogs celebrate their 2022 NCAA Division II Football Championship Monday. Plans to remove invasives from around Hall Lake Sunday Yankee Springs Recreation Area is among several state parks in south­ ern Michigan that is hosting volunteer stewardship workdays in June. Volunteers are needed to help with removing invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems or collecting native seeds for prairie restoration. A Yankee Springs workday is planned for Sunday, June 18, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the winter sports parking area off Gun Lake Road, just east of Hastings Point Road. Contact Plainwell Service Center Natural Resource Steward Emily Leslie for more information, or to pre-register for the event, by email at LeslieEl @Michigan.gov or by phone at 517-284-7275. The DNR is asking volun­ teers to come enjoy an outing in the woods while helping remove invasive shrubs that threaten habitat at Hall Lake. Volunteers will remove inva­ sive plans from areas offtrail. COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the May 23,2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on June 13,2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023/ Page 13 Garber steps up from JV to lead TK basketball The seventh, eighth and ninth grade boys a part of the Thomapple Kellogg summer basketball camp gather at mid-court at the end of their four days in the gym Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor “That’s changing,” said new Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity boys’ basketball coach Phil Garber, glancing up at the banners hanging on the west end of the Thomapple Kellogg High School gymna­ sium after a week of youth and middle school basketball camps at the high school in Middleville. Then senior Steve Converse put up 16 points and 11 rebounds and junior Jerry Postma had 15 points as the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team scored a 65-44 win over Allegan in the MHSAA Class B District Final at Allegan High School in early March of 1995. Their Trojan team put up a 15-5 regular season record, won the OK Blue Conference title and followed up with that district championship under head coach Kurt Holzhueter. “1995” is still the most recent conference and dis­ trict championship on the black, orange and white boys’ basketball banner at the end of the row. “I can promise that. That is changing,” Garber said. Garber played for coach Holzhueter, graduating from Thomapple Kellogg in the spring of 2003, before the “new” gymnasium where those championship banners hang was even constructed. He spent the past two winters coaching the Thomapple Kellogg junior varsity boys’ basketball team. After graduating from Thomapple Kellogg, Garber spent a year in the Grand Valley State University Men’s Basketball program and has since coached in the Byron Center, Lowell and Wyoming Rogers programs while also spending 15 years as a basketball official. Garber said the TK JV boys won 14 and 15 games in each of the past two seasons. He’s hoping to be able to carry that kind of success up to the varsity level. He is taking over for former head coach Joshua Thaler, who TK chose not to bring back next season. The TK JV and varsity ballplayers helped run the youth camps this week. Garber was pleased to have more than 40 seventh, eighth and ninth graders working and playing Monday through Thursday at the high school. The younger groups had their camp at the middle school in Middleville each morning. Garber said he knows youth events like that are the foun­ dation of the program. “It’s notjust about basket­ ball it is about building good human beings to society,” Garber said. “If I can coach and teach them life lessons we can use on and off the court. That’s when we win. That’s when Middleville wins. That is when we win.” The high school players . will have team camps in the weeks ahead. Garber already has those guys focusing on a Nov. 28, 2023 date with Allendale - the season opener. “We’ll bring high energy, high intensity, hustle, heart and defense for sure,” Garber said. “We will drive teams with our defense. When we knocked off Catholic and South Christian last year they were like man, you guys were like a steel curtain, and that kind of stuck with me. We’re going to be a steel curtain. When teams come in here, they’re going to know that they’re going to get stuck. You’re not dropping 90 points on us. You’re going to get stuck. “We’re going to fly around. We’re going to hus­ tle. No one will outwork us. That is going to be my goal. We’re not going to be the biggest. We’re not going to be the strongest. We’re not going to be the fastest. But, we will work the hardest and we will hustle.” He expects that defense to be flowing from a 2-3 trap­ ping zone to a 1-3-1 as well as some man-to-man. “High intensity, fullcourt,” Garber said. “I love to press and see what that brings, ifyou can create turnovers. If that doesn’t work you get back into a 2-3, and with the length that we have and the size it is going to cause teams some trouble. The guys like it. It’s not a typical 2-3 where you sit back, it’s a trapping thing, so as soon as it goes to one side we trap that and teams think something is open and it’s picked off.” At the moment, he’s is looking forward to having close to 20 guys ready for tryouts in November. He’s hoping to have a big bench working to improve and motivating teammates from the sidelines. “We’re trying to keep high New Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Phil Garber officiates a ballgame during the camp for seventh, eighth and ninth grade boys at the high school in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) levels in the program at all three level - freshman, JV, varsity,” Garber said. The Trojan varsity team was 2-21 a year ago, and the program’s last winning sea- son was in the winter of 2014-15 when the TK boys went 12-10 overall. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP. At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, June 12, 2023 the Township Board adopted an ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map. THE PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE REZONING FROM AGRICULTURAL-RURAL RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL-AGRI BUSINESS TO LIGHT INDISTRIAL (1-1), THE LAND BEING COMMONLY DESCRIBED AS PARCELS 41-22-12-400-006 AND 41-22-12-300-010 LOCATED AT 4149 & 4450 76TH STREET SE, IN THEIR ENTIRETY. THE LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 4149 76TH-Street SE Bruce's Frame and Alignment! Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com THAT PART OF E % SE 1/4 OF SEC 11 LYING NELY OF NELY LINE OF ABANDONED K.B.E.C. RR R/W/100 FT WIDE/ALSO W % SW % OF SEC 12 EX ABANDONED K.B.E.C. RR R/W/100FT WIDE/*SECS 11 & 12T5N R11W 100.02 A. 4450 76th street SE 412212400006 E % SW 1/4 EXCOM 394 FT N ALONG W 1/8 LINE FROM S SEC LINE TH S ALONG W 1/8 LINE 394 FT TO S SEC LINE TH E ALONG S SEC LINE 100 FTTH N PAR WITH W 1/8 LINE 388 FT TH WLY TO BEG & EX COM AT S % COR TH W ALONG S SEC LINE 490.0 FT TH N PERP TO S SEC LINE 358.23 FT TH E PAR WITH S SEC LINE 482.7 FT TO N&S % LINE TH S ALONG N&S % LINE TO BEG ALSO SE 1/4 EX COM 816 FT W ALONG S SEC LINE FROM SE COR TH W ALONG S SEC LINE 264 FT TH N PERP TO S SEC LINE 206 FT TH E PAR WITH S SEC LINE 264 FTTH N PERP TO S SEC LINE 206 FT THE E PAR WITH S SEC LINE 264FT TH 206 FT TO BEG* SEC 12T5N R11W 234.87 A. The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines approved the ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map at a Regular Meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 7:00PM. Meetings of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines are held at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml. A true and complete copy of the approved ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023 Postseason run by Scots ends in Mount Pleasant Caledonia second baseman Corbin Raffler makes a sliding stop before firing to first for an out on the turf inside Central Michigan University’s Theunissen Stadium during the Scots* MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against Traverse City West Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) L ns t I n s u 4 SP R A Y F OAi Mz Brett Bremer W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville 201414 Sports Editor Caledonia boys were bop­ pin’ early. With four hits, including a double and two triples, in the first two innings the Caledonia varsity baseball team took a 2-0 lead in it’s MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against Traverse City West at Central Michigan University’s The Fighting Scots’ Michael Douglass lets out a yell from atop the bag at third after an RBI triple that put Caledonia in front 2-0 with two-out in the top of the second inning of its MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against Traverse City West at Central Michigan University Saturday. The TC West Titans would come back for a 6-2 win. (Photo by Brett Bremer) GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN STREET LIGHTING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT HOFFMAN MEADOWS PHASE ONE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, Kent County, Michigan, having received a request to make certain public improvements consisting of installation, operation, and maintenance of street lighting with the development of Hoffman Meadows Phase One, from the record owner of the land area in the special assessment district described below, has resolved its intention to proceed on the request and, pursuant to Act 188 of the Public Acts of 1954, as amended, to make said improvements in the Township. The Township Board has tentatively determined that the cost of said improve­ ments shall be specially assessed against each of the following described lots and parcels of land which are benefited by the improvements, and which togeth­ er comprise the following proposed special assessment district: HOFFMAN MEADOWS PHASE ONE: Those parts of Section 9 and 10, T5N, R11W, Gaines Township Kent County, Michigan, described as: Commencing at the Northwest corner of said Section 10; thence S89°27’13”E 370.88 feet along the North Line of said Section 10 to the Point of beginning; thence continuing S89° 27’13”E 66.00 feet along said North line; then S00° 28’01” W 200.00Feet; thence S89° 27’13”E 130 feet to the West line of the East 760 Feet of the West 14 of the Northwest 14 of said Section 10; thence S00°° 28’01” W 979.00 feet along said West Line; thence N89° 27’13” W 130.00 feet; thence N83°17’54” W 66.39 feet; thence N89 °32’07”W 453.64 feet; thence N00° 21 ’24” E 972.53 feet along the East line of said, Section 9; thence S89 ° 27’13”E 455.51 feet; thence N00° 28’01 ”E 200.00 feet to the Point of Beginning. Contains 14.85 Acres, Lots 1 thru 34. TAKE NOTICE, THAT THE Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will hold a public hearing at on July 10, 2023 7PM at the Township offices, 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE, to hear and consider any objections to the request filed, the proposed improvements, the proposed special assessment district, and all other matters relating to said improvements. Aaron Hileman pitches in relief for the Caledonia varsity baseball team during its 6-4 loss to Traverse City West in the MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Your local agent insures your Lfefe J JBVO TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board shall hold a second public hearing on July 10, 2023, at the Township Offices immediately after closure of the public hearing NOTED ABOVE. The purpose of the hearing is to hear and consider comments and objections to the Special Assessment Roll. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visu­ al, or any other assistance. WUB. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE' Micfagmtg fMurauM Comptutg, Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbihsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Keilitz Field at Theunissen Stadium Saturday morning. Traverse City West senior pitcher Ian Robertson settled in from there though allowing just two singles the rest of the way as his Titans rallied for a 6-2 victory and a spot in Saturday afternoon’s state quarterfinals. Robertson went the distance for the Titans allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. He also led the Titan offense going 2 for 3 with two RBI’s and two runs scored. Caledonia senior lefty Canyon Veldhouse more than matched Robertson through the first four innings. The Titans played some small-ball to get a run back in the bottom of the fourth, but then struck for five runs in the bottom of the fifth. A lead-offwalk, a bunt single and a hit batter loaded the bases for the Titans with one out in the fifth. Robertson knocked a two-run single into right field to put his team in front 3-2. Owen Hendrix followed with an infield single that plat­ ed a third run in the inning and moved Robertson to second. Robertson stole third base and the throw got away from the Fighting Scots allowing him to score with teammate Isaac Kelsey at the plate. Kelsey followed with a single into Centerfield that sent Hendrix to third. The throw from the outfield got by third into the See SCOTS, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17,2023/ Page 15 SCOTS, continued from previous page Caledonia’s Tommy Clarey takes a moment to himself in the dugout before the start of his team’s MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against Traverse City West at Central Michigan University’s Theunissen Stadium Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia dugout, allowing Hendrix to trot home. That flurry knocked Veldhouse from the game. Aaron Hileman came on and walked the first two batters he faced, the second intentional- ly, but he managed to get out of the inning with no more harm being done thanks to a Titan TOOTBLAN and a pop­ up. Veldhouse closed his final bailgame for the Scots allow- ing six runs on six hits and three walks through 4 1/3 innings. He struck out three. Caledoniajunior DH Derek Pennington popped a double down the right field line with two outs in the top of the first 201300 and then scored the game’s first run on a single into center by junior clean-up hitter Corbin Raffler. The Scots struck again with two out in the top of the sec­ ond on back-to-back triples by junior Tommy Clarey and senior Michael Douglass. Clarey drilled a ball that got over the centerfielder’s head and then Douglass followed with a RBI shot into the left Centerfield gap. A two-out single by Mitch Smith in the top of the fourth and an infield single by Douglass to start the fifth were the only other Caledonia hits the rest of the way. Smith got to second on an errant pick-off throw and Douglass got to third thanks to a couple sacri­ fices, but Robertson worked out ofthe jam both times. Junior Nick Slater reached on an error in the top of the sixth with one out, but never got beyond first base. The Caledonia boys end the season with a record of 16-23. Mattawan defeated Cedar Springs 12-0 in the second regional final of the day in Mount Pleasant Saturday and went on to defeat Traverse City West 5-0 in the state quarterfinal Saturday after­ noon. The MHSAA Division 1 State Semifinals were held Thursday at Michigan State University. Novi took a 4-1 win over the Mattawan boys in ten innings in their match­ up while Brownstown Woodhaven outscored Macomb Dakota 6-4 in the other semifinal. Brownstown Woodhaven and Novi meet today, June 17, at 9 a.m. back inside Michigan State University’s Drayton McLane Stadium in the MHSAA Division 1 Baseball Final. Baldwin improves score at Finals Rochester Adams’ junior Caledonia senior Sam Baldwin cut his score by four Peter Roehl was the individu­ strokes from day one to day al state champion over the two of the MHSAA Lower weekend. He shot a 72 on Peninsula Division 1 Boys’ Friday and a 68 Saturday to Golf Finals at The Meadows finish at 140 through the on the campus of Grand 36-hole event East Lansing Valley State University last junior Drew Miller was the weekend. runner-up with a 143. He Baldwin finished in 70th shot a 74-69-143. place overall at the DI Finals. Every member of the top He shot an 86 on day one, ten shot 147 or better in a Friday June 12, and followed crowded pack at the front. up with an 82 Saturday. Northville senior Mason Baldwin was one of 18 Sokolowski shot a 70 Friday individual state qualifiers for to hold the lead going into the DI Finals. Saturday and followed up He was more consistent on with a 74 for a total score of day two of the finals. Baldwin 144 which put him in third actually fired three birdies on place. day one, but had a rough start That was enough for to his weekend. He was six Sokolowski and the over after two holes Friday. Northville boys to win the He responded well on day team state championship. two scoring pars on the 526- Northville shot a 300 on day yard par-5, number five and one ofthe finals and followed and 374-yard par-4, number up with a 305 that put the four during Saturday’s round team with an overall score of - the two holes he opened 605. Roehl and the Rochester Friday’s round with. Adams boys were second Baldwin’s best nine ofthe with a 607. Rochester Adams weekend was the back nine was in fourth place after a on Saturday where he scored 309 on day one and then tal­ a 40 - which included a bird­ lied a 298 as a team Saturday ie on the 420-yard, par-4 to climb into the runner-up number 16. spot Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED 201302 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 CTOW'NSHIlJJ aledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 493T6 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CaledgniA . TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE RENEWING CONSUMERS ENERGY FRANCHISE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 7, 2023, the Charter Township of Caledonia Township Board adopted an ordinance renewing the Consumers Energy gas franchise. A synopsis of the ordinance is as follows: Utility Franchise, The ordinance grants to Consumers Energy a revocable franchise to operate a public utility providing natural gas service throughout the Township, and to use the Township’s public places and streets for that purpose for a period of ten (10) years. The ordinance contains other provisions concerning indemnification of the Township, extension ofthe system, Michigan Public Service Commissionjurisdiction, and other provisions. Effective Date. The ordinance became effective June 17, 2023. A complete copy of the ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office of the Township Clerk, Charter Township of Caledonia, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, Caledonia, Michigan, during Township office hours. Dated: June 12, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinances which would amend Section 2 of the zoning map, has been posted in the office of the Township clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and have also been posted on the Township’s website, the address ofwhich is www.caledoniatownship.org. The amending ordinance would conditionally rezone the lands commonly known as 5135 68th Street SE to the C-2 General Business District. The conditions include that the property may only be used for an equipment rental business with related uses and conditions. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting of the Township Board held on June 7, 2023 and is expected to be considered on second reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on June 21, 2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 17, 2023 You’re Invited to join us at our Community Celebration Join us in celebrating 100 years of caring for our community. Wednesday, June 21 Join us in celebrating our past, present and future. 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. • Picnic cook-out • MOO-ville ice cream Pennock Hospital 1009 W. Green Street Hastings, Ml 49058 • Tours of the Health & Wellness Center • Tours of the Baum Family Surgery Center • Door prizes X Q Corewell Health' X Foundation West Michigan • Explore the Betty Ford Breast Care Servicesmammography bus and more! � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-06-24.pdf e67d49036ab07c290f0d9a92926be6c4 PDF Text Text No. 25/ June 24,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Caledonia Twp. offers manager job to Texas administrator with local ties after interviewing two others Greg Chandler StaffWriter A municipal administrator from Texas with ties to West Michigan has been offered the job of township manager in Caledonia Township. The Township Board Monday afternoon voted unanimously to offer the position to Alison Nugent, general manager for the Frisco West Water Control and Improvement District of Denton County, Texas, north of Dallas. The offer is condi­ tional on the township work­ ing out a contract with Nugent and the candidate passing a background check. “I applied for this position because I thought it was a great opportunity to come back home and serve my community, which is what I’m passionate about, in a setting that I’m very familiar with,” said Nugent, who grew up in Lowell, during her interview. “I feel I under­ stand (it) deeply because I was raised in this environment. I love it. I don’t think there’s anywhere that’s bet­ ter to raise your family or to be able to serve your com­ munity.” Nugent, 36, was selected from three candidates who interviewed with the board Monday. The other candi- Alison Nugent of the Frisco West WDIDDC interviews with the Caledonia Township board Monday for the township manager job. Nugent, who has ties to the area, was offered the job. (Photos by Greg Chandler) dates were Lowell City Manager Michael Bums and Joshua Westgate, deputy township township supervisor supervisor of Jamestown Charter Township and former township supervisor of Wright Township, both in Ottawa County. “Alison is the strongest candidate culturally, collaboratively, even understanding our community,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison her position (in Texas) and said. start figuring out how to get The board approved the her kids here by the end of appointment of a three-mem­ August,” said Walsh, who ber subcommittee consisting was hired by the township of Treasurer Richard earlier this spring to guide Robertson, Clerk Joni Henry the manager search process and Trustee Dale Hermenet at the cost of $11,900. to work with consultant In an email to the Sun and Frank Walsh on developing a News Thursday, Walsh had contract proposal for Nugent. the following update: “We “The sooner we get it wrapped up, she can resign See TOWNSHIP MANAGER, pa&2 145th year Caledonia Fourth of July celebration set for next Saturday Caledonia Township Kraft Avenue. Among the will get an early start on parade participants this celebrating the birthday of year is Bernie Pleva, man­ our country, as it will hold ager of the Campau its annual Independence Corners convenience Day celebration next store, who has been named Saturday. Caledonia’s Hometown The township typically Hero for this year for his holds its Independence service to the community. Day observance the Later on, fireworks will Saturday before the Fourth take place at dusk, with of July if it is not right on viewing areas offered at the fourth. Duncan Lake Middle Activities get underway School, the CalPlex sports with the annual and recreation area and Independence Day parade Holy Family Catholic downtown starting at 11 Church. Anyone wishing a.m. Lineup begins at 10 to view the fireworks from ,a.m. from Duncan Lake the Holy Family site is Middle School. asked to consider bringing Participants are asked to a canned good to donate to eilter the staging area from the Knights of Columbus the west parking lot off food drive. Gretchen James takes takes helm of DDA in Middleville Greg Chandler StaffWriter Gretchen James has hit the ground running in her first few weeks as Middleville’s new Downtown Development Authority director. “I’ve been all around town. I’ve met most of the businesses and business owners, introducing myself and letting them know if there’s anything the DDA can do for them,” James said Tuesday at her first DDA board meeting since taking the position. “I attended my first staff meeting (and am) very grateful for all the peo­ ple in the office and all the knowledge they’ve shared with me.” James is the third person to fill the DDA director role in Middleville this year. Katherine Bussard stepped down from the position in January after nearly two years on the job. Emily Lee was hired to replace Bussard on March 14 but resigned three weeks later for person­ al reasons. James had previously been with the Barry Community Foundation, first as an intern and then more recently as a founda­ tion employee working in marketing. A native of Hastings and 2019 graduate of Hastings High School, James earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology and public and nonprofit administration from Grand Valley State University this spring. She was hired for the opening at a special DDA board meet­ ing on May 26 on a 5-0 vote. Her appointment was rec­ ommended by a three-mem­ ber interview committee that consisted of board members Justine King, Kristen Fisher Gretchen James, the and Renee Smith. Village new Downtown Manager Craig Stolsonburg Development Authority and Village Clerk Rhonda director for the village of Van Polen also sat in on the Middleville. James attendsecond interview. ed her first DDA meeting “I was very excited at Tuesday night. both of her interviews,” King said. “I’m excited to to bring a fresh energy see what she does for the around here that we really village. I’m excited for her need.” background, being fresh out See GRETCHEN JAMES, page 2 of school. I think it’s going • Caledonia school board bids farewell to superintendent • Fall groundbreaking slated for new Dutton Elementary School • Western Week takes over Main Street in Caledonia • Hammerheads Swim Club kicks off its 2023 season • TKHS swim teams find a home in pair of new co-ops �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 TOWNSHIP MANAGER, continued from page 1 are making great progress in our negotiations with Ms. Nugent. Next week, we fully expect to have a contract agreement in front of the board.” Nugent has been the gen­ eral manager for the Frisco West WCIDDC since July 2021. Prior to that, she was vice president of the board of directors for the Frisco WCIDDC for three years. One ofthe major challeng­ es Nugent faced early on in her role with Frisco West WCIDDC was the discovery of a significant cost overrun in the district’s water system. “Our water operator had gone from making $250,000 a year for water operations to almost a million (dollars),” she said. “I said, ‘Okay, what’s going on here?’ They were padding the books. They were adding extra fees. When I asked for an invoice, they gave me one page for $90,000, and I said, ‘Where are the work orders? What have you done? Show me the work.’ They couldn’t do it. They told me, ‘Why don’t you trust us? Why don’t you believe this is correct?’ (I said), ‘I want to trust you, but you need to give me a rea­ son. You need to verify why we are spending this much money.’” Nugent eventually fired the water operator. “The truth was, as a board, we were very trusting that our consultants and our team (were) working on our behalf,” Nugent said. “But it’s very clear that in govern­ ment, you have to be very detailed-oriented when you go through all of the invoic­ es. You need to be making sure that the people, when they’re doing their work, you’re checking that it’s actually completed. A lot of times, if nobody’s checking, people will take advantage.” Through Nugent’s work, she took WCIDDC from a place where it was in the red financially to where it now has reserves of $3.6 million. She also led a $2.6 million municipal building construc­ tion project and a road expansion project. She also contracted for police, fire and trash services in the dis­ trict and coordinated com­ munity events such as the annual Fourth of July fire­ works and a recycling event, according to her resume. During her interview, Nugent stressed the impor­ tance of communication and listening, not only to her col­ leagues but to the public at large. “I want to listen to them, to hear their concerns, so I can answer them. A lot of times, I think that the public may not have all the infor­ mation (on a situation). When they actually feel they can talk to somebody, nine times out of 10, they leave (knowing they’ve been heard), even if it’s not the answer they want. They leave with an understanding of what is going on,” Nugent said. Nugent spoke of the val­ ues she grew up with in West Michigan and how they have shaped her professionally. “I feel that the way I am is because of where I was raised,” she said. “People always say I’m so nice and so approachable, and I always say it’s because I was raised that way. We’re polite ... there’s no fakeness behind it. I genuinely want to help people. That’s definitely because of where I came from.” Jamestown Charter Township Deputy Supervisor Joshua Westgate fields questions from the Caledonia Township board during his interview for the township manager job Monday. Prior to entering munici­ pal management, Nugent worked as a proofreader for two different companies, also handling copywriting duties at one of the firms. Nugent holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in pub­ lic administration from Ohio University. ting, and the Sesquicentennial Pavilion is available. DDA member Joe Mancini, who serves as the master of the market, voiced support for the extension. “Come September, we’re going to have more vegeta- bles,” Mancini said. Current vendors “wouldn’t have to pay an additional charge, and then any new vendors would have to pay the traditional $25 rate for a booth during one of those days,” James said. GRETCHEN JAMES, continued from page 1 Thomapple Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer, who represents the township on the DDA board, said he has been impressed with James so far. “I think that the interview committee made a very wise choice,” Schaefer said. James is the niece of DDA board chairwoman Kim Jachim. Jachim did not par­ ticipate in the interviews and asked to be recused from the May 26 vote to hire James because of her family rela­ tionship. The request was approved by the remaining board members on a 5-0 vote. James has future meetings planned with Travis Alden of The Right Place, the Grand Rapids-based economic development organization, and Eric Longman of the North Country Trail to dis- cuss economic development ideas. In other business, on Tuesday, the DDA board approved an extension of the Market on Main for an additional two Fridays and possibly a third in September, weather permit- Vintage clothing shop moving out of Middleville, but not going far as it opens new location in Hastings Jayson Bussa Editor During the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, Autumn Phillips found her­ self laid off from her job. She ended up turning to a closet full of vintage items she acquired through garage and estate sales that she attended with her grandma and dad as a potential business venture and decided to turn her hobby into her livelihood. “During COVID, I just had a bunch of it, and I got laid off, and I was like, ‘Crap, what am I supposed to do? said Phillips. “So I thought, why not just sell this stuff? I started mar­ kets and pop-ups and sold stuff online and on Instagram, and it just took off.” Phillips made what was an opportunistic endeavor into a more conventional business in November of 2021 when she opened a brick-and-mortar shop in Middleville, located at 115 E. Main St. She called it The Vintage Haven. While Phillips has no complaints about the vil­ lage or the dedicated clien­ tele she has developed, she Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser had always wanted to open a business in her own hometown less than a dozen miles down the road. She now has that oppor­ tunity. Phillips, who co-owns The Vintage Haven with boyfriend Riley Mclean, recently announced that she is picking up and mov­ ing to Hastings, where she will occupy a storefront formerly used by women’s boutique The Sugar Ribbon at 104 E State Street. “When we were looking to get a shop, we were looking in Hastings, and there wasn’t anything at the time, and we wanted to be on that main strip,” said Phillips, a 2013 graduate of Hastings High School. “We waited, and the oppor­ tunity presented itself a couple weeks ago.” Phillips noticed that Kendy Varbie, owner of The Sugar Ribbon, was liq­ uidating many of her assets. Phillips was origi­ nally interested in purchas­ ing some mannequins and displays for her shop. But when Phillips stepped into The Sugar Ribbon, she fell in love with the space and asked whether it was spo­ ken for. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I love this build­ ing,”’ Phillips recalled. “I could see myself in here and where I’d put things it was so pretty in there, and it was the perfect location.” The commercial space is under the same ownership as Barlow Florists. Phillips submitted an application, and, despite competing interest in the space, she was granted the lease. The Vintage Haven will hold a grand opening event throughout the day on June 24. The occasion will give shoppers a first glance at the store and a chance to win some prizes, such as a $50 gift card to the shop. Refreshments will also be served. Phillips will follow up with a June 30 ribbon-cut­ ting ceremony joined by members of the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce. Phillips, who always finds time to scour area flea markets, thrift shops and estate sales to keep inventory stocked, is using the move to make a few tweaks to her shop. “We changed our logo and everything,” she said. “We’re not rebranding, but we’re improving it. We’re going for a simplistic, chic, mid-century look. It will be different from what everyone is used to, but in a good way.” She is aiming to intro­ duce more men’s clothes into the mix, as well. Help us support veterans and community functions. Saturday, JuLY 1st, 2023 »New Collections by Moda® and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. Patriotic Cottons * Menu subject to change Adults $13.00 •Children 10 & under $5.00 offee ■ * For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 Donated by Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station Caledonia Memorial Eegion Post 305 Hoptemlte boon 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, MI QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm Autumn Phillips (right) and Riley Mclean (left) stand in front of a Hastings storefront that formerly housed women’s boutique The Sugar Ribbon for over a decade. The duo, which operates vintage clothing retailer The Vintage Haven in Middleville, is now leas­ ing the space and will hold a grand opening for their shop on June 24. (Photo provided) �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023/ Page 3 Martin says goodbye, Weeldreyer hired as CCS interim Greg Chandler Staff Writer After five years as super­ intendent of Caledonia Community Schools, Dr. Dedrick Martin bid fare­ well to the district at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting. Meanwhile, the school board approved hiring a familiar face to serve as interim superintendent for the next year while the board seeks Martin’s per­ manent replacement. Dirk Weeldreyer, who served CCS in an interim capacity for five months in 2018 before Martin was hired as superintendent, will return in that same role. The school board for­ mally accepted Martin’s resignation - “with tre­ mendous sadness and trep­ idation,” board member Jason Saidoo said at Monday’s meeting. Martin will begin his new duties as superintendent of the Kalamazoo egional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) on July 1. His last day in Caledonia will be next Friday. Board President Marcy White thanked Martin for his service to the district over the last five years. “What we've accom­ plished has been incredi­ ble, and you’ve certainly laid the groundwork for our interim superintendent and future superintendent to seamlessly keep us mov­ ing forward,” White said. “You’ve prepared and empowered our adminis­ tration and staff to work together for the best inter­ est of each other, the stu­ dents and the community as a whole. All of this has been done as public educa­ tion has faced challenges we couldn’t have imag­ ined.” “KRESA has so much to look forward to as you take the reins, and we have so much to be thankful for, for the position that we are in, and we wish you noth­ ing but success moving forward. To your family, we thank them for their commitment to this com­ munity and allowing you to lead - the hours away from them, the number of things that you’ve missed are too many to count, as you’ve put Caledonia Community Schools first every step of the way. We are better today because of your leadership, and today, we say thank you and congratulate you on your new endeav­ or,” White added. Board members and the audience rose to give Martin a standing ovation after White’s comments. In his , final comments, Martin thanked the board, administration and staff for their support during his said. “Sometimes, doing this work is challenging, it’s messy, it’s emotionally draining, but it’s import­ ant. Our children are our future. I thank you guys for supporting me, working with me. I know sometimes I can be pretty pushy myself, but it comes from a good place.” “We have done some remarkable things when I look back and think of what we’ve accomplished in five years,” Martin added. “But no one person does that alone. It is the work of the board acting as one, in union with the superintendent, who has the challenge and the awe­ some responsibility of leading a very capable staff, supporting them and Caledonia Board of Education President Marcy White thanks Dr. Dedrick Martin for his five years serving as superintendent of Caledonia Community Schools at Monday’s school board meeting. Monday was Martin’s last meeting as superintendent. He begins his new role as superintendent of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency July 1. challenging them. Every step of the way, our staff has stepped up to the chal­ lenge.” The board unanimously approved hiring Weeldreyer, who served as superintendent of Fennville Public Schools in Allegan County from 2008 to 2017 and most recently served as interim superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming, to take on the interim super­ intendent role at Caledonia for the second time. He served in a similar capacity from February 2018 to July 2018. His contract runs through June 2024, Assistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury said. “We are extremely excit­ ed to have him agree to take the reins for us here and come back to join us,” White said. Weeldreyer, who was in attendance at Monday’s meeting, said he is looking forward to returning to Caledonia. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the new people here, but also (with) many old friends. It’ll be a great time,” Weeldreyer said. Martin expressed confi­ dence in CCS’ future in his concluding remarks. “I know you’re going to be in great hands with Mr. Weeldreyer,” he said. “I know you’re going to be in great hands with the administrative team that we’ve assembled because they have done a lot to make me look good on many, many days. I imag­ ine they will continue to do that great work ... I don’t know what (else) to say than just thank you, I appreciate;it.” Cal school board adopts budget cutting federally-funded positions Greg Chandler Staff Writer On Monday, the Caledonia Community Schools Board ofEducation passed a budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that eliminates the equivalent of 11.5 teaching positions created a year ago through a federal funding program designed to help schools affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The board unanimously approved a budget that calls for expenditures of $69,854,877 and revenues of $68,097,065, resulting in the use of $1,757,812 from the district’s reserves. The district is expected to end the current fiscal year on June 30 with a slight surplus of $2,144, which would raise CCS’ total general fund reserves to $9,044,865, CCS Finance Director Sara DeVries said. The positions, consisting of interventionists and itin­ erant teachers, were among 21 new teaching positions that were created last year using funding through thefederal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was enacted in the wake of the pandem­ ic. A total of 18 people, including some part-time teachers, are affected by the move. They have all been moved to other teach­ ing positions within the district to fill openings cre­ ated by retirement or resig­ nation. The remaining ESSER-funded positions are expected to be eliminated in the 2024-25 budget. The elimination of positions this year is expected to save the dis­ trict more than $1.3 mil- lion, DeVries said. The new budget projects flat enrollment for the next school year and a $458 per pupil increase in the dis­ trict’s foundation grant from the state. It also proj­ ects more than $1.8 million of funding through ESSER, which will be phased out after the 2023-24 school year, DeVries said A budget projection to the board in May, factoring in the elimination of the ESSER-funded positions, called for the district to receive revenues of $66,683,262 and spend $67,558,325, resulting in a shortfall of $875,063. Since then, the district added in carryover funds from the current fiscal year — $745,000 from ESSER and $690,000 in state grants, mostly around improving safety, DeVries wrote in an email to the Sun and News. The additional expenses since the May project reflected expenditures tied to the state grants, along with additional operation­ al expenses, such as “sup­ port staff bargaining groups wage increases, required positions needed especially in the area of Your local agent insures your Retirement Ask about our annuities and IRAs O RM. Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville FARM BUREAU INSURANCE9 (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com additional nurses to sup­ port student needs, increases related to our shared time programming and the additional expens­ es for providing after­ school programming for students needing addition- al supports,” DeVries wrote in her email. CCS had 4,846 students during the 2022-23 school year, down about 200 stu­ dents from the spring of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Fall groundbreaking eyed for new Dutton Elementary School, expected to open Fall 2025 Greg Chandler Staff Writer A little more than a month after voters approved a $61 million supplemental bond issue to help pay for the con­ struction of a new Dutton Elementary school, project architects are moving ahead with updated design plans for the new building. Architect Paul Wills of Plante Moran Cresa present­ ed a project update to the Caledonia Board of Education Monday night. He says his design team has completed “about 75 per­ cent” of the construction documents needed before the project can go out for bids in late summer or early fall. According to the project timeline outlined by Wills, groundbreaking for the 60,000-square-foot school to be built on 25 acres at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue is expected to take place in October with a 22-month construction period. The school would open in the fall of 2025, Wills said. While unexpected spikes in building material costs and supply chain issues tied to the COVID-19 pandemic drove the initial Dutton pro- Students and faculty will bid farewell to the current Dutton Elementary School building in the spring of 2025. (Photo provided) posal more than $9 million over budget last year, Wills is more optimistic about keeping the project within budget this year. The district has allocated $40.4 million out of the May bond issue to Dutton, and preliminary cost estimates put the project well within that range. The initial Dutton proposal, tied to the May 2020 bond issue, called for a $21 million budget. Project architects sought cost estimates for two differ­ ent building options - one for a masonry and brick exte­ rior closer to the look of other schools in the districts and one for a precast con­ crete exterior. Preliminary estimates put the cost of the masonry and brick option at $32.7 million, while the pre­ cast concrete option would run about $33.3 million, Wills said. “We were kind of sur­ prised (that the masonry and brick option was cheaper),” Wills said. “Concrete (has) actually gone up about 27.5 percent in the last year. The cost of getting aggregate (for the concrete), obviously, is driving some of that cost up. More importantly, a lot of the other components of the building have actually come down in the last year.” Board member Jason Saidoo supported going with the brick and masonry option for the building. “Aesthetically, it brings it in line with the rest of the buildings that we have,” Saidoo said. The project also includes a $600,000 allowance for tech- The property where the new Dutton Elementary School will be built at the southeast corner of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. (Photo by Greg Chandler) nology and $500,000 for fur­ niture, fixtures and equip­ ment, Wills said. The new building will have two entrances, one off 76th and the other off Patterson. It will have three wings of classrooms, with a commons area in the center and a dedicated special edu­ cation area. It will also include a full-size gymnasi­ um and a separate cafeteria. The new building would be able to serve 600 students, Wills said. Project architects have been meeting with Caledonia Township officials regarding a water main along Patterson between 68th and 76th streets that would serve the school. On a related note, on Monday, the school board approved a resolution going ahead with the first series of 4—Caledonia United IL Methodist Church Chute/} Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ. who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am [FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: //goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 bonds from the May election in the amount of $40.4 mil­ lion, with the proceeds going to the Dutton project. The new Dutton building would replace the current Dutton school on 68th Street, which has operated since the 1950s. The new building will be about 25 percent larger than the current 46,000-square-foot Dutton building. Church: (269) 795-2391 Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening — Connecting HOLY FAMILY ^J/C ATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC OURNEY Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. CHURCH Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org JEB Whitneyville __/ 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.86614 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School... . 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Watch our services from our website (see above) Fellowship Church Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11 :oo a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023/ Page 5 Caledonia Township officials create vision for future of M-37 corridor Jayson Bussa Editor Both the township board and planning commission in Caledonia got a glimpse of what the community might look like if the farmland that surrounds its busiest hub were ever fully developed. In ajoint meeting between the two governing bodies on Monday evening, members of both groups were provid­ ed with a presentation from John lacoangeli, who works for partnering Beckett & Raeder, a landscape architec­ ture planning, engineering and environmental services firm. Caledonia Township is working with the firm in order to envision a Caledonia of the future - one in which the 790 acres of current farmland adjacent to M-37, dubbed the M-37 subarea, are fully developed. Right now, though, there is no indication that any of the land will be up for sale soon, if ever at all. The planning exercise allows Caledonia Township officials to proactively create a vision and framework for the event that the land is sold and developed. A common misconception amongst resi­ dents who have viewed these plans is that these are concrete plans that the township is pursuing. “Add my name to the list of those that prefer property that is in farming, stays in farm­ ing,” Caledonia Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison John lacoangeli of Beckett & Raeder addresses both the Caledonia Township board and planning commission during a meeting Monday event. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) said. “But we know from the last 10, if not 20 years that many farms are converting by sale of the property ... to go into development. So, ourjob, combined with the planning commission, is to say when and if that occurs, what that will look like. This is what that is.” lacoangeli presented a variety of visuals and render­ ings that showed the rural land fully developed. The plans included a buffer of green space, which would house the Paul HenryThomapple Trail, that sepa­ rates the new development from M-37. The plans showed a layer of commer­ cial, multi-family residential and a majority of the land being dedicated to single-family homes on both standard and large lots. The plans were developed in accordance with current zoning ordinances and both Harrison and lacoangeli said they did not want to dream up a scenario that called for higher density population. In fact, lacoangeli said that, if the current land in question were fully devel­ oped according to zoning guidelines, that would amount to around 1,500 new dwelling units and 4,100 more people. This would mean around 807 additional students in the local school system. Parks and open spaces were a focal point to the new development, too. “We think this is a rather unique approach to corridor development,” lacoangeli said. “Instead of segmenting it into small commercial lots with drive-in restaurants, car washes and gas stations, the idea is to have a significant green buffer. ...Houses everywhere in this develop­ ment would be no more than five minutes away from an This map plots out plans for 790 acres of mostly farm land located along M-37 in Caledonia Township. Township officials are proactively creating a framework for development for the area should the land ever be sold and developed. open space or park area.” lacoangeli also encour­ aged different housing types, which sparked significant conversation on what types would be conducive to resi­ dents in Caledonia. These included duplexes, triplexes, bungalow courts, courtyard apartments and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). “Everyone in today’s housing market doesn’t nec­ essarily want to go into a single-family house so we have some options,” lacoangeli said. “If there is some commercial building, we’re recommending two stories at least to have upper floor of apartments.” The township board and planning commission dis­ cussed the various housing styles, quite critical of ADUs — a secondary housing unit on a single-family lot — and whether or not they would ever been in demand here like they are in areas elsewhere. “Where I see ADUs is mainly out west where they have land issues — Seattle, Portland and those types of places,” said Doug Curtis, chairperson of the planning commission. “Where they’re maintained, I don’t have an issue. But when the home­ owner is no longer there (or owns the additional dwelling) ... there is a disconnect.” Both boards mulled the idea of, in that scenario, making it mandatory for the homeowner to own and live on a lot with both the prima­ ry and secondary residence. As both the township board and planning commis­ sion continue to refine their vision on what a fully-devel­ oped M-37 corridor might look like, it has incorporated feedback from the communi­ ty. Back in March, it hosted an open house, where resi­ dents could provide their visions. Local students earn dean’s list honors ALBION COLLEGE Area students were named to the dean’s list at Albion College. To qualify,-students earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better while taking four graded courses. Local students include: Caledonia Devin Fridley-Bell IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY Some local students were among the 9,800 Iowa State University students to have been recognized for outstand­ ing academic achievement by being named to the spring semester dean’s list Students named to the dean’s list must have earned a GPA of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while car­ rying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work Area students include: Alto - Thomas Mitchell Caledonia - Jonah Hilton MIAMI UNIVERSITY Ella Pietenpol of Caledonia was named to Miami University’s dean’s list. To earn the honor, students must be ranked in the top 20 per­ cent. SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY Several area students were named to the dean’s list at Saginaw Valley State University. To qualify, stu­ dents earned a grade point average of 3.4 or above for the spring semester. Local students on the list, by hometown, included: Caledonia Beach Connor Middleville Stolsonburg FAMILYFUN *★ * & FIREWORKS CELEBRATION BOUNCE HOUSES | GAMES I FOOD | MUSIC Middleville TOPS 546 The June 19 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. There are three new fish in the fishbowl. A party is planned for next week to honor last year’s division winners, cur­ rent leaders and the new leaders that will start on Aug. 1. Sue led the meeting on “Stress eating? Here’s how to train your brain to crave healthy foods.” There are many reasons why stress and anxiety can cause any­ one to add extra pounds. The stress hormone cortisol elevates heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The side effect is added body fat. Retrain your brain to want better foods when stress eating. Eating fruit and adding relaxation exercises when stressed helps to feel less stressed and into a better mood. Over time, the brain turns the thought of fruit into comfort food. At that point, the fruit relives the stress even with­ out the relaxation exercises. Maryellen lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., ’followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. Saturday, July 1 I Activities Start at 7pm | Fireworks Start at 10pm Cornerstone Church (84th St. Campus) -1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Join us outside for an awesome event for the whole family as we celebrate Independence Day together! Starting at 7pm, we’ll have bounce houses, games, food, beverages, and music. Then, at 10pm, our neighbor to the south will light up the sky with a dazzling fireworks show! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and have a fun family-filled night with us! Donations are encouraged for parking. All proceeds will go to Cornerstone Student Ministries. No alcohol please. Rain date is Sunday, July 2. Note: There will be construction at the intersection of 84th St and Kalamazoo Ave, so we recommend entering from the east or north entrances. Conroy �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Caledonia Township board approves changes to Patterson water main project, will reduce cost the absence of Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison. StaffWriter The initial project plan A water main project along the east side of called for the main to service Patterson Avenue is getting Patterson Place, a townhouse development planned for the reworked. On Wednesday, the northeast comer of Patterson Caledonia Township board and 76th, consisting of 112 approved a change order for units. The township asked the water main, which will Patterson Place developer Serve the new Dutton Mark Pung to contribute Elementary School to be $276,000 to the project cost. “They would not commit built at the southeast comer of Patterson and 76th Street. to that,” Township Treasurer/ Richard The move will cut the project Administrator cost by more than $118,000, Robertson said. “Without said Township Trustee Tim that commitment, we under­ Bradshaw, who presided stood that we would have to over Wednesday’s meeting in go a different way ... We Greg Chandler need to move forward. The Commission this week, Pung school is very anxious for us blamed rising interest rates to get this water main down for the delay in construction. “We had originally to their property.” With Patterson Place out planned on breaking ground of the picture, the water main before this September, but will now be rerouted off the Fed’s multiple and large Patterson onto Whispering rate increases throughout Stream Lane and then 2022 caused us to delay the through the northern portion start of construction due to of the Morgan Woods West financing,” Pung wrote in the subdivision, where it will memo. connect with the existing The Planning Commission township water system, Monday granted Pung a oneRobertson said. year extension of the site Construction has yet to plan approval that it granted begin on Patterson Place. In for Patterson Place last a memo to the Caledonia September. His goal is to Township Planning break ground on the project 2023 GFWC scholarships awarded What to do with $14,000? The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Gun Lake Area Women’s Club followed its yearly tradi­ tion of awarding scholarships to local schools recently. The club awards scholar­ ships to Martin, Delton Kellogg, Wayland Union and Thornapple Kellogg high school seniors each year. The club awards a $2,000 Premier Scholarship to One senior from each School, along with two other $500-scholarships per school. The smaller schol­ arships are geared toward stu­ dents going into the trades or other certification programs. I Along with giving out scholarships for graduating seniors, the Gun Lake Women’s Club offers schol­ arships of up to $500 for students between eighth and II th grade for summer camps or classes. These sum­ mer enrichment programs could include music, digital media, dance or more. The club raises scholarship money each year through its Annual Golf Outing. This year, the outing will be held on Aug. 12 at Orchard Hills Golf Course. A silent auction will follow the competition. This year, the club award­ ed scholarships to the follow­ ing students: MARTIN James Blackbum won the $2,000 Premier Scholarship. Blackbum plans to join the medical field. Throughout his school years, he has shown leadership skills and teamwork. Adam Brehm plans , on studying culinary arts. He has experience working in this field and hopes that this experience will give him a head start in the field he loves. Adam received a Trades Scholarship for $500. DELTON KELLOGG Three students were awarded scholarships at Delton Kellogg High School. Allie Trantham, a senior, was awarded the $2,000 Premier Scholarship. Isaac Shepard, who will attend Western Michigan University in the fall, received a Trades Scholarship for $500. Shepard plans to study criminal justice with a minor in aviation flight. Caitlin McManus received a $500 Trades Scholarship. She has been attending Kellogg Community College this year through Early Middle College offered at Delton; She will attend Western Michigan University in the fall to pursue her goal ofbecoming an nurse and working in the emergency room. WAYLAND UNION Kami Morse received a $2,000 Premier Scholarship. THORNAPPLE KELLOGG Mia Dickman received a $2,000 Premier Scholarship. In the fall, she plans to study child development and child psychology. She has been very active during high school and worked at Kindred Shop & Studio and the Barry Community Foundation. WE'RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd t HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 W Henry Leon, a graduating senior, is pursuing a certifi­ cate in automotive technolo­ gy. He has worked during high school and participated in various service day activi­ ties. Leon received a Trades Scholarship of $500. ART GRANTS Art Grants are for incoming ninth through 12th graders. They take a class in any type of the arts during the summer and then share their wealth of knowledge with other students in their school. The club gives; $2,000 in Art Grants each year. Art Grants were awarded to Henry Tuinstra, Amber Kaylor and Braxton Mathis, all from Martin, for Serviam Leadership Academy. Each was awarded $295. Alyssa Smith and Samantha O’Meara were each awarded $370. Alyssa will be taking a class in art from Design Street in Plainwell. Samantha will attend the Michigan State University Marching Band Camp. Nicholas Ward, from Wayland Union, will be attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for voice. He was also awarded $370. Caledonia Community by April of next year and bring it to completion by Schools has committed October 2025, according to $500,000 toward the project cost because the water main township documents. Last November, the town­ will serve the new Dutton ship board approved award­ school. In addition, the ing the contract for the developers ofMorgan Woods have committed Patterson water main to West My-Con Construction, which $150,000 toward construc­ submitted the low bid of tion costs. The township is $1,076,897. But now, with expected to cover the remain­ the change order, the bid ing costs. Should Patterson Place price has been reduced to $958,739. Adding in engi­ decide later to hook into the neering and construction water main, it would be feeds, the final estimated asked to contribute $238,000 cost for the water main is to the project, Boerman $1,043,000, township engi­ wrote in a memo to the town­ ship. neer Todd Boerman said. Township planners recommend extending Whitneyville sand pit permit Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Planning Commission Monday voted to recom­ mend approval ofa resolu­ tion for a three-year renew­ al of a mining permit for the Whitneyville sand pit, retroactive to November 2021. Commissioners voted unanimously to support the resolution to allow Nagel Construction to continue to mine out ofthe sand pit at 7777 Whitneyville Ave. SE. The Township Board must still approve the reso­ lution. Nagel Construction has operated the sand pit under a consent judgment from Kent County Circuit Court that has allowed mining there since the company acquired the pit in 2007. Mining has gone on at the pit since 1989, according to township records. “They missed their renewal (date), but they have been generally com­ pliant (with requirements of the permit),” Township Engineer Todd Boerman said. The company approached the township in December of last year asking for a five-year renewal of the planned mineral removal permit, dating back to November 2021. In February, com­ missioners tabled the renewal request to allow for clarification ofthe perSee PERMIT, next page Watering restrictions issued in Caledonia Twp Caledonia Township insti­ tuted odd/even watering restrictions on Tuesday, tak­ ing effect immediately, because ofthe prolonged dry heat. Residents whose irrigation lines are connected to the township’s public water sys­ tem should water their lawns according to the following schedule: house numbers that end in odd numbers, water on odd-numbered days, while house numbers that end in even numbers, water on even-numbered days. The Grand Rapids areahas received 0.21 inches of rain so far this month and only 1.05 inches since May 1, according to the National Weather Service. Anyone with questions about the watering restric­ tions is asked to call Caledonia Township at 616­ 891-0070; �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023/ Page 7 PERMIT, continued from page 6 mit wording. Nagel Construction Vice President Bruce Morren told commissioners that he expects the company will continue to mine at the site for another 6-10 years. “I think 10 years is proba­ bly the maximum,” Morren said. The permit renewal would require Nagel Construction to grade all banks ofexcavat­ ed material at the pit at the end of each day’s operations to slopes no greater than one foot of elevation for every two feet of horizontal dis­ tance unless otherwise approved by the planning commission. It also requires construction of at least a 4-foot-high fence “to fully enclose all areas of steep slopes, so that the slopes can­ not be inadvertently approached by persons who may enter the removal area,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said. Another issue that was debated dealt with the plant­ ing of trees on the property. Nagel Construction would rather not be required to sub­ mit to a planting plan. “The applicant has expressed a desire to wait until development occurs later on, because all of the soils are going to be rear­ ranged and regraded for what is future, 2-acre single fami­ ly development,” Boerman said. Commissioner Tim Bradshaw, who is the Township Board’s represen­ tative on the Planning Commission, supported a planting plan requirement. “I do think the exterior portions of some of the site, it probably does make sense to start planting trees now, especially in the 100-foot setback that can’t be mined anyway. Personally, I’d like to see a planting plan and have some common sense to it,” Bradshaw said. “The planting plan is for the future value, when this becomes a residential devel­ opment. There”ll be mature trees in the backyards because you planted your trees now,” Bradshaw added. “Twenty years from now, you’ll have big trees and you’re going to be able your lots for more.” “We should see a plan ... that would include a sched­ ule,” Commissioner John Eberly said. In addition, the township would also raise the perfor­ mance bond required to be paid by Nagel Construction from $100,000 to $150,000. That would allow the town­ ship to restore the property for future use should the company be unable to cover the cost ofthe restoration. In other business Monday, commissioners approved a site plan for a 151,875 square foot warehouse at 6464 Patterson Avenue SE. DEG Development is the builder on the project, which would be the third of four spec buildings to be con­ structed at the site. The property is zoned for light industrial use. Commissioners also approved a request by Whitneyville Investors to extend by six months the planned unit development proposal for the Kettle Preserve project at 7153 Whitneyville Ave. SE. The project has run into compli­ cations over water quality. A test of the existing well before the developer applied for the PUD showed low levels of arsenic and chlo­ ride, but subsequent tests of new wells on the 78-acre site found much higher levels, Howard Hehrer of Whitneyville Investors said. “An extension would grant us time to determine what changes, if any, should be made to the PUD plan in the interest of delivering the best possible water quality to future residents,” Hehrer wrote in a memo to the town­ ship. Gaines Township Board approves revised consent Judgment pertaining to Prairie Wolf Station town center development James Gemmell LLC, representing Contributing Writer Indianapolis-based developer The Gaines Township American Kendall Properties, Board voted last December to filed the lawsuit last year after accept a consent judgment to the township board voted in settle a $4 million lawsuit filed February 2022 to reject the against the township over a proposed Prairie Wolf Station proposed $100 million town development on 84th Street, center. just east of Kalamazoo But the settlement agree­ Avenue. The suit argued that ment with the developer had to the developer has a right to be rewritten. build on the site under the At their meeting June 12, township’s zoning ordinance board members roll-call voted and former master plan. The 7-0 to accept a newly worded township adopted a new mas­ consent agreement that was ter plan and future land-use revised after township attor­ plan in April. neys found a flaw in the proj­ Because of the lawsuit and ect’s site plan. the fact that the development Hie Prairie Wolf Station is legally allowed by right on development would include a the property, the township retail area facing 84th Street, reversed its decision to deny with various apartments, the project The lawsuit will be townhouses and condomini­ dropped once both sides sign ums on an 82-acre site that is the revised consent agreement currently farmland. Dozens of authorized by a Kent County citizens spoke out against the Circuit judge. project at public meetings in Township Attorney Clifford Bloom addressed the matter 2021. An entity called Caleydonia during Monday’s board meet- Garage Sale YARD SALE: THURS-TUES, Business Services Pets MICHIGAN TREE FELLERS DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. proposed for commercial use were blank. < “An important thing in a consentjudgment like this is to be very specific because it’s compromised if it’s disputed claims,” Bloom said. “So, we asked the developer to go back and flesh out that part of the site plan. And then, we also wanted to be very clear what was allowed and what was not allowed (in the commercially zoned portion of the develop­ ment).” Because the property was sold earlier this year, Bloom said some procedural adjust­ ments had to be made to the consent accord. The revised plan was run by attorneys and planning stafffor their approv­ al. “And I think there are a few agreements yet that we have to work out with the developer as far as water, sewer and over­ sizing (charges),” Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said. “Absolutely correct,” Bloom replied. In the last report, American Clark Brothers Building Contractors is hiring skilled carpenters! If you have 10 years of experience and a good attitude, we want to talk to you! We work in all aspects of residential and commercial construction throughout West Michigan. Our quality, commitment, and ability to create lasting relationships makes us a leader in our market; our core values set us apart from others. We take pride in being family oriented with flexible scheduling. 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He noted that Lansing­ based Eyde Company recently sold the property to Caleydonia LLC. “If it seems like deja vu all over again, it is,” Bloom told the township board. “We were here last December to ask for approval of a consent judg­ ment And the board at that time did approve it. Before it was signed by the attorneys and entered by the judge, we noticed there was a flaw in the site plan.” He said the areas that were able rates. 269-331-9999. F-l-B MINI BERNEDOODLES- Very cute and fluffy. Will stay small. 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Www.ARWCompanies.com �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 YEE-HAW: Western Week brings four nights of festivities to Caledonia Jayson Bussa Editor Caledonia’s annual Western Week took over Main Street for a majority of the providing week, family-friendly attractions for four nights. The event, which is now in its 13th year, kicked off on Tuesday with the Dave Steger Memorial Softball Game, pitting department the against fire Main Street in downtown Caledonia was ground zero for most of the Western Week activities this week. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) local merchants. Seemingly non­ stop evening action packed the rest of the week as the Brittyn Vanderby lounges with her steer Groot while she enjoys something to drink. festival concluded on Friday with a car, truck, and tractor motorcycle show and a street dance. Wednesday evening was an especially busy one for Western Week, with the theme being “Connecting With Creatures.” Kids Attendees were able to take in exhibits from Cherry Valley Livestock* a pet parade and frog and turtle races. Here from ning. are the some fun-filled sights eve­ Members of the Cherry Valley Livestock Club wrestle with a sheep while they provide a sheering demonstration. Nonprofit conservation organization Pheasants Forever gave attendees the opportunity to take some target practice with a BB gun, all contained in the back of a cargo trailer. Here come the pooches! Many attendees brought their dogs and other pets to march down Main Street in the pet parade. Madison Morefield is seen here vaulting on a horse named Caspian, who is being led by Leoni Baier. The duo was walking in the pet parade during Western Week, representing Legacy Stables LLC & Kari’s Horse Connection of Caledonia. The Caledonia Fire Department kept Western Week-goers cool by setting up a hose to provide a steady mist. Wednesday evening’s installment of Western Week was devoted to bringing together kids with various animal and creatures. �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023/ Page 9 MDARD encourages owners to help keep their animals cool and safe as temperatures rise As many parts of the state, grapple with rising tempera­ tures on and offthis summer, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is reminding owners of some of the best ways to keep ani­ mals cool and safe. “As we head into the sum­ mer months and tempera­ tures rise, keeping animals cool and hydrated is essen­ tial,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland. “It’s important to recognize the signs of heat stress in ani­ mals and even more critical to prevent this stress from occurring. Michiganders can follow five easy steps to help keep animals cool and safe this summer.” Keep animals safe from the heat by following these tips: — Let it Flow: Provide unlimited cool, clean, fresh water Just like people, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. — Know Their Limits: An animal’s ability to tolerate heat varies An animal’s age, breed, type of coat and health histo­ ry can all play a role in their ability to tolerate the heat. Keep an eye on them for signs of heat stress—like increased panting or drooling and being more lethargic. If they are showing these signs, it is time to move them to a cooler area immediately. Also, consider talking to your veterinarian. They will have a greater knowledge of your animal(s) and be able to give more specific guidance on how to best handle them in hot weather. — Happy Paws: Test sur­ faces to make sure they won’t bum paws Surfaces like asphalt, con­ crete and sand can really heat up in the sun, which can bum paws—or at least make a walk very uncomfortable. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you, consider taking a differ­ ent route that is mostly grass or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool. — Get in Gear: Parked vehicles are not places to park pets Even when temperatures feel more moderate, vehicles can heat up very quickly, creating dangerous condi­ tions for the animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and/or parking in the shade do little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best tp leave pets at home when you need to go out and about. V — A Place to Chill: Make sure animals have a place to cool down Animals know when they are too hot and will usually try to find a place where they can cool down. Make sure they have access to shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and/or air-conditioned spaces to help them stay comfortable. Following these tips can help keep your animals cool and comfortable through any heat wave. If there are any concerns about your animals’ health now or throughout the summer, please talk to your veterinarian. Alto twins continue to develop, perform acrobatics show Shari Harris with their acrobatics. Summer Contributing Writer began the show with her Adults and children alike favorite apparatus: the aerial were captivated by twin sisters silks. Two long pieces of fab­ Summer and Lily Klein during ric hung from the top of a their recent performance at the 23-foot-tall aerial rig. Summer Caledonia branch of the Kent climbed, twisted and turned District Library. through the fabric from top to Last week, about 350 peo­ bottom. After wrapping the ple crowded into the front of fabric around her waist toward the library to watch the duo the top of the structure, she perform their aerial arts show. began flipping and dropping The pair of sisters, who are down before stopping herself 12-year-old twins from the just short of th^ protective mat A Ho area, dazzled the erowd beneathhqr. Lily Klein performs on the lyra, which is a hoop suspended in the air. Lily performed next on the lyra, which is a hoop suspend­ ed in the air. Her dad, Jeremy, moved the rope up and down to raise and lower it to differ­ ent heights. Encouraging cheers came from the crowd as Lily elegantly and gracefully moved through her routine. The last apparatus was a cube that Summer and Lily used together. This seemed to be a crowd favorite as the girls mirrored each other through­ put the performance. Audience member Naomi Fennell said, “I watched them last year and the cube thing was very new, and they did so good together. They’re very flexible and very strong.” Another spectator, Isabelle Homing, who had also seen previous performances said the girls were, “...really in sync with their individual acts and when they were perform­ ing together. It was all really good.” The Klein girls first became interested in aerial arts in 2018 after watching the movie The Greatest Showman. “Over the years, they have trained at a few different loca­ tions around the area,” said Mindy Klein, Summer and Lily’s mom. “Once they had been training for a few years, they were given the opportuni­ ty to perform at a couple of events and learned that they really loved performing in front of an audience.” Because of this love of per­ forming, the family started their own business, Gemini Circus LLC. Klein said they started the company, “...to give them more opportunities to perform at both public and private events.” In fact, their first perfor- mance as Gemini Circus was at the same library in 2022. One of the largest events they have performed at was the Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s Great Garden Party fundraiser. “I enjoyed doing the Meijer Gardens fundraiser because it was very fancy and there were lots ofpeople there,” said Lily. The girls are excited to keep learning more and plan to add new apparatuses to their routine. “We have an aerial sphere that we are currently working on,” Summer said. “We will probably be displaying a duo sphere act sometime soon.” They are also hoping to train more with the flying trapeze. For more information about upcoming events, follow Gemini Circus LLC on Facebook or gemini_circus_ entertainment on Instagram. 0 Kiwanis Kiwanis Club of Caledonia 20th Annual Charity Golf Outing Sponsors We would like to thank all of our sponsors, attendees, and volunteers for their donations, efforts, and time to help the children in the Caledonia, Dutton andMiddleville Communities. “Kids Need Kiwanis” Edward Jones Drew McFadden Office • D C Byers Eden Homecare • Glen Valley Dentistry • Greenridge Realty River City Appraisal • United Bank Silver Sponsors Bricks @ Campau Corner • Mike’s Pizzeria & Tavern Nighthawk Catering • PFCU Credit Union Host Golf Course * Briarwood Golf Donors Ace Hardware Brann’s - Caledonia Caledonia Fanners Elevator Caledonia Vision Chiropractic First Culver’s - Caledonia Dutton Automotive Service EB Coffee & Pub Ed’s Body Shop Fox Chevrolet - Hole in One Event Greenridge Realty - Thom Kohl Greenridge Realty - Debbie Norberg Harder & Warner Nursery Heidi Christine’s Helen’s Kitchen & Bakery Hier Family Dentistry highpoint Community Bank Jamaican Sun Tanning & Boutique KDL Library Maple Hill Golf Course Maynard’s Water McDonald’s - Caledonia Nighthawk Grille & Bar One Man and a Tractor Phillips Tax and Consulting Pilgrim’s Run Golf Course Pizza Hut - Caledonia Professional Pharmacy Saskatoon Golf Course Seif Chiropractic SERVPRO Swierenga Jewelers The Sun and News Tires 2000 Caledonia United Bank Jane Heiss, Thom Kohl, Rebecca Lectka, Laurie Seper, Keith & Roxanne Johnson, Curt & Deb Norberg, Bob Pawloski, Lulu Brown, & Dee Hudson Lily and Summer Klein perform on the aerial cube at the Caledonia branch of the Kent District Library. Summer Klein, who performs with her twin sister Lily, hangs down from aerial silks. (Photos by Shari Harris) �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24,2023 Public hearing set for July 10 on proposed townhouse development on 60th Street in Gaines Township James Gemmell Contributing Writer In July, the Gaines Township Board will hold a public hearing on a proposed townhouse development at 1200 and 1326 60th St., adja­ cent to the Kentwood Community Church. The board had its first read of the proposal at its June 12 meeting. The planning com­ mission voted 6-1 in May to conditionally rezone the two parcels from residential (RL10) and Office-Service (O-S) to Residential-3 (single-fam­ ily only), with the condition that the development be restricted to townhomes or single-family detached homes. Orion Construction has proposed building 152 mar­ ket-rate townhome units on the western parcel and 124 units on the northern parcel, Planning commissioner and township trustee Tim Haagsma voted against the rezoning request. Ifthe rezoning is approved, Kentwood Community Church is planning to divide the parcel so that the rezoned portions are separate from the church. The rezoned par­ cels would then be subject to guidelines for a townhouse development, contingent upon site plan review and approval by the Planning Commission. The current Gaines Township Future Land Use Plan was recently updated to categorize the parcels for Village Residential. Haagsma also voiced opposition to the draft site plan at a planning commission meeting last month, calling it “terrible” because it shows no open space or rec­ reational spaces. He said he prefers developments like that to be under a planned unit development designa- tion, so the township has some say in how they are laid out. Haagsma reiterated at Monday’s township board meeting that conditional rezoning limits what the township can control. “I’m a little concerned that our control over the develop­ ment and what happens on that site is not going to be as good as what it would be under a PUD,” Haagsma said. “My concern is that we enter into this as a conditional rezoning, and then we decide we don’t like it any­ more. Are we going to end up right back in court?” “I think some of that actually deals with the process,” Supervisor DeWard said. “It’s an internal process with the township. Do we want to fully do away .with PUDs, which is what we’ve (used) for the past 30 years, towards an effort to develop these village centers?” Haagsma said he would have no problem with conditional rezoning if it spelled out what the township wants in developments that are governed by it. Township Supervisor Rob DeWard also has concerns with conditional rezoning. “What I’m saying is, you’d might as well get used to it, or we’d better change it,” DeWard told Haagsma. “Because this is the way it’s going to happen every time from here on whenever it’s going to come up.” “And maybe it wouldn’t be as big of an issue if we had the zoning ordinance that backs up our new master plan,” Haagsma said. Several neighbors near the proposed development expressed concern at a public hearing in April about potential flooding, traffic conges­ tion and wildlife impacts. Community Development Orion Construction CEO Roger Rehkopf updated the Gaines Township Board on June 12 on a proposed townhouse development on 60th Street adjacent to the Kentwood Community Church. (Photo by James Gemmell) Director Dan Wells said recently that the proposed project does comply with the township’s recently adopted Future Land Use Plan, which envisions a village-residen­ tial development such as townhouses. But DeWard said Monday that the conditional rezoning should specify that the town­ ship wants the development to include amenities such as open space, recreational uses or trails. “Until we’re able to spell that out, the developer comes in here, hat in hand, not knowing what to do,” DeWard said. “And I’m just disappointed to find out today that they haven’t even started on the (zoning ordi­ nance text amendment) yet... we just keep kicking the can down the road.” “We’ve begun the process, but we haven’t fine-tuned what chapters are going to take priority,” Assistant SUMMER SPECIAL a ir. niSTMiLATioi $200 OFF * With this coupon HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia ■1[.^:pJg:PTiTi Locally owned business. Planner Natalie Davenport said. “We’re just now in the stakeholder interview stages of the zoning ordinance rewrite. So, we’re just now starting the process to over­ haul the zoning ordinance and change it.” Davenport said she believes township consultant David Jirousek and township staff intend to create an ordi­ nance that complies with the new village-center category included in the township’s new master plan. The revised zoning ordi­ nance will be written to spec­ ify more of what the town­ ship would like to see in conditional rezoning. The draft has yet to be written and will have to be reviewed by the planning commission after it is finalized. “To my knowledge, that is the intent — to bring it into conformance with the master plan,” Davenport said. Haagsma said he has no problem with the proposed use of the property, just the lack of control the township might have under the condi­ tional rezoning. “I’ve always been a pro­ ponent of PUDs, and we’re getting away from that. I think we may have to steer the ship around,” DeWard said. “So, maybe at a board meeting, we can start to look at that.” The township board’s next meeting will be June 26 at 5:30 in the lower level of the township hall instead of the usual location upstairs in the board room. The trustees will be discussing what to do with their American Rescue Plan Act funds. DeWard said it might be a good time to start discus­ sions about PUDs versus conditional rezoning. Once finished, the site plan for the proposed devel­ opment on 60th Street will be tie-barred to the condi­ tional rezoning contract. Orion Construction CEO Roger Rehkopf addressed the township board. His company has been working on behalf of the developer since October 2021 to move the project forward. “We have already recon­ figured how we want to go around the wetlands and not disturb them,” he said. “We have walking paths ... we want this development to be a community that’s walk­ able.” Rehkopf said a pickleball court, a small basketball court area and a playground area are all being considered as part of the project. “We do know the plan has to have amenities,” he said, adding that some of the adja­ cent church’s wintertime activities could possibly be extended onto the townhouse site. The township board voice-voted unanimously to set a public hearing for its July 10 meeting on the con­ ditional rezoning request. Yankee Springs budget hearing set Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Yankee Springs Township board will hold a public hearing on the town­ ship budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year next Wednesday. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at the Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd. The proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1 calls for a balanced budget, with revenues and expenditures at $1,741,676. That's down from $2,689,670 in spending from the current fiscal year, which was largely influenced by the recently-completed expansion and renovation of the Township Hall. At a special meeting on June 14, the board approved 8.7 percent across-the-board raises for township employ­ ees, based on the rate of inflation, and similar raises for Supervisor Rob Heethuis and trustees Larry Knowles and. Dave VanHouten. The board passed 11 percent rais­ es for Clerk Mike Cunningham and Treasurer Deb Mousseau. Cunningham voted against his raise, and Mousseau voted no on her raise. Heethuis' salary will increase from $28,309 to $30,772. Cunningham will see his pay rise from $29,956 to $33,251, while Mousseau's salary will go from $28,309 to $31,423. Salaries for Knowles and VanHouten will increase from $4,555 to $4,952, according to town­ ship documents. The new budget includes $275,925 for operations at the fire station, a signifi­ cant boost from $244,300 in the current budget. It also proposes $178,000 be spent on parks and trails, $125,000 on roads and $114,000 on capital proj­ ects. In addition, $68,000 is set aside to help pay off the cost of the hall expan­ sion and renovation. The board set aside $30,000 in general fund spending for fire department equipment purchases, according to township documents. �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023/ Page 11 Auditor gives Gaines Township a clean bill of financial health, recommends changes to accounting procedures James Gemmell lti . ‘Mb wim Contributing Writer The firm that conducts an annual audit of Gaines Charter Township’s financial operations says the township has a few things to clean up in its accounting procedures. But overall, the township received high marks for the 2022 fiscal year audit. Dan Veldhuizen, a principal with the Siegfried Crandall P.C. certified accounting firm, gave a briefpresentation to the township board at its June 12 meeting in the township hall. It concerned the firm’s audit of the township’s financial operations. The auditor gave the town­ ship an “unmodified, clean opinion,” meaning there were no significant errors in its financial operations. However, it did list some corrections the auditor had to make to the township’s inter­ nal reports. “This is known as a mate- rial weakness because we had to make those,” Veldhuizen said. “It’s kind of a bad-sounding term, but I can tell you that 95 percent of the townships in the state will have some of these cor­ rections because they don’t have a CPA on staff to give you a perfect report.” Veldhuizen said his audit­ ing firm had to make fewer corrections to Gaines’ accounting procedures than most other townships. But he did give four suggestions that fall under two categories. One calls for more effi­ cient use of the township’s software. And the second category relates to invest­ ments and controls over those. “Because you have a sepa­ rate module that’s used by (treasurer Laurie Lemke) and her staff to handle proper­ ty-tax collections, I’d really like to see that linked to your general ledger,” Veldhuizen said. “Right now, a lot of that accounting is done outside the general ledger. It’s actual­ ly a lot more work for Laurie to do that. So, it’ll take some effort on her part to commu­ nicate to the software provid­ er to link that But I think it’ll be very beneficial for all of you in the future.” Accounting for escrows was another concern. There is a custodial fund outside the general ledger, as well. “I think it would be very beneficial to account for those transactions within the general ledger so everybody sees them. And you can mit­ igate some risks related to (the potential loss of money) from the developers, and they’re getting reimbursed correctly and fairly,” Veldhuizen said. The auditor’s report noted that the township’s general fund unassigned balance at the end of the fiscal year was $4,826,822. That represents 117 percent of the actual total General Fund expendi­ tures and transfers out for the current fiscal year. “I don’t think anyone would say that’s excessive. It’s very typical for the town­ ships I work with. Some are even higher than that. So, to have a year’s worth of sav­ ings is a good thing,” Veldhuizen said. The township also has $2.7 million in unspent federal funds that it received through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Every munici­ pality in the United States was allocated a certain amount of ARPA funding based on its population size. The money is supposed to be used for vital long-term infra­ structure projects. Local gov­ ernment boards must report to the federal government how they intend to use the funds by Dec. 31, 2024, and the funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Auditor Dan Veldhuizen with Siegfried Crandall P.C. gives a presentation to the Gaines Township Board on the findings from its 2022 fiscal year audit. (Photo by James Gemmell) Gaines Township also has nearly $1 million in separate capital project funds. “Overall, the township as a whole in each of its funds is really quite healthy and in excellent financial position,” Veldhuizen said. He added that it would be ideal ifthe township’s invest­ ment committee met month­ ly to review financial reports and said it should meet at least quarterly. “As far as those invest­ ment reconciliations, by stat­ ute, the clerk and the treasur­ er need to be involved in that to make sure the reconcilia­ tions are done,” Veldhuizen said. “Dan, you’ve done a very thorough job as always,” Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said after the pre­ sentation on the audit. “I appreciate that.” Community reflects on 100 years of health care service from Pennock Hospital Jayson Bussa sSisfe bjmbd tpjn tattjhb Mtfi'itui Aiitt idptyi raty kt BHS'i ipitit ijmjs ijl* jit11 till-1' id fit n* n Editor Wednesday morning’s breakfast reception to mark the 100th anniversary of Spectrum Health Pennock, part of Corewell Health, felt a bit like a family reunion. Past leaders, donors, staff and members of the commu­ nity joined together in an outdoor venue staged behind the Baum Family Surgery Center in Hastings to reflect on the past century of health­ care provided by the commu­ nity hospital. “We are grateful for all this community has done for Pennock Hospital, and we are very committed to making sure we have an even better next 100 years here at Pennock Hospital,” Spectrum Health Pennock President Bill Hoefer said to guests. Pennock Hospital opened its doors in 1923 with a 28-bed facility, fueled by the initial philanthropic efforts of Barry County farmers Eben and Elvira Pennock. The couple initially pledged $20,000 for the construction of a hospital in Hastings, and the philanthropic giving from the community has contin­ ued to this day. To mark the milestone, Pennock Hospital hosted a list of invited guests who were instrumental in the hospital’s evolution over time and held a community-wide open house later in the day, complete with food, entertainment and tours of various Pennock Hospital facilities. professional, personal, pro­ The parade of speakers at gressive and partnership. I’m the morning reception attribut­ so pleased that, through the ed the hospital’s longevity to a years, as we became part of couple of common compo­ something larger and we nents - a local, communi­ evolved, the essence of those ty-oriented workforce and a important tenets remain. I say community that has not shied that now, not as an employee, away from funding transfor­ but simply as a consumer, mative projects and initiatives. customer, patient and senior Carla Wilson-Neil, who citizen.” retired as Chief Operating Alejandro Quiroga, presi­ Officer of Pennock Hospital dent of Corewell Health West, after serving the hospital for took an opportunity to address over 40 years, is a prime the crowd and talk more about example of the pedigree of the resources that Pennock staffmembers the hospital has Hospital will continue to have leveraged to maintain a com­ access as a part of the large munity-oriented dynamic - health system. Hastings Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Nesbitt reads a proclamation drafted by the city He joked about how some honoring Spectrum Health Pennock’s 100 years of service to the community. even after being absorbed by a larger health system like locals were not shy about bend­ Surrounding Nesbitt are present and past hospital presidents, CEOs, board chair­ ing his ear to tell him that they men and chiefs of staff. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Spectrum Health. Wilson-Neil was bom in the did not like the name Corewell, hospital in 1954. She would but he struck a more serious about how do we bring a new tions to Pennock Hospital for and committed community later spend her career at that tone when he spoke about the a new MRI machine or how its service and longevity. members has not only filled a Hastings Mayor Pro-Tem critical need over the years, very same hospital, walking future of healthcare and how do we sustain new electronic alongside the organization as the partnership between health records — a small com­ Bill Nesbitt read the city’s but it also led to impressive it kept up with the evolution of Pennock and Corewell will be munity hospital like Pennock proclamation before handing growth - building additions, the healthcare industry - from crucial in bringing modem care won’t be able to spend a bil­ it over to Hoefer. equipment breakthroughs and lion dollars on what is modem “On Aug. 30, 1923, significant addition in profes­ moving from paper to digital to Barry County. This included implement­ care alone. And that’s what we Pennock Hospital opened its sional expertise care have health records to the changing models of healthcare reim- ing artificial intelligence with­ bring together. We’re going to new 28-bed facility, and the made today’s hospital an in health care, which will not have to invest in these things.” dream of simple farmers, admired community bursement. Both the City of Hastings influential community leaders resource,” he said. “In the 80s, I had the oppor­ come with a small price tag. “The cost ofthat is a billion and the office ofUnited States tunity to become our first risk manager when the nation dollars,” Quiroga said. “So Congressman John Moolenaar underwent a medical malprac­ we’re not struggling to think extended written congratulatice liability crisis, and even the smallest hospital was liti­ CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA gating multiple (medical mal­ BOARD OF TRUSTEES practice) cases,” Wilson-Neil Closed or Open Cell said. or Blown-In Fiberglass “Through the various years The minutes for the June 7, 2023 Township Board of Trustees of strategic planning and Meeting which were approved on June 21, 2023, are posted at Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 visioning, our then-marketing the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the web­ site at www.caledoniatownship.org. 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville department developed the Pennock ‘P’s ... that stood for lNSUMrz SPRAYFOAM Meeting Minutes �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Summer reading program in full swing at Thornapple Kellogg library Cannan Selph of Middleville chooses toppings for her ice cream sundae during the Thornapple Kellogg Community Library ice cream social Tuesday as part of the annual summer reading program. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Barrett Davis of Middleville decorates a picture of an ice cream cone with glitter beside his brother Beckham Davis during the ice cream social at the TK Community Library Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) CLINICAL POSITION Position available for qualified CMA, LPN or RN with preferred outpatient primary care experience. Proficient computer skills required. Candidate must be able to multi-task along with using critical thinking skills while handling telephone triage calls and flowing patients. Competitive wage based upon clinical experience. A part-time position (3 days per week) with the potential for increased hours as needed. No holidays or weekends. Please send resume to: dianec@familyhreemedical.com or mail to: Family Tree Medical Associates ee medical associates 1375 W. Green Street Hastings, MT 49Q5H Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg ommunity Library hosted an Ice Cream Social as part of its annual Summer Reading Program Tuesday at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleivlle. There were arts and crafts for vistors, like decorating ice cream col­ oring pages with puff balls and glitter and ice cream cone hand-puppets. There was also the oppor­ tunity for everyone to build an ice cream sun­ dae. The summer reading program continues throughout the months of June and July. Mini-golf week is on the slate for the week ahead on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Summer library hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, and 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thurdays. A Safari Scavenger Hunt will be hosted the week beginning July 10, July 20 is Paper Airplane Palooza! From 10 a.m. to noon, and readers can stop in with their com­ pleted reading charts for prizes the week of July 24. Youth can stop by the library to get a copy of a summer reading calender to fill out when they meet their goals, or find a ver­ sion of the calender online at the tkschools.org library page. Adults forms are also available at the library and on-line. Adults have challenges to go along with their reading - things like “eat ice cream or a popsicle” and “ride your bike or take a walk.” Deer regulations approved for 2023-25 hunting seasons At the early June meet­ counties: Barry, Calhoun, ing of the Michigan Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Resources Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Natural Commission in Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Lenawee, Roscommon, the Montcalm, Michigan Department of Midland, Newaygo, Natural Resources and the Muskegon, commission approved the Ottawa and Shiawassee. regularly scheduled three- Under the updated regulayear duration of deer reg­ tion, all deer combo in southern ulations, which will be in licenses effect for the 2023, 2024 Lower Peninsula counties and 2025 hunting seasons. will now have an unre­ DNR deer program stricted regular tag and a experts say that while four-point restricted tag. Liberty Hunt. Hunters many of the traditional regulations remain participating in the unchanged, there are sev­ Liberty Hunt, a firearm eral important updates deer hunt on private or aimed at enhancing deer public land for youth and hunting opportunities for hunters with disabilities, Michigan deer hunters will now be allowed to this year and beyond. harvest more than one “There are many chal­ deer. While the limit for lenges facing deer hunt­ bucks remains at one, ing in Michigan and hunters can pursue multi­ across much of the ple antlerless deer. It is Midwest in the coming important to note that a years,” said said Chad separate license will be Stewart, the DNR’s deer, required for each deer elk and moose manage­ harvested during this ment specialist. “While hunt. the approved regulations U.P. CWD Surveillance for the 2023-2025 deer Zone. The Upper seasons are geared Peninsula Chronic toward increasing oppor­ Wasting Disease tunities for a declining Surveillance Zone hunter base, we recog­ (including parts of Delta, nize that we’ll have to Dickinson and continue to evaluate all Menominee counties) has possible options to sus­ been removed. As a result, tainably manage hunters in this area can Michigan’s <deer herd in resume baiting and feedthe future.” ing practices. The hunt­ Updated regulations er’s choice antler point include: regulations, which include Restricted tag of the an unrestricted tag for the deer combo license. The deer license and point four-point antler point restrictions for the regurestriction on the restrict- lar/restricted tag of the ed tag of the deer combo deer combo license, have license has been reinstat­ been reinstated. The ed in 19 Lower Peninsula restrictions on the deer combo license are three points on a side for the regular tag and four points on a side for the restricted tag. Late archery season and crossbows. The pro­ posal to allow crossbows in the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula was rejected. That means hunters are still prohibit­ ed from using crossbows during the late archery season in the Upper Peninsula. This includes hunters in the previous CWD Surveillance Zone where crossbow use in the late archery season had previously been allowed. Antlerless harvest in northern DM Us. The pro­ posal to reinstate antler­ less harvest opportunities in several northemdeer management units (007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131) using archery equipment was rejected. Antlerless harvest remains largely prohibited in those units, with exceptions only for qualified individ­ uals during the Liberty Hunt and through Deer Management Assistance Permits, where autho­ rized. The DNR remains committed to ensuring sustainable and scientifically sound management of the state’s deer popu­ lation. For more on deer management, hunting opportunities and other resources, visit Michigan. gov/Deer. Full summaries of approved deer regulations will be available closer to hunting season openers. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently approved the regularly scheduled three-year duration of deer regulations, which will be in effect for the 2023, 2024 and 2025 hunting seasons. (Photo courtesy the Michigan Department of Natural Resources) �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023/ Page 13 MHSAA officials registration underway for 2023-24 The Michigan High School Athletic Association is accepting registrations online or by mail for game officials for the 2023-24 school year. The MHSAA registered approximately 8,300 offi­ cials for the 2022-23 school year as building back the ranks continues after the number of registrations decreased during the height ofCOVID-19. All officials who register may sign up for up to two sports as part of their regis­ tration. Officials also will receive membership in the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO), which comes with a variety of educational and training resources including a sub­ scription to an MHSAAbranded “Referee” digital magazine, and the NASO’s Shield liability insurance that will provide $6 million in coverage for officials while they are working both MHSAA and non-MHSAA events. For new and returning officials, a $70 fee covers registration for up to two sports. Officials may register for additional sports at $16 per sport. To avoid a $30 late fee, all fall sport registration applications must be received by Aug. 16, 2023. Winter sports registrations must be received by Nov. 11 to avoid the late fee, and spring sports registrations must be received by March 17, 2024. Online registration can be accessed by clicking “Officials” on the home page of the MHSAA Website at www.mhsaa.com. More information about officials registration may be obtained by contacting the MHSAA by phone at (517) 332-5046 or by e-mail at register® mhsaa.com. There is an officials’ reg­ istration test for first-time officials and officials who were not registered during the past school year, derived from the MHSAA Officials Guidebook. New officials and those who didn’t offici­ ate during 2022-23 also must complete the online MHSAA Principles of Officiating course. Additional exams must be taken by those regisregis tering for football or basket­ ball for the first time or those who were not registered for those sports during the previ­ ous school year. Links to the Officials Guidebook, Principles of Officiating pre­ sentation and the football and basketball mechanics manuals can be found by following the “New Officials” link on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website. There also are opportunities to officiate for students at least 14 years old and in grades 9-12 through the MHSAA Legacy Program. Juniors and seniors may offi­ ciate subvarsity contests, while freshmen and sopho­ mores may officiate contests at the middle school/junior high levels. Mentor officials will work events with Legacy participants to provide guid­ ance and support. Find infor­ mation on the Legacy Program by clicking “Officials Registration” on the Officials page of the MHSAA Website and fol­ lowing the “Legacy Official Information” link. Tony Joostberns waits to get another inning rolling between the Lakewood and Maple Valley varsity baseball teams in Vermontville in May. The MHSAA is currently working to register officials for the 2023-24 school year. (File photo) TKHS swim teams find place in pair of new co-ops Brett Bremer Sports Editor , The Thornapple Kellogg swimmers and divers have found their new teammates. They’re Squires, and Vikings, and Crusaders and Falcons. Thomapple Kellogg High School student-athletes are joining a pair of swim co-ops. The TK girls will compete with athletes from Calvin Christian, Hopkins and West Catholic during the fall of 2023-24. The TK boys will compete with boys from West Catholic, Sophia Marcukaitis, a junior last fall at Thornappie Kellogg High School, prepares to win a conference championship in the 50-yard freestyle at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet at the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings. Thornapple Kellogg swimmers and divers will com­ pete at Grandville High School during the 2023-24 school year in newly formed co-ops with West Catholic, Hopkins, the Calvin Christian girls and the Unity Christian boys. (File photo) Hopkins and Unity Christian during the winter 2023-24 season. The teams plan to prac­ tice and compete at Grandville High School. Calvin Christian is the primary school for the girls’ team which will begin com­ peting in the fall. Squire athletic director Tom Bouma said the program is currently in the process of hiring a head coach and expcts the choice to be finalized soon. The Trojans spent 20 years swimming and diving with student-athletes from Hastings and Delton Kellogg before being forced to look for a new opportuni­ ty following the 2022-23 season. Hastings and Delton Kellogg have plans to con­ tinue with their co-op based out of the Community Education and Recreation Center in Hastings. While the Hastings/ Delton Kellogg co-op has plans to begin competing in the Saxons’ home confer­ ence, the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference, the TK girls will continue to compete in the OK Rainbow Conference Tier II. The West Catholic and Calvin Christian girls com­ peted together as a co-op last fall. Hopkins High School is new to varsity swimming and diving. “I belive the added num­ ber of swimmers will make us more competitive,” Bouma said. “We will have the ability to fill all of the relays and the other indi- vidual events.” The Delton Kellogg/ Thornapple Kellogg/ Hastings girls were fourth in the Tier II conference a year ago and the Calvin Christian/West Catholic girls placed fifth. The 2023-24 high school girls’ swimming and diving season begins Aug. 7 with the first practices of the fall. Contests can begin Aug. 16 in the lower penin­ sula. Thornapple Kellogg is the primary school for the boys’ team. The boys are also preparing to practice and compete at Grandville High School. The MHSAA allows for practice for the winter boys’ season to begin Nov. 20. 201752 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on July 11, 2023, commencing at 6:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the ZBA's consideration by emailing or mailingjhose comments to the ZBA for receiprjfnor to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Aijfninistrator, Joseph Shea (ioeshea@vankeespringstwp.org). Letters and emails are due one week before the hearing date, or you may leave a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. 2. ZBA 23-06-10, Parcel ID: 16-120-005-00,11066 Hastings Point Rd., Middleville Ml 49333 A. A request by property owner, Julie Fox, for relief from Section 3.8.1(G) "Docks and other Temporary Boat Shelters." i. The property is zoned GLRLF (Gun Lake Residential Lake Front). The property owner is requesting a variance to allow a permanent dock structure that extends from the shoreline ten feet over the lake. Alternatively, the Property owner is requesting a smaller permanent dock structure, or one that is removable. Such other business as may properly come before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Jake Welch, Chairman Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Hammerheads dive into 2023 summer swim season Schipper said. The final overall score with boys and girls com­ bined showed the Hammerheads with a 159.45­ 1352.5 victory, but the first meet of the season was really more about swimmers get­ ting used to competition for the first time, setting the standards for the summer season and racing to their fullest. Throughout the evening Hammerheads got victories from Hailey Hawks girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke and 50-yard breaststroke; Tietz in the 13 & over 50-yard freestyle; Graham in the girls 8 & under 25-yard back­ stroke and 25-yard butterfly; The Hammerheads’ DJ Kuck is at the front of a pack that also includes teammates Ethan Klopfenstein Ethan Klopfenstein in the (front right) and Hunter Tietz (splashing left) during the boys 13 & over 100-yard butterfly Thursday during their boys 13 & over 100-yard dual with the Otsego Swim Club at the CERC in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) backstroke, 50-yard butterfly and the 100-yard breast­ girls 9-10 200-yard freestyle stroke; and Nora Dehaan in relay, the girls 13 and over the girls 13 & over 100-yard 200-yard freestyle relay and breaststroke. that final boys 13 and over Hammerhead teams also 200-yard freestyle relay. won the mixed 8 and under While a few of the high 100-yard freestyle relay, the school programs in the area have parted ways, the Hammerheads continues to serve Hastings and the entire surrounding area. The club currently has student-athletes from Hastings, Middleville, Caledonia, Delton, Nashville, home-schooled students, stu­ dents from South Christian, Zion Christian and have had more over the years. There are about 50 swim­ mers in the club this summer and includes 17 first-time swimmers. “It is very nice [to have that many new swimmers],” Schipper said. “This spring, they had a little two-week middle school swim that they did here. When they split the [varsity] teams I think they were a little worried about numbers. We had a really good turnout for that, which was nice, because every practice we had more kids Hammerhead McKenna Hawks competes in the girls 13 & over 50-yard freestart doing it - which was a style at the CERC in Hastings Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) good sign. “I don’t teach in the school, Hammerheads Swim Club coach Mike Schipper so it is hard to recruit,” preps for Thursday’s meet against the Otsego Swim Schipper added. “A lot of Club at the Community Education and Recreation kids think, ‘oh, I can’t swim Center in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) that well,’ but once they get here and they start swimming and see kids from other schools, and they get to meet new friends, they realize ‘I can do this. I don’t have to be a pro.’ Most kids that try it stay. I think we just have to get them in the water.” The winter season is typi­ cally the busiest season in the pool for the Hammerheads with the club finally surpass­ ing the 100 swimmer mark in a season for the first time recently. “Our goal 3-4 years ago HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL was to get 100 kids in the The Hammerheads’ Nora Dehaan swims to a victory in the girls 13 & over 100BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP winter and we have been yard breaststroke Thursday at the CERC in Hastings. (Photo by Brett Bremer) FULL ATTIC RESTORATION there,” Hammerheads coach Mike Schipper said. “Now, I and a little more social crazy, but you have to shoot will head to South Haven 10 YEAR WARRANTY am looking bigger. I’ll have media. big.” next Thursday, June 29. The a little more free time this “I have kind of held back, During the toned down season will conclude with year since I am not coaching but now my goal is 200,” summer season, the 10-and-under and 11-and-up the high school boys. I can Schipper added. “That is my Hammerheads have just two conference championship do a little more marketing goal now. I don’t care if it is meets on the schedule. They meets in late July. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The meet opened with eight-year-olds Florence Graham, Leana Gyekis and Stella Bremmer scoring a 1-2-3 Finish for the Hammerheads Swim Club in the girls 8 & under 25-yard freestyle and ended with high school varsity swim­ mers Hunter Tietz and DJ Kuck among others leading a 1-2 finish for the Hammerheads in the boys 13 & over 200-yard freestyle relay Thursday. The Hammerheads Swim Club opened its 2023 sum­ mer season with a dual against the Otsego Swim Club in the Community Education and Recreation Center pool at Hastings High School. “We have great facilities. It is such a great sport. It is healthy. I don’t know why, but people are good, families are good, the kids are good. I don’t know if it just attracts that type ofperson, but it is,” Hammerheads coach Mike ’’tfieino'”' GIVE US A CALL TODAY! 517-5^9-1019 www.thebatguysbatreinoval.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24,2023/ Page 15 2022 Water Quality Report for Village of Middleville Water Supply Serial Number: 4360 ment or other requirements that a water system must follow. • Level 1 Assessment: A study of the water supply to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system. • Level 2 Assessment: A very detailed study of the water system to identify potential problems and determine (if possible) why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions. f Monitomg Ma for RogMod Contaminants This report covers the drinking water quality for Village of Middleville for the 2022 calendar year. This information is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided to you in 2022. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and state standards. Your water comes from 4 groundwater wells, each over 78 ft deep. Two of which are locat­ ed near the water storage tower on the west side of town. A third well is located off Irving Rd. near the Village limits. Production well # 6 on Irving Road and production well # 3 on the west side are built to a depth of 78 feet and utilize unconfined sand and gravel aquifers. Production well # 4 on the west side is built to a depth of 352 feet and utilizes the Marshall Sandstone aquifer. Well # 5 is located to the west of Bryanwood Estates Development .near the Thornapple River. This well is built to a depth of 197 feet. There are no significant sources of contamination in our water supply. We are making efforts to protect our sources by testing all of our drinking water sources and distribution system along with implementing our well head protection program. If you would like to know more about this report, please contact: Alec Belson, Village of Middleville, 100 E. Main St. Middleville Ml 49333, 269-795-3385, belsona@villageofmiddleville.org, www.villageofmiddleville.org. Regulated Contaminant MCL.TT, MCLG or Level or MRDL MRDLG Detected Year Range Sampl Violalion Yes/No Typical Source of Contaminant ed Runofffrom fertilizer use; Leaching from Nitrate (ppm) 10 10 4.55 2022 0-13.1 NO septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive Fluoride (ppm) 4 4 0.13 0-0.418 2022 NO Sodium'(ppm) N/A N/A 17.82 0-25.9 2022 NO Erosion of natural deposits 80 N/A .0028 0-0.0028 2022 NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection which promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories TTHM Total Trihalomethanes (PPb) HAA5 Haloacetc Adds (ppb) 60 N/A ND N/A 2022 NO Byproduct of drinking water disinfection Chlorine2 (ppm) 4 4 .53 0.03-0.96 2022 NO Water additive used to control microbes Alpha emitters (pCi/L) 15 0 .77 2021 NO Erosion of natural deposits Combined radium (pCi/L) 5 0 1.55 0-2.33 2022 NO Erosion of natural deposits Total Coliform TT N/A N/A N/A E. coli in the distribution system SeeE. (positive samples) coll note3 0 0 N/A 2022 NO Human and animal fecal waste N/A 0 N/A 2022 NO Human and animal fecal waste Fecal Indicator - E. coli at the source (positive samples) tt Naturally present in the environment Contaminants and their presence in water: Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800­ 426-4791). Vulnerability of sub-populations: Some people may be more vulnerable to contami­ nants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune systems disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. U.S. EPA/Center for Disease Control guide­ lines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other mi­ crobial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Sources of drinking water: The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled wa­ ter) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. Our water comes from wells. As water travels over the surface ofthe land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. ’ Sodium is not a regulated contaminant 2 The chlorine ‘level Detected* was calculated using a running annual average. 3 E. coli MCL violation occurs rtt (1) routine and repeat samples are total colrform-positive and either is E. compositive, or (2) the supply fails to take all required repeat samples following E. co/i-positive routine sample, or (3) the supply fails to analyze total coliform-positive repeat sample for E. coli. Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Regulated Contaminant Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer add (HFPO-DA) (ppt) Perfluorobutane sulfonic add (PFBS)(ppt) Perfluorohexane sulfonic add (PFHxS) (ppt) Perfluorohexanoic add (PFHxA) Contaminants that may be present in source water include: (ppt) • Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife. W) • Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. • Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agricul­ ture and residential uses. • Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. MCL.TT, MCLG or Level or MRDL MRDLG Detected 370 N/A N/D Year Range Sample d Violation Yes/No Discharge and waste from industrial facilities N/D 2022 NO utilizing the Gen X chemical process Discharge and waste from industrial 420 N/A 3.9 0-3.9 2022 NO facilities; stain-resistant treatments 51 N/A Firefighting foam; discharge and waste N/D N/D 2022 NO from industrial facilities Firefighting foam; discharge and waste 400,000 N/A N/D N/D 2022 NO from industrial facilities Discharge and waste from industrial Perfluorononanoic add (PFNA) 6 N/A N/D N/D 2022 NO facilities; breakdown of precursor compounds Firefighting foam; discharge from (PFOS)(ppt) 16 N/A N/D N/D 2022 NO In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. EPA prescribes regulations that limit the levels of certain contaminants in water pro­ vided by public water systems. Federal Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which provide the same protection for public health. Water Quality Data The table below lists all the drinking water contaminants that we detected during the 2022 calendar year. The presence of these contaminants in the water does not necessarily indi­ cate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this table is from testing done January 1 through December 31, 2022. The State allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. All the data is representative of the water quality, but some are more than one year old. Terms and abbreviations used below: • Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking wa­ ter below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. • Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best avail­ able treatment technology. • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants. • Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants. • Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a con­ taminant in drinking water. • N/A: Not applicable > ND: not detectable at testing limit • ppm: parts per million or milligrams per liter • ppb: parts per billion or micrograms per liter ’ ppt: parts per trillion or nanograms per liter ■PCj/|; picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity) ■ Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treat- electroplating facilities; discharge and waste from industrial facilities Discharge and waste from industrial Perflu orooctanoi c add (PFOA) (PPt) 8 N/A N/D N/D 2022 NO facilities; stain-resistant treatments Inorganic Contaminant Subject Action to Action Levels (AL) Level MCLG Your Water4 Range Year Number of of Sample Samples Results d Above AL 0-136 2022 1 • Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. Typical Source of Contaminant Typical Source of Contaminant Lead service lines, corrosion of household Lead (ppb) 15 0 2 plumbing including fittings and fixtures; Erosion of natural deposits Copper (ppm) 1.3 13 0.1 0 2022 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; 0 Erosion of natural deposits 4 Ninety (90) percent of the samples collected were at or below the level reported for our water. Information about lead: If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health prob­ lems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primar­ ily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Village of Middleville is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you have a lead service line it is recommended that you run your water for at least 5 minutes to flush water from both your home plumbing and the lead service line. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead. Infants and children who drink water containing lead could experience delays in their phys­ ical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learn­ ing abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastro­ intestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor. Our water supply has about 140 lead service lines and 435 service lines of unknown ma­ terial out of a total of 1,250 service lines. Monitoring and Reporting to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Requirements: The State of Michigan and the U.S. EPA require us to test our water on a regular basis to ensure its safety. We met all the monitoring and reporting require­ ments for 2022. We will update this report annually and will keep you informed of any problems that may occur throughout the year, as they happen. Copies are available at Village of Middleville main office 100 E. Main St. Middleville Ml 49333 This report will not be sent to you. We invite public participation in decisions that affect drinking water quality. Re For more information about your water, or the contents of this report, contact Alec Belson (269)-795-2094 www.villageofmiddlville.org. For more information about safe drinking wa­ ter, visit the U.S. EPA at http://www.epa.gov/safewater. �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, June 24, 2023 Rose among the raindrops at first concert of summer Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are five more chances for better weather as the Caledonia Summer Concert Series continues at the Caledonia Community Green Park. Local folk singer/songwriter Josh Rose headlined the opening evening of the summer concert series in front of a crowd huddled' under umbrellas and under the nearby park pavilion Tuesday, June 13. “Sometimes it is 55 degrees and it’s raining and there is no hope. That is just the way it is,” Rose said with a smile before breaking into song with his band the Founding Fathers. More than once he offered his love for the soggy spectators who were in it for the long haul with him and the band. The Caledonia High School jazz band Too Much Sauce opened the show, with a row of the band’s biggest fans setting up chairs in the front row to support their classmates at a time in between rain­ drops. The opening night of the concert series was hosted by Frontier Heating & Cooling. Next up is a June 27 con­ cert headlined by the Stillhouse Junkies with Brian Oberlin opening the show. The concert series con- tinues with John “Papa” Grps July 11; Good Morning Bedlam July 25; CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band Aug. 8; and Schrock Bros, with Peter “Madcat” Ruth Aug. 22. Concert goers line up for hot dogs and ele­ phant ears during the opening night of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series at the Community Green Park June 13. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Caledonia High School jazz band ‘Too Much Sauce’ opens the first evening of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series Tuesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Spectators at the first Caledonia Summer Concert of the season at Community Green Park huddle under umbrellas, rain coats and the nearby pavilion during a rare rainy day June 13 during the performance by Josh Rose and the Founding Fathers. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? > You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Plant To Keep. You too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! We specialize in the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan | (life do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients.! Call today for appointment! | V DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 deyriesdentalmi.com Josh Rose and the Founding Fathers perform amidst the raindrops on the first evening of the 2023 Caledonia Summer Concert Series Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-07-01.pdf cc5e4e7c12b309067936f13759835ac0 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 26/ July 1, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Rate Rep. Angela Rigas defends position on child marriage ban, vows to protect parental rights Jayson Bussa Editor State Michigan Representative Angela Rigas is defending her position as one of five “No” votes on recent legislation designed to end child marriage in the state of Michigan. Last week, a 10-bill pack­ age made its way through the State House that would ban marriage for anyone under the age of 18, regardless of parental consent. The package ofbills sailed through the House, finding bipartisan support. However, Rigas, a Republican from Caledonia who represents the state’s 79th District, joined Rep. Angela Rigas speaks in front of the Barry County Board of Commissioners earlier this year, asking commissioners to consider adopting a resolution that would make Barry County a second amendment sanctuary. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) v* four other members of the GOP in voting against the measure. Others to vote no included Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix), Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers), Matt Maddock (R-Milford) and Josh Schriver (R-Oxford). Rigas spoke with the Sun and News about the vote, underscoring the fact that she is a staunch supporter of parental rights and claiming that this package of bills would be a direct infringe­ ment on those rights. “Once (constituents) actu­ ally looked into the bills and read the bills or actually dug into the stories as opposed to creating their opinion based on a sound byte or a (head­ -line); people have beemwery supportive of my ‘No’ vote, and I have been an advocate for parental rights,” Rigas said. “That’s one of the things that drove me to run for this office, and I will con­ tinue to defend parental rights and continue to vote no on any policies that grow government and causes fur­ ther intrusion of government in our personal lives.” The bills to end marriages involving individuals under the age of 18 are now head­ ing to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for her to sign. Currently, Michigan law allows parents to permit their child to many as young as S District for the past two years. “I’m excited to return home and be close to family. I’m excited to work in a community that shares the values I was raised with,” Nugent said. In a telephone interview with the Sun and News Wednesday afternoon, Nugent shared her excite­ ment about returning to her home state after living in Texas for the past eight years. “I never thought I’d get an opportunity to come back home to Michigan,” Nugent said. “I feel like the stars aligned.” “We were starting to get tired of the grind and the hustle and the traffic (in Texas),” she added. Nugent and her husband, Carlos Beltran, were in the process of buying a new home in the Dallas area when she saw an advertisement for the Caledonia Township job. “I saw this job (and See ALISON NUGENT, page 2 Ayala named Village Clerk of the Year by statewide association Greg Chandler Speaking at Tuesday StaffWriter night’s Middleville Village She may no longer be Council meeting, Ayala the village clerk in thanked the council and Middleville, but that didn’t village staff for their sup­ stop a statewide associa­ port in the nearly six years from tion honoring she has worked for the vilGlorimar Ayala for her ser- lage. vice to the village. “All of you guys Ayala, who was appoint­ believed in me, believed in ed the village’s treasurer my experiences and my and finance director in qualities and everything I early May, was named have in me,” Ayala said. Village Clerk of the Year “You always pushed me by the Michigan out of my comfort zone.” Association of Municipal Ayala was hired as a “Clerks 'at”the association’s part-time deputy clerk by recent convention in Detroit. See GLORIMAR AYALA, page 2 See CHILD MARRIAGES, page 2 Caledonia Twp. board approves contract with new manager Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Monday afternoon, the Caledonia Township board approved a contract for Alison Nugent to become the new township manager, effective mid-August. On a 5-0 vote, the board approved a three-year con­ tract for Nugent, a native of Lowell who comes to the township from Denton County, Texas, where she has been the general manager for the Frisco West Water Control and Improvement 145th year Glorimar Ayala speaks at Tuesday’s Middleville Village Council meeting after being named Village Clerk of the Year by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. Middleville sheriff’s unit requests new cruiser Middleville to mark independence Day with full slate of events TK coach Ellinger inducted with MHSFCA 2023 Hall of Fame Class Caledonia school board approves contracts with non-teaching staff North Country Trail gets new section of boardwalk northeast of Middleville Alison Nugent �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1, 2023 ALISON NUGENT, continued from page 1 applied). I thought I’d never hear back, and two hours later, the recruiter (Frank Walsh) called me and told me I was a great fit for the job," Nugent said. Nugent then interviewed with the Township Board on June 18, along with Lowell City Manager Michael Burns and Jamestown Charter Township Deputy Supervisor Joshua Westgate. Nugent was a unanimous choice of the board for the position after the interviews were completed that day. “I really enjoyed talking to the members of the board. You can tell everyone really cares about the community,” she said. Nugent will receive a starting salary of $118,500, and the township will reim­ burse her up to $20,000 to relocate to Michigan from Texas, according to contract terms supplied by Walsh, a consultant who worked with the township on the manager search process. The township will also said. The contract calls for contribute 10 percent of Nugent’s base salary to a Nugent to receive four defined contribution pen­ months’ severance should sion program, while Nugent she be terminated without will contribute a 5 percent cause, according to Walsh. A three-member subcom­ match. She declined health­ consisting of care coverage as her hus­ mittee Richard band carries coverage for Treasurer the couple, according to Robertson, Clerk Joni Henry and Trustee Dale Hermenet Walsh. Nugent will receive 15 worked with Walsh on con­ days of paid time off at the tract negotiations. Robertson beginning and will then has functioned as the town­ receive 4.1 hours of PTO ship administrator since every payroll cycle, Walsh 2015. Alison Nugent of the Frisco West WDIDDC inter­ views with the Caledonia Township board last week for the township manager job. (Photo by Greg Chandler) GLORIMAR AYALA, continued from page 1 former Village Manager Duane Weeks in July 2017. She recalled her first inter­ view with Weeks for the deputy clerk position. “He asked me, ‘Why do you want this position? You’re so young. This posi­ tion is part-time. We don’t have any possibility of pro­ motion,”’ Ayala said. “(I said), ‘This is what I’m look­ ing for. I’m a stay-at-home mom, and I just wanted to go back to work, and I need something that can help me be at home and do whatever I need to do, and I needed the experience to work in the United States.’” In the spring of 2020, Ayala was promoted to vil­ lage clerk after her predeces­ sor, Elaine Denton, retired. “Glorimar knows the scope ofherjob, does it well and is a joy to work with,” wrote current Village Clerk Rhonda Van Polen, who nominated Ayala for the MAMC award. “Glorimar is stellar at her statutory duties, and she reg­ ularly goes above and beyond. She pays careful attention to all timelines to get things done in the time called out for completion,” Van Polen wrote. “In addi­ tion to her regular duties, she manages the village Facebook page and updates the lighted sign welcoming people to our village.” Ayala played a central role in the village, filling several key positions in the past year, Van Polen wrote. “Glorimar has not only posted the positions but helped with updated job descriptions, rating of candi­ dates and setting up inter­ views,” Van Polen wrote. “She is also the key contact for our IT needs and serves as the Title XI coordinator.” During her tenure, Ayala has taken continuing educa­ tion courses through the Michigan Municipal League. She also provided administra­ tive support for the village’s planning and zoning, utilities, billing and tax departments, Van Polen wrote. The MAMC honors municipal clerks each year for demonstrating profes­ sional and personal excel- lence in their profession. Awards are presented in four categories - city, township, village and deputy clerk, according to the association website. Ayala spoke of being committed to the village for the long term. “I hope I can be a great asset to you guys from now until I retire,” she said, draw­ ing a few laughs at the retire­ ment reference. under the age of 18. We’re not talking about five-yearolds. We’re not talking about seven-year-olds.” “The hypocrisy of the left is just mind-blowing consid­ ering the day after this passed, they surprised us with another extreme abor­ tion resolution,” Rigas added. “Are we actually sav­ ing children, or is that an ‘every other day’ thing?” In an initial announcement following her vote, Rigas pointed out how the issue hit close to home, with her mother marrying and starting a family before the age of 18. “The majority of people that these bills will affect are young men joining the mili­ tary. They’re 18 and say their long-time girlfriend is 17,” Rigas said. Despite receiving minimal backing from her GOP col­ leagues on this specific issue, Rigas remained undeterred. “I have my principles, and I’m not afraid to take those hard votes, and I’m absolute­ ly always prepared to explain my votes to my constituents and to the residents of our state so they can get a better understanding of my person­ al beliefs and principles,” she said. CHILD MARRIAGES, continued from page 1 16, which is the age of con­ sent. Children younger than 16 can also get married, but only with their parents’ per­ mission and a judge’s approval. Proponents of the mea­ sures say that, under current law, girls can become legally trapped with no way out of a marriage. If Gov. Whitmer signs these bills', Michigan will be the 10th state in the country to ban child marriage with­ out any exceptions. According to statistics from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 5,495 children under the age of 18 were married in Michigan since 2000. Rigas contended that cur­ rent laws are sufficient enough to protect children from coerced marriages. “The logical reason I voted against these bills is they ultimately strip parental rights and take away parental permission to marry,” she said. “This bill, these Democrats are so crafty with their messaging, saying that this is a child protection act. It’s something like 5,400 marriages in the past 23 years were involving people Middleville sheriff’s unit seeks new cruiser, changes to deputy assignments The 51st Annual Historic HARLTON Park 269-945-3775 Antique Gas G Steam Engine Show Village • Museum • Recreation Area ■ 2545 Charlton Park Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 July 7-8,2023 a 8 a Friday and Saturday: a.m.-Dusk Featuring Mlnneapolls-Mollne, Twin City, Oliver, Hart Parr, and Cockshutt Tractors and Equipment Greg Chandler Interceptor Ware currently StaffWriter drives now. The Middleville unit of “Consider yourself direct­ the Barry County Sheriffs ed,” Cramer said. Office needs a new cruiser In addition, Cramer directand would like to see a ed'village staff to have the change in how long a deputy Police Contract Committee is assigned to the village. meet to consider changes to On Tuesday, the Village the contract between the vil­ Council agreed to a directive lage and the sheriffs depart­ from Village President Mike ment, addressing the term of Cramer giving Sgt. Scott service for a deputy in the Ware, who heads up the village. Middleville unit, the authori­ While Ware’s current ty to look into pricing for a patrol vehicle has only slightnew cruiser to replace the 2015 Ford Utility Police See SHERIFFS OFFICE, page 3 Your local agent insures your Registration & Setup Thursday - Saturday, 8 a m. - 4 p.m. Steam Boats Welcome Demonstrations & Exhibits - 1895 Codey Sawmill Business - Baker Fan Admission Adults (13 & over)-$5.00 Children (12 and younger) - FREE Exhibitors - FREE DemonstralionsandDisp/aysaresulijecfto change, and dependent on TOtonfeeravafaMify. Steam boilers must be inspected by the State of Michigan. You must show a Certificate of Inspection at the Registration tent. Sgt. Scott Ware of the Barry County Sheriff’s Office speaks during Tuesday’s Middleville Village Council meeting. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 - Steamed Com - Antique Trucks and Motorcycles Scott Bloom, O.D. ■ Tractor Parade - Hit and Miss/Gas Engines - Threshing (subject to Wheal availability) - Food Vendore . Shingles Sawed and Branded Compaq — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 - Swap Meet - Pancake Breakfast - Saturday - Farm Tractor Pull-Saturday (9 a.m.) - Kids Pedal Pull - Saturday (10 a.m.) - Miniature Horse Pull - Saturday (3 p.m.) Jason Parks 121 E: Main Street Downtown Middleville OPTOMETRIST (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureauInsurance.com • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023/ Page 3 SHERIFFS OFFICE, continued from previous page ly more than 50,000 miles on the odometer, the usage of the engine is more compara­ ble to a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it. The vehicle is using components that are now in their third different vehicle, he said. “We don’t have an active working camera in that car anymore. The cost to replace the camera alone is almost $7,000 right now,” Ware said. “The lights in it, they work, but they’re outdated. The con­ trols in it are outdated.” In addition, the radio in the vehicle did not work for about a month, forcing Ware to use a portable radio to communi­ cate. “We’ve always had three cars up here (in Middleville),” Ware said. “We had two cars for patrol, a third car that was a spare/reserve car. With the new car that’s being built right now, it should be up here hopefully in two to three weeks. That would put us at three vehicles with my old car.” Bringing in a new cruiser would allow the department to make Ware’s current vehicle available for reserves to use at high school football games and community events, he said. The other major issue Ware brought up is the terms of ser­ vice for deputies assigned to the village. One of the current Middleville unit deputies suggested having a one-year minimum assignment in the vil­ lage with the option of volunteering for additional time. “It’s not in the contract any­ where that we found, but the past practice has been that deputies stay here for two years,” Ware said. “Back in with the roads, the different 1999, when the contract was types of calls. Thankfully, this first set up, there was a verbal is a very safe community, so agreement that ... they didn’t it’s a lot more public relations want a deputy up here without versus handling the crime.” any experience, so they have Ware thinks the idea of a to be offprobation, which is a one-year assignment with the one-year minimum. They then option to stay longer may wanted the deputies to be here make it more enticing for a for a minimum of two years deputy considering coming to because they didn’t want to Middleville. He does not fault just have a new deputy every the village for its current poli­ year and people not get to cy. know them, which makes “It’s nothing that’s wrong sense.” with Middleville. You’re tak­ Ware said that finding a ing a firefly and putting it in a deputy interested in commit­ jar. Middleville’s the jar,” ting two years to the village is Ware said. “You’re limited to difficult. the village limits versus hav­ ‘Typically after that first ing the freedom to go where year, two of the first three you want when you want” years as an officer, they’re tied Cramer called the proposals up here in the village,” he said. “sound suggestions.” “So they’re losing all the The Village Council also potential (opportunities) they approved a permit on Tuesday could learn in the big county for the return of the Barry County Brewfest to Middleville, which will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion. The craft beer festival, which began in Middleville in 2017, is sponsored by the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance. “We are back to the original starting location of Brewfest, so we’re excited about that,” said Kim Martin, business manager for the chamber. In other business, the council: — Heard a report from Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg that the new elec­ tric vehicle charging stations are up and running. People looking to charge up their vehicles can do so for free until July 15. Tentative plans after that call for a fee of $1 per hour for the first two hours of charging and $5 per hour for every hour thereafter, Stolsonburg said. — Approved a permit for the Middleville Lions Club to shoot off fireworks at Thomapple Kellogg High School home football games this fall. Home games are scheduled for Aug. 31, Sept. 8, Sept. 15, Sept. 29 and Oct 13, according to the permit appli­ cation. — Approved a resolution of support for the Barry County Hazard Mitigation Plan. — Approved a resolution for removing the city of Hastings from the member­ ship of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, a met­ ropolitan planning body for the Grand Rapids area of which the village is a member. Colorado roots band treats concert attendees at Caledonia Concert Series A few rain drops weren’t enough to cancel the first show of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series a few weeks ago. Smoke from the wildfires in Canada that wafted down to the Mitten weren’t enough to wipe out this week’s concert, either. Despite air quality con­ cerns that dominated the area on Tuesday evening, the sec­ ond performance of the Caledonia Summer Concert kiofcldj. Anita i Stillhouse Junkies of Durango, Colo, took the stage at Community Green Park in Caledonia on Tuesday evening. (Photos provided) The Caledonia Summer Concert Series is free to all, featuring live performances and food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets. Fourth of July festivities set in Middleville Greg Chandler StaffWriter The village of Middleville will celebrate our nation’s birth­ day Tuesday with a full day of free activities for the family.' The Middleville Lions Club is organizing the festivities. At 9:30 a.m., Thomapple Valley Church will hold an outdoor worship service at the Downtown Development Authority Amphitheater. Then at 10 a.m., there will be bounce houses, games for the kids, prizes, temporary tattoos and music at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion downtown. A hot dog eating contest is also on the schedule. Then in the evening, the scene shifts to the AYSO soccer­ fields near Thomapple Kellogg Middle School and the school district bus garage. A fireworks pre-show will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. There will also be food tracks, free laser tag, archery tag and axe throwing. Finally, the fireworks will launch at 10 p.m. “We’re plan­ ning on about a 40-minute show,” said Andrew Beck of the Lions Club, one of the day’s organizers, at a recent DDA board meeting. About 3,000 people are expected to attend the fire- works, Beck said. Also in Middleville that day, local organization OutcastZ of Michigan presents its Fourth of July Touch a Track event in front of Bob White Stadium, featuring fire tracks, hot rods and lifted trucks. Meanwhile, Fourth of July festivities and firework dis­ plays are slated for today, July 1, for both Gun Lake and Caledonia. Series still went on as planned, featuring the Stillhouse Junkies, which hail from the hills of Colorado. Rockford-based artist Brian Oberlin opened up the evening. The Stillhouse Junkies feature a high-energy brand of American roots music, treating those that gathered at Community Green Park in Caledonia for the free event. The trio is in the midst of a national tour and was named 2021 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Momentum Band. The concert series resumes after the holiday, oh July 11 featuring New Orleans pia­ nist John “Papa” Gros while local percussion group Strike Percussion opens the eve­ ning. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 LENNOX �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023 As America celebrates independence, an Alto native serves aboard U.S. Navy’s oldest commissioned warship BOSTON - Seaman Alec Morris, a native of Alto, is one of nearly 80 sailors cele­ brating America’s 246 years of independence while serv­ ing aboard USS Constitution. Morris, a 2018 Caledonia High School graduate joined the Navy one-and-a-half years ago. Today Morris serves as a hospital corpsman. “I played soccer in college first and worked on my degree for a bit,” said Morris. “I decided I wanted to enlist. I am sixth-generation Navy.” Skills and values similar to those found in Alto are important to succeed in the military. “I grew up on a farm where I had a set schedule and daily responsibilities,” said Morris. “I've been disciplined from early childhood and that dis­ cipline carries over into my career in the Navy.” USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy’s oldest commis­ sioned warship, and the crew is hand-picked to promote naval history and maritime heritage while raising aware­ ness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. The ship earned the nick­ name Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British Middleville TOPS 546 The June 26 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Three fish jumped out of the fishbowl and one new fish jumped in. Sue led the program to honor the officers from last year. Virginia, Maryellen and Alice were honored. New officers were installed. They will begin on Aug. 1. Division winners were honored for last year. Sue was the Division 2 winner with a 15.2-pound loss. Alice was the Division 3 winner with a 14.6-pound loss. Linda was the. Division 4 winner with a 29.6-pound loss. Linda lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meet­ ing. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269­ 908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels. With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity ofthe United States is direct­ ly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy. “Our mission remains timeless — to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfight­ ing excellence, and commit­ ted to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more wor­ thy.” As a member of the Navy, Morris is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime domi- alasira 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptistorg nance, strengthening partner­ ships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forc­ es in support of the National Defense Strategy. “Without the Navy, we might not have our trade routes or be able to do what we do out in the ocean,” said Morris. “The Navy is on watch 24/7. We are maritime security for the U.S.” As Morris and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy. “I chose to serve the Navy as a corpsman because I worked as a trauma nurse at Spectrum Health Butterworth before I joined,” said Morris. “It would mean the world to me to use those skills to help sailors and make sure they get to come home.” Morris is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. hSlch Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School 11: 00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committedfofowers of Jesus Christ who mil reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd ’ Lutheran Church cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School--------- 9:30AM Sunday Wonhip ......... 10:30 AM Wbfc/? our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am &6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light’ Sunday Morning Worship .,.. Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 1 i:oo am Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblediuich.org Alec Morris, a 2018 Caledonia High School graduate, is a Navy hos­ pital corpsman serving on the USS Constitution. (Photo provided) “I am so grateful to my parents,” added Morris. “They have supported me in every step. From playing soccer in college, to leaving college, to joining the Navy. No matter what course I choose, they are always there for me.” ■>—Caledonia United & Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TINIES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023/ Page 5 Caledonia school board approves contracts with parapros, other non-teaching staff Greg Chandler StaffWriter Support staff and other non-teaching employee groups in the Caledonia Community Schools have new three-year contracts. At a special early-moming meeting on Tuesday, the district’s Board of Education approved contracts with bargaining groups representing araprofessionals and administrative assistants, as well as with custodians, central office staff and technology employees. The contracts run through June 30, 2026. The special Tuesday meeting was called because the contract agreements had not been settled before the board’s regularly scheduled meeting on June 19, and the prior contracts were to expire on June 30, CCS Assistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury said. Support staff across the entire district received a $1-per-hour increase last July that had not been written into the contract to go along with their step percentage increase for the 2022-23 school year, which equated to a 5 percent pay hike for those employees, district Finance Director Sara DeVries wrote in an email to the Sun and News. The new contract reduces the number of steps from 20 to 15 and transitions employees “to the appropriate step with an increase allowing staff to reach a higher wage sooner,” DeVries wrote. Pay increases vary depending on where employees are on the step hierarchy, with the average increase for the 2023-24 school year at about 3 percent, DeVries wrote. “I think we’ve done a very good thing for our staff. It was great to be able to offer that,” Assistant Super­ intendent Darrell Kingsbury said. Kingsbury said the increase assures that Caledonia remains competitive with other Kent County districts in terms of compensation. “I would say ... we would be right there at the top in many of those areas,” Kingsbury said. “Our staff works hard, and we’re working hard for them to get them what they deserve and need.” Board member Tim Morris spoke in support of the new step structure. “I like the formulas and narrowing the lanes and combining the steps,” Morris said. “I’m just cautious about how far we go with it.” The new contracts affect 134 support staff - paraprofessionals and administrative assistants - as well as 42 custodial and maintenance workers, 11 central office staff and six technology employees, DeVries said. New distracted driving law goes into effect today J-Ad News Service Beginning today, Saturday, July 1, Michigan drivers will be prohibited from using their handheld electronic devices while driving with certain exemp­ tions in place. “Under the amended MVC (motor vehicle code), a ‘mobile electronic device’ is defined as an electronic device that is not perma­ nently installed in a motor vehicle and includes devices capable of text messaging, voice communication, enter­ tainment, navigation, accessing the internet or producing email. However, it does not include radios designed for citizens band (CB) service, amateur radio service of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), or com­ mercial 2-way radio com­ munications devices or equipment permanently installed in a motor vehicle. Medical devices designed to be worn, such as insulin pumps, are also exempted,” explained Ottawa County Sheriff Steve Kempker. The prohibition of using a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle applies to individu­ als who are not operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) or a school bus. Holding or using a mobile electronic device in such cases is a civil infraction punishable by fines of $100 or 16 hours of community service for the first offense, and $250 or 24 hours of community service for the second offense. If a driver is involved in an accident while using an electronic device, the fine is increased to $200 and 32 hours of community service for the first infraction and $500 or 48 hours of community ser­ vice for the second infrac­ tion. Drivers with three or more civil infractions in a 3-year period will be ordered by the court to complete a basic driver improvement course. While the new law prohib­ its the use of handheld elec- device they can be pulled over. However, there are exemptions to these prohibi­ tions. Law enforcement offi­ cers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, para­ medics, operators of autho­ rized emergency vehicles, public safety first respond­ ers, public utility employees or contractors, and individu­ als using a mobile electronic device for emergency pur­ poses are exempted from these regulations. Additionally, the use of a mobile electronic device in voice-operated or hands­ free mode, the use of GPS or navigation features without manually entering informa­ tion and the use of a mobile electronic device solely for continuous video recording or broadcasting are also exempted. “Even though it is permit­ ted for our officers to use their cell phones in patrol vehicles, we are looking at policies and procedures when cell phones can be used,” said Kempker. B&C Clearing, LLC Tree Removal - Tree Trimming - Stump Grinding Skid Steer Work - Demo Work - Standing Timber Buyers tronics, many of the newer vehicles allow for a handsfree option that uses voice commands or controls on the steering wheel that is still permitted. “Basically, you can use your electronic devices if they are configured in a way that both hands remain on the steering wheel. I expect that in the future, automotive manufacturers will include more features that allow for the control of electronic devices remotely,” Kempker said. The new Distracted Driving Law is considered to be a primary violation and if an officer observes a driver using a handheld • • • • Competitively Priced Free Quotes David Case Licensed & Insured Family Owned & (/n26c9n)\ 9 53-3 3 0 0 operated bandcclearing@gmail.com neo ooec FAMILYFUN V ♦ & FIREWORKS CELEBRATION BOUNCE HOUSES | GAMES I FOOD | MUSIC Saturday, July 1 | Activities Start at 7pm | Fireworks Start at 10pm Cornerstone Church (84th St. Campus) -1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Antenna Men • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers Join us outside for an awesome event for the whole family as we celebrate Independence Day together! Starting at 7pm, we’ll have bounce houses, games, food, beverages, and music. Then, at 10pm, our neighbor to the south will light up the sky with a dazzling fireworks show! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and have a fun family-filled night with us! Donations are encouraged for parking. All proceeds will go to Cornerstone Student Ministries. No alcohol please. Rain date is Sunday, Note: There will be construction at the intersection of 84th St and Kalamazoo Ave, so we recommend entering from the east or north entrances. • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! cornerstonechurch 269-967-8241 cornerstonemi.org/Events www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023 Many road constructions put onhold for the Fourth In a move that began on Friday, construction will be paused on roughly 60 percent of road and bridge projects statewide to help ease traffic delays for holiday travelers. AAA Michigan estimated that more than 1.7 million Michigan residents are expect­ ed to travel 50 miles or more during the Fourth ofJuly holi­ day weekend — a new record. “Fourth of July weekend is a time to come together with family and friends to enjoy the splendor ofPure Michigan and celebrate our indepen­ dence,” Governor Whitmer said in a public statement. “To ensure Michiganders can get to their destinations safely and on time, we’re moving construction barrels and lift­ ing traffic restrictions. As you hit the road, remember to not text and drive and keep your eyes on the road — our new hands-free driving laws (go) into effect on Friday.” Continuing until 6 a.m. on July 5, drivers will see open roads on 99 out of 175 proj­ ects statewide. While motor­ ists will see suspended oper­ ations in most MDOT work zones for the weekend, driv­ ers are advised that equip­ ment and certain traffic con­ figurations, like temporary shifts or shoulder closures, may remain in place. By the end of this con­ struction season, road crews will have worked on nearly 20,000 lane miles of road and 1,400 bridges. Local projects that will remain active include: — 109th Avenue, Allegan County, is closed at 1-196. — Blue Star Highway, Allegan County, is closed at 1-196. — Burton Street in Grand Rapids, Kent County, will be closed over 1-96 and detoured via Patterson Avenue, M-ll (28th Street) and Kraft Avenue. — 1-196, Ottawa County, will have one eastbound lane and two westbound lanes open between Zeeland and Hudsonville. — 1-196 Business Route (BR) (Byron Road) in Zeeland, Ottawa County, is closed at the 1-196 inter­ change. The westbound 1-196 ramp to westbound 1-196 BR is open, while all other ramps at the inter­ change are closed. — US-31 BR (Seaway Drive) in Muskegon, Muskegon County, will have one lane open in each direc­ tion between Hoyt Street and Shettler Road. Health concerns rise as air quality in local area, state plummets due to Canadian wildfires Jayson Bussa Editor Wildfire smoke made its way from Canada to Michigan this week, causing concern over air quality. As wildfires continue to rage in Canada, smoke has wafted into parts of the United States for the last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago, that smoke created captivat­ ing sites in large east coast cities like New York City, which were shrouded in a smokey haze. This week, the smoke invaded a large swath of Michigan and other Midwestern states. In fact, the Grand Rapids and Detroit areas featured some of the poorest air quality of any­ where in the United States. The effects of the fires were most noticeable on both Tuesday and Wednesday, which brought a persistent presence of smoke that looked like fog. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) issued an air quality alert for the entire state on Tuesday, warning that the air quality could be unhealthy for both sensitive groups and every­ one in general. Ajoint announcement made by EGLE and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - and echoed by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department - stated the following: “Anyone can get sick from exposure to wildfire smoke FINANCIAL FOCUS but some people are more sen­ sitive to particle pollution. Older adults aged 65 and older, pregnant people, chil­ dren and people with lung and heart conditions may be more likely to get sick ifthey breathe in wildfire smoke. Symptoms from breathing in particle pol­ lution from wildfire smoke can include wheezing, cough­ ing and shortness of breath. If you have asthma, follow your asthma control action plan or contact your health care pro­ vider ifyou have symptoms. If you have heart disease and experience these symptoms, contact your health care pro- vider. The most protective option when air is unhealthy for you is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce stren­ uous activities and limit out­ door activities. If you have to be outside, N95 masks offer enhanced protection when used according to product instructions.” Area residents can moni­ tor the quality of the local air by visiting AirNow.gov. Meanwhile, EGLE and MDHHS provided some safety tips to stay healthy when air quality is low. - Stay inside. - Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air condi­ tioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Ifyou don’t know where to go, you can text or call 211 to find out if there is a shelter or cool­ ing center nearby. - Use air filters to improve indoor air quality. - Do not add to indoor air pollution. Do not bum can­ dles or use gas, propane, wood-burning stoves, fire­ places or aerosol sprays. Do not fry or broil meat, smoke tobacco products or vacuum. - Have a supply of N95style masks and learn how to use them. Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones ETFs can spell opportunity Mutual funds offer investors a chance to own shares in dozens of compa­ nies, as well as bonds, gov­ ernment securities and oth­ er investments. But you might be able to broaden your portfolio further by owning another type of fund — an exchange-trad­ ed fund (ETF). An ETF, like a mutual fund, can own an array of investments, including stocks, bonds and other securities. Many ETFs are passively managed in that they track the performance of a specific index, such as the S&P 500. In this respect, they differ from most mutual funds, which tend to be actively man­ aged — that is, the fund managers are free to buy and sell individual securi­ ties within the fund. Another difference between ETFs and mutual funds is that ETFs are trad­ ed like stocks, so shares are bought and sold throughout the day based on the cur­ rent market price, whereas •mutual funds are traded just once a day, at a price calculated at the end of the trading day. Whether this ability to make intra-day trades is meaningful to you will likely depend on how active you are in managing your own investments. For some people, the main attraction of ETFs is their tax advantages. Because many ETFs are index funds, they generally do much less buying and selling than actively man­ aged funds — and fewer sales mean fewer taxable capital gains. These ETFs are somewhat similar to index mutual funds, which are also considered to be tax-efficient, as opposed to actively managed funds, which constantly buy and sell investments, passing on taxable capital gains to you throughout the life of the fund. (Keep in mind, though, that mutual funds that trade frequently may still be appropriate for your financial strategy. While taxes are one element to consider when evaluating mutual funds, or any investment, other factors, such as growth potential and ability to diversify your portfolio, are also important.) ETFs typically also have lower operating costs than mutual funds, resulting in lower overall fees. Part of the reason for these lower costs is that actively managed mutual funds, by definition, usually have larger management teams devot­ ed to researching, buying and selling securities. By contrast, passively man­ aged ETFs may have lean­ er, less-costly management structures. But while most ETFs may share the same basic operating model, many types are available. You can invest in equity ETFs, which may track stocks in a particular industry or an index of equities (S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and so on), or you can purchase fixed-income ETFs, which invest in bonds. ETFs are also avail­ able for currencies and commodities. Of course, as with all investments, ETF investing does involve risk. Your principal and investment return will fluctuate in val­ ue, so when you redeem your ETF, it may be worth more or less than the origi­ nal investment. Also, liquidity may be an issue. Some ETFs may be more difficult to sell than other investments, which could be a problem if you need the money quickly. And because it’s so easy to move in and out of ETFs, you might be tempted to “overtrade” rather than fol­ lowing an appropriate long-term investment strat­ egy. A financial professional can evaluate your situation and help you determine whether ETFs are suitable for your needs. At a mini­ mum, they represent anoth­ er investment opportunity that may prove useful as you work toward your financial goals. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your local Edward JonesFinancial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC The sun begins to set over a cornfield in Bowne Township on Tuesday evening through a haze of smoke caused by wildfires in Canada. The smoke has hampered local air quality, prompting concerns over health risks. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) SUMMER SPECIAL a/C WSTM.LIffl01l *200 OFF * With this coupon FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 10 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8 Locally owned business. �II ll$S ll$S vlaannlWe*’e5 «!*p■r■■n■g&s oar. appr_o Auvdioe sysstem — —--------- 2023-24 budge t .7 "^whSe w ith with $150,000 in leftover , funding from the RDpecscue Plan Act ii American _n pg board ^TheYa saclalrayrvis ISnonwow w$3$030., —/ ww Ca Cpaintaitlal pro rjoeicetcs s inm —the meeting hall: $7/_00 CaCpaintaitlal prorjoeicetcst imeeting hall: $7,_000 ,nouen ed Knowes and VanHouten 1budget include the follow­ Greg Chandler _ Replacing tthe s will each receive a salary ot StaffWriter behind the Township Hall: emergency ency services levy that ing: With the expansion and — Matching grant tor a $4,952. atelmso baupdpgreot vfoerd tthheeGwuanteUrk^ein August of for the GunUke renovation tion of the Tow Township was approved No one spoke dur.ing the is at 0.75 mills, possible state grantt for $7,000 last year is The budgett includes 8.7 public hearing prior to budbud­ Area Sewer and Water 2 safely fely in the rearview Deb improvements tto the town­ percent cost-of-living raises Township Treasurer get approval. & >rowr Y an Yankee Springs i Authority (GLASWA>, w ship park: $40,000 for township staff, as well as ill spendconsid- Mousseau said. The township tax base is _Kitchen renovation at revenues„ of $194 ’^000 0a2n9d The budget boosts spend­ raises es for elected officials in nearly $362.4 million, up eterably hraebly bl nelless lwess fiin iins its budget for the Township Hall (separate expendituress of $170uz the ttownship. Mousseau and , ing for operating the town­ from $335 million last year, fiscal year tha GLASWA will not be spend­ from the recent hall renova­ Township Clerk Mike ship fire station on South Sth ousseau said. ing as much in the new fiscal Mousseau begWinesd tnoedsadya. e Cunningham each received the Payne Lake Road from tion): $30,000 The board also approved a year, said Knowles,, the _ Improvements to t Wednes day night, 11 percent raises. Mousseau s $224,900 in the 2022-23 fire equipment fund budget Township Board unamtnoustownship recycling system. authority’s director. salary is now $31,423, while budget to $275,925. It also that takes in $460,000 in rev­ m approved pproved a 2023-24 gengen­ “We’ll (spend) less on Cunningham will be paid sets aside $178,306 for parks $25R,0e0st0r enues while spending water tower repair. ial fand budget w«h spend­ ir. We did _Restroom renovation at and trails, $154,000 for capi$33,251 yearly. $i400,000. The The budget> a bit of water tower . $1741,676, nearly the Township Hall (separate Township Supervisor Rob, includes spending $220,000, repai tal projects, $125,000 for from the hall renovation): repar astyear,,” Knowles $948,0 less than the 2022$948,000 roads and $68,000 toward Heethuis and Trustees Larry toward the purchase of a new 23 budget. It also PlansJ° set the $25,000 . Knowles and Dave said. than $49,000 utpaying phaayllinreg off the debt on fire truck, which will be more than $49000 ut — Office copier replace-. VanHouten each received hall renovation, according to, ment: $20,000 "X^w budget keeps the• tmheobuudget--d--o--c-u--m---e--n-t-. township.’.’ss. .operatin operatin..•ggmillage mill:ange township at 0.851 mills, while the ranjurynearscargngecson m Michiga xJ s? vote machine tampering case Xu Xk s * xi Xh| ’’Wit* Xil “X ti . Jonathan Oosting Bridge Michigan A secret grand jury is ready to decide whether to indict former Michigan attor- ney general candidate Matt DePemo emo and others suspecttamperingr eihof illegally i with voting machines after the 2020 presidential elec­ tion, according to court fil­ ings by special prosecutor D. J. Hilson. additional Among mong these the im Hilson disclosed the immi­ nent conclusion of the probe in a May filing, two months after he first asked the Oakland County Circuit Court for a declaratory ruling on what could be a felony charge for unauthorized possession ofvoting equipment. The court documents, which show that Hilson peti­ tioned for a grand jury in OOctober ancdtobreerp, owwere rteerde first obtained and reported Thursday by defendants is Barry County SheriffDar Leaf. But the pending grandjury is on hold as Hilson decision is t asks a judge to help interpret a Michigan law that general­ ken into” for “tests,” accord­ generall election, creating a ing to court filings. conflict of interest. DePemo has dismissed the In requesting a special case as a political “witch caseasa a• ccess to the voting machm chaf\ng c< a ng eny, entity,” Hilson prosecutor, Nessel’s office hhuint” that was launched by •ias part of an amateur audit. <wrote in a May 9 filing. alleged DePemo, Lambertt Hilson, in seeking a s former political rival, “Therefore the parties n others “orchestratdeclaratory ruling, asserts the requre clarification of the Nessel. ed a coo rdinated plan to gam law only allows private indi­ Other suspects in the case law to determine whether a access to voting machines include former state Rep. viduals to access voting clerk has the legal authority to iln miultiphle jurisdictions folmachines with approval ot Daire Rendon, R-Lake City, permit any person to take pos­ lowingthe 2020 presidential Laearfe Ceynbeorn,Ni-njaase CEyO, the Michigan Secretary ot Leaf Cyber Ninjas CEO ssession of voting tabulating Stateora court order, such as election. d the DJeofufgLeLnobgearn, ABnenn HCoowttoarnd machines for any purpose. Attempting to prove thet Jeff Lenberg, Ann Howard awarrantt—not a local clerk. Hilson, who is an elected But the special prosecutor Muskegon County Prosecutor, machines were rigged against and James Penrose. former assigned the case in, fTorrummepr, thPresident Peressuisdpeenctts aDonald Dlloengaelddwants a judge to declare Oakland County Judge whether his interpretation in ot before September. Aembe r. GDemocratic the law is correct General Dana[ the grand jury, Nessrenleyr equested advising t a special as convened in tq tk The Detroit Free Press. which was court prosecutorr take over o because Potential charges have March, according to one of the suspects — been bbeeetwn delayed by a dispute documents. L DePemo o — was running between Hilson and Stefame “The police investigation against her at the time m the (Juntilla) Lambert, an attor-, is now s ufficiently complete ney and suspect who alleges ly took took five five ballot tabulators ly from Barry, Roscommon and Missaukee counties to Oakland County. There, Michigan State Police contend the machines were ‘ bro- s McMillen, who is conside considering Hilson’s request for ta declaratory judgment on the “undue possession” aw, as scheduled a July 7 hearing on the matter. ly prohibits “undue posses- Business Services Hey Golfers..^ HOUSE CLEANING WITH 30 Years experience. Depend­ able with great references. Call Jan 616-644-0502. SMOKE SHOP MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. 616.536.2210 Stop in and check. out our GREAT SELECTION of Cigars! CONSTRUCTION: ADDITIONS,REMODELING,Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & DecksLicensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. 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Excludes Cigarettes.~ OFF value vaue Expires 7-30-23 Any Bog of Tobacco Expires 7-30-23 7-30-23 $o4n0 Aonr ymthoirneg In the store except Cigarettes Expires 7-30-23 extra •12 I OFF ! I Each $40 spent ' • on oarn Ty oCbiagcacreotte Purchase No Limit Expires ; �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1, 2023 Gaines Twp. planners seek minor modifications to Brewer Park PUD proposal before considering rezoning request James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Township planners generally like what they see in the draft site plan for a proposed mixed-use devel­ opment on Division Avenue near Brewer Park. But they tabled action at the June 22 planning commis­ sion meeting after a public hearing on the developer’s rezoning request for the Brewer Park PUD project until some modifications are made. Dan Hibma is the project applicant. He is a former Byron Township supervisor and a partner at Land & Co. “The planning commission was pleased with the plan. They like the layout of the site,” township Assistant Planner Natalie Davenport said in a post-meeting interview. “There were some things about the plan that they wanted clari­ fied at the planning commis­ sion level before they make a positive recommendation to the township board.” Those include landscaping changes, such as adding some tree buffering along Division Avenue and a vege­ tative buffer along the north­ ern boundary. The planned unit develop­ ment would be for the 16-acre property at 8190 S. Division Ave., just north of 84th Street and adjacent to Earl Brewer Park, 399 84th St. That is the most active outdoor sports park in the Kent County Park system. Apartments would occupy nearly 11 acres on the site, with townhouses taking up 3.4 acres and commercial space occupying two acres. Garages and driveway parking will be provided for each living unit. Open space will be preserved along the northeast section of the prop­ erty for stormwater manage­ ment and the protection of wetlands. The original site plan envi­ sioned the construction of 35 townhome units in six two-story buildings and 144 market-rate apartment units in six three-story buildings. But planners have since asked that the buildings be no taller than two stories. Twelve commercial units were planned for one parcel. The overall project would have 191 dwelling units, with a gross density of 11.8 units per acre. The site is currently split-zoned as Residential (RL-10) and Single-Family Residential (RL-14). Six mixed-use buildings would face Division Avenue, with 12 commercial units on the first floor and a dozen apartment units on the sec­ ond floor. A township staff memo to commissioners said connections for a future bike path and roadway connection to Brewer Park are integrated in the project plan. Amenities on the site would include an office or community build­ ing, nature trails, access to Brewer Park, a dog park and open spaces. Planning commissioners criticized the initial proposal last year for having an unat­ tractive appearance and lacking ‘amenities. But they praised the revamped proposal presented this past spring for having a village-neighborhood style layout. “They had a couple of things that they wanted modified in terms of building height and along the park. And there were some con- Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Township planners like this layout for Main Street of the proposed Brewer Park PUD project, which would be constructed along South Division Avenue north of 84th Street and west of Brewer Park. This plan features apartments on one side and townhomes on the other side. (Source: gainestownship.org) cems about the landscaping along Division Avenue,” Community Development Director Dan Wells said. “Some of the trees, they thought, were too tall. There are some power lines along there. They’re going to have to clear some of those for water retention. They were going to address that by modifying the landscaping plan to help block the views ofthe buildings in that area.” At the planning commis­ sion meeting, some neigh­ bors in the existing Brewer Park Place condominiums immediately north of the proposed Brewer Park PUD said that some screening is needed between the two developments where some woods would be removed. Brewer Park Place and the Brewer PUD have similar names but are not related in any way, nor do the proper­ ties have the same owners. “The developers do plan to keep a wooded preserve area where it directly abuts Brewer Park Circle,” Davenport said. “And from my understanding, they’ve already got a pretty heavy vegetative buffer on their property. So, that will help a little bit to buffer. So, they plan to keep this wooded preserve, and they also plan to keep a tree line north of the wetlands here (by the northeast boundary).” The developer plans to remove trees north of the proposed detention basin. “So, this was something that the planning commis­ sion would like to see, is more vegetative plantings. Perhaps some evergreens,” Davenport said. “There’s a portion of the trees that are buffering that will need to be removed,” Stuive said. “And that’s the part that we’re going to go back and try to adjust to max­ imize the buffering between the neighbors and add new evergreen buffering to where it had to be removed.” Neighbors in the area once again expressed concerns about traffic congestion and speeds and the impact of adding so many dwelling units to the area. Gaines is the fastest-growing township in Kent County. Byron Township - on the west side of the Division Avenue bor­ der between the township is the county’s third-fast­ est-grOwing township. Traffic has increased signifi­ cantly along the 84th Street corridor since the Tanger Outlets shopping mall opened a few years ago. The project architect for the Brewer Park PUD is Bob Koch, a managing member of Florida-based Fugleberg Koch PLLC. He and project manager Todd Stuive with Exxel Engineering Inc. gave Bat Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Remove GIVE US A CALL TODAY! HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP FULL ATTIC RESTORATION 10 YEAR WARRANTY 517-599-1019 www.thebatguysbatremoval.com the latest in a recent series of presentations to the planning commission on the architec­ tural renderings. There would be smaller neighborhood-style commer­ cial retail space on the bot­ tom floor of the buildings that would line the east side of Division Avenue, with residential units on the sec­ ond level. Dave Bultsma of Bultsma Construction mentioned the high-power lines in the right­ of-way along Division Avenue at the meeting. Planning Commissioner Tim Haagsma, who is a traffic safety director with the Kent County Road Commission, was not sure whether the KCRC would approve the landscaping plan along the Division Avenue frontage due to the taller trees that would be near the power lines. It was suggested, instead, that shorter shrubs might be a better option, espe­ cially in the traffic island along Main Street into the develop­ ment. Stuive described the pro­ posed development as a walkable community with “very small, quaint vil­ lage-type architecture.” Koch’s architectural plan foresees a main street com­ ing through the middle of the project. It would be lined with garden-style apartments ‘on one side and townhomes on the other side. “So, that’s the main mix,” Stuive said. “You can also call them work-live, where some­ one’s living above and some­ one’s working below. So, that’s a mix. And then, it’s also a mix between more of the typical garden apartments and the attached townhomes.” Overall, the planning com­ mission expressed support for the Brewer Park PUD, saying it is a good location for a mixed-use development. Davenport said the site has been master planned for that type of development dating back, at least, to the town­ ship’s 2016 sub-area plan. Some of the buildings in the plan were proposed to be three stories tall, so the plan­ ning commissioners asked that they be scaled down to two stories. “The purpose of the planned unit development is to allow for more open space. It’s kind of that trade-off. More open space within the development. And also, the public-benefit aspect, as they are proposing an eight-food­ wide public pathway to con­ nect Division Avenue to the park,” Davenport said. Adding an entry point along South Division Avenue would provide more access to the park. There would be three entrances into the development. Main Street would be the primary one along the Division Avenue hill, north of 84th Street. . “The middle one (at Main Street) is a right-tum-only out. You cannot turn left out of here. And that’s because the slope of Division Avenue has a blindspot The south entrance is more of an alley access, if you will, being only 26 feet in width,” Davenport said. Sidewalks will be installed adjacent to the condomini­ ums, which will be connected to municipal sanitary sewer and water lines. The system is maintained by the ByronGaines Utility Authority. Wells said he expects the developers to submit their next revised site plan to the planning commission in August or later. If the com­ missioners give a positive recommendation, it will then go to the township board for consideration. The township board will meet on July 10 at the township hall. Developers hope to begin the project by this fall. After the infrastructure is completed within a year, construction would begin. The project would be completed within an estimated five to seven years. In other business: The planning commission recommended township board approval of a request from StoneCo of Michigan to rezone 29 acres near the south­ west comer of Kalamazoo Avenue and 100th Street to accommodate an expansion of the company’s mineral-re­ moval operation. It is in the Agricultural-Business (A-B) zoning district and would be rezoned to a PUD-Mineral Removal designation. �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1, Page 9 Audit comes back clean for Barry County; commissioners dip into fund balance add staff member to clerk’s office Jayson Bussa Editor Members of the Barry of County Board Commissioners saw nothing on the county’s 2022 finan­ cial audit that stopped it from dipping into unrestricted funds to provide the clerk’s office some immediate relief on staffing. During Tuesday morn­ ing’s meeting, commission­ ers were presented with an audit report by Joe Verlin of the Grand Rapids-based accounting firm Gabridge & Co. Upon conclusion of the report, commissioners were comfortable using funds that were not already earmarked for other purposes.to add one full-time staff member to the clerk’s office. Commissioners also plan to work that new position — and possibly a second full­ time position — into the budget as it currently embarks on the budget-mak­ ing process. Last week, during a meeting of the board’s Committee of the Whole, Barry County Clark Pam Palmer appeared in front of commissioners to outline the growing number of duties that her office has absorbed over time and to ask for two additional full­ time employees to keep up with the work. One additional staff mem­ ber would cost the county $37,074 for 2023 and $80,894 for 2024 and two new staff members would cost $74,148 and $161,786, respectively. While commissioners at that time acknowledged the need for additional staffing in the clerk’s office, some wanted to confirm that add­ ing to the staff was financial­ ly prudent by first looking at the audit. The COW ultimately approved the resolution and sent it to the Board of Commissioners for final approval. The audit was presented to commissioners before they considered approving the additional staff member for the clerk’s office. Not spot­ ting anything of concern in the audit, they approved the measure with little further discussion. “I know that Pam wouldn’t have come in front of us if it wasn’t very needed,” Commissioner Bob Teunessen said. “My comment on it is that I’m going to vote yes on this position,” added Commissioner Jon Smelker. “And as far as I can see, it’s coming out of fund balance so I think this needs to be looked at really good when we do budget this year and see if we can’t get it back somewhere.” The audit provided a clean bill of financial health for the county, with Verlin highlighting a few of the key cliff notes that pointed to a strong financial position for the county. A clean opinion, which Barry County received, is the best opinion a county can achieve. The county’s net position was $61.2 million at the end of 2022. This is a theo­ retical number that points to how much money the county would have left over in the event it sold all of its assets and proceeded to pay off all of its liability. This net position, essentially a general barometer of over­ all financial health, grew by $2.6 million from 2021 to 2022. Balances across all gov­ ernmental funds totaled $15.3 million to end 2022, which was a decrease of around $103,188 - meaning more cash went out than came in during 2022. Ofthat $15.3 million, $2.2 million of those dollars were unassigned, with no ear­ marks or restrictions. Total revenue for the county rang in at $55.8 mil­ lion for 2022, a significant jump from $51.8 million in 2021. However, some of this increase was attributed to the $2.5 million in one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The county has also fund­ ed 78 percent of its net pen­ sion liability, which Verlin reported is better than the average municipality. However, the county added $10 million in other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liability, Verlin attributing it to significant market losses during that year - around 14 percent, specifically. Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer (left) is seated next to First Deputy Clerk Sarah VanDenburg. Palmer requested additional staff to keep up with a growing workload. Joe Verlin of Grand Rapids-based Gabridge & Co. provides an audit report for the Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) “Unmodified is the gold standard - this is the high­ est level of an opinion we can provide on your finan­ cial statements,” Verlin said. “It means that the information that was pro­ vided to us - the financial statements - we were able to work with third parties to Kilt Klassic 5K Run/Walk kicks off holiday weekend in Caledonia The 16th Annual Kilt Klassic 5K Run/Walk takes off from the north side of Caledonia High School today, July 1, at 8 a.m. The race is a fundraiser for the Caledonia High School track and field and cross country programs. The 5K will be followed by a Kids Fun Run starting at about 9:15 a.m. Due to construction inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium, the race staging will take place at the north end of the high school near the athletics entrance. This year’s 5K course will take off from the high school, wrap around Kraft Meadows Middle School and head towards the stadi­ um before turning towards Lakeside Park and then jack north around Emmons >ake Elementary while inally finishing back near the high school. Day of race registration for the 5K is $40 and $20 for the Fun Run. The 2022 5K race had a total of 274 finishers. confirm and verify the numbers with various finan­ cial institutions, the state of Michigan, granting agen- cies to make sure the infor­ mation was accurate and timely. Everything came back clean.” SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville VifUcaje, o(j COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the June 13, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on June 27, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org . trwjk parts Iwbiwts • rem bps-M£t«s • ¥»ms • smrs »keps • 4us e hill service & you puu it 836^81-2300 USED TIRES Top runners pull away from the pack early on in the 2021 edition of the annual Kilt Klassic 5K inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia. The 2023 race takes off this morning, July 1, at 8:00 a.m. on the north side of Caledonia High School and will be followed by the Kids’ Fun Run beginning at 9:15 a.m. (File photo) �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023 Events to mark Aquatic Invasive Species Week Over 50 boat landing events are planned across the state to mark this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, July 2 to July 8. Public awareness about the impacts of harmful, non­ native aquatic plants and ani­ mals is critical to protecting Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism and economy. The boat landing events are part of the tenth annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Landing Blitz in which local partners such as lake associations and cooperative invasive species management areas (CISMA) give boaters tips to prevent the spread of invasive species and comply with recently-updated laws for recreational boating. The I ending Blitz web site allows boaters to search for an event near them. Similar AIS Landing Blitz events will be held in each of the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces. The Yankee Springs Recreation Area boat ramp at Gun Lake is among the loca­ tions listed for events on the Landing Blitz website. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation to mark AIS Awareness Week raising awareness about this important issue to stopping the spread of invasive aquat­ ic plants and organisms. Boaters can elp prevent the spread of AIS by follow­ ing these simple steps: Required actions* - it’s the law in Michigan Remove all aquatic organ­ isms, including plants, from watercraft and trailers before launching or transporting. Remove all drain plugs and drain all water from bilg­ es, ballast tanks, and live wells before transporting a watercraft. Dispose of unused bait in the trash, not in the water. Recommended additional actions - protect our waters by following these steps Clean boats, trailers, and equipment by removing plants, debris, and mud before leaving the access area. Dispose of the material in a trash receptacle or other­ wise away from the water body, if possible. Wash boats and trailers before leaving the access area, ifpossible, or at a near­ by car wash or at home. Dry boats and equipment for five days before launch­ ing into a different water body. Disinfect live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons water.) A NotMISpecies webinar from EGLE, “Clean It Up, Drain It Out, Dry It Off: Boating Hygiene for the 21st Century” (recorded earlier) shows how easy it is to clean, drain, and dry boats and trail­ ers to help prevent the intro­ duction and spread of inva­ sive species. “Recreational boaters and anglers can play a key role in helping prevent the spread of invasive species,” said Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist with EGLE. “Instead of spreading invasive species, we’re asking people to help spread the word about simple steps that can be taken when out recreating on Michigan’s waters.” Events at boat launches are contingent on weather and volunteer availability. Contact Kevin Walters for a list of events. AIS Awareness Week is sponsored by EGLE’s Water Resources Division, in part- Plans are underway for boat landing events across the state in coming days in Michigan and across the Great Lakes region as a part of the Michigan DNR’s Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week to teach the public about the impacts of harmful, non-native aquatic plants and animals. nership with the departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development, federal agen- cies, and private and non­ profit organizations. For more information about AIS Awareness Week or the AIS Landing Blitz, visit Michigan’s invasive species web site at Michigan.gov/ Invasives. Dawn Patrol breakfast takes flight soon Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on July 20, 2023, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea (loeshea@yankeespringstwp.org). Letters'and emails are due one week before the hearing date; or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. ZOC 23-06-04, Parcel ID: 16-020-005-10, VC- W. M-179 Hwy. Middleville, Ml 49333 A. A request by owner of the above property, Lee and Dawn Kooistra, for rezoning of this parcel from C-3 commercial to RSF Residential Single Family, pursuant to Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance Article XIX Amendments to Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map. 2. SEU 23-06-04, Parcel ID: 16-020-016-00,1485 S. Briggs Road, Middleville, Ml 49333 A. A request by Nicole Smith for a Special Exception Use to place a sign on this property, zoned Rural Residential, advertising her business and directing potential customers to the business location at 11080 Gun Lake Road pursuant to Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance Section 17.6(B)(2) Off-Premises Signs (Billboards). 3. SEU 23-06-05, Parcel ID: 16-032-011-00,3982 S. Hermitage Pointe Rd., Middleville, Ml 49333 A. A request by Julee Lautzenheiser for a Special Exception Use to construct a gazebo in the front yard of this property which is zoned GLRLF, pursuant to Yankee Springs Zoning Ordinance Section 12.7(5)(b)(l) Outbuildings; Gazebos... 4. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hail. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee brings Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Shana Bush, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 The annual Dawn Patrol Breakfast hosted by the Hastings Flying Association returns to the Hastings/Barry County Airport Saturday morning, July 8. The event is supported by the Middleville Lions Club, Middleville Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and the Thornapple Flying Academy. The event, which brings in planes from all around the Great Lakes, runs from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. An all-youcan-eat breakfast is $10 for adults, $5 for children 10-and-under, and $5 for military members and veterans. There will be raffles, prizes and attendees of all ages can take plane rides for $40 per person. (File photo) Bsmrsr ______________ Caledonia, MI_____________ Your Safety is Important to Us — State of the Art Systems — y Complete Collision Service / Frame Repairs State & I-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility Most insurance companies ^NFIB dwg) iwMafr Lesonal Water Bourne System Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023/ Page 11 Ellinger enters Hall of Fame with many games left Brett Bremer Sports Editor His answer wasn’t a fire­ man, a policeman or a chef. Astronauts weren’t a thing yet. When Tom Ellinger’s kindergarten teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, Ellinger said he wanted to be a coach and a teacher. His father Arthur “Art” Ellinger, coached football, baseball, basketball and track and field for Mendon for years, before moving on to Vicksburg and then eventually closing his 33 years in education as the Thornapple Kellogg Schools superintendent. While still in kindergar­ ten, Tom drew up a play for his father’s Mendon boys to run on a Friday night. “That Saturday morning I asked him if they ran it, and he said yes, it was a game-winning touchdown,” Tom said. “I was hooked.” Tom graduated from Thomapple Kellogg High School in the spring of 1972, started helping out with the football program in the fall of 1972 and has been doing so ever since. He was as part of the 14-member class of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inducted at the banquet and ceremony at the Detroit Mariott. The class was hon­ ored one more time Saturday, at the MHSFCA East-West All-Star Classic in Southfield. “It went well. It went real well,” Ellinger said. “ My wife and one daughter were there, and my best friend from school, my brother and sister-in-law came from Puerto Rico and JeffDock and Tim Penfield were there. It was a nice night.” “I introduced myself as the old fart known in Middleville,” Ellinger said. “The joke around is that I have coached Moses but The pair have been mar­ ried now for 38 years. They have three children, five grandchildren and a sixth on the way.. A quarterback in school, Ellinger remembers the team gathering to help sod the “new” field at its cur­ rent spot near the high school on Bender Road. The joke around is that I have coached Moses, but Moses was a heck ofa blocker.” — Tom Ellinger, Thornapple Kelloggfootball Moses was a heck of a blocker. The way he carried the ten commandments was formed just like a block would be. I told about our creed that we say after every practice and after every game. I just stated the first lines of it and embel­ lished on it a little bit, about what it means.” He talked about the importance importance of players believing in one’s self, in believing in teammates and believing in their coaches and what needs to happen to earn that trust. “I think that it is import­ ant for kids to believe in themselves, because it’ll be a hard life if they don’t believe in themselves,” Ellinger said. “I think it is the coach’s responsibility to give them the confidence to believe in themselves. They can do whatever they want to do. They just have to have hard work and have the persistence to get it done.” Ellinger remembers his wife Deb saying to him more than once in July, “see you in December.” Once he’d joined the pro­ gram as a TK graduate, Ellinger eventually started keeping stats for coach Bob White in 1979, hit the road to scout opponents and has been happy to accept what­ ever position he’s been needed for in Trojan foot­ ball program over the years. He got to coach in the pro­ gram when his father Art was working with Ray Page, coached with Skip Pranger and Tim Penfield. He helped with quarterbacks and run­ ning backs and spent time as offensive coordinator. Ellinger took over as special teams coordinator with Chad Auger at the head of the program, and was proud of the results from that endeavor. “I did that and never had a blocked field goal or a blocked punt, and returned some for touchdowns on kickoffs and punts and never had anything returned on us.” Ellinger took over as defensive coordinator when current varsity head coach Jeff Dock joined the pro­ gram. After some time, Ellinger decided he’d be better uti­ lized at lower levels of the program. “I really put emphasis on technique and doing all the little things correctly [Dock] said, I absolutely agree,” Ellinger said. He is onto his third sea­ son working with the TK freshmen now, teaming up with former Caledonia var­ sity head coach Tom Burr ill sharing offensive and defensive coordinator duties between the fresh­ men and JV levels. Ellinger said Penfield recently asked him how many high school games he has attended over the years, and between the freshmen, JV and varsity levels Ellinger put his guesstimate right around 1,400. He’s got his sights set on 2,000 now. While he hasn’t had a varsity football head coach­ ing gig, he was the Thomapple Kellogg varsity baseball coach for a stretch. Ellinger graduated from Grand Valley State College and spent much of his working life at Amway. He taught at the KISD’s Lincoln School, where his wife Deb has worked, for the past nine years before retiring from teaching after the 2022-23 school year ended. “That’s the one thing you cherish the most, the friend­ ships, and kids still come up that have graduated years, and years, and years The Irving Township Board is accepting sealed bids through July 14, 2023. The scope of work is: 1) A 50-car parking lot with two egresses on vacant lot across road from township hall, 3425 Wing Road, Hastings. 2) Resurfacing / Repairing drive through Irving Township Cemetery, 4035 W State Rd, Middleville 3) Resurfacing / Repairing drive through German Cemetery, 2734 Eckert Rd, Freeport The bid should include the vendor’s recommendation of material, price for each component, timeframe based on July 18 approval and any other relevant data. A vendor need not bid in all three components. Bids will be evaluated on cost, proposed solution, timing and vendor locality. Bidders may submit questions via e-mail to treasurer© irvingtownship.org. Mail all bids to: Driveway & Parking Lot Bid, 3425 Wing Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 Irving Township reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive irregularities in any proposal, and to award the contract for services as deemed to be in the Township’s best interest, price and other factors considered. ago and call you coach. That’s gratifying,” Ellinger said. “Dad said when I was younger, ‘coaches have an integral part in their athletes lives,’” he added. “Nowadays family lives are tough and everything else, but they can always come to a coach and talk to the coach. He says, ‘you have a very important job’ and I take that very, very serious­ ly. You’re doing it for the kids. If they need some­ thing, I’m going to be there for them.” 202082 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 Caledonia . TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN IRVING TOWNSHIP REQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS FOR DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING LOT WORK Thomapple Kellogg football coach Tom Ellinger was one of 14 members of the class of 2023 at the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet Friday, June 23, at the Detroit Mariott. (File photo) NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on June 21, 2023, the Township Board of the Charter Township of Caledonia adopted an ordinance amending the Caledonia Charter Township Zoning Ordinance, including the Township Zoning Map. The principal provisions ofthe amending ordinance are as follows: 1. Rezoning of Lands. The amending ordinance conditionally rezones the lands described below, from the HC Highway Commercial District to the C-2 General Business District, upon certain terms and conditions offered by the applicant, FMJ Property Holdings, LLC, including conditions that the property may only be used for an equipment rental business with related uses and conditions. The lands are located at 5135 68th Street SE, and are legally described as follows: That part of the SW 1/4, Section 6, T5N, R10W, Caledonia Township, Kent County, Michigan, described as: BEGINNING at a point on the South line of said SW 1/4, which is N 89°56’52” West 246.00 feet from the South 1/4 comer of Section 6; thence North 89°56’52” West 337.80 feet along said South line; thence North 02°56’52” W 110.35 feet along the Easterly line of KonKrete Drive (86 feet wide); thence Northerly 207.19 feet along said Easterly line on a 3957.0 foot radius curve to the right, the chord of which bears North 01°26’52” West 207.16 feet; thence N00°0”08” E 365.02 feet along said Easterly line; thence S 89°56’52” E 248.01 feet; thence S 00°52’ 10” E 464.60 feet along the West line ofthe East 336 feet ofsaid SW 1/4; thence S 89°56’62” E 90.00 feet; thence S00°52’10” E 217.80 feet to the place ofbeginning. 2. 2023. Effective Date. The amending ordinance will become effective on July 8, A copy of the amending ordinance may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: July 1,2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 1,2023 New puncheon covers NCT over often mucky spot Brett Bremer and certainly helped to keep the area’s mosquito popula­ tion in check Conditions haven’t slowed the growth of poison ivy along the stretch of trail between Robertson Road and Johnson Road this summer however. “The problem has been there for quite a while,” NCTA Chief Noonday Chapter vice president Eric Longman, who delivered lumber and led the project, said. “We reached out an the NCTA and got a grant for the money for that.” The grant came through the Michigan Trails Fund with help from the NCTA’s About a half a dozen vol­ Kenny Wawsczyk. He said unteers returned June 23 to the Michigan Trails Fund has finish the final 25-feet or so been a supporter of the of the boardwalk and small NCTA since 2019. “They were originally ramps at either end ofthe rise. The finishing touch on either called the Iron Belle Trail end: deck boards branded Fund,” Wawsczyk reported to with the North Country Longman. “Their initial goal, National Scenic Trail logo. as an organization, was to “Grateful for the time you support the development for are spending there. I walk the two routes of the Iron there often and that was a Belle Trail (hiking and biking slog when it’s' damp,” portions). The hiking route of Michael Ann Enders of the Iron Belle Trail utilizes Middleville posted on the over 1,000 miles of the NCT Chief Noonday Chapter of from Calhoun County to the North Country Trail north of Ironwood in the far Association’s Facebook page western Upper Peninsula. during the project. “They have since expand­ The area’s recent dry spell ed their role to also support kept volunteers with having trails that connect to or com­ to deal with any “slog” plement the main routes of during the building process, the Iron Belle Trail. Various Sports Editor Volunteers laid the final boards and the drove the final screws on a stretch of boardwalk on the North County National Scenic Trail just east of Robertson Road in Middleville Friday. A team of about 20 volun­ teers worked to complete much of the span Saturday June 17, lugging eight-foot sections of 4x4 treated lum­ ber and deck boards the roughly tenth of a mile from the small parking area along Robertson Road to the area of the trail in need of some puncheon. The North Country Trail logo is branded onto deck boards across the new puncheon near Robertson Road in Middleville after its completion June 23. (Photo by Brett Bremer) grants that the NCTA has received from the now called Michigan Trails Fund include; engineering for large-scale bridge projects, hiring of youth conservation crews, material for bridges and boardwalks and more.” The $1,500 grant more than covered the project cost ofjust over $1,300. “We used over 4,000 pounds of wood and it took me four trips hauling my 8x4-foot trailer from Menards on Gull Road to the worksite to bring all the lum­ ber,” Longman said. Longman plans to still get a thank you card off to Wawsczyk for the assistance, and he had plenty of thank We Accept Keep Your Teeth for a LIFETIME! Volunteers work to construct puncheon over a section of the North County National Scenic Trail northeast of downtown Middleville near Robertson Road June 17. (NCTA volunteer photo) yous to pass out to the volun­ teers who spent a total of about four hours completing the stretch through the Middleville State Game Area. “We’re actually in pretty good shape right now,” Longman said, referring to the conditions off the Chief Noonday Association’s sec­ tion of trail which traverses 119 miles from southeast of Battle Creek in Calhoun County, across Calhoun County around Gull Lake, up Barry County through the Yankee Springs Recreation Area and then up through Middleville towards Lowell which is home to the North Country Trail Association Headquarters. Longman said the next proj­ ect the chapter is looking into is the possibility of adding to some of the extensive board­ walk in the marshy Fort Custer area in Battle Creek where the chapter has already built at least 260 feet ofpuncheon and a 30-foot bridge, which was constructed in 2015. The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches 4,800 miles in all across eight states, from Vermont to North Dakota. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? Vou Don’t Haue To Brush RLL VourTeeth, Just The Ones Vou Want To Keep. Vou too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (UJe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize p in the p, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Newly built puncheon winds around trees on the North Country National Scenic Trail just east of Robertson Road in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-07-08.pdf 67ab8d300e49f0357c0d8eff8b0d0b49 PDF Text Text I 01^ Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 27/ July 8, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Middleville Fourth of July Tensions boil festivities draw largest crowd yet over as Middleville COW discusses DDA James Gemmell Contributing Writer Middleville Lions Club member Andrew Beck said Tuesday night’s Independence Day celebra­ tion at the AYSO soccer fields near the Thomapple Kellogg Middle School and bus garage drew its largest crowd to date. The free annual event was hosted, by the Lions Club and the Middleville Downtown Development Authority. Andrew Beck is the chair­ man of the Lions Club’s fire­ works committee. “It was another great suc­ cessful year. We were really happy with the turnout of the people,” Beck said. “There were more than we ever had.” DDA Chairwoman Kim Jachim agreed. “I would say the Fourth of July (event) was the best-at­ tended. And the feedback I’m getting is that it was the best fireworks in the area,” she said. Beck said he was waiting for aerial drone footage to come back before giving a Hunter McLaren Youngsters play with over-sized beach balls on the AYSO fields between Thornapple Kellogg High School and Middleville during the Middleville Independence Day Celebration Tuesday. solid estimate on the crowd size but said it w’as easily more than 3,000 people. The drones were run by the local Cub Scouts, Middleville Pack 3065 and pilot Victor Humphrey. That group also holds the American flag for the fire- works during the national anthem every year. Among the free activities were archery tag, laser tag and ax-throwing hosted by BattleGR Tactical Games. Earlier in the day, several free, family-friendly activi­ ties were held at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion and downtown amphitheater. Local businesses and volun­ teers made it happen. There was a short worship service hosted by Thomapple Valley Church (TVC), free bounce See FESTIVITIES, page 6 Staff Writer Discussion over the Middleville Downtown Development Authority’s operations grew impas­ sioned during Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting. The discussion followed in the wake of Gretchen James’ appointment as the new director of the Middleville DDA on May 26. James, a 2019 Hastings High School grad, is the third person to hold the DDA director position this year. Katherine Bussard resigned in January after two years in the position, and Emily Lee, hired in March, resigned after three weeks, citing personal rea­ sons. James is also the niece of Kim Jachim, a DDA board chair. Jachim did not participate in the hiring process and asked to be recused from the vote to hire James because of their family relationship. The discussion started when the committee reached an item on the agenda simply titled “DDA Discussion” that was added to the agenda by Village President Mike Cramer. No additional notes or memos prepared by Cramer were provided in the meeting packet for that item except for attached copies of legal documentation. Documents in the packet regarding DDA discussion included a copy ofthe village’s bylaws governing the operation of the DDA, a copy of Michigan state laws gov­ erning the creation and operation of a DDA and a copy of Michigan’s Open Meeting Act requirements. Upon reaching the “DDA Discussion” agenda item, committee member See DISCUSSION OF DDA, page 8 New business in Caledonia gives kids an outlet for play-based learning Shari Harris Contributing Writer Young children and their parents now have a new play space to enjoy thanks to two Caledonia moms who saw a need and decided to take action. Jennifer Romain and Amanda Texter have been friends for two years and have now opened a business together. With much antici­ pation, Stomping Grounds Play Cafe opened Friday, July 7. Play places similar to Stomping Grounds Play Cafe are available in other areas. Romain and Texter enjoyed taking their kids to EverPlay Cafe in Cascade but wanted something closer to home. Texter said they talked about how it would be “... amazing ifwe had something right here in Caledonia, and we kept saying that and jok­ ing. And then we kept talking about it, and then we started making actual plans. Romain added, “We talk­ ed with others in the commu­ nity and kept hearing ‘Oh my gosh, we need that in this community’ and it just kind of kept pulling at our heart­ strings and wouldn’t go away, so we decided to do it.” The women began looking at properties in February of this year. With Romain hav­ ing a degree in entrepreneur­ ship and Texter’s focus on direct care for children, they believe they have a great bal­ ance for being business part­ ners. The business found a home at 9028 North Rodgers Ct. SE, Suite E. Jennifer Romain (left) and Amanda Texter (right) The toys and activities are Montessori and Waldorf are two Caledonia moms that recently opened Stomping Grounds Play Cafe in their hometown. inspired. “Montessori and Waldorf (Photo by Shari Harris) are philosophies of education that are centered around ics, they’re more focused on naturally encourage children play,” said Texter. “Instead real-world experiences.” See PLAY CAFE, page 2 This means the toys will of being focused on academ- Trustee Kevin Smith asked board members to direct their passions and work together during a tense Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Barry County BrewFest seeks volunteers for event in Middleville Caledonia marks the Fourth with parade, fireworks Nearly 300 cross the finish line at Scots’ annual Kilt Klassic 5K Gaines Township mulls how to spend ARPA dollars Alward looks to build on All-GLIAC season with Davenport football �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8, 2023 PLAY CAFE, continued from page 1 to use their imagination and play pretend. Texter said that the skills for imaginary play are important and, “...they build on other skills as they get older like being able to be flexible and being able to think outside the box.” “So you won’t find any­ thing here with batteries that make sound,” said Romain. “Kids are already good at making sounds,” she laughed. According to Texter, the Stomping Grounds Play Cafe caters to children toys are “open-ended,” mean­ ing there is not one specific ages 0 to 6, providing a variety of play-based learning way to play with them. The activities. (Photo by Shari Harris) kids will be able to create with blocks, play with toy cars or dimmed, and there is comfort­ ty,” said Romain, “and com­ kitchen food, climb on struc­ able seating, noise-canceling munity and inclusion are real­ headphones and space to relax. ly at the top of that list. It was tures, and much more. The owners have clearly so important to us to be value Another interesting part of the space is the Zen Den for worked hard to make this idea added to the community and a community that we live in and those who begin to feel over­ become a reality. “We did a lot of things our­ that we’re a part of and that whelmed. It was important to Texter to have a spot where kids selves so that was a challenge, our children are going to grow and parents could go for calm­ but I think we wanted it that up in.” The owners have provided ing activities and then “...be way,” said Romain. Along with building the a way for kids of all abilities to able to return to the play space website, Texter handpicked be able to play. All openings and not have tojust leave.” “The parent is getting the each toy. Their husbands, in the space are at least three full value ofthe time they paid fathers and fathers-in-law also feet wide and the play tables for, and the kid is going to helped by building the play and shelving are at an appro­ learn some regulation tech­ structure. priate height so that kids with niques,” Texter added. “Our values are communi­ wheelchairs and walkers can In this space, the lights are ty, inclusion, safety and quali- easily access the space. Stomping Grounds Play Cafe, located at 9028 North Rodgers Ct. SE, Suite E, in Caledonia, held its grand opening on Friday. (Photo provided) While the play space is for ages 0 to 6, families with older children will still be able to enjoy themselves. The business features puzzles, games and activity books for kids over 6, and Wi-Fi is also available. The women have partnered with other local businesses to offer a nitro brew, treats and retail items to patrons. They are also excited about what they call the Giving Gallery. For $10, patrons can pur­ chase a space on the wall where they can display a piece of artwork. All the proceeds from the Giving Gallery will go toward local non-profit organizations. There are 20 spaces available, which can be bought a month in advance. Spaces for August are avail­ able to buy now. Reservations are recom­ mended but walk-ins are also welcome. The cost is $10 per child under 6 for a two-hour block of time. Sessions are available Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Private events can also be booked for weekends. Socks are required. For more information, please visit their website at stompinggroundsgr.com. Kent County Sheriff’s Office asks Gaines Township Board to consider funding two extra shifts James Gemmell Contributing Writer The commander ofthe Kent County Sheriffs Office South Precinct has submitted a needs assessment for the Gaines Township Board to review. Lt. Randy Kieft gave a pre­ sentation to the board at a special workshop meeting on June 26 in the lower level of the township hall, adjacent to the Sheriffs South Substation. He said that calls for service in the township have increased dramatically in recent years, yet the staffing level has remained the same since it last signed a service contract with Gaines Township in 2013. “That gives us three 12-hour cars (shifts),” Kieft said. “We’ve got a five (o’clock) in the morning to 5 p.m. and a 5 p.m. to a 5 a.m. Then, we’ve got a 7 a.m. to a 7 p.m. car.” The Sheriffs Office consid­ ers an eight-hour work sched­ ule to be one unit of service. “So, we have those four and a half units of service. And that’s stayed the same since 2013,” Kieft said. “Since that was implemented, we’ve had a 14 percent rise in service (calls). More dramatically, in the last three years alone, it’s been a 26 percent increase.” Gaines is the second-largest township in Kent County and the fastest-growing, with a population of 28,812 resi­ dents, per U.S. Census Bureau statistics from 2020. Last year, the Sheriffs Office statistics show that dep­ uties were assigned to road patrols for 6,679 hours in the township, which was the most in the county. Kieft said that number increased from 5,616 in 2018. He reiterated that the increase in hours happened while the staffing levels remained the same, at the level they had been at since 2013. Gaines is also top for SUMMER SPECIAL i ir. wsrauwim Priority 1 and Priority 2 calls in Kent County. There were 129 Priority 1 calls for service in Gaines Township last year. Plainfield Township was sec­ ond in the county with 106 calls, and Byron Township was third with 90 calls. So, two of the busiest townships for Priority 1 service calls have been in southern Kent County. The Sheriffs Office pro­ vides five officers or a 12-hour patrol car for each shift that covers Bowne, Byron, Caledonia and Gaines town­ ships in its southern district. Priority 1 responses are emergency calls involving crimes against people like, for example, a person with a gun or an assault with a knife. Priority 2 calls typically involve property, such as a home invasion. “Even in the 2020 (pan­ demic) year when all the other (in the number of service calls),” Kieft said, adding that Gaines does not have the staff­ ing levels that some of the other townships do, despite its size. The calls for service do not include traffic stops. The peak hours of service for the Sheriffs Office are between noon and midnight, when the largest volume of calls for service occurs. Kieft told township board members the Sheriff’s Office is not asking Gaines for any extra staffing but is recom­ mending that the trustees authorize and budget for the addition of a patrol car from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. “And then, looking further into the future with the expan­ sion and the growth in the county, we think it’s neces­ sary to add a car from seven o’clock in the evening to seven in the morning. That will allow deputies to be a ing from call to call. That will give us two cars in Gaines Township overnight, as opposed to one,” Kieft said. Thus, the Sheriff’s Office recommends that the township pay for an additional 24 hours of police service. Kieft said the added positions and cover­ age would increase the 2024 fiscal year expenditures for Gaines Township by about $718,000. The Sheriff’s gen­ eral fund would cover all the police equipment, training and cruisers. Ifthe board were to approve a new cruiser, it would take about 60 days for it to begin patrolling the streets in Gaines Township. Kieft pointed out that a lot ofviolent crime has been spill­ ing into the township from other nearby cities in recent years, but the addition of new surveillance-camera systems and proactive policing is start- FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 10 East Main Street, Caledonia 16-891-890 ocally owned business. Kent County Sheriff’s Lt. Randy Kieft recommended that the Gaines Township Board authorize and pay for an additional 24 total hours of police service, placing two more cruisers on the road to handle the rising number of service calls. (Photo by James Gemmell) a 1 I il “ I te. ti M tn hi liu �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8, 2023/ Page 3 Gaines Township Board discusses how to use ARPA funding James Gemmell spaces. Some ARPA money Contributing Writer could be used for outdoor Gaines Charter Township recreational equipment, as trustees have renewed dis­ well. cussions about how to Developing a park called spend approximately $2.7 Cody’s Mill next to the million in American Rescue Byron-Gaines Utility Plan Act funding that the Authority, 1381 84th St. SE, township received last year is also a possibility because from the federal govern­ the township owns a lot ment. there. A landscape architect Every municipality in the could potentially do some United States was allocated design work on that in the a designated amount of near future. DeWard noted ARPA funding based on its that the township has run respective population size. into some snags in trying to The money was supposed to purchase other potential be used for vital long-term properties where parks could infrastructure projects. be built. However, the government Several residents in an relaxed some stipulations online survey last year indifor how the money must be cated a desire for more park spent after the law’s pas­ space, playground equipsage in 2021. Local govern­ ment and recreational opporment boards must report to tunities. Their vision was the federal government how included in the township they intend to use the funds Parks and Trails Master Plan by Dec. 31, 2024, and the adopted this past spring,, funds must be spent by Dec. “I see Cody’s Mill as 31, 2026. being that place where we The township board dis­ put a playground in. I would cussed the matter at its June like to see a splash pad 26 special workshop meet­ there,” trustee Kathy ing. Supervisor Rob DeWard VanderStel said. “We talked said two years ago that about summer and winter township trustees were con- activities and also having a sidering the feasibility of good sliding hill at that park. using some funds to build a So, in the winter, we have a water tower near the Amazon spot where people can go. I plant along Broadmoor just see that as a much more Avenue (M-37) by 68th active playground park.” Street. VanderStel recommended Another possibility for that half of the township’s establishing a backup water ARPA money go towards supply was for the township parks and trails. to make a second connection “Because we just haven’t to Wyoming’s water system invested in anything ... If through the Byron-Gaines that ends up being some land Utility Authority. acquisition, I would love to Currently, the township see some more spots pur­ has a single connection point chased because that is not to the public water system. going to get any better. And DeWard said in 2021 that a if we don’t grab it now, future break in the existing we’re going to lose that water mains “could shut opportunity,” she said. down the water supply for Trustee Bob Terpstra said (about) 40,000 residents.” the whole reason for the fedBut that wasn’t among the eral government providing discussion points at the ARPA funding to local govtownship board meeting. ernments was to provide DeWard said he had asked some economic investment each trustee to submit at dollars to offset losses least three ideas for how to accrued due to the COVIDspend the ARPA money. He 19 pandemic. said, it was in their meeting “Part of the answer to packet, but the packet was COVID was, ‘Get people not posted online for the outdoors. Get them involved public to view. The federal in activities. Get them funding is supposed to be healthy,”’ Terpstra said. Gaines Township previ­ used for major long-range infrastructure. However, ously committed $250,000 DeWard said one trustee of its ARPA money toward suggested some of the purchasing a fire engine for money be used for cooking the Dutton Fire Station. The truck will cost more than classes. “It was • pointed out that $800,000, so the trustees ARPA dollars cannot be may revisit whether to use used for replenishment of ARPA funding to pay for the pension funds, debt service, entire cost of the vehicle replenishing financial before it arrives. Gaines and Byron townreserves, satisfaction of set­ tlements and judgments or to ships will share equally in offset a reduction in net tax paying $1.75 million to buy a new platform fire truck for revenue,” DeWard said. Fire The township has been the Cutlerville looking to leverage grant Department. The townships monies through the DNR to jointly fund the fire depart­ help develop some new park ment, which is handled How to spend federal ARPA dollars was a dis­ cussion point at a recent workshop meeting in Gaines Township hall’s lower level. (Photo by James Gemmell) administratively by Gaines Township. At a joint meeting at the Byron Township Hall last October, the respective township boards voted to pay for the truck upon deliv­ ery. It will cost $857,774 per township. The platform truck will have a 100-foot aerial ladder with a basket mounted at the tip to transport passengers up and down with electronic controls. The two fire trucks would cost Gaines Township about $1.7 million of its $2.7 mil­ lion ARPA allotment. The township board also has discussed milling and filling the township hall parking lot for about $170,000 and new car­ peting for the township offices for $75,000. But VanderStel said those items should be included in the general fund maintenance budget each year, not paid for with ARPA dollars. “I just can’t see spending ARPA dollars on office car­ pet. I don’t think that sits well with residents,” she said. Trustee Laurie Lemke mentioned there had been discussions about adding onto the parking lot at Prairie Wolf Park, which is adjacent to the township hall on Kalamazoo Avenue. “I found today that (Community Development Director Dan Wells) has applied for another (Michigan DNR Spark Grant) from the same people he applied to before,” DeWard said. “That was what the township had allo­ cated some dollars toward as a match. If that grant comes through, the parking lot was part of that. So, we’re kind of getting the cart in front of the horse a little bit.” If the federal grant is approved, the township would receive money to build a pavilion, parking space and other amenities at Prairie Wolf Park. DeWard said the township was not able to apply for most park grants in the past because it did not have a Parks and Trails Master Plan. The Spark Grant was an exception, though. Sidewalk construction and bridge replacements were also mentioned as a possible use for ARPA funding. Surveillance cameras also were brought up. No final decisions on what to do with the ARPA funding were made at the meeting. Caledonia Summer Concert Series welcomes New Orleans pianist For over three decades, John “Papa” Gros has brought his home city’s celebratory culture to listeners around the world. Gros mixes all the sounds of New Orleans - funk, trad jazz, brass band, blues — and puts his own personal twist oh it. On Tuesday, July 11, Gros will bring that lively sound to Community Green Park in Caledonia for an appearance at the Caledonia Concert Series. Strike Percussion Ensemble will open the performance at 6 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs and blankets. THE HOTTEST STARS PAT BENATAR & NEIL GIRALDO SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 STYX FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR VlttPoN" 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 dr older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8, 2023 Caledonia native continues a 123-year tradition of service under the sea Department’s most import­ ant missions: strategic deter­ rence. Petty Officer 2nd Class Spencer Fitzsimmons, a native of Caledonia, is one Submariners comprise only 10 percent of the U.S. Navy’s personnel, but they play a critical role in carrying out one of the Defense Margaret Ann Raiso On July 1, 2023 Margaret Ann (Myers ) Raison gain her wings with her family at her side. She was bom to Alfred and Nellie Mar Myers on June 18, 1949. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Denny and sister, Arlene King and nephew, James Alwelt and brother in-law, Don Clum. She will be missed very much by her family, Kathy Clum, Joan and Dave Alwelt, Laura Nash, Melvin and Flo Myers, Annette and Ron Pifer, Cheryl Jensen and Peggy and Ken Keller and Denny family. Margaret loved to sit by a bonfire and go camping. She loved to make things for her family by knitting, sewing and crocheting. A graveside service will be held on July 14, 2023 at 3 p.m. at Yankee Springs Cemetery, off of Yankee Springs Rd. just out of Middleville and a luncheon following at Leighton United Methodist Church, 4180 Second St. Caledonia, ML of the sailors continuing a 123-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety. Fitzsimmons joined the Navy five years ago and today serves as a culinary specialist aboard USS Indiana. “I joined the Navy to see the world, to make myself a better person, to serve my country and to help me figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life,” said Fitzsimmons. Growing up in Caledonia, Fitzsimmons attended Caledonia High School and graduated in 2018. Skills and values similar to those found in Caledonia are similar to those required to succeed in the military. “I learned in Michigan that family is all you have at the end of the day,” said Fitzsimmons. “Now my fam­ ily is the sailors on the sub, so I just take care of them as much as I would want them to take care of me. I also worked at an Italian restau­ rant before I joined, and that gave me a good work ethic that carried over in the Navy.” These lessons have helped Fitzsimmons while serving in the Navy. Cetftl Church 'frheete'ity cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Known as America’s “Apex Predators,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of tech­ nologically-advanced ves­ sels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world in furtherance ofU.S. nation­ al security. There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballis­ tic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN). Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike tar­ gets ashore with cruise mis­ siles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnais­ sance missions; and engage in mine warfare. The Virginia-class SSN is the most advanced submarine in the world today. It combines stealth and payload capabili­ ty to meet Combatant Commanders’ demands in this era of strategic competi­ tion. The Navy’s ballistic-mis­ sile submarines, often referred to as “boomers,” serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable alask 7240 68“’Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org platform for submarine-launched ballistic mis­ siles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the pre­ cise delivery of missiles. The Columbia-class SSBN will be the largest, most capable and most advanced subma­ rine produced by the U.S. — replacing the current Ohioclass ballistic-missile subma­ rines to ensure continuous sea-based strategic deter­ rence into the 2080s. Guided-missile subma­ rines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise mis­ siles plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes. “Our mission remains timeless — to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on war, fight­ ing excellence and commit­ ted to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. “This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more wor- c ffich Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School 1M0 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple Adult Bible Study 6: 00 PM committed Mowers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 5t TWZWftsmii Cfiunk Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. c H 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE :30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: //goodshepherdlcms. googlepages.com Church: (269) 795-2391 OURNEY U R C H @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 @thejchurch _____ wwwjtpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church foible ■‘■'Church i ' ■$ 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School ........9:30 9:30 AM AM Sunday Worship........ 10:30 10:30AM AM Watch our servicesppm our wepsite (see above), Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm thy.” Strategic deterrence is the nation’s ultimate insurance program, according to Navy officials. As a member of the submarine force, Fitzsimmons is part of a rich history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons plat­ form, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in defense of America and its allies. “We are one of the stron­ gest assets to national defense because we have capabilities on land, at sea and in the air,” said Fitzsimmons. “We train real­ ly well to be able to protect the country in any domain.” With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, See SUBMARINERS, next page Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY ATHOLIC CHURCH Sunday Service 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Petty Officer 2nd Class Spencer Fitzsimmons 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship.................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison,. Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsfyMechurch.org 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 pan. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 an. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8, 2023/ Page 5 Rep. Rigas’s response to hate crime bill ‘intolerable’ ethnicity and national origin. The bill defines intimida­ tion as “a willful course of Editor: conduct involving repeated Michigan’s House of or continuing harassment of Representatives has passed another individual that would HB 4474, which defines as a cause a reasonable individual hate crime, the perpetration to feel terrorized, frightened of violence, bodily injury, or threatened, and that actu­ property destruction and ally causes the victim to feel intimidation of people based terrorized, frightened or on characteristics including threatened.” race or color, religion, sex, State Representative Angela sexual orientation, gender Rigas opposed this bill. identity or expression, physi­ She is quoted in news cal or mental disability, age, sources objecting to the bill on. the grounds that “the state of Michigan is now explicit­ ly allowing the gender delu­ sion issue to be used as a ‘protected class.’” Rep. Rigas’s phrase “gen­ der delusion” is presumably meant to deny and ridicule the self-understanding of trans people. As a private person, Rigas, of course, has the right to her own reality-denying opinions on this and other topics. But we should expect better of a legislator. The bill defines “gender Gun Lake Tribe hosting tire waste collection for general public The Gun Lake Tribe and has a zero-landfill policy announced they will host a that requires all collected free tire waste recycling tires to be recycled, refur­ event on Wednesday, July 12 bished or reused. Most of the from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in tires are recycled and turned Shelbyville. This event is into rubber mulch, crumb being held in conjunction rubber, PR compound, tire with local tire recycler derived aggregate and equine Cobalt Holdings. turf. The public is invited to The Tribe supports tire take advantage of this oppor­ recycling due to the growing tunity to properly and safely concern of Nokmeskinan dispose of tires within the (Grand Mother Earth). Tires community. Cobalt Holdings hold water and become mos­ does not ship tires overseas quito breeding grounds. Tire 'tab ■JBObv itaHk piles are also a fire hazard. Once ignited, they bum uncontrollably at very high temperatures and produce black smoke and hazardous, oily residue. As a reminder, whole tires are not allowed in Michigan landfills. Acceptable items at Tire Waste Recycling event include all tire types, with the exception of tractor tires. Steel rims are allowed. There is a limit of 10 tires per vehi­ cle. Middleville Planning Commission sets public hearing for rezoning of Main, State Street parcels M M [M life iP would be changes to the max­ imum setback from public StaffWriter The Middleville Planning right ofway, which would be Commission moved a step reduced to 20 feet. Powers forward with redistricting said the goal of reducing the areas ofthe city as part of its setback would be to put an future land use plan, primarily emphasis on walkability in the along Main Street and State village’s downtown corridor. Powers said that, while the streets. The commission moved parcels affected might not fall recommendations to the vil­ within the new zoning guide­ lage council to rezone 27 lines, they would become Residential-2 parcels on Main “legal non-conforming” par­ Street to Transitional Mixed cels. This would mean they Use parcels. The commission would not need to adjust to the also moved to recommend the new guidelines unless they rezoning of four State Street were doing major renovations parcels to the Transitional worth at least 50 percent of the property’s value. Industrial designation. “As long as they’re main­ Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers tained in a legal non-conform­ explained that the rezoning ing status, they can be main­ would make the parcels more tained iff perpetuity,” Powers attractive for future develop­ said. “This isn’t taking away ers by reducing the amount of anyone’s rights.” Changes to the four State legwork needed to start devel­ opment on those sites. The Street properties to a TI dis­ rezoning would also fulfill trict designation would requirements for the state’s increase the amount of Redevelopment Ready allowed uses, allowing for Communities program. The some industrial and some res­ biggest change in the re-des­ idential uses, as well as allow ignation from R-2 to TMU for a higher maximum build Hunter McLaren height of 45 feet. The four properties being rezoned include 38 State St., 20 State St., 36 State St. and 39 State St. Planning Commission Chair Jason Holzhausen said he’d like to schedule a public hearing regarding the rezon­ ing of both districts for the planning commission’s next meeting on Aug. 1. Holzhausen said he wanted notices to be delivered to par­ cel owners sooner rather than later so they could have time to attend the public hearing and follow along with the pro­ cess if they pleased. He also said he hoped to complete the TI rezoning public hearing and recommend it to the vil­ lage council for approval to expedite the process of final­ izing a deal with a developer for the 36 State St. parcel. “Ifwe start now, we can be ready by the time the council is ready for us,” Holzhausen said. “(This way) they’re not waiting on us when they get a development agreement for 36 State Street.” identity or expression” as “having or being perceived as having a gender-related self-identity or expression whether or not associated with an individual’s assigned sex at birth.” Is Angela Rigas unable to read and understand a straightforwardly written bill? Or does she truly believe in impunity for those who would terrorize another person by engaging in a will­ ful course of conduct involv­ ing sustained harassment because they look queer — or, for that matter, because they look- straight? Either way, Angela Rigas’s response to this bill is intolerable. Contrary to some head­ lines I have seen, this bill isn’t about slipping up and using the wrong pronoun or even about deliberately declining to use another per­ son’s preferred pronouns. The bill doesn’t even men­ tion pronouns. If Representative Rigas misspoke — and misvoted — because she misunderstood the bill, she should apologize to her constituents and work on improving her reading comprehension. If she sup­ ports impunity for intimida­ tion, threats and violence against people on the basis of their gender identity or expres­ sion, or any of the other char­ acteristics mentioned in the bill, she should resign. James Ernest Caledonia Area students named to KCC honor lists Kellogg Community College officials are proud to present the president’s list and dean’s list ofall students, full- and part-time, who have earned high or highest hon­ ors for spring 2023. Dean’s list The dean’s list recognizes students who have earned a semester grade point average of3.50 to 3.99. Local students on die dean’s list include: Caledonia - Alyssa N. Degood. Middleville Wayde Barry, Taylor Johnson, Brittany Ogden, Heather Pitsch, Corrin Replogle. Shelbyville Serena Forney, Brian Schrier, Kathryn Sipes. Wayland - Destany Klinkner, Paige Shepherd. President’s list The president’s list rec­ ognizes degree-seeking stu­ dents who have earned a 4.0 GPA for the semester. Area students who qualified for the president’s list include: Freeport Zellie Sweeney. SUBMARINERS, continued from page 4 Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is direct­ ly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy. Fitzsimmons and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service. “We just had a. supply man­ agement inspection, and we got above standard on the food quality, food production and sanitization,” said Fitzsimmons. “It is really not heard of for supply to get above standards on those inspections. It was the first time I had ever seen it, so I am very proud ofthat.” As Fitzsimmons and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy. “Being in the Navy means I get to serve my country while making myself better every day,” said Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I want to thank my for­ mer bosses, Nick Farro and Travis Marshall, and my cur­ rent boss, Alex Albrecht, for crafting me into the sailor that I am today,” added Fitzsimmons. In Memory of Tad Thatcher, D.O July 11, 1972 ■ July 6, 2001 Twenty-two years! We still miss you and keep you alive in our hearts. Love, Mom & Dad YOU ARE NOT ALONE Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don’t let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Support �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8,2023 FESTIVITIES, continued from pag/e 1 houses, inflatables, kids’ games, music and prizes, as well as a hot dog-eating con­ test. Among the food vendor trucks serving those at the nighttime festivities were Kona Ice, Smokin D’s Deli, Rosenberg’s Elephant Ears and Lemonade and Sweet Racks & Smokin’ Butts BBQ. “TVC handed out like 1,700 hot dogs. They also had a big King of the Mountain wall-climbing inflatable,” Beck said. “We also had two six-foot beach balls and a 12-foot beach ball for the crowd to play with.” It’s already been a busy summer of outdoor events in Middleville. The farm­ ers’ and artisans’ market runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Friday night at the downtown pavilion. The annual Riverbank Music Series kicked off in early June at the downtown amphitheater. The weekly Friday night concerts conSee FESTIVITIES, next page Tyler Ryan (left) and Layla Ryan play a game of giant Connect 4, one of many games set up in Middleville Tuesday during the Independence Day Celebration. Kody Bryant performs Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” on the hay-wagon stage during the Middleville Independence Day Celebration Tuesday evening. gathered on the AYSO fields between Thornapple Kellogg High School and Middle School in Middleville during the annual Independence Day Celebration. Siblings Tristen and Kambria Beck enjoying the Independence Day festivities in Middleville with a family friend’s daughter, Elliette Scheidel, getting a shoulder-high view. (Photo provided) Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com BattleGR Tactical Games offered some free axe-throwing and other games. (Photo provided) Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8, 2023/ Page 7 FESTIVITIES, continued from previous page tinue July 14 with Chick & the Boomers performing traditional country music and rockabilly. The Movie Under the Stars series will resume on Aug. 12 near the pavilion on E. Main Street. Caledonia celebrates Independence Day with parade down Main Street and fireworks Greg Chandler StaffWriter One-year-old Nash O’Connor rocked an “A1IAfiierican Dude” T-shirt as he joined his family in eagerly anticipating Saturday’s Independence Day parade in Caledonia. Hundreds lined Main Street, decked out in red, white and blue attire, for the celebration ofAmerica’s independence. Caledonia’s Independence Day event is typically held either on the Fourth of July or the Saturday before. The Caledonia High School marching band per­ formed George M. Cohan’s “You’re A Grand Old Flag.” The Kent County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Division took part in the parade as well. Bernie A couple girls take a turn at the Pop A Shot game as the sun sets on the Middleville Independence Day Celebration on the AYSO Fields Tuesday evening. The Caledonia High marching band performs “Yqu’re A Grand Old Flag.” Pleva, who was named this year’s Caledonia Hometown Hero, rode in a military vehicle, waving to the crowd while family mem­ bers tossed candy to specta­ tors on the sidewalks. A parade of tractors and several floats were also part of the parade. Later on Saturday night, the annual fireworks dis­ play was shot off from the CalPlex sports and recre­ ation area, with several thousand people in atten­ dance. Holy Family Catholic Church took up a can collection for its food pantry for spectators who wanted to see the fireworks from the church property. All decked out in patriotic outfits (from left) are Elaina Young, 1; Dalton O’Connor, 8; Nash O’Connor, 1; Magnolia Jousma, 2; Jase Jousma, 4, and Ellie O’Connor, 4. (Photos by Greg Chandler) The American Legion Post 305 color guard leads the parade. SEASONAL LABOR WANTED Bernie Pleva, this year’s Caledonia Hometown Hero, is joined by family members distributing candy. Lincoln Miller of Battle Creek looks for the next hand hold on the inflatable rock climbing tower in Middleville for the annual Independence Day Celebration Tuesday. (Photos by Brett Bremer) nnualJuly Sale 20°/o OffFabrics (excludes sale items) Sale endsJuly 31st POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE WAGES STARTING AT $16.00_________ POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. 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QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. of the Middleville DDA. “I wasn’t sure what the content of the meeting was going to entail,” Peters said. “All that we were told was there was going to be a DDA discussion and provided the bylaws and a couple odds and ends and things, so I brought my talking points but in PowerPoint form.” Immediately following Peters’ presentation, Cramer acknowledged the merits outlined in the presentation but directed committee mem­ bers to MCL Act 57 Section 125.1657, outlining the pow­ ers of a DDA board regard­ ing the creation, operation or funding of a retail business incubator. “Essentially, my biggest concern is that the planning commission has been pick­ ing up the slack for the Ready Redevelopment Community process, for administering grants, for the development of 36 State Street and for advertising the Baby Bliss building,” Cramer said. “We’re using village dollars, village manpower, to conduct these things, and we a have Downtown Development Authority. If we’re not utilizing those funds for that purpose, why do we have a DDA?” Peters said that with the DDA being without a director for the past six months before new director Gretchen James was hired, the village had been helping the DDA with its work more than usual but saw no cause for alarm. Given more time to meet with village officials NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 24, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. Please be advised the Thornapple Township Plan­ ning Commission will hold public hearings on July 24, at 7pm or as soon thereafter as possible. The public hearings will take place in the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville. The public hearings will address the following: 1) The expansion of Peace Church. They wish to add a new sanctuary and increase their parking to 720 lots. In addition to adding office space and parking at the house recently purchased on the north end of their property. SLU 161/SP128 Any interested person may attend the public hearings to learn about the extent and location of Special Use requests to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the applications noted above may be examined in the Township offices at the address noted above during regular business hours. Monday - Thursday 9am- 4pm Written comments regarding these applications may be addressed to: Secretary, Thornapple Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. Sandy Rairigh, Commission Secretary or submitted via email to: zoning-adrninistrator@thornapple-twp.org Americans with Disabilities Notice Persons wittespecial access needs should contact the Township Clerk at 269-795-7202 no less than 72 hours before the hearings. Cindy Ordway, Thornapple Township Clerk and get settled into her new role, James would likely be able to handle more of those tasks as DDA director with­ out the village’s assistance, Peters said. Cramer said he was not just speaking about the last six months and was con­ cerned with the direction of DDA efforts over the last several years. “This is a nine-year dis­ cussion, not necessarily a discussion,” six-month Cramer said. Committee member Richard Hamilton said he was concerned with the recent turnover in the DDA director role. Hamilton cited Emily Lee’s March 14 resignation after three weeks in the position as an indicator of a larger issue. “I don’t want to dig up history on who left because of whatever reason because I don’t think we got the whole story on why she left, and now we’ve got a new one,” Hamilton said. “Are these the old rocks that are being thrown, or are these new rocks being thrown at the DDA? That’s what I want to know. There’s something else going on behind the scenes that this council doesn’t know about.” Cramer said he took issue with the DDA’s organization regarding minute-taking and record-keeping, and his con­ cerns were longstanding. He also said it was challenging to know where funds were being allocated because many of the DDA board’s actions were approved by subcommittees. “I’ve had policy issues for a while. I can look at min­ utes, and I don’t know where the money’s going. I can’t find the approvals. I can just find the budget, and that’s it,” Cramer said. “I don’t know where the money is being spent, and I serve on the board. That’s a concern for me. I don’t know ifwe’re staying on budget.” Cramer also said he had brought concerns to Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg about the interview process for the DDA director posi- tion, expressing that Ire thought the interviews should have been open to the public. He also said he took issue with their scheduled 11 a.m. start time, saying it was diffi­ cult for many to attend at that time during the week. Committee member Kevin Smith then asked Stolsonburg a series of questions about the DDA’s funding, confirm­ ing that the DDA’s funds were 100 percent accounted for and could be accessed by anyone through the village’s public budget. Smith asked Village Attorney Mark Nettleton if he was aware of any instances in which the DDA “operated outside the boundaries of the law,” to which Nettleton said he had not been made aware of any such instances. Stolsonburg said that because the DDA board has been without a director for six months, they have not been fully trained on Robert’s Rules of Order or Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. However, he said that while there may have been some minor missteps following meeting procedures, like minute-taking, there had been nothing that would rise to the level ofbeing concern­ ing to state auditors. Stolsonburg said he was con­ fident the board would con­ tinue to improve at record-keeping under the direction of their new direc­ tor. Hamilton said if Cramer or anyone else had concerns about how the DDA was being operated, he would encourage any board mem­ bers to attend the DDA board’s meeting and make those concerns clear. “I’m surprised that this is something you’d bring up, and you haven’t been able to solve it at the level of the DDA,” Hamilton said. “My recommendation to you is to keep going to the meetings, bring up your concerns there and solve them there. If they can’t be solved there, bring them back here and we’ll solve them.” Cramer said he thought the conversation was getting <wBafGi/h away from what he wanted to discuss originally. He said he didn’t intend to accuse the DDA of any financial or legal wrongdoings, but rather he wanted a greater level of transparency regarding the board’s finances on specific actions. While he could ask village staff to comb through the budget for information, Cramer said he’d rather be able to know where funds were appropriated by look­ ing through DDA meeting minutes and documentation. “So, we’ve kind of lost the point here,” Cramer said. “I didn’t indicate that there was anything nefarious; I just indicated that I don’t know where the money’s gone. It is entirely difficult to find out where it’s going because all I have is a budget.” After further discussion, Cramer reiterated that he was not accusing the DDA of misappropriating funds. He said he’d like to have a better idea of how the DDA appropriates its funds and that he took issue with some of the DDA’s priorities. “They’re spending funds, but they’re spending funds on two initiatives out of 20,” Cramer said. “It’s not misap­ propriation; it’s just that if we’re using our village dol­ lars to do the initiatives of the DDA, then those funds should just go back to the village because that’s where that money is being spent.” Kim Jachim, chair of the DDA board, was present at the meeting and was granted permission by Cramer to address him. Jachim said Cramer approved every dol­ lar spent by the board and that by sitting on the DDA board as the village presi­ dent, he could vote for or against any DDA action as he pleased. Jachim said the DDA board could accomplish much more if there was a greater level of communica­ tion between her and Cramer. “Let’s talk about if you would communicate with me, we could probably go a lot farther. I’ve asked several times for you to communi­ cate with me, and you have refused to communicate with me,” Jachim said. “I don’t know what I’ve done, and quite honestly, I don’t care. That’s not how government runs; we run as a team.” “You seem to not want to work with us. I know you’d like to be off (the DDA board). You’ve made it very obvious you don’t want to sit on my board,” Jachim said. “Quite honestly, I’m going to be point blank, I wish you weren’t on my board because you are nothing but rude to me all the time.” Jachim said Cramer did not respond to her email ask­ ing him to be on the inter­ view committee that hired James and did not express that he couldn’t attend the 11 a.m. interviews. Jachim said she also looked into making the interview process public but wasn’t able to because of confidentiality requests by the interviewees. Shen then said that if Cramer had any issues with the DDA, he should speak with her or the board direct­ ly. She said if Cramer took issue with speaking to her, the two could correspond through Stolsonburg or Johnny DeMaagd, village president pro tempore. “If you have an issue with me, let’s get a group together and talk. I want to communi­ cate with you, Mike. You’re not a bad man. I pray for you,” Jachim said. “I pray for you because you are so full of hatred towards some people that I don’t get it. I don’t get why you hate me so bad, and because of your hate to me, you reflect it on the DDA.” “I’m sorry we’re playing this out in public, but this has got to end,” Jachim said. “I know you want me removed. I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going to drag me out the way you have the other people.” Hamilton asked Cramer if the DDA discussion had any­ thing to do with the tenure and sudden resignation of previous DDA director, Emily Lee. Cramer said that was part of the issue, but his main concerns were with how DDA and village resources were being allocat­ ed. “I’m not even talking about that or anything related to Kim,” Cramer said. “I’m talking about responsible use of our tax dollars in spending money to redevelop proper­ ties at the planning commisSee DISCUSS/O/V OF DDA, next page Your local agent insures your Remove GIVE US A CALL TODAY! C#ops HARMLESS BAT REMOVAL BAT PROOF & CLEAN UP FULL ATTIC RESTORATION FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Mictymus fneurottce, CotKfMuuj, 10 YEAR WARRANTY 517-599-1019 www. x L . L _ , -- - -- - -- L_. ..J 9 0^2 9 24 3 6 6 8 6 5 2 Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks<$tt)insmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8, 2023/ Page 9 DISCUSSION OF DDA, continued from previous page 'S sion level.” Hamilton said Cramer should give the new DDA director and board members a chance, saying the board was likely headed in a good direction. He also asked Cramer to be open about issues he may have with other boards to the boards themselves or the village council, citing emails he had seen from Cramer. “Quit working around in the background. Bring every­ thing to this council. Everyone has a vote here. You can’t manipulate in the background and do your own thing,” Hamilton said. “That’s what it sounds like to me. That’s why I’m ques­ tioning whether there’s someone throwing a rock — turns out maybe it’s you. I got some emails here that were anonymously given to me. I couldn’t believe some ofthe statements you made.” At this point, Smith called the meeting to a point of order. Smith called upon the board to work together to address Cramer’s concerns about the operations of the DDA, saying that continued arguments would only make matters worse. “I think it’s important that we address the concerns Mr. Cramer has by simply look­ ing at them with open eyes and an open heart and say­ ing, ‘How can we be better for the board?”’ Smith said. “If Mr. Cramer has points that he needs to have clarity on, collectively as a board, and certainly as a DDA and interfacing with the DDA, we can work through that.” Smith said he was disap­ pointed that the meeting had descended into what he called “petty arguments and disagreements,” but he was confident in the board’s con­ tinued ability to govern. He also said that he believed the DDA was in a great position to get things done, and he was eager to put the village’s focus on working with the new DDA board. “Ifwe could move beyond this — and I agree we need to shed the pettiness and the witch hunt that goes on in this village. Period, end of story, period,” Smith said. “The person that’s the direc­ tor in the DDA hasn’t had a minute to even adjust them­ selves, and the previous one was afraid to come to work. So let’s just be clear. I know why that happened. I can certainly attest to the fact that nobody leaves a job in three weeks because it’s the best thing that ever happened to them.” “I just want to be really clear: Let’s end this. Let’s agree to agree that we need more transparency, and let’s work towards that,” Smith said. “Maybe as a board, instead of complaining about it, we come up with solutions to that at hand, and we can collectively agree as a board to solve the problems that we have ahead of us.” DeMaagd said there were valid concerns to be had about ensuring the DDA was appropriately focusing its efforts, but the village coun­ cil should be working collab­ oratively with the DDA to make that happen. Peters said she agreed that the vil­ lage and DDA needed to work together and requested that future discussions of the DDA’s functions and opera­ tions be more directed. “If there are genuine con­ cerns, let’s do the footwork. Let’s dig in,” Peters said. “And then, ifthere is no evi­ dence of misappropriation or anything else that would be of concern, let’s drop it and move forward and have a collaborative mindset and a team-playing mindset.” Cramer said it was not his intention to take the conver­ sation where it ended up, and he never intended to imply funds were being misappro­ priated. Cramer said he just wanted to suggest new poli­ cies for the DDA board to make its activities more transparent. “I was trying to get to the point that I would like to see a policy and procedure over­ all for the DDA, so we don’t lose a third DDA director,” Cramer said. Peters said she assumed the meeting was about the misappropriation of funds because she received a call from Cramer stating he wanted to talk about how DDA funds were used and poten­ tial nepotism in hiring James. Cramer said the exact words he said to Peters were, “I don’t know where the money is going.” “How can I get that infor­ mation from somebody, without any kind of context on the agenda, and not assume after I’ve been told it’s in regards to the financial misappropriation and nepo­ tism?” Peters said. “How can I understand it any different­ ly if I’m being told that?” Cramer said he did not disclose more of what he wanted to talk about at the meeting in phone calls to Peters and Smith because he did not want to be in viola­ tion of the Open Meetings Jachim said the board did Act. He also cited a fear of violating the Open Meetings put a large emphasis on Act as the reason he did not events under its previous disclose more information on director, but she said the the MCOW’s agenda. board was headed into a new, Smith said he was speak­ more holistic direction under ing to Cramer because there its new direction. Jachim had been “some dysfunc­ expressed she would like tion” in communications anyone to come to her or the between Cramer and Jachim. boardl directly with concerns, Smith recommended that “I don’t want drama. I Stolsonburg act as a proxy want iconversations,” Jachim between the two if needed. said. '“That’s all I’m asking Smith was confident in the for.” DDA and James but said the In regard to the hiring of village would likely have to James, Jachim said she had do some work to repair its abstained from the hiring process entirely. Stolsonburg relationship with the board. “After this conversation, I said he would be sitting in on think we have a lot of ground James’ 90-day review and to make up,” Smith said. “I other similar performance think the best way to do that reviews instead of Jachim in is to be very clear about what accordance with the village we’re asking for as a board handbook’s guidelines on (from) the DDA, who has preventing nepotism. been apparently very compli­ The committee voted unan­ ant up until this point.” imously to move direct village Hamilton said it shouldn’t staffto work with the DDA to be up to Stolsonburg to act as establish goals and directions “referee” between various to bring to a future MCOW boards, and he hoped the meeting as a reference docu­ board could work together ment. The committee also without fear of violating the voted 6-1 to approve James’ Open Meetings Act or any $55,000 salary, with Cramer other laws. Hamilton said he casting the dissenting vote. hoped to lay to rest any accu­ Cramer said he was concerned sations of nepotism. Smith the salary was too high, as it said that was a conversation was at the very top of a pay that village attorney Mark scale established by a recent Nettleton should weigh in on wage and compensation study due to privacy concerns. performed by the village. BrewFest signing up volunteers for August event in Middleville ®UEK Rij’te (swto ijnM It' itUM inmfr trikat J EES! Bin fafr itelri ®wtii Barry County BrewFest is currently signing up vol­ unteers for its 2023 event which will be held in Middleville, Aug. 19, where the inaugural 2016 Barry County BrewFest was held. The seventh Barry County BrewFest will be held in Middleville Saturday, Aug. 19. Event organizers are cur­ rently on the hung for volun­ teers. Help is needed for set-up, tea-down, baitending, running ice, scanning tickets working the merchandise tale and more. Volunteer spots do fill up quickly because all volunteers receive free admission to BrewFest, including an event it Iasi0 efflift aja#1 oipfc WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS tasting glass, five tasting tickets and a BrewFest T-shirt. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old on the day of the event. TIPS certification is encouraged for bartenders, but not required. The BrewFest has a signupgenius.com page for volun­ teers. A link can be found at the event Facebook page. The event is presented by the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance. There will be live music and there will be food available at the event. Plans are to have beverages from 30 Michigan craft breweries, win­ eries, meaderies and distill­ eries. IRVING TOWNSHIP REQUEST FOR SEALED BIDS FOR DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING LOT WORK The Irving Township Board is accepting sealed bids through July 14, 2023. The scope of work is: 1) A 50-car parking lot with two egresses on vacant lot across road from township hall, 3425 Wing Road, Hastings. 2) Resurfacing / Repairing drive through Irving Township Cemetery, 4035 W State Rd, Middleville 3) Resurfacing / Repairing drive through German Cemetery, Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. 2734 Eckert Rd, Freeport The bid should include the vendor’s recommendation of material, price for each component, timeframe based on July 18 approval and any other relevant data. A vendor need not bid in all three components. Bids will be evaluated on cost, proposed solution, timing and vendor locality. Bidders may submit questions irvingtownship.org. via e-mail to treasurer© Mail all bids to: Driveway & Parking Lot Bid, 3425 Wing Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 Irving Township reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive irregularities in any proposal, and to award the contract for services as deemed to be in the Township’s best interest, price and other factors considered. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8,2023 Alward looks to build on All-GLIAC season at DU Brett Bremer Sports Editor Running defensive line drills during summer work­ outs, which started a little earlier than usual on May 15, was never really a duty Austin Alward expected to hold. The Davenport University football team gathers most mornings for offense/defense or position group work. “We’re out there doing a lot of sprints, doing a lot of40 starts, and doing a lot of com­ bine, testing type actives, and flexibility type stuff,” Alward said. “We spend an hour in the weight room. We have a great strength and condition­ ing coach and he puts us through a lot of good work­ outs through the offseason. Then there is positional skill work.” Alward, a 2016 Thomapple Kellogg High School gradu­ ate, is getting ready for what is going to be his third full season of playing NCAA Division II football at Davenport University (DU) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Davenport was third in the GLIAC in the fall of 2022 finishing behind only national powerhouses Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University. Alward was a big reason for that. He was named First Team All-GLIAC as a defensive end racking up 45 tackles while leading the Panthers with 14 tackles for a loss and 6.5 <sacks. This 4*h of July week has been the first week off of Performance in Caledonia where he got to work with Thomapple Kellogg and Caledonia student athletes among others. Alward played for coach Chad Ruger at Thomapple Kellogg. An injury cost him most ofhis junior season, but his senior year he was named honorable mention all-con­ ference in the OK Gold. As a receiver he averaged over 20 yards per reception while tal­ Austin Alward lying 385 receiving yards on training since things ramped the year. He played both back up in May for the ways at Thomapple Kellogg, and remembers having some Panthers. “When I walked on, I never success on the defensive line, thought I’d be leading the but he always thought of defensive line,” Alward said. himself as a receiver. “I played defense all my “I walked on as a wide receiv­ er and got red-shirted. After life, but I really focused on that, they asked, ‘do you want the offensive side ofthe ball,” to come over to the dark side.’ Alward said. “I focused on I went over to defense and wide receiver. My talent was went to defensive end. I was a I could catch the ball. I would little bit lighter than all of the make some sweet catches, other guys, but I made up for like the one-handed catches and things. I excelled at that. I it in other ways.” “I’ve added about 25-30 went to 7-on-7’s in the winter pounds since then,” Alward [during high school] and gave added. “15 more to go and I’ll up other sports to train on that be right where I want. 1 trying in the offseason.” As a defensive end in high to get up to 240.” He was happy, and contin­ school, Alward said ‘1 didn’t ues to be, to get into the weight know one thing about it I was room. He graduated from just trying to get off the ball Davenport with a Bachelor of and be quicker and stronger Business Administration this than the other guy. At the high spring and is getting into the school level you can get away graduate program at DU this with a lot of those things.” His father, Scott Alward, fall. He hopes the business degree will help him in his played tight end at Ferris State goal of someday becoming a University and had NFL try­ personal trainer and opening a outs in 1984 with the New fitness center of his own. He York Giants and Detroit Lions. spent a year working as an Austin said his mom, Kyle intern at MaxEffort Williams, and his dad would 202480 IWA1W CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to regulate the office and commercial zoning districts. The public hearing is scheduled for July 27th, 2023, at 7:00 PM and will be held at the Gaines Charter Township Offices Board Room at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The primary objectives of the proposed amendments are to define the intent and purpose, permitted uses, and development standards for the “Office-Service” (O-S), “Neighborhood Commercial” (NC), and “General Commercial” (GC) zoning districts. The proposed changes will bring Chapter 8 into compliance with the 2023 Gaines Charter Township Master Plan. The proposed amendments include the following: Section 1. Repeals Chapter 8 in its entirety and replaces it with a new Chapter 8, which includes the following: A. Intent and Purpose of the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. B. Table of Permitted Uses for the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. C. Development Standards for the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. D. Additional Standards for the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. E. Additional Standards for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Zoning District. Section 2. Sets an effective date for the amendments. Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on July 27th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. Austin Alward, a 2016 Thomapple Kellogg High School graduate, earned First Team All-GLIAC honors as a defensive end for the Davenport University football team in 2022. He is leading the Panther linemen in summer workouts in prepara­ tion for his red-shirt junior, season this fall after graduating in the spring. (Davenport University photo) always encourage him and his He was red-shirted that year siblings to be outside. doing and then the Covid-19 pan­ something. Austin has a big demic limited the Panthers to sister, Paige Eash, and big just two ballgames with Gannon during the 2020 sea­ brother Erik Alward. “I was terrible at catching son, which really happened in the ball when I was little. the spring of 2021. In the time between 2019 Finally I started getting it and those spring 2021 ball­ down,” Austin said. games, then defensive line Austin is pretty thankful for the way his family set him coach/recruiting coordinator up for success, even if it took Lucas Melo sat Austin down him some time to find it. one day in the weight room “Everybody has a different and convinced him the defen­ path,” Austin said. “Out of sive line is “where you’re high school, I didn’t know going to make your money exactly if I had what it takes at.” to fully be the best version of On March 20, 2021, Austin myselfand follow my dreams. got in the Panthers’ bailgame Mentally, T don’t think I was at Gannon University in Erie, there. I did [Grand Rapids Penn., as a situational pass Community College] for a rusher and recorded two sacks. couple of years. I was trying “I think I hit a swim move to get past football, but I just and got around a guy and got couldn’t. I started personal my first sack and ended up training and on-line certifica­ getting another sack the same tion and everything, but game.” something just told me I can’t At that point he thought to give up on my dreams.” himself, “it’s not easy, but I He had always been train­ feel like I can do this.” ing and even got into He had 31 total tackles, 3.5 body-building for a bit. sacks and 7.5 TFL in 11 He eventually managed to games in 2021 and forced a get a workout with the fumble. Panthers,* and earned himself A fourth quarter sack a spot in the program as a helped set up the Panthers for walk-on for the 2019 season. a game-clinching touchdown drive in a come from behind win over Michigan Tech on Oct 1 of last season. Two weeks later ag;ainst Wayne State he stuffed a couple runs in the backfield to help the Panthers get the ball back for the winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Against his father’s alma mater at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids in November, Austin had seven tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in what would be a 28-7 loss to the eventual NCAA Division II National Champions from Ferris State. The Bulldogs would best the Panthers again two weeks later in the opening round of the playoffs. “I know what’s on the line now and I know what I’m capable of,” Austin said. “I’ve got to go all infl can’t take my foot off the gas. It’s really just about living the dream. I want to be the best version of myself for myself and for my team.” The DU team starts Austin’s red-shirt junior sea­ son Sept. 2 at home at the Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex in Grand Rapids against Thomas More. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Summary of Request: A major amendment to the Gaines Marketplace Planned Unit Property Address: Parcel Number: Applicant: Development (PUD) to allow for the installation of twelve (12) Tesla vehicle charging stations. 1801 Marketplace Drive SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 41-22-04-301-015 Aaron Adelman of SMJ International, on behalf of Tesla Date and Time of Hearing: July 27th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Location of Hearing: Gaines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consid­ er the following request: Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices. For information relat­ ed to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, signed written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on July 27th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at (616) 698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8,2023/ Page 11 Nearly 300 compete in annual Kilt Klassic 5K Brett Bremer Sports Editor Tom Dean got a big smile on his face as he hopped up onto the medal stand outside the Caledonia High School athletic entrance at the con­ clusion of the 2023 Kilt Klassic 5K Run/Walk. Dean wrapped his left arm around the guy on the top step. A Kilt Klassic bronze medalist next to an Olympic bronze medalist Brian Diemer. Diemer, the 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in the 3,00-meter steeplechase, won the Male 60-64 division with a time of 21 minutes 7 seconds at the annual event which is a fundraiser for the Caledonia High School track and field and cross country programs. Medalists were presented with Kilt Klassic fanny packs in 13 male and 13 female divisions Saturday. Micah Meindertsma won the overall men’s title with a time of 15:46. Deanna Scheid was the overall female win­ ner in 18:59. As per usual, competitors, who raced in kilts had the chance to win raffle prizes at the conclusion of the event. The Fightings Scots also welcomed the West Michigan chapter of myTEAM TRIUMPH captains and angels for the first time Saturday. My TEAM TRIUMPH is an athletic ride-along program created for children, teens, adults and veterans who are dis­ abled and would not normal- ly be able to experience endurance events. With construction going on inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium the course was a bit different than in years past, starting and ending at the north end of the high school and winding down the trail south between there and the stadium before turning back north at Lakeside Park. The 5K Run/Walk had 288 finishers overall. Following the Run/Walk, youngsters were invited to participate in a Fun Run, which opened with the Caledonia High School track and field team members get­ ting everyone to join in their patented warm-up routine. Youngsters got the chance to compete in 100-meter, 400- Debra-Decker (from left), Sally Gless and Tamara Barney cross the finish line together at the end of the Caledonia Kilt Klassic 5K at Caledonia High School Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) meter and 1600-meter runs with ribbons for finishers and popsicles for all. 2023 Kilt Klassic Medalists Male 14-and-under: 1. Isaac Dinh, 19:35; 2. Grady Galaviz, 20:22; 3. Bentley Nichols, 20:26. Female 14-and-under: 1. Oliva Hawkins, 25:24; Annalise Wiltjer, 25:28; 3. Isla Sheely, 25:49. Male 15-19: 1. Donavan Mattson, 16:04; 2. Jordan Domany, 16:15; 3. Jamin Thompson, 16:15. Female 15-19: 1. Tatum Verburg, 23:22; 2. Hannah Dupuis, 23:26; 3. Taylor VenHuizen, 25:02. Male 20-24: 1. Noah Peterson, 16:10; 2. Christian Martinez-Ramos, 16:48; 3. Nathan Gibson, 16:15. Female 20-24: 1. Stephanie Dykgraaf, 28:23; 2. Natalie Weibel, 28:24; 3. Rian Carl, 29:08. Male 25-29: 1. Ethan Barnes, 15:59; 2. Christof Muller 16:18; 3. Chris Weingate, 42:22. Female 25-29: 1. Jessica SeeKLASS/C,pagel2 Charlie Gavan makes his way past myTEAM TRIUMPH captain Dakota Tomac and angel Ben Thompson, the Caledonia varsity boys’ track and field and cross country coach, during the Kilt Klassic 5K Saturday in Caledonia. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 202481 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN IM’iiMi CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Map regarding certain General Commercial (C-2) zoned and partially zoned properties. The proposal includes rezoning forty­ eight (48) parcels from General Commercial (C-2) to Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) in their entirety, rezoning the C-2, Office-Service (O-S), and Residential (RL-10) portions of one (1) multi-zoned parcel to C-1, and rezoning the C-2 portion of one (1) dual-zoned parcel to C-1. The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to regulate the medium density residential zoning districts. The public hearing is scheduled for July 27th, 2023, at 7:00 PM and will be held at the Gaines Charter Township Offices Board Room at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The public hearing is scheduled for July 27th, 2023, at 7:00 PM and will be held at the Gaines Charter Township Offices Board Room at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The following addresses are subject to the amendment proposal: Hanna Lake Avenue Addresses 6808, 6809, 6824. 68th Street Addresses 3158, 3178, 3220, 3230, 3240, 3316 (O-S, RL-10, and C-2 portions), 3496, 3506, 3526, 3530, 3544, 3554, 3564, 3574, 3598, 3606, 3419, 3411, 3395, 3385, 3363, 3345, 3333, 3317, 3291, 3273, 3265, 3259. Division Avenue Addresses 6444,6454,6522,6536, 6544, 6540, 6550, 6556,6600,6972, 6980, 7120, 7100 (C-2 portion), 7560, 7588. Cutlerville Addresses 44 Brownell St. SE; 48 Kenton St. SE; 34 Barry St. SE; 51 76th St. SE. The primary objectives of the proposed amendments are to establish new zoning categories for the medium density residential zoning categories. The proposed text amendments include changing the “Multiple Family Residential” (R-3) zoning category to “Multiple Family Residential” (MFR), “Mobile Home” (R-4) zoning category to “Mobile Home Residential” (MHR), and adding a new zoning district titled “Single Family Attached Residential” (SFAR). The table of permitted uses and development standards are also being proposed for revision. The proposed changes will bring Chapter 7 into compliance with the 2023 Gaines Charter Township Master Plan. The proposed amendments include the following: Section 1. Repeals Chapter 7 in its entirety and replaces it with a new Chapter 7, which includes the following: A. Intent and Purpose of the Single Family Attached Residential (SFAR), Multiple Family Residential (MFR), and Mobile Home Residential (MHR) zoning districts. B. Table of Permitted Uses for the Single Family Attached Residential (SFAR), Multiple Family Residential (MFR), and Mobile Home Residential (MHR) zoning districts. C. Development Standards for the Single Family Attached Residential (SFAR) Zoning District. D. Specific Development Standards for the Single Family Attached Residential (SFAR) Zoning District. E. Development Standards for the Multiple Family Residential (MFR) Zoning District. F. Specific Development Standards for “Mobile Home Residential” (MHR) Zoning District. Section 2. Sets an effective date for the amendments. Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contaAct Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan. wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on July 27th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance.; ' Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan. wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on July 27th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 8,2023 Scots to play first football game at Big House Brett Bremer Sports Editor The 2022 Caledonia varsi­ ty football season ended at Ford Field in downtown Detroit, the home of the Detroit Lions. The 2023 Caledonia varsi­ ty football season will begin at Michigan Stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “Those are things we prob­ ably only dreamed ofa couple years ago when I came here,” Caledonia head football coach Derek Pennington said as the high school football programs across the state entered their dead week this week. “It is just a continua­ tion of some of the success we have had the last two years to get to play in it. “The community of Caledonia plays a big part in it, because we travel so well. We have big crowds at home, and events like that are look­ ing for teams that travel well.” Pennington said that he thought the Scots had the big­ gest fan contingent of any of the 16 teams playing in the MHSAA Football Finals at Ford Field last November. The Fighting Scots will kick-off the season Aug. 25 against Romeo in the Battle at the Big House, which is a set of six games set to be played over two days at the U of M stadium. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m. Romeo has finished with a sub-.500 record only twice since 1997 with the last time coming in 2003. That 2003 season was the only time the Bulldogs have missed the playoffs since 2000. During that stretch the Bulldogs won the 2015 MHSAA Division 1 State Championship. The contest between the Scots and the Bulldogs will be the second of three games that Friday. Goodrich faces Frankenmuth at noon and Clarkston, a team the Scots defeated in the state semifi­ nals last November, will take on Northville at 7 p.m. Pennington said he reached out to Clarkston athletic director Jeff Kosin hoping for a spot in the event once the Scots learned that they wouldn’t get to keep their season-opening series with Holt rolling in 2023.The Scots were 3-1 in their four season-opening match-ups with the Rams - a run that started in 2018 and took a one year hiatus due to the Covid19 pandemic in 2020. The Battle at the Big House opens Thursday, Aug. 24, with Lake Orion facing Livonia Stevenson, South Lyon East playing Lakeland and Lapeer facing Ann Arbor Huron. For now, it’s back to the newly remodeled weight for the Fighting Scots next week and then a few more weeks of summer workouts before prac­ tice can officially begin Aug. 7. Fulton 25:19; 3. Tabitha Nusbaum, 26:55. Male 35-39: 1. Kurt Ashack, 16:32; 2. Michael Wilkinson, 17:00; 3. Jake Shavalier, 17:36. Female 35-39: 1. Betsy Neustifter, 19:49; 2. Christine Bridges, 23:29; 3. Kathryn Wells, 24:10. Male 40-44: 1. Greg Seif, 21:07; 2. Brandon Alexander, 21:30; 3. Josh Edgar, 21:58. Female 40-44: 1. Rebecca Wiltjer, 20:01; 2. Shannon Collins, 24:23; 3. Elizabeth Crosby, 24:29. Male 45-49: 1. Mark DeBlaay, 19:52; '2. Steven Faber, 20:35; 3. Ben Peterson, 21:54. Female 45-49: 1. Amy Pugh, 25:14; 2. Valerie DeBlaay, 26:43; 3. Amanda Walma, 28:59. Male 50-54: 1 .Charlie Hoats, 32:15; 2. Joe Daniero, 35:26; 3. Ed Barr, 37:21. Female 50-54: 1. Jill Degrove, 25:40; 2. Tammy Venhuizen, 27:11; 3. Dawn Rybarczyk, 28:09. Male 55-59: 1.William Hendrian, 23:02; 2. Mike Hennessey, 26:40; 3. David Danko 28:50. Female 55-59: 1. Denise Richards, 28:33; 2. Rhonda Toogood, 31:44; 3. Julie Meindertsma, 46:13. Male 60-64: 1. Brian Diemer, 21:07; 2. Tom Kribs, 21:58; 3. Tom Dean, 23:48. Female 60-64: 1. Dion Wierenga, 29:52; 2. Barbara Turner, 30:10; 3. Joan Klooster, 32:29.' Male 65-69: 1. Jack Petiet, 29: 26; 2. Doug Wierenga, 30: 55; 3. Mike Kelly, 54:27. Female 65-69: 1. Carla Safie, 42:29; 2. Sally Gless, 51:39. Male 70-and-up: 1. Ned M. Newhof, 25:23; 2. Donald Ondersma, 27:58; 3. Charles Schadler, 29:26. Female 70-and-up: 1. Barbara Dinger, 43:55; 2. Patricia Fynewever, 43:56; 3. Kathy Munson, 53:16. KLASSIC, continued from page 11 Witczak, 22:49; 2. Bianca Reiffer, 25:41; 3. Whitney Turner, 25:42. Male 30-34: 1. Ben Fulton, 16:08; 2. Jacob Schuurman, 17:05; 3. Austin TenElshof, 18:25. Female 30-34: 1.Lindsey Duvall, 22:04; 2. Chelsea Youngsters join members of the Caledonia High School girls’ track and field and cross country teams in their patent warm-up before taking part in the Fun Run on the practice field behind Caledonia High School Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) We Accent Keep VourTeeth fora LIFETIME! Micah Meindertsma smiles from the podium as the overall male winner Saturday at the annual Caledonia Kilt Klassic 5K. 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(Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-07-15.pdf f4bb4995e125bbef3981db033c7e7263 PDF Text Text The Suriand News J Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 28/July 15, 2023 Caledonia restaurant OSKAR Scots lands in Dutton after move now offers pizza on its menu Investigation underway in BoCo Cannabis break-in Greg Chandler StaffWriter OSKAR Scots made the move to 3555 68th Street in Dutton at the end of last month. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Jayson Bussa Editor Late last month, Randall Scot moved his restaurant, OSKAR Scots, to a different comer of Caledonia. Seemingly all his custom­ ers made the move right along with him. 145th year Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 “All my regulars followed me,” Scot said. “I anticipated losing a couple here and there, but even those from out in Middleville or south of there, closer to Hastings, they’re still driving here. I haven’t felt any pain of los­ ing regulars. I still have my roundtable of guys that get here at 4:30 a.m. every single day, and they love it.” OSKAR Scots, which now also contains Micco’s Pizzeria, is located at 3555 68th Street in Dutton. This has become a nice culinary comer of Caledonia, also featuring the likes of Railtown Brewing Co. and Cook’s Drive-In. The space that Scot and his team occupy was former­ ly the home of Carmelo’s Italian Pizza, the owner of See OSKAR SCOTS, page 2 The Barry County Sheriffs Office is searching for suspects in a recent break-in at a cannabis shop in Middleville. The burglary took place shortly before 6 a.m. on June 28 at the Botanical Company, also known as BoCo Cannabis, at 640 Arlington Court. Deputies from the sheriffs office were summoned to the dis­ pensary after central dis­ patch received 12 burglary alarms starting at 5:55 a.m., according to the police report. Deputy Morganne Hubbell was the first officer to arrive at the scene about 12 minutes after the alarms sounded. When she arrived, she checked the front doors and found they were locked. However, she found the door handle on the north side of the building was broken. “Once I was inside, I immediately noticed that the store had been broken into. There was several items on the floor, with See INVESTIGATION, page 3 I BoCo CANNABIS DISPENSARY Drunk driver gets a decade in prison for role in fatal wreck Greg Chandler StaffWriter N 54-year-old Middleville man has been sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for a drunk driving crash in Rutland Charter Township last January that killed a Jenison man. Scott Raymond Handley was sentenced Tuesday after­ noon in Barry County court by Judge Michael Schipper on one count of operating while intoxicated causing death in the Jan. 27 crash on M-37 near Whitmore Road. The crash killed 62-year-old Matthew Fuller. Handley pleaded no con­ test on April 19 to the operat­ ing while intoxicated charge. Fifteen years is the maxi­ mum allowable sentence for the crime under Michigan law. “This is not an accident. Ulis is a purposeful act. It’s a purposeful act that took somebody’s life, and that person will be dead forever,” Schipper said, emphasizing the last word in that sentence. “We try to quantify that, and we’re not going to put life in prison as the maxi­ mum (sentence), but 15 years seems kind of not enough.” According to an investiga­ tion by the Barry County Sheriffs Office, Handley was driving a Chevrolet Silverado truck eastbound on M-37 when it crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a westbound Ford Transit van that Fuller was driving while he was on the job. Fuller was killed instantly from the impact. Handley had a blood alcohol level of 0.16 at the time of the crash, Schipper said. The probation department had recommended a sentence of 29 to 57 months for Handley in its pre-sentence report. Assistant County Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth rejected that rec­ ommendation and called for the maximum possible sen­ tence. “This is horrible. This is a man who was going about his business during the day, and all of a sudden (he’s gone), through absolutely no fault of his own,” Ellsworth said. Fuller’s wife, Kim, and the couple’s two children, Dylan and Paige, offered statements to the court on how the crash has impacted the victim’s family. They urged Schipper to hand down the maximum possible sentence to Handley. “Life is all about choices, and on Jan. 27, we believe Scott had a choice,” family friend Andrea Healey read from Kim Fuller’s victim impact statement, battling See HANDLEY, page 2 Middleville-based BoCo Cannabis was burglar­ ized in the early morning hours of June 28. The Barry County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate. (File photo) IN f lISSWEI • Barry County Fair kicks off this weekend • Village of Caledonia to take a second look at golf cart ordinance • Thornapple Township approves cemetery addition Scott Handley of Middleville turns around and apologizes to the family of Matthew Fuller, who died in a fatal wreck caused by Handley. He was ultimately sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • Kids soar through the air during Dawn Patrol Breakfast Yankee Springs parking lot project hits major cost overrun �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023 OSKAR SCOTS, continued from page 1 which was a friend of Scot. Being able to move into the new location was a posi­ tive conclusion to what was otherwise a bitter conflict between Scot and the land­ lord of his former space, which was in a large shop­ ping complex anchored by D&W Fresh Market in the Village of Caledonia. “The local family that owned the building sold the building to a major corpora­ tion. The major corporation and I just weren’t seeing eyeto-eye on things,” Scot explained. Scot said disputes arose over fees that tenants were expected to pay for things like parking lot repairs and landscaping. Scot also con­ tended that he paid for equip­ After purchasing pizza ovens from the facility’s ment that he didn’t think he should be responsible to pay previous tenant — Carmelo’s Italian Pizza — OSKAR Scots now offers pizza. (Courtesy photo) for. The ensuing legal matters tion is a great location for came to a head when Scot Scot said. Everything certainly did what I do.” stopped paying his rent, but What Scot does is make eventually, both sides were fall into place for Scot as he able to settle their differenc­ found his new home in breakfast, burgers and barbe­ es out of court and Scot was Dutton quickly and painless­ cue, specialties that lend themselves to an extensive set free from his lease on the ly“During all of this, I knew menu. space. But, with the move, Scot “We both were very happy Carmelo very well. I grew up with the outcome. I don’t with him, and I knew he was was able to incorporate owe them anything anymore; retiring,” Scot said. “I live another one of his passions: they don’t owe me anything two minutes from this loca­ Pizza. anymore. We’ve just washed tion. I know Dutton, which is He purchased pizza ovens our hands and moved on,” still Caledonia, and the loca- from Carmelo and now offers Despite the move, the menu at OSKAR Scots is the same, zeroing in on breakfast, burgers and barbecue. However, the restaurant is now equipped to make a variety of pizzas. a full menu of pizza. He branded the pizza side of his business as Micco’s Pizzeria, the namesake of which comes from his Blue German Shepherd (the OSKAR Scots also comes from the names of his wife and children). “It was just a really humungous blessing that Carmelo wanted to retire so I could incorporate my pizza because I know how to make pizza,” Scot said. “I make everything from scratch. It was kind of like a no-brainer. I was able to do my break­ fast, burgers and barbecue like I always did, and I get to do pizza.” The selection of pizzas includes pickle pizza, a cus­ tomer favorite, in addition to breakfast pizzas, hot honey drizzle pizza and even a bur­ rito casserole pizza. Another menu item that customers can’t seem to get enough ofis liver and onions. “I’ve done so much liver and onions since I made the move over here — more- than I ever did over there,” Scot said. “That’s one of my sta­ ples, and people are just real­ ly digging on it. And my burgers; I would put my burgers up against anyone. My burgers are delicious.” And, if you’re looking for Scot, he isn’t hard to find. He’s at the restaurant seven days a week and estimates he works north of 100 hours a week, getting there before 4 a.m. and ready to serve any­ one who walks through the doors by 4:15 a.m. HANDLEY, continued from page 1 tears as She read. ->”He could have called a friend, a taxi or an Uber. But instead, he made the selfish choice that no one else’s life or safety mattered. He made a choice to drink and drive, killing my husband, our kids’ father and our grandbabies’ Pop. “The only person that didn’t get a choice that day was Matt, and he paid for this crime with his life.” The Fullers, who met at a roller-skating rink when they were 12 and 10 years old, respectively, had been mar­ ried 34 years at the time of Matthew’s death. “Matthew David Fuller was my hero. He was my role model, and; he was my dad,” Dylan Fuller said. “He was the most caring and lov­ ing father a son could ask for or ever wish for. On Jan. 27, shortly into the afternoon,' my dad was stolen from me and my family. Our lives forever changed, and not for the best. We’ve had to wake up every morning since then ... with this massive empty hole in our hearts, never hav­ ing a chance to say goodbye or a last ‘I love you.’” Defense attorney Kathryn Russell said Handley has been remorseful about the crash since it happened and has replayed it in his mind repeatedly. Dylan Fuller speaks in a Barry County courtroom on Tuesday afternoon about his late father, Matthew Fuller, and what he meant to him. “I met Scott shortly after I was appointed to represent him,” Russell said. “That first meeting, he could barely speak because he was crying so much. I don’t think he was crying because he was caught. I think he was crying because ... he killed a man, and he couldn’t believe it happened.” Handley wrote a letter to the Fuller family apologizing for his actions and then apol- Judge Michael Schipper passes sentence on Scott Handley Tuesday afternoon in his Barry County courtroom. ogized again in court Tuesday to the family. “I know that first impres­ sions are the hardest thing to break, and the first impression you have of me is (I’m) pretty pathetic,” Handley said. “I made a bad decision. I am sorry that we’re all here because of my decision. I am sorry for your loss. I do have three kids of my own. I would feel vengeful (if that hap- • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers * Cellular Enhancement Systems ctCTi Give us a call! 269-967-8241 vvww.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com pened to one of them).” Handley said that he prays every night for the Fuller family. “I can’t ask for forgive­ ness. I don’t deserve it,” he said. Schipper encouraged Handley to make the most of his time in prison and help others. “I do think there’s good­ ness in you, absolutely. I do think there’s purpose in you,” the judge said. “You know what? I don’t know how God works, but maybe this is a purpose. I don’t know. Maybe this is where you’re supposed to be. Maybe there’s someone there that you’re supposed to change. I don’t know, but I hope so.” Handley received credit for 165 days served in the Barry County Jail. �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15, 2023/ Page 3 Caledonia council approves site plan changes Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Monday, the Caledonia Village Council unanimously approved changes to the village’s site plan review process, allowing some developers to bypass the planning commission and have their plans approved directly by the village zoning adminis­ trator. Among the changes that passed was an amendment that will allow the zoning administrator to issue a zoning compliance permit, allowing a developer to gross floor area and no avoid having a hearing more than five additional before the planning com­ parking spaces. mission if the project Planning commissioners involves a change from will have the final word on one permitted use to site plans for any new another without any buildings as well as build­ changes to the building’s ings that would expand by exterior or dimensions. more than 20 percent. They The move is expected to also must approve any spe­ be a time- and cost-saving cial land uses. measure for applicants. “The way the current In addition, the zoning ordinance is, it says ... administrator can review planning commission and approve site plans if reviews site plans. In other the project involves no places, it says the zoning more than a 20 percent administrator approves site increase in. the building’s plans. It doesn’t say both,” Village Manager Jeff months on this. They did Thornton said. “It depends a really deep dive on this on who you got directed to, to make sure that they depending on who were making the right approved it.” decisions,” Village Planning Consultant President Jennifer Nathan Mehmed of Lindsey said. & Williams Works “We talked to a lot of worked with the planning people,” said Trustee commission and zoning Gerrianne Schuler, the administrator to draft the council liaison to the plan­ amended site plan review ning commission. process. Commissioners The ordinance change in late May voted to rec­ also expands review stan­ ommend approval of the dards for site plans to changes. include “safe, convenient, “I know the planning uncongested and well-de­ commission spent many fined vehicular and pedes- trian circulation within and to the site” as well as assuring that “removal of surface waters will not adversely affect neighbor­ ing properties or nearby bodies of water,” which may lead to requiring the use of detention or reten­ tion ponds. It also calls for exterior lighting to be deflected away from neighboring properties and for off-street and loading areas to be provid­ ed where required, accord­ ing to the ordinance lan­ guage. Enforcement concerns lead to second look at Caledonia golf cart ordinance Greg Chandler StaffWriter Less than five years after the village of Caledonia adopted an ordinance allowing golf carts to use local streets, concerns about unsafe vehicle use have prompted the village to take a second look at the ordi­ nance. Village Council mem­ bers discussed the situa­ tion at Monday’s council meeting, and Village Manager Jeff Thornton said he will continue to work with the village attorney to come up with an amendment to the ordi­ nance that he hopes will be easier to enforce. “I truly feel there is a benefit to some motorized vehicles, operated responsi­ bly,” Thornton said. “What we’re dealing with are peo­ ple of all ages that are act­ ing irresponsibly.” The ordinance was passed by the council in November 2018. As cur­ rently written, golf carts are treated similarly to cars and trucks. Anyone operating a golf cart must be at least 16 years old and licensed to operate a motor vehicle. But Council Trustee Cheryl Miller says she’s seen examples of underage kids driving golf carts in her neighborhood. “We’ve got under 16-year-olds driving, and driving out of control, swerving, trying to get the people in the back to fall off,” Miller said. But Thornton says there is little the village can do regarding enforcement. “We do not have the power to pursue, we don’t have the power to pull over, we don’t have the power to it bans carts from being operated in bad weather. It also limits the time carts can be operated during the day, from half an hour after sunrise to half an hour .truly feel there is a benefit to some motorized vemcles, operated responsibly,” Thornton said. “What we re dealing with are people ofall ages that are acting irresponsibly” — JeffThornton, Caledonia Village Manager detain,” Thornton said. “The way the ordinance is written currently is mostly unenforceable.” The ordinance set a speed limit for golf carts at 15 miles per hour. In addition, before sunset, Thornton said. Golf carts must carry lia­ bility coverage, which can be included on a homeown­ ers’ insurance policy, Thornton said. The ordinance also requires golf carts to be registered with the village. A $10 annual fee is in the ordinance, but the village is currently waiving that fee. Despite that, only 14 golf carts are registered at Village Hall, officials said. Thornton is optimistic that a solution to the ordi­ nance enforcement issue can be found. “The attorney feels that with a simple amendment, it may make the ordinance easier to enforce and make the owner of the golf cart responsible for the opera­ tion and the violation (of) the ordinance, in addition to the operator,” he said. “If I see so-and-so’s golf cart... being operated irre­ sponsibly, and I can identi­ fy it in somebody’s drive­ way that I believe is the owner, I can cite a ticket to that owner.” The day after Monday’s discussion, Thornton announced that an educa­ tional training session for people wishing to operate golf carts within the village will be held Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall, 250 S. Maple St. “This educational session will go over the golf cart ordinance and the refer­ enced laws,” Thornton wrote in the announcement. “The village’s goal is for everyone to be safe in our community.” Snacks will be provided at the event. allowing them as special land uses in certain zoned areas. The village allowed for only two retail dispen­ saries. The other dispensary in the village is Crafted Leaf Cannabis at 314 Arlington St. The Sheriff’s Office has refused to release any additional informa­ tion on the incident, cit­ ing that it is an open investigation. INVESTIGATION, continued from page 1 drawers and cabinets open ing several totes and bags pound increments, was sto­ len from a shelf inside “the and disorganized,” Hubbell full of merchandise.” wrote in her report. The suspects left the vault,” valued at about A second deputy later building at 5:58 a.m., $20,000. A vape display arrived and found that the entered the two vehicles had also been stolen, the doors to the garage of the and then took off north­ report said. In addition, McCarthy building had also been bound on M-37, according told investigators that 20 damaged, Hubbell wrote in to the police report. her report. BoCo Cannabis general C-vaults — portable mari­ BoCo Cannabis owner manager Drew McCarthy juana storage containers Jarred Biggs arrived shortly then took inventory of containing various amounts after the deputies and what was taken. McCarthy of the drug, up to one pound assisted them in checking directed deputies to a por­ each — were stolen from the surveillance cameras. tion of the shop called “the the storefront portion of the Video footage taken from vault,” where extra inven­ shop, the report said. those cameras showed five tory was kept inside. He At the time the report black males, all wearing told investigators that was filed, deputies were gloves and hoods, exiting a about 16 pounds of mari­ unable to provide a descrip­ gray Kia sedan and blue juana, packaged in one- tion of the suspects other Kia Forte and entering the building. Your local agent insures your “Two suspects are seen holding objects that look similar to a crowbar while the other suspects are hold­ ing black garbage bags,” Hubbell wrote in her report after reviewing the footage. “The suspects forced entry E4ffM BUREAU through the north exterior , INSURANCE* door at 0554 hours. The Mictyatie (MuraMie Cantfxum suspects are seen going through the cabinets and shelves behind the count­ ers. The suspects then dis­ Jason Parks (269) 795-8827 appear to the south end of jparks@fbinsmi.com 121 E. Main Street FarmBureaulnsurance.com the store and are later seen Downtown Middleville back in the storefront carry­ Fs^rm than that they were black males that appeared to be in their early to late teens. The report also says the five individuals and the same two vehicles may have been involved in a prior break-in at a marijuana dispensary in Wayland. BoCo Cannabis became the first marijuana dispen­ sary to open in Middleville in October of last year. The Village Council voted in August 2021 to legalize the sale and growing of mari­ juana within the village, Brace's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023 Anthony TenHave, Jr. Anthony “Tony” TenHave Jr, age 72, ofAlto, MI passed away surrounded by his fam­ ily on Saturday, July 8, 2023. Tony will be especially missed by those who knew him for his sense of humor, his willingness to help any­ one, his friendship and love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Sr. and Donna TenHave and grandmother, Helen Rice. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 25 years, Susan “Hootie”; sons, Tony (Ramee) TenHave III and Nicholas TenHave; step-children, Angela (Josh) Moore, Brandon Clement; grandchil­ dren, Anthony IV, Allie, Kyle, Mason, Jaxson, Camden, Jordan, Hayden, Jillann and great-grandson, Oliver. Per Tony’s wishes, crema­ tion has taken place and his family plans to hold a cele­ bration of his life at a later time. Private burial will take place at Holy Comers Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Alto American Legion Post #528. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. Susan Ann Sines Susan Ann (Treat) Sines, age 76, of Hastings, MI, passed away July 6, 2023. Susan was bom August 22, 1946, in Hastings, MI, the daughter of Clifford and Thelma (Kidder). Susan was married to Bill Sines, which ended in divorce in 1999. Susan worked at many restaurants and was employed at Lesco Middleville, Monroe, Inc. in Grand Rapids, retiring from FlexFab in Hastings. Susan enjoyed gardening, antique collecting, hunting for morel mushrooms, fish­ ing, gardening, and being outdoors. She had a special love for the Siamese cats in her life. Susan was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Chuck and Donald Treat. She is survived by her son, Bob; stepson, Breck; grand­ children, Destiny and Christopher. Respecting Susan’s wish­ es, cremation has taken place, visitation will be on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 1 p.m. with a memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. Memorial contributions in memory of Susan can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome. net. Middleville TOPS 546 The July 10 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and the roll call. Four new fish were swimming in the fishbowl. Virginia read the Advocate Newsletter. The Fall Rally will be on Saturday, Oct. 7. The club scheduled a picnic for Monday, Aug. 28. Sue led the program from the May/June TOPS magazine titled “Breaking Bad Habits: Why it’s so Hard to Change.” We know what to do to lose weight. So why don’t we do it? Habits develop when good or enjoyable events trigger reward centers in the brain. Pleasure-based habits are very hard to break. Dopamine is released from the brain, and the habit is strengthened. Dopamine creates cravings. Self-control is like a muscle that can tire from being used. Willpower can temporarily drain, and it’s harder to be firm the next time. Regularly exercising self-control can strengthen your “muscle” and make you stronger. Club members were told to focus on being more aware of their bad habits. Stay away from trigger areas or people and situations that lead to unhealthy choices. Club members were asked to mentally practice a bad situa­ tion and envision themselves resisting the temptation. Firstlearned habits are the hardest to resist because they can’t be No Family Left Indoors continues with Wild Wednesdays No Family Left Indoors continues this week with Wild Wednesdays! The Dragon and Damselflies pro­ gram will take place on Tuesday, July 19, at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, 12685 E. C Avenue in Augusta, from 10 a.m. to noon. No registration is required for this week’s No Family Left Indoors event The morning will consist of guided activity with no costs associated. Families will participate in a variety of fun, interactive activities on dragonflies and damselflies and create a nature-themed craft. Each summer, No Family alaslei chSrci! 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 Ur'ieett’iq cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday's Ministries Worship Service .9:30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School 11: 00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who win reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) .9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Church: w OURNEY C H U .Sr. CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE Cfiurcfi (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. R C H M ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch MIDDLEVILLE: 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School..Sunday Worship 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Iftadqv Watch our services from our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhltneyvilleFellowship.org erased. Members were told to enlist help from friends, coworkers or family to stay with new healthy habits. Maryellen won the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzz­ er for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. "Shining Forth God's Fight" Sunday Morning Worship...... ;............. Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m 1 1;00 a m James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Left Indoors offers free week­ ly activities to keep families busy while school’s out. More information about Wild Wednesdays, along with a full schedule of No Family Left Indoors program­ ming throughout the summer, can be found at sites.google. com/view/no-family-left-indoors-2023/events. nF—Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join ns for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY ^/CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023/ Page 5 Dearborn Street temporary repairs get green light Greg Chandler StaffWriter Plans to rebuild a section of Dearborn Street that has been closed since last fall have been put on hold until next year. However, the Middleville Village Council Tuesday approved temporary repairs that will soon allow the road to reopen between Larkin and Cherry Streets. On a 6-0 vote, the council approved the removal of asphalt in that area and replacing it with gravel at a cost of about $5,000. A 150-foot section of Dearborn between Larkin and Cherry buckled in the fall of last year because of a water main break. The Village Council in February approved plans to complete­ ly rebuild Dearborn from Larkin Street to Russell Street. However, the village did not receive approval for a culvert that was to be part of the project from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy until recently, Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson said. “With the delay in per­ mitting from EGLE, it’s staffs recommendation that we wait until next year to send (the reconstruction work) out for bid,” Belson said. Belson presented three options to the council for temporary repairs that would allow Dearborn to reopen. They included a two-inch resurfacing cap of the road at a cost of $17,000 or a pulver­ izing and regrading of the road surface at a cost of $9,000. “Whatever money we spend to do this repair is money (for a project) that is lasting about 9-10 months,” Belson said. The council could also have chosen to keep Dearborn closed until recon­ struction begins next year. “It’s a local street. In my opinion, it’s not a heavily traveled street... There is no home or residence that has to go in the closed section to access their house,” Belson said. “It does make it incon­ venient, depending on which way they’re coming from to access their drive. They’d have to go around their block.” Council Trustee Kevin Smith favored the gravel option as a temporary fix until Dearborn can be fully rebuilt. “I think at the end of the day, it doesn’t make sense for us to go through the pro­ cess of paving everything and then having to just turn around and tear it back up again,” Smith said. The Dearborn reconstruc­ tion had been budgeted for this year, using reserves from the water, sewer and local street funds. “From Larkin Street to Russell Street, we’re going to rip the entire road out, put all brand new water main in, (install) a highbacked curb, (put in) side­ walk on the south side. Everything on that entire road is going to get ripped up next summer,” Belson said. Engineers from Williams and Works in February esti­ mated the cost of rebuilding Dearborn at more than $538,000, according to vil­ lage documents. Thornapple Township approves cemetery addition honoring former community leader, firefighter Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Monday, the Thomapple Township board gave the go-ahead to begin the development of an addi­ tion to Mount Hope Cemetery that honors a longtime com­ munity leader. The board voted 7-0 to spend $5,307 to have Wickham Cemetery Services mark out and map a cemetery addition that honors Walter Eavey, a former township trustee and firefighter who died in October 2020 at the age of 87. “The cemetery is full,” Township Clerk Cindy Ordway told board members. “We have a couple of ran­ dom spaces here and there, so we need to get going.” A total of 504 spaces will be added to the cemetery as a result of the addition, Ordway said. Eavey served as a town­ ship trustee from 1996 to 2016. While in that role, he took an active interest in the care of Mount Hope and Parmalee cemeteries, par­ ticularly the graves of vet­ erans who were buried there. Each fall, he ensured that every veteran’s grave was marked with a military marker. Eavey also served as a firefighter and first respond­ er with the former Middleville Fire Department and Thornapple Township Emergency Services from 1956 until his retirement in 2004. He was named Middleville’s Hometown Hero in 2017. The Township Board passed a resolution naming the addition the Walter R. Eavey Section of the Thomapple Township Mount Hope Cemetery in July 2019. In other business, on Monday, the board approved a quote from B&E Coating Services of Blanchard for resealing the parking lots at the Township Hall and TI ES headquarters in the amount of $7,098. “It is needed. It’s a needed piece of maintenance that we probably took too long in performing,” Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. The board also approved appointing Ordway as the township’s Freedom of Information Act coordina­ tor. In addition, TIES Chief Bill Richardson introduced Caleb Meek, who has been promoted to a probationary firefighter position with the department after having been a recruit for the past year, receiving a yellow protective shield to be worn on his hel­ met. Meek completed both firefighter training school and got his emergency medi­ cal technician license while working a full-time job, Richardson said. COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Mount Hope Cemetery in Middleville. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Movies in the Park set for Aug. 4 outside Gaines Township Hall James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Charter Township, the Gaines Chamber of Commerce and the Kent District Library are co-host­ ing a “Movies in the Park” event Friday, Aug. 4, on the lawn outside the township hall, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave. The event begins at 6 p.m. and lasts until the end of the film. The movie will be “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” Along with the free fami­ ly-fun activities, there will be a community business expo. “We will have food trucks, fun activities, business expo table sponsors, fire and sher- iff department (displays) and more for this event,” Chamber Executive Director Barb Nauta said. All proceeds will go to The Community Food Basket and Streams of Hope Food Center Pantry. Some of the food-truck munchies will include pop­ corn, cotton candy and cara­ mel com, with Chick-Fil-A supplying a lot of the food. It’s not the only event planned for outside of the township hall in the coming months. The annual Gaines Heritage Festival is slated for Oct. 14. It is run by the Gaines Historical Society and typi- cally features various food vendors, arts and crafts, a petting zoo and more adjacent to Prairie Wolf Park. The minutes of the June 27, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on July 11, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. SEASONAL LABOR WANTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE _________WAGES STARTING AT $16.00_________ 20 /o OffFabrics (excludes sale items) Sale ends July 31st Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station ft be MifitneMtMt! QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings ■ 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; WS4 Saturday 9 am-3 pm POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM Twin City Foods, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in ‘ employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protectecHj^aw. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023 Traffic, theft, drug crimes top Michigan automatic expungements Lauren Gibbons meanor drug charges were tions,” said Rep. Graham expunged, the bulk of which Filler, R-Duplain Township, Bridge Michigan Traffic misdemeanors, were related to use and pos­ who led efforts to change theft charges and drug pos­ session of marijuana, a sub­ Michigan’s expungement session or use made up the stance made legal by process in 2020. “But I believe it’s too vast majority of the nearly Michigan voters in 2018. 1.2 million Michigan crimi­ Roughly 22,000 drug-related early to see how it impacts nal convictions dropped from felony counts were dropped, individuals, just because residents’ records in the first including 10,000 counts of many individuals don’t know two weeks of automatic cocaine, heroin or narcotics about the automatic conexpungement, state police possession and just over cept.” records show. 6,700 marijuana-related felo­ Automatic process The data, obtained by ny charges. Other convictions auto­ still in its infancy Bridge Michigan from the Michigan is one of only Michigan State Police matically dropped from criminal four states with an through the state’s Freedom Michiganders’ up-and-running automatic of Information Act, offers a records include: — Nearly 20,000 weapons expungement system, join­ nuanced look into the state’s rollout ofautomatic expunge-felony convictions, including ing Utah, California and 13,543 counts for carrying Pennsylvania. ment, which began April 11 The program scans the and is designed to identify concealed weapons without a and remove convictions eli­ license, and another 26,607 state’s list ofcriminal records gible for expungement with­ weapons misdemeanors were daily for offenses that meet eligibility requirements for dropped. out a court order. — About 75,000 alco- setting aside the conviction, The dropped convictions by and large reflect the most hol-related misdemeanors, including type of offense, the commonly-committed including 25,108 counts of amount of time that has crimes newly eligible for drunk disorderly conduct and passed since conviction and expungement. Of the 21,685 counts of minor in whether the person has reached the statutory maxi­ 1,166,852 misdemeanor and possession. — 45,000 counts of mis­ mum for automatic expunge­ 112,389 felony counts wiped from the record in the pro­ demeanor disorderly con­ ments. Prior to 2020, Michigan gram’s first two weeks, more duct, and another 45,000 than 420,000 misdemeanors misdemeanor counts of dis- residents with one felony and felonies were traf-turbing the peace conviction or two or fewer fic-related convictions — More than 33,000 mali­ misdemeanors for certain that were previously ineligi­ cious destruction of property crimes were eligible to apply ble to be set aside prior to a convictions, including 2,435 with courts to clear their 2020 overhaul of the state’s felonies record so long as they hadn’t expungement laws. Attorney General Dana committed other offenses for More than half the traf­ Nessel estimated in April at least five years. fic-related misdemeanors that the first wave of autoBut those rules didn’t automatically expunged — matic expungements applied apply to many nonviolent about 272,000 — were first to at least a million people, crimes, including traffic or subsequent convictions 400,000 of whom became offenses, and criminal justice for driving with a suspended conviction-free under the reform advocates argued the or revoked license. new policy. costs and complexity of getAnother 270,000 misdeThree months in, many ting records expunged meanors and 46,000 felony observers say it’s too soon to blocked many eligible resiconvictions dropped from know the full impact of the dents from doing so. the records were theft-relat­ automatic process — in part Researchers at the University ed, including shoplifting, lar- because some people with of Michigan found that only ceny, breaking and entering newly cleared records may 6.5 percent of Michigan resiinto a vehicle and receiving not realize it yet. dents successfully expunged or concealing stolen proper­ “I’m excited about it, a conviction from their tybecause of the scraping of record within five years of About 137,000 misde- really old, minor convic-becoming eligible. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS Michigan residents meet with attorneys at an April 28 expungement fair in i arising to get more information about whether and when their convictions can be set aside. Many low-level convictions are now expunged automatically once they’re eligible. (Photo by Lauren Gibbons) The “Clean Slate” biparti­ san bill package signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in October 2020 overhauled the state’s expungement process, making the option available to people with three felonies or less and any number of misdemeanors as well as expediting the process for people with marijuana-relat­ ed convictions. That legislation also opened the door for automatic expungements of up to two felonies after 10 years and up to four misdemeanors after seven years for people who haven’t committed any crimes since — with several excep­ tions, including violent crimes, crimes that involve minors or vulnerable adults, sex crimes and other serious offenses. Some crimes, including first-time drunk driving offenses, are not eligible for automatic expungement, but can be expunged by petition­ ing a judge if the incident didn’t involve death or seri­ ous injury. Convictions not otherwise exempted are fair game for automatic expungement, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 10,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as amended with the addition of the Planning and Zoning Administrator being added to # 8 Reserved Time. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 11-2023, “Cindy Or­ dway designated to serve as the Township FOIA Coordinator.” 4. Approved motion to pay Wickham Cemetery Services to mark and map the WR Eavey Sec­ tion of the Mt. Hope Cemetery at a cost of $5,307.28. 5. Approved motion to accept B & E’s quote to reseal the Emergen­ cy Services and township parking lots for a cost of $7,098.00. Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Su­ pervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp. org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. including more obscure crimes — three counts of failing to pay the Mackinac Bridge toll, seven counts related to fortune telling and five dueling-related counts were among the misdemean­ or convictions set aside auto­ matically in the first weeks of the program. Bans on for­ tune telling and dueling were repealed in 1993 and 2015, respectively. Rep. Phil Skaggs, D-Grand Rapids, worked closely on the 2020 expungement legis­ lation as a staffer with for­ mer Rep. David LaGrand. Bipartisan agreement on automatic expungement was “such a massive break- through” that will ultimately allow thousands of otherwise eligible Michigan residents to enjoy the benefits of expungement without facing complicated and costly legal obstacles, he said. “With any major piece of legislation, especially when it’s something that hasn’t been tested out in a whole lot of other states, you’re going to have a few unexpected hiccups and bumps in the road,” he said. “But overall, this has been a massive suc­ cess in encouraging Michiganders to stay on the straight and narrow, knowing that this is out there for them if they do so.” Fall turkey license app period open now Fall turkey hunting license on Monday, Aug. 14. applications for the 2023 sea­ Hunters can learn how to son are available now apply and find season regu­ through Tuesday, Aug. 1. lations in the Michigan Fall You can buy an applica-Turkey Hunting tion for $5 online at eLi-Regulations Summary at cense, anywhere DNR Michigan.gov/Turkey or in licenses are sold or through the app. the Michigan DNR Hunt Questions can be Fish app. When applying, answered by calling 517enter your email or phone 284-WELD (9453) or email­ number to be automatically ing . DNR-Wildlife@ alerted of drawing results Michigan.gov. �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15, 2023/ Page 7 Yankee Springs parking lot project $52,000 over estimate A utomotive PAYING UP TO $1,000 FOR SCRAP VEHICLES, 7 DAYS A WEEK. 269-967-5744. Wanted Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Thursday, the Yankee Springs Township Board approved spending the remaining $11,563 of its allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act for the new parking lot at the township park. However, that allocation will only cover a small por­ tion of a major cost overrun for the project. As of Thursday, the cost of installing the new lot had topped $152,000 — well above the $100,000 estimate provided to the township by its engineering consultant, Fleis & VandenBrink, when the project was first proposed last year. That price tag is likely to go higher as addi­ tional engineering fees come in, Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. The board had already set aside $100,000 out of its $468,000 ARPA allocation for the parking lot before approving the additional funding Thursday. The township had a $5,975 balance left over from its $150,000 obligation for road improve­ ment projects in the town­ ship and $5,588 remaining from an $18,000 obligation to look into the feasibility of expanding the township’s water system to serve the Yankee Springs Meadows manufactured home park, Cunningham said. “Since the park seems to be over budget with their project, I think that might be a good place to put (the remaining ARPA funding),” Township Treasurer Deb Mousseau said. The township general fund will absorb the remaining costs ofthe project. So what led to the cost overrun? The first part was when the project was bid out in PAYING UP TO $1,000 FOR SCRAP VEHICLES, 7 DAYS A WEEK. 269-967-5744- Business Services Mike Cunningham MATT ENDSLEY, FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom Fourth of July as a result of fireworks that were blown up on the surface. “It caused quite a mess for them to clean up,” Cunningham said. trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. In other business Thursday: October of last year. Four with more expected to come, companies bid on the project; according to township docu­ with their bids all exceeding ments. the $100,000 Fleis & Another $3,250 has been VandenBrink estimate. B&R added to the project cost for Excavating of Shelbyville the installation ofbumpers to won the contract with a low keep vehicles from going too bid of $106,534. The other far over the pavement into a three bids ranged from grassy dip between two sec­ $146,979 to $166,940, tions of the parking lot. The according to township bumpers have not yet been records. installed. Another $2,877 is “We were over budget going toward the installation right off the bat,” of sprinklers for the grassy Cunningham said. area, township documents Another strike on the proj­ show. ect came when the contractor The cost overrun drew went to tear up the old pave­ criticism from two township ment. B&R determined the residents at the meeting. Pat thought the ARPA money was supposed to help people, and you guys put up a parking lot? Yikes.” — Pat Jamison, resident material underneath would not support a new asphalt surface. That led to a change order for a sand base that added $9,900 to the project cost, according to township documents. Cunningham said the ini­ tial $100,000 estimate included engineering fees, perhaps about $15,000. To date, Fleis & VandenBrink has assessed the township $29,445 in engineering fees, Jamison questioned the township’s priorities when it came to deciding which proj­ ects to spend ARPA funding on. “I thought the ARPA money was supposed to help people, and you guys put up a parking lot? Yikes,” Jamison said. “We’ve got residents in Yankee Springs Meadows still drinking arsenic in their water. You’re talking about PFAS up in Gun Lake. You want to put a new line in for the business district while people in Yankee Springs Meadows are still drinking arsenic over a year later? Let’s help those people, okay? Can we do that?” Several tests of wells at Yankee Springs Meadows over the last three years have found levels of arsenic and nitrates above state drinking water standards. Representatives of the town­ ship and the mobile home park met to discuss the possibility of extending water service to the community’s 284 homes, but the township wanted a contribution from Yankee Springs Meadows to cover part ofthe project cost Yankee Springs Meadows decided to back out of the project, with the idea they might pursue developing their own water supply system, Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said. Of the remaining ARPA allocation for the township, $150,000 was set aside toward the purchase of a new fire truck, and $50,000 was used for a secure entry at the Township Hall that was linked to the hall expansion and renovation project. On a related note, a por­ tion of the new asphalt sur­ face on the parking lot suf­ fered some-damage over the — The board approved the spending of $11,649 to pur­ chase uniforms for the fire department. The patches on the uniforms will specifically say “Yankee Springs,” even though the Yankee Springs station is part ofthe Wayland Fire Department. The pur­ chase will cover the cost of uniforms for 19 firefighters. Township Trustee Dave VanHouten says the uni­ forms will help build cama­ raderie and pride among township firefighters. “I think it will help them bond and make them feel like a team, make them look good, we can be proud of them, they can get recognition,” VanHouten said. — The board approved an application by William and Kathleen McKeown to have 40.1 acres of their 70.7-acre farm on Kiser Road be set aside for the Michigan Farmland and Open Space Preservation program. If approved by the state, the land would not be developed for a period of 10 years. The McKeowns would be able to seek tax credits through the program if their application is approved. — The board reminded residents that the open house for the Township Hall expan­ sion and renovation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Tours and light refreshments will be offered. Barry County Clerk’s office makes quick hire Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer wasted no time add­ ing to her staffonce permitted by the county board to do so. In late June, the Board of Commissioners approved the addition of one full-time staff member for the clerk’s office, which, by Palmer’s account, has become bogged down by the accumulation of additional duties over time. The five additional workers that accompany Palmer were not enough to keep up. After getting the green light, Palmer has moved forward by hiring a new deputy clerk, Andrew Green of Hastings. Green is a familiar face to the office after previously serving as an intern there, where he assisted with projects. Green’s first day will be July 17. “He ended up applying, so I kind of consider it hiring from within, almost,” Palmer said. “He’s already been doing some projects. We only had a few half days a week, so we’ll be working to expand his horizons.” Palmer interviewed one BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. YORKIE MIX PUPPIES. Adorable, very cute. First shots and dewormed. Will stay small. $350. 517-852-3007 MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300. 269-223-9194. Help Wanted TRUCK & TRAILER SPE­ CIALTIES is looking for an entry level or experienced body shop tech. Visit www. ttspec.com or call Jenny for details- 616-698-8215 Community Notice NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ AGESALE Please notice Red Dot Storage 195 - Caledonia, located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledonia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction of the stor­ age unit in default ofpayment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 8/1/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, fur­ nishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #439. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details. other candidate in her brief with a growing workload, search for additional person­ staffing is even more crucial nel. as Palmer plans to retire this Palmer initially requested fall before her term ends. A two additional full-time staff new clerk will then be members. As the county appointed to her post. board works through the budgeting process, commis­ sioners said they would con­ sider figuring another posi­ tion into the budget. USB PANTS- PICK OPS- ONE TONS -VANS-SUITS- HEPS -4MS In addition to keeping up SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville LIGHT TRUCK PARTS -8 FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT I 269-3812300 I S @ > 4r 9 9 USED PARTS 9 9 9 9 '9 9 9 9 9 R USED TIRES gfiUft WlMiiuio if- �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15, 2023 Annual Dawn Patrol Breakfast allows kids to take flight Brett Bremer Sports Editor It took a few moments of Abby Mattice pointing out the cockpit window of Thomapple Flight Academy instructor Tom Otto’s plane before her daughter Mille Mattice spotted it — their home southeast of Hastings. Mille said her neighbors’ houses look a lot closer from up there. Neighbors, friends, pilots and aviation enthusiasts were packed close together inside the hanger at the Hastings/ Barry County Airport for the annual Dawn Patrol Pancake Breakfast Saturday, July 8, enjoying pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice and coffee served by members ofthe Middleville Lions Club and Middleville Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Mille climbed out of the tiniest airplane she had ever been in and made her way with Abby across the airport to get some breakfast after her quick flight around town. Otto did his best to keep his plane and his passengers out of the rain storm that rolled through the area Saturday morning, a gentle storm on the ground but one that seemed to limit the number of planes rolling in from across the midwest for the event. “That was very fun, very cool,” Abby said ofher plane ride. “I saw it [Mille] wants to be an astronaut, and I said, ‘Hey, let’s go fly.’” Spectators near the breakfast thought it was pretty cool to see the Fabulous Flamingo parked alongside the planes by the runaway. The Flamingo is an RV made out of the fuselage of a retired Douglas R4D aircraft and an International DuraStar 4400 chassis. It belongs to Gino and Laura Lucci of Nashville, Mich. It was the dream of Gino to build an RV out of a plane after seeing the concept on a television show when he was eight years old. Their son found the former Navy aircraft, which also spent 30 years as a test plane for the Federal Aviation Administration, in a group of three in Rolla, Missouri, and was able to purchase it to begin his project in 2019. A tornado that swept through Missouri damaged the retired planes beyond the ability to fly any longer. During construction, Gino decided to leave some of the tornado damage visible on the passenger side to ensure everyone understood that his creation didn’t disable a perfectly good airplane. While the project was the dream of the Air Force veter­ an Gino, Laura had a mission The hanger at the Hastings/Barry County Airport is filled during the annual Dawn Patrol Breakfast Saturday morning, July 8. (Photo by Brett Bremer) for the vehicle, which is street legal, Saturday. A Boy Scout Troop 45 troop leader based in Charlotte, Laura has been working with the scouts on the “We Will Remember” project. That project is the brain­ child of Connor Nicol of New Hampshire. Seeing images of World War II sol­ diers as 12-year-old in 2020, Nicol decided these men and women needed to be remem­ bered. He began creating dog tags with the soldier’s name, rank and hometown, accom­ panied by a card listing their date of death. “We did a project where we got the box of tags and the box of papers, and we matched them up. Now we’re trying to find homes for them,” Laura said. The “We Will Remember” project has created and dis­ tributed more than 40,000 dog tags so far, enough to commemorate all those listed in the National Archives who died in the Korean War and some from the Vietnam War. “I found it online. I was just looking through, and I saw his story and it just hit me,” Laura said. “It’s import­ ant.” “He started it using his own money. Now, he is doing it with groups and any­ one who wants to help. He doesn’t want to sell them. That’s a big important thing. They’re not for sale, but if anybody wants to donate, they can go to his website and give donations, and then that helps with the printing. He actuallyjust bought a dog See DAWN PATROL, next page >2673 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 QlLEDONlA TOWNSHIP Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledo­ nia Charter Township Ordinances which would amend Section 4.2 ofthe zoning map, has been posted in the office of the Township clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and have also been posted on the Township’s website, the address ofwhich is www.caledoniatownship.org. The amending ordinance would rezone the lands commonly known as the northern part of 6949 Broadmoor from its current zoning ofthe eastern portion ofthe property being zoned C-2 and the western portion ofthe property currently zoned R-R, so that the entire northern part ofthe property will be rezoned to the C-2 Commercial Dis­ trict. The amending ordinance would also rezone the lands including the southern part of lands commonly known as 6949 Broadmoor and the entire property commonly known as 7005 Broadmoor, from its current zoning of the eastern portion ofthe property being C-2 and the western portion being R-R, such that the entire property is rezoned to the 1-1 Light Industrial District. Visitors to the Dawn Patrol Breakfast at the Hastings/Barry County Airport Saturday check out the Fabulous Flamingo, an RV created with a retired plane by Nashville’s Gino Lucci and family. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting ofthe Town­ ship Board held on June 21, 2023 and is expected to be considered on second reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on July 19, 2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and h authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Boar^i Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township embers of the Middleville Lions Club cook pancakes for the annual Dawn Patrol Breakfast, along with sausages and scrambled eggs, Saturday at the Hastings/Barry County Airport. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and Mews, Saturday. July 15,2023/ Page 9 DAWN PATROL, continued from previous page Scout Ian Hall-Humphrey checks out the magnets representing states that the Fabulous Flamingo, an RV constructed out of a retired airplane, has been during the Dawn Patrol Breakfast at the Hastings/Barry County Airport July 8. (Photo by Brett Bremer) tag maker, so he can make When there is hanger airport in Hastings. Gino is them himself, whereas origi­ space, the Luccis keep the an assistant manager at the nally, he had to pay someone Fabulous Flamingo at the airport. else to do it. He is just a kid with a mission, and we’re trying to help support him.” Laura said it was a fun exercise as her scouts worked to match up the names and the tags that they received in the mail to get them ready for distribution. “We had a table spread out. They came in alphabeti­ cal order to a point. We had all the letters spread across, and they would grab tags, and they’d read names and run to the places. It was kind of fun while you were sitting there and just hearing names. That is also part of the remembering, every time you hear them say, ‘Oh, I’m looking for so and so.’ It was just fun. We were at scout camp last week, so we gave some out there. Everywhere we travel with the Flamingo, we try and share them.” Millie Mattice boards Tom Otto’s plane for a ride There is a Fabulous through the skies over Hastings during the annual Dawn Patrol Breakfast at the Hastings/Barry County Flamingo Facebook page where people can share Airport. (Photo by Brett Bremer) where they spot the RV, and it has become a place where Laura can share where they will be to pass out dog tags. “We have had it from the Yankee Springs Township east coast to Utah and from 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 the northern border of Maine down to Texas and Florida,” YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Gino said of the Flamingo. EXPANDED & RENOVATED Laura never intended to have a mission to accompany MEETING HALL & OFFICE the Flamingo. “It just happened,” Laura said. “It kind of works hand-in­ hand together,” Gino said. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP OFFICE “She just came up with that. EXPANSION/RENOVATION PROJECT Last year she met [Nicol], and me being in the Air Force, I thought that was a really cool idea. What are the chances you find each other on that kind of stuff? We even had people helping us sort those [dog tags] that found their great uncle who was killed in Korea. It was 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM like ‘holy cow.’ You’re read­ ing about somebody in your Please stop In for a tour and light refreshments! own family. That was pretty^ cool.” OPEN HOUSE Tuesday, July 18, 2023 BEDHD reports EEEcarrying mosquitoes found in local area Mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been found in Barry County this summer. The Barry-Eaton District Health Department has urged residents to take pre­ cautions against mosquito bites after mosquitoes col­ lected in Barry County on June 30 tested positive for EEE at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories. A BEDHD press release stated that although there have been no reported cases in people or animals this year, one bite from a mos­ quito carrying the disease is enough to cause an infec­ tion. While anyone can become infected, individu­ als under 15 and over 50 are at the greatest risk of com­ plications. Symptoms of EEE infec­ tion include sudden onset of fever, chills and body and joint aches that can prog­ ress to severe encephalitis (inflammation ofthe brain). Headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paral- ysis are all potential symp­ toms of encephalitis. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention, as per­ manent brain damage, coma or death can occur in some cases. BEDHD said residents can reduce their risk of con­ tracting the disease by reducing their exposure to mosquitoes and mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants outdoors, applying insect repellent and using door and window screens can all reduce the risk of contracting mosqui­ to-borne diseases. Emptying standing water from buck­ ets, children’s pools and other containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs can also help decrease the risk of contracting the dis­ ease, BEDHD said. EEE is particularly harm­ ful to horses, with a 90 percent recorded fatality rate in horses that fall ill. The disease can not be spread horse-to-horse or from horse-to-human con­ tact. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends owners pro­ tect their horses by vacci­ nating their horses against mosquito-borne diseases, placing horses in a barn under fans from dusk to dawn, using animal-ap­ proved insect repellent and contacting a veterinarian if an animal shows signs of illness. The BEDHD release noted that more than 600 mosquito pools had been tested in Michigan in 2023. Along with Barry County, a mosquito pool in Bay County also tested positive for EEE and another pool in Saginaw County tested pos­ itive for Jamestown Canyon virus. More information about EEE can be found at Michigan.gov/EEE. The Buyer’s Guide Annual Fair Section will be published in the July 30 edition. This section will be packed with stories about the local 4-H clubs & what is going on each day at the Fair. Help Us support the Kent County Youth Fair and all the 4-H progams by placing an in this special section. Deadline for advertising is Wed., July 26 Contact Mike Gilmore 269-945-9554 gilmore@i-ailgraiihics.com Or Graphics Contact Jon lacobs 616-897-9555 jon@lowellbuyersguiile.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023 Proposed townhouse development adjacent to Kentwood Community Church takes another step forward James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Board roll-call voted 3-2 at its July 10 meeting to adopt an ordinance rezoning some property at 1200 60th Street to accommodate a proposed townhouse devel­ opment. That was after a public hearing that sparked some strong disagreements. Voting against the motion were Trustee Dan Fryling and Clerk Michael Brew. Township Supervisor Rob DeWard, Treasurer Laurie Lemke and Trustee Bob Terpstra voted for the motion. Trustees Kathy VanderStel and Tim Haagsma were absent from the meeting. A separate motion to adopt a conditional rezon­ ing agreement for the prop­ erty was also approved on a 3-2 vote, with Fryling and Brew again voting no. Orion Construction has proposed building 152 mar­ ket-rate townhome units on a parcel immediately west of Kentwood Community Church. A separate devel­ opment calls for 124 units to be built on a parcel north of the church. It was the second reading ofthe proposal by the town­ ship board. The township planning commission voted 6-1 in May to conditionally rezone 30 acres of the 48-acre site from residential (RL-10) and Office-Service (O-S) to a Residential-3 (single-fam­ ily only) designation. That was with the condition that the Ashford Woods devel­ opment be restricted to townhomes or detached sin- gle-family homes. The July 10 board meeting was to rezone 1200 60th St. from O-S to R-3. Kentwood Community Church owns the parcel and plans to divide it into two separate parcels that would not be part of the church property after the rezoning. The parcels would be cate­ gorized as “Village Residential” under the township’s Future Land Use Plan. It will be up to the plan­ ning commission to review the final site plan once it is submitted. Before voting on the rezoning, Trustee Bob Terpstra said he wanted to see a really clear message from the developer about how the townhouse devel­ opment will be laid out. “I get the ‘Not in my backyard.’ It resonates with me, but it also is a reality. But I think that there’s a way forward that works, and I’d like them to really think about what that looks like,” he said. “Yeah, it is our responsi­ bility,” Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke said. “Even though there’s a housing demand, we want Gaines Township to have desirable housing, too. And that means some open space. Maybe some playground area ... Quality living for those who are there now and future residents.” At previous planning commission meetings, Tim Haagsma had voiced oppo­ sition to the draft site plan because it showed no open or recreational spaces. But Orion Construction CEO Roger Rehkopf has said that walkable paths, a pick­ leball court, a small bas­ ketball court and a play­ ground area are all being considered as part of the project. “We did come to the planning commission with a public hearing,” Rehkopf said. “And we did hear the voices on 61st Street. And through the design ... we will not be posing any addi­ tional stormwater that goes to 61st Street.” He said the end of 61st Street will become a 3.5acre common area and won’t be connected to the development in the future. Orion Construction has been trying since Oct. 2021 to push the project for­ ward. Several residents addressed the township board during the public hearing. Deb Haynes, who lives on 61st Street, said she is concerned about the proposed development causing flooding. “When it rains, there’s lots of flooding ... right in front of my house. I’m con­ cerned they’re not going to control all of that water, and I’m going to end up with a flooded house,” she said. Another 61st Street resi­ dent, Calvin Briggs, said more single-family homes would be welcome. He told board members that fewer than 100 people live on his street, and they own their own homes. “And they take pride in their homes. I think this new development will bring at least 500 new people to the neighborhood who will not own their own homes ... YOU ARE NOT ALONE Navigating Prostate Cancer: A Group for Men Nearly a quarter million men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men. Even with so many men being diagnosed, treated or living with prostate cancer, many men feel alone. Most men, despite having loving and supportive family and friends, need someone to talk with who understands, because they are walking the same path. Don’t let a prostate cancer diagnosis leave you feeling frightened and isolated. Group Locations: Caledonia & South Wyoming cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/Support This aerial diagram shows where the two parcels would be separated next to Kentwood Community Church. (Source: gainestownship.org) The Gaines Township Board discusses a proposed townhouse project at its July 10 meeting at the township hall. Left to right: Dan Fryling, Bob Terpstra, Michael Brew, Supervisor Rob DeWard, Laurie Lemke and Township Manager Rod Weersing. (Photo by James Gemmell) What if townhouses were being built in your back­ yard?” he asked. 61st Street resident Karen Stange also is concerned about potential flooding. “I want guarantees that’s not going to affect my prop­ erty,” she said. The executive pastor of Kentwood Community Church, Tricia Chapman, said the church vetted the developer well. “We are partnering with a great partner in Orion Construction in this devel­ opment. We have also rec­ ognized the dire -need in Kent County for housing. And that is something we believe we’ve been called to help with in this area around our church. The Lord has blessed us with that land, and we want to put it to good ministry use.” Community Development Director Dan Wells said the village residential concepts in the township’s new mas­ ter plan will be factored into this development, and the site plan will be attached to the conditional rezoning contract. The project does comply with the township’s Future Land Use Plan, which calls for village-resi­ dential development such as the proposed townhous­ es. But some township offi­ cials have expressed con­ cern about using condition­ al R-3 rezoning instead of the more traditional PUD to lay the project out. “It seems to me like we haven’t really defined that yet, other than a couple of paragraphs within the mas­ ter plan,” Brew told Wells. “I would much rather go to something that is in exis­ tence, that we already have set clear plans and clear directives to.” He said the criteria for the conditional rezoning should be spelled out before that parcel of land is given a new zoning designation. Wells said he has been working on the revamped zoning ordinance and revis­ ing how townhouses are defined under it. Every unit will have its own entrance; there will be no shared entrances. So, that would prevent apartments from being built on the site. The zoning ordinance text is being crafted to com­ ply with the new vil­ lage-center category that is part of the township’s new master plan. The idea is to create more walkable, con­ nected communities. Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said the town­ ship board should trust the planning commission to make the decision. “I think we need to let the planning commission do their job. We don’t need to micro-manage them,” he said. “I don’t think it’s that we don’t trust them, and I don’t feel that we’re microman­ aging them,” Lemke said. “If we were, we’d be at every planning commission See TOWNHOUSE, next page Caledonia Community Schools Caledonia Community Schools has an RFB open for the manufacture and installation of three digital video scoreboards and associated systems. Information on the RFB and process can be found at https:/Zwww.clschools.org/departments/business-services/ request-for-proposals-bids/ �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023/ Page 11 Kent District Library officials present annual update to Gaines Township Board James Gemmell Contributing Writer Kent District Library Executive Director Lance Werner says the Gaines Township branch has bounced back nicely since the COVID-19 pandemic ended. He delivered his annual update to the township board at its July 10 meeting in the township hall. Joining him was KDL trustee Shirley Buursema, who for 20 years has represented the district’s Region 6, which covers Gaines and Caledonia townships and the City of Kentwood. Also addressing the township board was KDL Regional Manager Kiosha Jeltema, who manages the Gaines and Kentwood branches. Werner had said last year that things were starting to return to normal in terms of in-person library attendance after a downturn at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Governor Gretchen Whitmer had issued an executive order shutting down many public facilities to help curb the spread of the virus. So, a lot of the library activity at that time happened remotely through electronic services. KDL’s ebook circulation rose 31 percent, with so many people working from home. Since then, it has continued ranking in the top 60 for worldwide e-circulation among library districts. The Gaines Library branch at 421 68th St. SE in Cutlerville weathered the storm better than many libraries, as did the district library system in general. “I’m happy to report the library is coming back. We had over 4,000 new card­ holders in 2022. Our circu­ lation increased 6 percent to over 7.1 million circula­ tion,” Werner said. “The people served went up 28 percent, more than 2.1 mil­ lion people.” KDL also is partnering with Feeding America West Michigan this summer to provide free lunches to stu­ dents through their Gather 2 Grow program. The nutri­ tious lunches are provided on weekdays through Aug. 11 at many KDL branches. “That’s real popular with the kids because we know summer food insecurity is a real thing,” Werner said. “The staff did a yeoman’s job in getting everything back to normal from the pandemic,” Bruursema said. “They did just a big job in putting everything back together the way it was, the way it should be. And for that, we are most grateful. Of course, we have one of the best staffs in Michigan, and, as you know, we are the sec­ ond-largest (district) library in Michigan.” Bruursema thanked the township for recent improvements to the library. “They are fabulous, and I know it’s a big improve­ ment for our staff. The painting — everything — is beautiful in the backroom. I have fun with that,” she went and checked that out said. and it’s really nice.” Township Trustee Bob Jeltema also thanked the Terpstra asked what KDL’s township board for the vision is for the library in improvements at the Gaines five to 10 years. Library branch. Werner replied that arti­ “We had a painting done ficial intelligence and com­ in the community room. puter programming have a That-is the room that we use larger presence in society. for our various program­ “So, the question ming. Members of the com­ becomes, ‘How do we teach munity can also rent that our kids to deal with a room out ... We also had a world that is full of artifi­ complete redo of the staff cial intelligence?’ I’ll tell workroom,” Jeltema said. you how — critical think­ She gave a snapshot sum­ ing. The public library is mary of last week’s activity tailor-made to teach critical at the Gaines Library thinking to anybody,” he branch. said. “We had over 2,700 Werner added that artifi­ items that were checked. cial intelligence will never Visitors, over 1,700. That replace the connection that was just for the week. And people have with one anoth­ lots of great programming er. that’s happening,” Jeltema “And that is why there said. will always be a place for Also popular is the public libraries,” he said. Wonder Knook Play space in However, expect to see the children’s area. more robots in your local “Kids just get to go inside library. the old schoolhouse. They “They’re teddy robots. get to go inside, so they It’s really military technol- ogy, so you know they’re going to be good for the kids,” Werner said. “Actually, the robots speak something like 60 or 70 languages. So, for anybody we can’t communicate with, the robot can communicate with them.” Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke asked Buursema how she became so passionate about librar­ ies. “Well, I was sitting in yourjob at the old township hall, and a county commis­ sioner called me and said, ‘We need somebody on the library board, Buursema recalled. “He asked me if I would serve on it. I said, ‘Sure.’” She gave a longer expla­ nation about how she got involved in KDL and ended up recommending Werner for his current position a couple of decades ago when he was working as an attor­ ney for the Library of Michigan. TOWNHOUSE, continued from previous page meeting at the podium. And “Those R-3 standards do are not under our control. we don’t do that. But the not define townhouses,” There’s a storm drain that buck does stop with us ... Brew said. comes down off from 60th But Wells said they do Street that’s the (Kent we just want what’s best for our township and our com­ indirectly. County) ■ Road Several residents spoke Commission’s. And I know munity.” Terpstra said he trusts the out against the proposed that drain contributes to the planning commission. development, citing con­ flash flooding down in that “I want to represent the cerns about potential flood­ area. It collects quite a bit people who are speaking ing. Residents have also of surface area from the here tonight, and I want to previously mentioned that road.” make sure that (the devel­ they are worried about pos­ Clarification opers) will bring something sible traffic congestion and In the July 8 edition, the that we really feel good impacts on wetlands and Sun and News wrote that the packetfor the board of wildlife. about,” he said. Brew said passing the “Are you sure that the trustees’ June 26 workshop conditional R-3 rezoning engineering around it will meeting was not posted without something more resolve the flooding?” online for the public to view. It was posted, but not legally solid to back it up Terpstra asked Wells. “Our township engineer in the same section of the would be like hiring some­ one before getting a written (Jeff Gritter) was confident township website as the that they can improve the stand-alone meeting agen­ contract in hand. “But didn’t you hear Dan flooding situation down in da. Supervisor De Ward said say that they’re going to be that area,” Wells replied. he will talk to staff about held to the R-3 standard “Now, there are a couple posting a link on the agen­ that’s (already) in place areas where stormwater’s da page in the future to coming into that creek that prevent any confusion. now?” DeWard countered. St. Paul Cutheran Church & Preschool 2023 Vacation Bible School Come discover how we are covered in Jesus’grace! Students who are entering Preschool - 5th grade in fall can sign up at https://www.stpaulcaledonia.org/vbs.html July 24-27 • 6:00-8:00 pm 8436 Kraft floe., Caledonia FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Retirees: Talk finances with your grown children When you’re retired, you’ll likely have some financial concerns —just like all retir­ ees. However, if you’ve invested regularly and fol­ lowed a long-term financial strategy, you should be able to address most issues that come your way. But there’s one important action that’s sometimes overlooked by retirees: sharing their finan­ cial situation with their grown children. And this knowledge can benefit everyone in your family. You might be surprised by the concern your children have for your financial well-being. Consider these findings from a 2023 study by Age Wave and Edward Jones: • 66% ofmillennials (gen­ erally defined as ranging from 27 to 42) worry that their parents or in-laws may not have enough money to live comfortably in retire­ ment. • 83% ofmillennials would rather know their parents are financially secure in their retirement, even if it means their parents pass on less money to them. Ifyou have children in this age range or older, or who soon will be, how can you address their concerns and potentially improve your financial outlook? Communi­ cation is the key. By openly communicating with your family about your financial status, you can reduce anxiet­ ies and misperceptions. If you’re in good financial shape, your adult children may be reassured that you won’t be needing their assis­ tance. And ifyou are feeling some financial pressures, you can inform your children of the steps you are taking to improve your situation. One such step may be to reduce your cost of living — the less you spend day to day, the better your ability to pre­ serve your investment and retirement accounts. You may be able to reduce costs in many small ways, such as ending streaming services you no longer use, but you could make an even bigger impact by downsizing your living arrangements. In fact, 72% oftoday’s retirees have downsized or are willing to downsize to reduce their housing costs, according to the Age Wave/Edward Jones survey. Downsizing isn’t for everyone, but if it’s a possi­ bility for you, it may be worth considering because the sav­ ings could be significant. You may also be able to reduce ’ or consolidate your debts. Start by understanding how much and what kinds of debt you have. Then, consid­ er ways to lower your pay­ ments, such as refinancing. For example, ifyou’re carry­ ing a balance on multiple credit cards, you might be able to transfer the amounts you owe onto a single card with a more favorable interest rate. Here’s another move to consider: Adjust your invest­ ment mix to possibly provide you with more income in retirement. During your working years, you may have invested primarily for growth — after all, you could be retired for two or more decades, so you’ll need to draw on as many financial assets as possible. But once you’re retired, your invest­ ment focus may need to shift somewhat toward income-producing opportuni­ ties. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll still need some growth potential to help keep ahead ofinflation. One final suggestion: Let your children know if you already have a strategy in place to meet the potentially high costs of long-term care, such as a nursing home stay. This burden is certainly something you won’t want your children to take on. By informing your chil­ dren about your financial pic­ ture, and how you’re trying to improve it, you can ease everyone’s minds — so keep the lines of communication open. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS OR PARTIES OF INTEREST IN HOFFMAN MEADOWS PHASE I, STREET LIGHTING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (the "District*): Following a public hearing to consider the special assessment roll, the Township Board confirmed the special assessment roll for the District on July 10, 2023. (See Below) A PROPERTY OWNER OR ANY PERSON HAVING ANY INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY ASSESSED ON THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL CONFIRMED BY THE TOWNSHIP BOARD ON JULY 10, 2023 MAY FILE A WRITTEN APPEAL OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT WITH THE MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER CONFIRMATION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT WAS PROTESTED AT THE HEARING ON THE CONFIRMATION OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL. Caledonia Township trustee hired as Kent County facilities director Special assessments shall be due and payable annually, on or before February 14, commencing February 14, 2024. Because the nature of the improvement is such that periodic redetermination of assessment may be required without a change in the special assessment district boundaries, such redetermination may be made at the Township Board's regular meeting each July herePPN ADDRESS OWNER ASSESSMENT 41-22-10-102-001 6853 Avalon Dr SE Lot 28 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-002 6837 Calibum DR SE Lot 27 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-003 6849 Calibum DR SE LOT 26 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-004 6861 Calibum DR SE LOT 25 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-005 6873 Calibum DR SE LOT 24 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-006 6885 Calibum DR SE LOT 23 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-007 6897 Calibum DR SE LOT 22 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-008 6915 Calibum DR SE LOT 21 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-009 6927 Calibum DR SE LOT 20 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-010 6939 Calibum DR SE LOT 19 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-102-011 6873 Calibum DR SE LOT 18 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-001 6840 Calibum DR SE LOT 40 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-002 6900 Calibum DR SE LOT 39 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-003 6912 Calibum DR SE LOT 38 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-004 6924 Calibum DR SE LOT 37 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-005 6936 Calibum DR SE LOT 36 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-006 2339 Camlann DR SE LOT 35 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-007 2353 Camlann DR SE LOT 34 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-008 6937 Avalon DR SE LOT 33 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-009 6923 Avalon DR SE LOT 32 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-010 6911 Avalon DR SE LOT 31 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-011 6895 Avalon DR SE LOT 30 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-103-012 6881 Avalon DR SE LOT 29 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-104-001 2300 Camlann DR SE LOT 17 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-104-002 2322 Camlann DR SE LOT 16 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-104-003 2334 Camlann DR SE LOT 15 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A. V. 41-22-10-104-004 2346 Camlann DR SE LOT 14 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A. V. 41-22-10-104-005 6977 Avalon DR SE LOT 13 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-001 6850 Avalon DR SE LOT 01 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-002 6862 Avalon DR SE LOT 02 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-003 6874 Avalon DR SE LOT 03 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-004 6886 Avalon DR SE LOT 04 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-005 6898 Avalon DR SE LOT 05 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-006 6910 Avalon DR SE LOT 06 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-007 6922 Avalon DR SE LOT 07 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-008 6923 Avalon DR SE LOT 08 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-009 6946 Avalon DR SE LOT 09 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-010 6958 Avalon DR SE LOT 10 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-011 6970 Avalon DR SE LOT 11 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. 41-22-10-109-012 6982 Avalon DR SE LOT 12 JASONVILLE LLC 0.400 mill per $1,000 A.V. Tim Bradshaw Greg Chandler project future needs to ensure county properties A Caledonia Township are safe and secure. board trustee and planning While at Progressive, commissioner has been Bradshaw led several major hired as Kent County’s new community projects, includ­ facilities director. ing the new pedestrian bridge Tim Bradshaw, who has in the city ofWyoming. Prior served on both the township to joining the firm, he was board and planning com­ director of engineering and mission since November inspections for the city of 2016, will begin his new Kentwood for nine years. duties with the county on While there, he managed July 24. Bradshaw joins the numerous building projects county after having led the and oversaw millions of dol­ municipal practice team at lars in infrastructure invest­ Progressive AE since 2020. ments. He also worked as a “We are excited to wel­ project engineer for six years come Tim to our team as at Rowe Professional we know his extensive Services. experience in both the “I am thrilled to be joining municipal and private sec­ the incredible team of pro­ tors will prove to be a great fessionals at Kent County,” asset to the county,” Bradshaw said in a news Deputy County release. “I am eager to work Administrator Mark Rambo with the team, and I am com­ said in a press release. mitted to leveraging my “With his leadership, we expertise to create exception­ are confident we can take al spaces that meet the needs on new challenges and pro­ and exceed the expectations vide our community with of our community.” the facilities they need to Bradshaw was first elect­ access our services.” ed to the Caledonia In his new role, Bradshaw Township Board in will oversee the design, November 2016 and was operation and maintenance re-elected in 2020. He of all Kent County facili­ serves as the board’s liaison ties, with the exception of to the planning commis­ the sheriffs office. In addi­ sion. He also was on the tion, he will plan the alloca­ township zoning board of tion of existing space appeals from 2014 to 2016. among departments and Bradshaw also chairs the technical committee of the Mwtfee^ Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, a planning body Sun & New® for the Grand Rapids met­ QUi Facebook ropolitan area, which addresses regional trans­ t® keep up t®, portation improvements. date untih the> Bradshaw is a licensed professional engineer and is new edition, a certified building official is printed? and building inspector. He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University and a master of business administration degree from the University of Michigan - Flint. StaffWriter J �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023/ Page 13 kFamily uses golf outing to honor loved one, combat the disease that claimed his life Jayson Bussa Editor This weekend marks the eighth time that Michele Moretti and a small army of her family and friends will come together to stage a golf outing in memory of her father, Carl. But, this year, they’re kick­ ing it up a notch in hopes of spreading awareness and searching for a cure for the Golfers line up during a previous year of the Annual Carlo William Moretti disease that claimed his life. Memorial Golf Outing at Yankee Springs Golf Course.(Photos provided) Moretti and her family have once again planned another he didn’t last long with this band Brena, in which Moretti installment — the eighth — of disease.” performs. the Annual Carlo William But with a high-profile face The golf outing will also Moretti Memorial GolfOuting, like Willis spreading aware­ welcome Jillian Magee, a rep­ which will take place at Yankee ness of the disease, the resentative from the Springs Golf Course today, Morettis are finding that more Association ofFrontotemporal July 15, kicking offwith a shot­ people are understanding now Degeneration (AFTD), who gun start at 2 p.m. what their family went through will provide further informa­ The event serves as a roughly a half-decade ago. tion on the disease and how Carl and Pat Moretti third-party fundraiser to bene­ “My father passed away in her organization is working to fit the non-profit organization, embrace. Carl passed 2015, and with Bruce Willis combat it. The Association for Fronto­ away in 2015 as a result coming forward with what The AFTD is one of the temporal Degeneration (FTD). of Frontotemporal Dege- he’s had, people have been very few that have put this This is the disease that claimed neration (FTD). The annu­ going to the golf outing for disease in their crosshairs. the life of Moretti’s father in al golf outing in his mem­ seven years, and now they’re Moretti said that, beyond rais­ 2015. And while not many ory raises funds to help like, ‘Oh, that’s what your ing money for the AFTD people were aware of the dis­ find a cure. father had?”’ Moretti said. through the golf outing, she ease back when he was grap­ “I’ve tried telling people that also donates to the organiza­ pling with it, FTD has been whole host of symptoms, from this is what he had the whole tion personally. recently thrust into the lime­ impaired judgment to drastic time, but it takes someone “(The AFTD) team is work­ light after actor- Bruce Willis changes in personality, which famous for it to really hit ing side-by-side with the announced that he had been both Moretti and her mother, home. So, it’s fresh because Willis family, as well,” Moretti diagnosed with the same thing. Pat, remember experiencing it’s in the limelight again.” said. “We tried to get a rep In brief, FTD is a result of with their father and husband. And that’s why they’re tak­ from the Willis family but damage to neurons in the fron­ “Michele would be kind ing a straight-laced golfouting were unable. It has just really tal and temporal lobes of the enough to talk to people ifthey and making it'more of a been a motivating factor this brain. While it is rare, it can would ask about (Carl’s dis- high-octane fundraiser, com­ year to really step it up.” occur at a younger age when ease),” Moretti’s mother plete with sponsors, a silent The golf outing originated compared to other forms of admitted. “I really couldn’t auction and a performance by as a smaller affair in 2016 dementia. This can lead to a talk about it. But, fortunately, the Grand Rapids-based party when Carl’s long-time golf From left to right Jon, Pat and Michele Moretti. Jon and Michele are Carl Moretti’s son and daughter while Pat was his wife. The family comes together each year to stage a golf outing in the memory of Carl, an avid golfer. partner Kevin Marcy teamed with the Moretti family to honor Carl while raising money to combat the disease. Many of the golfers have faithfully attended each year of the golf outing. The nature of this fundraiser was a no-brainer, as Carl was an avid golfer. 8th Annual Carlo William Moretti Memorial Golf Outing Saturday, July 15 2 p.m. shotgun start Yankee Springs Golf Course 12300 Bowens Mills Rd, Wayland Features golf, silent auction and musical performance by the band Brena Money raised will go to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, July 10, 2022 the Township Board adopted an ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map, so as to rezone the following legally described property from Agricultural-Agri Business to Planned Unit Development-Mineral Removal (PUD-MR), the land being common­ ly described as part of parcel 41-22-33-100-008, and 10287 Kalamazoo Avenue SE. The legal description is as follows: Part of the NW 14 of section 33, T5N, R11W, Gaines Township, Kent County, Michigan, described as: That part of the South 14 of said NW 14 lying Westerly of the centerline of Kalamazoo Avenue EXCEPT: The North 16.5 feet thereof ALSO EXCEPT: Beginning at the intersection of the centerline of Kalamazoo Avenue and East-West 14 line, thence West along the East-West 14 line 347.90 feet, thence North perpendicular to the East-West 14 line 150 feet, thence East parallel with the East-West 14 line 232.93 feet to said centerline, thence Southeasterly 189 Feet along said centerline to the Place of Beginning. “He loved golf. He would golf every day if he could. In fact, sometimes he did,” his wife, Pat, said. To date, the Morettis have raised $23,000 for AFTD through the golf outing. With over 100 golfers registered for this year’s event, they’re poised to bring in over $10,000. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSITNG OF AMENDMENT TO .THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTER 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING SECTION 1.6 AND THE TOWNSHIP ZONING MAP, AND TO ACCEPT A VOLUNTARY OFFER AS A CONDITION TO REZONING. At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, July 10, 2023 the Township Board adopted an ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map and to accept a voluntary offer as a condition to rezoning. The Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by the amendment of Section 1.6 thereof, the Zoning Map, to conditionally rezone por­ tions of the following property from Office-Service (O-S) and residential-10 (RL10) to Residential-3 (R-3), the land being commonly described as parcel 41-22­ 05-201-004 located at 1200 60™ Street SE, and rezone the entirety of 41-05-201 41-05-201-­ 005 Located at 1326 60™ Street SE. Pursuant to Section 405 of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Act 110 of 2006, as amended, this rezoning is conditioned upon the voluntary offer submitted by the Applicant on March 23, 2023. The condition is a limitation on the allowable use of the site, which will restrict future use of the rezoned areas to the following permit­ ted and special land uses: (i) Single family dwelling units, including, without limita­ tion, dwellings in townhouse-style buildings. The Township board of the Charter Township of Gaines approved the ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map and to accept a voluntary offer as a condition to rezone at a Regular Meeting of on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Meetings of the township Board of the Charter Ave., 8565 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, ML The Ordinance shall become effective seven (7) days after this publication (or July 22, 2023). The Township board of the Charter Township of Gaines approved the ordinance to amend the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map at a Regular Meeting of on Monday July 10, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Meetings of the town­ ship Board of the Charter Ave., 8565 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml. The Ordinance shall become effective seven (7) days after this publication (or July 22, 2023). A true and complete copy of the approved ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 6 and the Township Zoning Board can obtained at: A true and complete copy of the approved ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending section 6 and the Township Zoning Board can obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Michael A. Brew, Clerk �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15, 2023 Cutlerville fire chief asks Gaines Township Board for more staffing amid rising number of calls James Gemmell Contributing Writer It was little more than a year ago that Cutlerville and Dutton Fire Chief Ken Van Hall approached the Gaines Township Board seeking an increase in staffing to address a rapidly rising number of fire and rescue service calls in Dutton. Now he has returned to the board for more staffing help — three firefighters — this time in Cutlerville. That led to a lengthy discussion between Van Hall and town­ ship Supervisor Rob DeWard at a workshop session on June 26 at the township hall. No action was taken on the proposal at the special town­ ship board meeting. However, the debate was vigorous at times, with DeWard saying he wants to brainstorm for alternate funding solutions. “We don’t take this staff­ ing request lightly. It’s some­ thing that probably should have been done a year or two ago,” Chief Van Hall said. “But we’re here today presenting it. If you’re looking at meeting the demands of a growing community, we all know the population’s grow­ ing. Our service area is 16.5 square miles.” He said the Cutlerville Fire Department is working 505 hours more per year. And about nine percent of the time, its fire-rescue crews have to handle a second call at the same time. U.S. Census Bureau num­ bers show that Gaines Charter Township’s popula­ tion rose 14.6 percent from 2010 to 2020, a 28,812 resi­ dent increase. The Cutlerville Fire Department’s coverage area includes 27,724 people. Dutton’s service area has about 11,000 residents. “Since 2015, we’ve had a 35 percent increase in call volume with, really, no increase in staffing,” Van Hall said. “Our average time on scene has gone from 11 minutes, 34 seconds to 22 minutes, 11 seconds.” Van Hall said ambulance availability is the prime rea­ son why the on-scene time has spiked. He said there are not enough ofthem available to meet the growing demand. Gaines is Kent County’s second-largest and fast­ est-growing township. And the adjacent Byron Township is the county’s third-largest and second-fastest-growing township. The Cutlerville Fire Department services sections of both townships and is jointly funded by both. Gaines and Byron each pay 50 percent ofthe fire depart­ ment’s capital expenditures, and Gaines pays for 60 per­ cent ofits wages. Byron pays 40 percent. The township board approved funding last year to add five full-time firefighters Fire to the Dutton Department, which switched to a 7AH staffing model in January 2023. Previously, there had only been one full­ time staffer on duty during the day at the Dutton Fire Department, plus two part-timers and 12 paid on-call firefighters. In 2021, the township board approved an annual township-wide special-assessment levy dedicated to fire, rescue and police ser­ vices. It runs for 15 years and can be adjusted by the township board annually up to a maximum of 1.5 mills, depending on public-safety costs. The money from the special levy helps fill the gap between the township’s Cutlerville and Dutton Fire Chief Ken Van Hall is seeking more firefighters for the Cutlerville Department. (File photo by James Gemmell) The Gaines Township Board discusses a proposal to increase staffing for the Cutlerville Fire Department at a special workshop meeting on June 26. (Photo by James Gemmell) annual $2 million contribu­ tion from its general fund and the actual public safety costs from year to year. That covers the township’s costs for the Cutlerville and Dutton fire departments and its annual payment to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. For the sake of compari­ son, DeWard mentioned to Van Hall that Grand Rapids Township’s fire department does not handle medical calls. They are only handled by Rockford Ambulance ser­ vice there. “So, I don’t know what’s different; why you’re not getting ambulance (service in Cutlerville) ... Can you explain that? Do we have to rattle the cage?” DeWard asked. “You can rattle their cage all you want, but they’re going to tell you there’s just not enough ambulances on the road,” Van Hall replied. “They can’t get people.” Van Hall said Rockford Ambulance only responds to medicals in Grand Rapids will add about two minutes Township. Rockford pro­ to the response time from vides coverage to residents Dutton Fire. mainly in northern and east­ “I wish we had known this ern Kent County, although when we approved the man­ its Lowell Township cover­ ning (last year),” DeWard age area extends south into said. “Because the under­ standing was that, when we Alto. Cutlerville has three paid approved full-time in Dutton, on-call firefighters, plus two it was going to relieve who also work full-time at Cutlerville of this pressure. the Dutton fire station, so That’s why we approved it. they’re not always available That was the understanding. in Cutlerville. And there is Seven months later, it hasn’t no backup system. happened. And now we’re DeWard asked Van Hall if (being asked) to spend anothadding the five firefighters to er $400,000 to $500,000 the Dutton Fire Department when we had all those guys this year has provided relief sitting there. from all the stress due to pre­ “And I hear they’re say­ vious understaffing. ing, ‘I can’t wash this truck “Because Kalamazoo so many times.’ They want Avenue is such a mess for some action. They want to accidents, Cutlerville is usu­ get out there and do stuff. ally requesting Dutton to But, basically, we haven’t help on all accidents from built a system to allow that,” 60th Street down to 68th DeWard said. Street,” Van Hall replied. “Well, (the Dutton fire­ Van Hall said last year fighters) have come to that the Dutton Fire Cutlerville 32 times already Department would expand this year,” Van Hall respond­ its field of coverage west to ed. Kalamazoo Avenue. DeWard “Yeah, I was hoping for asked him if the coverage 400,” DeWard said, referring line has been moved yet. to his desire that the Dutton “We are in the process of Fire district line had already moving the line,” Van Hall been expanded west a mile to replied. cover Kalamazoo Avenue. “Seven months later?” Township Treasurer DeWard asked. Laurie Lemke said she would “It is a long process,” Van like to see shared response Hall responded. “We are on times between the Cutlerville the old beat system, from and Dutton fire departments. what I was told.” “And not take them as two He added that it will take a different departments, but as longer response time once a group together — the over­ the Dutton coverage line is all calls for the township,” moved farther west to cover she said. Kalamazoo Avenue and The Van Hall said the new Crossings Apartments. That coverage zones have to be Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 updated in the Kent County Central Dispatch system using a new Records Management Software sys­ tem. Arid that is taking some time to get done. DeWard told Van Hall that Grand Rapids Township Supervisor Michael DeVries, the Kent County Dispatch Authority board treasurer, told him it should be a simple procedure to get that done. “It’s amazing because they have software to do that. You just tell it where you want the line, and they move it. And he says this shouldn’t be a big deal,” DeWard said. “Because we were on the old system, it’s a big deal to get it changed over,” Van Hall said. “Once we get on the new system, ifwe wanted to move borders, it can be a flick of a switch.” DeWard asked Van Hall why he does not include Kent County townships in his reports when he com­ pares the Cutlerville and Dutton fire departments to other municipalities. He said the comparisons are only to cities. “We’ve stated that we don’t want to be a city. We’re a township,” DeWard said. “You told us not to use Cascade because they have a plethora of money,” Van Hall said. “What does that have to do with it? We’re talking about numbers of calls,” DeWard shot back. By comparison, Township Manager Rod Weersing noted Georgetown Township has only three full-time firefighters yet has a population of more than 53,000. But unlike Gaines Township, Van Hall said Georgetown’s fire depart­ ment does not run on medi­ cal calls. “But they seem to be get­ ting by,” DeWard said. “So, it pays to kind oflook around at how the different town­ ships handle some of these issues.” He continued, “I still hav­ en’t thrown the towel in on Dutton. I really sincerely believe that we staffed MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED See FIRE STAFF, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023/ Page 15 FIRE STAFF, continued from previous p (them), so they could take the pressure off Cutlerville.” But Van Hall said it’s not a call-volume problem as much as a staffing-shortage issue. “I can’t run a call without a person in the truck. If peo­ ple don’t show up, they can’t respond. And the guys were saying, ‘We can’t do this anymore.’” Lemke says it boils down to what type ofresponse time the Cutlerville Fire Department is comfortable with. “I look at it as we’ve got 12 full-time firefighters for the whole township. The med calls, I know some are more serious than others. I want a good response time, but it’s tough because you have to look at the cost of running those calls. And what are we comfortable with?” Lemke asked. Van Hall said there are various factors in response times. One is the distribution of responders and where fire stations are located in prox­ imity to the majority of fires. He said a second factor is reliability, and Cutlerville’s reliability in responding to a given call is down to 80 per­ cent. “If you take the number of calls divided by the hours that they’ve worked, the reli­ ability for the one unit — the engine — is 90 percent, if not lower. But then you throw the other simultaneous calls in there, you’re knock­ ing another eight, nine, ten percent off,” Van Hall said. He added that he cannot count on any given day that paid on-call staff will respond to a fire call. He said there were 195 incidents where there was no paid on-call response. “So, the full-timers were left by themselves for an extended period of time or calling mutual aid,” Van Hall said. But nearby fire depart­ ments that traditionally help out with the Cutlerville calls, such as Byron and Kentwood, are getting busier and busier. “We had two fires that Kentwood was supposed to be there, but Station No. 3 was on their own call. Kurt (Wierenga) sat at (a Byron Lakes) apartment fire that was burning the roof off for eight minutes with two (fire­ fighters). That is not accept­ able. It’s just not,” Van Hall said. Byron and Wyoming fire departments were busy han­ dling their own calls at the time and could not respond with mutual aid. “With two guys, we can­ not do anything. We just can’t,” Van Hall said. Firefighter shortages are becoming more prevalent in many jurisdictions. Cutlerville Fire has posted job openings on social media and elsewhere to try to recruit firefighters. Up to $17,000 is invested into training fire­ fighters. Van Hall said many of the former firefighters have retired. He figures five years of work is a good return on investment nowa­ days. Van Hall said Cutlerville responds to up to 25 struc­ ture fires a year. “We have a problem now that needs to be addressed,” Weersing said. “We have a future problem coming down the valley. Right now, there’s 2,000 dwelling units sched­ uled to be built in the next five years.” “So, looking back, I thought we had two solutions to this problem,” DeWard said. “Number one, we fully funded the Dutton Fire Department to the tune of half a million dollars a year, or whatever it is. We also said, ‘Apply for SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grants.’ If we had gotten a SAFER grant, that would have given us those extra (three) people, right?” SAFER grants cover three years. “I think we fell short by not applying for them. We had an opportunity to do that. The last time we did that, they denied the grant because they said we didn’t fill it (the application) out properly. Maybe we can learn from that and fill it out properly this time. But shame on us if we have an opportunity to apply for it and we don’t even apply.” De Ward said Byron Township spent $200,000 on its fire department. In con­ trast, Gaines Township spent almost $500,000 on its share of the cost ofmaintaining the Cutlerville Fire Department. “They’re saying, ‘Our accountant doesn’t like what he’s seeing in that disparity.’ So, do we keep dumping on that disparity? Somehow, we’ve got to figure out a way to do this. And it isn’t just increasing our special assess­ ment every year. We have that option, but it isn’t what we promised the people when we passed it,” DeWard said. “It’s too bad that they compare Byron to Cutlerville,” Lemke said. “Because it is two different animals.” DeWard said the numbers don’t factor in wages. “Because we know 60 per­ cent of the (Cutlerville) calls here are Gaines calls, and 40 percent are Byron. They carved the wages out of it. That was strictly operating costs,” DeWard said. He said one solution might be to get Dutton to help Cutlerville out more. Another is to secure grant funding. “What we need to do is, in our 2024 budget, to work this in. See the hard numbers, what it will cost,” Lemke said. “We’re going to do the best we can to maintain our public safety for the town­ ship and in the most econom­ ical way that makes the most sense.” The Cutlerville Fire Committee and Byron Township will have to look at the numbers, as well. Mud Mitten Race Series opens week of grandstand shows Brett Bremer Sports Editor Once again, there will be familiar performances in the Barry County Fair grand­ stand this year, but there is a new opening act. The evening grandstand shows will open with the Mud Mitten 2023 Race Series Mud Bog Monday on July 17, at 7 p.m. Mud Mitten Race Series owner Jeremy King said he came in with the expectation that the first Mud Bog at the Barry County Fair might draw 15 competitors or so for a nice little exhibition. Instead, he’s already expecting 40 to 50 vehicles to compete across the nine different classes. “It’s going to be a big show,” King said. With those numbers, King said his staff will be hustling to get competition done in the three-hour window from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. “You take a truck, you run it through a pit [of mud] probably 150 feet, and it’s either for time or distance,” King said. In the open class, the fastest of the classes, it’s a competi­ tion for time to get through the pit. Trucks will feature paddle tires, cut tires and can take advantage of the added boost of nitrous oxide. The more traditional trucks in the daily driver class will battle for dis­ tance, seeing who can make it the furthest through the pit. Entrance into the grand­ stand for the Mud Bog is $10. Grandstand ticket prices do not include gate admis­ sion to the fairgrounds. The cost to enter the Mud Bog is $25 for all except the top classes, which are $40. All entry fees go directly into the prize pot for each class. King said there is also a $200 prize for the top time of the evening, and some $1,000 of sponsorship money will also go into the prize pots. Trophies will be awarded to the top two in each class. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Unique Motorsports will return to two nights of destruction in front of the grandstand at the Barry County Fair. An Off Road Derby is planned for Tuesday and a Demolition Derby for Friday. -SUMMER SPECIAL fl/fi INSTALLATION FRONTI HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. PUBLIC NOTICE OF POSTING OF A THREE (3) MONTH EXTENSION TO THE ORDINANCE IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ZONING APPROVALS, REZONINGS, PERMITS, LICENSES OR OTHER APPROVALS BY THE TOWNSHIP FOR NEW OR EXPANDED RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL (RL-10) ZONING DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP, AN A PROHIBITION ON THE CREATION, CONSTRUCTION OR INITIATION OF CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL (RL-10) ZONING DISTRICT WHILE THE MORATORIUM IS IN EFFECT. THE EXTENSION WILL INCLUDE ALL RESTRICTIONS THE CURRENT MORATORIUM IMPOSES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF REZONINGS, WHICH WILL BE ALLOWED AFTER JULY 15, 2023. At a Regular Meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, July 10, 2023 the Township Board adopted an Ordinance to extend the existing Moratorium on the issuance of any zoning approvals, permits, licenses or other approvals by the township for new or expanded residential hous­ ing development within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District pursuant to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and a prohibition on the creation, construction or initiation of certain residential housing developments within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District while the moratorium is in effect,, by three (3) additional months, with the exception of rezonings, which will be allowed after July 15, 2023. A true and complete copy of the ordinance to extend the existing moratorium on the issuance of any zoning approvals, permits, licenses or other approvals by the township for new or expanded residential housing development within the Residential (RL-10) Zoning District pursuant to the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, and a prohibition on the creation, construction or initiation of certain residential housing developments within the Residential (RL10) Zoning District while the moratorium is in effect for an additional three (3) months, can be inspected or obtained in the office of the Township Clerk at the following location: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Charter Township of Gaines Michael A. Brew �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 15,2023 Barry Expo Center to feature some upgrades this year; Admission price to fair increases The 170th Annual Barry County Fair, featuring 4-H barns, a midway and action at the grandstand area, kicks off this weekend. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Jayson Bussa Editor Visitors that attend the Barry County Fair this week will notice a few new upgrades to its home venue. The 170th installment of the Barry County Fair kicks off with some events today at the Barry Expo Center and gets into full swing on Monday. This year’s preparations for the fair included a couple of facility improvements that were made possible thanks to a state grant given to the Barry County Fair board in late May. The Barry County Fair received a piece of the total $1.5 million that the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) granted to 23 county fairs and expositions across the state. Barry County’s take was $52,500, which the board used to install a new public address system and — a more noticeable change to anyone who has driven by the Barry Expo Center — a new digital sign to replace the old one. Dennis Redman, president of the Barry County Fair Board, said that the new PA system includes 43 speakers across the expo center In late May, leadership at the Barry County Fair announced that it had received over $50,000 in grant money to make improvements to the Barry Expo Center. Some of that money was used to replace the facility’s old sign (left) with a newer, high-tech version (right). (Photo by Jayson Bussa) grounds, a new feature that will enhance public safety for fairgoers. “The old PA didn’t really reach any of the fairgrounds — it might have reached 5 percent of it,” Redman said. “It was a safety factor, for one. God forbid if a child comes up missing or some­ thing. We had no way of getting that out, but we do now. (If) somebody gets hurt, if we can’t get ahold of the (Sheriff’s) Posse, we can get them on the PA system. (We can use it) even when time, the fair will accept credit card payments at the gate, office, ticket booths and grandstands. Part of the reason we put (the price) up to where it is now is we didn’t want to bring (it) up a dollar this year and have to bring it up a dollar next year and again the next year. We did it once, and we’re done with it for a while.” — Dennis Redman, Barry County Fair Board President Keep Your Teeth fora LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and I treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. You too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (LLIe dodmplants) We specialize p in the p, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com cars are double-parked. It Previously, these areas of helps in an immense amount the fairgrounds only accept­ ofways. Safety is the biggest ed cash payments. thing, really.” Another aspect of the fair With some speakers being that is different this year isn’t hardwired into place and oth­ necessarily a positive one. ers WiFi-enabled, announce­ Gate prices for the fair have ments made by fair staff can increased from $5 to $8 this now reach all comers of the year, and most grandstand grounds, including in the events jumped from $10 to camping area. $15. Redman said that it was According to Redman, the the first price increase since new digital sign also brings 2006, and he and the board its share of benefits but hope that they won’t have to replaces a familiar site that do it again any time soon. some residents have gotten “Everything we touched used to over the last three- has gone up 20 percent, give plus decades. or take,” Redman said of the “The sign out front (was) pressures to raise prices. 35 years old,” Redman “Part of the reason we put explained. “It was hard to get it up to where it is now is we parts for it, and it was falling didn’t want to bring our pric­ over; we couldn’t put any es up a dollar this year and more money into it. It was have to bring it up a dollar time to get rid of that old and next year and again the next aging equipment.” year,” Redman added. “We While crews tore out the did it once, and we’re done old sign, Redman said that with it for a while.” staff at the Expo Center have The recent infrastructure held on to the lettering and projects are certainly art on it and will hang that up upgrades to the Barry Expo in one of the facility’s build­ Center. But has Redman and ings. his crew reached the end of The new digital sign is their wish list? Not even programmable, so fair staff close. can add text, graphics and “There is always a wish animations to promote a list,” Redman said. “We’d variety of events to passers­ love to pave the whole park­ by. This especially comes in ing lot and all of the roads in handy for the fair, which fea­ the fairgrounds, but that tures a robust day-to-day would be hundreds of thou­ schedule. sands of dollars, and we can’t One change to the Expo afford that. We’d love to put Center’s infrastructure that all-new steel roofs on the will likely gain visitors’ buildings, but we can’t. So, approval is that, for the first there is always a wish list.” � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-07-22.pdf a9ed2d6df1678369d4dad7f53a26324d PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 29/ July 22, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia planners approve Tractor County secures Supply Co. store along M-37 grant funding to Greg Chandler StaffWriter Seven months after first presenting their proposal to the Caledonia Township Planning Commission, developers have received the go-ahead to break ground on a new Tractor Supply Company store along M-37 in the southern portion of the township. On Monday, commission­ ers voted 6-0 to approve a special land use for the 19,097-square-foot Tractor Supply store, which will be built at 10344 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, near Stone Point Park condominiums and Caledonia Storage. DMK Development, which devel­ ops Tractor Supply stores in Michigan, is soon expected to break ground on the new store, said Matt Heneveld, a partner for the company. Approval of the project came after extensive debate between commissioners and developers, which led to numerous changes in the building plan. DMK origi­ nally proposed a 21,930-square-foot store with additional open-air business space when it first presented the project to the planning commission in December last year. However, that plan clashed with a township ordinance that bans so-called “big-box” stores under the property’s zoning classification of C-2 general business. The ordi­ nance defines a “big-box” store as “a very large retail or other store, usually with a physical layout that resem­ bles a large square or box when viewed from above, and including more than 20,000 square feet of gross floor area.” So DMK went back to the combat blight and demolish former Baby Bliss building Jayson Bussa eties throughout Barry County, helping to stabilize A pair ofstate grants will property values while elim­ allow the Barry County inating safety hazards, Land Bank Authority amongst other negative (BCLBA) to conduct dem­ impacts. olition on a prime piece of Heinzman explained that real estate in Middleville the funding came in two and also rehabilitate blight­ different grants. ed homes throughout the The BCLBA was grant­ county. ed $220,000 in round two Earlier this week, the of funding, which will all recently-formed BCLBA be used to demolish the announced that it has been former Baby Bliss Inc. awarded a total of$720,000 building in Middleville from the Michigan State along with additional struc­ Land Bank Blight tures on adjacent parcels of Elimination fund. This land. The Baby Bliss build­ fund was formed out of ing is located in the 100 COVID relief dollars block of West Main Street received by the state, meant adjacent to the Thomapple to target blight and revital­ River. ize communities through­ It is being eyed by Ada­ out the state. based 975 Ventures LLC to The funds must be used create housing at the locato undertake rehabilitation efforts on blighted propri­ See GRANTS, page 3 Editor Steve Witte (right) of Nederveld Inc. and Matt Heneveld of DMK Development show their proposal for a Tractor Supply Company store to the Caledonia Township Planning Commission Monday night. drawing board and returned to the planning commission in April with a plan for a 19,097-square-foot store to meet the township ordinance. But that wasn’t the end ofthe discussion. Commissioners Monday removed from the plan a drive-thru canopy and garden center canopy, which would have been included in the final square footage cal­ culation for the store. “Anything with that cano­ TSC stores around West py or roof is considered part Michigan using Google of that big-box definition,” Earth. Township Planner Lynee “Eighteen out of 20 have Wells said. problems with (outdoor) The township and devel­ storage,” Bradshaw said. “I oper also debated the inclu­ do have concerns that we’re sion of outdoor sales and going to have problems with storage areas, a feature at storage on this one.” many Tractor Supply stores. Steve Witte of Nederveld Commissioner Tim Inc., representing DMK, Bradshaw, a township trust­ ee, said he checked out 20 See TRACTOR SUPPLY CO., page 2 Caledonia Twp. seeks land swap with schools; Deal on hold Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia Township wants to trade property with Caledonia Community ation complex to the school district to be used to expand the facility. In return, the township asked for property owned by CCS at the comer of 84th Street and Schools, but district officials are holding off on that idea. The township recently offered to trade 20 acres of Whitneyville Avenue. The district’s Board of Education on June 19 dis­ property it owns adjacent to the CalPlex sports and recre- cussed the proposed swap but decided it was not inter- ested in the idea. Former Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin sent a letter to the township dated June 30, his last day in the position before starting his current role as superintendent of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, explaining the district’s posi­ tion. “The district is still inter­ ested in acquiring the 20 acres adjacent to CalPlex as an in-kind contribution from the township so that we can utilize the funding acquired with the passage of the 2023 bond (which was approved in May) to further develop See TRADE, page 2 With new grant funding, the Barry County Land Bank Authority will be able to fund the cost of demolishing the former Baby Bliss building, locat­ ed in the 100 block of West Main Street in Middleville. (Photo provided) • Retired teachers named Middleville Hometown Heroes • Kent County Youth Fair has a new home • TK schools near completion on strategic plan update • Fighting Scots take advantage of remodeled, refitted weight room • Caledonia business damaged when pick-up plows into it �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023 TRACTOR SUPPLY CO., continued from page 1 defended the inclusion of outdoor storage. “I’ve designed probably 20 different Tractor Supplies throughout the state. This is the first time out of those 20 that I’ve been requested to limit the display areas to a fenced area,” Witte said. “Pretty much every Tractor Supply I’ve ever done, they’ve got display areas outside of that fenced area.” Commissioners agreed to include an open-air business area immediately east of the building as part of their approval. However, no out­ door sales or storage areas are allowed between the parking lot and the store itself. Wells admits enforce­ ment of that prohibition could be a potential issue. “We really have a chal­ lenge in enforcing some of these types of special use standards,” Wells said. “We’ve seen challenges with our some of our gas stations, with Dollar General, with Circle K, with Meijer (Express) and their parking. These are the types of things that, despite how well we might mark our paper site plan, it does get into the operations and the day-today management of the store.” Commissioner John Eberly, who chaired Monday’s meeting in the absence of Chairman Doug Curtis, expressed similar concerns about enforcement. “I think the challenge is that we’re dealing with an intermediary who’s trying to deliver for a customer, and I appreciate that,” Eberly said. “I don’t know that we have commitment from the people who are going to operate this site, (that) things will really be the way that we’re saying they need to be ... We hav­ en’t had assurance from the ultimate customer, other than ‘Well, let’s get through site plan approval.’ You’re hear­ ing that from us and the com­ munity.” The open-air business area will be screened on all three sides with a 4-foot-high brick knee wall, with black vinyl fencing above the knee wall. Any goods and displays within that business area cannot exceed 8 feet in height, according to town­ ship documents. Commissioners also directed that storefront win­ dows and all windows along M-37 and fronting Stone Point Drive be non-tinted, clear and non-reflective. The company had included gray-tinted windows on their rendering. Ross Martin, who owns the Ace Hardware store at 9960 Cherry Valley Ave. SE spoke out against the TSC proposal, even with its amendments. “Even though the develop­ er has amended (the plan) and reduced the square foot­ age, it’s still gonna look, act and seem like a big-box store,” Martin said. “If you read the rest of the definition in your ordinance that defines the big-box store — it’s a chain, that’s a national chain. It’s still going to act that way. The fact that we’ve lowered (the square footage) below 20,000 square feet ... it’s still going to act like a big-box store.” The property is governed In December of last year, developers presented to the Caledonia Township Planning Commission this rendering of a proposed Tractor Supply Company loca­ tion. by a 2001 consent judgment that was entered into between Caledonia Township and Clearview, a project devel­ oper. While the property was initially zoned industrial at the time ofthe judgment, the landowner and township have since agreed to allow other uses, including general business. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., Tractor Supply Company is a Fortune 500 company founded in 1938, operating more than 2,000 stores across the United States, according to a 2021 company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. -CalPlex as envisioned,” Martin wrote in the letter. On Wednesday, the Township Board held further discussions on the land swap issue. Supervisor Bryan Harrison said the township would like to acquire the 84th and Whitneyville parcel as a potential second location for the Caledonia Fire Department. “As we grow and our need to address community needs (grows), one (of them) is public safety,” Harrison said. “As we look forward, we said one of the areas we would likely (look at) is sub­ stations develop. We are likely to need a substation in the eastern part of the com­ munity, and the intersection of Whitneyville and 84th would be an area (where) we’d be interested in having a potential future substa­ tion.” The township has owned the property adjacent to CalPlex since 2009, while the schools have owned the 84th and Whitneyville site since 1991. Township Trustee Greg Zoller is baf­ fled by the district’s opposi­ tion to a land swap. “This letter doesn’t make sense to. me,” Zoller said. “It doesn’t explain why they don’t want (to make the swap). I’d like to at least hear why they don’t want to swap with us.” for what it wanted to do with the land next to CalPlex. In his letter, Martin wrote that CCS Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer has been briefed on the land swap situation and “is committed to continuing discussions.” Board President Marcy White and Treasurer Jason Saidoo may also be involved in future discus­ sions, Martin wrote. Harrison said he will reach out to Weeldreyer to contin­ ue discussions. In other business Wednesday, the board: Township Trustee Tim Bradshaw said he would be — Finalized details of the contract with incoming Township Manager Alison open to an exchange if the district had conceptual plans Nugent, who is scheduled to begin working for the town- ship in mid-August. Bnice's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com — Approved a threeyear renewal of a mining permit for Nagel Construction to continue to operate the Whitneyville Sand Pit at 7777 Whitneyville Ave. SE, ret­ roactive to November 2021. Nagel Construction has operated the sand pit under a consent judgment to allow mining at the site since the company acquired the pit in 2007. The com­ pany must submit a plan for planting trees on the site, and the township raised the performance bond to be paid by Nagel Construction for operating the pit from $100,000 to $150,000. — Tabled final approval of a rezoning request from Wolverine Building Group for properties at 6949 and 7005 Broadmoor Ave. SE to highway commercial and light industrial uses. Harrison expressed opposition to changing part of the zoning along the highway to light industrial, saying it is not consistent with the township master plan. “It is a state highway, and many people think, ‘Gee, that’s where you would put industrial ... along a high­ President Mike Houseman said even with rezoning, his company would still have to follow standards set forth in the Broadmoor/ Cherry Valley overlay district, limiting the type of light industrial uses that would be allowed on the property. The rezon­ ing is expected to come back to the board in two weeks. — Approved the final site plan for Valley Point Estates at 5903 84th St. SE. Twenty site condominiums are planned for the develop­ ment. — Approved the pur­ chase of a new voting tabu­ lator from Election Source to be used during the new early voting period at a cost of $15,437. “We need an additional tabulator because they all get pro­ grammed ahead of time, and this one will be a stand-alone tabulator that we’ll have in the board room for nine days of early voting,” Township Clerk Joni Henry said. way.’ But for us, it’s not a highway; it’s our main street. It is the entryway to our com­ munity. Our master plan almost fixates on this being the gateway to our communi­ ty,” Harrison said. But Wolverine Vice Your local agent insures your Hrtme F4ffM BUREAU INSURANCE* Mictigati Atgtuwoe Contfwuj, Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com That’s a wrap! The 170th Annual Barry County Fair wound down this weekend, concluding a week filled with rides, games, deep-fried food, grandstand action and 4-H barns brimming with animals. Fairgoers were treated to some of the best weather that organizers could ever remember and it reflected in the total number of people that entered through the gates of the Barry Expo Center. In next week’s issue of the Hastings Banner, we will provide a recap of all the action as the sun sets on yet anoth­ er year at the fair. �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023/ Page 3 GRANTS, continued from page 1 Jennifer Heinzman tion. The development has been dubbed River Run Flats LLC but plans for it have not been finalized. To comply with the terms of the grant, BCLBA offi- cials must first review educa­ tional materials to help them mitigate risks and address hazardous situations that might arise during the demo­ lition process. “We have to know what to look for before they can go through with demolition,” said Jennifer Heinzman, President of the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance. “We’re taking the educational classes. We still hope to get those buildings down this year yet, that’s our goal. Developers will have to work with the village to see what can go there.” 975 Ventures is looking to develop riverside housing at that location but the village has not signed off on their initial plans. Whether those plans come to fruition or not, demolishing the Baby Bliss building will make the site ready for a project. Heinzman’s organization had previously applied for similar grant dollars for the purposes of addressing the Baby Bliss building but was turned down due to the absence of contracts with a developer. The other round of grant money awarded to BCLBA — $500,000 — will be used to bring blighted homes from around the county up to code and eventually put back on ber ofhomes that the BCLBA the market to be sold. can rehab and sell. Heinzman said the ■ As an example, the BCLBA will work with BCLBA might purchase a townships across the county property for $50,000 and to identify blighted homes, spend $100,000 to rehab it, acquire those properties, signifying a $150,000 total rehab them and eventually investment. put them on the market. The Barry Community The BCLBA will also be Foundation would provide working in tandem with the the funding and be reim­ Barry Community bursed by grant dollars. Foundation to executive on If the home sells for the initiative. $200,000, then $150,000 will Heinzman explained that be returned back to the the foundation would front Michigan State Land Bank the BCLBA funds for the Blight Elimination fund to be rehab work and later be reim­ used again while the BCLBA bursed by the grant money. would pocket $50,000. Under the model, there “We’ll reach out to all the will be no limit to the num- municipalities,” Heinzman said about starting this pro­ cess. “They’ll have to actual­ ly blight these houses, so instead of driving up every road in the county, we can ask them what is available now. We’ll probably go to their commission or council meetings and tell them what we’re doing, as well.” Heinzman and the cham­ ber have been relentless in chasing down grant dollars, which are still flush with COVID relief cash. Since the beginning of June, Heinzman and her team have secured $1.4 mil­ lion in grant funding as they prepare to apply for addition­ al dollars. Pair of retired teachers named 2023 Middleville Hometown Heroes The Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation (TAEF) has named Cindy and Keith Middlebush as the 2023 Middleville Hometown Heroes. The Hometown Hero Awards Dinner to honor Keith and Cindy will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Barry Community Enrichment Center, 231 S. Broadway in Hastings. Social hour and a cash bar will begin at 5:30 p.m., with a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. Reservations for dinner can be made by calling 269-945­ 0526 by Sept. 12. The cost is $35 per person. Those inter­ ested can also register online. Keith Middlebush taught at Thomapple Kellogg Schools from 1962 to 1966, and then again from 1974 to 2005. During the 1970s, he was part ofa team that helped implement the transition from a junior high model to an integrative middle school concept of teaching. He helped launch the TKMS Student of the Month and started the Student-Teacher Assistant program. As presi­ dent ofthe teachers’ associa­ tion, Keith began the dis­ trict’s involvement with the Adopt-a-Highway program and connected with the Barry County Fair to purchase 4-H animals from TK students. He also worked on Earth Day with students to help clean up public fishing sites in the area. Keith credits his teachers, his grandparents and especially his mother as wonderful examples of liv­ ing a life of giving. Cindy Middlebush, a 1978 TK graduate, was inspired by many TK educators. Cindy was a TK educator for 25 years, teaching in the resource rooms at McFall, Lee, and Page. She was also a literacy coach and reading specialist for many years. In 2003, Cindy was the recipi­ Cindy and Keith Middlebush, pictured here, were named this year’s Middleville Hometown Heroes by the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation. (Photos provided) gram. Despite her many achieve­ ments, Cindy credits the work of other educators for much of her success. “Joyce Domire inspired me and countless others to be kind and generous. Bill Rich pushed me to be my best,” said Cindy. “We are still blessed with lifelong friends who gave their all to TK.” Cindy began the “Book Bug” summer reading pro­ gram to help students main­ tain reading over the sum­ mer. She drove to students’ homes weekly to deliver books and held a swimming party at the Middlebush cottage for students who reached their reading goals. In addition, she helped students find success in countless other ways, such as the annual Middlebush Treasure Hunt at the end of each school year; VIP club, with a monthly lunch at Phil’s Pizza; and nity in many ways. Keith has worked countless hours at football, basketball, wres­ tling, volleyball and cross country events. Since retire­ ment, Cindy has helped to establish the TK Alumni Association (TKAA), which has awarded at least one scholarship to a graduating TK senior for the past five years. She has served as the secretary and is currently the TKAA Historian, accumulat­ ing and keeping track ofyear­ books, photos, varsity jackets and other TK memorabilia. She also helped the group start up their Distinguished Alumni award and the TKAA Facebook page. Keith and Cindy have cho­ sen the Thomapple Kellogg Alumni Association Fund to receive donations in their honor. The Alumni Association’s mission is to support the Thomapple Kellogg School District in encouraging and developing the positive potential of each student — past, present and future. TKAA awards two scholarships each year to graduating seniors or TK alumni. In addition, they have begun granting funds to new TK elementary teachers each year and donating to a TK High School fund that helps all students afford their own copy of the TK year­ book. To donate directly to the TKAA scholarship fund, mail a check to Barry Community Foundation, Fund #276,231 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. The Middlebush family continues to have a positive impact on the Middleville community. Keith and Cindy’s daughter, Cary Saxton, is a favorite teacher of many at TK High School. She and her husband, Curt, who is a chemical engineer at Grace Pharmaceutical in South Haven, have two sons, Charlie and Pete. During the school year, the Middlebushes help take care of their grandsons and' get them off to their respective schools in the TK district. “It was important to live where we taught,” said Cindy. “So being part of the community and raising our daughter, Cary, within the TK family is the accomplish­ ment I’m most proud of.” SUMMER SPECIAL fl/C INSTALLATION »200 OFF With this coupon HEATING 8 COOLING ent of the Kent County Education Association’s Teacher of the Year award, and in 2007, she received TK’s Above and Beyond Award for work with the district’s early reading pro- running the popcorn club at Page Elementary to help assist families so their chil­ dren could more easily find success. Sometimes, the help she provided to families meant providing lunch money, picture money, arranging transportation, sponsoring students for sum­ mer YMCA camp and even providing temporary hous­ ing. Keith and Cindy also gave their time to TK as coaches. Cindy coached varsity vol­ leyball from 1989 to 2003, often spending entire Saturdays at tournaments. The highlight of this was allowing her to get to know students from early elemen­ tary through 12th grade. Keith coached football, bas­ ketball and track during his original stint at TK. When he returned in the ‘70s, Keith coached track and cross country and helped imple- ment the girls’ cross country program. He started the Middleville Co-ed Relays, the first of its kind in the state; the Middleville Invitational Cross Country Meet; and he began the sum­ mer cross country camp. He also started the Middleville Track Club to promote run­ ning. The Middleville Track Club established the 10K Turkey Trot and held the event annually for over a decade. The proceeds from the Track Club went toward both TK track and cross country. Coach Keith Middlebush was the Michigan Track Coach ofthe Year runner-up in 1984. The Middlebushes both appreciate the generosity and friendship of the people of Middleville. “The communi­ ty steps up whenever there is a need or a cause,” said Cindy. For Keith, his proud­ est accomplishment as a TK teacher and coach has been making lifetime connections with students and their fami­ lies. The Middlebushes have volunteered their time to the Middleville and TK commu- 210 East Main Street, Caledonia dWPTB:P Locally owned business. The Middlebush family. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22,2023 H LITTLE KIDS AND BIG RIGS: Library in Caledonia hosts Touch a Truck event Shari Harris Contributing Writer For over 10 years, the Caledonia Branch of the Kent District Library has hosted its Touch a Truck event. This year was no dif­ ferent with approximately 860 people in attendance on Friday, July 14. This event allows chil­ dren one day during the summer where they can visit the library and look at, touch, and even sit inside a variety of trucks. Each year, the Caledonia branch hosts between 500 and 1,000 visitors and has between five and eight vehicles for kids to experi­ ence. “We always have Caledonia Fire. The others are dependent on availabili­ ty,” said Leigh Verburg, the Branch Outreach and Programming Specialist for the Caledonia and Cascade branches. “Summer is a busy time for trucks.” This year, the available trucks were Caledonia Fire, Life EMS, FCC Construction, Kona Ice and a Caledonia Community Schools school bus. According to Fire Chief Scott Siler, the Caledonia Fire Department is always happy to participate in community events like this. “It gives us a chance to meet our citizens in a less stressful environment,” said Siler. “We let everyone climb through the trucks and see our equipment with hopes that they will be less nervous if we ever respond to their home.” This also allows residents ofthe com­ munity to ask questions and get to know the firefighters before an emergency hap­ pens. However, during an event like this, sometimes an urgent situation arises, and the department must leave in order to respond to the call. Siler said that during the event, “At 11:45 a.m., we received a call for a vehicle fire and had to promptly leave with lights and sirens activated but cautiously exited the area due to the abundance of pedestrians.” He added, “We were glad to make nearly the entire event without being called away.” While kids loved learn­ ing more about the school bus and the fire truck, the longest line was for the construction equipment. Dan VanKalker of FCC Construction said, “This is a perfect event to connect with the area. This kind of event exposes youth to the equipment and opportuni­ ties that exist in construc­ tion.” The equipment the com­ pany provided for Touch a Truck this year included a T800 Kenworth Semi Tractor, a Cat 306 Mini Excavator, among others. Children were even allowed to use an airhom on a truck and they "... managed to blow the semi airhom to the point they drained the compressed air tank,” said VanKalker. “Their look of excitement and fright was priceless.” The community can look forward to this event again in 2024. Verburg said, “We’d love to have a large tractor, a race car, monster truck, or other unique vehi­ cles.” If you or someone you know would like to partici­ pate in this event next year, please speak with a librari­ an at the Caledonia branch or email caledoniayouthstaff@kdl.org. Church The annual Touch a Truck event attracts hundreds of attendees and allows kids to get up close and personal with large trucks and equipment. Kids line up to explore a mini excavator provided by FCC Construction at last Saturday’s Touch a Truck event, held at the Caledonia Branch of the Kent District Library. (Photos by Shari Harris) alaskaf 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Middleville Sunday Service 10:30 AM church Sunday's Ministries 616-698-8104 cornerstonechurch Caledonia United Methodist Church Worship Service 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM Sunday School Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study 6: 00 PM Michael L. Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) .9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com I FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. CHURCH Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thqchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: -616-217-2161 1664 M-37 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 __________www.stpaulcaleonia.org ©thejchurch y / Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School —.—9:30 AM Sunday Worship............10:30 10:30AM AM Which purservices from our websile (see above) (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY ONE CHURCH Church: "Shining Forth God’s Light" Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY ’CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass...................... 5:00 pan. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship 10:00 a.m. 11;00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ©CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023/ Page 5 Hastings and Middleville Middleville DDA board vice chair resigns Rotary Clubs plan free sharpening event The Hastings Rotary Club, in conjunction with the Middleville Rotary Club, has announced a special free sharpening event on Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering the community an opportunity to have their tools, scissors and knives sharpened at no cost. The event will take place on the the Barry County Courthouse lawn and will coincide with the Hastings Farmer’s Market. Are your scissors feeling dull? Are your kitchen knives not slicing as smoothly as they used to? Does your lawnmow­ er seem less effective lately? Members of the Hastings Rotary Club intend to fix that Those interested can bring scis­ sors, lawn mower blades, fin­ gernail clippers, kitchen knives, shovels, hoes, hatchets, axes or any other bladed tool that needs a little extra edge. Rotary Club members will sharpen the tools for free. The event is part of the Hastings Rotary Club’s ongo­ ing commitment to serve the community and promote the spirit ofgiving back. By offer­ ing free sharpening services, the club aims to help residents save money on tool replace­ ment and extend the lives of their essential equipment Jennifer Heinzman, current Hastings Rotary President expressed her enthusi asm for the event saying, “We are delighted to bring this free sharpening event to our community. It’s a fantastic opportunity to not only support our residents by provid­ ing a valuable service but also to create a fun and engaging expe­ rience during the Farmer’s Market We encourage everyone to come out bring their dull tools and leave with them sharp and ready for action!” While the sharpening ser­ vices are complimentary, the Hastings Rotary Club will gratefully accept donations during the event Donations received will go towards sup­ porting the Imagination Library of Barry County, an initiative that promotes litera­ cy and a love for reading among young children. Imagination Library is a community-led program that mails free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, regardless oftheir fam­ ily’s income. The program fos­ ters a love ofreading and helps children develop essential early literacy skills to prepare them for school and beyond. Greg Chandler Staff Writer One of the longest-serving members of the Middleville Downtown Development Authority board has stepped down. Kristen Fisher, who had served on the DDA board since December 2019, sub­ mitted her letter of resigna­ tion, effective immediately, to board Chairwoman Kim Jachim on July 12. Fisher had been serving as the board’s vice chairperson. “While it has been my pleasure to work towards the economic development and growth of our great village, I am no longer able to dedicate the required time to the authority,” Fisher wrote in her resignation letter. “It is my hope to revisit our local government in the future.” Fisher is a senior branch manager at Highpoint Community Bank. “She did an amazing job as the co-chair, and I’m gonna miss her,” Jachim said at Tuesday’s DDA board meet­ ing. “I’m indebted to her for everything she has done for this council... all the free time she put in for it. I can’t say enough good about her.” On Tuesday, the board selected Thornapple Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer to succeed Fisher as vice chairperson. DDA Director Gretchen James and Village Clerk Rhonda Van Polen are working on a post­ ing to find a new board mem­ ber to replace Fisher, Jachim said. In other action Tuesday, the DDA board approved spending $16.16 per month for the legal rights to play music on the village’s sound system downtown. “We currently have the speakers and the electronic capabilities to play music Kristen Fisher downtown but do not have the legal rights to do so,” James wrote in a memo to the DDA board. “With the pur­ chase of this subscription, the DDA can provide music to the downtown corridor of Middleville year-round.” Schaefer also reported on the possibility of establishing a pavilion near the DDA amphitheater where service groups could sell refresh­ ments during local concerts. Schaefer said it would cost about $3,000 to have a semi-permanent shelter set up. The Middleville Rotary Club is willing to commit at least $800 to the project, he said. TK schools near completion on strategic plan update Greg Chandler Superintendent Craig McCarthy said. StaffWriter More than 900 people Thornapple Kellogg Schools are nearing^ com­ tied to the district, includ­ pletion on an update to the ing school board members, district’s strategic plan. administrators, teachers, On Monday night, the support staff and parents, TK Board of Education provided input toward the heard a presentation by crafting of the strategic Penny Kentish McWilliams, plan. That included an a consultant from the online community survey Michigan Association of that was conducted at the School Boards, which has start ofthis year. served as a consultant to the “The board had the district during the strategic opportunity to fill out the plan process that started survey (as well as) adminis­ last fall. trators, instructional staff The five-year plan serves and support staff - it was as a roadmap to guide the sent out to everybody in the district, but it was also sent district in the areas of aca­ demics, learning environ­ out to parents as well,” ment and culture, commu­ McCarthy said. nications and community The school board then engagement, finance and held a retreat with MASB operations. The plan is consultants in March to built around the district discuss the strategic plan, mission statement of followed by a separate “encouraging and develop­ meeting involving admin­ ing the greatest potential of istrators and consultants. each student,” Then the district set up a In memory of Travis William Wenger y July 21, 1982 to January 22, 2002 Craig McCarthy series of community forums to seek additional input on the plan. “We had forums for our instructional staff and sup­ port staff, and then we had a number ofmeetings where community members could come in,” McCarthy said. “We also had a Zoom meet­ ing where individuals could weigh in on the strategic planning process.” The new strategic plan is intended to dovetail into a new statewide ini­ tiative called the Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP), which seeks to improve student outcomes by assessing “whole child” needs to develop plans to coordinate fund­ ing. “Every year, school dis­ tricts have to put together their school and district improvement plans. There were several different loca­ tions at the state that you would have to send infor­ mation (to). Now, our stra­ tegic plan will dovetail right into the MICIP pro­ gram, because MASB has been working with the state on this, so that we’re not doing things two or three times over,” McCarthy said. Once the board approves the strategic plan, the next step is implementation. “The board is setting those high-level goals, and now what we’re doing is putting together the implementation plan to achieve those goals,” McCarthy said. “The implementation plan is all how me, the administra­ tive team and instruction­ al staff will work to achieve the goals.” The district’s last strate­ gic planning update, which occurred in the 2018-2019 school year, emphasized facility updates as well as academics. In November 2019, voters passed a $42.8 million bond issue for dis­ trictwide facility upgrades, including additional class­ rooms at all three elemen­ tary schools and the con- struction of the district’s new Early Childhood Center, which opened last fall. The district will monitor results in each of the five targeted areas, and McCarthy will provide reg­ ular updates on progress toward meeting the goals in the plan. “This will be part of the evaluation process for me (as superintendent). I’ll be reporting to the board what our achievements have been,” he said. “I’ll there­ fore be going to our admin­ istrators, (asking) ‘where are you on this process now?’ Holding everybody accountable keeps our eye on ... the end goals.” The board is expected to approve the strategic plan at its next meeting Aug. 14, McCarthy said. To lose a fine and precious 8on Whether man or boy, Deprives the heart of all its warmth And life of so much joy. But each year on this special day We celebrate your birth, And treasure every moment That you were here on earth. We took those days for granted And never dreamt or thought, That all our lives would change so much . And yours would be so short. But now we must remember That although the tears may fall, The son we’ll miss forever Brought sunshine to us all. Re g iSTC r. f® K VB S at F B C ffl I D DIEV I L L £. N £ T �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023 The Grand will open for 88th Kent County Youth Fair at new location By Emma Palova Contributing Writer The Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan, dubbed The Grand, opened last Wednesday in a rib­ bon-cutting ceremony to serve as the home ofthe Kent County Youth Fair. The Kent County Youth Agricultural Association (KCYAA) purchased 140 acres of the former Deer Run Golf Course in 2018, having outgrown the city-owned lot near downtown Lowell. It was the recurrent flooding that intensified the need to move, according to KCYAA officials. The Grand campus, which sits off Cascade Road and close to 1-96, will accommo­ date the projected traffic from all over the Midwest. Mark Anderson, Lowell Charter Township Trustee, local business owner and co-chair of the Construction Ad Hoc Committee for The Grand, envisions exciting potential for the future. “The Grand is an amazing addition to the Lowell community and our entire state,” said Anderson. “The Grand will become a premier destination, drawing visitors from around the region, across the state and throughout the Midwest, especially for large agricul­ tural shows and equestrian competitions.” The capital campaign, “Raising Bams, Building Youth,” has raised more than $19 million from individual donors, area foundations, public funding sources, vol­ unteers and friends. The Grand has received private and public support from funding partners, such as the Consumers Energy Foundation, Lowell Area Community Fund and the Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation, along with county, state and federal funds. “The whole campus wild­ ly exceeded my expecta­ tions,” said KCYAA President Bill Zaske. “The project is not only on sched­ ule and on budget, but we were also able to add two buildings and a lot of addi­ tional site work to the project due to the extraordinary part­ nership and work with our construction team, our vol­ unteers and our supporters.” The campus masterplan encompasses seven build­ ings, all new utilities, park­ ing and primitive campsites. The modem campground is in the planning stages and has not been constructed yet. “We knew it was going to be a challenge to have The Grand open for the 2023 Kent County Youth Fair,” Zaske said. “I am happy to report we will be ready for it” The first buildings to open will be two horse bams, one outdoor horse arena, a cov­ ered show pavilion, one practice horse arena, three livestock bams and primitive campsites. The campsites have been leveled and grass planted. The Grand will eventually expand for yearround programming, includ­ ing school field trips and large-scale agricultural and equestrian shows, as one of only three sites in Michigan. The KCYAA is expanding on a legacy of nearly 90 years of creating opportuni­ ties for youth to develop leadership skills, cultivate character traits and nurture interest in the sciences through agricultural projects and experiences. “We are proud of the role we play in creating our next generation of leaders in all industries, but especially the complex world of agriscience,” said Morgan Doyle, executive director of the organization. “Through The Grand, we have the opportunity to expand this vision to many more youth and adults from around our entire county.” The first event at the Grand Agricultural Center.of West Michigan will be the 88th annual Kent County Youth Fair from July 30 through August 5. The fair draws 50,000+ visitors annu­ ally, and attendance is expected'to grow exponen­ tially with the expanded The Grand hosted a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 12. place to showcase their prod­ ucts,” Zaske said. “We are really excited to see how the agricultural community starts to use these new grounds.” As the second phase of construction wraps up, the next phase will begin as soon as the Kent County Youth Fair is complete on Aug. 5. This phase of the masterplan will include the Four-Season Exhibition Building, Modem Campground, Agricultural Education and Community Building and much more. A ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday, July 12, with the following speakers: Bill Zaske, KCYAA President; Dave Hildenbrand, Co-Chair Construction Ad Hoc Committee, Kent County Commissioner and former State Senator; Morgan Doyle, KCYAA Executive Director; and John Schut, Executive Director for the Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions and long-time KCYAA board member, Youth members representing the different age divisions who participate in the Kent County Youth Fair conducted the actual cutting of the ribbon, followed by a “family-friendly” celebra­ tory toast with milk and an ice cream social. The Grand project was divided into several phases. In Phase 1, the campaign raised close to $4 million, which allowed the securing of the land. KCYAA pur­ chased 140 acres of the for­ mer Deer Run Golf Club, located at 13955 Cascade Rd SE in Lowell Township, approximately three miles from Interstate 96 and less than five miles south of the current fairground location in downtown Lowell. The land includes the Fairway banquet facility that can accommodate Youth Fair needs and continue serving as a venue for social functions. The new campus will host the annual Kent County Youth Fair every August and be a destination spot for equestri­ an and livestock shows, large festivals, expositions and events of all kinds. In Phase 2, a master site plan has prioritized construc­ tion to allow for a continuous build-out of the full campus. The current campus is opera­ tional with a mix of new, permanent buildings and temporary tents ready for the upcoming fair. For more information, go to kcyf.org. space and new facilities. The visitors and exhibitors will notice more space on the grounds since the project increased the usable acres from 19 to 140. “The grounds will offer One of the newly-constructed barns on the prop­ erty of The Grand. AnnualJuly Sale\ : 20% OffFabrics ; (excludes sale items) more space for everyone,” Zaske said. “We have a new carnival this year that will be able to offer more rides, games and food.” The big picture is to accommodate modem eques­ trian and livestock shows with all the needed ameni­ ties. “We have the space to host trade and training events, as well as offer a The Kent County Youth Fair has a new home — the Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan, also known as the The Grand. The facility occupies 140 acres on a plot of land that formerly housed the Deer Run Golf Course. (Photos by Emma Palova) • a Sale endsJuly 31st FAntennaMe Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station 'G* fob 6M, CtWlfoty! • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 Give us a call! 269-967-8241 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; tBT ■ Saturday 9 am-3 pm www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com AA www.celltignalpros.com V»V SPRAY FOAAf^® Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023/ Page 7 Pickup truck slams through building of Caledonia Twp. business; One arrested and charged A rescue boat was one at the 2022 Night Out event at South Christian High School. (Photo by James Gemmell) South Kent National Night Out festivities to take place Aug. 1 at South Christian High School James Gemmell Contributing Writer tWjl Wj dlii ftftin Each year, the Kent County Sheriffs Office holds one of the region’s largest National Night Outs in Gaines Charter Township. On Aug. 1, National Night Out will celebrate its 40th anniversary, having begun in August 1984. Locally, Kent County has participated in this event for over a decade and will hold festivities this year in a large parking lot at South Christian High School, 7979 Kalamazoo Ave, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Night Out raises aware­ ness about crime prevention and promotes partnerships between community mem­ bers, police, firefighters and paramedics. “We will have numerous businesses from the com­ munity like Spartan Nash, Peppinos, Farm Bureau Insurance, Swan Orthodontics, Heinz Orthodontics, Paul Davis (Restoration), to list a few,” Sheriff’s Deputy Jason VanderMolen said. He also gave a thank you to Flexfab, which makes fire-resistant hoses and other products. “Without their support, we couldn’t make South Kent National Night Out happen,” VanderMolen said. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office will have an armored tactical team A Kent County Sheriff’s deputy with a drone that was on display at last year’s South Kent National Night Out in Gaines Township. (Photo by James Gemmell) vehicle on display, plus a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle), a mounted horse unit, fire trucks and a police K9. The Aero Med helicop­ ter will be on hand if the weather allows and if it is not on a medical call. “They are an ‘if possi­ ble’ type of attraction. They often get calls for service that override our request,” VanderMolen explained. The COVID-19 pandem­ ic forced the cancellation of the 2020 South Kent Night Out. It was held outside the Kentwood Community Church in 2021 but moved to South Christian High School last year. The extra space is needed because the local event draws many res­ idents from Gaines, Bowne, Byron and Caledonia town­ ships, plus the City of Kentwood. Several community busi­ nesses typically have tables or booths to display items, offer games to play or pro­ vide snacks. National Night Out began with neighbors turning porch lights on or sitting in front of their homes as a show ofunity against crime. The original event took place in the western sub­ urbs of Philadelphia, according to multiple sourc­ es. It has been held across the country since 1984 and now has millions of partici­ pants, including some who hold big block parties or backyard cookouts in some communities. “National Night Out came to the Grand Rapids area back in the 1990s. The Sheriff’s Office would attend block parties in neighborhoods. Well, over the years, as more and more requests came in, we decid- ed to make it more of a onestop shop and have people come to us,” said VanderMolen, who is also a Cutlerville firefighter. Besides fire trucks, Cutlerville and Dutton Fire Chief Ken Van Hall said that other emergency-re­ sponse apparatus will be set up. He noted that Night Out provides plenty of benefits for citizens. “It allows people to see all the trucks and interact with everybody, all the communities that are involved,” he said. The Sheriff’s Office held its first South Kent National Night Out in 2010. “It is such a great event because it gets the commu­ nity outside and gets them engaged with their local law enforcement. For us here at the Sheriff’s Office, it’s all about building posi­ tive relationships with the community we serve and interact with,” VanderMolen said. Greg Chandler Staff Writer A Caledonia Township business was damaged last Saturday when a vehicle slammed through the win­ dow ofthe building, accord­ ing to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. at Viking Construction, 5150 Beltway Dr. in the Southbelt Industrial Park. According to investigators at the scene, a blue Ford pickup truck crashed through a window on the east side ofthe build­ ing. Two males were in the vehicle and fled after the crash, police said. Both of the individuals were later found inside the business by sheriff’s depu­ ties. One ofthe two was not found to have committed any crime and was released. However, the driver was questioned. “I asked him what hap­ pened ... and he told me he had dropped off his friend and was leaving the park­ ing lot and hit the gas too much and as he tried to hit his brakes he hit his gas again and spun out,” Deputy Brady Johnson wrote in the police report, which was obtained by the Sun and News through a Freedom of Information Act request. A preliminary breath test and field sobriety tests were administered to the driver, Johnson wrote in the report. “(His) eyes were blood­ shot and glossy. I could smell the odor of intoxi­ cants on his breath during the (horizontal gaze nystag­ mus field sobriety) test and Speaking with him,” Johnson wrote. After the tests, the driver was arrested and charged with operating while intoxi­ cated — first offense, a mis­ demeanor that carries up to 93 days in jail and fines of up to $500. 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Simulcast Live at the 84th St. Campus Cost: $179 cornerstonemi.org/GLS cornerstonechurch �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023 Barry County’s Committee of the Whole mulls resolution after demands for "Second Amendment Sanctuary” from local GOP ment rights, but rather, counting it as an affirma­ In late April, members of tion of support for the con­ stitutional rights as a the Barry County GOP flooded into the mezzanine whole. “The Barry County of the Barry County Board of Commissioners Courthouse to plead with has been requested to adopt county commissioners to declare the county a a resolution to become a ‘Second Amendment “Second Amendment Sanctuary County’ and, Sanctuary.” After three months of whereas, input from our legal counsel, prosecuting mulling over the demands, attorney and sheriff have commissioners introduced a duly noted that the pro­ resolution during Tuesday morning’s meeting of the posed resolution exceeds any authority that rests county board’s Committee of the Whole but did not with the board of commis­ sioners, especially to the take action on it. extent that it directs the The issue initially arose at an April 18 Board of activities of the sheriff and/or prosecuting attorCommissioners meeting where the Barry County ney,” the resolution stated. Whereas, when when we GOP presented a resolution ““Whereas, assumed office, we all took it had drafted in response to gun control legislation that an oath of office under was either proposed or which we swore to support already passed by a the Constitution of the Democrat-controlled state United States of America legislature. The county and the Constitution of the GOP wanted the board of State of Michigan.” commissioners to designate “The Barry County Board Barry County as a “Second of Commissioners wishes Amendment Sanctuary to re-affirm support for the County,” just as dozens of Constitution of the United other counties throughout States of America and the the state have. state of Michigan in its At the time, members of entirety including all of its the party admitted that the amendments,” the resolu­ move was primarily sym­ tion also read. bolic, as the Board of Dave Jackson, chairman Commissioners has no say of the county board, has in how the offices of the stated numerous times that Sheriffor prosecuting attor­ his view of the board’s ney conduct their business. function is to conduct the Still, the county GOP felt it business of the county and was an important move and that the board does not implored the board to add it wade through political to a future agenda. issues often, if ever. The resolution that the Jackson stuck to that line board’s Committee of the of thinking in presenting Whole rolled out on this resolution. Tuesday morning was a bit “We had some discus­ more broad, not expressly sions on it. My feeling is mentioning second amendthat when I went to the Jayson Bussa Editor GOP meeting and they put the resolution out there from the Barry County GOP, I voted ‘yes’ on it,” Jackson explained. “I’m a gun owner. I’m an NRA member. I’m a hunter. I believe in all that stuff. If the Barry County GOP wants to send that to the state of Michigan declaring that on behalf of the Barry County GOP. that they want to be a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary County,’ I think that’s fine.” “This board has a busi­ ness function for the coun­ ty. My opinion is that we stay in our lane and do what we’ve always done.” The committee sought input from Sheriff Dar Leaf, who was on hand to field questions. Leaf said that his office has not received a formal breakdown of some of the new laws that have recently been enacted by the Democrat-controlled state government concerning hate speech and the variety of gun legislation. “I’ll keep you guys abreast on (those changes to the law) but if it’s anything that violates anyone’s due process, we’re not interest­ ed in enforcing it,” Leaf said. “In fact, we’ll do just the opposite and stand behind due process rights here at the Sheriff’s office and I’m sure the prosecu­ tor’s office will do the same thing. That’s the right thing to do.” The scene Tuesday was far different from the April 18 meeting, when the mez­ zanine was packed. There were only a few gallery members on hand Tuesday. Larry Bass, a Carlton WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers fti DeWeerd (68 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 LENNOX LENN ACCREDITED BUSINESS Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf speaks to county commissioners on Tuesday morning. The county board’s Committee of the Whole was considering a resolu­ tion that would affirm the board’s support of the Constitution. The resolution came as a response to demands from the Barry County GOP, which wanted to commissioners to declare the county a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” Township resident, did speak on the issue during the public comments. “After March, April, May, June and now July, I would have hoped we would have done much bet­ ter than the resolution that is before you folks today,” Bass said. “As a matter of fact, my recommendation would be you table this today and have a more in-depth conversation and come back with something that is more palatable to a lot ofus.” The Committee of the Whole ultimately took no action on the resolution, most members acknowl­ edging that they already took an oath of office to uphold the state and feder­ al constitutions and also that the resolution wouldn’t accomplish anything tangi­ ble. Mike Callton, who has served as a state representa­ tive, provided some insight into the process and ramifi­ cations of symbolic resolu­ tions. “When I was in the legis­ lature, resolutions were endless and I used to laugh because I noticed that they were usually put forth by the most ineffective legisla­ tors that couldn’t pass any legislation so they would have resolutions that no one could say no to,” Callton said. “These resolutions just congest the whole system of the legislature because it’s a Pandora’s box,” he added. “...It’s just some­ thing to think about ifwe’re going to start doing resolu­ tions, It could be unend­ ing.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023/ Page 9 Family Community Funfest on tap in Yankee Springs on July 29 Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township will hold its second annual Family Community Funfest next Saturday at the Township Park, 1825 Parker Dr. The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 2:30 p.m. and will include Treasures in the Trunk, a fundraiser for the Gun Lake chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), where club members will sell items from the trunk oftheir vehicles. More than 20 vehicles are expected to participate. The event raises funds for the lending library located inside Water’s Edge Floral and Gift Shop, which the club has maintained on the west side ofGun Lake for many years. The festival will also fea- ture a dog costumer parade at 11 a.m. and a decorated bike parade at noon. A bounce house, games for kids and fire trucks will also be part of the event. Lunches from Schondelmayer Bar-B-Q of Hastings will be available for purchase. they eat Too much sodium is bad for your health. It can increase blood pressure, which leads to stroke and heart disease. Food doesn’t have to taste salty to have salt in it A food like bread may be eaten more than once a day and the sodium levels will continue to add up. Less than 2,300 mg of sodium is the recommended level per day. Ten easy tips to reduce sodi- Pets FOR SALE- VINTAGE Home Comfort Kitchen Range, ear­ ly 1900's wood or coal fired range. Very good, clean con­ dition. Great for cabin or vacation home. 35 in wide x 30 inches deep x 61 inches high. $1800 obo. 269-795-3439. YORKIE MIX PUPPIES. Ador­ able, very cute. First shots and dewormed. Will stay small. $350. 517-852-3007 um levels are to read nutrition labels, prepare your own food, add flavor without using salt buy fresh foods, rinse beans and veggies before eating, choose non-salty snacks, watch condiments, reduce portion size and look for lower sodium choices at restaurants. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. Business Services Help Wanted CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TRUCK & TRAILER SPE­ CIALTIES is looking for an entry level or experienced body shop tech. Visit www. ttspec.com or call Jenny for details- 616-698-8215 TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Middleville TOPS 546 The July 17 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. One new fish joined the fishbowl. Sue led the program from the May/June TOPS maga­ zine titled “Sodium in Your Diet” Sue passed out pack­ aged and cans of food for everyone to participate with. Hie group compared sodium levels and found some sur­ prising amounts in the foods For Sale METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Community Notice NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE SALE Please notice Red Dot Storage 195 - Caledonia, located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledo­ nia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default ofpayment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 8/1/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated other­ wise, the contents are house­ hold goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #439. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details. VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE REGARDING SITE PLAN REVIEW Freeport Homecoming slated for July 29 There will be no shortage of activity in Freeport on Saturday, July 29 as the village hosts its Freeport Homecoming Event. Freeport Homecoming will include a 4 p.m. parade, which welcomes pets (on a leash or in a cage), bikes, scooters, wheelbarrows and anything else humanpowered. Nothing with a motor is permitted in the parade. The event features a robust slate of activities and entertainment, including: Car show (9 to 10 a.m. on Main Street) and antique tractors (10 a.m, to 2 p.m. on Warren Street) — Automotive swap meet at Blough Automotive, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Fireman’s breakfast and fireman’s garage sale, 8 to 1 a.m. -M / W'-‘ — Freeport District Library book sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Turtle Derby at Blough Automotive (turtles provided), 10 a.m. — Vendors on Warren Street, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Cornhole tournament at L&J’s, 11 a.m. — Horseshoe tournament at Shamrock, Noon — Free popsicles at Backwoods Trading Post, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m— Live music by Dirk at Chop Shop, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 * Live music by Lew Russ at Shamrock (backyard), 1 Food, games and activities at Heinz General Store, a.nCto3p.m. Historical Society Museum open, Noon to 3 p.mPaint the bugut Blough Automotive, 10 a.m. to 2 p-m. SBGood Works Food Sale on Main Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p./TlSW ® .W PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Caledonia Village Council has adopted an amendment to the site plan review provisions in Chapter XIV and permit provisions in Chapter IX of the Village Zoning Ordinance. The following is a summary of the regulatory effect ofthe amendment: 1. Site Plan Review and Zoning Compliance Certificate. Section 14.1 was added to provide that site plan review is required before the issuance of a building permit except for single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and farm buildings located on a farm. It also provides that changing an existing building or parcel from one use to another use or a building permit for a single or two-family dwelling or farm building are required to obtain zoning compliance certificate approval. 2. Zoning Compliance Permit. Section 14.2 was amended to allow a change from one permitted use to another permitted use within an existing building upon the issuance of a zoning compliance permit by the Zoning Administrator. It also provides the procedure for application for a zoning compliance permit, review ofthe application by the Zoning Administrator, and the Zoning Administrator’s discretion to refer requests for approval to the Planning Commission. 3. Reviewing Body of Official for Site Plan. Section 14.3 was amended to provide that a site plan shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator if an alteration of an existing building, structure or site improvement that does not increase either the gross floor area or occupancy capacity by more than twenty percent and which does not require more than five additional parking spaces and for construction of an accessory building that does not exceed twenty percent of the gross floor area of the principal building. It provides that site plan review by the Planning Commission is required for any new or alteration ofa building, structure or outdoor use not designated for Zoning Administrator approval. Section 14.3 provides that the Zoning Administrator has discretion to refer requests designated for Zoning Administrator approval to the Planning Commission. 4. Site Plan Content. Section 14.4 was amended to require a description ofthe proposed use in a site plan to determine whether Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission approval would be required. It also provides that location and dimension ofall proposed buildings, structures, other improvements, existing and proposed streets, drives, parking lots and number ofparking spaces must be included in a site plan. 5. Standards of Review. Section 14.5 was amended to provide additional standards ofreview for approval of a site plan, including building size, location, traffic congestion, access, landscaping, storm water management, emergency vehicle access, lighting, and parking. 6. References. In addition, references throughout Chapter XTV to Planning Commission approval were amended to reflect that approval of certain buildings, structures or uses are subject to approval ofthe Zoning Administrator. | 7. Permits. Section 19.3 was amended to provide that a building permit shall be issued only upon prior issuance of a certificate of zoning compliance or site plan approval. — Freeport Parade, 4 p.m. start; Line-up at 3:30 p.m. at Irving and Main — Music on Main: The Blind Squirrels, 6 p.m. Effective Date. This ordinance will take effect seven (7) days after this publication. A complete copy ofthe ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office ofthe Village Clerk, Village ofCaledonia, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, during Village office hours. Dated: July 20,2023 JEFF THORNTON, CLERK VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023 Robust recovery of bald eagles continues across Michigan While enjoying the great outdoors this summer, people can keep their eyes to the skies for bald eagles - our national emblem. These very large raptors can be found fishing and scaveng­ ing along Michigan’s lakes and rivers — and are often spotted in the trees and skies above the Thomapple River. Bald eagles have become a popular sight across Michigan and are expanding in southern Michigan as they adapt to nesting in more open and urban landscapes. Recent statewide surveys found approximately 900 breeding pairs in the state. This com­ pares to only 359 breeding pairs in 2000 and 83 in 1980. And 60 years ago, you would not have been able to see bald eagles across much of Michigan or the United States. In 1963, the U.S. bald eagle population had reached an all­ time low of 417 nesting pairs across the lower 48 states, and the bird was an endangered species. Their populations declined due to loss of nesting habitat, persecution by humans and a pesticide called DDT, which caused reproductive problems that accelerated population declines in the 1950s and 1960s. Michigan led the way in bald eagle conservation and was the first state to ban DDT in 1969, three years before it was banned nationally. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 additional­ ly increased protections and funding to support the recovery of endangered species like the bald eagle. Erin Rowan Ford, conser­ vation manager for Michigan with Audubon Great Lakes, works in partnership with the DNR on MI Birds. She said that after near-extinction in the mid-20th century, there now are more than 300,000 bald eagles in the wild across the country. “The species’ recovery is a success story, one that speaks to the groundbreaking work of conservationists and research­ ers, which led to policies that continue to protect wildlife today,” she said. Despite their name, bald eagles are not actually bald. Adults have white heads and tails that contrast with their dark brown bodies. Juveniles, which will be leaving their nests this month, have dark brown bodies, heads and tails, with brown and white mottling. Bald eagles are no longer on the endangered or threat­ ened species list, but are still federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. “You can help bald eagles succeed in Michigan by keep­ ing a safe distance from nests and avoiding certain activities that could disturb them,” said Chris Mensing, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist based out of — Lansing, Michigan. “When outdoors, take a moment to clean up trash, safely dispose of old fishing line and lures, and avoid using lead shot and lead tackle.” Seger set to enter national high school coaching Hall of Fame Brett Bremer Sports Editor Larry Seger is making the trip west to Lincoln, Neb., this week for the 2023 National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame Induction Banquet Tuesday, July 25. Seger, who coached 86 sea­ sons worth of varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis at Thomapple Kellogg High School over the years and was recently induct­ ed into the Michigan High School Coaches Association (MHSAC) Hall ofFame in the class of 2022, is one of two CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the June 19, 2023 Township Board of TYustees Special Meetings, the June 21, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting and the June 26, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Special Meeting which were approved July 19, 2023, are posted at the Township offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave, and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. Michigan coaches in the 2023 NHSACA Hall ofFame Class. Seger coached boys’ tennis at TK from 1969-2008 and coached the girls from 1974­ 2020. During that time his teams put together a record of741-345 in duals and finished among the top ten at the state finals seven times. His teams had ten unde­ feated dual meet seasons. The Hall ofFame Induction Banquet will be held at the Lincoln Station Great Hall. Seger is looking forward to seeing the Middleville Thomapple Kellogg tennis program honored more than anything. “This is an honor for our community,” Seger said. “Thomapple Kellogg Schools, POSITION OPENING BARRY COUNTY TRANSIT DIRECTOR Applications are being accepted for the position ofBarry County Transit Director. Those interested please submit your resume by August 15,2023. The Director, sometimes referred to as the Transportation Manager, is responsible for/to: Larry Seger advises a doubles team during the 2017 OK Gold Conference varsity girls’ tennis tournament. Seger coached a total of 86 varsity boys’ and girls’ tennis seasons at Thornapple Kellogg and has been named to the 2023 Class of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. (File photo) and especially the tennis com­ munity of parents and student-athletes that gave so much over the years have produced one ofTK’s best and most suc­ cessful sports programs.” He is very appreciative of all the parents and athletes for their dedication to the sport over the years. Seger’s teams won eight boys’ and 14 girls’ conference titles and two boys’ and three girls’ regional championships. In all, his players managed six NHSACA National Track all-state singles performances Coach ofthe Year in 2015. throughout the years. The state also has Grant Seger said there is a get-to- Fanning from Chelsea, Tyrone gether for the Michigan continSpencer from Detroit Martin gent in Nebraska Monday. He Luther King, Jill Evers from is joined in earning the Hall of Kent City and Scott Werner Fame honor by Traverse City from Pewamo-Westphalia up Central’s John Lober who for as national finalists for the coached track and field from NHSACA Coach of the Year 1977-2021 with 27 years as the honors. Those four will be cross country coach added in. honored during ceremonies Lober was named the Thursday, July 27. • General management ofthe mission and transportation services provided to all Barry County Residents. • Maintain full compliance with all State Federal Transit Administration regulations. • Guide and Direct Administrative and Supervisory staff. • Cultivate and maintain a strong working relationship with the Transit Oversight Board, reporting monthly on Financial Position, Potential Liabilities, and Performance Metrics. • Prepare and manage annual Operations Budget. • Explore, prepare and submit grant requests for rolling bus stock and other capital assets. • Submit Annual Grant Application for both Operations and Capital Funding to the Barry County Board ofCommissioners and M.D.O.T. for approval. • Submit quarterly, annual, reconciled, milestone and charter reports to M.D.O.T. • Reconcile annual audit with annual performance reports. • Promote Transit services through public speaking engagements and public media advertising. • Perform duties as a voting member ofthe Small Urban and Rural Task Force. • Maintain a good faith collaborative with all other County Departments and local service and resource groups. • Cultivate local transportation service agreements. Duties listed above, being critical, are not all inclusive. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong sense of community and people skills; future vision with a sense of urgency and understanding of the social importance of responsive local transportation, analytical thought and financial - budgetary ability. Posting Date: July 19,2023 Effective Date: Official date is January 3,2024 - Training to commence prior. Salary & Benefits: $77,925.12 Beginning; MERS Retirement; Full Medical Barry County Transit 1216 W. State St. Hastings, MI 49058 269-948-8125 bvoigt@barrycounty.org TK teacher among Off Road Derby winners at 2023 Barry County Fair Thomapple Kellogg Schools Page Elementary fourth grade teacher Sarah Keizer accepts her trophy after winning the Powder Puff heat of the Unique Motorsports Off Road Derby Tuesday at the Barry County Fair. A second night of Off Road Derby and Demolition Derby was planned for Friday. The grandstand shows wrap up tonight, July 22, with Michigan State Fair Supercross Series races. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023/ Page 11 Fighting Scots loving first summer in improved weight room Brett Bremer Sports Editor % titiil I Maa; (Wih I KRfcrii I ieq M. I 1W 1W and that it’s brought an extra boost of excitement to the football program. When he joined football his freshman year is when he really started lifting for the first time. “They weren’t doing so hot, but freshman year I wasn’t even thinking about winning or losing, I was just loving to play,” Walker said. “I was blessed to have some good genes, so I caught on to [weight lifting] right away, and then lifting with friends is the best thing - hyping up Shift changes filled the athletic halls of Caledonia High School Thursday morn­ ing at 8 a.m. with dozens and dozens of underclassmen making their way out of their strength training session in the Fighting Scots’ newly remodeled and refitted weight room. Before long senior safety Brock Townsend, with a two-foot tall blue tooth speaker, came through the weight room door with the teammates while they’re lift­ sounds of rapper CJ setting ing and staying hyped like the rhythm for dozens and that.” dozens more high school Funds for the improve­ football players ready for ments to the weight room their turn with strength came from the 2020 bond coaches Nate Pranger and passed by Caledonia voters Myles Goulboume. which is also funding the The Fighting Scots have new field turf inside Ralph E. been taking advantage of the Myers Stadium, a project new weight room since early that should be completed in June, and varsity football the coming weeks, and the coach Derek Pennington said construction of the Cal that groups of anywhere Community Center home of from 60 to 100 student aththe athletic program’s new letes have been rolling competition size pool among through for an hour at a time other things. with sessions for high school The Thursday workouts boys, high school girls and were the last of the summer middle school student-athmorning sessions. The footletes happening throughout ball workouts move to the the morning and early after­ afternoons and evenings in noon the last month and a the week ahead. The first official day of high school half. It was a celebratory, football practice in the state encouraging session through­ of Michigan is Aug. 7. out Thursday’s varsity foot­ “Next week is my favorite ball workout. Most of the week, because I literally room stopped what it was come in here and work on doing at times to circle football all day so I can be around and urge on the ready for practice. I can pre­ Fighting Scots’ varsity foot­ pare and you guys can be ball studs like seniors here from 4 to 9 and we can Townsend, Derek Pennington give you everything you Jr., Jaxon Engelberg, Ian need in that five-hour periFedewa, DJ Walker, Blake od,” coach Pennington told Herron and junior Reed the guys at the end of the Vogeler as they did their workout. “Weight lifting, heaviest deadlifts of the meeting, organization, we’re morning. going to get rosters together. “Thatkid right there We’re going to build our maybe is pound-for-pound team starting at 4 o’clock on the strongest kid in the pro Monday. gram,” coach Pennington “It’s a very important said. “That’s DJ Walker. He week. I am excited for it, is almost a 500-pound squatbecause we have a lot of ter who weights 170. He can [stuff] to work on. We’ve do pull-ups with 100 pounds had a good summer. We had strapped around his neck. a good summer. You came to He’s a freak.” all these workouts, or every The pull-up bars are one you could make, you’ve Walker’s favorite part of the been consistently being here. new weight room. He said You’ve gotten stronger. 105 pounds is his max for You’ve gotten faster. You’re added weight on a chain at preparing for a football seathis point. son. I feel like we’re in good Walker is a senior split shape, but we have to get end who started playing foot­ better every day.” Improving weight lifting ball as a freshman. He’s looking forward to having an facilities was one of the top Fighting Scot juniors Lakely Bottum (left) and Lily Gortmaker (right) compete in speed drills with their class­ mates as coach Chuma Echebelem (back left) looks on Thursday morning - the final morning of the Caledonia High School summer speed and strength training sessions. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “We branded everything,” Pennington said of the new lifting facility. “This new flooring is like $60,000. We’ve got the integrated logo platforms. They’re all brand new training racks. Sorinex is like ‘the’ company. They just did [the University of] Alabama’s $1.2 remodel. million They’re at Georgia. It is ‘the’ name in strength training equipment. I know we’re the only Sorinex weight room in the [OK] Red. There are only a couple in West Michigan.” There is a single wall of three full training racks and six half racks along the two long walls in the weight room and a mega bridge down the middle for storage and more workout opportu­ nities. There is a percentage chart on one wall to provide direction in the amount of weight athletes should be lifting based on their max effort. A TV runs workout infor­ mation during classes and Pranger put the different parts of Thursday morning’s workout On a wipe board at the far end of the room pausing the music just momentarily here and there when it was time to move on to a new exercise. Everything is decked out in black, purple and gold with Caledonia and Fighting Scot logos throughout. The space is not complete quite yet. The Scots are still await- expanded offensive role as a senior. “I love the program. Last year, I didn’t start. It was kind of hard because I was behind a three-year starter,” priorities coach for Pennington when he took the Caledonia Caledonia High High over over the ing the arrival of their new Sorinex weight lifting plates emblazoned with emblazoned with more School School football football program program inin between between the the 2020 2020 and and 2021 2021 seasons. seasons. Obviously, things Walker said. “I was just working every single day at practice and helping with have played out well for^the Fighting Scot varsity in the lead-up to the improved second team, and it helps the team. Seeing people grow up and be better players is a facility. The Scots are 22-4 with a state runner-up finish and another district champi­ great experience.” He said he thought the onship in the past two seasons. They’re still chasing Fighting Scot logos. “The racks are completely loaded racks,” Pennington said. “Those weird looking hooks, those are triphasic hooks, Carl Dietz is the guy who came up with triphasic training, you hook bands up to them and do band assisted jumps with them. We bought new weight room was awe­ some the first time he saw it their first OK Red Conference title though. all new soft plyos.” There are are benches, benches, dumb dumb-­ There bells, medicine balls, and Pennington is excited to have a stash of Sorinex Glute Ham Rollers, which look like small four wheeled scooters like those used in an elementary school gym class, which take the place ofmore expen- See SCOTS, page 12 Fighting Scot varsity football players do alternating split squat jumps and work on the pull up bars in the newly redesigned weight room at Caledonia High School Thursday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 22, 2023 SCOTS, continued from page 11 sive, bulky equipment. “It is just basically we’re training like college. It’s a college approach,” Pennington said. “We have a full-time strength coach. He is in the building during the day. He runs our summer programming and his staff runs our after-school pro- gram. Our speed coach is outside, Chuma [Echebelem], he does our speed. In the summer, he has his own pro­ gram called ‘Fast’ which I helped him put together. All our athletes are with him. During the school year, we lift four days a week. Chuma is here on Wednesdays to do speed with our kids.” Most of the football play­ ers are in a weight lifting class during the school year, and coach Pennington said the Scots recently got a grant to increase advanced physi­ cal education opportunities at the middle school level. Pranger,. a Thornapple Kellogg High School gradu­ ate and Ferris State University football alumnus, owns Max Effort Performance in Caledonia where a number of high school student-athletes from around the area train. He leads the strength program and Echebelem leads the Teammates urge on senior DJ Walker as he finishes up his dead lift set during the varsity football team’s time Thursday morning in the remodeled Caledonia High School weight room. (Photo by Brett Bremer) We Accept A DELTA DENTAL Keep Your Teeth fora LIFETIME! speed program. Goulboume works at Max Effort and F45 Training in Grand Rapids. He grew up in Connecticut and played three seasons of football at Davenport University as a tight end after a season at a junior college in California. “High school-wise, this is for sure a top weight room,” Goulboume said. “I have been to a lot of different weight rooms .,. and this is definitely top notch ...lam excited for the school year to do the after school weight lift with the kids. We still have a bunch more equipment to come it. It is definitely top notch, espe­ cially at the high school level. There are always lifting opportunities for the Fighting Scots from middle school up through high school. That didn’t stop Townsend from responding to Pranger’s whistle for the end of the final set with “one more!” “It is not even just the weight room, it is more so the atmosphere and the people,” Goulboume said. “When you get a group like that, even today me coaching the guys it made me want to lift when they’re screaming like, ‘we’ve got one more.’ ‘Overtime.’ It made me want to work out. That’s really important. Even coming from college football and when I played high school football, when you don’t have that type of energy it just makes the workout not fun. “At the end of the day, we love the game. The kids want to win, but we want to have fun too. That is what creates winners, when you’re having fun but you’re actually get­ ting stuff done at the same time too.” Townsend’s shout out for more wasn’t even the last one ofthe session. As the varsity guys cleared out of the weight room, after a speech from coach Pennington, Echebelem started firing up speed drills for the high-school girls in the turf hallway outside the weight room with the high school basketball, volleyball, soccer, cheer and other pro­ grams represented in the group. Echebelem had the varsity football guys before their weight room session. He is looking forward to seeing the biggest gains from his work on the fields in the coming weeks as the weight lifting routine lightens up a little bit. “Since we implemented this program with Nate and myself, we probably had our fastest [football] team last year, and this team will be faster than we were last year. Probably by far. Probably by a lot. So far, so good. We’re making progress.” Coach Pennington said that despite some limitations to the weight room when he arrived in 2021, participation was already good and it is even better now. “I would say we have 95 percent attendance in our football program in terms of kids showing up to workouts. That’s a credit to the commu­ nity we live in. I think Caledonia kids are hard-working kids. Almost all ofthem come from house­ holds where there is a very strong work ethic and that makes it a little easier on us. It’s nice to be here. “What we’re offering them, the gains they’re mak­ ing physically helps keep them coming. Because they feel like it is really worth­ while and they’re seeing some physical gain.” Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones You Want To Keep. You too can get yOur teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (life do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize p in the p, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com Strength trainer Myles Goulboume works with Caledonia High School football player Aiden VanDeWeert on proper form while doing standing banded rows with resistance bands in the newly redone weight room at the high school Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-07-29.pdf 93fd9e6262d1ecfbf5230dd72fba4ec0 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 30/ July 29,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Gaines Township Board and Planning Caledonia village Commission hold joint meeting on planners putting zoning ordinance overhaul together solar James Gemmell ordinance Contributing Writer Gaines Charter Township planners haven’t done a com­ prehensive update to the township’s zoning ordinance since 2007 but are embarking in earnest on that this sum­ mer. They hope to have it done by early 2024. The township board and planning commission held a special joint workshop meet­ ing on Monday, July 24, at the township hall, primarily to discuss the process for overhauling the township’s chieflegal document govern­ ing land development. This past spring, planners completed the first full update of the township’s master plan since 2008. It included an update to the 2017 Future Land Use Plan. The master plan is a guide­ book that sets long-range goals and priorities for devel­ opment and steers zoning and land-use decisions. But it is riot a legal document. The zoning ordinance is the township’s actual legal document that governs land use. Township officials figure it is a good time to overhaul the ordinance, not only to coincide with the recent updates to the township’s master and future land-use plans but also to help prevent any further legal problems. The township was sued for $4 million in 2022 by a firm called Caleydonia LLC, rep­ resenting Indianapolis-based American Kendall Properties LLC. American Kendall had Gaines Township Community Development Director Dan Wells (left) and Horizon Community Planning Consultant David Jirousek share a laugh at the township hall on July 24. (Photo by James Gemmell) proposed building a town LLC recently agreed upon center called Prairie Wolf terms of a consent agreement Station on an 82-acre parcel that will allow the Prairie of farmland along 84th Street Wolf Station development to just east of Kalamazoo proceed in exchange for the Avenue. It would have dropping of the lawsuit. included a retail center, “I think we did get burned townhomes, apartments and across the street (with the much more. proposed town center) However, the township because our process allowed board voted to reject the pro- (American Kendall) to be so posed project. The subse- far down the pipe with what quent lawsuit contended that they had invested that they American Kendall has the were not going to let it go,” Commission legal authority to build on the Planning site — by right — under the Chairwoman Connie Giarmo terms of the township’s cur­ said. The township hopes to rent zoning ordinance and the master plan that was in avoid future lawsuits by spelling out in the new zon­ place at the time. ordinance specific Under the auspices of a ing Kent County Circuit judge, requirements and restrictions the township and Caleydonia for property development. “In my opinion, we need to stay away from activities that allow us to get sued,” Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said. “The planning commission and the board have to ask themselves, ‘Am I against this because I don’t like pink houses? Or am I against it because there is a legitimate standard that they haven’t met?’ Otherwise, we’re going to end up in court again.” The township hopes to avoid that by specifying in the new zoning ordinance what is and is not allowed in regard to land use. “Let’s get the standards figured out to get what we See ZONING, page 3 Alto woman honored by Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines chorus mentary school. Greg Chandler The ad triggered memories StaffWriter In 1979, Judy Herrick was of how much Herrick loved a mother of two school-age to sing. She had sung in sev­ children and living in the eral choral groups at her high school in Freeland, just north Saginaw area. “I really wanted to do of Saginaw. Herrick responded to the something unique and inter­ ad and found the local chap­ esting,” she said. Herrick saw an advertise­ ter of Sweet Adelines ment in a local weekly news­ International, a women’s paper that said, “Singers organization dedicated to the wanted.” The ad was for a education and promotion of a singing grppp in the area that ( capell^ (singing, particularly was.meeting,‘atvlopaJ eib- • b'arb^ah^style'tiw^i^s! । •» । ।» t. “I was hooked in a min­ ute,” Herrick said. Forty-four years later, at age 79, Herrick is still sing­ ing. The Alto resident has been an active member ofthe Grand Rapids chorus of Sweet Adelines for 34 years and was recently named the local chapter’s Sweet Adeline of the Year. She says she was “floored” by the honor. Greg Chandler er than the height ofthe wall StaffWriter to which they’re attached Planning commissioners and banning wall-mounted in the village of Caledonia units on the wall facing the are crafting an ordinance that street. would allow residents to For ground-mounted solar erect solar panels on their units, commissioners again homes or in their yards. looked at the Gaines ordi­ On Thursday, the plan­ nance. They propose adopt­ ning commission began ing the Gaines ordinance that working on the ordinance, would limit such units to the pulling ideas from similar rear yard of a home and laws in other communities require such units to meet around the state. the same setbacks as acces­ In the end, commissioners sory buildings. They also got a lot of their ideas for propose a 12-foot height what they would like from limit on a ground-mounted neighboring Gaines Charter unit. They only differed on Township. the maximum size for a unit. Commissioners pulled While Gaines has a from the Gaines ordinance 1,500-square-foot limit per quite liberally. When it came unit, the Caledonia commis­ to regulating build­ sioners are proposing limit­ ing-mounted solar energy ing the size to no more than collectors, commissioners 10 percent of the lot size, up proposed using the Gaines to 1,500 square feet. model of limiting Any resident wanting to roof-mounted units to no put in a solar unit would more than 3 feet higher than have to present a site plan the maximum building and get a zoning compliance height for residential-zoned permit approved by the vildistricts, limiting wall­ mounted units to be no high- See SOLAR ORDINANCE, page 2 Judy Herrick of Alto has been an active mem­ ber of the Grand Rapids chorus of Sweet Adelines for 34 years and was recently named the local chapter’s Swqet Adeline of .'• SpeJUDYHERRtCKipageprovided)' ♦ Residents in the Village of Caledonia will soon be able to erect solar panels both on their homes and in their yards once planning commissioners craft a new ordinance to set guidelines in place. • Kent County Youth Fair kicks off this week at new location • TTES officer pleads to drug charges, receives sentence • Treatments for invasive plants continue on Gun Lake • TK has 15 student-athletes honored as all-conference • Drivers get dirty at county fair’s off road derby �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023 SOLAR ORDINANCE, continued from page 1 lage zoning administrator. Commissioners agreed to not put in a provision requiring planning commission approv­ al for a special land use. Village Manager Jeff Thornton said he has not received any requests from residents for solar units to be installed — yet. “I understand that some residents in Glen Valley have spoken to their architectural design group. They are, I understand, have put things on hold until you folks con­ sider a solar ordinance,” Thornton said. The emphasis of the ordi­ nance is on solar units in resi­ dential neighborhoods. Village planning consultant Nathan Mehmed didn’t see the need for the village to address large-scale solar proj­ ects in the ordinance. “Given that you’re a vil­ lage and you’re largely built out, your large-scale solar (project) is probably not something that you would see,” Mehmed said. “I’m not even sure that you would see a small, independent system where it’s generating power for the grid. What you might see (is) your rooftop solar, which you already have at Chase Bank. You might see small panels in yards. You might even see rooftop (pan­ els) on some of your strip mall buildings.” “Home solar and small­ scale solar on buildings are becoming more and more popular. They’re getting cheaper; they’re getting more efficient,” Mehmed added. Village Attorney Kathryn Zoller will take the commis­ sioners’ ideas and put togeth­ er ordinance language to bring back to the planning commission when it meets again in late August. The ordinance will go through a public hearing process at the planning commission and, if recommended for approval by commissioners, would then go to the Village Council for final approval. Also, on Thursday night, the planning commission welcomed its newest mem­ ber, Monique Brennan. Brennan is the Caledonia Resource Center coordinator and vice president of the Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors. “We’re definitely happy to have one more person,” Commission Chairwoman Amanda Crozier said. Brennan’s addition leaves one vacancy remaining on the planning commission. Applications are being accepted for the remaining opening and can be found on the village website, villageofcaledonia.org. JUDY HERRICK, continued from page 1 Kent County Youth Fair kicks off Monday Just weeks after the neighboring Barry County Fair wrapped up, it is Kent County’s turn to provide a heaping helping of rides, games, fried food and 4-H animals. The 88th Annual Kent County Youth Fair, which has been in existence since 1934, will kick off on Monday and will extend through Saturday, Aug. 5. The most noteworthy change associated with this year’s installment of the fair is that it will be held at a new location. Fresh off a recent rib­ bon-cutting ceremony, The Grand Agricultural Center of West Michigan — or, The Grand for short — will play host to the fair this year at 13801 Cascade Road in Lowell. The new grounds measure 140 acres in size and is the former site of the Deer Run Golf Course. All of the action for­ mally kicks off on Sunday, with an opening ceremony and royal court coronation, which will be held at the performing arts tent. From there, each day of the fair is filled with activ- ities and features a theme, including: — Monday: Hero’s Day — Tuesday: Midway Opens — Wednesday: Reading for Rides — Thursday: Livestock Auction Day — Friday: Access ABILITIES Day — Kids Day Standish, Mich.-based Anderson Midways will be providing the rides for the fair this year. The Kent County Youth Fair draws over 50,000 visitors annually and attendance is expected to grow exponentially with the expanded space and new facilities that come with The Grand. The visitors and exhibi­ tors will notice more space on the grounds since the project increased the usable acres drastically — from 19 acres to 140. “The grounds will offer more space for everyone,” KCYAA President Bill Zaske said. “We have a new carnival this year that will be able to offer more rides, games and food.” A full, day-to-day schedule is available at kcyf.org. Alto’s Judy Herrick is 79 years old and hasn’t slowed down when it comes to singing with the local chapter of Sweet Adelines International. It s a collegial award, in my opinion,” Herrick said. “I would not have gotten that (award) had it not been for all the other people in the chorus who do things every week, who help set up risers, who help another person learn a part.It so happens that I’ve been in that position to do a lot of things for the chorus ... I absolutely love it” Judy Westers, the interim music director for the Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines, says Herrick has tirelessly served the chorus in various roles over the years. “She is an amazing singer, helps lead our bass section and also wrangles all of the talent WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers r for MC work that enhances our performances,” Westers said in a press release. “Those are just a few things she does to serve. Most ofher service is behind the scenes. She is my go-to person when I need help with anything.” As a member of the Sweet Adelines chorus, Herrick has sung at numerous community events and festivals around West Michigan over the years. She has also sung in numerous Sweet Adelines competitions at both the regional and inter­ national levels. Barbershop-style singing is fairly complex, involving tak­ ing four different voice parts and blending them into a sin­ gle unit. “When we sing four-part harmony, if we do it right, there’s always a fifth sound, either an overtone or an under­ tone ... It is difficult to get a number of voices who hit that chord in such a way, at exactly the right spot, to ring that fifth, or to cause that undertone to occur. That’s what we strive for,” Herrick said. The Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines chorus has nearly 60 members, ranging in age from 32 to 90. Some members come from as far away as Gaylord, Lansing and Battle Creek. Herrick says what makes the chorus unique is the different qualities and backgrounds of each member. “You can get a very young person who knows everything about music, or you can get a young person who knows nothing about music,” she said. “Each person is unique. Even though we strive to make the chorus unified, it’s the uniqueness of every member that gives the chorus its quali­ ty” There’s even a family con­ nection for Herrick with the Sweet Adelines chorus. Her daughter, Penny Hock, is the group’s music librarian and one of its arrangers. Herrick also spoke about the competitions the chorus takes part in, which usually occur in the spring. The cho­ rus practices for months to get ready for competition. She says there’s a great deal that goes into a performance when judged at a competition. “We arejudged on our abil­ ity to sell the song. We’re judged on our ability to sing appropriately, to pick music that goes with our character, the ability to be theatrical ... This is not a choir. It is a show. It’s theatre, it’s Broadway. It’s more than just how well we sing that song,” Herrick said. One of die top highlights of Herrick’s singing experience with Sweet Adelines took place in 2021 when she and other members of Sweet Adelines sang at the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor. “We didn’t know until six weeks before we left that we were really going to go,” she Your local agent insures your Lake EstaXe Mictyatug fnguroMe, CtHKffaxu, DeWeerd HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com said. “There were probably 47 or 48 singers (from our chorus who went), accompanied by family members.” “We got on the (USS) Missouri, which is housed (at Pearl Harbor). We just said, ‘Let’s just sing.’ We saw a couple of people in uniform, and we started to sing. We have an armed forces medley that we do. We looked up, and coming down the gangplank from the third or fourth bridge (of the ship) were all of these vets from World War II. They were in wheelchairs, they had walkers, they had friends pushing them ... These guys would take their wheelchairs, and they would struggle to stand up and salute. I tell you what, I was glad with 30 other people because there was a lot of gaps in what I was singing (from the emotions). That was a testimony to us that we could do that” In June, the chorus sang at a naturalization ceremony at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, where more than 250 people from 67 countries took their oath to become citizens of the United States. “They are leaving countries behind that are in such turmoil for the thought and perception that they’re going to come here for a better life. To stand up there and sing for them in words that they hear and listen to and can commit to causes us to be far more committed to this country,” Herrick said. Herrick will turn 80 on April 4, 2024 4-4-44 is her birthdate — and says singing with Sweet Adelines keeps her young “without question.” “I tell everybody that this organization is the most stable thing in my life because it’s seen me through two divorces, the death of my mom, all of those life experiences,” she said. “I still have friends cm the east side of the state that are still singing in barbershops. It’s a phenomenal, women-centered dynamic.” “It’s women who pull together in such a way that we create harmony — not just musically, (but) emotionally, mentally, spiritually,” she added. The Grand Rapids Sweet Adelines chorus meets every Monday night year-round at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Cascade Township, where Herrick and her hus­ band Nick attend. .. For more information about V -Sufoftet, felines/ yisit fcrsamet., n I <1 I i t I �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023/ Page 3 ZONING, continued from page 1 --want,” Community Development Director Dan Wells said. “And then, we just give that to the developer and say, ‘You either meet what we want or ... we’re not going to approve it’ It’s a better ham­ mer almost to say, ‘You have to give us park space. You have to give us amenities. You have to give your residents amenities. You have to build a community that the vision of this entire group of people here — the leadership of this township — has for what we’re going to be.’” Township officials say they want the new zoning ordi­ nance to reflect the wishes of citizens and other stakeholders that were expressed in the year-long input-gathering pro­ cess that planners conducted for the new master plan and future land-use plan that were recently completed. Fifteen township officials participated in Monday’s meeting, including David Jirousek, township consultant with the Horizon Community Planning firm. He gave a presentation on the audit report and various categories that will be included in the zoning ordinance. Wells said the township has a contract to pay Horizon up to $50,000 to facilitate the research and help carry out the zoning ordinance update. “I think the last full, com­ prehensive update was 2007, and the index of the zoning ordinance actually includes a number of amendments from small community park within 2008 to 2022,” Jirousek said. the development. The parks A steering committee con­ would be maintained by a sisting of no more than three Homeowners Association members each from the town­ (HOA) in most cases. ship board, planning commis­ Jirousek said some aspects sion and Zoning Board of of the existing zoning ordi­ Appeals will be working with nance can be implemented in Horizon on the ordinance the new zoning ordinance that update over the next few is being crafted, but several months. As of late July, the sections of it will need to be steering committee had met changed. One of the major twice. It is drawing up a draft ones pertains to Planned Unit of the initial working chapters Developments (PUDs). Right ofthe zoning ordinance. now, projects have to go “And then, we’ll be going through a lengthy site-plan to the planning commission review process before they go for public hearing and public to the township board for input in probably month four review. or five. I think the project will That process often includes be completed in, maybe, a review of a proposed proj­ January to February 2024,” ect’s traffic impact and a Jirousek said. review by the drain commis­ Hie full audit of the project sion or a state agency. And will be based on the input of then, the planning commission various stakeholders, including has to review the initial site the public, township officials plan and, later, the final site and the steering committee in plan before it eventually gets conjunction with Horizon to the township board. Community Planning. The “All of that work could new zoning ordinance will (cost) tens of thousands of reflect recent changes in case dollars ... in some cases, hun­ law, the Michigan Zoning and dreds of thousands of dollars Enabling Act and best practices before an applicant even in planning and zoning. knows if they’re going to get “So, there’s going to have an okay for a project,” Jirousek to be some changes in zoning said. districts based on your mas­ So, instead, he is recomter-planning effort,” Jirousek mending that the preliminary told members of the township plan for a development project board and planning commis-be reviewed by the planning sion. commission and then go right One objective of the plan-to the township board. ning would be to require that “You’d have an overall idea developers of each future sub­ of what the project details. division set aside land for a You’d have enough detail to make a decision from a policy perspective. And then later, it comes back, so just the plan­ ning commission has the final site plan,” Jirousek said. Giarmo said the public should be allowed to get involved in the review process much sooner than it currently does on such projects. She cited the Prairie Wolf Station devel­ opment as a prime example. “It had been a year that we had probably been involved with this before they really got Members of the Gaines Township Board and to see the project,” Giarmo Planning Commission held a joint workshop meeting said. last Monday evening to discuss plans for a new zon­ She estimated American ing ordinance. (Photo by James Gemmell) Kendall probably spent “thou­ sands and thousands of dol­ Haagsma said. He sits on both approve it.’ Well, probably lars” researching utility needs the township board and the because we’ve already kicked for the development before the planning commission. the tires and cut out all the public ever got involved. “The (developers) come stuffwe don’t like. Itjust feels Instead, she said the public and do a preliminary (presen- uncomfortable.” should be invited to participate tation), and we look at it,” he Giarmo agreed that getting in the process at the time ofthe said. “Then we send it back. the public involved earlier in preliminary review. Then they come back. We the planning process is a good “Then, it gives us a better send it back (again) and say, idea. idea ofwhat the community is ‘Okay. Now let’s schedule a ‘1 think it will make us a thinking, as well,” she said. public hearing.’ And then, by little more comfortable as we Jirousek said the planning the time the public gets around, move ahead with PUDs,” she commission could hold a we’re talking to the developer said. “We sometimes hear pre-application listening ses­ like we know this project inti- from the public about things sion in the early stages. It mately. And the public’s we didn’t really know about, would not be a public hearing. going, ‘Wait a minute. We that we didn’t realize were “So, the public’s involved haven’t even seen it yet, and it going on with the site that’s from day one. You’re just up sounds like you’re going to being looked at” there as a planning commis­ sion hearing the proposal at the same time as the general public. You have no obliga­ tion to give any input, but you can. It would be non-binding,” Jirousek said. Help us support veterans and community functions. “I’ve been uncomfortable Saturday, August 5th, 2023 with some of the PUDs,” Tim and the First Saturday of each month Crane Road bridge in Middleville remains closed Greg Chandler Staff Writer The bridge on Crane Road over the Thomapple River in the village of Middleville will remain closed for at least another week or more as additional repairs are made. Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson updated the Village Council on the status of the project Tuesday night. “From the very begin­ ning, the contractors and engineers told us (it would take) two weeks (to finish the project),” Belson said. “During the course of construction, they started removing some of the old scour protections on the riprap (below the bridge Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, O), coffee. deck). That was deter­ take preventive mainte­ * Menu subject to change mined through the contrac­ nance repairs on the bridge, Adults $ 13.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 Coffee For more information call the Post at 616-891 -1882 Donated by tors and engineers that the following a 2019 inspec­ block wall that they were tion by engineering consul­ Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 intending to put in there tant Williams and Works. 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, MI was not going to work. So The project had an initial they diverted that, and estimated cost of $290,000, went into heavy riprap. with $130,000 coming from That is essentially the Local Development 150-to-300-pound rocks, Finance Authority and placed underneath that another $50,000 coming shoring on the east end of from an MDOT grant. the bridge.” The scour protection is meant to prevent potential erosion at bridge abut­ ments. / Complete Collision Because of the project Service change, the village had to CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN go back to the Michigan / Frame Repairs DepartmentofEnvironment, / State & l-CAR Great Lakes and Energy to get approval for revising Certified Technicians plans. EGLE gave approval / Direct Repair Facility to the revisions on Friday EDS of last week, Belson said. * Most insurance companies w But because of schedul­ SMF ing conflicts with contrac­ 1 tors, the project has not yet resumed. Work is expected to pick back up on Monday, Belson said. Pf “I’m in daily conversa­ tions with contractors, try­ ing to move it along as fast as I can,” Belson said. The Village Council in Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. February authorized WMBA GOLD CLASS Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg to sign a con­ . Ed Pawloski awos Jr., r. Owner wner tract with the Michigan [Lesonal | B. 110 Johnson St, Caledonia »www.edsbqdy.com B WaferBoqme tyrj °.f ' . Transportation -To - under/ ‘ ED’S BODY SHOP 616.891.0150 Additional repair work will keep the Crane Road bridge qver the Thornapp|e Riyqr qlp§qd ,fpf at least anadditionalweeKi (Photo-by.C^eg-Chandler).,-........ �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023 Local students earn dean’s list honors Carthage College Robert Lipscomb, Sr. Robert Gill Lipscomb Sr., age 83, passed away peace­ fully on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. After attending Caledonia High School, he proudly served in the Marine Corps for eight years, where he did two tours in Vietnam. Gill worked for Steelcase for 32 + years and was a member of the Dutton Fire Department for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Jean Lipscomb. Gill will be lovingly remembered by his children, Robert Gill Lipscomb Jr., Pamela (Dan) Silvemail, Sara (Curt) Barnaby; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Gayle Durkee, Bonnie Area students were named to the dean’s list at Carthage College. To qualify, students earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better while taking at least 12 letter-graded cred­ its during the semester. Local students include: Caledonia Zane Schrader Kalamazoo College Graham; brother, Jerry (Nancy) Lipscomb; nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions in honor of Gill may be made to Disabled American Veterans or Legacies Assisted Living in Caledonia. Rank Brown to celebrate 95th birthday Frank L. Brown is turn­ ing 95 on August 5. A family celebration is being planned. Let Frank know you’re thinking of him by sending a card to: 245 High Ridge Court, Middleville MI 49333 Several area students were named to the dean’s list at Kalamazoo College. To qual­ ify, students earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the spring semester. Local students on the list, by hometown, included: Shelbyville Gabriel Meyers and Alexis Petty. Wayland Violet Crampton and Daphne Bos. Kettering University Several area students were named to the dean’s list at Kettering University. To qualify, students earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the spring semes­ ter, had no grades below a B and a minimum of 16 earned credits for the semester. Local students on the list, by hometown, included: Caledonia - Joel Tenhaaf Middleville - Logan Greshak Marquette University Benjamin Klein of Caledonia has earned the honor of placement on the St. Mary’s College Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST hClch Sunday's Ministries Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Ourmission is to worship God and disciple committed /blowers of Jesus Christ, Sunday Service 10:30 AM The July 24 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There are no fish in the fishbowl. Sue’s program was titled “The Weight Issue. Your Body at 70+.” When we were younger, staying lean was a common goal. As we age into our 70s, the way we think about weight needs to be reassessed. Obesity is a risk factor at any age, but how we think about our weight and how we control it needs to be nuanced. Dropping weight unintentionally may also lose muscle. A little extra weight as we age may be protective. We need to pay attention to any chang­ es in our weight and body shape. We need to retain as much muscle as possi­ ble in order to stay healthy. As we age, we will lose muscle and that can make us frailer. Four healthy Several area students were named to the dean’s list at the University of Alabama. To qualify, students earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the spring semes­ ter. Local students on the list, by hometown, included: Alto - Justin Heaton Caledonia - James Jokerst and Wesley Knipping. Wayland Trenton Hoaglin In addition, the president’s list includes students who earned a 4.0 GPA. Local stu­ dents on the president’s list are: Caledonia Chandler 7240 60th Street SE 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Myers, Senior Pastor Good Shepherd ’ Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9: 30 AM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Michael L. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/1 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 1664 M-37 @thejchurch __________ www^t paulcaledonia .org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Church Fellowship Church 8900 Dufly Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music . , . ^61^ ^ Pastorjonathan DeCou Sd unay Worsp hi .......... 1030 .10:30 : AM AM thS tragP Watch our services from dur website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 , Sermons online: VVhitneyvilleFellowship.org of3.75 or above for the spring semester while taking a mini­ mum of 12 credit hours. Local students on the list, by hometown, included: Alto - Ella Dougherty Middleville Ellie Essenberg and Troy Saylor. Middleville TOPS 546 University ofAlabama who wit reach the world with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch Trine University Several area students were named to the president’s list at the Trine University in Indiana. To qualify, students earned a grade point average Local students were named to the dean’s list at St. Mary’s College in Indiana. To qualify, students earned a grade point average of 3.6 or above, completed at least 12 credits and had no incompletes or grades lower than a C for the spring semester. Area students include: Hickory Corners Maggie Clancy Middleville - Ava Hess alasS f'i cdi'i <4 Vansolkema Middleville - Emily Drew dean’s list for the spring 2023 semester at Marquette University in Wisconsin. To be named to the dean’s list, students must take at least 12 credits and have a GPA of at least 3.5. Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 0:00 a.m. 1:00 a,m< James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org steps we can start with are to start each day with pro­ tein and have the same amount for lunch and din­ ner, choose farm foods over factory foods, move at least 30 minutes a day and at least 150 minutes a week and cut down on simple carbs, especially sugar. The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meet­ ing. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269­ 908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY THOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023/ Page 5 Thornapple Township Emergency Services captain pleads guilty to drug charges, gets probation Greg Chandler Staff Writer An officer with Thomapple Township Emergency Services pleaded guilty Wednesday to two misde­ meanor drug charges. Chad Nicholas Klutman, 46, pleaded guilty to charges of use of marijuana and allowing consumption of a drug by a minor in Barry County court. Judge Michael Schipper sentenced Klutman to one year probation and ordered him to pay $480 in fines and court costs, plus $400 in oversight fees. Schipper dropped the origi­ nal felony charge ofdelivery or manufacture of a con­ trolled substance in exchange for the guilty pleas. Klutman, a firefighter and paramedic who holds the rank of captain at TTES, has been on a leave of absence from the department since early this month. The charges stem from an incident on June 9 in Thomapple Township. Assistant County Prosecutor Christopher Ellsworth told the court that Klutman was using marijuana in a vehicle occupied by two other people, a 19-year-old man and 17-year-old girl. Klutman’s attorney, Joseph Brugnoli, asked the court to sentence his client under Michigan’s 7411 statute that allows first-time drug offenders to have their crime expunged once they complete terms of their sentence. Klutman had no prior offenses. However, Ellsworth objected to Brugnoli’s request. “I don’t object to 7411 for first-time offenders ifthe use is their own,” Ellsworth said. “This, I consider, not necessarily Mr. Klutman’s use, but the fact that he was doing it ... with an individual who was 19 years old, and he pro­ vided that marijuana to the 19-year-old. So that 19-yearold has violated the law him­ self.” Schipper asked Klutman directly what he was doing with the two other people that were in his car. “Other than driving around your own kids at that age or coaching kids, what are you doing with a 19-year-old and 17-year-old?” the judge asked. “I was not in a clear state of mind, your honor,” Klutman responded. “I was just looking to smoke and find someone who smoked, and it was him, and I did not realize that his girlfriend was under the age of 18 ... I wasn’t fully aware of the rules regarding use of mari­ juana in the presence of someone under the age of 21.” “It was incredibly, incredi­ bly stupid ofme,” he added. Schipper rejected the 7411 motion. He also spoke of Klutman’s position with the fire department and the visi­ bility and responsibility that comes from being associated with the department. “My dad was a pastor and then a high school teacher, and he said it may not seem fair, but every job carries with it different responsibili-, ties,” Schipper said. “If you don’t want those responsibil­ ities and how people look up to you, then don’t do those jobs. “You’re in a position that people think is a responsible position and a position that people look up to. That car­ ries weight with it. Ifyou’re not prepared to carry that weight, then get a different job.” Klutman said he has entered into counseling and Chad Klutman (left), an officer with Thornapple Township Emergency Services, stands next to attor­ ney Joseph Brugnoli during Wednesday morning’s hearing in front of Judge Michael Schipper. (Photo by Greg Chandler) apologized for his actions. “I regret my choice, and I just want to get back to doing what I love to do, in helping people and taking care ofmy community,” he said. “I know I’ve let so many peo­ ple down, and I just want to get back and take care of people.” Schipper ordered Klutman not to have any contact with any individuals under the age of 18 unless it’s in the con­ text ofhis work. TTES Chief Bill Richardson wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon that he is waiting to meet with Thomapple Township’s Personnel and Compensation Committee to determine what the next steps should be with regard to Klutman’s future with the department. Treatments continue on Gun Lake to treat invasive plants Greg Chandler StaffWriter More than 46 acres ofGun Lake underwent chemical treatment this week as efforts continue to manage invasive and nuisance plants, particu­ larly in channels and canals on the lake’s edges. SOLitude Lake Management applied a vari­ ety of algicides and herbi­ cides to the lake, primarily in the canals and channels on the northwest and south­ ern portions of Gun Lake, after getting approval from the Gun Lake Improvement Board at its July 20 meet­ ing. The primary agent used in the treatment of the lake was peroxygen algicides one a concentration of 100 pounds per acre on 22.5 acres of the lake, another a concentration of 200 pounds per acre on 21.5 acres of the lake. The total cost ofthe treat­ ments was $18,653. The treatments were recommend­ ed following a July 18 evalu­ ation of vegetation in the lake by Luke Britton, district operations manager for SOLitude. “All the canals were host to dense algae mats below the surface and some held invasive starry stonewort,” SOLitude wrote in its report to the board. Britton went on to say at the July 20 meeting that some areas “was probably the thickest that I’ve seen algae down below the sur­ face without it ... balloon­ ing up and matting out.” Those areas were targeted with the heavier concentra- tion of the peroxygen algi­ cides. In addition, invasive Eurasian milfoil was also found in the littorial zone along Willow Street, board member Doug Kammeraad ofWayland Township report­ ed. SOLitude, previously known as Clarke Aquatic Services, conducts algicide and herbicide treatments on the lake several times a year under contract with the Gun Lake Improvement Board. The company, at the direc­ tion of GLIB, has this year been moving away from its previous practice of using copper-based treatments, which some lakefront prop­ erty owners say has damaged native aquatic plants and impacted fishing quality on the lake. Board member Gale Dugan, who represents the Allegan County Board of Commissioners on GLIB, made the motion to approve the treatments, specifically addressing the concern about the impact of past copper treatments on the lake. “The question of adding more copper to the lake (is a concern). This is the no-copper-at-all (option),” Dugan said. “If they go out there and they’re caught with copper sulfate, it’s going to be prob­ lem,” Dugan added. The peroxygen algicide Gun Lake was recently subject to treatments to combat invasive plants. treatments are about twice as (Courtesy photo) expensive as a chelated cop­ per option that was presented treat algae blooms. “The board has asked us to option they want to go with,” to the board, which involves “It’s a copper-based prod­ provide them with a copper he added. a protective covering over uct, but it’s a liquid form. It’s option and a non-copper GLIB also discussed its copper atoms that results in a not the granular, fine-dia­ option, and they decide at slower release of copper to mond copper,” Britton said. meetings like tonjght what See GUN LAKE, page 6 HE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AUGUST 3-4, 2023 LEAD WHERE YOU ARE Experience two days of transformative teaching, art, and storytelling - all designed to help YOU push your boundaries and maximize your influence to create a better world! Hear presenters such as Condoleezza Rice, Patrick Lencioni, and Craig Groeschel speak on a wide range of topics related to leadership. Simulcast Live at the 84th St. Campus Cost: $179 cornerstoneml.org/GLS cornerstonechurch �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023 GUN LAKE, continued from page 1 proposed future budget at the July 20 meeting. SOLitude has proposed a $190,300 budget to the board for 2025, with changes in funding in several key areas. The com­ pany has proposed reducing the amount ofits aquatic her­ bicide treatments from $ 127,500 in 2024 to $ 112,000 in 2025, while increasing its aquatic plant control over­ sight expenses from $17,000 in 2024 to $25,000 in 2025. The company proposed rais­ ing its water quality testing expenditures from $9,500 in 2024 to $11,200 to 2025, but those costs could further increase ifthe scope of test­ ing is expanded, as some lake residents would like to see. “With permit restrictions and the board’s general direction, (the aquatic herbi­ cide treatment) category should account for increas­ ing the use of peroxy­ gen-based algicides as the primary product used to manage nuisance and inva­ sive algae,” SOLitude aqau- tic biologist Pete Filpansick wrote in his estimate to the board. “Recent lake manage­ ment efforts have continued to decrease the need for her­ bicides, but the GLIB should be ready to continue manag­ ing invasive growth in the canals and be ready to treat any new infestations ofinva­ sive species out in the lake.” The budget proposal sets tion to do extra testing right aside $24,000 in contingen­ now, with the contingency cy, and Dugan said that that we have.” GLIB receives $190,000 amount could be tapped for expanded water quality test­ in funding annually from Barry County, and has not ing. “The $24,000 is extremely requested any change in that generous to take care of funding from the county for those things that rear their the next three years, GLIB heads,” Dugan said. “I would Chairwoman Vivian Conner say that we’re even in a posi- said. Good Morning Bedlam brings Midwest folk music to the stage in Caledonia Shari Harris Contributing Writer The community enjoyed another installment of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series. People in chairs, on blan­ kets, and sitting in golf carts Detroit-based ragtime artist Aaron Jonah Lewis opened the show, seen here plucking on a banjo as his dog accompanies him on stage. spread across the Community Green Park lawn on Tuesday evening to take in the show, featuring a pair of artists. Three-year-old Reese dances in front of the stage, enjoying the music of Good Morning Bedlam on Tuesday evening in Caledonia. 203506 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on August 17, 2023, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the'meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea (ioeshea@yankeespringstwp.org). Letters and emails are due one week before the hearing date; or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. ZOC 23-07-06, Parcel ID: 16-225-025-00,12879 Valley Drive, Wayland Ml 49348. A. A request by Aleeya Chambers for a Special Exception Use permit to conduct a dog grooming business as a home occupation pursuant to the Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Section 4.5(K)(9) Special Exception Use; Home Occupation. 2. SEU 23-07-06, Parcel ID: 16-015-005-20,896 Courtney Drive, Middleville, Ml 49333. A. A request by Courtney VanVonderen for a Special Exception Use permit to construct temporary living quarters in an accessory building pursuant to Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Section 12.7.7 Outbuilding Guest Quarters. 3. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate .via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aidss or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. The opening act was Aaron Jonah Lewis, who hails from Detroit and plays ragtime music with the banjo and fiddle. The headliner was Good Morning Bedlam, a Midwest folk band from Minneapolis, Minn. The group entertained the audience of about 200 people with a mix of cover songs and several original songs. The band members include Isaak Elker (guitar and vocals), Victoria Elker (bass and vocals), Katherine Seeger (violin and vocals), and Dawson Redenius (trum­ pet and keyboard). Children in the audience were invited by the band to dance along while they per­ formed. Though technical difficulties occurred during the last part of the show, the band members took it in stride and began telling jokes to keep the audience enter­ tained. They closed out their set with an upbeat sing-a-long. There are still two more chances to enjoy an outdoor concert at the Community Green this year, which is set directly in front of the Caledonia branch of the Kent District Library. On Aug. 8, concert goers can hear CJ Chenier and the Red Good Morning Bedlam, a Midwest folk band hail­ ing from Minneapolis, headlined the Caledonia Summer Concert Series show on Tuesday evening. A steady crowd formed at Community Green Park in Caledonia on Tuesday evening for the latest install­ ment of the Caledonia Summer Concert Series. (Photos by Shari Harris) Hot Louisiana Band. On Aug. 22 comes the Schrock Brothers with Peter “Madcat” Ruth. KCC Express Enrollment Event to offer fast-track services, chance to win free credits Aug. 5 BATTLE CREEK Kellogg Community College will be hosting a one-stop-shop event on cam­ pus in Battle Creek in August for current and future stu­ dents to complete the steps to enrollment in preparation for the fall semester. KCC’s Express Enrollment Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, on campus at 450 North Ave. The event, which is free and open to the public, will offer students everything they need to be prepared to start classes this fall, including financial aid assistance, placement testing, academic advising and onsite registra­ tion. Express Enrollment Event attendees will also have an opportunity to enter a draw­ ing for a chance to win three free credit hours at KCC for the fall semester. Individuals who are new Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Shana Bush, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 Opening acts begin at 6 p.m. and headliners start at 7 p.m. Food trucks are also available during the shows. — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 (269) 795-9091 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED to the college and interested in attending the event should bring the following informa­ tion with them: - A photo ID - Transcripts from high school and all colleges attended - ACT, PSAT or SAT scores (scores from tests taken within five years can be used in place of KCC’s placement test) For more information about the Express Enrollment Event, contact KCC’s Admissions office at adm@ kellogg.edu or 269-965­ 4153. . The first classes of KCC’s fall semester begin Aug. 28. Student registration informa­ tion, including links to regis­ tration instructions, policies, tuition and fees and other information, is available online at kellogg.edu/registration. > > • �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023/ Page 7 Michigan’s police officer shortage becoming dire Ron French Bridge Michigan In 1992, early in his law enforcement career, Larry Weeks applied for one of 16 openings in the Grand Rapids Police Department. There were 250 applicants. Three decades later, Weeks is the police chief in mid-Michigan’s Eaton Rapids, and can’t find people who want to be police offi­ cers. He had five vacancies out of 10 full-time positions in 2020. He now has eight officers, but still being short two employees means the chiefhas to pick up the occa­ sional weekend graveyard shift along with his manage­ rial duties. “It’s not just us, most employers are struggling to hire good quality folks,” Weeks said. “We’re compet­ ing against everybody.” departments Police across Michigan are strug­ gling to fill positions, with the number of law enforcement officers statewide shrinking more than 4,500 since 2001 (a decline of 19 percent), and down about 900 in just the past three years. Worker shortages are common across many fields in Michigan. With a current unemployment rate of 3.6 percent — the lowest in the state in 23 years — private businesses and public^agencies alike are having trouble finding qualified job candidates. But some worker shortag­ es have bigger impacts than others. Police point to a decrease in road patrols as one reason accident fatalities are rising. With fewer officers on the street, it can take longer to respond to 911 calls. Stress from man­ dated overtime prompted by police officer shortages leads to bum out and resig­ nations, exacerbating the problem. “I think most people don’t realize the fragility of our public safety systems,” Weeks said. “Eventually people are going to call ~911 and it’s going to take longer and longer for people to show up.” Garage Sale GIAGANTIC NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE Sale Cherry Valley Meadows. 7757 Black Cherry Way SE, Caledonia. Friday 8/4/23 thru Sat­ urday, 8/5/23. Between 76th and 84th off Cherry Valley. 8am-4pm. Mini Fridge, furni­ ture, jewelery, bike carriers, designer hand bags, home decor, kitchen items, fabric, bedding, craft supplies, bar soos, clothes, stools, coes, shoes, soes, pictures, pcures, board games. Something for everyone. Come see us! Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. ‘Where did everyone go?’ The police officer short­ age is a national issue. With jobs available in many fields, law enforcement positions that offer the opportunity for public service — but also modest-pay and high stress — are proving less attractive than in the past. High-profile killings ofAfrican Americans by officers, including the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, affect­ ed public attitudes toward police and made recruitment even more of a challenge, particularly in communities ofcolor. According to data from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), the state agency that offers certi­ fication for police officers, there were slightly more than 23,000 police officers work­ ing in Michigan in 2001. Today, the figure hovers around 18,500. There’s no official state tally of police officer job openings, but police officials across the state who spoke to Bridge Michigan said the number of openings and the difficulty attracting candidates is unprecedented. The MCOLES website lists job ads from 88 Michigan police agencies postqd sin^e June 1, a “huge increase over past years, said Joe Kempa, acting deputy executive director of the agency. The Macomb County Sheriff’s office had 40 of its 230 deputy positions open recently, but a recruiting class has dropped the shortfall to about 20, said Macomb Department Sheriff Commander Jason Abro. “There’s a big financial impact (of officer shortages) because of overtime,” Abro said. “We have a 24-7 opera­ tion and there are shifts you have to fill.” Retirements are outpacing new hires, Abro said, putting constant pressure on the remaining deputies to work more hours. “I don’t understand, where is everyone?” Abro said. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-8385937. 5937. BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. p. Fetterley y Logging, ggg, (269)818-7793. “You go to restaurants and they’re short staffed, too. My brother’s working 80 hours a week because he can’t find help. “Where did everyone go?” At the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, one third of patrol officer posi­ tions (16 of48) are open. “We’re killing it with overtime and our people are getting worn out,” said Kalamazoo Sheriff Richard Fuller. “The people (we have) are leaving us for other positions. I was at the National Sheriffs Association conference (recently) and everyone was talking about this. Everybody has this problem.” Fuller has worked in law enforcement for 39 years and said it’s never been this diffi­ cult to hire officers. t “Our pool of people that we used to have to choose from is now a puddle,” he said. Part ofit is that, with near­ ly full employment in the economy, people have many choices, Fuller said. Meanwhile, public respect for police has dropped in recent years, following the killing of Floyd and other cases of police misconduct. Just 27 percent of Black adults had a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in police in a 2021 Gallup poll; 56 percent of white adults said they were confident in police. “I’ve had parents say ‘I’m not sending my kid to a profession and being demonized in their career,”’ Fuller said. Fuller apologized for speaking to a Bridge Michigan reporter in his cluttered office rather than a nearby conference room, which was being used to interview a candidate for a county jail position. When someone walks in expressing interest in a position, depart­ ment officials make time to talk to them immediately. To lure employees, the sheriff’s office is now paying $10,000 in academy training that in the old days — when recruits were aplenty — offi­ cers paid for themselves. The department pays the recruits nearly $1,000 a week while they take that 16-week train­ ing, and offer a $10,000 sign­ ing bonus. By the time they are ready to hit the streets, taxpayers have invested more than $35,000 in a new deputy. All too often, Fuller said, fresh­ ly minted deputies quit within a year or two and take a hiring bonus at anoth­ er department. There’s currently a bid­ ding war going on among some Kalamazoo County law enforcement agencies, with the sheriff’s depart­ ment’s $10,000 signing bonus being met and raised by $15,000 bonuses at the city police departments of Kalamazoo and Portage, Fuller said. Calls to those departments were not returned. Pension systems used to keep police officers in one department for a career, because pensions take years to become vested. Today, most pensions have been dumped for 401(k) retire­ ment accounts that typically are portable between jobs. The result is police officers “department-hopping” for bonuses, better hours and higher wages, said Matt Saxton, executive director of the Michigan Sheriff’s Association. “That’s not putting more AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD PUPPY- Beautiful Blue Merle. First shots and dewormed. Ready to go! $275. 517-7260706. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. TRUCK & TRAILER SPE­ CIALTIES is looking for an entry level or experienced body shop tech. Visitt www. ttspec.com or call Jenny for details-616-698-8215 in with the mindset that they’re here to protect their community, be a part oftheir community and grow their community. And that’s a really difficult thing to get across to people who some­ times might just be looking for the next job.” Robert Stevenson, execu- See POLICE DEPARTMENT, page 7 Bruce's Frame and Alignment] Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 .TOWNSHIP, Pets MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300. 269-223-9194. officers on the street, it’s just changing the street they’re patrolling,” Saxton said. Adds Fuller, “We’re all faced with this huge dilem­ ma where we want to make sure that people that are brought into this profession understand that this is an honorable profession, and that it’s something that we would hope that they come 203359 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Help Wanted METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Eaton Rapids Police Chief Larry Weeks said he sometimes pulls overnight patrol shifts because of staff shortages. (Photo provided) CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on August 21,2023 at 7:00 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The public hearing is to receive comments regarding the application of PFCU Credit Union, Joe Krieger for a petition special land use for a drive thru credit union with two drive thru lanes. Parcel is Unit #1, 6451 Cherry Meadows Drive, containing 1.3 acres. Parcel number: 41-23-21-153-009 All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed special land use. Written comments concerning the request may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. Dated: July 24, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29,2023 POLICE DEPARTMENT, continued from page 1 tive director ofthe Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said the public suffers when there are significant police shortages. “When you’re short, you start to cut things like commu­ nity service (and) DARE (drug education) officers,” Stevenson said. “You have fewer detectives, fewer school resource officers.” The Kalamazoo Sheriff’s office has fewer officers on traffic patrol, which some studies say leads to more traf­ fic fatalities, and 911 calls where fewer officers respond to an incident than Fuller would like. “There are calls happening now where you’re sending one person to, that should be two or three (officers),” he said. “There are calls that you send two people that you might need four, and it’sjust not hap­ pening. “I swore in (as an officer) a young man yesterday and he is going to be out there respond­ ing to calls with fewer backup people than I ever had (when Fuller was a patrol officer), with more violent calls on a regular basis, with more men­ tally unstable (people) and more drug situations,” he said. “I have more mandatory overtime than I’ve ever had before,” said Fuller, now in his 14th year as sheriff. “They have to go from one high stressful call to the next. And then they go home but they went home hours late because of overtime. And then they have to be in tomorrow. And it really cuts into the time a body needs to recover.” Earning more hauling trash Stevenson, of the police chief association, said “no state has figured out” how to erase law enforcement officer shortages, but Michigan departments and the state Legislature are scrambling to find solutions. The chief’s association has put together a promotional video as a recruitment tool and individual departments are advertising on social media. One department, which Kalamazoo’s Fuller wouldn’t name, is spending money on a digital billboard in Kalamazoo of Police labor union. “I’ve to lure recruits to a nearby told administrators, ‘Hey, you need them more than they community. “I know for a fact that we need you, because they can go have higher wages and better down the road.’” Last year, Gov. Gretchen benefits than that department,” Fuller said. He checked into Whitmer announced $30 mil­ the possibility ofa billboard of lion in grants to help depart­ his own, but decided the cost ments pay for police academy recruits, and in April the wasn’t worth it. The kind of signing bonus­ Legislature passed a bill that es the Kalamazoo Sheriff’s allows departments to recoup office has used since the fall of all or some training costs from 2022 are becoming more com­ recruits if they leave for anoth­ mon. Some departments are er department within four now trying to distinguish years. In Eaton Rapids and many themselves by offering more other small departments, low flexible work schedules. It’s a job candidate market pay is part of the problem, now, and police departments Chief Weeks said. The local have to adjust, said Chad waste management service Trussler, labor representative advertises starting salaries of for the Michigan Association $24 an hour, with pay rising to more than $30 an hour. Eaton Rapids starts its officers at about $20 an hour. “When you can be a gar­ bage person and make more money and have peace of mind (compared to the stress of police work),” carrying a badge for less money makes recruitment a challenge. When" Weeks was young, his father was almost shot in a robbery. That’s when Weeks decided he wanted to be a police officer. “You have to feel the call” to serve, Weeks said. He sees that less and less nowadays. “It’s difficult for me to understand why people don’t want to serve,” Weeks said. “It’s not a judgment, it’s just not a mindset I understand.” ReLeaf Michigan announces Michigan Big Tree Hunt Contest ReLeaf Michigan, a state­ wide tree planting and educa­ tion non-profit organization in Michigan, is seeking entries for the 16th biennial Michigan Big Tree Hunt contest The 2023-2024 contest, which offers prizes for identifying the biggest trees in Michigan, is open to participants of all ages. ReLeaf Michigan started the Michigan Big Tree Hunt in 1993 to celebrate our state’s beauty and create a fun way to gather information about Michigan’s biggest trees. The contest is an opportunity for all age groups to help track these vital historical living landmarks, and it is a great way to bring people, nature and trees together in an engag­ ing activity. The largest trees in the state can be found anywhere: a backyard, a local park or a hiking trail. The last contest received over 650 entries from 79 of Michigan’s 83 counties, with over 100 certificates and prizes awarded. Winners are recognized for the largest tree 03505 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CALEDONIA I TOWNSHIP^ CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING submitted from each county, the overall largest tree in dif­ ferent age groups and the larg­ est white pine (Michigan’s state tree). The contest also awards trees that may be the biggest of its type. These are known as champion trees and are tracked at the state and federal levels. The Michigan Botanical Society currently holds and manages the state database, while the American Forest Organization maintains the national database. As recently as 2012, Michigan had 23 registered Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township More contest details and the entry form are available online at bigtreehunt.com. The con­ test will accept submissions until Aug. 25, 2024. Those with questions can email bigtreehunt@releafmichigan.org or call 800-642-7353. ReLeaf Michigan’s Facebook page will post updates and to show the “Big Tree of the Week,” an entry from the contest post­ ed every Monday starting July 31. Paper entry forms will soon be available at over 200 libraries and natural areas across the state. 203373 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP^ (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments) PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 21, 2023 at 7 pm the Planning Commission ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing at the Caledonia Charter Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, to consider the fol­ lowing proposed amendments to the Township Zoning Ordinance: 1. Industrial Uses in the Overlay District. Section 27.9 of the Zoning Ordi­ nance would be amended by the addition of subsections (c) and (d) regulat­ ing uses in the Light Industrial District within the Broadmoor/Cherry Valley Corridor Overlay District. 2. Rental Business in the Overlay District. Section 26.6 and Section 26.7 of the Zoning Ordinance would be amended to permit rental equipment busi­ nesses and rental service businesses as special land uses in the Broadmoor/ Cherry Valley Corridor Overlay District 3. Rental Business in the C-2 District. Section 12.2 and 12.3 of the Zoning Ordinance would be amended to permit rental equipment businesses and rental services businesses as a special land use in the C-2 General Business District. 4. Rental Business Special Land Use Standards and Definitions. Chapter 16 of the Zoning Ordinance regulating special land uses would be amended to add special land use standards for certain types ofrental businesses and Chapter 2 would be amended with corresponding definitions. 5. Accessory Buildings. Section 16.21 of the Zoning Ordinance would be amended to remove Section 16.21(h) to make the regulation of accessory buildings associated with home based businesses consistent with other provisions ofthe Zoning Ordinance. 6. Architectural Standards. Sections 3.59 of the Zoning Ordinance would be amended to include the C-l Neighborhood Business District and the C-2 General Business District to the districts subject to the zoning ordinance architectural standards. 7. PMR Escrow. Section 17.12 ofthe Zoning Ordinance would be amended to clarify and simplify the requirements for PMR zoning escrows. 8. Mineral Removal, Slopes and Enclosures. Section 17.5(e) of the Zoning Ordinance would be amended to allow the Township Engineer to approve of minor alternative measures with respect to ongoing slopes and fencing of excavated materials. 9. Animal Regulations. Section 3.5 ofthe Zoning Ordinance would be amend­ ed to include regulations on the number ofdogs and cats and to regulate the barking of dogs as was previously regulated in the Township’s Animal Control Ordinance. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed amendments. The proposed amending ordinance will be on file at the Township Hall at the address above. Written comments concerning this matter may be submitted to the Township office at the above stated address up until the time ofthe public hearing. champion trees, but today, there are only five registered with at least one pending reg­ istration. Since hundreds of tree species don’t yet have registered champions, the Big Tree Hunt is a great opportu­ nity to add to this list and get Michigan trees noticed nationwide. Even if the tree you’ve found is not as large as the currently listed state champion of that species, we encourage you to still submit since the current champion may have died or been removed. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 21, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, SE, Caledonia Michigan, 49316. The request is for a rezoning of 5.8 acres from R-l to R-4 at 5362 60^ Street SE, parcel number: 41-23-06-200-047. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed rezoning. Written comments concerning the requested rezoning may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. Dated: July 20, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29,2023/ Page 9 Tart cherry production drops in Michigan, plagued by bad weather, imports Janelle D. James Bridge Michigan Michigan cherry season is wrapping up, and produc­ tion is down this year because of fluctuating weather, declining demand and falling prices. All told, statewide farm­ ers expect to harvest 108 million pounds of tart cher­ ries, according to the Cherry Marketing Institute in DeWitt. As recently as 2018, the yield was 201 million pounds with a value of $280 million, according to state records. That’s bad news in a state that produces 70 percent of the supply of tart cherries, in the United States — and farmers armers say ttheir worries began with dry weather that plagued Michigan in June. The influx of rain that came in the weeks follow­ ing was more harmful than good. “ When it does rain, we see more severe storms and those aren’t as nourishing to the trees,” said Juliette King McAvoy, spokesper­ son for Verellen Orchards in northern Macomb County. “When a whole lot of rain comes at once, it all runs down the hill and doesn’t soak in and nourish the plants like a nice gentle rain would.” A hailstorm on July 21 was the cherry on top of a poor season, causing tree limbs to fall and hurting the harvest. Statewide, the harvest for tart cherries (also known as Montmorency cherries) is between late June and early July, but colder weather extends the season in north­ ern Michigan. In the Traverse City region, where much of the state’s cherries are grown, farmers are trying to yield as much of the fruit as pos­ sible after a challenging season. The Cherry Marketing Institute estimates that northern Michigan will pro­ duce only 55 million pounds this season; currently, the area has produced about 30 million pounds. Sweet cherries contain more natural sugar and are eaten fresh, while tart cher­ ries are processed into ice cream, yogurt and other foods. Over the past 10 years, the market for tart cherries has declined due to imports from eastern European countries like Turkey, mak­ ing prices drop dramatical­ lyNow, farmers are seeing a decline in demand for sweet cherries, with a 2021 report by Michigan State University Extension find­ ing that costs for growing them exceeded rates of return. “The federal government does not protect domestic farmers,” said King McAvory. “Michigan grow­ ers want to see Michigan cherries and Michigan apples at the grocery store.” Michigan farmers in 2019 sought a 650 percent Michigan’s tart cherry harvest is expected to be 108 million pounds this year, down from 201 million pounds in 2018. (Photo provided) tariff increase on Turkish cherries. The request was rejected in 2021, after the U.S. International Trade Commission found that tart cherry producers were “not materially injured” by Turkish imports and that there weren’t enough Turkish cherries imported to significantly impact the market. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones tiia liiM Help get your teen stared with a ROTH IRA II To be successful in most endeavors, it’s important to develop good habits — and that’s certainly the case for investors. And the earlier one develops these habits, the better. So, if you have teenagers who may be start­ ing to work at part-timejobs, now may be a great time to introduce them to investing — and one place to begin might be a Roth IRA. As you may know, a Roth IRA is a popular retirement savings vehicle — its earn­ ings can grow federally tax­ free, provided withdrawals aren’t taken until the inves­ tor is at least 59!6 and has had the account five or more years. But because a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, contributions can be withdrawn at any time, pen­ alty-free, to pay for any expenses — including col­ lege. Roth IRA earnings can also be used to help pay for college, although these with­ drawals will be taxable. However, if a child is the account owner, a lower tax bracket will likely apply. In 2023, up to $6,500 per year can go into your teenag­ er’s Roth IRA, as long as the amount contributed doesn’t exceed the amount of their taxable compensation for the year. And your child doesn’t have to put all the money in — you and the child’s grand­ parents can also contribute. In fact, you might want to “match” your child’s contri­ butions up to the limit to provide an incentive for them to continue investing in the Roth IRA. Not only will your matching contribution help build the Roth IRA’s assets but it can also instill in your child’s mind the benefit of earning a match - which can prove valuable later on, when your child is in the workforce full time and has a chance to receive an employer’s matching contri­ butions in a 401 (k) or similar plan. Your child may well find a job at a local restaurant or shop, as these businesses have experienced a shortage ofworkers the past couple of years. But ifyou have a fam­ ily business, you can employ your teen to provide income that can go into a Roth IRA. Furthermore, if the business is one parent’s sole propri­ etorship, or it’s a partnership in which each partner is the parent, the payments for a child younger than 18 are not subject to Social Securi­ ty and Medicare taxes. As an employee, your child must perform reasonable tasks necessary for the business and be paid reasonable wag­ es — that is, wages compa­ rable to what you’d pay a regular employee for the same work. But wherever your child’s wages come from, using some of them to help fund a Roth IRA can be a good move. For one thing, it gives you a chance to explain the value ofputting time on your side when you invest — simply put, the more years you invest, the greater your chances of accumulating the resources you need to meet your goals. And by helping your teen open a Roth IRA, which holds stocks, mutual funds or virtually any other type of security, you can discuss the different risk/ reward characteristics of various types of investments — the kind of basic knowl­ edge that all investors should have. Once your teen’s first pay­ checks start coming in, con­ sider bringing up the idea of opening a Roth IRA — you may well be opening the door to a lifetime of consis­ tent and informed investing. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Summer Special A/C TUNE-UP HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8 Locally owned business. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29,2023 MHSAA schools continue rebound in sports participation Participation in Michigan High School Athletic Association-sponsored sports increased for the sec­ ond-straight school year in 2022-23, continuing its recovery from a COVID­ related decline and despite another decrease in school enrollment among the MHSAA’s 750 member high schools. A total of 268,071 partic­ ipants were counted across the 28 sports for which the MHSAA sponsors postsea­ son tournaments - a 2.7-percent increase from 2021 -22 as participation has grown a combined 9.9 percent from a drastic downturn in 2020-21 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022-23 increase of 2.7 percent also came as enrollment at MHSAA member schools fell 3.2 per­ cent from the previous year. More specifically, boys par­ ticipation rose 3.4 percent to 156,501 participants, despite a 2.9-percent decrease in boys enrollment. Girls par­ ticipation rose 1.7 percent to 111,570 participants despite a 3.4-percent enrollment dip. MHSAA participation totals count students once for each sport in which they participate, meaning stu­ dents who are multiple-sport athletes are counted more than once. A total of 18 sports saw increases in participation in 2022-23 compared to 2021­ 22, with wrestling the largest gainer by 15.7 percent to 10,477 athletes - a rise in part attributable to a 41-percent increase in girls partici­ pation to 874 wrestlers which coincided with the second year of the MHSAA spon­ soring a girls-only division at its Individual Finals. This year’s wrestling total was the sport’s highest since 2012­ 13. Boys bowling enjoyed the next largest increase at 8.1 percent to 4,417 partici­ pants. Five more sports saw increases in participation by at least five percent over the previous school year - girls track & field (5.6 percent to 16,470 participants), boys lacrosse (5.6 percent to SV lNsui4rz SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville UGHT TRUCK PARTS | USED HUTS •PICK UPS ‘Mi TONS* VMS ’SUVS •JEEPS «4WS FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 ! USED PARTS 5,038), girls lacrosse (5.3 percent to 3,215), girls bowling (5.3 percent to 2,826) and football (5.2 per­ cent to 34,997). Also enjoying increases in participation during the 2022-23 school year were boys track & field (up 4.9 percent from 2021-22), girls competitive cheer (3.5 per­ cent), boys basketball (3.2), girls tennis (2.9), girls vol­ leyball (2.5), girls skiing (2.0), girls basketball (1.4), boys golf (1.3), boys soccer (0.9), baseball (0.8) and girls soccer (0.3). Of the eight sports that did see declines in 2022-23, four experienced decreases in participation that were lower than the 3.2-percent decrease in enrollment at MHSAA mem­ ber schools - boys ice hock­ ey (-1.4 percent), boys cross country and boys tennis (both -0.9 percent) and soft­ ball (-0.7). Football, with a combined 34,997 participants over the 11 and 8-player formats, remained the most-played sport during the 2022-23 school year in posting its highest total of athletes since 2018-19. Boys track & field (23,211) and boys bas­ ketball (20,663) were next for total participants, fol­ lowed by girls volleyball (19,270) - which remained the most popular girls sport - and then baseball (16,663) and girls track & field (16,470). For the second-straight year, girls skiing (854 ath­ letes) posted its highest participation total since 1998­ 99. Boys golf (6,916) joined wrestling in posting its high- Wrestling saw the largest participation gains among MHSAA sports in 2022-23 compared to 2021 -22, with another increase in girls’ participation helping boost the total number of high school wrestlers in the state to 10,477. est total since 2012-13, and girls volleyball enjoyed its highest participation since 2017-18. Boys track & field, girls track & field and base­ ball all posted their highest participation totals since 2018-19. The participation figures are gathered annually-from MHSAA member schools to submit to the National Federation of State High School Associations / Trojans earn all-conference accolades in the OK Gold USED TIRES 1811 LAKE ST., KALAMAZOO SEASONAL LABOR WANTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE _________WAGES STARTING AT $16.00_________ POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM Twin City Foods, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, igin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or any other stat status .;\W^rptected^Ja,w, -t, Thornapple Kellogg High School had 15 student-athletes honored as all-con­ ference performers in the OK Gold Conference during the 2023 spring season. The group included (top from left) Lindsey Velting, Ava Crews, Brooklyn Harmon, Eva Corson, Kenady Smith, (middle row) Payton Gator, Emma Schut, Maddie Xpltin9> (bottom) Kylee Hoebeke, Alaina O’Riley, Gavin AustihW^ch dnd‘CharlotteTQel'sdn.' (NFHS) for compiling of its national participation sur­ vey. Results of Michigan surveys from the 2000-01 school year to present may be viewed on the MHSAA website. Cal Hockey plans golf outing for Aug. 11 The Caledonia High School hockey program is hosting its 2nd Annual Cal Hockey Golf Outing Aug. 11 at Briarwood Golf Course. The cost to participate in the four-person scram­ ble is $400 per team. Contact Carter Osborn at cosbom5 @ davenport.edu for help connecting indi­ vidual golfers with teams that have openings. Golfing is set to being at 9 a.m. The event includes lunch and prizes. Registration can be done online on the youth enrichment/sports page at caledonia.revtrak.net. The Fighting Scots are just finishing up their summer slate of games. The Cal Hockey team is a co-op which also includes skaters from Thomapple Kellogg and Lowell. �The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29, 2023/ Page 11 Off Road Derby is family fun at Barry County Fair Brad Hall of Carson City is interviewed by Unique Motor Sports’ Jim Trolard after winning the demoli­ tion derby at the end of the grandstand show Friday, July 21, at the Barry County Fair. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sarah Keizer (right) and Eva Rowley draw for their starting positions in the powder puff feature race at the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fair Friday, July 21. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brynn Bolo in the pink 3B car (left) gets around Lydia Griffith on her way to a win in the powder puff feature at the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fair July 21. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Clara Keizer of Middleville said she thought off road der­ bys, like the one run by Unique Motor Sports at the Barry County Fair Friday night, were kind of scary until this summer. Her big brother Logan said Clara, 10 years old, begged to race this time around. “Yeah, but I got really ner­ vous and I didn’t want to do it anymore - but I did,” Clara said. The nerves popped up on the infield in front ofthe Barry County Fair grandstand during the drivers’ meeting and lasted through the playing of the national anthem. Clara got her first chance to compete during a special family race that opened event - a race with four Rowleys and four Keizers around seven laps. “I couldn’t really see anything. My goggles were cov­ ered in mud,” said Clara, who spent a little bit of time prac­ ticing operating the vehicle in her family’s driveway in the lead-up to the race. If she could have seen bet­ ter, she’d have seen Logan take the checkered flag. Chad Keizer and his wife Sarah Keizer competed along­ side their children and their friends Matt Rowley and Keri Rowley, and their daughters Megan Rowley and Eva Rowley from Hastings. Chad started competing in demolition derbys and offroad derbys 24 years ago, and Matt joined in a couple years after that Slowly but surely, their wives and children got involved too. Sarah placed third in the powder puff feature Friday, slowed a bit late in the compe­ tition by a flat tire. She started racing 20 years ago and also scored a trophy in the offroad derby the Tuesday of fair week. Logan won his heat in the youth class and had the lead on the penultimate lap of the youth feature before getting spun around and finishing behind the top three trophy winners. Deagan Sanders of Hastings took that win. Megan Rowley earned a trophy too for a win in a pow­ der puff heat. So, the group of eight Rowleys and Keizers went home with three trophies. “Matt Rowley instigated it. He thought it’d be cool since we’re all able to, and who knows how long we’ll be able to. We might as well take the opportunity,” Sarah said. “Earlier this spring the idea was planted, and we talked to Jim [Trolard who runs Unique Motor Sports] and he said we could do it” Matt said Trolard liked the idea while they were chatting at the Unique Motor Sports event at the Lake Odessa Fair this summer. Matt’s daughters ran at the Lake Odessa Fair. “Chad [Keizer] was the rea­ son I got into it,” Matt said. “We haven’t missed a season yet, well 2020 but everybody missed that. Outside of Covid, Chad has been here every year. Even years that I didn’t have a car he said ‘you’ve got to do it,’ and he has given me a car.” “Sarah and I just loved coming and watching,” Chad said, “and one night we were Clara Keizer maneuvers around the course during the special Keizer/Rowley family race to open the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby/Demolition Derby evening at the Barry County Fair Friday, July 21. Keizer, age 10, competed in a race for the first time. (Photo by Brett Bremer) up there and we were walking out and there was a kid I knew that I worked with who said, ‘why don’t you go out there and do that?’ There was anoth­ er buddy that did it” He’s been mostly good with the transition to the off road derby format - which is a race around a dirt track where bumping and crashing are allowed. There were around 150 competitors Friday and Vifttge- o(j AkuSMMifllx, COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the July 11, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on July 25, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org . fitly ale 20°/o OffFabrics See DERBY, page 12 (excludes sale items) Sale endsJuly 31st Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm: TSF1 ♦ Saturday 9 am-3 pm �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, July 29,2023 DERBY, continued from page 11 Drivers take off at the start of the powder puff final during the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby in front of the grandstand at the Barry County Fair Friday July 21. (Photo by Brett Bremer) just one heat of demolition derby as the grand finale to the evening’s show. Chad likes the smashing of the derby better, but acknowl­ edges that the offroad derby is better for many because of how many more years of rac­ ing a car will last. He said he was lucky to have a demoli­ tion derby vehicle last more than two events. Everybody in his family was driving a Chevy Lumina Friday. Chad and Logan have had their current cars running through three competitions at the Bany County Fair and one at Lake Odessa. He said Sarah’s car has been running derbys for at least five years. “I didn’t have to build a fresh one this year, so that makes it a lot easier,” Chad Said. He said it takes about two full days or two weeks of nights to be able to get a vehi­ cle ready to compete in the derbys. “You must take out the airbags. You must have a driver’ s net. The only window you can leave in the vehicle is the front windshield. The gas tank can either be moved into the back ofthe car or be left in the stock position,” Trolard announced to the standing room only grandstand crowd Friday as the Rowleys and Keizers lined up for their race. “That is pretty much it. You have to have one roll-over bar in the driver’s door.” Matt and Chad agreed that things are a bit safer now than they were in their early years as the UMS crew got help watering down the track to slow the course down a bit between races. Races were run in a clockwise pattern, always turning right, Friday. That changes up from event to event, but Chad said running in that direction can limit hard We Accept A DELTA DENTAL The Rowley and Keizer families gather with their trophies after the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby Friday at the Barry County Fair. The two families ran a seven-lap race to open the evening’s grandstand show. Pictured are (from left) Clara Keizer, Chad Keizer, Sarah Keizer, Logan Keizer, Eva Rowley, Matt Rowley Keri Rowley and Megan Rowley. collisions on the drivers’ side weather for much of June and of the cars. early July gave him plenty of “In those early years [of off time to think about racing and road derby], there was a single to prep cars. and then a double [jumps on Eva said she stripped down the track],” Chad said. her first car and built it into a “But nobody doubled it but derby car with her dad’s help. Chad though,” Matt said. She is 15 and said her driver’s Matt cuts grass for a living education teacher questioned in the summer, and the dry her about where she’d picked up her driving skills when she started class. “It was pretty cool. That was nice. I am glad Jim let us do this,” Eva said ofthe family race. Eva and her big sister Megan ran in a youth race at the Lake Odessa Fair in the summer of 2022, with Megan winning the trophy and Eva placing second. Megan got to experience some drama Friday. McKaylya-Hope Page from Allegan got credit for the vic­tory in their collision-filled powder puff heat, but Megan had mostly avoided the car- Keep YourTeeth fora LIFETIME! nage and her supporters she was the rightful winner of the heat Page said her 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix has been doing really well. She said she has won five trophies since start­ ing racing last fall, with a front end painted with “BRCA1” in honor of her mother who had breast cancer. Megan and Page took the time to rest on a hood and watch the video of their heat on a phone and then when it was clear Megan deserved the win Page passed off the trophy. Page got her own trophy later on finishing second in the powder puff feature. Biynn Bolo of Hastings won that powder puff feature. Joe Morey of Middleville won the 4-cylinder feature and the 6-cylinder A feature cham­ pionship went to Randy Kill of Hopkins. Brad Hall of Carson City won the demolition derby at the end ofthe night Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime9 Vou Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Vour Teeth, Just The Ones Vou Want To Keep. You too can get teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (life do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize in the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums, No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com *• * . Logan Keizer lines up for a youth race Friday, July 21, during the Unique Motor Sports Off Road Derby at the Barry County Fain,(Photo lay BretLBiemety./.’«. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-08-05.pdf 62cd8725942734a669bba6a61ac2ea58 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas Farmers Elevator grain bin out of Michigan Supreme service after Wednesday incident Court ruling a Greg Chandler StaffWriter A potentially hazardous situation involving a large grain bin at the Caledonia Farmers Elevator was resolved safely by co-op employees late Wednesday afternoon. The incident was first reported to Kent County cen­ tral dispatch about 12:45 p.m., but CFE chief execu­ tive officer Joel Stoepker said one of his employees noticed something was amiss much earlier. “We had a grain bin that started to (experience) a small separation on one side of it, from the foundation. It was noticed it early in the morning,” Stoepker said Thursday morning in a tele­ phone interview with the Sun and News. “One ofour oper­ ations managers noticed there was a very small pile of grain (near the foundation) I’m talking like two or three coffee cups (full) - it was a rather small amount and he thought it was funny, he hadn’t seen that there before.” The manager then told another individual about the situation, and they soon start­ ed to inspect the area around the grain bin. He also called Stoepker to let him know what was happening. “We started immediately massive victory for local auto accident victims Jayson Bussa Editor When Teresa Hughes heard the news, she broke down. “I just cried for a half hour —happy tears,” said Hughes, of Middleville. “Because my son’s life has changed so much — drasti­ cally bad.” Hughes’ son, 35-yearold Troy Hughes, is one of the thousands of motorists around the state of Michigan who were criti­ cally injured in an auto accident and unexpectedly saw the quality and acces•sibility to medical care plummet when lawmakers in Lansing made sweeping changes to the state’s auto no-fault insurance laws. Because of the new law, any medical service not already covered under fed­ eral Medicare laws, which includes in-home caregiv­ ers and transportation to medical services, will now only be reimbursed by insurance companies at 55 percent of what they were back before 2019. Existing accident victims were not grandfathered into this change in the law, either, See HUGHES, page 3 Employees at the Caledonia Farmers Elevator work to remove grain from a compromised bin on Wednesday afternoon. (Photos by Greg Chandler) moving that grain to another bin, just to take a precaution­ ary measure. We brought some trucks in and we moved the grain very steadily out of that bin, just to be sure that there wasn’t going to be an issue with it,” Stoepker said. The Caledonia Fire Department was called to the scene and the elevator kept bin and get it transferred to a the department up to date on larger adjacent bin and a what was going on. Five newer cone-bottom bin. “We wanted to err on the employees from the CFE feed office across the street side of caution and be safe,” were evacuated. Portions of Stoepker said. The bin is currently out of Kinsey and Lake streets were closed off. Elevator officials service until it can be inspectdetermined it would take See ELEVATOR, page 2 about six hours to empty the Longtime Thornapple firefighter retires Greg Chandler Staff Writer Firefighters from the Thomapple Township Fire Department honored one of their own Monday night, as he is retiring from the depart­ ment. Capt. Alex Middleton is retiring after 21 years as a Retiring Thornapple Township Fire Department Capt. Alex Middleton (right) accepts a fire ax from department Chief Bill Richardson, engraved with the department logo and Middleton’s dates of service, at Monday’s celebration. (Photos by Greg Chandler) firefighter and emergency medical technician with the department, previously known as Thornapple Township Emergency Services until the depart­ ment recently rebranded itself. Middleton cited health issues in his decision to step down from the department. “He’s going to be very (much) missed in our depart­ ment, with his knowledge, skills and abilities that he has, his institutional knowl­ edge of this organization,” Chief Bill Richardson said. “It’s going to be a definite loss for us.” Firefighters from the department and members of the Township Board ate cake, signed the fire helmet that Middleton wore for so many years and extended congratulations to him for his service to the community. Richardson presented Middleton with an engraved fire ax with the department logo and Middleton’s dates of service to the township — “just in case he needs to chop some trees down while he’s up in the (Upper Peninsula),” Richardson said. Middleton joined TTES on July 22, 2002. He held a variety of responsibilities within the department over the years, most recently serving as a training officer for the past five years. “It’s been a pleasure. It’s been an honor,” Middleton said in accepting his gift. “I don’t even know what to say. You move forward, you do the job that needs to be done, do it the way it needs to be done, don’t See MIDDLETON, page 2 Troy Hughes is pictured outside of his current living facility at Spectrum Health Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Grand Rapids. Hughes, originally from Middleville, was injured in a motorcycle acci­ dent over a decade-and-a-half ago and requires around-the-clock care. (Photos provided) Caledonia village officials hold open house for golf cart ordinance Thornapple fire captain still on leave after drug-related charges Lee Elementary School hires new principal Developer gets go-ahead to start townhouse development in Gaines Crews finishing up AstroTurf project at “The Ralph” �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5, 2023 MIDDLETON, continued from page 1 ELEVATOR, continued from page 1morning, ed. As of Thursday morn­ Thursday ing, the height of the grain Stoepker said. Stoepker praised the in the bin had been reduced to less than 20 feet on the work ofhis team as well as sides, and no more grain the support from the village and fire department in could be removed from it. “We’re going to do a helping resolve the situa­ full assessment of (the tion. “We took every precau­ bin), clean it up and determine whether we’re tion there was, to make going to repair it or take sure that there would be no it out of service,” issues and nobody was put into any danger,” he said. Stoepker said. The bin has a capacity of “That’s why we asked our 30,000 bushels, and the feed staff to evacuate that elevator gave a “rough esti­ office and we barricaded mate’ that there were about the road and we barred any 18,000 bushels of grain access to (the bin) so that inside the bin at the time of we could slowly and steadi­ the incident. One of the ly empty all the grain out of millwrights who worked it so there was no shifting with CFE on the situation or any issues inside the said that leaving some bin.” Firefighters cleared the grain inside the bin would actually help keep it stable scene shortly before 7 p.m. until an inspection can be Wednesday and the barri­ cades were removed from done. All CFE operations were near the grain elevator functioning at full capacity Thursday morning. (screw) it up ... Thank you very much. This means the world to me.” Middleton says he will most miss the interaction with his fellow firefighters and EMTs — “It’s family,” he said. Middleton’s retirement took effect on Tuesday. The Thornapple Township Fire Department cele­ brated the retirement of Capt. Alex Middleton with a cake. Thornapple Township firefighter Hanna Gross signs Capt. Alex Middleton’s fire helmet as fellow firefighter Casandra Vugteveen waits her turn to sign. Caledonia holds open house on village golf cart ordinance Joel Stoepker, CEO at Caledonia Farmers Elevator, said that the company plans to conduct a full assessment of a compromised grain bin (on the left) to determine if they will repair it or take it out of service. TOW / Complete Collision Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia has an ordinance regulating the use of golf carts 6H Village streets,1 but some residents might not be aware ofits existence. For example, anyone who owns a golf cart in the village is required to have it regis­ tered at Village Hall. But to date, only 14 golf carts are registered with the village. There have also been reports ofunderage and unli­ censed drivers operating the carts, as well as reckless use. “I got a report the other evening of a golf cart going off the Paul Henry Trail into Glen Valley (subdivision) by way of a pathway — it ED S BODY SHOP Service CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN / Frame Repairs / State & l-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies IWMBAI Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 k. NFl B Ed Paxyloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Lesonal Water Bourne System The operation ofgolfcarts is on the safe use ofthe vehicles so they don’t run into prob­ treated similarly to the use of lems with injury or having cars and other motor vehicles. For example, anyone who problems with the law.” Thornton was joined at the ■ drives a golfcart must be at least gathering by Kent County 16 years old and be licensed to Sheriff’s Deputy Melissa operate a motor vehicle. Golf carts are required to be covered by liability insurance but do not We wanted to educate people. There’s been an need to have collision coverage, Thornton said. uptick in safety concerns in the village regarding Registration applications the use ofgolf carts, and we feel that knowledge were made available at the is power.” gathering and remain avail­ able at Village Hall. — JeffThornton, Manager, Village ofCaledonia “We ask for a picture ofthe golf cart and proof of insur­ Village Manager Jeff Gokey and Brad Hoger, a ance on your (homeowners) Thornton said. salesman at U.S. GolfCars on policy,” Thornton said, add­ So Thornton held a gather­ Cherry Valley Avenue. ing that the village needs to ing Wednesday night at The ordinance requires all be listed as an additional Village Hall to explain the golf carts used on public insured on the policy. ordinance passed by the roads within the village limits Some of the restrictions Village Council in 2019 and to be registered with the vil- regarding driving a golf cart why it was needed. About a lage. While the council ini­ include a required 15-miledozen residents turned out. tially put a $10 annual fee in per-hour speed limit. Also, no “We wanted to educate place when the ordinance one is allowed to operate a people,” Thornton said. passed, there is currently no cart from 30 minutes before “There’s been an uptick in charge to register a golf cart. sunset to 30 minutes after safety concerns in the village Anyone who registers a cart sunrise, nor is anyone allowed regarding the use of golf with the village will receive a to drive a cart during inclem­ carts, and we feel that knowl­ decal to be placed on the front ent weather or with snow or edge is power. We want peo­ of their vehicle, Thornton ice on the ground. Golf carts ple to become knowledgeable said. are not allowed on M-37, nor are they allowed on the Paul Henry Trail, Thornton said. New from Mode® While violations of the Forest Frolic, Batiks, ordinance could result in a civil infraction, punishable by Sweet Melodies, Joyful a fine of $100 on the first Gatherings offense, the intent is not to • New 108" Cottons write tickets. “Everybody likes to edu­ • Hu 1st Cleaners Pick-Up cate before issuing a ticket,” Station Thornton said. “We don’t want to make anybody have a bad day. We want everybody QUESTIONS:: to learn rather than be pun­ ASK US... ished.” 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 The ordinance language OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; has been published in a book­ mm11 Saturday 9 am-3 pm let available at the Village Hall, 250 S. Maple St. seemed to be occupied by three (or) four underage females. They were giggling and laughing. The people that were walking on the path had to jump out of the way to make way for the golf cart,” V I fyth V I filing I I Wjij I Maj, I Rm ^feenpli 'X '•Unit ‘kJ s A lter Alter, ter, V’ cV* �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5,2023/ Page 3 HUGHES, continued from page which drastically affected The effort hardly moved the type and level of care the needle, as Michigan still they were able to receive. has some of the highest auto Troy Hughes, who was insurance rates in the coun­ critically injured in a motor­ try. cycle accident 16 years ago, And while most of the experienced this firsthand. state’s population didn’t see He can’t speak or swallow a difference, people like and relies on round-the-clock Troy Hughes saw a dramatic care to survive — care that one. has greatly diminished Due to the changes in the because of the change in the law, in November of 2021, law, which went into effect he had to move from in July 2021. Homewards North at But all that changed on Spectrum Neuro Monday when the Michigan Rehabilitation Services Supreme Court ruled to Residential Program, where affirm a previous Court of he had lived for 13 years. Appeals ruling that those The facility was shutting injured before 2019 are down as a result of the exempt from the sweeping changes to the law and later changes that Michigan law­ reopened to provide care for makers had made. more independent patients. The Supreme Court sided Troy Hughes was moved 5-2 with the Court ofAppeals to Spectrum Health to Spectrum in a case involving plaintiffs Rehabilitation and Nursing Ellen Andary ofEast Lansing Center at 4118 Kalamazoo and Phillips Krueger of Ann Ave. near Kentwood. There, Arbor, who had suffered his mother, Teresa, said he traumatic brain injuries in receives much lower quality crashes before 2019 and now care. require round-the-clock care. “It’s not someplace that a They were suing USAA person with that level of Casualty Insurance for vio­ injury should be,” his mom lating their contractual rights said. “The few people that to full reimbursement. work there, they have like 13 Before 2020, Michigan patients, and that’s ridiculous was the only state in the to think they can take care of country where drivers were 13 people that can’t even get required to pay for full per­ themselves to the toilet or get sonal injury protection insur­ to bed.” ance, which offered those At his previous home, who sustained catastrophic Troy got nearly one-on-one injuries in an accident unlim­ care from staff and would ited medical benefits. After split time between his own the changes to the law — room and commons areas, which both Democrats and where he had a lot of friends. Republicans embarked on in Teresa Hughes said that, an attempt to drive down now, her son remains in his insurance costs — unlimited room pretty much all day. coverage became optional, “No one even talks to him and drivers are now allowed anymore,” she said. “They to pick from varying levels just come in, roll him over, of coverage. do whatever they need to do, roll him back and out the door they go.” Still, she doesn’t blame the staff she knows they’re trying their best but simply lack the manpower to provide a higher level of care. Brian Harrison, executive director for therapy of services for Grand Rapidsbased AdvisaCare Home Health and Hospice, has vis­ ited Barry County board meetings multiple times to prod the county into adopt­ ing a resolution that would signal to the state that they need to restore full reim­ bursement for accident vic­ tims. His company provides care for patients in the Middleville and Hastings areas. Harrison said the ruling was a success but that he, and many advocates, are frustrated that they had to go through that struggle. “The biggest thing to note is that this is just for families injured before 2019, and hopefully, Lord willing, they’ll be able to recover and get additional services in the home that they had lost and get back to a way of life that is more sustainable and pro­ ductive.” “The legislature still needs to fix and do something for people that are buying an unlimited policy today that can’t be cashed in right now,” Harrison added. Even though Troy Hughes’ reimbursement on care is back to 100 percent, he and his family are not out of the woods quite yet. His mother is worried that the damage has been done and, because of the initial fallout of the changes in the Troy Hughes (left) visits with his mother Teresa (next to him) and niece Meya Hughes last Halloween. law, there won’t be anywhere for Troy to go. Michigan Public Health, commissioned by the Brain Injury of Association Michigan, found that 4,088 healthcare workers lost their jobs as a result of the chang­ es, and over 6,800 crash sur­ vivors have been discharged from local care providers. The study also found that 10 care companies have had to Thornapple fire captain remains on leave, expected to stay on with department Greg Chandler court. Judge Michael Staff Writer Schipper sentenced Klutman A Thomapple Township to one year ofprobation plus Fire Department officer fines, court costs and over­ remains on administrative sight fees. An original felo­ leave following his guilty ny charge of delivery or plea on drug-related charges manufacture of a controlled but will stay on as a member substance was dismissed in exchange for the misde­ ofthe department. Capt. Chad Klutman, a meanor guilty pleas. The charges stemmed 20-year department veteran, has been placed on an addi­ from a June 9 incident in Township. tional two weeks of unpaid Thornapple said that leave on top of the four Prosecutors weeks ofleave he has already Klutman used marijuana in a served, Township Supervisor vehicle occupied by a 19-year-old man and a Eric Schaefer wrote in an 17-year-old girl. Klutman email to the Sun and News told the court at last week’s Wednesday morning. “Chad remains a member hearing that he has entered ofthe department,” Schaefer counseling and apologized wrote in the email, saying for his actions, saying he that he expects Klutman to wanted “to get back to doing return to duty once the two what I love to do, in helping additional weeks of adminis­ people and taking care ofmy community.” trative leave are completed. Klutman, a firefighter and Klutman, 46, pleaded guilty on July 26 to misde­ paramedic with the depart­ meanor counts of use of ment, asked for an unpaid marijuana and allowing con­ leave ofabsence in early July sumption of a drug by a when he became aware that minor in Barry County charges would be filed against him, Schaefer said in a press release. “Chad is a valued member of the department and has had an enormous and posi­ tive impact on public safety over his 20-year tenure,” Schaefer said in the release. “This commitment to service does not alleviate or lessen Chad’s responsibility for his actions. “Thomapple Township and the Thornapple Township Fire Department do not condone or endorse Chad’s behavior in this mat­ ter and are actively under­ taking steps to address such behavior in the future. Chad’s employment with the department will be treated in a manner consistent with the township and department’s adopted policies and require­ ments,” Schaefer added. Thornapple Township Fire Chief Bill Richardson declined to comment fur­ ther on Klutman’s status, deferring to Schaefer’s statement. close their doors completely since the changes, while over a dozen more are expected to close in the next year. “At the moment, I don’t have a clue how we’ll use his funds to actually make his life better again, but I hope that comes along because all the foster homes like he lived in are all closed up.” “I’m really afraid of that,” she added. “I’m hoping in Troy’s lifetime that someone steps up and opens facilities of that sort again.” Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Summer Special A/C TUNE-UP HEATING G COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5, 2023 New Lee Elementary School principal named growth is essential. I look Greg Chandler forward to supporting stu­ Staff Writer Lee Elementary School dents, families and staff in will have a new principal the continued climb towards when classes resume later success.” TK Superintendent Craig this month. Megan Wonders, who has McCarthy said that Wonders worked for Thomapple “has a broad base of experi­ Kellogg Schools for the last ence at the elementary level, 15 years, has been named to which makes her uniquely serve as principal of the qualified for this role.” “She has had the oppor­ school that serves the dis­ trict’s second and third tunity to work with all the teachers at Lee Elementary grade students. Wonders most recently in (her) previous roles. Her served as Title 1 coordinator collaborative contributions for the district, assisting stu­ have been instrumental in dents who need extra time assisting our third-graders and instruction in reading, meet the state of Michigan standards,” working primarily at Lee reading and Page Elementary McCarthy wrote in an Schools. She previously e-mail to the Sun and News. Last fall, Wonders was taught fourth grade at Page and was a literacy coach at honored by the Thomapple Kellogg Education Lee. Wonders also has seven Association with its Above years of teaching experi­ and Beyond Award for her ence in other school dis­ work. In nominating Wonders for the honor, Lee tricts. “As an educational lead­ teacher Mamie Reynolds er, I believe in establishing said that Wonders helped a collaborative learning prepare reading intervention environment with high schedules for more than 20 expectations,” Wonders teachers at the school. wrote in a letter that was “She trains staff, she pro­ sent out to Lee parents this vides materials and she’s week. “In addition, build­ always willing to meet with ing relationships to encour­ individual staff members age academic and social about students they have Megan Wonders questions about,” Reynolds said last fall. “She helped develop and organize our summer tutoring program for students that qualified. She met with teachers, trained them on the materi­ als that they were going to use, and provided them with everything they needed.” Wonders’ husband, Matt, is a health and physical education teacher at Thomapple Kellogg High School. The couple has two children — a daughter who is a sophomore at TKHS and a son who is in seventh grade at the middle school. Wonders holds a master’s degree in educational lead­ ership from Grand Valley State. Middleville committee to review sign regulations for new zone districts The July 31 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There are two new fish in the fishbowl. Sue’s program was on “Stress and the Aging Body.” Polls show that older, healthy and socially connected people are better at handling stressful situations. Older people navi­ gate away from potentially stressful situations. One study says older adults credit positive emotional stimuli and discredit negative stimuli. When the brain senses stress, it releases cortisol. Exercise can bring church Sunday’s Ministries 616498-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship Gai and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & Ham these levels down. Release valves include asking for help, taking stress breaks, smiling to yourselfto signal your brain all is well, walking, volunteering and making your bed. Sue’s other talk was from the July/August TOPS maga­ zine, “Choosing Your Focus. Joy is Always an Option”. What you focus on, grows. If you focus on negativity, your brain will look for confirma­ tion to support that belief. If you look forjoy, you will find joy and will also create joy. Joy is always a choice. Your Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend http://goodshepherdlcms .googlepages. com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville I FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-97261 Church: S&CMnf CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou SSunday School 91:03030AM 9:30 AM unay orsp........ .10:30 : AM 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm .r g Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilIeFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................. 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg OURNEY CALEDONIA: 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Good Shepherd ’ Lutheran Church iunday Service situation may not change but your perspective can. Maryel len lost the Ha-Ha B ox The meeting ended with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. Caledonia United Methodist Church 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 [FIRST necessary,” Village Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers said. The creation of the new districts is meant to make the properties more attractive for future development and would meet requirements of the state’s Redevelopment Ready Communities program. A public hearing on the rezoning could take place next month. The Ordinance Committee consists of commissioners Amanda Pullen, Maria Dahlke and Di Wilke. Middleville TOPS 546 alaska cornerstonechurch Commissioners are pro­ posing rezoning 27 parcels that are currently zoned medium-density residential along Main Street as transi­ tional mixed-use, along with four parcels along State that are proposed as transitional industrial. “If these zoning districts were adopted without any sign regulations, it would require a use variance to allow for any sign additions or modifications, requiring public hearings that aren’t Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Middleville Planning Commission is holding off on rezoning properties along Main and State streets until a subcommittee has a chance to determine how signs should be regulated in the new zone districts. The commission’s Ordinance Committee will take up the signage issue for the transitional mixed-use and transitional industrial zoned districts at an Aug. 15 meeting. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5, 2023/ Page 5 Orion Construction gets the go-ahead to build first phase of Ashford Woods townhouses in Gaines Twp James Gemmell Contributing Writer After 21 months of plan­ ning, • Grand Rapids-based Orion Construction can begin building the Ashford Woods townhouse develop­ ment in Gaines Township, so long as it receives standard approvals from outside agen­ cies, such as the local fire department, the Kent County Road and Drain Commissions and the Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy. Developers and the town­ ship expect no problems in attaining those. Orion must also meet a landscaping con­ dition that a tree buffer be added between the parking lot ofthe adjacent Kentwood Community Church and the surrounding homes. The planning commission voted unanimously on July 27 to approve the site plan for the first phase of the 33-building development at 1200 60th St. Orion original­ ly proposed the 152-unit project to the township in Oct. 2021. It will have 124 units in the first of two phases ofconstruction. The site-plan consider­ ation was the last main item on the agenda of a planning commission meeting that lasted 3 hours and 30 min­ utes. Much of the time was spent discussing draft chap­ ters of the new zoning ordi­ nance the township is craft­ ing. By the time discussion ofthe Ashford Woods project came up, almost all the citi­ zens had cleared the board room. The project’s first phase calls for 124 market-rate townhome units. It will con­ sist of four- and six-plex buildings. Orion said the monthly rents will be some­ where between $2,100 and $2,700. The commission had voted in May to conditionally rezone 30 acres ofthe 48-acre site from residential (RL-10) and Office-Service (O-S) to a Residential-3 (single-family only) designation. That was with the condition that the Ashford Woods development be restricted to townhomes or detached single-family homes. The first phase will cover 18 acres. Kentwood Community Church owns the parcel and plans to divide it into two separate parcels that would not be part of the church property after it is rezoned and sold. The parcels will be categorized as “Village Residential” under the township’s Future Land Use Plan. There was no public hear­ ing at the July 27 meeting, but several citizens had expressed worries at prior hearings about potential flooding oftheir homes once the Ashford Woods develop­ ment is built. Orion Construction CEO Roger Rehkopf and Orion President Brad Walsh gave a brief verbal and video pre­ sentation to the planning commission. In response to recent requests from citizens, Rehkopft said his firm is “more than willing” to put up a fence on the western edge of the property to prevent people from a nearby apart­ ment complex from access­ ing the Ashford Woods development. Rehkopf addressed the neighbors’ concerns about potential flooding, specifi­ cally, that the development might cause more stormwa­ ter runoffto spill over from a creek. He said that the Kent County Road Commission has agreed to inspect two culverts for possible prob­ lems because one of them appears to have partially col­ lapsed and is pointed in the wrong direction. The Kent County Drain Commission will also be reviewing the site. “My personal opinion is that it’s not all this creek. The problem is ... there is nowhere for that water to go. So, all it does is back up, and that’s what is creating the flooding. We’re trying to help them with that, but they know now that we are not the ones who are going to add stormwater. We’re actually going to decrease stormwa­ ter,” Rehkopf said. Detention ponds will help with that. The development will be built around existing wetlands, which will be pre­ served. Rehkopf also mentioned that Orion has been in dis­ cussions with the road com­ mission about getting a strip of land at the end of 61st Street legally aban­ doned so no vehicular traf­ fic would be able to use it to drive through the devel­ opment. “It’s a little different than a typical abandonment. It’s actually a deeded piece of property; it’s not a right-ofway,” he said. As for amenities in Ashford Woods, there will be 1,000 feet of walking trails and 6,200 feet of sidewalks that will be interconnected within the development. “We’ve added a little half­ court basketball court (to the site plan),” Rehkopf said. “We do have a playground area planned that will be, in essence, double what the size of that little playground is right now. We’ve proposed a 12-by-12 (foot) gazebo, which would be public, for anyone’s use.” He added that Orion is in discussions with church leaders about the potential opportunity for residents of M37Auction.com Consignment Auction M37Auction in Caledonia celebrates 10 years in business M37Auction in Caledonia is celebrating 10 years of operation this month. Since 2013, M37Auction has con­ ducted online auctions every two weeks. Sellers include individuals, businesses, estates, school districts, hos­ pitals, nonprofit organiza­ tions and municipalities. Each auction has a wide vari­ ety of consignment items including cars, boats, coins, jewelry, trailers, tractors, tools, antiques, furniture, appliances, sports memora­ bilia and sporting goods. Sellers can drop off items to sell and receive a check a few weeks later in the mail. M37Auction also offers a full estate liquidation service where items are packed and transported to their ware­ houses in Caledonia to be sold. Anyone who has some­ thing to sell can stop by or contact M37Auction at M37Auction.com for details. They can be reached at 616­ 920-6651 and are located at 9790 Cherry Valley Ave in Caledonia. M37Auction will hold auctions on Tuesday, Aug. 8 and Tuesday, Aug. 22. Part of auctioneering is seeing one-of-a-kind items come and go. The business’s owners recall one ofthe most unique items sold in the past 9790 Cherry Valley Ave Caledonia, Ml 49316 ... (616)920^6651 www.M37Auction.com Upcoming Auctions: August 8, August 22 10 years as an Owosso Pulse Autocycle. The Pulse Autocycle, designed by air­ craft designer-Jim Bede and built by the Owosso Motor Company between 1984 to 1990, advertised its fuel con­ sumption at 70-plus miles per gallon with speeds up to 120 mph. The Pulse is an enclosed motorcycle with outrigger wheels attached. M37Auction.com staff found this yellow Pulse bur­ ied in a garage when they were cleaning out an estate in 2019. It was the 43rd Pulse out of the 325 manu­ factured. Accepting Consignments: Antiques and Vintage Items Appliances ATVs, Boats, Motorcycles, Trailers, and Vehicles Building Materials, Hardware, and Lumber Business DeadStock/Excess Inventory Business Liquidations/Retirements Coins and Collectibles Electronics and Musical Equipment Estate Sale Items Farm Implements and Equipment Furniture Generators, Power Washers, and Pumps Jewelry/Gems Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Outdoor Living Equipment, Furniture, and Supplies Sports Memorabilia Sporting Goods Tools cornerstonechurch Middleville needs a movie theater I have lived in Middleville all my life and seen many good changes downtown. Why can’t we get a movie theater? We used to have one when I was younger, and a lot of people would go to it. There is room and space for one, and it would cornerstonemi.org/Events August 27 help most ages have some­ where to go and it would be busy. Barb Stauffer Middleville EQH1E3E23 Neighbors Need Neighbors The Pulse Autocycle was manufactured by the Owosso Motor Company between 1984 and 1990. This Pulse is remembered by M37Auction staff as one of the most unique items to come through their doors. (Photo provided) I™*' Ashford Woods to use an indoor gymnasium at the adjacent church in the winter. He said more ameriities will be considered when plans are drawn up for the project’s second phase. The two-story townhouses will have three different color schemes. Each would be either a two-bedroom unit or a three-bedroom unit. Each unit would have its own entrances, a garage and one or two parking spaces. The garages will be either front- or rear-loaded in terms ofwhere they sit in relation­ ship to the townhomes. The township had suggest­ ed the garages be built behind the townhouses, but Orion wants the option to place them out front, as well. “We still believe there’s people who want a rear patio and more privacy,” he said. “We do find that they meet the (township) standard for parking,” Community Development Director Dan Wells said. Sunday 8am-1pm 84th Street South Wyoming Appointments HreBc6ommended. Walk ins welcome to fill open times! For each donation, Versiti will make a grant to benefit Streams GR! �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5, 2023 South Kent Night Out event draws steady crowd in Gaines Township The Kent County Sheriff’s Office brought along some members of its mounted unit. The aerial ladder truck cooled kids down on a hot evening. sary of National Night Out, and the South Kent version of the nationwide event was well-attended Gaines Charter township and surrounding in municipalities. The Kent Township. For the second straight County Sheriff’s Office year, the event was held hosts it each year. This in a large parking lot out­ year, they brought in an side of South Christian armored tactical team vehi­ High School, 7979 cle, flew a drone (unmanned Kalamazoo Ave., just a aerial vehicle) overhead few blocks north of the and had a mounted horse unit on hand. township hall. The Gerald R. Ford Night Out originated in the suburbs of Philadelphia International Airport and as a way to promote crime the Cutlerville and Dutton prevention and spur part­ Fire departments were nerships between neighbors well-represented, with vari­ and law enforcement. ous fire engines present. A Several communities in water rescue boat and other West Michigan held Night emergency vehicles were Out activities Tuesday also on display. night. “Just a good community The South Kent Night night. There’s a good turn­ Out is traditionally one of out, a lot of families, a lot the region’s largest and is of young kids coming attended by people in the James Gemmell Contributing Writer Tuesday, Aug. 1, marked the 40th anniver- Cutlerville Firefighter Mike Vos lets Jackson (top) and Carson check out the inside of a fire truck at the South Kent Night Out event in Gaines Township. (Photos by James Gemmell) I for sponsoring our 2023 MIDDLEVLLE ROTARY DUCK RACE Veto Law - Pennell CPA Bradford White Corporation Corewell Health Pennock Chris Noah, M.D. Thornapple Financial and Money Concepts Attorney William Renner • Carveth Village Beeler-Gores Funeral Home Standing in front of a Dutton fire engine are Michael Olthof, Brent Cummings and Mark Lenger. Sgt. Brett Windsor, the dayshift supervisor for Davenport University’s Department of Public Safety, with the university’s first therapy canine, Onyx. (Photo by James Gemmell) through. A good opportuni-to take home with them. So, ty to share some fire-safety it’s a fun night,” Cutlerville tips, give them some thingsFirefighter Mike Vos said. Sgt. Brett Windsor, the dayshift supervisor for Davenport University’s Department of Public Safety, brought along a dog. Onyx is the universi­ ty’s first therapy dog. She is nearly three years old and was kept under shade in a booth most of the night. “We use her in conjunc­ tion with our therapy center on campus to help students who face challenges or are having a rough time adjust­ Several rescue vehicles graced the parking lot of ing (to college),” Windsor South Christian High School for a National Night Out said. event in Gaines Charter Township. Also helping out at a booth was Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke. “We are just having the greatest time here on this sunny, beautiful evening,” Lemke said. “Lots of township residents coming out. A great showing with our fire and police and public safety. Our library (staff) is here; our area businesses are here. And they all have special give­ Serving 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. aways and fun for the kids and the adults.” Sausage, scrambled The Sheriff’s Office held its first South Kent eggs, pancakes, National Night Out in 2010. Across the country, small bites, coffee more than 38 million peo­ and juice ple participate in National Night Out Activities. It Free Back to School Supplies began with ^neighbors turning their porch lights on and sitting in front of their homes. Night Out later grew into the big block parties and back­ 111 Church St. yard cookouts community Fellowship Hall members are familiar with today. nu MUNITY BREAKFAST August 12,2023 Middleville United Methodist Church �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5, 2023/ Page 7 Freeport Homecoming 2023 brings cars, crowds to town Jayson Bussa Editor When Brian King received a flyer to bring his car to Freeport for a car show that coincided with Freeport Homecoming 2023, he had one small question. “Where is Freeport?” he said, laughing. King, of Shelbyville, admitted that he had a vague idea of where the small village was, but it was his first time showing a car in the annual car show, which gen­ erally ropes in a solid group of cars each year. Last year, the car count was 115, while organizers expected roughly 120 this year. King tries to occupy his summer with about one car show a week, so he brought his souped-up 1992 Geo Metro to this year’s show. On the windshield of his Metro, King displays a long list ofparts that he has added to his vehicle, showing pass­ ersby that he has built it liter- ally one piece at a time. “I bought it in 1993 and drove it for 19 years and decided that it was either time to throw it away or play with it,” King said. “I found the taillights in an unclaimed freight store; they were off a bus. I was thinking early T-Birds when I started it. I took about a winter to change it around, but for the last 11 winters, I changed it a little bit every year.” Freeport was buzzing with activity both in and around the car show as part of the Homecoming celebration, which also featured live music, comhole, horseshoes, an antique tractor show, a swap meet and other activi­ ties. It’s a rare occasion that large crowds descend on the tiny town. Jeremy Cochran, a Freeport resident and a gun­ smith at local business Iron Sights Tactical LLC, used the influx of foot traffic to talk to people about the shop. “The store has been here a little over a year, and we have offered gunsmithing for just over a month now,” said Cochran, who was out chat­ ting with passersby. “We’ve just been growing and doing great. We’re a nice little hometown shop.” ■' Blough Automotive was also the site of a few fun and creative activities. Kids were invited to paint a Volkswagen Beetle with water-based paint. The vehicle service shop: was also the site of a crowd favorite: the Turtle Derby. Participants could either bring a turtle of their own or race one provided to them. A crowd gathered to take in fast- and slow-paced action. *Over 100 cars lined Division Street in Freeport on Saturday morning. The car show was one of many activities going on at Freeport Homecoming 2023. Brian King of Shelbyville displayed his 1992 Geo Metro at Saturday’s car show at Freeport Homecoming 2023. King has been toying with the vehicle for years, adding a long list (literally a list that he displays with the car) of parts and components along the way. It might not be a pristine, award-winning hot rod, but this converted 1959 Chevy Impala certainly turned heads in Freeport on Saturday. It was built by Phyllis and Bruce Daniels of Delton back in the 70s. Now, their grandson takes it to a handful of local shows. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) Hazel Rademaker, age 3, taps a bucket against the ground in hopes of coaxing her turtle to-move quicker during a heat of turtle races on Saturday at Freeport Homecoming 2023. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT In the 13th Annual "Tee Up for Scholarships' Golf Outing The Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce's annual golf outing is a fundraiser to award scholarships to Caledonia area students. Please show these companies your gratitude! Eagle Sponsor: Birdie Sponsors: CL - IFT* E KZr w McDonald's of Caledonia bb CALEDONIA FARMERS ELEVATOR A State Farm I AYA^W*I I David Smith Agency GR.EENR.tDGE REALTY CALLJD.QM I A ParSponsors: Arbor Financial CU, Bamboo Financial Advisors, Glen Valley Dentistry, Newhof Construction, & Stonehenge Consulting Course Sponsors: Ridgeview Farm Hole Sponsors: Highpoint Community Bank, Parking Lot Maintenance, Jerry's BodyShop, Duke's Doggie Salon, Jeff Bryant Painting, VK Civil Engineers, Big O' Smokehouse, Oskar Scots, Caledonia Education Association, EOS Implementer Barb Reimbold, New Ground Church, Yoga Zen, Angela Rigas State Representative, Seif Chiropractic, Proper Eu, Polished Dental United Bank, Ml Mitten Property Consultants, Farmers Insurance - David Gregwer, Seif Chiropractic, MEF Fieldhouse, CFG Tax and Accounting, Caledonia Township, ServPro of South & NW Grand Rapids, and Fox Chevrolet Beverage Sponsor. 707 Winery and Brewery Breakfast Sponsors: Biggby Coffee Lunch Sponsor Thom Kohl - Greenridge Realty Hole in One Sponsor. Fox Chevrolet Raffle a DoorPrize Donations: Saskatoon Golf Club, Ace Hardware, Orchard Hills Golf Course, Railtown Brewery, Dutton Automotive, Fox Chevrolet, Yoga Zen, Maynard's Water Conditioning, EB Coffee & Pub, Maple Hill Golf, Ridgeview Farm, Tommy's Express Car Wash, The Meadow at GVSU, Ed's Body Shop, Nighthawk Grille and Bar, United Bank, J-Dubbs Signature Subs, Harder and Warner, West Michigan Whitecaps, Tires 2000, Bangkok Chef, Highpoint Bank, Seigel Jewelers, Vanguard Fire and Security, AIC Insurance, Brann'siSteakhouse & Grille, Caledonia Athletic Department, The Landis Agency, Biggby Coffee, Duke's Doggie Salon, Great Lakes Insurance & Financial Services, Caledonia Theater Guild, MEF Fieldhouse, Caledonia Nutrition, Butcher Block Social Wisemen Distillery, Kiwanis Club, and Cascade Winery Committee: Kate Landis - The Landis Agency (Chair), Greg Anthony - McDonald's of Caledonia, Eamar Howard- Saskatoon Go Thom Kohl - Greenridge Realty, Derek Mead - AIC Insurance, Monica Rainer - Dutton Automotive, Kristina Simons - Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy, and Kyle Pikaart - LMCU Volunteers: Maddie Anthony - Madeline Marie Photography, Logan Reimbold, Monique Brennan, Kristina Si ns, Abigail S iff, nica Rainer, Kate Landis, Cambria Gaier, andjfyleigh VagderB �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5,2023 Gaines planners recommend township approval of electric vehicle charging stations PUD amendment James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Planning Commission is recommending the township board approve the installa­ tion of a dozen electric vehi­ cle charging stations in a parking lot of the Gaines Marketplace shopping cen­ ter. At its meeting on July 27, the planning commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of a major amend­ ment to the planned unit development (PUD) to allow the 12 high-speed Tesla Inc. “supercharging” stations to be mounted along Marketplace Drive in the Meijer parking lot, east of Kalamazoo Avenue, between M-6 and 68th Street. The vote was taken after a public hearing. Absent from the meeting were commis- sioners Tim Tim Haagsma, Talimma Billips and Brad Waayenberg. The stations would service Tesla vehicles and take about 30 minutes to recharge a car so it can run up to 200 miles. They would be the first charging stations of that scale in Gaines Township and would be accessible 24 hours a day. The stations would be illuminated by three 20-foot-tall light poles. Township staff has recom­ mended that soft lighting be used so it doesn’t bother residents living in the neighbor­ hood immediately south of Marketplace Drive. Tesla has partnered with Meijer on similar projects in Michigan and in the Midwest. Vehicles would back into the 12 stalls and face the store about 100 yards to the north. Tesla would install one Tesla Inc. development lead Jordan Rhyne dis­ cusses plans for EV-charging stations in the Meijer parking lot at the July 27 Gaines Township planning commission meeting. (Photo by James Gemmell) ADA-accessible charging station on the west end ofthe project. On the east end, four parking spaces would be removed and converted into an island for some electronic equipment needed to operate the charging stations. “The township board will review it. They’ll set and hold a public hearing on it. So, they’ll go through a sim­ ilar process as tonight,” Community Development Director Dan Wells said after the meeting. “Tesla is going to provide some additional materials to us for the board to look at, but I think it’s a reasonable request. And we’ll see how the board feels about it,” he said. Jordan Rhyne, the devel­ A good-sized crowd listens to Gaines planning commissioners discuss the opment lead for Tesla’s charging infrastructure pro­ proposed car charging stations along Marketplace Drive. gram, said the electric vehi­ cle manufacturer has leased Staff does believe that the evaluated the risks related to transformer is really large. space in the parking lot. It landscaping will now cover car batteries and having There’s a plan for an ever­ would use Consumers up the visual impact ofthat,” charging stations at this loca­ green to be there. There’s an Energy to power the Wells said. tion. They signed off on it,” existing tree. I don’t think EV-charging stations. At the public hearing, Wells said. it’ll be that noticeable. It’s Wells said the proposed township resident Shawna Planning Commissioner going to blend in with the PUD amendment meets sev­ Gipe said she was concerned Ryan Wiersema asked about landscaping.” eral required standards, about the potential impact of lighting plans for the project There will be no screening including provisions of the the Tesla charging stations and whether some existing around the charging stations township’s new master plan on the local power grid. trees will pose a problem. themselves. But Rhyne said that envision charging sta­ “We’ve already added “I’m just curious if that there would be screens tions being added in desig­ Amazon and Kohl’s, and I would not get in the way of around the electrical equip­ nated areas. work at a business next door. those full trees that are there ment that connects to them. Vice Chairwoman Ronnie In the future, charging sta­ We have a drain on power and if it would still provide tions will be regulated under right now. So, what is this ample light that is needed,” Rober asked if 12 charging the new township zoning going to do to our power grid he said. stations is a typical number ordinance that is being for­ going forward?” she asked. “I think it will ... I don’t to be installed at a site. mulated this year. Wells said Rhyne responded that he think there will be any inter­ “Twelve charging stations the project’s proposed layout would have to refer ques­ ference,” Wells replied. means 12 cars can be plugged will meet the township’s tions about electrical capaci­ He noted that some ever­ in at the same time,” Rhyne landscaping standards once ty to the utility company greens will be planted but replied. “In most cases, that’s changes are made to some of (Consumers Energy) that will only be 10 to 12 feet tall. adequate. That’s kind of our the aesthetics.. would provide the power. Wiersema also said he was standard number we’ll build “Really, we were focused “We go through the same concerned about potentially if we’re developing a new on the visual impacts of this process that any new appli­ inadequate screening for the site like this. As electrical project on that area, especial­ cant or utility service would transformer that would be vehicle usage grows and ly the homes to the south, go through,” he said. installed near the street. He there are more of these cars across Marketplace Drive. Resident Dan Root asked said the site plan calls for one on the road, we plan for They have provided some who is paying for the elec­ of the access gates to face future expansions. additional landscaping plans. tricity to charge the vehicles. Marketplace Drive. “For example, we have “The customer pays for the “Itjust doesn’t seem to me some sites at Meijer in charging services,” Rhyne that there are evergreen trees Illinois, in the Chicagoland replied. “All the fees for the around the transformer suburbs, where there’s a electricity that’s used gets blocking it from the street. higher density ofpeople with passed to the customer who is So ... the neighbors across electric vehicles. We started actually consuming it.” the street would see that,” he with 8 or 12 stalls, and Another resident, Brian said. they’ve actually expanded to Koster, asked ifthere are fire “Personally, I think it’s about 20 or even 30 super­ hazards associated with the adequate,” Wells responded. charger stalls.” charging stations. Wells “I mean, this is an industrial The chargers don’t gener­ answered that question. installation. It’s got that ate much noise, other than “The fire department has aspect to it. I don’t think that the cooling fans that activate on hot days. Planning Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo asked that Tesla have a photo ofthe supercharger available for the township board to look at when it1 meets to dis­ cuss the major PUD amend­ ment. The amendment is required because charging F4ffM BUREAU stations are not defined in the B. INSURANCE* current township zoning fficfyaii Atsuranca Gmtfwm ordinance. They will be in the new ordinance. Township staff have said they do not anticipate that Jason Parks (269) 795-8827 ACCREDITED the charging stations would 121 E. Main Street BUSINESS jparks@fbinsmi .com create traffic congestion or Downtown Middleville FarmBureaulnsurance.com hazards. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial I -Gas Furnaces . -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 Your local agent insures L&fe �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5,2023/ Page 9 Middleville considering using reserves to make up pension shortfall Greg Chandler StaffWriter The village of Middleville plans to tap into its reserves to makeup a portion ofa funding shortfell in its pension plan. Meeting as a Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, the Village Council moved a reso­ lution that would set aside $200,000 out of the village’s general fund reserves and $50,000 from its major streets fund reserves to help shore up a portion of its unfunded lia­ bilities to the Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan to next week’s council agenda. As of the end of 2022, the village had funded 80.2 per­ cent ofits MERS defined ben­ efit pension plan, with valua­ tion assets of $2,171,199 and actuarial accrued liabilities of $2,706,016, leaving the vil­ lage’s unfunded accrued liabil­ ities at $534,817. “An unfunded liability is said. “It would help us pay off basically time that employees our debt quicker.” of the village of Middleville Funding pension plans has have already earned, so it’s proved challenging for many promised to them. Itjust hasn’t Michigan governmental units been paid for yet,” MERS in recent years. In 2021, only regional manager Mike 101 municipalities in the state Overley told the council. “It have fully funded pension doesn’t need to be for paid plans through MERS. Still, today, tomorrow or even next Overley is encouraged by year, but it does have to get Middleville’s position. paid off because it’s some­ “Generally speaking, thing that they’ve earned, and 80-percent-plus is considered a most likely, they’re going to strong financial position. But file for retirement someday.” we ultimately want to get you The village currently has to 100 percent (funding). general fund reserves of about You’re in a good spot,” he said. $1.47 million and about $1.3 Employees contribute 4.5 million to $1.4 million in its percent of their wages to the major streets fund balance, pension plan, while the village Village Manager Craig currently makes an annual Stolsonburg said. contribution of $75,000“The lump sum (payment) $80,000, along with 3.5 per­ would pay down our overall cent ofeach employee’s pay to amount that we owe. It would MERS. The village’s contribu­ help us save in the future when tion ofemployee pay to MERS ... the village isn’t as well off is scheduled to increase to on a cash basis,” Stolsonburg 4.15 percent effective Jan. 1, 2024, Stolsonburg said. Council Trustee Kevin Smith equated the importance ofincreasing the village’s sup­ port of the pension plan to increasing employee wages to retain staff. “Ifyou think about the feet that we spent a lump sum basi­ cally giving raises — same concept, right? — I would say this is equally as important for the employees as it is for their raises. I think that given the fact we invested in those sala­ ries, we should invest in (the pension),” Smith said. Employees become fully vested in the pension plan once they have completed 10 years of service to the village and are eligible to begin col­ lecting from the pension at age 60, Overley said. The Middleville pension plan has 33 members, includ­ ing 12 retirees and their bene­ ficiaries, 12 active employees, Work on Campau-Kettle Lake trail to begin soon Greg Chandler StaffWriter Construction is soon expected to get underway on the newest addition to Caledonia Township’s net­ work ofnon-motorized trails. Work is expected to begin Aug. 14 on a new trail in the Campau-Kettle Lake area. The trail will run along Whitneyville Avenue from Kettle Lake Elementary School to 66th Street, along 66th to McCords Avenue and along McCords past the Department of Natural Resources boat launch to Channel Drive. Two residents who live near Campau Lake raised concerns about the project at Wednesday night’s Township Board meeting. Pat Decker, a 25-year resident of the area, was con­ cerned about the potential loss of trees to the project, as well as what he saw as a lack of communication from the township. Decker’s wife, Mary, had earlier called the township to report a tree being marked to be cut down in the area where the path was to be built along 66th Street. “She was uninformed (about the project). She didn’t understand what was going on,” Decker said. “They’re out cutting trees, and she got upset real fast.” Township Trustee Dale Hermenet and Supervisor Bryan Harrison responded to the area when they received the call from Mary Decker. Hermenet said the project engineer was not aware that trees were being marked to be cut down and thanked the Deckers for letting them know about the situation. Pat Decker asked the board to save as many trees as possi­ ble during construction. Hermenet said the township would make sure the contrac­ tor honored that request. “Everything we can do to not cut trees down, that’s what we’re going to do,” Hermenet said. The township has been able to get expanded easements from a couple of property owners along 66th that will make it possible for the con­ struction crew to avoid “eight to 12 trees” that might other­ wise have been cut down, Harrison said. Another resident, Kathy Labine, expressed concern about who would be responsi­ ble for the maintenance of the path once it’s built. Harrison said a maintenance decision will be determined based on budget and staffing. Harrison apologized for the lack of communication with neighbors. “You weren’t misinformed; you were not informed (at all). That is our fault,” Harrison said. “Because we did not inform the residents ... this is on us.” “This is a case study and lesson learned. I believe in the future we’ll reach out proactively,” Harrison added. Hermenet says the project will start from the school and go north on Whitneyville. The final leg of the project along McCords is expected to be completed in November, he said. Brenner Excavating of Hopkins is the project contrac­ tor. The company submitted the low bid of $1.92 million for the project back in May. In other business Wednesday: — The board awarded a contract for repainting work on the township water tower on 76th Street to Hastings­ based Fedewa Inc., which sub­ mitted the low bid of$112,999. The exterior of the 600,000-gallon tank will get an overcoat, while the dry interior will get a partial repaintingjob. Repairs such as expansion joint replacement and foundation repair are also included in the contract. — The board approved the purchase of 800 feet of com­ bat-ready fire hose for the fire department from Phoenix Safety Outfitters in the amount of $6,135. The new hose replaces an old section ofhose that the township acquired about six years ago from the Cutlerville Fire Department at a cost of $700. That hose needed to be replaced after failing a pressure test earlier this year, Fire Chief Scott Siler said. — The board set a public hearing for Aug. 16 on a request to transfer an industrial facilities tax abatement that HELP WANTED RN Nurse Care Manager Middleville Family Practice Chris Noah, MD • 24-hour week flex time, hybrid/home-office • Previous care management and/or CCM preferred • EMR experience, MS Office Word & Excel preferred • Occasional backup for clinical patient check-in nurse Please email resume to chriszoet@cvfp.us had been approved in December 2018 from Function See TRAIL, page 11 four former employees who are vested in the plan but are not yet eligible to collect ben­ efits and five former employ­ ees who are seeking refunds for what they paid into the system while they worked for the village, Overley said. MERS is an independent, professional retirement ser­ vices company that serves municipalities across the state of Michigan. MERS manages 3,300 retirement and employ­ ee benefit plans for more than 960 Michigan cities, town­ ships, villages and counties. The system is overseen by a nine-member board of direc­ tors chaired by Barry County Administrator Michael Brown. Garage Sale CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Goose­ neck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furni­ ture, golfclubs, dog crate, etc. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Business Services Pets METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. Help Wanted TRUCK & TRAILER SPE­ CIALTIES is looking for an entry level or experienced body shop tech. Visit www. ttspec.com or call Jenny for details- 616-698-8215 MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold five (5) public hearings to consider the following items at the August 24th, 2023,7:00 PM meeting: 1. Special Land Use request to allow for a 400 square foot accessory building, for a total of 480 square feet of residential accessory buildings in the Multiple Family Residen­ tial (R-3) zoning district. a. 2. Parcel Number: 41-22-07-305-038 c. Applicant: Larry Cross Special Land Use request to allow for a 903 square foot accessory building, for a total of 4,327 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property in the Agricultural/Rural-Residential (A-R) zoning district. a. 3. 4. Property Address: 190 92n<^ Street SE, Byron Center, Ml 49315 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-30-101-011 c. Applicant: Randy Oeverman Special Land Use request to allow for a 196 square foot accessory building, for a total of 296 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property in the Residen­ tial-10 (RL-10) zoning district. a. Property Address: 500 Sunbrook Dr. b. Parcel Number: 41-22-07-455-008 c. Applicant: Will Shanafelt SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Special Land Use request to allow for a 2,250 square foot accessory building, for a total of 2,350 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property in the Residential-10 (RL-10) zoning district. a. 5. Property Address: 133 Wavell Street, Grand Rapids, Ml 49548 b. Property Address: 2864 60^ Street SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-03-201-007 c. Applicant: Samuel Simmons Special Land Use request to allow for a 2,016 square foot accessory building, for a total of 2,706 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property in the Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) zoning district. a. Property Address: 3820 100^ Street SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-35-200-028 c. Applicant: Ken Yonker Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on August 24th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP OFFICES, BOARD ROOM, 8555 KALAMAZOO AVE., SE, CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5, 2023 MHSAA approves more finalists in tennis and swim A series of changes, including adjustments to postseason qualification in multiple sports and several playing rules, will take effect Monday, Aug. 7, as more than 95,000 athletes state­ wide are anticipated to begin the Fall 2023 season across nine sports for which the Michigan High School Athletic Association spon­ sors postseason tournaments. Teams in girls’ and boys’ cross country, football, lower peninsula girls’ golf, boys’ CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the July 19, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on August 2, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the web­ site at www.caledoniatownship.org. [I Bruce's Fiwne and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com soccer, lower peninsula girls’ swimming & diving, upper peninsula girls’ tennis and lower peninsula boys’ tennis, and girls’ volleyball may begin practice Monday. Competition begins Aug. 14 for golf and tennis, Aug. 16 for cross country, soccer, swimming & diving and vol­ leyball, and Aug. 24 for var­ sity football. Football teams at all levels must have 12 days of preseason practice over a period of 16 calendar days - before their first game. Qualification requirements for MHSAA Finals competition have been adjusted to provide more opportunities in two sports. The Swimming & Diving Finals could enjoy larger fields this fall thanks to a change in the structuring of qualifying times. Moving forward, qualifying times will be determined based on the past five years of MHSAA race data, but also will account for past num­ bers of qualifiers in each swim race. This shift will allow for more athletes to advance to the Finals in events where fields have not been full over the previous five seasons. In tennis, for the first time in Lower Peninsula play, a No. 1 doubles flight from a non-qualifying team will be able to advance from its Regional to Finals competi­ tion. To do so, that No. 1 doubles flight must finish first or second at its Regional, and the No. 1 singles player Among the changes to state tournaments for the 2023-24 school year approved by the MHSAA is that more athletes will likely qualify for the MHSAA Swimming and Diving Finals with the qualifying requirements taking into account how many swimmers have qualified in previous years and being designed to fill event fields that have not been full in the past. from that team also must have qualified for the Finals individually by finishing first or second in Regional play. Also affecting MHSAA Tournament play, golfers now are required to partici­ pate in at least four competi­ tions for the high school team prior to representing that school team in an MHSAA Regional or Final. Those four regular-season competitions may be 9 or 18-hole events. A pair of significant changes have switched up the Finals schedules this fall in boys soccer and football. Instead.ofplaying at multiple sites as in the past, all four Boys Soccer Finals will be played on the same day at the same site, Nov. 4 at Grand Ledge High School begin­ ning with Division 4 and ending with Division 1. The 11-Player Football Finals will start and finish a day later at Ford Field, con­ cluding that sport’s season Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26, instead of with the traditional Friday/ Saturday schedule. This oneyear adjustment is being made to • accommodate the Michigan State/Penn State football game Friday, Nov. 24, at Ford Field. 203708 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 28,2023, at 7:00 P.M. Please be advised the Thornapple Township Planning Commission will hold public hearings on August 28, at 7pm or as soon thereafter as possible. The public hearings will take place in the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St, Middleville. The public hearings will address the following: 1) Special Use #162/Site Plan #129 - Applicant Uwe Her­ old is wishing to install a solar system in the front yard of his residence at 5100 Squier Ln, Middleville, Ml (parcel 08-14-015-016-30) per Thomapple Township Zoning Ordinance 21.37. 2) Special Use #163 - Applicant Sydney LaDere is wish­ ing to establish a Group Child Daycare Center at 12076 Olivia Dr., Middleville, Ml (parcel 08-14-175-019-00) per Thomapple Township Zoning Ordinance Sec. 19.27. Any interested person may attend the public hearings to learn about the extent and location of Special Use requests to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the applications noted above may be examined in the Township offices at the address noted above during regular business hours. Monday - Thursday 9am- 4pm Written comments regarding these applications may be addressed to: Secretary, Thornapple Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. Sandy Rairigh, Commission Secretary or submitted via email to: zoning-administrator@thornapple-twp.org Americans with Disabilities Notice Persons with special access needs should contact the Township Clerk at 269-795-7202 no less than 72 hours be­ fore the hearings. Cindy Ordway, Thornapple Township Clerk Opportunities have been created as well beginning this fall for scheduling more out-of-state opponents in all sports, as teams are now able to play opponents from any­ where in the United States as long as those competitions are played in Michigan, con­ tiguous states Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota or Wisconsin, or Ontario. All out-of-state opponents must be members in good standing of their respective high school athletic association, and any multi-team event including schools from out­ side of Michigan or those contiguous states/province must receive approval by the MHSAA and each state high school association with a team involved in order for MHSAA member schools to be allowed to participate. Rules changes will be lit­ erally visible in two sports as more flexibility will be allowed by new wardrobe exceptions in cross country and girls volleyball. In vol­ leyball, small, secured studs or posts now may be worn above the chin. In cross country, athletes may now wear temporary body adorn­ ment (painted or fastened) during competition, and run­ ners also may now wear any type of head attire during racing. As is annually true, a series of playing rule chang­ es also take effect with the new season. The following are among the most notable: The most significant in football changes how the ball is spotted after penalties by the offense that occur behind the line of scrimmage. Previously, those were marked from the spot of the foul; now those penalties will be marked from the pre­ vious spot - the line of scrimmage where that play began. This change was made to eliminate excessive penalties on the offense See MHSAA, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5,2023/ Page 11 The band is out on the field Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg High School marching band finished up another week of sum­ mer practice with a pre­ view of its 2023 show for parents inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Thursday evening. The Walt Disney Company marks its 100th anniversary this winter and TKHS band director Ray Rickert has planned a Disney, if only tangentially, themed program for the upcoming season. The band has a few more rehearsals on the slate for the coming weeks and will open its •performance season in Middleville as the Thornapple Kellogg var­ sity football team takes on Lowell inside Bob White Stadium for the second game of the sea­ son, Aug. 31. The Trojans played their theme song for the season, Sister Sledge’s “We are Family” popu­ larized in part by the 1979 World Series cham­ pion Pittsburgh Pirates, as a part of their pregame routine also including the Thornapple Kellogg High School Fight Song and the “Star-Spangled Banner” before rolling through a couple other tunes. Clair Jansma waves to the crowd as she’s introduced along with other former Thornapple Kellogg High School marching band members helping the 2023 Trojan marching band practice for its upcoming season. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg High School band direc­ tor Ray. Rickert address the crowd as his band gives a glimpse of its 2023 program to parents in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Thornapple Kellogg High School marching band weaves around the field as it performs for parents as part of its summer band camp in Middleville Thursday evening. The Trojan marching band will officially take the field for the first time Aug. 31 as the TK varsity football team plays host to the Lowell Red Arrows. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Inc. to Action Packaging LLC, doing business as Opus Packaging — West Michigan, at 6610 Patterson Ave. SE. It’s believed to be the first request for transfer of a tax abatement in the township in recent mem­ ory, Harrison said. — Siler introduced three new firefighters who are being brought on as paid on-call firefight­ ers: Travis Shattuck, Brandon Nichols and Alexander Dumbauld. Siler said he has seen an increase in attrition in the fire department com­ pared to a year ago, attributing it to several factors. “There’s a lot of full­ time positions out there. So we seem to have people that either decide they don’t want to do (firefighting) or it’s too much of a demand or they really like doing it and they get a job somewhere else because we don’t have a (full-time) spot for them,” Siler said. “I look at it as the cost of doing business until we have a staff big enough that we have dedicated full-time (firefighters) here.” " The addition boastd the total number of firefight­ ers in the Caledonia Fire Department to 27 — 19 paid and on-call and eight full-time, Siler said. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 28,2023, at 7:00 P.M. MHSAA, continued from when an infraction took place well behind the line of scrimmage. In volleyball, teams will stay on the same bench for the duration of a match unless officials determine a clear disad­ vantage exists for the bench on one side of the court. In that case, teams will exchange sides of the court after each set. Another pair of changes affect where volleyball coaches may be positioned during matches. Coaches may stand in a new coaching zone, now defined by the libero replacement zone extending beyond the end line and sideline extended. During dead-ball situations, one assistant coach also may stand within the coaching zone to provide instruction; only one assistant coach can stand at a time, but the assis­ tant coach who stands may change throughout the match. Two officiating-related changes will be especially noticeable on the soccer pitch. Officials now may stop the clock to check on an injured player without that player being required to leave the match - previ­ ously that player would have to sub out. Also, cate­ gories for fouls have been redefined: careless (which is a foul but does not receive a card), reckless (a foul with a yellow card) and excessive force (foul with red card). In swimming, stroke mod­ ifications were made in the backstroke and breaststroke events. SEASONAL LABOR WANTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE WAGES STARTING AT $ 16.00 POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM Twin City Foods, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, igin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or any other stat status protected by law. Please be advised the Thornapple Township Planning Commission will hold public hearings on August 28, at 7pm or as soon thereafter as possible. The public hearings will take place in the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville. The public hearings will address the following: 1) Renewal of existing Special Land Use #93 for Top Grade Aggregates, LLC for mineral extraction on parcel 08-14-030-004-00 in the SW % section of Section 30, Thornapple Twp containing 10 +/- acres of land. 2) Renewal of existing Special Land Use #149 for Excel Excavation for mineral extraction on parcel 08-14-027­ 003-20 in SW % section of Section 27, Thornapple Twp containing 40 +/- acres of land. Any interested person may attend the public hearings to learn about the extent and location of Special Use requests to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the applications noted above may be examined in the Township offices at the address noted above during regular business hours. Monday - Thursday 9am- 4pm Written comments regarding these applications may be addressed to: Secretary, Thornapple Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. Sandy Rairigh, Commission Secretary or submitted via email to: pgensterblum@thornapple-twp.org Americans with Disabilities Notice Persons with special access needs should contact the Township Clerk at 269-795-7202 no less than 72 hours before the hearings. Cindy Ordway, Thornapple Township Clerk �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 5,2023 Rug at The Ralph nearly ready for 2023 football season New AstroTurf covers the field inside Caledonia’s Ralph E. Myers Stadium Friday morning, as workers add the purple, gold and white embellishments. The first home varsity football game on the schedule for the Fighting Scots during the 2023 season is Friday, Sept. 1, against North Farmington. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Over the past two sea­ sons the Caledonia varsity football team has played in eight Michigan High School Athletic Association play­ off games. Only one of the eight, a 28-14 victory over Byron Center to open the 2022 Division 2 state postseason, was played on the grass tion, the Fighting Scots are inside Ralph E. Myers poised to bring the playoffs Stadium in Caledonia home to ‘The Ralph’ this despite the Fighting Scots year as field quality con­ being the top seed in five of cerns will be eliminated. their six district and region­ The Caledonia varsity al match-ups. football team will open its With the installation of season on the turf inside AstroTurf synthetic turf Michigan Stadium, taking inside Ralph E. Myers on Romeo Friday, Aug. 25. Stadium in Caledonia, With that date and a match­ which is nearing comple- up against North Farmington, Sept. 1, the two non-conference con­ tests on the varsity Fighting Scots’ schedule every Caledonia varsity football game this regular season will be played on an artifi­ cial surface. West Ottawa finished construction of West Ottawa Stadium for the 2022 varsity football sea- We Accept A DELTA DENTAL Keep VourTeeth for a LIFETIME! son which left Caledonia as Caledonia Community the final OK Red Schools Board of Education. Conference school district The change was made as a without artificial turf on its result of increased construc­ high school football field. tion costs requiring a new Sacks of rubber infill bond to be able to fulfill cost await to be installed once requirements of building a the turf preparations are new Dutton Elementary complete. building. High school sports prac­ More monies from a $61 tices across the state of million bond approved by Michigan can begin voters in May will go Monday. towards other updates to the The artificial turf inside stadium including improve­ Ralph E. Myers Stadium is ments to seating and the being paid for as part of the press box, renovated team $88 million bond passed in rooms, concessions and May 2020 for infrastructure restrooms, and an updated and other improvements in track. The 2023 bond will the Caledonia Community also fund the new elementa­ Schools. Installing synthetic ry school, facility improve­ turfto the field was included ments throughout the dis­ in plans for 2020 Bond trict, and added baseball funds when those plans were and soccer fields at the reworked in 2022 by the Calplex. Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? You Don Don’t Haue To Brush RLL | Your Teeth, Just The Ones You! ______Plant To Keep. You too can get your teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (We do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize in the prevention diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums. | No dental insurance? Sign up for our special payment plan DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com A Fighting Scot logo adorns the AstroTurf at the 50-yard-line between the hash marks inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Friday as work continues in preparation for the 2023 high school football sea­ son. High school football practice begins Monday across the state of Michigan. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-08-12.pdf 89d942fd2a7e4efed8db5c268b9940d9 PDF Text Text The Sun antTNews _ *, _■! Arrfflfrwrfr-nA ■>___ Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 32/ August 12,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia woman organizes fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, honoring late granddaughter Greg Chandler StaffWriter Tammie Brown of Caledonia wanted to throw a 60th birthday party for her husband, Tom. He didn’t want any part of it. Then Brown suggested having a celebration honor­ ing the couple’s late grand­ daughter, Nyla, by having his band, The Reason (pre­ viously known as Mid-Life Tom Brown holds his Crisis), play at the event granddaughter, Nyla. The and encouraging guests to young child passed away donate to a charity in Nyla’s last year and her grand­ memory. mother, Tammie Brown, is This 1959 Ford Edsel was restored by Jasper Eugene Weeks, who worked at Bradford White as a welder “He said, ‘Okay, if it’s organizing a benefit to for more than 30 years, and his daughter, Donna Kosbar. Kosbar’s husband, Darwin, brought the Edsel to the about her and not just about honor her memory while car show. (Photos by Greg Chandler) me, I’ll do it,’” said Brown, raising money for the an insurance agent at the Ronald McDonald House. DeVries Agency in The event is slated for Caledonia. next Saturday. (Photo pro­ , But then the idea grew. vided) Brown called Ronald McDonald House Charities Green amphitheater, 9309 in Ann Arbor to ask if she Dobber Wenger Memorial could make the event a Dr. SE. The event will run Greg Chandler brought their classic cars, on as its chairman of the muscle (cars).” fundraiser for the organiza- from 4 to 7:30 p.m. StaffWriter trucks and motorcycles to the board until his death in Carnevale had a classic car tion. Nyla’s parents, Ryan Nyla Brown, the firstborn Bradford White parking lot ofthe company’s March 2019 at the age of 79. collection that included a and Isabel Brown of child of Ryan and Isabel Corporation resumed a Middleville plant for what “He meant a lot to the 1955 Ford Thunderbird, Muskegon, spent most of Brown and the fifth grand­ long-standing company tra­ will now be known as the business. He’s probably the according to his 2019 obitu-Nyla’s short life at the child of Tammie and Tom dition Thursday, and now the Bob Carnevale Memorial big reason we are who we are ary. Ronald McDonald House Brown, was bom June 11 of event bears the name of one Car Show. The company today,” said Mike DeHoog, The car show had not been while she was undergoing last year. From the start, she ofthe company’s most iconic renamed the event in honor who organized this year’s held since 2019 for a variety treatment at the University had health challenges, the figures. of Carnevale, who served as event. “It was important for of reasons, including recon-of Michigan’s C.S. Mott first being a hole in her More than 50 company its chief executive officer us to honor him ... but also, Children’s Hospital. heart that required her to employees and retirees from 1991 to 2009 and stayed he was a car guy - American See CAR SHOW, page 6 Representatives from the spend the first four weeks of nonprofit said yes to the her life at the U-M hospital. idea. Not long after that, doc­ Next Saturday, The tors discovered Nyla had a Reason and another band rare disease known as from Kalamazoo, the Iconix, Takenouchi-Kosaki synwill perform at a benefit to drome. honor Nyla and support “Every system in your Ronald McDonald House the Saladinos and Heyboers on Charities at the Community Shari Harris See NYLA’S MEMORY, page 2 the new business. Contributing Writer The Heyboer and Saladino Live music, smoked food and a collection ofbourbon are families began working all staples of a new restaurant together seven years ago when coming to Caledonia. After a the Saladinos brought their • Gaines Twp Movie in the Park event year and a half of working food truck, Saladino Smoke, draws crowd toward this goal, Butcher to the Heyboer’s farm, Block Social will open on Wildwood Family Farm. • Middleville council dips into reserves When four liquor licenses Wednesday, Aug. 16. to shore up pensions The restaurant, which is a became available in Caledonia township, they began talking partnership between Justin and • Open house schedules set for Kelly Heyboer and Mike and about opening a full restau­ Caledonia, TK schools Katie Saladino, will feature rant. “We’re comfortable work­ smoked brisket and other • Yankee Springs pulls $100,000 once ing together, you know, I think meats, bourbon and live music. earmarked for trails A glimpse at the inside of Butcher Block Social, Coffee will be available from that we gained a good friend­ • TAPRC honors top coaches which will open for business at 990 Cherry Valley Rd Rudy’s Coffee, which is ship, trust, so when this opporSE in Caledonia on Wednesday, Aug. 16. (Photos by owned by Andrew Crawley Bradford White car show returns honors iconic CEO Bob Carnevale New restaurant Butcher Block Social set to open next week Shari Harris) \ who has also partnered with See NEW RESTAURANT, page 2 �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023 NYLA’S MEMORY, continued from NEW RESTAURANT, continued from page 1 pagel ——————— body is affected by this syndrome — platelet count, your kidneys. You have obvious physical deformi­ ties that show (up) — the eyes are slanted, the ears are set back, her hands were stuck in a certain position,” Tammie Brown said. The disease can be genet­ ic. However, Nyla’s parents were both tested, and both tests came back negative. “It was just one of those random, one in a gazillion things,” Tammie Brown said. Nyla was sent home with a feeding tube and seemed to stabilize for a couple of months, but more problems surfaced. She started requir­ ing blood transfusions and was unable to gain weight, her grandmother said. Nyla spent two weeks at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids and then went back to the U-M hospital on Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving. “She was on oxygen. She kept getting transfusions. They had to put the feeding tube back in to get her weight back up. It was just weeks of trying to get her stable,” Tammie Brown said. Finally, Nyla started to improve. She gained weight, and doctors took her off of oxygen. Plans were set to have surgery pn her heart on Dec. 17. “The surgeon came out and said, ‘We found anoth­ er hole; I got that repaired.’ Everything was looking good,” Tammie Brown said. And then, just a couple of hours later, Nyla’s heart stopped beating. “Her heart got so swol­ len from the trauma, and when it gets swollen, it gets firm and hard, and it couldn’t beat,” Tammie Brown said. “They did CPR for a half-hour and could not bring her back. So they put her on the ... machine for heart, lungs and kidneys.” For the next nine days, Nyla hung on. There were occasional signs of improvement, but those were then followed by a decline in her condition. On Christmas Eve, Nyla was able to generate urine from her kidneys. Tammie and Tom went to visit their granddaughter on Christmas morning. But later that day, an ultrasound revealed that Nyla had suffered a brain hemorrhage. “Once that happens, there’s nothing they could do, they said,” Tammie Brown said. The next day, Dec. 26, Nyla was removed from life support and died shortly thereafter. More than seven months removed from Nyla’s death, the Browns are still pro­ cessing their grief. Tammie decided working on an event to honor her grand­ daughter and support Ronald McDonald House Charities would give her an outlet for dealing with her grief. “Doing something to help other families, in her memory, was something I could do,” she said. In addition to the live music, more than two dozen local businesses have donated items for a silent auction. All proceeds from the silent auction will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Food and soft drinks will also be offered at the event. For more information about the event or to vol­ unteer, visit givebutter. com/BrownBirthday online. Butcher Block Social will specialize in smoked meats, preparing them in this smoker, which Mike and Katie Saladino have named “Alice.” tunity came with the township with the liquor license, it just seemed natural,” said Katie Saladino. “Ours and the Saladinos’ passion is always the hospitality of creating a unique space for people to come and eat,” said Justin Heyboer. “It’s com­ munal-style seating. It gives you a comfortable space where you’re not going to be stuck in a booth for 45 minutes and take off and leave. We want you to come and spend some time and actually enjoy the space and meet new people.” The team is hoping that their establishment will draw the community together. Saladino said, “Since Mike and I moved here about three years ago, we’ve been embraced by Caledonia, so this is definitely a community that we want to grow in.” Because of that, they hope that their business is, “.. .going to be that gathering place where you want to sit around the table.” Heyboer said, “Caledonia schools has been really supportive ofus. We want to be a place after games, especially after home games, to come and hang out.” The Heyboers, who are both graduates of Caledonia High School, are excited to bring this restaurant to the community in which they grew up. Heyboer said, “There’s not a lot ofplaces in Caledonia for how big the population is that you can go out to eat in. We’re fairly lim­ ited. This may not be the only restaurant we open in Caledonia.” They believe that what makes them different from other places in the area is that, “we’re not a sports bar. That’s the main thing. We try to cre­ ate an atmosphere that’s calming,” Heyboer said. “We want people to be able to come in and sit down andjust talk and hang out and listen to live music and just enjoy the company of the people that they’re with. We’ll have a few TVs on, but the idea is just getting back to being able to talk to people when you go out to eat. We’ve lost that as COVID was a huge thing... when we separated a lot from really being able to sit down and just enjoy people’s com­ pany.” Saladino agreed saying, “We want people to gather around the table and commu­ nicate and talk.” They want to live by the motto posted on their wall attributed to The Highwomen which states, “I want a house with a crowded table and a place by the fire for everyone. Let us take on the world while we’re young and able and bring us back togeth­ er when the day is done.” As for the food, it will be served in a buffet-style setting. The line will start with the meat and then continue with side dishes and non-alcoholic drinks. “So you can walk pretty much down the line, grab your food, sit down, so you don’t have to wait. This way it’s available to you and then the server will come to you for [alcoholic] drinks,” said Butcher Block Social is a partnership between Justin and Kelly Heyboer and Mike and Katie Saladino and will feature smoked brisket and other meats, bourbon and live music. Saladino. The meat is cooked in a smoker that Mike Saladino has named Alice. Katie Saladino said, “There is no gas assist. It is all real wood, low and slow.” The various types of meat will be smoked for several hours. “The meat you’re having today at lunch was started yes­ terday morning. That’s what Mike says,” said Heyboer. The menu will include brisket, chicken, pulled pork, sausage, ribs, collard greens, cheesy potatoes, combread casserole, salads and more. While at first, they want to ensure that the smoked meat and other staple menu items are at their best, according to Saladino, down the road they hope to do more specialty menus to, “keep the menu rotating and keep it fresh.” Rudy’s Coffee will also have a rotating selection of seasonal coffees and will use smoked meat to make break­ fast tacos. Crawley said they will try to, “.. .be creative with how we partner together with some ofthe food they’re mak­ ing but showcase it in a break­ fast form.” The restaurant will have 12 beers on tap and about 20 available each night. They will also have 200 types of bour­ bon. “We’re going to kind of pride ourselves on having a little bit larger bourbon collec­ tion,” said Heyboer. “Bourbon and barbecue go really good together.” They will also incorporate coffee from Rudy’s Coffee into their drinks. “One cool thing is we’ll be able to take some ofAndrew’s coffee, some of his espresso, and our bartenders are going to make espresso martinis.” Your local agent insures your Retirement Ask about our annuities and IRAs FAIMI BUREAU INSURANCE* 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com The mantra for the new restaurant stems from this quote coined by the band The Highwomen. The space also includes a ban­ quet room for larger gather­ ings and wine will be available by the bottle. “Our banquet room can fit up to 45 people so it can be rented out just as a room or you can rent it out and have service in there for a private event,” said Saladino. Live music from local art­ ists and those coming through on tour will be available main­ ly on Fridays and Saturdays, though other days may also include entertainment. “We have a stage, we got full built-in sound, so it’s pret­ ty much plug and play for art­ ists to come in,” said Heyboer. The first show will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 17 with Kasey Williams from Nashville. “We’re kind ofhooking up with the Caledonia Music Series, too, and working with some of the artists that they bring through. Ifit’s a rain date there, they can come and play at Butcher Block on a Tuesday night too.” They will also have open mic nights, karaoke nights and trivia nights. Another section of the restaurant includes open-air seating. “We have beer gardens that are on both sides. We can flip open the garage doors and you can sit out here under the lights, and you’ll have bar service out there also,” said Saladino. They also plan to use the outdoor patios in the morn­ ings. The community is invited to attend the grand opening at 9990 Cherry Valley Rd on Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. Instead ofa traditional r bbon cutting, the owners will be doing a brisket cutting. Samples will also be available for those in atten­ dance. �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023/ Page 3 Residents flock to Gaines Township Hall lawn for Movie in the Park event James Gemmell Contributing Writer Nearly 200 people attended the annual Movies in the Park event Friday, Aug. 4, on the lawn of the Gaines Township Hall. The free, family-friendly outdoor movie shown was Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The movie got underway at dusk on an inflatable screen, but the event itself began around 6 p.m. when people began setting up portable chairs and blankets on the lawn facing Prairie Wolf Park. There were several activities to do before the film was shown. The Gaines Chamber of Commerce hosted the event in collaboration with the town- ship and the Gaines branch of. the Kentwood District Library (KDL). The idyllic setting fea­ tures water fountains, ponds and a monument near the 84th Street-Kalamazoo Avenue intersection. The timing was ideal because the Kent County Road Commission had just complet­ ed construction ofa new round­ about there earlier in the week, so no roads were blocked, and motorists did not have to re-route to get to the township hall. “Movies in the Park was a fun-filled evening for our Gaines Community. Hope to bring it back again next year,” Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke said. “The kids really A festive scene outside the Gaines Township Hall prior to the showing of a free outdoor movie on an inflatable screen. (Photos by James Gemmell) enjoyed the lawn games and activities.” Gaines Chamber Executive Director Barb Nauta also described the event as a fun one. “We are so thankful for our community families and busi­ nesses and very happy that everyone could join us,” she said. Besides the games, there were food trucks, face painting and more. Kent County Sheriffs Deputy Jason VanderMolen manned a table, passing out stickers and allow­ ing children to sit in the back of a police cruiser. Gaines Township Trustee Kathy VanderStel enjoyed the night “(It was) a great event to see the community come out and enjoy some good food and a great movie for the kids,” she said. “We want to say a special ‘Thank you’ to our Gaines Township, KDL, our Kent County Sheriff Department our Dutton Fire Department and community businesses for making this a great successful community family event,” Nauta said. All donations benefited the Dutton Community Food Basket and Streams of Hope GR Food Center. Streams of Hope is a nonprofit communi­ ty center based in the Cutlerville area of the town­ ship on 60th Street. Attendees set up their lawn chairs and blankets outside the township hall to enjoy the food, games and weather prior to the annual Movies in the Park event. Alto man arrested in sex trafficking sting operation Greg Chandler StaffWriter A 24-year-old Alto man has been arrested in connection with an undercover sting opera­ tion targeting the com­ mercial sex industry in the Grand Rapids metro area. According to the Kent County Sheriffs Office, the suspect and seven other men were arrested the night ofAug. 3 during the sting operation along the 28th Street corridor in Cascade Township. The KCSO Human Trafficking Task Force and Kent Area Narcotics Team worked together on the operation, Sgt. Eric Brunner said. The suspects — seven men from Michigan and one from Indiana — were arrested at an area hotel on charges of solicitation for prostitution. The sus­ pects range in age from 23 to 42, Brunner said. “The KCSO continues to work to prevent human trafficking through oper- Middleville council approves moving $250,000 in reserves to shore up pensions Greg Chandler StaffWriter On Tuesday, the Middleville Village Council voted to dip into its reserves to bolster its pension plan. With a 6-0 vote, the council approved moving $200,000 out of the village’s general fund reserves and another $50,000 from savings in its major streets fund to make up a portion of unfunded liabilities to the pen­ sion plan, which is operated through the Municipal Employees Retirement System ofMichigan. The village ended last year with a funding level of 80.2 percent in its MERS defined benefit pension plan, with actu­ arial accrued liabilities of $2,706,016 and valuation assets of $2,171,199, leaving the vil­ lage $534,817 short in that plan. The pension plan currently has 33 members, including 12 retir­ ees and their beneficiaries, 12 active employees and four for­ mer employees who are vested in the plan but are not yet eligi­ ble to collect benefits. The village entered this year with general fund reserves of about $1.47 million and another $1.28 million in its major streets fund balance, according to Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg. Trustee Kevin Smith said the council should look at making another similar contri­ bution out ofits reserves to the pension plan next year. “This is such an important issue and something that is a legacy issue,” Smith said. “Obviously, (for) the folks that have put their time in for the village, this is something that is much deserved. Truly, we should be mindful ofthis, given the fluctuation of wages and things like that ... This has been kicked down the road a few years now, and I’m really super happy we’re doing this.” Stolsonburg was asked whether the village could use some of its funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to make up the pen­ sion fund shortfall. “That is not an allowable expense for ARPA dollars,” Stolsonburg said. Village employees contrib­ ute 4.5 percent of their wages to the pension plan, while the village makes an annual con­ tribution of $75,000-$80,000, along with 3.5 percent of each employee’s pay to MERS. The village’s contribution of employee pay to the plan is Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted scheduled to rise to 4.15 per­ cent effective Jan. 1, 2024. MERS is an independent, professional retirement ser­ vices company that serves cit­ ies, villages, townships and counties across Michigan. The system manages about 3,300 municipal retirement and employee benefit plans across the state. MERS is overseen by a nine-member board of directors. Barry County Administrator Michael Brown chairs the board. ations such as this,” Brunner said in a press release. “The investiga­ tion remains open as detectives continue learn­ ing more after the arrests were made.” The suspect from Alto was lodged at the Kent County Jail and is sched­ uled to be arraigned Aug. 18 in 63rd District Court. His name has not been released pending arraign­ ment. Follow the Sun & NewsJ on Faoebmfcl to keep up to, da ta until t he> new edition is printed! New from Moda® Forest Frolic, Batiks, Sweet Melodies, Joyful Gatherings New 108" Cottons Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station fob# Wlte Witty' QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023 Cal schools set open house orientation schedules Caledonia Community Schools will hold open houses and orientation programs at the district’s schools next week. Classes begin Aug. 21. Here is the following schedule for each school: for eighth graders. Thursday: 5:30-7 p.m. for seventh graders. Kraft Meadows Caledonia High School Caledonia School Elementary Monday: 9-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. for upperclassmen. Tuesday: 9 a.m.-noon for freshmen. Monday: 5-6 p.m. for kindergarten Thursday: 5-6 p.m. for first through fourth grades. Duncan Lake Middle School Dutton School Wednesday: 5:30-7 p.m. The Aug. 7 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There is one new fish in the fishbowl and two fish fell out Alice led the meeting and continued with the theme on stress. She talked about the stress she has been dealing with and said the last two meetings have helped her deal with the stress better. The group discussed differ­ ent ways to deal with stress in their lives and how it affects their eating. This week, she asked the group to avoid stressful situations and kindergarten Thursday: 4:30-5:30 p.m. for first through fourth grades. Intermediate School Thursday: 3:30-5 p.m. for all grades. Middleville TOPS 546 Emmons Lake Elementary School Thursday: 4:30-5:30 p.m. for kindergarten; 5-6 p.m. for first through fourth grades. Kettle Lake Elementary School Elementary Thursday: 4:30-5:30 p.m. for kindergarten; 5-6 p.m. for first through fourth grades. Wednesday: 5-6 p.m. for Paris Ridge Elementary School Thursday: 5-6 p.m. for kindergarten through fourth grade. Duncan Lake . Early Childhood Center Monday: 4-6 p.m. for Young Fives/early childhood special education Sept. 6 & 7: 9-10 a.m. for preschool AM classes; 4-5 p.m. for preschool PM classes. to try drinking more water. Maryellen won the Ha-Ha box The meeting ended with march ing in pl ace as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616-318­ 3545. The first meeting is free. TK announces open house and registration schedule Thornapple Kellogg Schools have announced their schedule of registration and open houses in advance of the 2023-24 school year that begins on Aug. 22. At Thomapple Kellogg High School, registration will take place on Monday through Thursday of next week from 1 to 6 p.m. Seniors will report on Monday, juniors on Tuesday, sophomores on Wednesday and freshmen and new students will report on Thursday. All students coming in will get their school and identification photos and parking registration, meet with counselors if needed, check schedules and lockers and update demographic information. At Thomapple Kellogg Middle School, sixth-grade registration will take place on Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. All grades may register on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. These are drop-in events for fami­ lies. Students will be able to receive their schedules and locker assignments. They will also have photos taken. Elementary school open houses will be held on Monday, Aug. 21, with fam­ ilies asked to attend at each building during time slots assigned by the first letter of their last name. Here is the following schedule for each school: Page Elementary 4:-30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with M-R; 4:30-5 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with S-Z; 5-5:30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with A-F; 5:30-6 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with G-L. Lee Elementary 4-4:30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with S-Z; 4:30-5 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with A-F; 5-5:30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with G-L; 5:30-6 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with M-R. McFall Elementary 4-4:30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with A-F; 4: 30-5 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with G-L; 5-5:30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with M-R; 5: 30-6 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with S-Z. The early childhood spe­ cial education open house will take place on Monday, Aug. 21, from 4-6 p.m. Preschool classes begin on Monday, Aug. 28, and will follow the district elementa­ ry calendar. Open houses will be held on Thursday, Aug. 24. Families are asked to attend during time slots assigned by the first letter of their last name. 5-5:30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with A-H; 5:30-6 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with L-R; 6:-30 p.m. — Families with last names beginning with S-Z. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451 -2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. 4—Caledonia United ®csJ alasi w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Sunday’s Ministries 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-898-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ who will reach the world wifi the Gospel. cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Middleville cornerstonemi.org/weekend Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) d 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Worship Service9: 30 AM Fellowship Time10: 45 AM Sunday School 11: 00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study6: 00 PM 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com . Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY Sti.TauCClit&iiiti: Church c H U R C H ONECHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 1664 M-37 @thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou 9:30AM AM Sunday School........... 9:30 Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Tmtf LE.Mgr U4rfc/7 ourservices from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God’s Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............... ’............... 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaiedoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening — Connecting ^2/CAA HOLY FAMILY THOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 am. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.coni �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12, 2023/ Page 5 Ruth Ann Hamilton Ruth Ann (Roberts) Hamilton went home peaceful­ ly to her Lord Jesus Christ at 85 years of age on Sunday, Aug. David Lee Enders of 6, 2023 at Carveth Village, Middleville, MI, age 73, is Middleville. She was bom in at peace after passing away Lake Odessa, to Roy (Virginia in the early morning hours Hoover) Roberts. Her parents of August 7, 2023. moved from Lake Odessa to Dave was bom February rural Nashville in 1950 where 13, 1950 in Grand Rapids, she attended W. K. Kellogg MI, the son of Harold and Schools. She met her husband­ Dorothy (Romans) Enders. to-be, Richard Hamilton in the He graduated from sixth grade. They graduated Ottawa Hills High School together in 1956, and were in 1968 and served in the married on November 1, 1958 United States Army during at Zion Lutheran Church in the Vietnam War. Woodland. Ruth Ann and Friends and family were Richard moved to Middleville, one and the same with after several years in Saginaw Dave. He gathered with cha!” and Grand Rapids, MI. They them around a dining room There was always room purchased an early area farm table for the next hand of in his heart and his base­ home at 909 W. Main St in setback or whatever the ment for a son’s friend or a 1969 where they found a rural card game of the moment family member who needed pleasant and friendly commuwas. He was in the living sanctuary for a time as they nity to raise their three sons, room to cheer on the transitioned through life’s Richard, Bradley, and Thomas. Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, ups and downs. She and Richard moved to Pistons and Lions with Dave was a member of Arizona after retirement and anyone who would fill the the Middleville United after 20 years they returned to seats beside him. He kept Methodist Church and Middleville. They celebrated up the pool that his nieces happy to serve the Lord and their 64th anniversary in 2022. and nephews splashed in his community through the She was a life long member even long after his sonls United Methodist Men. He of the Lutheran Church and a had grown and moved out. spent 25 years as the ship­ member of Good Shepherd He loved a day at the ping foreman at Yamaha LCMS in Middleville. beach. All of those types of Musical in Grand Rapids She was a high school cheer­ activities swirled in the directing drum kits to musi- leader, FHA member and 1955 smell of the campfire at cians and marching bands and 1956 Editor of the High one of his family’s regular around the globe. School Year Books, former state park visits. Dave is survived by his Barry County Chairperson of Dave and his family and wife, Sue Enders; his sons, the American Cancer Society, friends have an annual fall Brad (Melissa) Enders and member of Lutheran World outing that fills nearly a Brian (Lynn Smith) Enders; Mission League, Zion Lutheran dozen sites in Ludington. his brother, Robert (Michael Church of Woodland and Dave married his wife Ann) Enders; grandchil- Saginaw, Chapel of the Lakes Lutheran Church of Mecosta, Sue (Bremer) in November dren, Eve and Thea Enders; of 1975 and the two lived and many nieces and neph­ and Catalina Lutheran Church ofArizona. and loved in Middleville ews. throughout their 47 and a She served many years on He was proceeded in the church Altar Guild, and half years together. The death by his parents. The family would like to found joy in serving others, couple had two sons: Brad and Brian. Dave coached offer its thanks to the entire and attending Wednesday them in youth baseball and staff at Carveth Village. Bible study and Sunday ser­ A visitation will be held vices with her husband and AYSO soccer. He was a devoted husband, father at Beeler-Gores Funeral church family friends. Home in Middleville After high school she and family man. Dave could be kind, Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 from worked as a bookkeeper for the stem, loving and humorous 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral ser­ Westin Biscuit Co. in Battle as called for. His was a vice will be held at the Creek, and Saginaw B. F. humor that skillfully com­ Middleville United Goodrich Tire and Appliance store. When the family moved bined the art of deception Methodist Church Saturday, to Middleville in 1969 she with the guffaw of a classic Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. Please visit www.beeler- worked at the Farmers State “dad joke.” He could be a practical joker at home and goresfuneral.com to share a Bank and Hastings City Bank at the office. He could memory or to leave a con- for 20+ years. She enjoyed traveling the always make his grand- dolence message for Dave’s countryside throughout daughters laugh, “cha, cha, family. David Lee Enders comerstonechurch Neighbors Need Neighbors cornerstonemi.org/Events August 27 Sunday 8am-1pm Appointments r ec ommended. B6 Walk ins welcome to fill open times! For each donation, Versiti will make a grant to benefit Streams GR! Michigan and the U.S. She was a tennis player and an ardent fan of Roger Federer, pro golf, Arizona Diamondbacks base­ ball, NCAA college basketball and women’s volleyball. She was an avid bridge player, and founding member ofa Christian Book Club. She liked to play cards and board games with her husband and grandchildren, Sean, Dylan, Ian, and Shannon. She enjoyed reading books with Christian faith themes. In 1984 she walked 274 miles in 10 days from Middleville to Mackinaw City with three friends, and was honored in 1984for Excellence in Personal Achievement by Hastings City Bank. She espe­ cially enjoyed her four high school cheerleader girlfriends, “Friends for Life”, and their round robin letters. In 2000 Ruth Ann and her three sisters took their mother on a lifetime memorable trip to Switzerland. Her Swiss Mennonite maternal ancestors(Huber/Hoover) arrived in America from Switzerland in 1690 and settled at Wm. Penn’s colony in Lancaster County (New Holland), Pennsylvania. She and Richard traveled there and found the original church and Huber home site. Her paternal ances­ tors arrived in America from Germany in the mid 1850s and settled in Woodland Twp. and were founding members of Zion Lutheran Church on land donated by her ancestors. She and Richard traveled to Germany and visited her ancestor’s church and home site, and explored town and family records going back to the mid 1340s. She was a helpmate con­ tributor and proofreader for her husband’s writings and published books, and a loyal supporter ofher church, Bany Community Foundation, Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation, American Cancer Society, Mel Trotter Mission, and Hillsdale College. She is survived by her lov­ ing husband, Richard and sons, Richard W. (Shelley) Hamilton of Wayland, Bradley L. (Melissa) Hamilton ofJenison; grandchildren, Sean L. (Megan) Hamilton of Grand Rapids, Ian T. (Demi) Hamilton of Wyoming, MI; Dylan J. Hamilton of Wayland, Shannon L. Cousineau (Hamilton) (Cody) of Pinckney, MI; great grandsons, Owen L. and Milo B. Hamilton of Grand Rapids; sister, Eunice E. (Rex) Goodemoot of Lake Odessa; nephew, Daniel Roberts of Gun Lake; brother-in-law, Reginald W. (Dusty) Hamilton ofArizona, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and her life long dear friend Kay Collier (Montgomery) (Denny) of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Roy G. and Virginia V. (Hoover) Roberts; son, Thomas R. Hamilton (U.S. Navy); sisters, Irene M. (Russell) Ames, Margene L. (James) Taylor; brothers, Lee D. Roberts and Gary G. Roberts; grandfather, and grandmother, George G. and Caroline D. (Niethamer) Roberts; father and mother-in­ law, Carroll A. and Elsie M. (Patten) Hamilton; sister-in­ law, Rita F. Pratt (Hamilton) (Bob), and brother-in-law, Russell C. (Barbara) Hamilton. For family and for all those who knew her, Ruthie will be dearly missed and remembered for her kind, friendly, witty and loving personality. Even in her last painful days of life, she kept a peaceful small smile on her face, waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to take her home to everlasting life in heaven. The Hamilton family wishes to thank Pastor Berg for his con­ stant prayer and devotion to Ruthie’s bedside, the loving care giving staff at Carveth Village, and to Tammy, her Gentiva Hospice nurse, and Melissa her Hospice aide in her time ofneed, and the many prayers offered by family and friends. Visitation will be at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middleville on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a funeral service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Middleville from noon to 1p.m. with Pastor Peter Berg officiating, followed by a luncheon at 1 p.m.. Burial service will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, GoodShepherd Lutheran Church, Hillsdale College Thomas R. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund, or The Thomas R. Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Barry Community Foundation. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Mrs. Hamilton’s family. Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercialbwlrta -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers wlrt �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023 CAR SHOW, continued from page 1 struction ofthe plant parking lot and the COVED-19 pan­ demic, DeHoog said. Darwin Kosbar ofHastings brought his 1959 Ford Edsel to the show - a car that was restored by Kosbar’s wife, Donna, and her father, Jasper Eugene Weeks, who was a welder at Bradford White for more than 30 years. “We took it right off the frame and did a whole restore, right back to its orig­ inal,” Kosbar said. In addition to being a welder, Jasper Weeks was a union steward at Bradford White. He owned Edsels from each model year that Ford produced the car — 1958 to 1960. Weeks died in March 2017. Kosbar had a wooden plaque with his father-in-law’s obituary underneath the hood of the Edsel for the show. People could vote for their favorite classic vehicle at the show. Taylor Alberts’ 1969 Chevrolet C-10 long bed pickup truck received the most votes. Alberts’ truck carried a 1964 Snowmowtractor. In addition to the car show, company retirees had the chance to tour the plant to see what has been added on in recent years. “A lot of these folks hav­ en’t seen it. They’re so excit­ ed to get into the plant,” said DeHoog, a product support This plaque memorializes Jasper Weeks, who restored the 1959 Edsel. These monster trucks made a guest appearance at the car show on Thursday afternoon. We Accept DELTA DENTAL manager at Bradford White. The car show also includ­ ed monster trucks, a training trailer where people could learn about Bradford White products and a Chick-fil-A food truck. The Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center also had a table to let people know about its various ser­ vices. United Way Executive Director Lani Forbes said the company has been a valuable contributor to United Way over the years, both finan­ cially and in terms ofvolun­ teer help for countless pro­ grams. For example, two Bradford White employees volunteer every Wednesday with the Fresh Food Initiative food distribution program, Forbes said. “The employees not only want to be invested in Middleville but in the (Barry County) community as a whole,” Forbes said. DeHoog says he expects the car show to continue and grow in the future. Bradford White is one of the country’s largest manu­ facturers of water heating products for residential, commercial and industrial uses, and also produces space heating, combination heating and storage products. The company is the largest employer in Barry County. Keep VourTeeth for a LIFETIME! Your teeth are amazing - dental visits can keep them that way. Is it time to make an appointment with a dentist that takes the time to answer your questions and explains the conditions and treatments you’ll need to protect your teeth for a lifetime? Vou Don’t Haue To Brush ALL Your Teeth, Just The Ones Vou Want To Keep. You too can get your a teeth back One-Stop Dentistry! (UJe do Implants) Dr. Derek J. DeVries j DDS Now accepting new patients. Call today for appointment! We specialize in the prevention , diagnosis and treatment of the oral cavity, including the teeth and gums Carl Foster brought his 1926 Ford Model T to the show. No o dental ena insurance? nsurance Sign up for our special payment plan | DEVRIES DENTAL 6650 Crossings Dr. S.E. Kentwood, Mi 49508 Phone 616-554-2100 devriesdentalmi.com • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers * Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023/ Page 7 Pine Rest to add 40 beds to its future Pediatric Health Center in Gaines Township James Gemmell ^'Contributing Writer The State of Michigan has awarded Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services an additional 40 child and adoles­ cent beds for its Pediatric Behavioral Health Center in Gaines Township. In July 2022, Pine Rest announced it would be open­ ing the $62 million facility in the fall of2025 on its 220-acre wooded campus at 300 68th St SE. Pine Rest is one of the largest mental and behavioral health providers in the United States. The 40 additional beds were authorized by the state on July 31 after being requested through Michigan’s Certificate ofNeed process. That was the same day Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel held a round­ table discussion at Pine Rest. She met with behavioral lead­ ers from around Michigan about the state’s commitment to ensure families can more easily access behavioral health services included in the state’s fiscal year 2024 budget. Nearly $364 million was set aside for that purpose. “Together, the two actions signal a shared commitment between the State ofMichigan and healthcare providers to address one of the most press­ ing healthcare challenges Michigan residents face,” said Heather Treib, the director of New Business Development at Pine Rest. There will be 66 total beds housed in the new pediatric health center. Twenty-six existing pediatric beds in the Child and Adolescent Unit will be relocated to the pediat­ ric center. Once the pediatric building opens next year, Pine Rest will have a total of 102 beds available for children. Pine Rest projects that the Pediatric Behavioral Health Center will increase access to inpatient care for an additional 3,000 children per year and to outpatient care for an addition­ al 10,000 children each year. “The Pediatric Health Center will be so beneficial for the local West Michigan but, really, the state as a whole because it will address signifi­ cant access issues that children and their families face throughout the state when they seek urgently needed care for a variety of psychiatric con­ cerns,” said Matt Hiskes, Pine Rest’s communications man­ ager. “We don’tjust see and hear about children and families who struggle to find the care they need; we feel those strug­ gles because it’s our friends, family and neighbors who are in need of help,” Dr. Heide Rollings said. Rollings, the medical direc­ tor ofthe pediatric center, said there has not been enough available care to service peo.C pie. “Wait times for many types of behavioral health services are too long,” she said. “Families are often forced to travel long distances to find accessible care. Sometimes, they are even told the services they need don’t exist. The Pediatric Behavioral Health Center will help alleviate that strain for our community.” “Everyone deserves access to quality health care where and when they need it,” Hertel said. “These additional 40 beds will help families receive the care they deserve for their children and is part of the state’s commitment to ensur­ ing access to behavioral health services for Michigan resi­ dents of all ages.” Pine Rest’s Pediatric Behavioral Health Center will feature the following services for children and adolescents from across the state: — 66 child and adolescent inpatient beds — Partial hospitalization programs FAMILY IS A rendering of the future Pediatric Behavioral Health Center at Pine Rest. (Image provided by Pine Rest) — -Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care Center — Expanded psychological assessment and testing ser­ vices — Specialty clinics — Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for children and adolescents EVERYTHING TO US. 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Friday 8/18/23, 9am6pm. Saturday 8/19/23,9am1pm. Band, Saw, Ping Pong Table, Furniture, Bike Rack, LOTS more. Something for everyone!!! CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. MOVING SALE: Thurs­ day 8/17/23 & Friday 8/18, 9am-4pm; Saturday 8/19, 8am-12pm. Tools, household items, new clothes, toys, and books. 5457 W. State Rd, Middleville. DOWNSIZING GARAGE SALE: 110 Dayton Street, Middleville. August 24-26, 2023, 9am-5pm. Tool boxes, nuts, bolts, nails, black powder sup­ plies, shovels, extension ladders, drywall tools, housewares, antique fur­ niture, Jenny Lind bed, bedding, and MORE! EV­ ERYTHING MUST GO!!! COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Goose­ neck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furniture, golf clubs, dog crate, etc. MATT ENDSLEY FAB­ RICATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269­ 804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premi­ ums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy sin­ gle Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roof­ ing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888­ 5050. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. MINI BERNEDOODLES. 1st shots and wormed. Very nice. $250.00. 517­ 726-0706. Road end can be used for public access to Gun Lake, township says Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township says an access road to Gun Lake can be used by any member of the public and that adjacent lot owners do not have private deeded access to the lake. Following a review of the original plat for West Gun Lake Resort, which dates back more than 100 years, as well as past letters from the township and Barry County Road Commission officials and recent legal opinions, the township concluded that the public can use the 50-foot­ wide easement extending east from the end of Russell Street to enter or exit from Gun Lake. That strip was included in the original 1909 plat map, Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea said on Thursday night. “This is public access. Nobody has the right to exclude anybody,” Shea said. “It is not in any way a private access for anyone in the neighborhood to exclude anyone else.” Shea sent a letter to about 50-60 property owners in the West Gun Lake Resort area and nearby parcels on July 28 in response to complaints over access to Gun Lake from the end of Russell Street, east of Cork Street. “There’s been disputes over the years, over the decades really, in the neigh­ borhood over who owns it and who has a right to use it and to what degree and what ways it can be used,” Shea told the Township Board. Barry County Road Commission records showed that the streets in the West Gun Lake Resort plat were dedicated to the public in 1909 and were certified as county roads from 1951 to 1966. However, after 1967, none of the streets in the plat were certified as county roads, according to a September 2005 letter from the road commission to the Township Board. “I did not find any record of abandonment; therefore, the Barry County Road Commission would ‘claim’ that the public still has (right­ of-way) in the plat of West Gun Lake Resort,” then-road commission assistant engi­ neer Heather Smith wrote in the 2005 letter. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis spoke with Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch, a Yankee Springs resident, about the 2005 let­ ter and said Welch stood by that letter’s findings. “They never abandoned or vacated their right to that being a public access. They just quit throwing tax dollars ...to maintain it,” Heethuis said. On Thursday, the board voted unanimously to pur­ chase and install a sign on the site detailing rules for the use of the lake access, It will cite an existing township ordinance regulating public easements to any lake in the township. The ordinance limits pub­ lic access to the lake to the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones How will you exit your business? If you own a business, you’ve always got a lot on your mind. But no matter how busy you are today, you need to think about tomorrow. Specifically, you’ll want to create an exit strategy for the day you want to move on from your business to a new phase in your life. To develop this strategy, you’ll need to address these key questions: • How much do you need (or want)foryour business? Ideally, you’ll want the sale of your business to meet your retirement and estate-planning goals. So, you’ll need to think careful­ ly about these goals and what costs they may entail. And these issues aren’t just financial — for example, when you think about how you may want to spend your time in retirement, you might realize that you don’t really want to exit your business completely. So, you might decide to selljust part of it, or sell it entirely, but stay on to help manage it or possibly do some con­ sulting for the new owners. • How much is your busi­ ness worth? You may want to calculate your business’ value three to five years before your planned exit. You could do this on your own, but it’s typically advantageous to use profes- sional valuation services. If you’re gifting or selling your business to family members, selling it to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or settling an estate, you’ll need to get a more formal qualified appraisal to meet IRS stan­ dards. • How can you close the gap between whatyou need and what your business is worth? The amount you need from the sale of your business to support your retirement goals may be more than what your busi­ ness is actually worth. To help close this gap, you could try to boost your business’s profits through the usual means, such as intro­ ducing new products, rais­ ing prices or cutting costs. But you might also try to just one factor, ifyou don’t have an obvious choice for a family member to take over the business, you might have to consider other buy­ ers. In any case, you’ll need to explore all the economic and personal factors involved in the choice of successor. Who can help you with your exit strategy? Exiting a business can be complex. To ensure you’re making the right moves for your overall financial and family situations, you may want to build an exit strategy team, possibly consisting of your financial, legal and tax advisors. You may also need to enlist the services ofa com­ lower the amount you need from the sale by working longer, reducing your per- expertise to your exit decisions, and together they can help address all the issues related to your exit strategy. Exiting your business will take a lot of planning and decisions — but if it’s done right, it can be worth the effort. sonal spending and saving more outside the business. • Who will take overyour business? When planning for a successor for your business, you have several choices, including selling to a family member or an out­ side buyer. Going public or liquidating the business are also options. These are dis­ tinct paths, but depending on your circumstances, one might be more appropriate for you than another. To cite mercial banker and a busi­ ness evaluation expert. Each of these professionals can bring a different area of This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use by your local Edward Jones FinancialAdvisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Yankee Springs Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea addresses the Township Board Thursday night. daily. No loitering is allowed, no parking of vehicles or trailers is permitted in the access area, and no alcohol, marijuana or other controlled substances are allowed. No dock, raft or similar equip­ ment is allowed to be placed in the lake within the bound­ aries ofthe public access, and no watercraft can be moored at the end of the access area, according to the township ordinance language. “It puts in plain language, and in a shorter version, the requirements of our ordi­ nance that governs the use of public easements,” Shea said. Users are required to pick up their own trash and are asked to respect the private property rights of adjacent landowners, according to the ordinance language. Anyone wishing to report a complaint can call the township at (269) 795-9091 or report it through the town­ ship website, yankeespringstwp.org. �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023/ Page 9 Middleville council mulling parks projects in capital improvement plan Greg Chandler StaffWriter The village ofMiddleville has an ambitious list of projects it would like to undertake next year — close to $5 million worth. But where will the vil­ lage get the money to do them? And which projects will get higher priority than others, given the limited funding? On Tuesday, the Village Council spent more than an hour looking over the vil­ lage’s capital improvement plan, not only for next year but for all the way through 2029. The discussion comes as the council prepares to work on next year’s budget. “This is our big wish list of everything that needs to be done if we had all the money in the world to do it,” Village President Mike Cramer said. An area the village is like­ ly to address in the plan is park improvements. The plan recommends $1.6 mil­ lion of improvements for park facilities, with the big ticket item being repairs to two bridges on the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail just south of the Village Hall, which has an estimated price tag of $1.2 million, accord­ ing to village documents. “We gotta start from scratch with our parks,” Department ofPublic Works Director Alec Belson told council members. “We need council input. What’s your priorities? Is it your priority to say, ‘Leave X park alone and focus everything downtown’ ? Is it your priority to say, ‘Downtown is good enough; We want to go toward X park’?-” Belson added. Other park improvements proposed for next year include $150,000 of work at Calvin Hill Park, $100,000 toward continued improvements at the histor­ ic train depot and $95,000 for resurfacing 3.5 miles of the Paul Henry Trail. Looking ahead to 2025, Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg has proposed $300,000 of improvements to the Sesquicentennial Pavilion and East Riverbank Park downtown and another $60,000 for upgrades to Spring Park, according to village documents. Council Trustee Kevin Smith suggested the idea of a separate entity to address park facility needs. “I think the (Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission) is the perfect space for that because that’s what they do,” Smith said. “We just need to make sure that we need to balance that equation properly so that we get good representation and input. They can dedi­ cate time, effort and ener­ gy, collectively, on just our parks and rec situation.” “At the end of the day, spending money in the right space, for the right reasons, would be better managed by a group of people (where) that’s all they do. I think we should really start to ponder what that looks like,” Smith added. President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd proposed setting aside more village funding toward an additional staff member at TAPRC, which has only a part-time director position that is currently vacant, or an addition­ al DPW employee who would specifically address parks. “It’s the most visible thing, probably, besides roads that residents are con­ cerned about,” DeMaagd said. “Is the road smooth, and do my kids have some­ where to play that (doesn’t have) equipment from the 1950s?” Cramer agreed that TAPRC has staffing needs. “The TAPRC has had three directors in my term, and the work that they have done for the community — I can tell you right now, one person doing that seems impossible to me,” he said. “It’s unfathomable that they can run an entire baseball program with a person and a bunch of volunteers ... My (AYSO) soccer board has seven people that do the task of that one director.” “Catherine Getty, Emily Dock and Nathan Fischer have done an amazing job with the amount of work that’s been asked of them,” Cramer added. The capital improvement plan also proposes $740,000 in major street projects for next year, highlighted by a $500,000 reconstruction project on High Street. Another $100,000 is pro­ posed for mill and fill work on Washington Street and $50,000 for mill and fill repairs to Russell Street, Stolsonburg said. Other major improve­ ments on the list proposed for next year include: — $500,000 for con­ struction of a new water well. — $430,000 for water and sewer main replace­ ment on High Street, which would most likely be done in conjunction with the street reconstruction. — $400,000 for sewer main lining and replace­ ment work. — $350,000 for recon­ struction on Dearborn Street. — $150,000 for lead ser­ vice replacement on the vil­ lage water system. — $120,000 to acquire a new mini-excavator. — $80,000 to acquire a small dump truck. — $70,000 to purchase a new police cruiser. The costs for each proj­ ect are estimates based on quotes the village has received in recent years. The Village Council would have to approve projects on a case-by-case basis. “When we do bring these up for actual votes to go through with the projects, we will bring them to you for your consideration,” Stolsonburg said. The council will begin work on next year’s budget in September, Stolsonburg said. Yankee Springs Township board pulls trail funding Greg Chandler (tat t»'^ lists StaffWriter In 2015, the Yankee Springs Township Board voted to set aside $100,000 in its annual budget toward the develop­ ment of a trail in the township. Eight years later, the town­ ship hasn’t spent a dime on the idea. On Thursday night, on a 3-2 vote, the Township Board voted to pull the $100,000 assigned to trail development from the 2023-24 township budget. Clerk Mike Cunningham, Treasurer Deb Mousseau and Trustee Dave VanHouten voted to remove the funding, while Supervisor Rob Heethuis and Trustee Larry Knowles opposed the idea. “It did not begin to cover the cost of the project at that time, and there was no approved project,” Cunningham said. “It just got on the budget and stayed there.” Cunningham found evi­ dence in the board minutes from two different meetings in 2015 that there was some interest in having a project be brought to voters to see ifthere was interest He said removing the funding would “wipe the slate clean” and make the bud­ get more accurate. “I think we should wait to .assign these dollars until there’s actually a project on the table, kind of like when we assigned money for the Township Hall. We assigned that when we had a project approved,” Cunningham said. Heethuis pushed back, say­ ing there have been discus­ sions on trail projects dating back to 2015 involving the Township Parks Committee. The supervisor pointed out that while there are certainly other trails in the township, there isn’t one that’s handi­ cap-accessible. “Not one of those trails that we have in the game area or in the (recreation) area helps a handicapped person at all,” Gun Lake women’s club celebrates 40 years with ‘Mix & Mingle’ The General Federation of growth or just have fun are Women’s Club will collect Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Gun encouraged to learn more about non-perishable food at the anni­ Lake Area Women’s Club cel­ the group. Members often play versary event, which will be ebrates 40 years next month cards and games, make arts and shared with local food banks. Those attending are asked to and is inviting all area women crafts, go on excursions and RSVP by texting “Mingle” to participate in book clubs. tojoin them in celebration. The Gun Lake Area 517-861-6897. On Wednesday, Sept. 13, the Gun Lake club is hosting its 40th anniversary “Mix & Mingle” celebration. The event will stretch from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and all ladies 21 and over, regardless of membership to BSfD HUBS-HM BPS-8« TOMS •WUIS*SWS«1E£PS-4MS the club, are invited to come FULL PULL celebrate. The celebration will take place at the Orangeville Township Hall, 7350 Lindsay Road in Plainwell. Attendees can learn about the Gun Lake Area Women’s Club while enjoying a glass of USED PARTS ■SED TIRES wine or tea, along with snacks and sweet treats. TTOnTl.J. I ""I"'."""'.„l-| I.i.n Those who are looking to make a difference in their com­ munity, achieve personal Lew— Heethuis said. “There are trails that are great for snowshoeing and skiing and jogging and bicycling, but not one person that’s handicapped can use those trails.” “Can you imagine some­ body, instead of walking around in a circle, they’re going through the wetlands? By gosh, you can see an eagle, a blue heron — they’re going through the woods, man. You can see deer and turkeys and squirrels. That’s an adventure. I don’t want to see this lost,” Heethuis added, his voice ris­ ing as he spoke. Parks Committee Chairwoman Sandy Marcukaitis said after the vote that there have been two stud­ ies down on the trails. She also said there was a request to create a separate trail fund. “We asked a long time ago as a committee to take that $100,000 and put it in its own fund so it would draw inter­ est,” Marcukaitis said. In 2021, the Parks Committee commissioned the engineering firm Prein & Newhof to put together con­ struction estimates for two pathway options — a 10-foot­ wide pathway on M-179 from Patterson Road to Briggs Road and the DNR easement from M-179 to the Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and an 8-foot-wide pathway follow­ ing that same configuration. It would have included board­ walks, according to township documents. But without a specific plan that would be presented to the board or a determined fund­ ing mechanism, Cunningham did not waver from his posi­ tion. “We don’t have guarantees of any of this stuff. There’s a lot of difficulty involved in going across private land (to obtain easements for a trail). We don’t have that stuff. We just have comments that it’s going to happen. I’m not will­ ing to vote on anything based on a dollar amount that is not accurate and promises that are just talk so far. I would like to see somebody put a solid (plan) together and find out how easy or difficult it is and give us something to talk about,” Cunningham said. Summer Special A/C TUNE-UP UGHTTRUCKPARTS| SERVICE&YDU IT 269-381-2300 1811IAKEST.KAL'AMAZ00 HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12, 2023 County BrewFest returns to Middleville Saturday Barry County BrewFest, in its seventh year, returns to Middleville Saturday, Aug. 19 Presale tickets are cur­ rently available for $30. Tickets are $40 the day of the event under the pavilion at Sesquicentennial Park at the comer of Main Street and Railroad Street in downtown Middleville. Tickets are available through brownpapertickets, com, and links can be found on the mibarry.com website and the Barry County BrewFest Facebook page. Admission includes a commemorative tasting glass and five tasting tick­ ets. Additional tasting tick- ets will be available for purchase. The event, presented by the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance, will run from noon to 5 p.m. There will be live music and food will be available at the event. Plans are to have beverages from 30 Michigan craft breweries, wineries, meaderies and distilleries. Once again, breweries of all sizes from across the state of Michigan are par­ ticipating and providing something for every tastebud from fruity Wapatooie from Upper Hand in Escanaba, All Day West Coast IPA from Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids, Sundancer Summer Wheat from the Walldorf in Hastings, Peanuts and Cracker Jack Porter from the Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids and many flavors and styles in between. Alternatives to beer include spirits from Gull Lake Distillery, Long Drink, Smirnoff Red, White & Blue, wins from St. Julian and and others, Twisted Tea and drinks from Tandem Ciders among others. There will be music from the band Silent Bark throughout the event. CHS alumnus headed for US Amateur Replogle earns Brett Bremer basketball, academic honors with KCC Corrin Replogle, a Thomapple Kellogg alum­ nus, was among the more than 40 individual student athletes from Kellogg Community College and four KCC athletic teams to receive postseason academic awards for excellence in the classroom during the 2022­ 23 academic year. She was named MCCAA Academic All-Conference, Academic All-MCCAA and to the NJCAA All-Academic third team. Repjogle started 22 games for the Bruins as a freshman last winter, averaging more than 35 minutes a game while scoring 9.4 points and pulling down 4.4 rebounds. She averaged over 4 assists per game too. The Bruin team finished the season with a 5-20 record. Replogle was one of two KCC women to earn all-con­ ference honors on the court. She was joined by freshman Shayla Ardis from Battle Creek Central who was Third Team MCCAA All-Western Conference .and named to the Corrin Replogle MCCAA Western Conference All-Freshman Team. Teammate Allison Biergeder from Battle Creek was named the KCC Outstanding Female Scholar Athlete and also earned MCCAA Academic All­ Conference, an award also earned by teammates Lillian Fulcher of Paw Paw, Jaelyn Hampton of Napoleon, Madison Pettengill of Hastings, Maya Ruelas of Kalamazoo, Lydia Schamanek of Cadillac and Mary Whitmore of Dowling. HELP WANTED Front Desk Medical Receptionist Middleville Family Practice Chris Noah, MD Sports Editor Where else would he be when he received the email other than on the tee box. Arie Jackman ofCaledonia will compete in the 123rd US Amateur Championship being held at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colo, beginning with a 1:58 MDT tee time Monday, Aug. 14. Jackman was on the tee at Indian Trails Golf Course, in the middle of his final round at the West Michigan Golf Association’s City Stroke Play Championship. He blasted his ensuing tee shot and then settled down to fin­ ish off a runner-up perfor­ mance at the event. Jackman started playing golf at the age of 16 and spent three years in the Caledonia High School boys’ golf program under then head coach Gus Wagner. Jackman was one of the unfortunate members of the class of 2020 that saw their final spring of high school athletics canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From there, Jackman spent two years competing at Grand Rapids Community College. He earned All­ Michigan Community College Athletic Association and All-Region honors as a freshman and then won med­ alist honors at the MCCAA Championship as a sopho- Arie Jackman celebrates with his trophy at the Michigan Medal Play Championship in May at Detroit Golf Club. Jackman, a 2020 Caledonia High School graduate, is set to play in the 123rd US Amateur Championships at Cherry Hills Country Club near Denver, Colo., beginning Monday. more. He spent his 2022-23 season on the newly revived Central Michigan University Men’s Golf Team where he averaged a program-best score of 75.38 per 18 holes while playing in eight tournaments last season. He shared the pro­ gram’s 18-hole record and holds the program’s 36- and 54-hole records. He closed his junior season at CMU • Part-time; 8 hours a day, two days per week (weekdays only) • Experience - at least one year offront desk experience in a physician’s office. • Prefer an MA Please email resume to chriszoet@Cvfp.US M37Auction.com Consignment Auction SEASONAL LABOR WANTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE ________WAGES STARTING AT $16.00 POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM Twin City Foods, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. 9790 Cherry Valley Ave Caledonia, Ml 49316 (616)920-6651 www.M37Auction.com tied for 22nd at the MAC Championship the begin­ ning of May. Things have only gotten better from there. In May he advanced to U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying and won the Michigan Medal Play Championship at Detroit Golf Club. In June, Jackman won his way into match play at the 112th Michigan Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club where he eventually bowed out in the round of 32. He wound up finishing as the runner-up at the City Stroke Play Championship. He earned a spot as an US Amateur alternate with a third-place finish at the qual­ ifier at The Meadows on the campus of Grand Valley State University last month. Xuan Luo from the People’s Republic of China won the 36-hole qualifier with a score of 137. Palmer Yenrick of Oregon, Ohio, beat out Jackman in a playoff for the runner-up spot while clinch­ ing his spot in the US Amateur as both guys com­ pleted their round with a 138. A 21-year-old business administration major, Jackman is on track-to grad­ uate from CMU in 2024. He’s headed to the US Amateur with his parents and his fiance. The top 64 in stroke play at the US Amateur Monday and Tuesday advance to the match play competition beginning Wednesday, Aug. 16. Jackman is one ofjust five players from Michigan in the field of 312 golfers at the US Amateur. Upcoming Auctions: August 22, September 5 Accepting Consignments: Antiques and Vintage Items Appliances ATVs, Boats, Motorcycles, Trailers, and Vehicles Building Materials, Hardware, and Lumber Business DeadStock/Excess Inventory Business Liquidations/Retirements Coins and Collectibles Electronics and Musical Equipment Estate Sale Items Farm Implements and Equipment Furniture Generators, Power Washers, and Pumps Jewelry/Gems Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Outdoor Living Equipment, Furniture, and Supplies Sports Memorabilia Sporting Goods Tools HELP WANTED RN Nurse Care Manager Middleville Family Practice Chris Noah, MD • 24-hour week flex time, hybrid/home-office • Previous care management and/or CCM preferred • EMR experience, MS Office Word & Excel preferred • Occasional backup for clinical patient check-in nurse Please email resume to chriszoet@cvfp.us �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023/ Page 11 Saldivar Coach of the Year winners named Brett Bremer Behrendt was lured to the Sports Editor meeting by being asked to Already sporting the tan give a rundown of her soft­ of a youth baseball coach in ball season and the state of early August under his the program as a whole — Jackie Robinson Day she did make sure to deliver Detroit Tigers cap, Jake an abridged version of her Cartwright’s skin got just a extensive report to the little more red when board after the awards cere­ TAPRC chairperson mony. Catherine Getty announced “Again, a coach that real­ his name inside the ly embodies everything we Thomapple Township Hall value here at TAPRC,” Wednesday. Getty said of Behrendt. Cartwright and June “She coached a team that Behrendt were named the she didn’t even have a play­ TAPRC’s two 2023 Andy er on, which is a tremen­ Saldivar Coach of the Year dous amount of work ... honorees at the opening of way above and beyond.” the TAPRC board meeting ‘“Before the season even in downtown Middleville. started, coach June offered Getty was in the unfamil­ to get together with any of iar position of having to the girls who wanted to bang the gavel to get the throw the ball around and meeting started due to the learn more about softball,’” crowd gathered to help cele­ Getty read from one of the brate Cartwright and nominations for Behrendt. Behrendt. Cartwright ‘“That’s amazing, and when coached a U12 baseball this person’s daughter team this summer and showed interest in pitching Behrendt coached a U10 she sent us home with extra softball team and a tee ball drills to try and a tool to team too. help her with her accuracy “One of the nominations and aim. And she met with read, ‘he makes sure not several girls for an extra only his team, but the other session to work on batting team is having fun. He goes and pitching.” above and beyond at every Getty said the 18 base­ practice and game. He gives ball and 9 softball nomina­ out the chug-jug award, tions are the most the Getty read, “which is the TAPRC board has ever first I have heard of this, received in its coach of the ‘which is a Gatorade at year process. each practice for whoever “Every year I think peoputs in the most work and ple become more and more drives his teammates to accustomed to nominating, push themselves. At the end but we had 18 nominations of every game he gives out for baseball coaches and 9 a ‘Crushing It’ award which for softball coaches. As you is an Orange Crush with a can imagine, that was a lot custom can coozie for who­ to go through, and if I could ever has the best hits of the give coach of the year out to night. He even had the boys each of those coaches I give their award to a player would, but in the spirit of on the opposing team the Andy Saldivar coach of because they had the major the year award it really is to hit, the best of the night. honor a coach that goes “That, like I think above and beyond. cinched it for the board, “If anybody here knew because it demonstrates Andy, and I know some of everything that TAPRC is us did, he was there way about. It is about encourag­ more than he needed to be ing not just those around as a varsity softball coach. you, but those on the oppos­ He was going to our 8U, ing team and being a model 10U softball games and of sportsmanship coming really encouraging those from our community.” girls to continue to play and A number of members of knew them by name Cartwright’s ball team which was amazing.” It was as standard TAPRC gathered around him to cel­ ebrate and take photos at board meeting in a much the end of the awards pre­ quieter room once the awards sentation. celebration died down. Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission 2023 Andy Saldivar Coach of the Year honorees Jake Cartwright (front left) and June Behrendt (front right) are presented with their awards by TAPRC board chairperson Catherine Getty (front center) with fellow board members Emily Dock (back from left), Ann Williams, Tom Hamilton, Anne Hamming, Kristen Cove and Eric Schaefer Wednesday at the Thomapple Township Hall in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Coach Behrendt shared her well-thought out ideas with the board, including her girls’ desire for more colorful jerseys, what types of practice equipment could be beneficial in future years, the benefits of on-line coaching tools, and how she used a candy buck­ et as a coaching tool to help focus and motivate her players, and more. Getty said it would be great to have coach of the year winners help lead coaching meetings at the start of each season to share their experiences. “It was a good time. I am really glad that I didn’t say no,” Behrendt said of coach­ ing a couple ball teams. The board accepted the treasury report from treasurer Tom Hamilton and accepted the draft of an audit report that he shared. The TAPRC board is also still working on finding a replacement for now former youth sports program director Nathan Fischer, and the board discussed the recommendation of Getty and fellow board member Emily Dock to break the position down into a baseball and softball director positions and also the possibility of adding sponsorship/uniform supervisor and equipment 204124 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia township" Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 PUBLIC NOTICE Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan A meeting of the Election Commission, a sub-committee of the Charter Township of Caledonia Board of Trustees will take place on Monday, August 21, 2023 at the Township Hall beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Township Hall is located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The purpose of the meeting is to consider the adoption of a resolution to com­ bine Precinct 3 AND Precinct 4 in addition to combining Precinct 1 AND Precinct 5 for the November 7, 2023 Election. Joni R. Henry, Clerk manager positions in the vein of the current field mainte­ nance supervisor position filled by Mike Bremer. The board authorized up to $7,000 to purchase a new equipment shed on Thomapple Kellogg School property. The board cur­ rently had $3,000 in the budget for capital purchas­ es and $4,000 from the recent sale of a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle. The TAPRC is still on the hunt for a more modest vehicle to help with field mainte­ nance such as an old garden tractor or golf cart. The motion to spend funds on the new shed drew the only roll call vote of the evening and was passed by a 7-0 margin. There was also discussion about whether the communi­ ty activities committee or the fundraising committee would take the lead on the 2024 used equipment sale; an update on the charity shed which the TAPRC is currently sharing with a new community partner which benefits youth each month; an update on the plans for a dunk tank at Middleville Heritage Day in September; and there was a 7-0 vote to to transfer $10,000 from a donation from Bradford White Corp., and another $500 donation it received, from the TAPRC to the TAEF Special Project Fund. Those fund are slated to help in the creation of the Sheridan Park facility in Middleville. The board also voted 7-0 to approve a list of TAPRC governance standards. COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the July 25, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on August 8, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised the Village of Middleville Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible to consider an application for a dimensional variance on property located on parcel #08-41 - 023-014- 00 (also known as 607 Sheridan Street). The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, Ml 49333 and via zoom. Members of the public wishing to participate in this meeting may do so electronically via the following website address https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83194379302, Meeting ID 831 9437 9302. Passcode: Village. The application to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals seeks the following variance from the terms of the Village Code: Sec. 78-506 (1), which allows for a tower designed to accommodate one service provider to be a maximum height of 120 feet. The proposed tower is 300 feet, requiring a dimensional variance to allow for construction 180 feet greater than what is allowed by right. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to offer comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alternatively, to participate in the meeting by providing written public comment, you may email your public comment to the following email address powersd@villageofmiddleville.org. Emails received prior to 4:00 pm on August 29, 2023, at the above-listed address, will be distributed to Zoning Board of Appeals members and it will be noted that such written comments were received prior to the meeting. A copy of the variance application is available for inspection at the Village office, 100 E. Main St., during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearing. Respectfully submitted, Kim Dannenberg Deputy Clerk �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 12,2023 Versluis bounces to championships again went to California to com­ flip with six twists while pete, and then went back to using a double-bounce during Cameron and Collin California for the national some fun time on the compe­ Versluis used to enjoy doing championship in 2022. The tition mats. A double-bounce flips and gymnastics stunts as 2023 Freestyle Trampoline means there is a second youngsters, and their little World Championships quali-jumper on the trampoline brother Chayil Versluis grew fier was held at Newton Ariel working to help the perform­ er gain extra height on their Academy June 22-24. up watching them. Freestyle routines are jump. Eventually the two big brothers moved on to other judged on difficulty, creativi­ Chayil’s brother Collin endeavors, and eventually ty and execution with landing joined him on his trip to Chayil, now 18 and a 2023 bonuses possible as well. London for the 2022 champiSouth Christian High School Chayil was one of 22 com- onships, but he was solo graduate who lives in petitors in the preliminary heading across the Atlantic Middleville with his parents round of the men’s division Ocean this summer. Jon and Kelly, realized that at the FTA World This was. the second year life was just a little less excit-Championships this month of the FTA World ing. where the top ten moved on Championship and the first Chayil started becoming to the semifinal rounds and time it hosted a women’s something of an aerial dare­ then the top five from that championship. Of the nine devil himselfwhile in middle group competed in the finals. competitors, Lyydia school to pick up the slack. Robin Steiner from Peltomaki from Finland took He started tricking on the Switzerland took this year’s the title with a score of 42.2 ground and then started going championship with an overall points. to the Newton Ariel Academy score of 46.40 points, besting The freestyle trampoline in Grand Rapids to hone his Finland’s Aleksi Sainio by community is still a move­ trampoline skills as a 12-year- just three tenths of a point by ment in its infancy, according old. He just competed in the earning the top difficulty and to the FTA, but has steadily Freestyle Trampoline World creativity marks ofthe finals. grown over the past ten years Championships in London, - Chayil said he was happy with the explosion oftrampo­ UK, for the second time. with his final trick, but land­ line parks opening up in cit­ Chayil Versluis of Middleville twists high above the trampoline in the ornate Chayil won men’s free­ ed it off the trampoline - a ies around the world. Round Chapel in London, UK, the first week of August at the Freestyle Trampoline style national championships point deduction he wasn’t “It is a very supportive World Championships. in 2022 and 2023. He placed able to overcome to advance community,” Chayil said. fourth at the world champi­ to the semifinal rounds this “Rather than wanting to win, They were cheap ones. The ones-that are still in really are risks like in nearly any onships in 2022. He placed year. they all care about how well first One the frame broke, good shape.” sport. He broke his leg in 15 th at the.2023 event, Aug. A Miller is a double back you did too. It is pretty nice.” because it was a really cheap There is currently a 10x17 three places in May of 2021. 2-3, at the Round Chapel in flip with three twists. On one Chayil started on the one. The second one, I think I AlleyOOP Power Bounce He is. * currently* currently*? in London. of his big tricks, Chayil ground and eventually his broke a mat. I went through trampoline in the family’s Minnesqt^ at a fratnpoline He was selected to com- works to push that to three family got a trampoline in the the bounce surface. I went on back yard. get-together, honing his skills pete in the. U.S. Nationals for flips and four twists. He was backyard. Marketplace to buy the really Chayil likes the freedom of and filing some’ fori before the first time in 2019 and pretty pumped to do a triple “I broke like two of them.good one. You can find used the freestyle format, but there the summer is up. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The TK Class of 2023 would like to thank our community partners for many generous donations that made our senior year and All-Night Graduation Celebration memorable and successful! Al & Pete's Family Fare Rison Enterprises Alliance Beverage Distribution Faro's Pizza River City Grant Writing Andy & Kristen Cove Flexfab Riverdog Tavern Glass Creek Winery San Marco's Applebee's Hastings GOT Hastings Theater Shannan & Dave Baker B2 Outlets Green ridge Realty Southside Pediatrics Bob's Gun & Tackle Gun Lake Community Church Starbucks - Hastings Bradford White Hannapel Pellillo Orthodontics Starbucks - Jenison Bradford White UAW 1002 Anne O'Riley, Realtor® - Greenridge Realty, Inc Harding's Middleville Studio 37 Salon Brann's Steakhouse & Sports Grille Hastings Bowl Tender Loving Car Wash Brian McKeown DDS, PLC Hastings Mutual Insurance Company The Nook Broken Smoker Hazel & Rose Salon The Snack Shack Caledonia Elevator Highpoint Community Bank The South Jefferson Street General Store Carveth Village Hildabrand Custom Homes Thornapple Credit Union Champs Bar & Grill Hildabrand Homes/Five Star Real Estate Thornapple Financial Commercial Bank Hildabrand Woodworks Thornapple Floral Community West Credit Union Hive to Home Candle Company Tilton Chiropractic Cory & Alicia Sayer Holiday Inn Express Hastings TK Kitchen Culver's Hastings King's Appliance Tom's Meat Market D&W Kohl's Tommy's Express Caledonia David & Debie Smith Manuel & Veronica Lopez Family Tractor Supply Debie Smith Maring Family TTS Fitness Design Wear Mexican Connexion TVC Dick's Sporting Goods Opus Boutique United Bank of Michigan Divine Custom Engraving Otto's Turkey Farm Walmart Ectward Jones Phoenix Theaters Wilton's Eikenhout Pridgeon and Clay Wise Men Distillery . Energist Solutions Rainmakers Car Wash Woodlawn Meadows Exit 76 Corp Red's Sports Bar & Grill Yankee Bill's Yankee Springs Golf Course � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-08-19.pdf 37d40eda280c2e7bdcc0df6f9374c2c8 PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 33/ August 19, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia resident and former concentration camp prisoner turns 100 Greg Chandler were picked up by a truck StaffWriter who then led them to a con­ Diederik “Dick” van centration camp run by Overbeek was 16 years old armies under the control of Generalissimo when Nazi paratroopers dictator parachuted into the Dutch Francisco Franco. They city of Rotterdam, where he were held there for two was bom. months but were released So, he and a friend decid­ with help from the Dutch ed to leave the country to consulate in Madrid. try and outwit Hitler’s A short time later, van troops. Overbeek and his friend “Being 16 years old, were picked up again and almost 17, the Germans taken back to the same con­ might take you and put you centration camp, where they in some kind of labor were held for two years. camp,” van Overbeek said. “It wasn’t a picnic,” he “So we decided to get out of said. the war zone and travel But the two were eventu­ south.” ally freed. Van Overbeek Deep Roots Produce in Alto is finishing up the construction of this new barn. As ownership waits to move They walked and hitch­ ended up in Portugal, where in and make the barn its new home, it is selling produce from the facility’s porch. (Photos by Shari Harris) hiked into Belgium, then he was conscripted into the France, and finally hiked Dutch army. From there, he through the Pyrenees was assigned to Gibraltar to Mountains to reach Spain. look for German planes and While in Spain, they tried submarines, then later to to hitchhike another ride. See VAN OVERBEEK, page 2 This time, though, they Expansion slowly crawls forward as business booms for Deep Roots Produce Shari Harris Contributing Writer There is no doubt that Caledonia has largely been a farming community. Deep Roots Produce was a welcome addition to the area when it opened in 2019. Now, the farm is expanding with a new building and larger fields. Stephen and Liv McDaniel, owners of Deep Roots Produce, both “... come from a background with farming, I guess [it’s] in our blood you could say,” said Liv. Both Stephen and Liv resided in Florida when they met working on Stephen’s family farm. Liv said, “We just loved that business and being able to be outside.” Eventually they decided to move back to Michigan, “..kind of where our roots were from,” she said. “And this land had been in my family for 60-plus years or so. We saw the land one day, and we just thought it would be a perfect spot for a market.” For the past four years, the has been operating their business out of the old hay bam at 8410 Whitneyville Ave. in Alto, which served as the market. As business grew, there was a need for a bigger space, “...and one that would allow us to expand our offerings as far as food, like slushes and shakes and doing our own doughnuts eventually,” said Liv. In order to offer those services, they needed a building that was up to code. While their plans to add on to their business began several years ago, the design process began in October 2022 and they broke ground on the new building in March of this year. But the progress has been slower than they anticipat­ ed. “We were hoping to be in here at the start of our sea­ son in June, and it just wasn’t happening, so we decided just to set up shop on our front porch,” said Liv. “We did that for a See DEEP ROOTS, page 2 Byron Township ends co-ownership of Cutlerville Fire Station, catches Gaines Township board off guard James Gemmell Contributing Writer Some Gaines Township board members say they were stunned to learn recent­ ly that the Byron Township board plans to end its part­ nership with Gaines in the joint ownership of the Cutlerville Fire Department. The townships jointly fund the fire department, which is handled administratively by Gaines Township. The two municipalities have shared in funding fire services for 73 years under a joint operating authority. The fire station building is at 11 68th St. SW in Byron Township, immediately west of Division Avenue, which is the border between the two townships. The Cutlerville Fire Department covers a 13.6 square-mile area. Cutlerville is an unincorpo­ rated area that rests in both See FIRE DEPARTMENT, page 2 Dick van Overbeek surrounded by family members for this shot outside the front door of Legacies Assisted Living. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • New restaurant holds grand opening in Caledonia • Pool renovation at TKHS delayed to 2024 • Bi-annual CHS reunion draws generations of alumni • Cal girls golf opens season with win at Wayland Invite The Byron Township Board has voted to eventually discontinue its participation in joint ownership of the Cutlerville Fire Department with Gaines Township. (Photos by James Gemmell) • Thornapple Kellogg fall sports preview �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023 VAN OVERBEEK, continued from page 1 DEEP ROOTS, continued from page 1 Deep Roots Produce opened in 2019. For the past four years, it has been oper­ ating out of an old hay barn. people back to the agricultur­ al history of Caledonia and Alto. I think just having peo­ ple come out here and taking a step back from reality or the stress of the world, I think that’s a big benefit. Seeing everyone coming here with smiling faces. That’s why we do what we do.” In the future, the couple would like to expand even further. “We’re really hoping to while, lots of community support with that.” Then, on Sunday, Aug. 13, the couple closed that spot and moved their produce over to the porch of the new bam in order to be closer for the final move. They hope to be able to open inside soon. They would love to see families start and continue traditions through every sea­ son. Liv stated that their mis­ sion, “...is just connecting Deep Roots Produce is home to a sunflower field, which is made available to customers for photo opportunities and picking. THE HOTTEST STARS just continue to grow our customer base and to, I guess, grow our roots more in the community,” said Liv. “We’d love to eventually expand our season to be open longer during the year. This weather-proof building will hopefully allow us to do that.” Deep Roots sees steady business in the summer but, as with many local farms, their peak season is autumn when they have the pumpkin patch and com maze. However, for the next three weeks or so, the community can enjoy a sunflower maze, which opened on Friday, Aug. 18, as well as U-pick sunflowers. The field of sun­ flowers spans three acres, includes 15 different variet­ ies and provides several photo opportunities. Liv said, “There’s an old vintage tractor that’s in there, vintage furniture like a couch, chairs, benches. There will be a swing in there for photo ops, too.” Deep Roots also offers a free petting zoo with feed cups available for purchase. Coming soon will be U-pick tomatoes, a 10-acre com maze and a 12-acre pumpkin patch, which is larger than last year. Several events will be offered this fall such as glow nights, a dog day and food trucks each weekend beginning on Labor Day weekend. The event calendar can be found on at deeprootsproduce.farm. Dick van Overbeek with his seven children, from left, Ron van Overbeek, Rick van Overbeek, Elaine Little, Carol Lambert, Joanne DeMaagd, Micki Powers and Pauline Seymour. Elaine Little of Standale kisses her father, Dick van Overbeek, during his 100th birthday celebration Tuesday at Legacies Assisted Living in Caledonia. England, where he was Lowell, the second-young­ position he held for more accepted into the Royal Air est of Dick and Marjorie than 35 years. He also Force as an electrician. van Overbeek’s seven chil­ worked weekends for a On Tuesday, van dren. “We’re so blessed that friend of his who owned Overbeek marked his 100th he doesn’t have Alzheimer’s Grand Rapids Lighting birthday with a celebration or dementia or anything Center. that included all seven of like that.” “Most of (what he his children — Ron, Rick, “His sense of humor is instilled in us) was the work Elaine, Carol, Joanne, still there. He recognizes ethic,” said Ron van Micki and Pauline — and most of us by our voices, Overbeek, who served 31 countless other family even the grandkids,” he years as a firefighter in members at the Legacies added. Lowell, including serving Assisted Living facility in Dick van Overbeek had a as fire chief from 2016 to Caledonia, where he has tremendous work ethic, 2020. “You’re not going to lived for the past three working two jobs up until get anything for free. Ifyou years. He celebrated in a he was 70 years old. want it, earn it. Try and put T-shirt that said “it took 100 “He was basically a jack- your family first. He did.” years to look this good.” of-all-trades. His main Dick and Marjorie van “He’s as sharp as a tack,” thing was welding,” Ron Overbeek were married for said Ron van Overbeek of van Overbeek said. 62 years before she died in Dick van Overbeek met January 2008 at the age of his wife while in England 85. Dick served at LaGrave with the Royal Air Force at Avenue CRC for many the Hendon Aerodrome. years with collecting offer­ Marjorie was an RAF mili­ ings and also ran the tary police officer at the church’s Bound system. time. The couple married in Now he worships at its ser­ Cotton for comfy gifts 1945 and relocated back to vices via online streaming. Wide 108" cotton backs Rotterdam. “He sits here and watches Then in March 1956, the his sermons twice a day on Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station van Overbeeks immigrated Sundays on his iPad,” Ron to the United States, with van Overbeek said. the help of a sponsorship Dick van Overbeek said program run through he really didn’t have secrets LaGrave Avenue Christian to explain his longevity. 218 E. State St, Hastings • 945-9673 Reformed Church in Grand But he still remains in good OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-530 pm; Rapids. Dick was hired to health and in good spirits as 1Saturday 9 am-3 pm work at Harlo Corporation he begins his second centu­ in Grandville as a welder, a ry on earth. Back to School Items Book Bags, Totes Pencil Case ■ ’ • TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 19 Tickets available starting 8/19 at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR iW l * ■* II CASI NO • HOTEL BATTLE CREEK 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. QUESTIONS: ASK US... �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023/ Page 3 FIRE DEPARTMENT, continued from page 1 Byron and Gaines townships, the two fastest-growing municipalities in Kent County. Byron Township also owns and operates a fire department in Byron Center. “Because Byron is leav­ ing, Gaines has the option of staying (in Cutlerville),” Gaines Township Manager Rod Weersing said. “Since they are leaving, 'we have the choice ifwe want to stay in that station or not. Or build a new station in Gaines Township.” The Gaines Township board held its regular monthly meeting Monday night and had a lengthy discussion about the Byron Township board’s 6-1 vote on July 24 to phase out its commitment to the Cutlerville Fire Station. That leaves Gaines officials with the option to either take over complete ownership ofthe fire station on 68th Street or consider building a new one. Gaines Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said Byron Township trustee Tom Hooker cast the lone dis­ senting vote. Weersing mentioned that Byron Township is providing Gaines Township with one year of notification under the terms of the inter­ governmental agreement. “Both departments will not be ready to act inde­ pendently in one year. Somebody’s going to have to build a fire station,” he said. “Once that year is up, Gaines will offer Byron an agreement for service. So, we will continue to provide service to the Byron area until both townships are ready to operate in that area independently. Then it will go to a typical mutual aid ... situation.” Weersing said he esti­ mates the two townships will continue to officially work together on fire ser­ vices for about two years before the separation takes full effect. He added that Byron Township Supervisor Donald (Amos) Tillema is trying to keep the relationship between the respective officials in both townships amicable. “In the long run, we need our departments to work together,” Weersing said. “And he is trying to be agreeable and understanding about some of the tough decisions that need to be made.” The only other fire station that serves Gaines Township directly is the Dutton Fire Department, 3471 - 68th St. SE. That is about 4.5 miles from the Cutlerville station and is owned by Gaines Township. “There has been talk about a split for 15 years,” Tillema said in an email response to the Sun and News. “I know they feel that we should have had some type ofjoint meeting before we even set up the commit­ tee. I do not think that would have changed anything. The Byron board feels that we have grown enough over the years we think we would be better served with our own station in the Cutlerville area.” The 68th Street corridor is a high-density commercial and residential area in both townships. But fire officials estimate that about 22 per­ cent of the calls for service in Cutlerville occur within a one-square-mile area on the Gaines Township side, between Division and Eastern avenues, and between 60th and 68th streets. The 1978-built Cutlerville Fire Station building under­ went major repairs and an expansion about a decade ago. It has six full-time firefighters and 13 paid on-call firefighters and responds to nearly 2,500 incidents per year. Byron and Gaines townships had decided several months ago to share equally in paying the $1.75 million cost to buy a new platform fire truck for the Cutlerville Fire Department. “We have a piece ofapparatus currently on order,” Weersing said. “It’s a need­ ed piece, but there are some options available for cancel­ ing that order, and diverting it to a different piece of equipment.” Township Trustee Tim Haagsma asked how long Gaines Township would have to pay Byron Township for the firehouse on 68th Street in Cutlerville if Gaines decides to retain its share of ownership. Weersing replied that it would be five years. “If we have to pay them equity and pay them for half of the value of the equipment, we do have a five-year payout, which is a nice benefit. So, it doesn’t hit us hard. If we have to build a station, that will happen in two to three years,” he said. Gaines Township will not be able to use public safety special-assessment money to pay for building a new firehouse, because the assessment funds are desig­ nated only for operational expenses. In 2021, the township board passed a 15-year special assessment levy for public safety. The levy can be adjusted annually to cover the cost of whatever operational expenses are The Gaines Township Board discusses the Cutlerville Fire Station at its Aug. 14 meeting at the township hall. needed for public safety each year. The maximum possible levy is 1.5 mills annually. “We’ll have the (fire) building appraised, and then we’ll have to get somebody to come in and appraise the value of the equipment and devices,” DeWard said. He added that Byron Township Supervisor Tillema likes the current arrangement where Byron Township Gaines and Township each pay adminis­ trative costs based on their respective number of calls for service. The ratio of ser­ vice calls is typically 60 per­ cent in Gaines Township and 40 percent in Byron Township. “Currently, they (Byron) pay for half of the station and half of the equipment,” Haagsma said. “There has to be some sort ofvehicle rent­ al, as well (for the fire trucks). Not only that, there has to be some sort of over­ head calculation as to what the rest of that department costs.” Trustee Bob Terpstra asked if the Gaines Board should assemble a task force to discuss its options. He said it would provide an opportunity to discuss where Gaines would like to have a fire station located in Cutlerville long-term. A Cutlerville Fire Board meeting was scheduled for mid-August. “That’s what will be discussed in the (Cutlerville Fire Board) meeting,” Weersing replied. “It’ll be looking at those two options, and then starting to talk about what needs to be done going forward.” Tillema said either Byron fe s-r Insui4z SPRAY FOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast. 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville or Gaines township will build a new fire station in Cutlerville. And he says that will result in having six fire­ fighters to respond to calls in Cutlerville, instead of the current three. “We expect the service to improve, not get worse,” Tillema said. “There will be no tax increase for the homeowner; we have enough in our budget to make this change.” Trustee Dan Fryling asked Weersing why the Byron Township Board wants to discontinue its co-owner­ ship of the Cutlerville Fire Department. “The is the furthest they’ve ever gone in this process,” Weersing replied. “There are a couple ofboard members over there that decided this is the route for them to go. They have the votes. It looks like they stra­ tegically did this before the next election cycle, so the one year will be up before anybody new gets voted into office.” Weersing added that Gaines officials should not wait to see ifByron officials will change their minds about separating from Gaines. “We cannot sit and wait to see if they do change their mind. If we decide we want to build a new station, which I’m 90 percent sure that’s going to be my recommen­ dation to you, we need to get the ball rolling,” Weersing said. However, DeWard and Haagsma said they’re lean­ ing towards keeping the Cutlerville Fire Station at its current location. Ifa new station is built on the Gaines Township side of Division Avenue, that might mean there would be two fire stations within a mile of each other. “That’s ridiculous,” Fryling said. “Yep. And the general public will not understand it,” Weersing-said. “And all we got to do is say, ‘We were playing ball with (Byron officials) all along. They wanted to take their ball and go home, Haagsma said. DeWaard pointed out that, at the last joint meeting between the township boards, Byron Township’s consultant said the best financial model would be to have both townships sharing the cost of the fire depart­ ment in Cutlerville. De Ward said Tillema told him that Byron officials are trying to maintain a good relationship with Gaines Township officials. “I said, ‘Amos, that’s great. We are too. But what you did was totally disre­ spectful of (Gaines) Township, that you didn’t even bother to tell us that you were having this vote. You just did it without any conversation with us.’” Haagsma said the joint fire-services agreement between the townships has been in place for 73 years. “Yeah, and not even a phone call. It was an email after it was done saying there was a resolution. That the board decided to split,” De Ward said. But Tillema says the Byron Township board is looking at the bigger pic­ ture. “We feel that, in the long term, this move will be bet­ ter for everyone. Otherwise, we would not do it,” he said. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023 TKHS pool renovation delayed Greg Chandler Thomapple Kellogg High School pool has been pushed out to early next year. An unexpected develop- StaffWriter The timeframe for complet­ ing the renovation of the The pool at Thornapple Kellogg High School will remain closed as crews work to reconstruct a wall that was not structurally sound. (Photo provided) ment has resulted in the com­ pletion of the project being delayed to “early in the second semester” next year. It had originally been scheduled for completion in November or early December. “Whenever you open up an old building, you might find surprises,” Thomapple Kellogg Schools Superintendent Craig McCarthy told school board members Monday night. “We took the roof off the pool and found that the southern wall is not structurally sound. When it was constructed, you had the SNYDER MONUMENTS, LLC Respectful, Quality Memorials Order Now for 2023 Delivery Caledonia, MI Call today 616-291-2425 snydermonuments.net decorative brick on the out­ side, the decorative brick on the inside, and foam in between the two - no cinder blocks, nothing. “I’m surprised that wall actually withstood the last 50 years there.” After discussing the situa­ tion with district officials, project engineers determined that the wall will be taken down and rebuilt to make it structurally sound, McCarthy said. “With construction, any­ time you open something up, you end up having to bring it up to code. We tried to find a solution that would be best for us ... to make sure it’s struc­ turally sound, for the future, for the next 50 years. We want to take it down and then build it back up with cinder blocks,” he said. The demolition and recon­ struction of the southern wall is expected to add about $30,000 to $40,000 to the final project cost, which is estimat­ ed at more than $3.4 million. Those funds will come out of a contingency line item from the 2019 bond issue, Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. The pool was closed in March 2020, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread, because of mechanical issues. Mark A. Hooper Mark A. Hooper, age 60, of Rancho Viejo, TX, formerly of Middleville, MI, passed away peaceful­ ly on August 15, 2023 with his family by his side. Mark was born August 31, 1962 in Grand Rapids, MI to David and Shirley (Kirkpatrick) Hooper. Mark most recently served as president for Unipro Chemical where he worked since 1998. He grew up in the Middleville community before moving to Texas where he lived for the past 14 years. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing and riding snowmobiles. For Mark, faith was very important and he served as the drummer in the praise band at TVC for many years. Surviving is his loving wife, Norma E. Hooper; son, Brandon Hooper; father, David Hooper; sib­ lings, David (Beth) Hooper, Richard (Nicole) Hooper, Todd (Shari) Hooper, Tim (Jayne) Hooper, Darlene Hooper, Teri (Mike) Hooper, Jeffery Hooper; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. alaska (curc church 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9:30 AM 616-698-8104 wwwalaskabaprist nrg Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bib]e study 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 5:00 PM 600 PM OurmissionKtoworahipGodamidiscfpte committed followers ofJesus Christ. who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: asor: Rev. ev.eer Peter Berg erg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. OURNEY CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road. Middleville, MI 49333 Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School . 9:30 AM T-ry-flh. Sunday Worship ........ .10:30 10:30 AM AM Watch our services from our website (see above) 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ James L. Collison, Pastor www.vankeesorinpshiblprluirz-k 10:00 a.m 11:00 a.m. Mark is preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Hooper. Mark’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023 from 5-7 p.m. at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. His service will be con­ ducted at Thornapple Valley Church in Hastings on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 at 11 a.m. Brian Mote will officiate. Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery, Middleville. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Mark’s family. Caledonia United L Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join ns for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.coni �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023/ Page 5 Ordinance change could hold golf cart owners responsible for violations Greg Chandler StaffWriter Owners of golf carts in the village of Caledonia could be cited for violations committed by others who drive their vehicles under a proposed change in a vil­ lage ordinance. The Village Council Monday directed Village Manager Jeff Thornton to have a resolution drawn up detailing the change in Caledonia’s golf cart ordi­ nance, which has been in effect since November 2018. The council’s action fol­ lowed a review of an opin­ ion provided by Township Attorney Kathryn Zoller, which proposes to make the owner of the golf cart responsible for any viola­ tions of the ordinance as well as the operator of the vehicle. “That way, if the village is aware who owns the golf cart and can document the time and place ofthe viola­ tion, a citation could be issued to the owner,” Zoller wrote in a July 7 email to Thornton. The resolution is expect­ ed to be approved by the council at its next meeting Sept. 11, Thornton said. Village officials have recently raised concerns about unsafe use of golf carts on local streets, including reckless driving and operation of carts by those under age 16. Under both the village ordinance and state law, anyone oper­ ating a golf cart must be at least 16 years old and licensed to operate a motor vehicle. “If somebody is on the golf cart that does not hold a license, they’re held accountable and so is the owner because the owner should be giving permis­ sion (to anyone driving the cart),” Thornton told coun­ cil members. Questions have been about how to approach potential violations. “You or Jennifer (Lindsey, village president) could follow a golf cart observed to be violating the golf cart ordinance, as long as you do not stop the golf cart,” Zoller wrote in the If somebody is on the golfcart that does not hold a license, they’re held accountable and so is the owner because the owner should be giving permission” — JeffThornton, Caledonia Village Manager raised about the ordinance being unenforceable. As the ordinance is currently writ­ ten, the village cannot pull over suspected violators. Zoller issued an opinion in an email to Thornton Aug. 7 email. “You should be care­ ful not to indicate that the other golf cart must pull over or stop.” Zoller also wrote in the email that should either Thornton or Lindsey go to the home of a golf cart owner to address an alleged ordinance viola­ tion, they should state the purpose of their visit. They may ask questions but cannot force the owner to answer them, and can­ not give any orders or commands, she wrote. Thornton held an open house at the Village Hall Aug. 2 to explain the golf cart ordinance and field any questions about it. Ten peo­ ple attended, including four current cart owners. The ordinance requires golf carts to be registered with the village, but only 15 carts are currently regis­ tered with the village, Thornton said. “We did have one owner that contacted us and had read about it in the paper, and (said) ‘what do I do?’ They (came) down that same day and registered their golf cart,” he said. There is no charge for registering a golf cart with the village. The ordinance requires a photo ofthe golf cart, and the cart must carry liability coverage, which can be included on a home­ owners’ insurance policy. The village must be listed as the additional insured on the vehicle. A registration form can be found on the village website, villageofcaledonia.org. Other provisions in the ordinance ban golf carts from being operated in bad weather. Carts can only be operated from a half-hour after sunrise to a half-hour before sunset, and the speed limit for carts is 15 miles per hour. NEW KID ON THE ‘BLOCK’: Butcher Block Social holds grand opening event Shari Harris Contributing Writer Over 100 people gathered around a butcher’s table on Wednesday morning at Butcher Block Social in Caledonia for the new restau­ rant’s grand opening. In lieu of a ribbon cutting, Mike Saladino, one of the owners, sliced a brisket as onlookers watched and cele­ brated. The new restaurant, located at 9900 Cherry Valley Ave SE, is owned by Mike and Katie Saladino, Justin and Kelly Heyboer, Brian and Laura Witvoet, and Andrew talking and laughing and Crawley with Rudy’s Coffee, having fun.” which occupies a portion of Over a year of work went the establishment. into making it to opening Lori Gaier from the day. On finally being able to Caledonia Area Chamber of open the doors, Mike Commerce gave a short Saladino said, “It feels phe­ speech welcoming Butcher nomenal. It’s a nice thing for Block Social as a new area the community. We’d love to business. After the cutting, see a lot more people come many guests stayed to enjoy in and enjoy what we enjoy.” lunch. When the owners hosted Cheryl Bergy who attend­ their soft opening, they ed the opening said, “The expected about 180 people food was delicious, amazing. but ended up serving 300 Everybody was having a people. According to great time, everyone was Saladino, 3,500 pounds of meat were smoked for open­ ing weekend, and he expect­ ed to smoke another 1,000 pounds the next day in order to make it through to Sunday. The restaurant will be open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight. Rudy’s Coffee is open Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Instead of a ceremonial ribbon cutting, Butcher Block Social in Caledonia opted for a brisket slicing to mark its grand opening. Here, Mike Saladino cuts through a brisket. Fellow owners (left to right) Brian Witvoet, Katie Saladino, and Kelly and Justin Heyboer watch. Laura Witvoet (not pictured) is also a co-owner. (Photos by Shari Harris) cornerstonechurch LI OI*1 >1 >1:1773 Neighbors Need Neighbors cornerstonemi.org/Events August 27 Sunday 8am-1pm Bobby Saladino gets to work slicing meat to serve customers that showed up for the grand opening event. Appointments HrBec6ommended. Walk ins welcome to fill open times! For each donation, Versiti will make a grant to benefit Streams GR! �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023 Bond sale ratified, groundbreaking date set for new Dutton school Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools will break ground next month on the new Dutton Elementary School. The district announced Thursday that a ground­ breaking ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the site of the new school, 4950 76th St. SE, just east of Patterson Avenue. People planning to attend the cere­ mony are asked to park at the current Dutton school on 68th Street and take a shuttle bus that will be pro­ vided by the district to the site of the new school, dis­ trict spokeswoman Kelly Clark said. Construction of the new school was made possible by voter approval in May of a $61 million bond issue. On Monday, the CCS Board of Education ratified the sale of bonds to finance construction of the school, as well as finish the build­ ing of the Caledonia Community Center. The board approved the sale of the first series of bonds from the May bond issue in the amount of $37,145,000 that will be used to build the new Dutton building. The board also signed off on the sale of the third and final series of bonds from the May 2020 bond proposal, in the amount of $11,265,000, that will be used to finish work on the community center. The bonds were priced on Aug. 2, and the district executed a purchase agree­ ment the following day. The board’s approval will allow CCS to close on the bonds Aug. 29, allowing for funds to be transferred to the district, Finance Director Sara DeVries said. The Dutton bonds, which are to be paid off over a 30-year period, have an interest rate of 5 .percent while the community center bonds, which are to paid off over 10 years, have interest rates ranging from 4.9 to 5.25 percent, according to district documents. Bidding on the Dutton project will soon get under­ way, beginning with a site earthwork package, fol­ lowed by a building pack­ age. District officials have also been meeting with the Kent County Road Commission with regard to improvements to 76th Street tied to the school construction, CCS Operations and Transportation Executive Director Matt Hess said. The community center project had been running behind schedule, but now is said to be caught up. “We did have a little bit of a delay trying to get the pool people motivated ...to get their hole in the ground and get their stuff going, and they are. They are on the job, on the task. I was there last week and saw ... underground drainage going in under the pool, and A sign identifies the future site of the new Dutton Elementary School, located at 4950 76th St. SE. (Photo by Greg Chandler) that was terrific to see,” Hess said. The community center project is scheduled to be completed in January 2025, while the new Dutton build­ ing is expected to open in the fall of 2025, Hess said. Caledonia council cuts village manager stipend for interim public services duties as it works to find full-time replacement Greg Chandler Monday to have Thornton stay on as interim public services director through Dec. 24, by which time it’s hoped that a job description and a proposed allocation of duties between the village manager and public works will be presented to the council. The council also voted to StaffWriter The Caledonia Village Council will continue to have Village Manager Jeff Thornton serve in the role of public services director for the next several months, but won’t pay him as much for those additional duties. The council voted 6-1 cut Thornton’s monthly sti­ pend for the additional responsibilities from $2,000 to $1,000. That’s on top of his salary for serving as both village manager and clerk. Thornton has served in the interim capacity since July 1 of last year. The vil­ lage has gone three years without a public works FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO US. We treat our patients like family and offer comfortable, customized dentistry for everyone. Same Day Dentistry Implants catered to your treatment needs to return your teeth to .good health Pediatric Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry with kid-friendly options for ideal results Dental exams are even more important as we get older, preventing problems and reducing the risk ofserious illness. 120% OFF your first visit I I | Mention this offer when you call or bring i this card with you. I About Yankee Springs Dental Come experience the welcoming atmosphere of our rural, local office, where our patients know each other. Tyler Veneman, DDS is a native of Caledonia who keeps up on the latest technology within dentistry and enjoys getting to know the patients' unique needs. © director. The village attempted to hire a Department ofPublic Works director last summer at a salary of between $47,840 and $52,000, and was unable to fill the position. “We are currently work­ ing on the job description,” Village President Jennifer Lindsey said. The village has a DPW employee who it hopes will eventually take on the role of department foreman, but that employee has not yet completed a year on the job. “We’re taking the duties that are outlined (for) the public works/public service director, and we’re working to split the duties between the manager and the fore­ man,” Thornton said. Lindsey expressed con­ cern- about waiting for the employee to gain more experience. High Efficiency NOW ACCEPTING BBSS FURNACE & AIR RUUD MOO Off HEALTHY KIDS DELTA DENTAL AND HEALTHY KID DENTAQUEST looking to odd a Dental Assistant Must present this coupon. Expires 9-15-2023 (not valid with other offers) 12715 W M-179 Hwy • Wayland, Ml 49348 FRONTIER HEATING & COOLING YankeeSpringsDental.com Office Hours (269)792-9723 Scan to request an appointment and learn more. M 9am-6pm Th 8am-5pnrf 8am-4pm F 8«m-12pm 210 East Main Street, Caledonia K&3 ppW Tur 7gasmd-e3nptmal H-179HWY sion, but only to a certain point. “My gut feeling is we should extend it this time, and that’s it,” Soest said. “That’s what we said last time (when we approved an extension),” Trustee Jeff Niles said in response. Trustee Gerrianne Schuler made the motion to extend Thornton in the interim role through December while cutting his stipend. “At that date, job descrip­ tions must be done, and then the foreperson takes over (at) the DPW,” Schuler said. Thornton receives a sala­ ry as village manager is $82,626, and also receives $3,000 for his responsibili­ ties as village clerk. The village has also set aside $108,593 for salaries in DPW for the current fiscal year that began July 1, according to budget docu­ ments. END OF SUMMER SPECIAL YANKEE SPRINGS DENTAL “We say a year (is enough), but there’s always times when you’re going to show an employee how to do something,” she said. “That’s part of being a supervisor, that’s part of being the manager. There’s always going to be some­ thing that you have to show an employee how to do. That’s part of being the manager and running the day-to-day operations ofthe village.” Lindsey opposed any fur­ ther stipend for Thornton and was the lone no vote on the motion. “We have to have a cut­ off, we have to say ‘Jeff, you’ve got to get this mov­ ing.’ I know December will be her one-year (anniversa­ ry). This has been going on for a long time,” Lindsey said. Council Trustee Jean Soest supported an exten- ©I t I Locally owned business. company built by �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023/ Page 7 Father-daughter duo look to bring personalized care to optometry practice Greg Chandler StaffWriter You’re dealing with head­ aches, back or neck pain, or even motion sickness. What if the root cause of the prob­ lem was something affecting your eyes? Dr. Jay Crank at Premier Family Eye Care in Gaines Charter Township says it’s a good possibility, and he has a solution for the problem. “Twenty percent of people have what’s called misalign­ ment syndrome,” Crank said, explaining that when your eyes are out of alignment, it forces your brain to work harder to bring the images from each eye into a single clear image. Premier Family Eye Care is the first optometry practice in West Michigan to offer a product called Neurolens, which is meant to solve the problem of misalignment. “Basically it’s for people who struggle a lot with head­ aches, a lot of people that struggle with stiff neck (and) back pain,” Crank said. With the Neurolens, eyes are brought into proper align­ ment, resulting in a reduction of pain, Crank said. Crank has been an optome­ trist in West Michigan since 1994. He initially started out in a large group practice, but got to a place where he was Dr. Carlie Crank dissatisfied with what was happening in the eye care industry. “Everything has been going into private equity in our space, whether it’s medi­ cine, everything. Big corpo­ rations are coming up and buying these practices,” Crank said. “What that’s causing, and that’s why I left the practice I was at, I was losing my independence, los­ ing my autonomy. People that were making decisions were not doctors.” Crank opened the Gaines Township location at 6748 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in 2016, and two years later purchased the practice of Dr. Dave Scholten on 32nd Street SE for his second location. “We want to be a patient-centered practice again, and have the doctors Middleville TOPS 546 The Aug. 14 meeting opened with the secretary's report and roll call. One new fish jumped into the fishbowl and one fish fell out. The guest speaker was the group’s Advocate, Diane Dallas-Strang. Her program was titled "It's a Great Day for a New Beginning.” She gave ways to jumpstart new beginnings. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. SEASONAL LABOR WANTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE __________WAGES STARTING AT $16.00__________ POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM Twin City Foods, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protectecH^aw. Dr. Jay Crank be independent (in making) decisions that are best for the patient. That’s what we’re all about,” Crank said. Crank has been joined at the practice by his daughter, Carlie, who just completed her doctor of optometry degree from the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University in May. Dr. Carlie Crank is a 2016 graduate of Caledonia High School, where she played on a conference cham­ pion girls basketball team her senior year and played first singles on the Fighting Scots’ girls tennis team. “I’ve been around eye care my entire life. He’s been such a great role model for me my whole life. I knew I wanted to do some­ thing in health care, so I thought why not follow in the footsteps of my dad?,” Carlie Crank said. Carlie Crank completed her bachelor’s degree from Ferris State in three years, then attended optometry school for four more years before graduating. “Your fourth year, you’re off on three different (resi­ dency) rotations that last three to four months (each),” she said. Premier Family Eye Care offers the latest technology in eye care, and provides advanced treatment for such conditions as glaucoma and macular degeneration. It also offers a full line of lenses and frames to fit every budget. “We want to make sure that we keep people in our office,” Jay Crank said. “We provide all eye care services, which includes general exams ... but also medical services.” “We do have premium lenses, but we also have value lenses, because we know that everyone’s on a budget,” he added. Premier Family Eye Care’s Gaines office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays; and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays. For more information about the practice, visit PremierFamilyEyes.com online. Thornapple Township board OKs website redesign Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thomapple Township will soon be getting a new website. The Township Board Monday unanimously approved a redesign of the township website, voting to contract with Freeport-based Pixelvine Creative to under­ take the project. The town­ ship will pay $2,875 for the update, plus a $75 monthly fee for website hosting and support and a $15 monthly charge for archiving meeting minutes for the township. The current website dates back to March 2002, Township Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. “The current website is difficult to navigate, docu­ ments are not searchable, public alerts are difficult to find and updates are not sup­ ported by the current plat­ form,” township office coor­ dinator Aly Piotrowski wrote in a memo to the board. Pixelvine Creative is a full-service web design and marketing company that has more than 220 customers in 17 states. The company ser­ vices websites for the village of Middleville and the city of Hastings as well as Irving, Orangeville and Carlton townships, company owner Sean McMahon said. “We do really well with smaller townships and municipalities,” McMahon told the board. “It's just the way our model is set up.” Piotrowski sought quotes from three companies before coming back with a recom­ mendation to the township, Supervisor Eric Schaefer said. “Pixelvine seemed to be the most suited for our town­ ship,” Schaefer said. The website redesign is expected to begin in about four weeks and is expected to take 45 to 60 days to com­ plete, according to a compa­ ny memo to the township. The board Monday also approved the purchase of a new passage door to the fire bay at the Thomapple Township Fire Department station at a cost not to exceed $1,740. “The fire station is nearly 20 years old. It's starting to have some deferred mainte­ nance that needs to be addressed,” Fire Chief Bill Richardson said. “When the sun hits (the door), especial­ ly when it's in direct sun­ light, you almost need two hands to open up the door handle because it swells so badly.” Yankee Springs Fire Department to host blood drive on Tuesday, seeking donations The Yankee Springs Township Fire Department will host a blood drive from 2 to 6:30 p.m, on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Versiti Blood Center will be the service provider. The fire department is located at 1425 S. Payne Lake Road in Wayland. Anyone who is at least 17 years old and weighs more THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, August 14,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to hire Pixelvine to re-design the town­ ship website. 4. Approved motion to pur­ chase a new passage door to the fire bay at a cost NTE $1740 out of the station maintenance bud­ get. 5. Approved motion to hire three new paid on call members. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visit­ ing our website at https://thornapple-twp.org/meetine-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 204482 than 110 pounds may be eli­ gible to be a donor. No money is involved; the only cost is only time.. Donors will be entered to win $1,200 in electronic gift cards that can be used for a new TV, computer or any other new home entertain­ ment device. Questions may be directed to Versiti Blood Center, 866-MIBLOOD, or 269­ 795-9091. Appointments are preferred and may be made at donate.mivchigan.versiti. org, but walk-ins are wel­ comed. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing to consider the following: Summary of Request: Public Services Special Assessment July 12, 2021, the Township Board of Trustees passed Resolution No. 2021 -11, stating each year, on or before September 30, the Township Board would ascertain the Public Services costs for the coming year. Upon deter­ mining and establishing the amount to be assessed (based on unexpended funds, cash on hand, and the estimated projected costs for that year) shall hold a public hearing on the estimated costs and expenses, for police, public safety, rescue, and fire protection and on the distribution of the levy for the coming year (2024). Property Address: All real properties in the Charter Township of Gaines Date and Time of Hearing: September 11,2023 at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Township Hall, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. Current MIOSHA COVID guidelines will be followed. Any interested party may appear and be heard. Information related to this request may be inspected at the Gaines Township Hall, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, or contact the Township Manager’s office at 616-698-6640. In order to be entered into the public record, signed written comments must be received by 5PM on September 11,2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-504-4332 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. �( Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023 Auctions NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ AGE SALE­ Please notice Red Dot Storage 195-Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 intends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 9/4/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, fur­ nishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #138. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details. B usiness Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Pop­ lar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Garage Sale DOWNSIZING GARAGE SALE: 110 Dayton Street, Middleville. August 24-26, 2023, 9am-5pm. Tool boxes, nuts, bolts, nails, black powder supplies, shovels, extension ladders, drywall tools, house­ wares, antique furniture, Jenny Lind bed, bedding, and MORE! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!! COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Goose­ neck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, water tank, furni­ ture, golfclubs, dog crate, etc. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $300. 269-223-9194. HELP WANTED RN Nurse Care Manager Middleville Family Practice Chris Noahi MD • 24-hour week flex time, hybrid/home-office • Previous care management and/or CCM preferred • EMR experience, MS Office Word & Excel preferred • Occasional backup for clinical patient check-in nurse Please email resume to chriszoet@cvfp. us CUPPER SUMMER SALE DAYS 735 E. Sherman Street • Nashville, Ml (517) 852-1910 www.burnips.com Offer Valid 5/26/23 - 8/31/23 ‘Pricing aabfect to change without notice “Clipper Summer Sale Days" promotional event discounts valid on the purdme ot a new Country dipper Zero Turn Mower beginning May 26.2023 and ending Augusi 3L 202j. Discounts may vary by model and parUcipafing dealer. Program applies It in stock inventory only. May not be combined with any other offer. Discounts shewn in OS DoHara. Contact your local participating dealer far MB details. COUNTRY w IPPER rut. mowik Bi-annual Caledonia High School reunion draws nearly 100 attendees this year CountryClipper.com Keith (left) and Jean (right) Bergy were honored at last weekend’s bi-annual Caledonia High School reunion for being the longest married couple in attendance. Penny Weller stands in the background. (Photos provided) Shari Harris Contributing Writer Although traditional high school reunions are becoming less popular due to social media, past graduates of Caledonia High School cover­ ing more than seven decades of classes gathered last Saturday in the school’s cafeteria. Anyone who graduated from Caledonia through the year 2021 was welcome and the reunion hosted almost 100 people. The youngest regis­ tered graduate was Kariana Homrich from the class of 2021. The oldest attendee was Gerald Kayser from the class of 1943. Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer was there to welcome the guests. Honored guests included two former teachers, Kay Newell and Gayle Ott. Nancy TenelshofCrumback, former middle school band and choir teacher, entertained the guests on the piano with “Music Through the Decades.” Similar to what might be called the “most likely” list sometimes found in a school yearbook, attendees were rec­ ognized for various accom­ plishments related to the reunion such as Richard Hawkins, class of 1955, who was recognized for being the Last Saturday’s bi-annual Caledonia High School reunion brought in a solid crowd of alumni spanning more than seven decades of classes. “first responder.” They also classes that had already cele­ recognized the person who brated their 50th reunion were “traveled the furthest” and the invited. However, attendance person who “traveled the has expanded to include more recent graduating classes and least” along with others. Keith and Jean Bergy — the children and grandchildren Keith having graduated in of Caledonia High School 1946 — were honored for alumni. being the longest married cou­ According to committee member Penny Weller, class of ple there. The master ofceremonies, Jo 1966, members ofthe commit­ Arm (Weller) Carney, class of tee are excited to see the atten­ 1965, provided introductions, dance remain stable as the out­ an invocation, and door prizes. reach is now primarily through Other gifts from steak dinners to email and social media. hula hoops were donated by The next reunion is sched­ Rita Berens (Weller), class of uled to take place on Aug. 9, 1977, and Marlene (Currier) 2025. Hitts, class of 1968. For more information, visit The class of 1965 boasted caledoniacef.org/reunions or the most people in attendance sign up for the email list by with 18 classmates. emailing a request to caledoIn previous years, only niaalumni@gmail.com. Thirsty craft beer connoisseurs gear up for Barry County BrewFest today Jayson Bussa Editor Barry County BrewFest will return to where it all began this weekend. Now in its seventh year, the annual craft beer festival will take place in downtown Middleville, under the pavil­ ion at Sesquicentennial Park at the comer of Main and Railroad streets. Put on by the Barry County Chamber & Economic Development Alliance, BrewFest will run from noon to 5 p.m. Middleville was the site of the inaugural BrewFest, but the event moves locations throughout Barry County each year, visiting Freeport, Delton, Nashville, Hastings and the Gun Lake area last year when it set up shop near Curly Cone. “It should be really nice — we’ll be under the pavilion and the weather is supposed to be great,” said Kim Martin, who oversees the festival for the chamber. As with any annual event that organizers hope to build longevity around, Martin said that organizers are always focused on adding or tweaking something each year so that it does not get stale. At the same time, BrewFest has steadily grown organically as more and more craft beer fans from in and around Barry County learn about it. “We try to enhance it every year; we try to do something different every year,” Martin said. “This year, we will have 36 different vendors, both breweries and wineries. When it started, I believe we Only had 16 or 17 ... every year it has gotten bigger. We have 120 different tastes or samples for this year.” Once again, breweries ofall sizes from across the state of Michigan are participating and providing something for every taste bud from fruity Wapatooie from Upper Hand in Escanaba; All Day West Coast IPA from Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids; Sundancer Summer Wheat from the Walldorffin Hastings; Peanuts and Cracker Jack Porter from the Mitten Brewing Company in Grand Rapids and many flavors and styles in between. Alternatives to beer include spirits from Gull Lake Distillery, Long Drink, Smirnoff Red, White & Blue, wines from St. Julian and oth­ ers, Twisted Tea and drinks from Tandem Ciders among others. While products from brew­ eries, wineries, meaderies and distilleries are always avail- ...is hosting OPEN BASKETBAIL TOURNAMENTS on Sat., August 26 at 9:00 am With lots of fun prizes and medals. Call Wes at 616-558-7464 for more information. This year, 36 different vendors will be on hand at Barry County BrewFest, offering a total of 120 prod­ ucts to sample. The sev­ enth annual event contin­ ues to grow year by year. able at this annual event, Martin said that, for the first time, attendees are able to sample some moonshine thanks to Grandville-based Michigan Moonshine, which will be in attendance. The company sells its prod­ uct out ofits home bar but also distributes products throughout the greater Grand Rapids area. Presale tickets are currently available for $30. Tickets are $40 on the day of the event. Admission includes a com­ memorative tasting glass and five tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets will be available for purchase. As is the goal for any cham­ ber-produced event, Martin is striving to not just provide a fun event for locals but also draw in visitors from outside of Barry County, which BrewFest consistently does. “It brings people in from other areas — it’s not just Barry County people that come to Barry County BrewFest,” Martin said. “What we’re hoping is that, when you come to visit, you go eat at Riverdog (Tavern) or Red’s Sports Bar and eat at the local restaurants. Or stop in at Left Field (Coffee Bar). That’s part ofthis community event. We want to bring people^) local businesses.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023/ Page 9 Gaines Board sets public hearing on proposed Tesla supercharging stations James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Board voted 6-0 at its meeting Monday night to set a public hearing for Sept. 11 on the proposed installation of a dozen electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lot of the Gaines Marketplace shop­ ping center. One trustee was absent. The board had its first read­ ing ofa major amendment to a planned unit development that would permit a dozen high­ speed Tesla Inc. “supercharging” stations to be installed along Marketplace Drive in the Meijer parking lot. That is one block south of the M-6 freeway, off Kalamazoo Avenue. In addition to the 209,000-square-foot Meijer supercenter, the busy shopping corrider includes restaurants, retail stores, and a gas station. A residential development sits on the south side of Marketplace Drive across from the Meijer store. The stations would recharge a Tesla vehicle in about 30 minutes, which is good for about 200 miles. Consumers Energy would supply the power to the charging stations. “These chargers will be compatible with GM, Ford, Nissan, Volvo and others,” Jordan Rhyne told the town­ ship board. He is the regional development lead for Tesla’s charging infrastructure pro­ gram. The federal government established earlier this year new standards for a national EV-charging network to ensure that everyone can use it, regardless ofwhat Vehicle they drive or which state they charge it in. The Federal Highway Administration says the standards are designed to eliminate disparities among EV-chaiging stations when it comes to con­ nector types, payment methods and data privacy. The Biden Administration has set a goal that EVs account for at least 50 percent of new car sales by 2030. Community Development Director Dan Wells said the township’s new master plan envisions more EV-charging stations coming into Gaines Township over the next several years. But the township’s current zoning ordinance does not have any language pertain- ing to EV-charging stations. “This being a PUD, staff thought it would be best ifwe just did it as an amendment. We don’t have it as a use, we don’t have any standards for it, or anything,” he said. “We’re working those out. It’ll be in the new ordinance when it comes out.” Among other things, the zoning ordinance will set the legal ground rules for the placement and operation ofthe chargers. It may be completed near the end ofthis year or the start ofnext year. It would be in place before Tesla begins operating the charging sta­ tions, likely in 2024, if the township board gives final approval. “This is the new (modem) gas station,” Wells said in describing how charging sta­ tions are likely to become ubiquitous in the coming years. “We really need to start thinking about how we inte­ grate these into the township. That’s the outstanding ques­ tion for staff right now, to present something to (the township board) so they’re considered carefully. Whether they’re special use permits or by right in certain areas. So, that’s what we’re working on now. This is the first one (in the township).” Tabulator purchase In other other business, the township board voted unani­ mously to authorize staff to purchase a new precinct tabu­ lator from Grand Rapidsbased ElectionSource. The township has a contract with the voting-equipment supplier through Kent County. The tabulator would be used to process early voting. Last November, voters in Michigan passed Proposal 2, which gives them the right to vote early in any statewide or federal election. Municipal governments must offer the option to early-vote for at least nine consecutive days, begin­ ning on the second Saturday before the election. The 2024 presidential primary will- be the first one in which early voting will be constitutionally required. “So, we have to have a tab­ ulator for early voting. And, then, we have the nine tabula­ tors we use for the precincts on election day,” Township Clerk changes in the zoning ordi­ nance to neighborhood and general commercial zoning. That will give planners time to make some adjustments to the language of the text amend­ ment. The language in the ordinance will be crafted to make the neighborhood com­ mercial zones more pedestri­ an-oriented and restrict auto-related businesses in Fireworks ordinance The township board took its those areas. Township Planner Dan first read of an update to the fireworks ordinance. The cur­ Wells said the changes will rent one is based on outdated make the new zoning ordi­ state regulations. The revised nance that is being drafted ordinance will be scripted to more compatible with the new more closely align with the master plan the township current state ordinance. adopted this past spring. The “There was some language vision is to integrate some retail in our old ordinance that made and service industry into areas it a little gray, and literally read that would attract housing. that you could really light a “Drive-thru’s and things of fireworkjust about any day of that nature wouldn’t necessari­ the year,” Township Manager ly be appropriate to put next to Rod Weersing said in a a neighborhood,” Wells said. post-meeting interview. “Car washes and gas stations, In Michigan, local units of that sort of thing, wouldn’t be government have the authority allowed in the neighborhood to set their own restrictions on commercial. They’d still be setting offfireworks. allowed in general commercial. Neighborhood commercial is Commercial zoning really made for integration of The township board tabled new businesses into the older a motion regarding proposed parts of the commercial areas.” Michael Brew said. The new tabulator will be used for the nine days of early voting. The township board approved the $1,500 purchase of a ballot bin with a perma­ nent base, similar to the ones the township already uses for elections. Water quality "excellent” on Gun Lake, treatments continue on canals, channels Greg Chandler StaffWriter Water quality levels on Gun Lake are said to be “excel­ lent,” according to a recent study. At the same time, though, challenges continue with regard to invasive and nui­ sance aquatic plant growth in the lake’s canals and channels. In a report to the Gun Lake Improvement Board Thursday night, Pete Filpansick of SOLitude Lake Management said that phosphorus, alkalinity and chlorophyll levels on the lake were generally within acceptable levels. Water sam­ ples were collected from three different locations within the lake on Aug. 2 - one on the east side of the lake with a depth of 65 feet, one on the west side of the lake with a depth of 5 feet and a third just off the boat launch at Yankee Springs Recreation Area with a depth of 50 feet, Filpansick said. “The best water quality in the state (for phosphorus) is 10 parts per billion or less. Acceptable is about 30 (parts per billion) or less. If you go down the list, you’re going to see a lot of numbers in the teens, a couple in the mid20s,” Filpansick said. “Water quality for phosphorus is very good.” There was one outlier in the phosphorus testing, an area on the east side of the lake where water was tested at a depth of 60 feet, where phosphorus lev­ els were 67 parts per billion, well above the standard. “We had this same issue last year,” Filpansick said. “There’s two possibilities (as to why it’s happening). One, either we stirred up sediment offthe bot­ tom as we’re going down, we hit the bottom ... when we pulled the sample and hit some sediment that’s nutrient-rich offthe bottom, giving an artifi­ cially high reading. The other alternative is that there simply is a lot of phosphorus in the sediment and when there’s no oxygen, that phosphorus is being released up into the water column.” Filpansick pointed out that in that same area at a depth of 50 feet, phosphorus levels were 18 parts per billion. “That phosphorus-rich water or sediment is trapped at the bottom of the lake. It’s a perfect place for it,” he said. ‘Tfwe started seeing that number creeping higher up in the 50,40,30 feet ofwater, we see that phosphorus moving in the water column, that’s where we would raise a red flag and say we’re about to have a nutrient problem, we’re going to see an algae bloom late summer, we need to do something about the phosphorus.” Filpansick is awaiting field notes the aquatic biologist who conducted the water sam­ pling. His report is based on the sampling analyses, which were done by an independent, certified laboratory. Levels of alkalinity ranged from 131 to 168 parts per bil­ lion, while acceptable levels are considered to be 120 to 200 parts per billion, Filpansick said. Meanwhile, chlorophyll-A levels, which serve as an indi­ cator of free algae growth, were generally less than 10 parts per billion, well within standards, acceptable Filpansick said. Low-flow inlet sampling was conducted at the Payne Lake tributary and the Cuddy Inter­ County Drain. Water quality at Payne Lake was found to be excellent - “very clear water” while levels oftotal phosphorus and total suspended solids at the Cuddy drain were higher than when samples were taken in the spring. However, flow rates for the sites have not yet been cal­ culated, which could impact the final results. “It depends on how much water is coming in. Even a low phosphorus reading can be a significant source of pollution if there’s a lot of water mov­ ing,” Filpansick said. Meanwhile, the Gun Lake board Thursday approved her­ bicide treatments on more than 42 acres ofcanals and channels in the lake, after a survey taken earlier this week found contin­ ued presence of invasive and nuisance plants in those areas. Treatment areas are generally in the northwest and southern portions ofthe lake. “The canals held various combinations ofalgae, macroal­ gae and aquatic plants, includ­ ing both non-native species and native species growing to nui­ sance densities,” Filpansick wrote in his report to the board. The canals and channels will be treated with peroxygen algicides in concentrations ranging from 100 to 200 pounds per acre and a combi­ nation of flumioxazin and diquat dibromide at a concen­ tration of 100 parts per billion. The cost of the treatments adds to $21,989. GLIB had budgeted $127,500 for herbi­ cide treatments for this year, of which it has spent to date $72,405. That’s an increase from $63,857 at the same time one year ago. Board Chairwoman Vivian Conner cited a change away from cop­ per-based herbicide treatments for the increased cost. “We’re using a product that costs more,” Conner said. Some Gun Lake residents have been critical of the board for past use of copper sulfate and other copper-based treat­ ments, saying they have harmed native plants and affected fish­ ing quality on the lake. Board member Doug Kammeraad of Wayland Township expressed concern about the money being spent on treatments in the canals and channels. “What happens ifwe get hit by, all ofa sudden, a large area of Eurasian milfoil? Then we’re back into (treating the area) with ProcellaCOR and we could be dropping $40,000 real quick,” Kammeraad said. Filpansick said his compa­ ny is always looking at new technologies and new methods to combat the growth of inva­ sive and nuisance plants. es �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023 TK solid all around, but looking for goal scorers Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer team was 10-10-1 a year ago. Trojan head coach Andrew Kiel is looking forward to seeing his team bump its record over the .500 mark this season with a bit more experience. “Last year we had a very young team, starting a fresh­ man, and five sophomores,” Kiel said. “We have a lot more maturity on the field and should be able to limit a lot of silly mistakes we made last year.” A couple ofthe key return­ ing youngsters are junior center midfielder Jayce Curtis and sophomore defender Nate Shoemaker. Another big part of the Trojans’ returning crew is senior winger Reece Hoeksma. Kiel expects Shoemaker and Hoeksma to lead especially strong groups. “Defensively, we are going to be a very hard team to break down. I have too many quality defenders, and it is in a weird way a good problem to have,” Kiel said. “We also will be very strong playing on the wing this sea­ son, with a lot of options and creativity.” Finding out just who can take advantage of that cre­ ativity on the front line is one of the big questions for the Trojans. “We lost the majority of our goal scores last year [to graduation],” Kiel said' “This year we don’t know where those goals are going to come from, but we will need the team as a whole to step and fill that void.” So far, the Trojan coach sees sophomore Peyton Foreman becoming a play­ maker as a winger for the team and the junior class as a whole stepping up. He said his juniors put in a lot of work this offseason and look especially ready to make the move up from the JV to the varsity. TK opened the season on the turf inside Bob White Stadium Thursday finishing in a 1-1 draw with Otsego. The Trojans are at the Oakridge Invitational today, Aug. 19, and will be back in action at Zeeland East Monday and then at Hastings Wednesday in the week ahead. The TK team opens OK Gold Conference play Aug. 28 at home against Cedar Springs. Kiel said he expects South Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central to be two of the toughest teams to beat once again in the OK Gold Conference this fall, and that how his guys play against the Sailors and Cougars will help set the expectations for the conference and postsea­ son action. frojans expect to rely on speed and defense Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg varsity volley­ ball team is getting a boost from its growing youth program, there is a solid group of returnees from last year’s team that placed fourth in the OK Gold Conference, and a couple of newcomers to the district are adding their talents too. Leading the list of girls back for the Trojans are senior captains Kenna VanElst, Jessie Drenten and Charlotte Nelson. VanElst returns to the net where she’ll spend time in the middle and at outside hitter. Drenten will be a leader in the back row performing defensive specialist and libero duties. Nelson returns at setter for the Trojans. Drenten and Nelson have shared setting duties in the past, but TK head coach Tia Cross is look­ ing forward to seeing senior Bailey Eden - in action at setter - sharing the position in a 6-2 to start the year with Nelson. Bailey joins the varsity this fall with her sopho­ more sister Alexa Eden who will be at a defen­ sive specialist or libero spot. “They have played a lot of volleyball, travel vol­ leyball and stuff like Charlotte Nelson that,” coach Cross said of the Edens. “They’re very skilled volleyball play­ ers.” Drenten filled in for an injured libero at times last fall, so she’s pretty familiar with the position. “I see her doing fantas­ tic,” coach Cross said. “She has a great attitude and is willing to do what­ ever I ask.” The Trojan team also brings back senior middle blocker Brittany Roodvoets and junior Brooklyn Harmon at the net. It isn’t often that coach Cross has had a freshman on the varsity, but Reece Ritsema has earned a spot as a mid­ dle blocker this fall. She’ll be joined by soph- See VOLLEYBALL, page 12 Nathan Shoemaker THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS highpoint Good Luck Teams MIDDLEVILLE’S HOMETOWN BODY SHOP COMMUNITY BANK FUAME a. AUBNMEHI Phone: 269-795-9596 GRANGER 888-947-2643 WASTE SERVICES B'SmfSHf mkpCPA n’on*810KAL 500 Edward St., P.O. Box 277 Middleville, MI 49333-0277 PH; 269.795.7927 www.mkpcpa.com 415 2nd St., Middleville grangerwa.steservices.com Caledonia, Ml in Caledonia 618-891-7500 cherryvateystmie.com Andrew R. Cove, AAMS® Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-3553 < MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING MIDDLEVILLE, Ml Ph 795-7911 Fax 795-1677 HEATERS 200 Lafayette St. 1-888-422-2280 highpointcommunitybank.com Middleville Ml 49333 800-523-2931 Member FDIC CALEDONIA RENT ALL Skag Mowers Husqvarna Outdoor Products Phone: 616-891-0150 Phone: 616-891-0050 110 Johnson St., Caledonia 9800 Cherry Valley, Caledonia Jason Parks 117 W. MAIN WATER brok ---- WOKER Southern BBQ. & Catering 120 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 269-241-1050 brokensmoker.com Good Luck Athletes Itali Italian MIDDLEVILLE’S FINEST Edwardjones BRADFORD WHITE " FRIENDLY MARKETS I 4650 M-37, Middleville (2691-795-7019 7am - 9pm Mon-Sat; 8am - 8pm Sun 9028 N. Rodgers Ct. S.E., Caledonia 616-891-1233 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com RESTAURANT 4525 M-37 Hwy Ste J Middleville, Ml 49333 269.795.3672 �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023/ Page 11 Youngsters join senior duo in front pack for Trojan team Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys' cross country team has a pair of seniors eyeing the start of their last varsity season in Lucas Van Meter and Kaden Hamming. They are both four year varsity runners, but they have had a bit of a different path to their current leader­ ship roles. Van Meter was instantly one of the fastest Trojans as a freshman - pushing for a spot in the MHSAA Division 2 Lower Peninsula State Finals each year. He has been first team All-Barry County in each of his three seasons. It has only taken him more than 19 minutes to finish a race twice, and both ofthose instances came early in his freshman fall. Hamming has worked his times down from the start of his freshman year with a pro­ gression that took him from about 24 and a half minutes to 21 and a half minutes that season. He set his personal record at regionals a year ago finishing in 19 minutes 5 seconds on the course at South Christian High School. “This is another summer where they have put in their 300 miles plus, so that mile­ age combined with just the years of adding more dis­ tance onto their legs and their bodies will help them to produce a successful senior season,” TK head coach Josh Reynolds said. The big goal for Van Meter is to finally qualify for the state finals for the first time. Coach Reynolds said he looks stronger and more confident than he ever has at the start of a season, and he thinks hav­ ing some success in short­ er distance races with the track and field team at TK should help him out on the cross country course this fall both mentally and physically. Hamming continues to be one of the team's hard­ est workers. “He was there through our summer workouts. He was also part of the TK strength and condition group that met through the high school as well. He was pretty consistent hitting those TK athletic sponsored trainings and cross country conditioning,” Reynolds said. The Trojan coach has recently moved from teach­ ing at Page Elementary to at the middle school in Middleville. He's hoping one benefit of his new position will be retaining some of the Trojans' middle school run­ ners at the high school level. He is excited for the handful of youngsters that are joining the program. Sophomores Luke Archer and Ben Postma will be look­ ing to improve on their fresh­ man campaigns, freshmen Dylan Bremer and Grady Galaviz both spent three falls running with the TKMS team and should contribute to the Kaden Hamming scoring group. Galaviz was the top point scorer in the Wayland Roadrunners Club this summer and has no trou­ ble getting his miles in. Coach Reynolds said that he is pretty happy with the consistency of the five or six guys at the front ofthe Trojan back, and is interested to see how things shake out as the guys behind them try and battle to get into the varsity scoring mix. Returnees Hunter Tietz, Case Dykhouse and Noah Donker are all in that group along with anoth­ er freshman Elijah Frazer and new cross country runner Alex Frizzell. Reynolds is also pleased with the attitude and work ethic of the group and the way the guys are supporting each other so far. They'll need to be sup­ portive facing tough com­ petition all season. Forest Hills Eastern ran away with the OK Gold Conference last season and should be outstanding again. That 2022 FHE team had six underclassmen among its top seven scorers, who all were among the top 20 at the OK Gold Conference finale in Middleville last October. Coach Reynolds expects South Christian to be tough to beat and Cedar Springs had some solid youngsters a year ago too. The TK boys open the 2023 season on the course at South Christian, running in the Sailors annual Under the Lights Invitational Friday, Aug. 25. The team will also close the season on the Sailors' course at their MHSAA Division 2 Regional Meet in October. The Trojans go to Caledonia for a non-conference dual Friday, Sept. 1, and then open the OK Gold Conference sea­ son at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Sept. 6. TK plans to host its annual Coach B Invitational at Gun Lake Sept. 11 and will also host a conference jamboree Sept. 26. TK ladies driven to chase down tough competition Holly Velting Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team will open the season at South Christian’s Under the Lights Invitational the eve- ning of Aug. 25 and then head back to South Christian at the end of October for its MHSAA Division 2 Regional Meet. See CROSS, page 12 THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-3553 Edwardjones MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING ' MIDDLEVILLE’S FINEST 117 W. MAIN MIDDLEVILLE, Ml Ph 795-7911 Fax 795-1677 COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Middleville • 269-795-3550 500 Arlington St. Caledonia * 616-891-3550 9820 Cherry Valley Rd. TIRES2000.NET FARM BUREAU INSURANCE Good Luck Athletes Andrew R. Cove, AAMS® MuJu/jms /neuroMe, CoiKfxMaj- -UWuwa " FRIENDLY MARKETS ■ 4650 M-37, Middleville (269)-795-7019 7am - 9pm Mon-Sat; 8am - 8pm Sun FRONTIER $ee(er-$)res HEATING 8 COOLING ffinmCEfGme 210 E. Main St., Caledonia Call Frontier Now! 616-891-8900 914 W. Main Street Middleville Phone (269) 795-3694 C^OASDfl VANCED STQNE FABRICATIONS 269-795-0002 Jason Parks Advancedstonefab.com JXj restaurant 4525 M-37 Hwy Ste J Middleville, Ml 49333 269.795.3672 Sun & News SEPTIC SERVICE 269.945.9554 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 Fax (269) 948-8590 925 Grand Rapids St. Middleville, Ml 49333 TBUTCHEN 9028 N. Rodgers Ct. S.E., Caledonia 616-891-1233 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Ph (269) 948-8281 COOKIE STORE CThornappI'E 221 W. Apple St Hastings, MI 49058 Joe Lyons & John Curtis, Owner/Operators 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 269.345.4240 �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023 All four singles players return for TK, and more Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team opened its 2023 season with a runner-up finish to host Holland at the Holland Invitational Thursday. Holland took the day’s championship with 20 points. TK was second with 13 points ahead of Coopersville 10 and Greenville 5. The four singles players for the Trojans were the same foursome that filled the roles a year ago. Junior Kameron Nichols is at the top in the first singles posi­ tion for the third consecu­ tive season. He took a win Thursday over Greenville’s top player. Juniors Jacob Draaisma and Aidan Dudik man the second and third flights once again, flip-flopped from a year ago with Draaisma at number two and Dudik at three after showing off their progress in the preseason. Sophomore Frank Wilkinson returns in the fourth singles flight. Draaisma and Wilkinson were both 3-0 Thursday to win their flights. “It is a great group of guys,” TK head coach Philippe Sylvestre said. “They’re really great to have together. I am happy about that. They’re com­ petitive.” He said a lot of his guys put in work throughout the summer, and the progress of the ones who did is evi­ dent. It’s an experienced ros­ ter overall for TK with six of the eight doubles play­ ers having varsity experi­ ence. Senior Dylan Bailey and junior Anson Verlinde fill the top doubles slot. There are the senior duos of Andrew Beckering and Kyan Haywood at number two and Daniel Beckering and Landon Conroy at number three. The only varsity new­ comers are the fourth dou­ bles players, juniors Brady Laven and Evan Liu. While those top three teams are full of former varsity players, all three duos are new pairings. “There is evolution through graduation and evolution from some hav­ ing played more than oth­ ers,” Sylvestre said. “I think the [pairings] this year are better - personali­ ty wise, intent, competitive juices. I think in general the dating match-ups, if you want to call it that, are better.” As a whole, he likes the attitudes and work ethic of his guys, the way they sup­ port each other and how they’ve come to realize that the fourth doubles point is just as important to the team as the first singles point. The Trojans will need all the points they can get competing in the OK Gold Conference this fall. Forest Hills Eastern and Catholic Central remain strong programs and South Christian should be talent­ ed again. The Trojans will Bruce's Frame and Alignment! Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Kameron Nichols find themselves a fight to try and get into the top half of the conference standings. The Trojan coach wouldn’t have it any other way. “Every time we pick off matches I am satisfied,” Sylvestre said. “It makes me happy for the guys. I always look for putting them on notice that we want to be competitive. What is the fun of playing a team you can just roll over in 45 minutes” We want to be competitive. We want to go get matches.” TK opens the conference season at Catholic Central Aug. 30. The Trojans are sched­ uled to be a part of the Hamilton Invitational today, Aug. 19. They will be home for a dual with lowell Tuesday afternoon and then go to Lakewood for a Quad Friday, Aug. 25. In between, the TK ladies will be pushing to finish as high in the pack of OK Gold Conference teams while getting faster and faster all the time as they can. Thomapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews has earned an extra race beyond regionals in each ofher first two varsity seasons. She was one ofthree Thomapple son if they can. Also back from last year’s regular scoring seven are seniors Holly Velting and Kate Powers and sophomore Mady Kietzman. . “Holly Velting is as good of an athlete as they come,” Wilkinson said. “We also have solid talent and determination Kellogg girls to qualify for the in our returning group, as well MHSAA Division 2 Lower as in our new runners this year. Peninsula Cross Country Finals I believe there will be some last fall and is the lone returner battles to get into and maintain the top-7 spots again this year. from that group this season. Crews placed 58th at the finals It can be tough on the girls, but as a sophomore and TK head it’s a good problem to have. “It helps that we have good coach Sam Wilkinson said she is no less hungry than she was positive energy from our senior when shejoined the program as leadership in Holly Velting, Kate Powers, Laine Hinton and a freshman. The group ahead of her Mollie Moore, and that our showed off some of the talents team has shown already that of the Forest Hills Eastern pro­ they have each other’s backs.” gram. The Hawks head into the He knows that the challeng­ fall as the defensing OK Gold es his girls face in their confer­ Conference champions. There ence and their region, which were three FHE girls ahead of also includes conference foes Crews at the finals last year, Forest Hills Eastern and South including a pair of juniors in Christian as well as state pow­ Addison Washier and Ashlyn erhouse East Grand Rapids. Smith, and the Hawks finished “I think we will be a more their day at Michigan competitive team than last International Speedway in fifth year, but the teams we face in place in the state. our conference and our region “Three letters mark the top of are still very tough,” Wilkinson the OK Gold and those are said. “Our biggest challenge F.H.E. until proven otherwise,” may be perseverance in the coach Wilkinson said. “Forest face of the adversity of our Hills Eastern owns the Gold. competition. With that said, I South Christian has been, and believe our girls are tenacious, continues to be on the rise and competitive, and won’t back will really challenge FHE, while down to anyone.” Ottawa Hills can never be count­ The Trojans follow up their ed out with some strong talent season opener at South and a solid supporting cast, and Christian by taking on neigh­ then Cedar Springs showed last borhood rival Caledonia in a year that they are no joke. friendly dual Sept. 1 at “So where does that leave Caledonia High School. The us? That leaves us with a chal­ OK Gold Conference season lenge of climbing closer to the begins at Riverside Park in top of the heap and we accept Grand Rapids Sept. 6. this challenge.” TK will host its annual The Trojans were fifth in Coach B Invitational at Gun the conference last fall, and Lake Sept. 11. TK will also will be working to push their host a conference cross coun­ way into the top half this sea­ try jamboree Sept. 26. VOLLEYBALL, continued from page 1 omores McKenna and Tealy Cross - Hoebeke as an outside hitter and Cross either on the right side or at setter. The Trojans can use all the help they can get up front. Coach cross said a lack of size at the net will make blocking tough OK Gold Conference foes like South Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central tough. Your local agent insures your Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com CROSS continued from page 11 — Business s Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com “Well, I figure we’re going to need to be defen­ sively strong and quick-footed,” coach Cross said. “We’re going to have to cover the court very well, be good anticipators and be strong and quick.” South Christian and Catholic Central won’t be the only teams making things tough on the Trojans in the OK Gold, but coach Cross said she thinks her girls should be shooting for a top three spot at least in the confer­ ence. Wayland and Forest Hills Eastern will be right there with the same think­ ing, and coach Cross doesn’t want her girls to forget that Cedar Springs snuck up and took a regu­ lar season meeting from them a year ago too. “It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out,” coach Cross said. The TK girls were set to open their season at the WMVOA Invitational hosted by Wayland Union High School Friday. They will be back in action hosting a quad Tuesday evening and then head to the Cereal City Invitational in Battle Creek Aug. 26. The OK Gold Conference season starts when TK plays host to Cedar Springs Sept. 7. “Right now, we’re focused on competing,” coach Cross said. “They want to compete. That’s the biggest thing. Obviously, we all want to win. We all want to win.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023/ Page 13 Trojans open football season u.p. soccer at Hastings Thursday evening squads can now Tyler Gavette Brett Bremer Sports Editor The 2023 varsity football season kicks off for the Trojans when they travel to Hastings Thursday, Aug. 24, for the annual non-conference clash with the rival Saxons. The Hastings team which won Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championships in each of the past two years has won two in a row against the Thomapple Kellogg team - meaning the Trojans are all shooting for their first varsity victory over the Saxons. Leading that group of returnees for TK is the senior backfield of Tyler Gavette, Drake Snyder and Ethan Bonnema who will all see time at running back, as well as on the defensive side of the ball, senior wide receiver Jaxan Sias and senior line­ men Andrew Hanson and Tim Vandefifer. Bonnema was all-confer­ ence in the OK Gold a year ago and Snyder earned hon­ orable mention all-confer­ ence. Bonnema returns to the defensive backfield as well and Snyder at linebacker. The junior returnees are led by linebacker CJ Lennert and defensive back Brody Wiersma. TK head coach Jeff Dock, who is entering his seventh season leading the program, likes his teams chemistry and its overall speed. He is also pleased with the size up front. Looking to boost the varsi­ ty this fall are senior quarter­ back Grant Middleton and senior defensive lineman Dylan Welton andjunior run­ ning back/linebacker Jayce Brummel. The Trojans are also looking for good things from the senior trio of Owen Hood, Darious Robinson and Zach Eldridge. Hood will join the offensive and defen­ sive lines. Robinson and Eldrige will split time between running back and linebacker. Dock said everybody has been working hard at build­ ing solid depth in the pro­ gram, and that remains a work in progress at TK as it does in may high school foot­ ball programs across the state. “I love our team,” Dock said. “I'm looking forward to a great week one and taking it game by game.” Game two will be the home opener for the Trojans. They face Lowell Aug. 31 on Youth Football Night inside Bob White Stadium. The TK team will be, home for three straight after the opener in Hastings. The Trojans host Cedar Springs on Salute to Service Night Sept. 8 and then will take on perennial state power Grand Rapids Catholic Central Sept. 15. Catholic Central and South Christian are likely to contin­ ue to be the class of the con­ ference. South Christian knocked GRCC off the top of the OK Gold Conference standings a year ago and went on to win the MHSAA Division 4 State Championship. The Cougars went on to reach the state semifinals in Division 5. It was 2015 the last time the Cougars failed to get as far as the state semifinals in the postseason tournament. join state tourney Upper Peninsula teams in fall and girls soccer in playing boys and girls soccer spring and Upper Peninsula will have the opportunity to girls soccer season in fall and participate in a statewide boys soccer in spring, was Michigan High School put into place beginning with Athletic Association the 2007-08 school year. Tournament beginning with However, the different the 2023-24 school year after seasons for Upper Peninsula the U.S. federal court in the and Lower Peninsula soccer Western District of Michigan proved unworkable. To real­ granted on Wednesday, Aug. ize a full regular season, both 16, a joint petition to adjust boys and girls Upper that portion of the 2000s sea­ Peninsula soccer teams at sons litigation compliance that time instead chose to plan that had required Upper play during the same regular Peninsula boys and girls soc­ seasons as their Lower cer teams to play in opposite Peninsula counterparts, for­ seasons from their Lower going participation in an Upper Peninsula-only Peninsula counterparts. The petition, filed together MHSAA Tournament that by the MHSAA and was offered consistent with Communities for Equity, the original compliance plan. requested that Upper Totals of 13,221 boys and Peninsula soccer teams’ 11,921 girls played on postseason tournaments be MHSAA member high realigned with those of the school soccer teams state­ Lower Peninsula soccer wide during the 2022-23 teams, such that boys teams school year. This decision be allowed to play with means that hundreds of Lower Peninsula teams in a Upper Peninsula girls and fall statewide MHSAA Boys boys soccer players will have Soccer Tournament and the opportunity to have a Upper Peninsula girls teams meaningful regular season be allowed to play with and play in a statewide post­ Lower Peninsula teams in a season soccer tournament. spring statewide MHSAA “This is great news for our Girls Soccer Tournament. member schools, especially Almost 20 years ago, the those soccer programs in our federal court had assigned a Upper Peninsula. We appre­ separate Upper Peninsula ciate the partnership on this boys tournament for the issue with Communities for spring and a separate Upper Equity, in particular Peninsula girls tournament President Diane Madsen, for the fall as part of the working together in a spirit compliance plan emerging of cooperation and common from litigation in a lawsuit sense in making this positive filed by Communities for change for soccer players in Equity in 1998. The resulting our state,” said MHSAA compliance plan, with Lower Executive Director Mark Peninsula boys soccer season Uyl. VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE TO AMEND VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN SECTION 8.23 REGARDING NOISE RESTRICTIONS NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE REPEALING SOUND AMPLIFIER PROVISIONS PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 14,2023, the Caledonia Village Council adopted Ordinance No. 23-06 a regulatory ordinance to amend the regulation of noise restrictions within the Village. The principal provisions of the ordinance are summarized as follows: PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 14, 2023, the Caledonia Village Council adopted Ordinance No. 23-07 a regulatory ordinance to repeal the regulation of the use of sound amplifiers in the Village. The principal provisions ofthe ordinance are summarized as follows: Section 1 of the Ordinance repeals Section 8.18 of the Ordinance Code of the Village of Caledonia (“Ordinance Code”), which regulated the use of sound amplifiers with the Village. Section 1 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 8.23(5) of the Ordinance Code of the Village of Caledonia (“Ordinance Code”) to prohibit a person from using, operating or employing a sound amplifier device within two blocks from a funeral home, church or cemetery while funeral services are being held. The Ordinance also provides that a sound amplifying device includes a loudspeaker or amplifier by which sounds are magnified so as to be heard over a public street or public place. Section 2 provides that the Ordinance shall become effective upon publication of a Section 2 provides that the Ordinance shall become effective upon publication of a summary of its provisions. summary of its provisions. A complete copy ofthe ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Caledonia, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, A complete copy ofthe ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office ofthe Village Clerk, Village ofCaledonia, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, during Village office hours. during Village office hours. Dated: August 17, 2023 Dated: August 17,2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023 Trojan golf team brings its scoring group back Brett Bremer Scots hone skills during Purple and Gold game Linebacker Derek Pennington chases after quarterback Brody Betser during the Caledonia varsity football team’s Purple & Gold Scrimmage on the new turf inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Saturday. The threat of rain Friday, Aug. 11, moved the event to Saturday’s sunshine. Caledonia opens the 2023 var­ sity football season against Romeo at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor Friday, Aug. 25. Look for previews of all the Caledonia varsity sports in next weekend’s edition of the Sun and News. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 204539 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following is a summary of Ordinances No.' 8-10-2023 1 and 8-10-2023 2 which were adopted by the Yankee Springs Township Board at a regular meeting held on August 10, 2023 ORD 8.10,2023 1 ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS SECTION I AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, DEFINITIONS. This section is amended to add and/or modify definitions offrontage, lot width, ordinary high water mark, setback and structure and to add graphics. SECTION II AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XII, GENERAL REGULATIONS. This section modifies minimum setbacks, retitle Section 14.2 as Setback Requirements and renumbers/retitles subsection and modifies Section 12.5 Parcel Frontage requirements. SECTION III SEVERABILITY. The provisions ofthis Ordinance are severable. SECTION IV repealed. REPEAL. All ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict herewith are hereby SECTION V EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take effect eight days following publication after adoption. ORD 8.10.2023 2 ORDINANCE TO REZONE PROPERTY IN LAND SECTION 20 SECTION 1 Sports Editor The whole gang is back together. The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ golf team returns everybody from its 2022 team that placed fourth in the OK Gold Conference. The group is led by junior Ailana Leos who is off to a great start already. Leos set a school record by shooting a 36 at Yankee Springs during a non-conference dual with Lowell Wednesday. The list of scorers back for the Trojans also includes seniors Kendra Coe, Emma Schut, Sydney Robertson, Isabelle Mosley, Josie Deboer and junior Rae Borrink. Senior Katie Comeau and junior Kyra Casteel will also try to work their way into the scoring group this season. “While we are an experi­ enced team and all our golfers are returning from last year, overall we still have areas that we need to work on,” TK head coach Bob Kaminski said. “I think consistency and short games are the two areas we need to work on.” His team just wants to be competitive in the OK Gold Conference and work on getting better and better as the season progresses. . Finishing higher than fourth in the conference this time around won’t be easy. South Christian is very good once again, and Forest Hills Eastern and Catholic Central bring back strong squads. The TK ladies have a dual on the schedule with Caledonia at Yankee Springs Tuesday, Aug. 22, and then will open the OK Gold Conference at Indian Trails Golf Course in Grand Rapids Wednesday. The Trojans host their own TK Invite at Yankee Springs Aug. 25. Ailana Leos HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS WE’RE REZONING OF PROPERTY IN LAND SECTION 20 The zoning map, as incorporated in the Yankee Springs Township zoning ordinance, is amended to show a vacant 0.442 parcel located on the comer of Lynn Drive and M-179 Highway, Section 20, being rezoned from C-2, General Commercial zoning district to RSF, Residential Single Family zoning district. The tax parcel number is 16-020-005-10. SECTION II SEVERABILITY. The provisions ofthis Ordinance are severable. SECTION III repealed. REPEAL. All ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict herewith are hereby SECTION IV publication after adoption. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take effect eight days following PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text ofthe Ordinances has been posted in the Office ofthe Township Clerk at the address set forth below and that a copy ofthe Ordinances may be purchased or inspected at the office ofthe Township Clerk during regular business hours ofregular working days following the date of this publication. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Michael Cunningham, Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, MI 49333 (269)795-9091 Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 (681 V ACCREDITED BUSINESS �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19, 2023/ Page 15 Scots open season winning at Wayland again Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia had four girls among the top nine scorers and the Fighting Scots ran away with the championship at the season-opening Wayland Invitational for the second straight season Monday. Junior Copelin O'Krangley, a Division 1 state qualifier a year ago, was the individual runner-up to lead the Fighting Scots with a score of 75. She was behind only Zeeland East senior Carly Lukins who scored a 74. Lukins was a state qualifier last year in Division 2. “Copelin is doing great,” Caledonia's second-year head coach Veronica VanWagoner said. .“She's going to have a good year, and she is loving having a talented team surroundins her.” The invitational puts team- mates together in groups to open the season with groups ofthree traversing the course together. The Fighting Scot team put up a score of 343 overall, finishing ahead of Plainwell 365, Thomapple Kellogg 378, Jenison 393, Zeeland West 403, Zeeland East 424 and Wayland 456. “Winning the first tournament, really the first official playdate of the season, pro­ vides confidence and a desire to continue the momentum,” VanWagoner said. ‘The girls love the format. It truly helps to mold them into a true team - allowing them a chance to support one another in a way that doesn't happen during most of the season. Team camaraderie, even in a very individual sport like golf, is really important. I have very high hopes and expectations for this team this season.” Junior Ailana Leos led the Thomapple Kellogg girls with a score of 78. She was fourth overall. Zeeland West senior Rylee Smith, a state medalist in Division 2 last season, placed third with a 77. The TK team also got a 96 from junior Rae Borrink, a 101 from senior Kendra Coe and a 103 from senior Emma Schut. Behind Copelin O'Krangley for the Fighting Scots, senior Elizabeth Honhart shot an 88, sopho­ more Codie O'Krangley a 90 and junior Ellie Hudson a 90 as well. Honhart finished in sixth individually and. Codie O'Krangley and Hudson were part of a three-way tie for seventh place. VanWagoner said she is excited to have Hudson and fellow junior Mya Burgess joining the varsity group this fall. Burgess was right behind the Scots' scoring four with a 92. “Both have been working hard on their golf game during the off-season and it shows,” VanWagoner said. “I'm really excited about the talent on this team. We have really put in some work this spring and fall into the men­ tal aspect of the game of golf, and I really hope that the things we have learned translate onto the golf course.” Copelin opened the invita­ tional on number 17 and was two under after four holes thanks to birdies on the par-5 number one and par-4 num­ ber two. She tallied birdies on the par-3 number seven and the par-five number 14 too. Caledonia’s Addie Roe chips her ball up onto the number nine green during the Wayland Invitational at Orchard Hills Golf Course Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg’s Kendra Coe flips her tee shot towards the green on the par-3 number eight Monday at Orchard Hills Golf Course. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 204480 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY MICHIGAN CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AN ORDINANCE TO APPROVE A MAJOR AMENDMENT TO THE GAINES MARKETPLACE PUD FOR THE INSTALLATION OF TWELVE (12) TESLA VEHICLE SUPERCHARGER STALLS At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, August 14, 2023, the Township Board considered a major PUD amendment to the Gaines Marketplace PUD to allow for the installation of twelve (12) Tesla vehicle supercharger stalls, for the property located at 1801 Market Place Drive. The Township Board will hold a public hearing to consider the major PUD amend­ ment to the Gaines Marketplace PUD to allow for the installation of twelve (12) Tesla vehicle supercharger stalls, for the property located at 1801 Market Place Drive, on Monday, September 11, 2023 at its regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, held at the Township Hall located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. A true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance amendment can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Michael A. Brew, Clerk NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES FIREWORKS CONTROL ORDINANCE At a Regular Meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday August 14, 2023 the Township Board introduced for first reading a proposed ordinance clearly defining the use of fireworks in the Township. The Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines will take public comment and consider the proposed Fire Works Control Ordinance at its Regular Meeting on Monday, September 11,2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gaines Charter Township Offices, 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Michigan. A true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance to clearly define the use of fireworks in the Township has been posted on the Township’s website at www.gainestownship.org . In addition, a true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance to adopt can be inspected or obtained in the office of the Township Clerk at the following location: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Charter Township of Gaines Michael A. Brew, Township Clerk �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 19,2023 Bulldogs bite Trojans with late equalizer Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans showed off a myriad of ways they may score goals this season during the season opener against the Otsego varsity boys' soccer team in Middleville Thursday. The problem was they only actually scored one. Otsego scored with 63 seconds remaining to even their non-conference opener with the Thomapple Kellogg boys at 1-1. A foul near mid­ field led to a long free kick for the Bulldogs, and senior Joel DeBoer was able to get a piece ofhis head on the ball and flick it on through into the Trojan net. The Thomapple Kellogg boys were the aggressors throughout the night, had scoring chance after scoring chance, took a 1-0 lead in the tenth minute ofthe game and were left with just a draw. Senior Fernando DeSantiago scored the Trojans' lone goal. Junior Simeon Biltawi drilled a cor­ ner kick from left to right across the front of the Bulldog net in the tenth min­ ute of action. Otsego keeper Gabriel James deflected the ball off his line where it found TK senior Reece Hoeksma. Hoeksma put it back in and DeSantiago directed it by the Bulldog keeper into the goal. James was stellar in goal for the Bulldogs. The comer kick that lead to TK's goal was one of back-to-back shots into the box by Biltawi. James deflected the first up and over his net. He had Biltawi shaking his head on the sideline later in the second half. “I don't know how he saved that. I was starting to celebrate,” Biltawi told his teammates at the bench not long after James made a save diving down to his right to knock away a Biltawi shot with his fingertips. A nice overlapping play along the left sideline by Trojan teammates Blake Dykstra and Peyton Foreman led to the Biltawi chance. Foreman centered the ball to the top of the box after find­ ing space outside and and Biltawi blasted a shot low towards the left post with about 14 and a half minutes to go in the game as TK con­ tinued in vain to add an PREMIER FAMILY Sophomore Peyton Foreman pushes up the side with the ball during the Trojans’ season opener against Otsego in Middleville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) EYECARE A MEMBER Dr. Carlie Crank, OD • • • • Dr. Jay Crank, OD Locally owned company, second generation Welcome Dr. Carlie Crank, a Caledonia alumni Latest technology in eye care First in West Michigan to offer THE NEURO LENS, which can alleviate headaches, neck and back pain, eye fatigue and motion sickness symptoms • Specialty and Multi-focal Contact Lenses • Variety of independent and designer frames • Advanced treatment for glaucoma, macular degeneration dry eye and refractive surgery • Two Locations Premier Family Eye Care Premier Family Eye Care 2350 32nd St SE Ste 103 Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 6748 Kalamazoo Ave SE Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Tel: 616-243-0007 Tel: 616-275-2020 F: 616-243-0540 F: 616-512-6102 PremierFamilyEyes.com Thomapple Kellogg senior Reece Hoeksma attacks the Otsego box as he’s pursued by the Bulldogs’ Peyton Koenig during the first half in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) insurance goal. James thwarted challenges from Juan Aguiar and Ashton Nichols. TK had at least two shots on net saved by Otsego defenders. Jordan Rowley headed a comer kick from Foreman just over the crossbar. Aguiar and Hoeksma put together a strong charge up the right side early in the second half and Hoeksma fired a perfect service across the box to DeSantiago who somehow deflected the shot just wide of the net. Another ball in from Ryan Skidmore was knocked just wide by Rowley. Jayce Curtis received a long throw-in from team­ mate Braden Sharrar and ripped a shot towards the goal that found a defender before it go too far. Curtis had another tremendous shot from about 30 yards out that flew just to the right of the far post: All the while, the defense led by-Nathan Shoemaker and Rowley in the middle was steady in front of goal­ keeper Owen Comer. Comer was a bit late com­ ing off his line once or twice in the early going, but got out on attackers once or twice to thwart chances too. The Bulldogs did ring one shot of their own off the crossbar midway through the first half. TK's second-year head coach Andrew Kiel knew coming into the season that the Trojans would be looking to replace a lot of the goal-scoring ability it lost to graduation last spring. They found the chances Thursday, now they'll go to work on the finishing part. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-08-26.pdf 8108d896b84d700e5abfb0ca235003eb PDF Text Text No. 34/ August 26, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia Twp. planners Noffke Drive project scale back M-37 subarea taking longer than plan, seeks farmland expected, Road preservation Commission says Greg Chandler Greg Chandler StaffWriter Staff Writer In the wake of community opposition, Caledonia Township planners are scal­ ing back their vision for future redevelopment of a large area of farmland on the east side ofM-37. Township Planner Lynee Wells told planning commis­ sioners Monday night that the future plan for what’s called “the M-37 subarea” — between the Cherry Meadow Business Park and 100th Street — has been scaled back to preserve the Barry County Road Commission crews have been busy this week with a milling and repaving proj­ ect on Noffke Drive in Thomapple Township, near Duncan Lake. However, the project, which runs south from 108th Street, will end up a little longer than what road officials had hoped. The Road Commission had planned to complete the work in one week. However, the milling portion of the work - grinding up the old asphalt to get it ready to be paved — went slower than expected, Road Commission Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch said. “We will pave Monday and be wrapped up next week,” Welch wrote in an email to the Sim and News on Wednesday. The Thornapple Caledonia Township Planner Lynee Wells goes over a vision for the M-37 subarea during an open house held in March. residents at an open house in late March, which envisioned the 790-acre subarea Some residents in Caledonia be eventually redehave been adamant that township veloped into a mix planners and administration priori- of land uses, includtize farmland preservation in an ing single family area known as the M-37 subarea. and multi-family In a March 28 open house, this bit residential, commerof feedback was left by an attend- cial and green space, ee. (Photos by Greg Chandler) “The goal f°r this subarea was to reimagine how com­ land south of 92nd Street as mercial and mixed-use devel­ farmland. That change is being recommended as an opment could manifest in this area, instead ofjust hav­ amendment to the township that layered-cake master plan, which was last ing approach where we have a updated in 2018. That is a much different commercial strip, (and) vision from a concept that behind that residential - how was presented to township do we create more of a walk- able, mixed-use mode,’ Wells said. “We did receive a lot of comments related to the interests of farmland preser­ vation, sort of that tension between growth and rural character and rural preserva­ tion. Because of... the com­ ments we received, we decid­ ed to scale back our sub-area boundary and include only those parcels north of92nd in this proposed future land-use plan. The parcels south of 92nd, specifically some of these existing farms, would remain, and even return to its agricultural designation.” There are currently eight parcels of land that comprise See FARMLAND,page 2 StaffWriter It has been a busy first week on the job for Alison Nugent in Caledonia Township - filled with meetings, facility tours and introductions to the people who work at the township hall. Nugent began her new duties as town­ ship manager Monday, two months after the seven-member township board voted unanimously to offer the Lowell native the position. She sat down with the Sun and News for an interview Tuesday afternoon. She described her first days in the position as “really good,” then added “overwhelm­ ing” to her response. “People keep saying it’s like drinking out ofa firehose, which I think is true. I’ve been meeting a lot ofpeople. Everyone is great, everyone is very nice. Everyone wants to do right by the community and the people. I’m very happy to work here. ♦, Township board late last year approved the Noffke Drive project after a petition was submitted by residents along the road, and created a special assessment district where property owners shared in the cost of the A Barry County Road Commission truck grinds down old pavement on Noffke Road near Duncan Lake in Thornapple Township Tuesday. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Nugent begins manager duties in Caledonia Township Greg Chandler A Barry County Road Commission truck passes a Dutton Christian School bus on opposite sides of Noffke Road. Crews have embarked on a mill and repave project. Road Commission administrators said the project is taking longer than expected and might not be finished until next Monday. It’s a great environment,” Nugent said. Nugent, 36, came back to West Michigan after living in the state ofTexas for the last eight years. She comes to Caledonia Township from the Frisco West Water Control and Improvement District in Denton County, near Dallas, where she had been general manager for the past two years. See MANAGER,page3 $600,000 project. There’s also been work on stormwa­ ter improvements in the Duncan Lake Drain No. 2 district, which is nearing completion, Barry County Drain Commissioner Jim Dull said. The project has caused some minor inconveniences for Thomapple Kellogg Schools students who live on Noffke Drive, but the district has been able to work through that chal­ lenge. “We temporarily relocat­ ed the stops around the neighborhood and have par­ ents meeting us at those locations,” . TK Transportation Director Chuck Walker wrote in an e-mail to the Sun and News. “It really hasn’t had a sig­ nificant impact on the times of the stops, just where we drop them off and pick them up.” • TK Class of 1963 holds 60-year reunion • Barry County BrewFest in Middleville a major success • TKHS names new, first dean of students • Gaines Twp. church helps bring clean water to global villages • Fighting Scots fall sports preview �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26, 2023 - ■ ■ Thomapple Kellogg staff encouraged to build connections and success at opening day celebration Building connections, sharing a positive attitude, developing student self-con­ fidence and success, and fol­ lowing the updated strategic plan for the district — these are all focuses ofthe 2023-24 school year at Thomapple Kellogg Schools. As the TK band played with renewed school spirit and pride, the nearly 400 staff members in the district, including 38 new employees, filled the high school audito­ rium on Monday in prepara­ tion for the new year. They received words of encourage­ ment and support from Superintendent Craig McCarthy, Board of Education President Matt Powers, Lani Forbes from the Barry County United Way, and Annie Halle from Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation. “Build positives. Tap into our students' curiosities as we engage with them. Set expec­ tations and help them achieve success as you support them. Help our students develop that ‘can do’ attitude. Our students can do anything they put their minds to, and once they develop that attitude, they’re going to build opti­ mism and hope for their futures,” said McCarthy. Powers also offered encouragement to the staff. “I want you to share your experiences, your skills, your crafts, and your hobbies with our students. Every person in this room impacts our stu­ dents’ learning and well-be­ ing. When you interact and Craig McCarthy, superintendent of Thornapple Kellogg Schools, speaks at an opening day event on Monday. (Photos provided) share with our students, then you're building connections with them. Those connections build our school community, our school family, and our school atmosphere,” said Powers. “Most important of all, our students feed off you. Bring your joy. Bring your passion. And most importantly, bring your love. With all of us working together for our stu­ dents, they will grow, and develop to be their best. And together, we are TK Strong,” he added. Forbes talked about how the United Way helps stu­ dents throughout the county with funds pledged by TK staff and others. She also said she has five grandchildren at TK this year. “So, thank you for what you're about to embark on. Heritage Days Parade Saturday, September 9th, 2023 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Lineup & Judging of Floats | 9:50 A.m. Parade Step off • Lineup will take place at the Village Parking Lot next to Thomapple Valley Church at 36 State St. The route will proceed down Larkin St, turn right onto E. Main St proceed across the bridge and up the hill, and disband at the intersection of Irving Road and E. Main St. An official route map will be sent with your confirmation letter. • Prizes will be awarded to winners ofour parade decorating contest which will be judged by a mystery panel ofjudges from the Middleville Rotary Club. Entrants will be judged based on the creativity oftheir design and the way that it exhibits this year’s theme of Middleville Farm Roots. Roots. First Place will be awarded $100, Second Place will be awarded $75, and Third Place will receive $50. • To sign up with a float e-mail mpeters@carvethvillage.net Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Help us support veterans and community functions. Saturday, September 2, 2023 and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. E00s, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. • Menu subject to change Adults $13.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 coffee coffee For more information call the Post at 616-891 -1882 Donated by Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, Ml LUNCH M-TH 11 AM-8 PM; FRI 11 AM-2PM • FRI BUILD A BURGER 4-8 PM Thank you for what you choose to do every day. Thank you for choosing to give to United Way and make a dif­ ference in your community,” Forbes said. Halle also praised the work ofthe TK staff. “You are impacting so many people, our community, and also the world. I know so many students that graduated from TK that are no longer even in this country anymore, and they're impacting stu­ dents and lives and industries throughout the world. So, kudos to that,” she said. McCarthy outlined the work that’s been done in the last year to update the dis­ trict’s strategic plan, approved by the board at their last meeting. “This is my 31st year in education. I've been involved with a number of strategic planning processes. But none this comprehensive,” he said. “This plan, developed with community input and The Thornapple Kellogg band provided the energy and school spirit on Monday by performing at an assembly for school staff. New staff members at Thomapple Kellogg Schools congregate on the stage during Monday’s opening day assembly. approved by the board ofedu­ cation, will be our roadmap for the next five years. And everything that we do within our buildings working with students and each other is going to be to try to achieve the goals set forth in the state- students, and community ment.” The board worked with the members were able to pro­ Michigan Association of vide input on the strategic School Boards to undertake plan. From that input, board the nearly year-long process, which involved extensive stu­ members, administrators, dent, staffand public input. In teachers and,students detertotal, more. than 900 staff, SeeTK, page3 FARMLAND, continued from page 1 the subarea. While that land is being actively farmed, township officials wanted to have a plan in place should the land become available for development in the future. At the March 28 open house, representatives of the landscape architectural plan­ ning and engineering firm Beckett & Raedar presented a concept for how the subar­ ea could look in the future. It included: — About 163 acres that would have been set aside for small-lot single family homes, primarily on the west side of the land, closer to M-37/Cheny Valley Avenue. The homes would have had small front yard setbacks with service alleys and garages in the rear to foster walkability. — Another 322 acres would be used for large-lot (l-to-5 acre) single family homes on the east side ofthe land. — 22 acres would be assigned for multi-family use. — A 5-acre commercial core area that would be locat­ ed along 92nd Street and the eastern extension of Main “We did receive a lot of comments related to the interests of farmland preservation, sort of that tension between growth and rural character and rural preser­ vation.” vation. — Lynee Wells, Caledonia Township Planner Street, just east of M-37. collector street that would That would serve as the main serve the commercial areas retail district for the develop- ofthe development. ment. But some residents were — Another 26 acres adja­ resistant to the concept, saycent to the commercial core ing they want Caledonia that could host larger offices, Township to remain true to small hotels, public green its historic rural character. space and larger shopping Commissioner John opportunities. Eberly expressed reserva— Another 60 acres was tions about the scaled-back designated as green space,, subarea plan. with a combination ofneighborhood parks, a community bit“It oItffeels aeebsacto tkolame mshe like a little or reaction park, public plaza and a towatwas to what was in n the subarea “green front” that would plan originally , an panorgnay, we’re , and were serve to slow traffic on the pulling back a little bit, and I understand that,” Eberly said. “But let’s not just give up on all the things that we’re trying to imagine. When I’m old, I want to live in a nice little walkable comer of Caledonia, and I don’t think that exists right now.” Wells said she would wel­ come another “community conversation” on the updated plan. “I think it would be important, because it shows we listened to the comments that we had at that meeting,” she said. Commissioners also reviewed several other possi­ ble amendments to the mas­ ter plan on Monday, including modifying industrial land uses on the M-37 corridor to a category called “corridor commercial.” That area would include near Kraft and 84th Street. They also are considering removal ofrefer­ ences to light industrial uses along that corridor, such as equipment rentals and stor­ age units. A public hearing before the planning commission would be held before any of the proposed changes are adopted into the master plan, Wells said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26, 2023/ Page 3 MANAGER, continued from page 1 “To be honest, I never got the offer (to take the job) thought I would come back to and then we were able to sell Michigan. It just seemed like our house and find a house. something that could never -Everything just fell into place. happen, and then it did,” It was amazing,” Nugent said. Nugent said. “I told my hus­ The township board voted band, ‘I’m still in this haze — June 18 to offer Nugent the everything in my whole life job. She accepted the offer has changed completely, I’m shortly after the Fourth ofJuly. here, how did this happen?’ It’s Then began a whirlwind a good thing ... I’m very happy month-and-a-half stretch of and excited.” selling her house, finding a Nugent and her husband, new house and relocating her­ Carlos Beltran — no relation self, her husband and three to the baseball player of the children - a 9-year-old daughsame name — had just put in ter and 3-year-old twins - back an offer on a new house in to Michigan. Nugent is excited Denton County when she came to have her children be near across an advertisement for the much ofher family. Caledonia Township job. “They get to grow up with sWafc, * rf tikipu s, Firafej to- ntac In lateas Alison Nugent comes to Caledonia from the Frisco West Water Control and Improvement District in Denton County, Texas, where she had been general manager for the past two years. “I told my sister, ‘I’m going to apply for this job,’ and she said that’s cool. (I thought) I’d never hear back from them,” she said. But two hours after she sub­ mitted her application online, Nugent got a phone call. It was from Frank Walsh, the consul­ tant who had been working with the township on its search process for the new manager. “Everything fell into place in a way that should never have. I got the interview, then I their grandparents and their aunts and uncles,” she said. Nugent grew up in a big family in Lowell Township, near Big Crooked Lake. She has a twin brother. Her father, Rick, owned a homebuilding company and her mother, Deb, was a principal for Sparta Area Schools for 25 years. She also cites her stepmother, Carol, has a major influence in her life. In high school, Nugent was a diver on the Lowell High priorities (as a family) have School boys’ swimming team because the school didn’t have changed. It’s more about where a girls’ team. She also was a can we raise them in a place golfer for the Red Arrows. that is best for them, that’s Academically, she was drawn going to be a safe environment to advanced placement history and great for growth, where and government classes. they can actually have a child­ hood,” she said. “I’m not inter­ “My dad always thought I would be a teacher. I (said) I ested in my kids being adults didn’t want to be a teacher,” tomorrow. I want them to tube Nugent said. in the summers and ski in the Nugent majored in public winters andjust be kids.” policy at Michigan State “My mentality has always University. At first, her family been that ‘Michigan mentality’ questioned her choice of study — the stuff’s not important, and her job prospects after it’s the experiences, it’s the graduation. Alison Nugent is seen here interviewing in front of family,” she added. “I always wanted to work the Caledonia Township board earlier this summer. Caledonia Township for the United Nations or the Nugent was named township manager and started on Supervisor Bryan Harrison federal government,” Nugent the job Monday. (Photos by Greg Chandler) was one of the first people to said. “My internship was with meet with Nugent-when she the Ministry ofAgriculture for My husband pushed me - he $600,000 cost overrun in the started, and is looking forward the country ofThailand. I was said, ‘you should really do this, district’s water system. to her leadership for the town­ thinking ‘wow, I want to be in you might like it,”’ she said. Nugent told township board ship. the Peace Corps.’ They sent me “She’s a quick study. She Five people applied for five members during her June inter­ to this ... destination where I positions on the board, so view that at WCIDDC, proj­ has fire right temperament for was sleeping in a sleeping bag Nugent gained the appoint­ ects were being done without the job. I continue to be on the floor and there were ment without going through an work orders and extra fees encouraged (by what I’ve seen large beetles biting me.” election. In her three years on were being assessed without from her),” Harrison said. Initially,' Nugent’s first the board, she helped lead con­ explanation. When she asked Nugent and Harrison were post-college jobs weren’t in struction of a $2.6 million for an invoice on one project, to meet Thursday with government. She did proof­ town hall, worked to complete she was given a one-page sheet Caledonia Fire Chief Scott reading for cookbooks and capital improvement projects with a $90,000 charge. When Siler to discuss the fire depart­ instruction manuals for and negotiated contracts with she asked for work orders and ment and its direction. KitchenAid, then did proof­ police, fire, water and other other- paperwork, the water Nugent, who holds a mas­ reading ofpackaging for Mary municipal workers. operator asked why she didn’t ter’s degree in public adminis­ Kay Inc., the cosmetic manu­ tration from Ohio University, “I just fell in love with local trust him. facturer. government,” Nugent said. “I Nugent fired that water signed a three-year contract “When I graduated (in realized that ifI worked for the operator and was able eventu­ with the township which pays 2010), there were no jobs in federal government, I would ally able to build WCIDDC’s her a starting salary of Michigan (in my field),” she probably be in a cubicle some­ reserves to $3.6 million. $118,500. said. “All my friends (that) had where, doing something small. “I’m not a politician. I want Nugent is thrilled to be able graduated from Michigan State Even to this day, I don’t feel to raise her family in the area to make sure when things get were working at Starbucks or like I would feel fulfilled in and with the values that she voted on, they get done, that McDonald’s because nobody that type ofposition, just kind grew up with. they are put into action. That’s was hiring. You could get a of pushing paper ... When I “Now that we have kids, our where my passion is,” she said. master’s degree and they’d be started doing local govern­ paying you $18 an hour.” ment, I got that fire, thinking Nugent and her husband you can make such a huge moved to Chicago after col­ impact. lege, then later to Mexico “Not only that, I’m a people because her husband had person. You get to meet people received a Fulbright and you get to work with peo­ USED PARTS • PICK UPS • ONE TONS • VANS * SUITS • JEEPS • 4A4S Scholarship. They then came ple and you get to help people. back briefly to St. Joseph in I love helping people. I love Michigan, then ended up in getting to know people. I love Texas. solving problems. I like being In 2018, Nugent applied - part ofthe change. My favorite with encouragement from quote was (Ghandi’s quote) ‘be Beltran - for a position on the the change you wish to see in Frisco Water Control and the world.’” Improvement District board of In July 2021, Nugent directors. became municipal district “My water district was tran­ manager for the Frisco West sitioning from a development WCIDDC. In her first month board to a citizen-run board. on the job, she discovered a LIGHT TRUCK PARTS | FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 3 USED PARTS USED TIRES 1811 lakestkalamazoo tjwto Me nto (jliiMl tonsil Ik* |X X X i /'ii 4 I* Vi TK, continued from page 2 mined goals and how to •implement strategies . to achieve those goals. “Part of what the board did is reaffirm our mission statement, ‘Encouraging and developing the greatest potential of each student, McCarthy said. The board also approved the district’s belief state­ ments and focus area goal statements. These belief statements are that Thomapple Kellogg Schools believes the following are essential to accomplish its mission: —A safe and secure learn­ ing environment — A viable, aligned, and research-based curriculum — An environment that supports social and emotion­ al needs to enhance academ­ ic growth — Differentiated instruc­ tion to support all individual learning needs — Collaborative partner- ships among students, staff, parents, and community — High expectations paired with data-driven prac­ tices that lead to increased student achievement — Dignity, value, and a voice for everyone McCarthy told all the staff they need to do their part in following the strategic plan. “You'll need to work with your colleagues, and you'll need to support each other. You'll need to dig through data and find the gaps in our data. You'll need to teach your lessons and re-teach your lessons to help the" stu­ dents reach their greatest potential. Educating students is what we're charged with by the board of education and our community, student growth and achievement is our goal,” said McCarthy. He also reminded staff that their actions and how they look at things matters. “The perspective that we take on things .matters because our students pick up from us, just like our chil­ dren at home. How we pres­ ent things to our students, they will pick up on that,” said McCarthy. He provided an example of a surprise test a professor gave to his class. The test paper only had a single black dot on it, and students were asked to describe the test paper. They all went into great detail about the dot, but no one explained the rest of the blank white page. “The black dot for TK is about our academic scores. It's what everybody sees. It's what everybody uses to mea­ sure TK against other dis­ tricts. But it doesn't tell the whole story, and you know that the blank space on this page is what you do every day. It's everything else we're doing right at TK. We have extremely talented staff members,” said McCarthy. END OF SUMMER SPECIAL High Efficiency RUUD FURNACE 8 IR $400 OFF Must present this coupon . Expires 9-15-2023 (not valid with other offers) HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. company built by referrals �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26,2023 Middleville TOPS 546 Longtime educator takes on newly-created role at Thornapple Kellogg High School Being around students is nothing new for Thomapple Kellogg High School’s new dean of students, Sean McLaughlin. He’s had a long career in public education and actually retired after 36 years, only to realize he wasn’t done help­ ing students. “I missed the impact of working with students, staff and parents,” McLaughlin said. “I wanted to get back into being part ofthe day-today operations of the school again.” McLaughlin’s career start­ ed with 10 years ofteaching elementary grades. He fol­ lowed that with serving as an elementary principal for a total of 26 years, retiring in 2020 after finishing seven years as principal at Kettle Lake Elementary School in Caledonia. He thought he was prepared to take on a new challenge. “I got my real estate license before I retired and have enjoyed helping people buy and sell homes these past couple of years,” McLaughlin said. But it didn’t take long before he answered a call to public education again. Community Caledonia Schools called on him to serve as an interim elementary principal for several weeks Sean McLaughlin at the end of the 2021-22 school year. The next year he moved to a position in safety and security for Caledonia schools before getting hired as the dean of students at Thomapple Kellogg High School. This is a new position at TKHS and a challenge McLaughlin said he’s look­ ing forward to. He explained his job is multi-faceted. “I’m here to support the office staff and oversee TK Virtual School. I’m really here also to be another trust­ ing adult in the building to make connections with stu­ dents,” he said. He will most likely become a familiar face quite quickly in the school helping monitor students in the hall­ ways, during lunch periods and throughout the building each day. “I don’t think there can ever be enough caring adults in the lives of kids,” McLaughlin said. “I just want to be another person they can look to for help and guidance and I hope I can build the same kind of rela­ tionships at the level I was able to with the elementary students.” He also said he’s excited to see what the start of the year is like at the high school and can’t wait to meet all the staff and students. “I just want to be a valued part ofthis high school com­ munity and do what I can to help,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to this and glad to be here at TK.” McLaughlin and his wife live in the TK district. They enjoy traveling, spending time with family and riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles together. “We love this community and everything Barry County has to offer,” he said. The Aug. 21 meeting opened with the secretary's report and roll call. There is one new fish in the fishbowl, two fish fell out. The group held a discussion on motivation. How do we kickstart again? We will write down everything we put into our mouths in a journal. Our picnic next week was planned. We will weigh in and then go on our picnic. There will not be a regular meeting next week. Sue lost the Ha-Ha box. The meeting closed with marching in place as we recit­ ed the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., fol­ lowed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzz­ er for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia at 269-908-8036, or Maryellen at 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. Volunteers being sought for United Way Day of Caring Volunteers for the Barry County United Way will be out in droves for Day of Caring activities on Thursday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 16. Over 500 volunteers are expected to be working in Barry County on those days, and those inter­ ested can still sign up to volunteer. Volunteers can choose from a myriad of projects to help out with, including opportunities in the morning and afternoon on Thursday, Sept. 14, and in the morning on Saturday, Sept. 16. In addition to the in-person vol­ unteering, there are opportu­ nities for volunteers to help United Way out virtually with “Caring in Action.” Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt. All volunteers are invited to join the United Way at the YMCA Camp Algonquin, 2055" Iroquois Trail, for the annual Day of Caring Luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Those interested in volun­ teering during the Day of Caring can sign up at the Barry County United Way’s website, bcunitedway.org. .^—Caledonia United IL Methodist Church alask chu rch 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 Sunday’s Ministries 616-698-8104 vww.alaskabaptist.org Our mission /s to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Worship OURNEY Fellowship 9: 45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org JUj Whitneyville y 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School... ..9:30 AM Sunday Worship . 10:30 AM MM ourservices from our website (see above) (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8: 30 a.m. & 11 a.m. C H U ft C H CALEDONIA: ......................... 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages ..com Church: / Fellowship Church Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music Worship Services ' Sunday wam&6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street "Shining Forth God's Light' Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a m 1 j :00 Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Michael L. Myers, Senior Pastor 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 1 IDO AM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting J HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.coin �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26, 2023/ Page 5 Special land use for credit union tabled as nearby condo owners speak out against planned access road cap placards (in our associa­ tion),” Walter said. “It's a parking lot. I can't imagine an open roadway there.” PFCU is proposing a 2,000-square-foot branch with two drive-through lanes, according to Doug Clark, a business development princi­ pal for the Novi-based Case Group, representing the credit union. Wells said she has been in several discussions with PFCU regarding the site. A major issue - concerns the proximity of the parcel to M-37,- with the Michigan Department ofTransportation planning to expand the high­ way to a four-lane boulevard between 76th Street and 92nd Street in 2025. “There are some requests from MDOT for additional easement area and space for construction activities and berming and some grading,” Wells said. “There was some reluctance to accommodate that.” The applicant provided revised drawings after the discussions, but the township did not receive a full update ofthe credit union's plans in a timely fashion. “We did just receive light­ ing plans late last week, and the bill site plan sheet late last week, so we did not have time to review all of that (before Monday's meeting),” Wells said. Clark expressed displea­ sure with the commissioners' decision to table the special land use request. Greg Chandler ' IbL. 'Mi! L< rw r*>*>w v }*S Itefc? ’w ’W ^kfe Staff Writer A lack of complete infor­ mation on the application form led the Caledonia Township Planning Commission Monday to post­ pone action on a proposed drive-through credit union branch in the Cherry Meadow Business Park, just north of Taco Bell. However, residents of a nearby condominium associ­ ation have a much bigger concern - the idea of an access drive linking their development to the business park just east ofM-37. Commissioners tabled the special land use request for the drive-through banking facility proposed by Portland Federal Credit Union at 6451 Cherry Meadow Dr. SE, and will take it back up again at their next meeting on Monday, Sept. 18. The prop­ erty is owned by Shurlow Family Enterprises Company. But residents of the Meadows at Jasonville Farms Condominium Association are much more worried about a planned access drive that would connect Clover Court, a private road that serves the 212-unit condominium devel­ opment, to the proposed PFCU site and four other properties along Cherry Meadow Drive. Three of the parcels are owned by Shurlow Family Enterprises. Maryann Courier, a mem­ ber of the condo association board of directors, shared a letter addressed to commis­ sioners from the association's attorney, Eric Starck, which claims the properties along Cherry Meadow Drive do not have a legal right to use or extend Clover Court. The let­ ter quotes the master deed for the Meadows at Jasonville Farms development, saying that the condo developer can grant an easement for use of the condominium roads and Maryann Courier of the Meadows at Jasonville Farms Association and Caledonia Township Planner Lynee Wells go over plans for the Portland Federal Credit Union Monday night. Courier and other residents in the condominium com­ plex are concerned about a planned access road connecting the condos to the Cherry Meadow Business Park, but Wells says the road isn’t part of the plan for the credit union. walkways only to those own­ ers of land contiguous to the development. “Only those parcels that touch Jasonville Farms are able to use the roads and walkways within Jasonville Farms,” Starck wrote in the letter to the planning commis­ sion. “Conversely, parcels that do not touch Jasonville Farms are unable to use the roads and walkways within Jasonville Farms. Starck wrote that the only Shurlow-owned property that touches Jasonville Farms is 6463 Cherry Meadow Dr. SE, which is presently undevel­ oped. No other properties are allowed by easement to use the roads and walkways with­ in Jasonville Farms, he wrote. “Expanding access to Clover Court for all of the Shurlow parcels and 6445 Cherry Meadow Drive through the construction of the access drive would consti­ tute an impermissible modifi­ cation and expansion of the easement rights granted by the master deed without the consent of the co-owners or the association,” Starck wrote. However, the association's position clashes with an April 2020 action by the Caledonia Township Board, which amended the planned unit development for Cherry Meadow Business Park to require the access road be connected to Clover Court in the future. “The connection is required to occur when the units north ofthe proposed site - Units 7 or 8 - are developed, so it is not required at this time,” Township Engineer Todd Boerman wrote in an Aug. 14 letter to Township Planner Lynee Wells. Wells told association resi­ dents Monday that the planned access road is not connected to the PFCU appli­ cation. “The drawings for this credit union do not include any road connection. There is no proposed extension into the roadway, into the parking (lot) or the (Jasonville Farms) development,” she said. “That is not happening with this project.” Jasonville Farms resident Deborah Walter encouraged commissioners to drive on Clover Court and go through the condominium parking lot to gain greater understanding ofthe residents' concerns. “When you go to come out of our homes, and go in between where oiir parked cars are, and then you hit our parking lot to go to our garag­ es, I don't know how cars going through there ... would see the children, the people that walk their dogs, the per­ son in a wheelchair ... there's four people that have handi- PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: “I would have thought that we'd at least get an opportuni­ ty to talk about our project tonight,” he said. “I'm a bit disappointed that you didn't give us at least the common courtesy to tell us you were going to table it... We drove here two hours tonight. It would have been nice to know (ahead oftime).” Clark said he resubmitted his application for the PFCU branch after MDOT had requested additional right-ofway for the M-37 project. He said that would mean the branch would be moved back 30 feet further away from the road. “That's quite a large change from our plan,” he said. Clark went on to say he resubmitted a full site plan with the exception of one item, a photometric study that was submitted electronically to the township the same day the Case Group received its notes regarding Monday's meeting. Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis defended the decision to table. “You have a choice to sub­ mit a complete packet or not,” Curtis said. “It has been our position as a commission that incomplete packets are not acted on. It's like, full stop. It's not our job to solve prob­ lems that aren't in front ofus. I see more than one item (other) than the photometric plan in the planner's notes, and that's the reason why it was tabled. You can take that up with the planner.” Back to School Items* All real estate advertising in this newspaper is Book Bags, Totes subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or Pencil Case discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or Cotton for comfy gifts < Wide 108" cotton backs Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report QUESTIONS: ASK US... discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at Middleville council adopts economic development strategy update them available to anyone that’s of interest,” village Staff Writer Planning and Zoning The Middleville Village Administrator Doug Powers Council Tuesday approved an said. “There never has been a updated economic develop­ database on the village or that ment strategy for the village. The village has had an is part of the (Downtown Authority) economic development strat­ Development egy document since 2017, market,” Powers added. “If but officials felt an update you had a question about a was needed given recent property, I would suggest for changes in the business com­ them to give them the link to munity as well as in village the RRC (website) that shows the site.” leadership. The economic develop­ One ofthe items identified in the 2017 strategy that is ment strategy update is updated in the new strategy is required as part ofthe village a database of available prop­ being re-certified to particierties in the village that can pate in the Redevelopment Ready Communities pro­ be developed. “The (Michigan Economic gram, Village Manager Craig Development Corporation) Stolsonburg said. “This is a best practice that through the (Redevelopment Ready Communities pro­ the RRC suggested for us, gram) has a database in place being that the 2017 plan is to list properties and make antiquated in some ways,” Greg Chandler Powers said. “We’re trying to present to you a plan that can allow for practical implemen­ tation.” The updated strategy addresses village goals for business expansion and retention, attracting new businesses, infrastructure, marketing and public rela­ tions. Some ofthe objectives identified in the plan include creating a targeted business retention program, collaboration with organizations such as MEDC, Michigan Works and the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance to identify challenges and provide resources as opportunities arise, and work with local schools and col­ leges on internship or appren­ ticeship opportunities at local businesses, according to the plan document. 616451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Scdtena ^o^ticA 218 E. State St., Hastings ■ 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm IM ▲aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa J cornerstonechurch Sis IV September 17 I 3-5pm | 84th St. Campus 1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 LUG -a-JUG J FOR This fun run/walk is a family-friendly event where participants walk for 6k because that is the average distance a woman or child has to carry water each day in many parts of the world. Cost: $30 per participant (includes a race t-shirt, race bib, a water jug, and frozen refreshments) All profits from the race will go directly towards providing a water well, so that at least one village of people no longer has to walk this far to fetch their water. REGISTER TODAY BY SCANNING THE CODE OR BY VISITING cornerstonemi.org/LugAJug �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26,2023 Freeport resident celebrates 25 years at helm of Barry County United Way Jayson Bussa Editor Lani Forbes can remember donating to the United Way as a 16-year-old working her first job at a Meijer grocery store. “My dad had always been a donor, so I was familiar with what they did,” she said. For the last 25 years, instead of just donating to the United Way, Forbes has managed entire campaigns in her role as Executive Director of the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center. Forbes just recently cele­ brated the 25-year milestone. Her colleagues surprised her at last week’s board ofdirec­ tors meeting with an engraved granite award, flowers, cake and cards from various members ofthe com­ munity extending congratu­ lations on the two-and-a-half decades at the helm of the community organization. Colleagues and com­ While Forbes admitted munity members sur­ that she knew the big 25-year prised Lani Forbes with a marker was fast approaching, celebration last week to she said the surprise celebra­ commemorate her 25 tion was exactly that — a big years of service as exec­ surprise. utive director of the Barry County United Way and Volunteer Center. ROOTED IN SERVICE Forbes sat down with the Sun and News to reflect on her 25 years of service to Barry County, tracing her career all the way back to the day she walked on to the job. And while Forbes has spent a quarter century ofher life serving the community, she was doing similar work even before she arrived at the Barry County United Way. Prior to applying and accepting the executive director position, Forbes worked at a downtown Grand Rapids-based inner-city Christian child care center called Building Block. There, as a development director, she worked with area home­ less shelters to provide safe and secure preschool and daycare for at-risk children. “I really loved what I was doing,” Forbes said. “I loved working with the families and the different organiza­ tions in downtown Grand Rapids.” That’s why, when she was invited to apply for the posi­ tion of executive director at the Barry County United Way (absent from the volun­ teer center at that time), she admitted that she initially wasn’t interested. The Barry County United Way and the Barry Community Foundation had formerly shared an executive director before each getting their own. Forbes said that Lyn Briel, a long-time, hyper-involved Barry County community member who has served in roles with organizations like the Thomapple Arts Council, American Red Cross and Thomapple Manor, really pushed her to try for the newly-open position. As someone who is now a 33-year resident of Freeport, the job change would also give Forbes a chance to serve the county in which she resided. “(Briel) said ‘I think you should apply for it. I’ll write your resume. I’ll write your cover letter. I’ll deliver it,”’ Forbes said. “She really pushed me to apply to the position. It did sound very interesting but I wasn’t sure if I was quite capable of all that. It seemed like a lot and I was a volunteer center director and a development director. I didn’t think I was prepared to be an executive director.” But, it turns out the board of directors thought differ­ ently as Forbes was brought on to the job. She said, in those initial years, she leaned heavily on long-time Barry Community Foundation President Bonnie Gettys and the United Way’s board of directors to find her way. “Bonnie had really grown the organization by leaps and bounds (as shared executive director of the United Way and Barry Community Foundation). Again, part of the reason they needed to split was because she had grown both organizations to the level they were at.... So, fortunately, we were in the same office. Bonnie was in the front office and I was in the back office.” Forbes took over in July, right as the United Way was gearing up for its annual campaign. Ron Neil, a retired post commander for the Michigan State Police, was the campaign chair that year as the United Way aimed at raising around $362,000. “I can remember both Ron and I thinking ‘What do we do now?’ because neither of us knew,” Forbes said with a smile. “Luckily, Bonnie was there to guide us as well as the United Way board was thankfully gracious toward Lani Forbes speaks at a United Way campaign kick-off event in September of 2011. (Photos provided) “Lani has created one of the premier United Ways in the entire country,” Gettys told the Sun and News. “It is one of the only ones that is fully supported by an admin­ istrative endowment, so when they do their United Way campaign in the fall, actually every single penny goes to the organization.” Listening to the communi­ ty and its members is no doubt a crucial part ofthe gig and one that Forbes has thrived at. “It’s important to look at how do we make sure that every person in the commu­ nity has the ability to make their voice heard? So, it’s not just folks that are upset about the political environment that you hear from,” Gettys said. “It’s truly the mother that is struggling on how to make ends meet and the sen­ ior citizen that is living alone and feeling isolated. How do we get to them and get their stories and help them have their voice in the communi­ ty?” And, what’s in store for the next 25 years for Forbes? From the sounds of it, she’s going to keep truckin’. “No different from when I started here,” she said. “I don’t know. It has kind of always been about where I’m supposed to be. I enjoy empowering our staffto lead that direction and our board to lead that direction — to really look at what the needs are in the community.” And those needs ebb and flow, as Forbes and her team found out during the COVID­ 19 pandemic when they had to throw its traditional play­ book out the window. “I don’t think we really ever know what is next in front ofus,” Forbes said. “We can plan all we want but that’s not what seems to happen.” Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop Lani Forbes is seen here at a volunteer award event that took place around 2008. She is seated next to Megan Lavell (left), now the executive director of the Thomapple Arts Council and Liz Lenz (right), who heads up the Barry County Substance Abuse Task • • • • Force. what I didn’t know and was willing to help.” EVOLUTION OF THE UNITED WAY But once Forbes got her feet under her, a fairly signif­ icant transformation of the United Way ensued. With the help of then-ad­ ministrative assistant Jennifer DeVault — who was Jennifer Richards at the time — Forbes and the United Way formed its volunteer center, harnessing the energy of volunteers from through­ out the Barry County com­ munity. Her organization’s mobili­ zation of volunteers — and how it underscored the gen­ erosity of the local commu­ nity — has become a calling card for the United Way. In that same vein, Forbes and her team also created the annual Day of Caring event, which is coming up next week and is expected to draw about 500 volunteers who will go out and complete several community service projects. “When we have volun­ teers, we’re really empower­ ing people to use their time and talent to make things better in the community,” Forbes said. “It’s such a great opportunity to engage and find out what’s going on in the community when you can volunteer.” The laundry list of direct services the United Way offers now — everything from the Fresh Food Initiative and utility assis­ tance to car seat education and the annual backpack pro­ gram — did not exist back when Forbes took the helm. The United Way, at that time, directly funded other agen­ cies instead of doing the work itself. “Every time there seems to be an issue that comes more to the forefront, our board of directors is willing to step out and take a look at what that looks like and how to move forward with that,” Forbes said, heaping praise and credit into her organiza­ tion’s board. Now, United Way offers an extensive menu of direct services while still partner­ ing with a robust list ofagen­ cies in order to help them in their work, as well. Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS WE’RE Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (681 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ACCREDITED BUSINESS �The Sun and News, Saturday. August 26, 2023/ Page 7 Auctions NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE SALE­ Please notice Red Dot Stor­ age 19S-Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE, Caledonia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 9/4/2023 at 9:30 AM. Un­ less stated otherwise, the con­ tents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #138. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See man­ ager for details. Members of Thornapple Kellogg High School Class of 2024 gather for last first day Garage Sale HUGE YARD SALE- Thursday, August 31-Monday, September An hour before the first 4.2023.8am-6pm. 3333 108th Ave, Allegan. 45 haywagon day of school even started, loads ofmisc; 100's ofmiscbox Thomapple Kellogg High School seniors wandered lots; 2 floors in pole bam full of furniture; plus a houseful of into the school’s stadium and furniture from several estates. onto the field. Spreading Antiques to Junk! A TON of blankets on the turf, they sat kitchen items; beds and bed­ in groups to welcome each room sets; couches; chairs; other back for their last first dining sets; paper weights; a day ofschool and their senior ton of tools and yard items; a sunrise. lot of glassware; several cu­ “I just want to do all the rio cabinets; dressers; small senior stuff this year. You stands; lamps; rakes; shovels; appliances; a large quantity of only get one senior year — Bradbury Mint Christmas orna­ hopefully. We’ve got to make ments. You name it, it's HERE! A it memorable,” said Cash lot of items not normally seen Rabley. at sales! Located M40 south Maliah Westmaas agreed. of Allegan or north of Gobles. West on 108th to 6th house on right. WORTH THE DRIVE! COMMUNITY BARN SALE. Fri-Sun, Aug 25th-27th, 2023. 9am-5pm. 9480 Prairie Dr SE, Alto. 16ft Donahue Gooseneck stock trailer, horse tack, tools, Paslode framing nailer, lawn mower, snow blower, hedge trimmer, ladder, garden/lawn items, yard cart, various yard equipment, tires, poly shelves, post hole digger, feed bunk, wa­ ter tank, furniture, golf clubs, dog crate, etc. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing ma­ chines. 517-852-0667. Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trail­ ers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & work­ man's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Qual­ ity affordable roofing instal­ lation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references avail­ able. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. CONSTRUCTION: ADDITIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUALITY local groomer at reasonable rates. 269-331-9999. Real Estate FREEPORT-1.8 ACRES, most­ ly wooded. 400' Coldwater River frontage. Lots of deer. $125,000.616-893-1872. “This year has all the tra­ ditions that we want to expe­ rience,” she said. “It’s senior year.” The tradition started with the Class of2022 and every year the number of seniors willing to make the earlier-than-normal morning wake-up call seems to increase. At the end of the school year, they’ll gather again on the field to cele­ brate their last day ofschool together for their senior sun­ set. “This is 13 years in the making. It’s time to enjoy it,” said Kaden Hamming after posing for a photo in front of FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones Should you downsize when you retire? When you retire, you’ll along the way, too, because the sale as you anticipated. experience many changes many charitable organiza­ Also, If you still were pay­ — should one of them tions will welcome some of ing off a mortgage on your involve your living arrange­ your items. bigger home, you may have ments? • You could make money. been deducting the interest The issue of downsizing If you’ve had your home payments on your taxes — is one that many retirees for many years, it’s certain­ a deduction that might be will consider. If you have ly possible that it’s worth reduced or lost to you ifyou children, and they’ve grown more — perhaps a great purchase a less-expensive and left the home, you deal more — than what you condo or become a renter. might find yourself with paid for it. So, when you Besides these financial fac­ more space than you really sell it, you could pocket a tors, there’s the ordinary need. Ofcourse, this doesn’t lot of money — possibly hassle of packing and mov­ necessarily mean you must without being taxed on the ing. And if you’re going to pack up and scale down gains. Generally, if you’ve a much smaller living yourself. You might love lived in your home for at space, you may not have your home and neighbor­ least two years in the five- much room for family hood and see no reason to year period before you sold members who want to visit go. But if you’re open to a it, you can exclude $250,000 or occasionally spend the change, you could find that of capital gains, if you’re night. moving to a smaller house, single, or $500,000 if So, as you can see, you’ll a condo or an apartment you’re married and file tax­ need to weigh a variety of es jointly. (You’ll want to financial, practical and may make sense for you. Let’s consider some of consult with your tax advi­ emotional issues when the advantages of downsiz­ sor, though, before selling deciding whether to down­ your home, to ensure you’re size. And you will also want ing: eligible for the exclusion, to communicate your • You could save money. Moving to a smaller space especially if you do own thoughts to grown children could lower your utility multiple homes. Issues can or other family members arise in connection with who may someday have bills and upkeep costs. • You could save effort. A. determining one’s “prima­ reason to be involved in your living space. In short, smaller home will mean ry” residence.) While downsizing does it’s a big decision — so less maintenance and clean­ offer some potentially big give it the attention it ing. • You could de-clutter. benefits, it can also entail deserves. This article was written Over the years, most of us some drawbacks. First of accumulate more posses­ all, it’s possible that your by Edward Jonesfor use by sions than we really need. home might not be worth as your local Edward Jones Downsizing gives you a much as you had hoped, Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member chance to de-clutter. And which means you won’t SIPC clear as much money from you can do . some good the senior backdrop. Nathan Koester said he was glad he came out early too. “I want to make this senior year memorable, but not in a bad way. I just want to make lots of good memories,” he said. Xavier Ward said he appre­ ciated the free coffee provid­ ed by TK senior parents, along with cinnamon rolls and other breakfast treats. “I’m here for the free cof­ fee and for the senior experi­ ence,” he said. Braiden Wesner said he came to celebrate his senior year. “It's opening day of our senior year,” Wesner said. “It’s nice to see everyone and get back together and it’s something we’ll remember from our senior year.” “It’s our senior year and I just want to do everything this year,” Hannah Middleton said excitedly sitting with a circle of friends on the field. “It’s only one day we can do this and it’s special,” said Josie DeBoer. Before heading off to classes, the seniors all stood together in a circle around the Trojan emblem on the field for one memorable last, first day photo. 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This year, oiganizers had to scamper back to the office to grab some undated glass­ Every year, the Barry ware they had on hand as a County Chamber and backup in order to meet the Economic Development demand. Kim Martin, who coordi­ Alliance orders 500 pieces of custom glassware to hand nates BrewFest for the cham­ out to attendees of Barry ber, agreed that it was a good Jayson Bussa Editor Leah Marie sings and plays the guitar as the band SilentBark per­ forms at the pavilion in downtown Middleville during the seventh annual Mike Cramer, president of the Village of Middleville, serves beers Barry County BrewFest last Saturday from the Waldorff Brew Pub in Hastings during the Barry County afternoon. (Photos by Brett Bremer) BrewFest. BrewFest guests taste test beers, wines and spirits from across the state of Michigan. Middleville Rotarians sell ducks at Barry County BrewFest in downtown Middleville last Saturday for their upcoming annual duck race, which will be held Sept. 9 during Heritage Days. The Middleville Rotary Club also sold food at BrewFest. problem to have. “This was probably, we think, our biggest BrewFest yet,” Martin said. “We had well over 600 in attendance.” The weather is the obvi­ ous and most crucial vari­ able associated with this annual outdoor celebration of all things craft beverage. This year’s BrewFest was blessed with a great day as attendees enjoyed beverag­ es from 36 different vendors while Grand Rapids-based band SilentBark provided the soundtrack. Martin said that holding the festival in mid- to late August seems to be the sweet spot for the event and attracts the biggest crowds. She pointed to a previous year when her organization held BrewFest in late September in Hastings and didn’t draw the crowd that it TKHS student council advisor earns Above and Beyond Award Thomapple Kellogg High School math teacher and co-student council advisor Liz Ritsema earned the Shelley Erb Above and Beyond Award from the TK Education Association during Monday’s TK opening day celebration. Erb is a retired first-grade teacher whose energy and enthusiasm for teaching is the inspiration for the annual award presented by the TK Education Association. TK Middle School band teacher Mark Hagemann explained that peers make the nomina­ tions for the award based on someone ’ who goes “far above normal expectations” for students and staff. High School teacher Kevin Kane nominated Ritsema for this year’s honor. In his nom­ ination he wrote, “Liz is a dedicated teacher and a great role model for both students and staff. She continually goes above and beyond to improve both the TK school district and the community at large. She is an excellent role model for students as she interacts with other students, staff and community mem­ bers in a positive and profes­ sional manner at all times,” he read. He said she is likely best known for her work as one of the student council advisors. In that role she helps students organize homecoming, student events, pep rallies and service projects. “She also advises students who are not on student council and she’s a member ofthe MTSS team at the high school as well as a math tutor. Liz advocates for all students and she is a strong supporter ofall staffthroughout the district,” he said. “She also spends a lot of her own time advocating for students and other staff members. Probably the most important contribution she provides, however, is her unyielding positivity and encourage­ ment. No matter the obstacle, difficulty or challenge, she remains positive and calm, setting an example for staff members and students alike.” This is Ritsema’s 19th year teaching math at TK. Recognition was also given to staff members who have.Reached levels of service>i? to the district. Superintendent Craig McCarthy said it’s nice to recognize these milestone years. “There's not as much loy­ alty to school districts or organizations as there used to be. It's great that we have the retention at TK that we do because it's a fantastic place to be.” had hoped for. And, while the event is designed to drive some rev­ enue back to the county’s chamber of commerce, Martin said that the focus is to put on an event that draws in visitors from out­ side of Barry County and maximizing economic impact for local businesses. To do it, organizers are constantly brainstorming little wrinkles to add to keep the festival fresh. “We always try add dif­ ferent stuff every year, so that’s definitely something we can hang our hats on,” Martin said. The location for BrewFest rotates around the county, having visit other towns such as Hastings, Delton, Nashville and Freeport. Last year, BrewFest was held in the Gun Lake area, in the parking lot of Curly Cone. Next year, BrewFest will return to Delton, where it will coincide with the annu­ al Founders Festival in mid-August once again. Upper Hand beers from Bell’s sister brewery in Escanaba await drinkers at the seventh annual Barry County BrewFest in Middleville last Saturday after­ noon. Antenna Men • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 GOLF YANKEE SPRINGS GOLF COURSE - 1PM SHOTGUN START nRtceadgdiys.ctoemr/eYveontus/rcaTleedoanmia-a Become a Sponsor Volunteer for the Event WWW.CALATHLETICBOOSTERS.COM g �The e Sun un and an News, ews, Saturday, aur ay, August ugus 26,, 2023/ Page age 9 Genesis Waters to hold fun run at Cornerstone Church to help bring clean water to global villages in need James Gemmell Contributing Writer Participants in a 6k run/ walk at Cornerstone Church on Sept. 17 will get a chance to experience what it’s like to cany a gallon of water six kilometers. That is the average dis­ tance many people in remote areas ofthe world must walk daily to access clean water. For the second straight year, a Gaines Township­ based nonprofit organization — Genesis Waters — will hold its Lug A Jug run/walk on the Cornerstone Church’s main campus, 1675 84th St The non-denominational church is about two and a half miles from the Genesis Waters headquarters at 6650 Crossings Dr. SE. Ken Watkins and his wife, Shelly, both members of the church, serve as the presi­ dent and executive director of Genesis Waters, respec­ tively. The church itself is not affiliated with the non­ profit group. “We have been doing this 0 kind of work for about 15 years,” Watkins said. “We previously did it under the umbrella of a different mis­ sion organization.” In its daily operations, On a previous mission, some village residents in East Africa were thrilled to pump water from a newly built well. (Photo provided by Genesis Waters) Genesis is an entirely volun­ teer-run organization, keep­ ing overhead expenses low and allowing donations to go straight to projects in the field. Cornerstone Church began focusing its clean-water efforts in northern Kenya in 2007, sending several mission trips, on which the Watkins first became aware of the need for access to clean, safe water. Ken Watkins said that what would become Genesis first got involved in a water project in Kenya in 2012. Genesis, as a standalone ministry, was founded in 2018. “It was as a result of a short-terpi Cornerstone trip that Genesis Waters as a 501(c)(3) was birthed,” said Tracy Bowers, the director of Outreach at Cornerstone Church. The church and the Watkins began collaborating on projects in 2013 to help remote villages around the globe gain easier access to clean water. They provided teams with expertise in well-drilling, using hand pumps and solar pumps and helping communities find other needed resources. The Sept. 17 fundraiser will educate participants about what it’s like to walk long distances to collect water to meet daily needs. “A lot of people aren’t aware ofthe situation around the world that many people face. And six kilometers is the average distance around the world that people walk. But in a lot of places like East Africa, we come across communities that are walk­ ing 20 and 30 kilometers one way. And many times, it’s a desert kind of environment, 100-plus degrees out. It’s a significant challenge,” Watkins said. He noted that in some places in Africa and Asia, the women and children are the ones in a family who fetch the clean water. The water is needed for drinking, clean­ ing, cooking and hygiene. “So, if we can provide a good, clean source of water in a community, that’s really life-changing because so many hours of the day can now be devoted toward tak­ ing care oftheir house, their family or their animals. And children are more frequently attending school because they’re not having to walk with their mom to get water,” Watkins said. During the Lug A Jug event last year, somewhere between 150 and 200 people participated. It is billed as a fun run/walk. “There are a few people that run the course, but the vast majority walk it. It’s really meant to be a fun event. A lot of people bring their kids with them, so it’s super family-friendly,” Watkins said. Bowers said the fundraiser was held as a virtual-only event and not on the church campus in its first two years in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “People weren’t gather­ ing, so they would sign up and do the walk,” she said. “But they could do the walk wherever they were, and it was a virtual fundraiser, meaning they would sign up and pay to participate, walk their six kilometers wherever in the world they were. But it wasn’t a unified coming-together event like it is now.” Participants will walk two loops around the church’s 36-acre campus to complete the six kilometers. The property has varied terrain, including grassy areas and a prayer path. People of all ages can participate. Registration information and other details are posted See WATERS, page 10 Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26, 2023 Michigan teachers still scrounging for classroom supplies Janelie D. James Bridge Michigan As Michigan students return to school, cold and flu season won’t be too far behind. So many teachers try to offset the spread of germs by stocking up on hand sani­ tizer and other cleaning sup­ plies, often using their own fluids to do so. Paris Feiler,-seventh grade teacher at Legacy Charter Academy in Detroit, said she spends about $250 a year on classroom supplies. “This year, I created an Amazon Wish List for my birthday to get some of my family and friends to buy items for my classroom,” she said. “I have teacher friends in other districts and even other states ... who have Amazon Storefronts.” Back-to-school expenses (everything from clothes to notebooks and other school supplies) are among the highest yearly costs for many families. But teachers often have to reach even deeper into their own pockets — with two recent surveys showing the average U.S. teacher spends more than $800 of their own money annually on classroom sup­ plies. Parents are routinely asked to help reduce the burden by donating to classroom supply lists that might include wipes, sanitizer, tissue, pen­ cils, erasers and expo mark­ ers for community use. It’s a call many families expect to take on, but an expense that is straining more family budgets due to inflation following the pandemic, as the cost of school supplies rose 23.7 percent in the past two years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index. In the Detroit Public Schools Community District, donations can be difficult to collect where more than 80 percent of the student population is economically disadvantaged and the median household income is $34,700, according to census data. The district provides tis­ sue, hand sanitizer, wipes, paper and pencils, but teach­ ers coordinate with their principal to curate a class­ room specific supply list to give to parents. Most of which includes some ofthese items. “The district provides each teacher $100 to purchase items through School Specialty, ” Chrystal Wilson, assistant superintendent of communications for the dis­ trict, said in an email. Which leaves teachers like Feiler to find ways to collect the rest. . “Parents don’t complain about donating items but I have not had one parent donate,” Feiler said. “I even offer extra credit to students that bring in stuff ... but the parents don’t bring in anything.” WHOSE RESPONSI­ BILITY? The state is required to provide students with the items they need to learn. And schools are receiving unprecedented financial support. Michigan schools received $6 billion from a succession of federal COVID relief packages including the American Rescue Plan Act, with low-income school dis­ tricts receiving the most money. And this year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a record $24.3 billion school budget, which among many things increased funding for each K-12 student to $9,608 for the 2023-24 school year. But classrooms have a never-ending need for sup­ plies. That means teachers are often left to address shortfalls by reaching out to nonprofits like AdoptAClassroom.org, corporations like Walmart, Thornapple Township crash sends two the hospital when I come out of pocket for stuff like that, it will hurt but I do it because it’s for my child.” In neighboring Dewitt Township, Kelle Vicknail, 47, said she spends about $50 on school supplies at the beginning of the year and continues to donate items throughout the year. “I don’t mind buying tis­ sue, but I feel like the sanita­ tion wipes and hand sanitizer should be provided,” Vicknail said. It would be nice to see the district pro­ vide more to help teachers like pens, pencils, staples and Wite-Out, items found on the school supply list, she along with friends and added. strangers to crowdsource The Grand Rapids Public needed supplies. Schools Foundation hosts an The Barry County Sheriff’s DonorsChoose, a website annual supply drive to col­ Office is investigating a seri­ used by public school teach- lect items for classrooms. ers to collect donations to Parents in the more afflu­ ous injury traffic crash supply their classrooms, is ent Birmingham Public involving two vehicles. The another tool teachers use, Schools are sent supply lists crash occurred at the inter­ similar to creating Amazon requesting donations, even section of North Patterson Storefronts. though the district said it Road and 108th Street in The number of supplies all students with Thomapple Township. The preliminary investigaDonorsChoose projects cre­ basic necessities. ated by Michigan teachers Cortez Strickland, com­ tion revealed an eastbound has continued to grow, from munications and marketing Chevy Silverado failed to stop at the stop sign and col961 projects in 2019 to 1,134 manager for the district, said projects so far this year. many parents go out oftheir lided with a northbound Detroit, the largest school way to purchase supplies to Chevy Malibu. The driver of district in the state, has the ensure each student has what the Malibu was transported to the hospital by Aero Med most projects: 243, followed they need. by Kalamazoo with 103. In Birmingham, about 10 and was listed in critical conEast Lansing Public percent of students are eco­ dition. The passenger of that Schools received 500 back­ nomically disadvantaged. Malibu was also transported packs filled with school sup­ The median household to the hospital by ambulance and was listed in serious conplies for middle and high income is $138,000. school students from “1’11 give a big nod to our dition. Communities in Schools, a PTA organizations at school Lansing-based organization level because they go out and committed to helping kids make sure that... schools are stay in school and TechSmith, always heavily supplied with a local business. those types of things," The district uses state Strickland said. funds to “provide all materi­ “So even though it may be als and supplies that students on the school suggested sup­ need for school,” said Dori ply list, those items are still Leyko superintendent for heavily stacked within a East Lansing Public Schools. school building already.” “Many of our families enjoy donating additional supplies to their children’s classrooms,” Leyko said. Cynthia Robinson, 51 of East Lansing, said she spends about $50 each year on school supplies for her daughter, who is in sixth grade at MacDonald Middle School. “The stuff that [teachers] want like Clorox, that stuffis Sept 8th Event Schedule: expensive ... and they ask for stuff like that,” she said. Farmers market at the pavilion from 3-7 PM “I have to pay in cash and The driver ofthe Silverado was not injured. The crash remains under investigation and drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the crash. As of time of print, there was no update on the condition of those injured. Agencies that responded to, and assisted in the accident include Thomapple Township Emergency Services (TTES), Aero Med, Barry County Central Dispatch, Goldsworthy’s Towing, Barry County Road Commission, Kent County Road Commission, Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. 2023 HERITAGE DAYS! Live music at the amphitheater 6:30-8:30 PM Sept 9th Event Schedule: WATERS continued from page 9 10 AM | Main Street Parade at ComerstoneMI.org/luga- who can’t sign up in jug and genesiswaters.org. advance can do so on the There, you can find out day of the event. The pro­ how to volunteer or partici­ ceeds from the race will go pate in the walk/run, which directly toward providing a costs $30 per person and water well in a village. includes a race bib, a water “All ofthe proceeds ben­ jug and frozen refresh­ efit clean-water solutions ments. around the world to people Participants can have that don’t have access to their sponsors donate online clean water or access to at genesiswaters.org or hear about God, who loves write checks out to Genesis them. So, that’s what Waters. Genesis Waters is all about: Watkins said it would be getting clean water solu­ beneficial for people to tions and the gospel to peo­ pre-register so event orga­ ple who don’t have access nizers know how many will td either,” Bowers said. be participating. But those -The 6k event is on Sunday, Sept. 17, and the packet-pickup days at the church are Friday, Sept. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. “And then, we also do it at the event,” Watkins said. “You can come, and there’ll be a bag with your name on it that will have a T-shirt in it. And it’ll have some other giveaway things from our sponsors. Last year, I think there were sunglasses and sunscreen, granola bars, different things like that.” The fun run will go from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 10 AM - 4PM I Artisan Craft show After Parade-3 PM I Charlie Pullen Memorial Auto Show with DJ Victor 11-4 PM I Concessions from various vendors After Parade-1 PM I Kids Games & Slime making After Parade- 4 PM I Dunk Tank by TAPRC 3:00 PM I Duck Race Rotary 3:00 PM | Fire Department push in new engine at Fire Station 11 AM - 4 PM I Live Music at the Amphitheater 4 PM - 7 PM | Turkey Dinner Fundraiser at the Fire Station �205032 Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARING PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT No. 23-4 TO: The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26,2023/ Page 11 TK class of 1963 holds 60-year reunion THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to PA 188 of 1954, as amended, the Township Board of Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan, has determined, based on its own motion, to undertake an aquatic plant control project on Payne Lake in the Township, and to create a special assessment district for the recovery of the costs thereof by special assessment against the properties benefited. The Special Assessment District shall be known as the PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 23-4. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the land and premises in the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed are more particularly described as parcels abutting Payne Lake and/or with deeded access to Payne Lake, which include the following parcel numbers and as depicted on the attached map: PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 23-4 The Thornapple Kellogg class of 1963 gathered at the Ever After Banquet Hall in Hastings for their 60-year reunion Thursday, (photos by Hunter McLaren) Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Special Assessment Parcel Map PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed project with associated activities, together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of $20,000 to $25,000 per year for 5 -years (2024 - 2028 inclusive) (including administrative costs), and has placed the same on file with the Township clerk; has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to make the improvement and to create the special assessment district. The plans, cost estimates and special assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PAYNE LAKE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, district and cost estimates will be held on September 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Michigan. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. If written objections are filed with the township board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the township board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the township. Following the hearing, the township board may revise, correct, amend or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plansand cost estimates. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessments, the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessments. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days' notice to the Township Clerk. Mike Cunningham Yankee Springs Township Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 (269) 795-9091 This- won’t be the first time the Thomapple Kellogg class of 1963 makes the paper. At their 60 year reunion at the Ever After Banquet Hall in Hastings, various photos ofthe class from the past six decades were on display. One of them, a large class photo taken on their senior year trip to Washington D.C., was accompanied by framed Sun & News clippings from the same year. “Seniors’ Trip Prompts Letters to the Editor,” one of the headlines reads. At the time, the drinking age in Washington D.C. was 18-years-old. Across the country and away from the watchful eye oftheir parents, some ofthe students partook in some extracurricular activ­ ities on the trip. Class member Judy Jackiewicz said they weren’t the first TK class to do some drinking in the nation’s capi­ tal, but they might have been the first one that got caught. Although it caused quite a stir at the time, the class looks back on the ruckus they caused fondly. The story of their senior trip became a TK legend, Jackiewicz said. “We went on our class trip and created a whole big scandal in our town,” Jackiewicz said. The class members of 1963 have been meeting every five years since they’ve graduated, and they’ve been collecting as many photos and pieces ofmemorabilia as they can. Jackiewicz said flipping through old year­ book photos is a fun way to reminisce about their young­ er days, but it can also give new husbands, wives or part­ ners an idea of what their better half looked like years ago. “It's fun to walk up and look and see what people looked like years ago,” Jackiewicz said. “Ifsomeone brings a new girlfriend, or a new somebody, we can say, ‘Oh, that’s so-and-so.’” As for why so many of them still continue to meet at their reunions over the years — they just enjoy each oth­ er's company. After a social hour and dinner, some class members shared their talents. Gary Berg shared some of his musical talents, playing a few classic country and blues songs. Berg, who made appearances on the Arthur Godfrey show and the Ted Mack show in his younger days, was hesitant to play at first but eventually gave in after numerous requests from his classmates. Rusty Kermeen followed up Berg’s act by telling a few jokes. As the class gets older, it gets easier to look back on their time together. Jackiewicz calls her class­ mates often to gather their contact info and tell them about upcoming reunions, and finds herself chatting with classmates she barely knew in her school days. Jackiewicz said the cliquey-ness of high school is just a product of being kids — but now her and her class­ mates are free to chat with each other without the fear of social rejection. “We get to know each other,” Jackiewicz said. “When we were in school, we were children and knew each other with a child’s mind. We didn’t want to go outside ofour group, because they might turn us back.” As the class gets older, they find themselves looking back more and more. They’re even tossing around the idea of meeting sooner than their next five-year reunion, as a way to see everyone more often and catch-up with classmates who couldn’t attend this year. Class member Bob Miller said as the years go by, reminiscing with friends about the past becomes easier and easier. As I get older, I have more and more nostalgia,” he said. “(I find myself) looking back to those times we were in high school. I’m looking back more than (young people) are look­ ing forward, and looking at those good times.” o(j COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the August 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on August 22, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26,2023 Top CHS singles players Scots work to keep program moving forward after big 2022 Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia just might be one ofthe best varsity football teams in the state again this fall. There are challenges the Fighting Scots have to meet to be where they want to be come the end of October and to ensure they're getting to play football games through­ out the month ofNovember. The Fighting Scots have to replace an all-state quarter­ back and nearly the entire receiving group from the 2022 team that finished as the state runner-up in Division 1. The defensive front doesn't have quite the behemoths in the middle it has in recent seasons. There is also the weight of expectations to carry around and the idea that the Fighting Scots will have a bullseye on their backs after such a suc­ cessful campaign a year ago. Caledonia varsity football coach Derek Pennington says he and his team don't really care about any ofthose kinds ofnarratives. Everything is in the preseason has been about being ready to beat Romeo at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor in the ballgame that was scheduled for Friday night, Aug. 25. The week ahead will be all about figur­ ing out how to win the home opener Sept. 1 against North Farmington at updated Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia. Then the Scots get to turn their sights to the OK Red Conference where they are Tucker Dion Brock Townsend and Derek Pennington Jr. still working for their first conference championship after finishing behind the Rockford Rams in each ofthe past two season. There will be times when the Fighting Scots just need to pound the football this season with returning backs Brock Townsend and Derek Pennington Jr. - a duo who have committed to playing DI football at Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University respectively. They'll also be key leaders on the defensive side ofthe ball with Townsend one of the top safety's in the state of Michigan and Pennington a tremendous linebacker. A trio of returning offen­ sive linemen are seniors Cade Tidey, senior Jaxson Engelberg and senior Ian Fedewa. “The biggest area we need to have some growth in is our receivers have to come around. We're replacing all three. I think we have to throw and catch the ball bet­ ter than we did today,” coach Pennington said after his team's Purple & Gold Scrimmage earlier this month. The group looking to get their hands on the ball is See FOOTBALL, page 16 Brett Bremer Sports Editor It is a tough position to be put in, but the Fighting Scots will work to keep getting better and better as the sea­ son progresses. Senior Tucker Dion and sophomore Colin Martin are moving into the top two sin­ gles spots for the Caledonia varsity boys' tennis team this fall. It's the first varsity sea­ son playing singles for the duo who were in the Scots' doubles line-up a year ago. “The guys are working hard, and trying to do what we are asking of them,” Caledonia head coach Scott Bont said. “They truly want to improve and be better. This was evident in watching the progress from our first tournament, where a lot of first tournament nerves took over, to the “Under the Lights “ tournament at St Johns were we played more aggres­ sive and demonstrated more confidence. “Our seniors are really working hard to be positive leaders and encouraging of See TENNIS, page 14 THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Sun & News MULLERS PAINT 8 DESIGN CO, Phone: 616-891-9171 269.945.9554 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 269.945.9554 1351 N. 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Main St., Caledonia chiropractic' Phone: 616-891-0050 ALEDONIA PACKING LLC COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Middleville • 269-795-3550 500 Arlington St. Call Frontier Now! 616*891-8900 Caledonia • 616-891-3550 9820 Cherry Valley Rd. TIBES200Q.NET �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26, 2023/ Page 13 CHS volleyball wins first eight matches of young 2023 season Brett Bremer Sports Editor It's a great start so far for the Caledonia varsity volley­ ball team under new head coach Grace Will. The Scots opened their season Aug. 19 by winning all five of their matches at the Portage Central Invitational and then went 3-0 to win the East Kentwood Early Bird Invitational Tuesday. The Caledonia girls knocked off Edwardsburg, Coldwater,, Niles and Plainwell on their way to the championship in Portage and beat Portage Central, Gull Lake and East Kentwood Tuesday. The Scots went 1-1 on their home court for the first time this season Wednesday, outscoring Grand Rapids Catholic Central in four sets before suffering their first defeat of the season against Forest Hills Northern. While new varsity DS/ libero Emme Powers and outside hitter Reagan Hurst are the only seniors for the Fighting Scots this fall, it is a very talented, experienced group. Junior outside hitter Cambria Gaier and junior middles Josie Noble and Georgia Pennington have already been key varsity con­ The Caledonia varsity volleyball team celebrates a 5-0 day at its season-opening tournament hosted by Portage Central Aug. 19. tributors for some time. The Scots are also bringing back junior setter Jessica Maier. A pair of freshmen are adding their talents to the varsity this fall, right side hitter Aubrey Reynolds and DS/libero Avery Seif. The roster is boosted by the addi­ tion ofjuniors Ella DeRuyter, Eliza Pehrson and Gretel Knipping too. The Fighting Scots will be fighting for one of the top spots in the final OK Red Conference standings again this fall, but the conference will be a tough one at the top once again. Hudsonville enters the season as the top ranked team in the state in Division 1, Rockford is in the top ten and Jenison and Grand Haven are both among the teams receiving honor­ able mention nods in the DI state rankings. The OK Red Conference season starts when the Scots visit Rockford Sept. 14. The Scots are at the WMVOA Invitational host­ ed by Coopersville today, Aug. 26. They will head to Zeeland West Monday and then host their own Macayla Kohn Memorial Invitational Sept. 9. After that tourna­ ment, the Scots don't play on their home court again until an Oct. 5 date with West Ottawa. Viking team hopes new coach brings consistency to program Brett Bremer Sports Editor It has been a wavy path for the Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian (CLS) varsity girls' swimming and diving co-op over the past few years. New head coach Amber Pearson, who has worked with the CLS boys' in the past, is looking forward to providing some consistency for the program in the com­ ing years. She is hoping to up everyone's expectations and make the program a compet­ itive one. “These girls are here because they love the sport, they're willing to work hard and I think that speaks a lot about their character,” coach Pearson said. • The group is paced by junior Isabella Treib who flew to a time of 23.85 sec­ onds in the 50-yard freestyle at the OK Red Conference Championship a year ago and was nearly that fast again at the MHSAA Division 1 Lower Peninsula Girls' Swimming and Diving Finals where she placed eighth in the event. Treib was also a state qualifier in the 100-yard freestyle and with the CLS 200-yard freestyle relay team that just missed out on a spot in the top 16 at the finals falling by fractions of a second in a swim-off for the final place in the finals' race. The team has an outstand­ ing diver back too in senior Mayaria Coriano-Lahiff. She was tenth at the DI state finals in the diving competi­ tion as a sophomore in 2021. The CLS Vikings are scheduled to open their sea­ son today, Aug. 26, at the Northview Invitational. The CLS girls head to Holt for a dual Thursday and then will be a part of the West Michigan Relays hosted by East Kentwood Sept. 9. The OK Red Conference season starts Sept. 14 when the CLS girls travel to Rockford. Coach Pearson said her team will really be eying meets with Grandville and East Kentwood in the OK Red Conference. The CLS program isn't quite up to the Mayari Coriano-Lahiff level of most of its OK Red competitors, but contests the most competitive confer- Community Center with its pool remains scheduled to with the Bulldogs and ence meets ofthe season. Looking ahead, the Cal open in 2024. Falcons should be some of CHS team looking for new leaders on course Levi Moss be a part of that pack too in winning the championship in Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity the conference's JV race last boys' cross country team will fall. Coach Thompson expects open the season with its annu­ al Friday morning dual against the freshman trio of Grant Thornapple Kellogg at Feldpausch, Grant Morrell Caledonia High School Sept. and John Joyner to push for 1 and then head to the TK spots in that scoring group as hosted Coach B Invitational at well this season. “It will be a fun year with Gun Lake Sept. 11. That gives the Scots a little many new varsity runners,” longer to battle for position coach Thompson said. “I see amongst themselves. In the a lot ofdevelopment happen­ ing with returning runners past five to seven years there this year, along with a fresh­ has typically been a clear man class that will grow a number one, or one and two, lot. We should have a very in the Caledonia program no strong pack ofrunners, it will matter how strong it was be interesting to see how fast overall. This year things are a that pack can go.” little more balanced at the top. The Scots hope to improve “We have a lot ofdepth this year,” Caledonia head coach enough throughout the sea­ son to finish in the top halfof Ben Thompson said. “We are solid 1-10. The boys have put the OK Red Conference once in a ton of mileage this sum­ again and to earn a top three mer in preparation for the sea­ regional finish and a spot in son. There has been a lot of the MHSAA Division 1 growth mentally and physi­ Lower Peninsula Cross cally from our returning run­ Country Finals as a team. Coach Thompson sees the ners.” league as being very bal­ That group of returning runners from the team that anced and competitive from placed fourth in the OK Red top to bottom. Grand Haven, Jenison, East Kentwood and Conference a year ago include seniors Micah Nagel, Ayden Rockford are the squads to Duffin, Levi Moss and Sam most likely push the Scots Pugh, juniors Kort Thompson, for those spots in the top four Ethan Buer and Mason in the conference standings. Grand Haven's Seth Morrell and sophomore Eli Norder won the OK Red Velting. Moss, Thompson, Nagel Conference Championship and Morrell were the Scots race at the end ofhis sopho­ 4-7 finisher's at last year's OK more and junior seasons and Red Conference went on from there to place Championship race all finish­ second at the DI State Finals, ing within 30 seconds of each and he was one of six other. Moss set his PR at Buccaneers to finish in the 17:07.42 in that race to place top 20 at the conference fina­ le in 2022. That group 25th overall. Velting ran fast enough to includedjust one senior. Brett Bremer �Scots shooting to be one of Red's top squads again Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Scots are young, tal­ ented and ready to compete. The Caledonia varsity girls' golf team opened its season by winning the Wayland Invitational, placed seventh in the 19-team Kent County Invitational and then finished sixth at Jenison's Sydney Carfine Memorial Tournament last Friday, Aug. 18. Leading the way for the Fighting Scots has been jun­ ior Copelin O'Krangley who placed 17^ at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls GolfFinals as a sopho­ more last fall. “Copelin continues to improve her mental game and has taken on more leadership aspects,” said Caledonia's second-year head coach Veronica Van Wagoner. The Scot team was third overall in the OK Red Conference a year ago. And back from that team are sopho­ more Codie O'Krangley and senior Elizabeth Honhart. Coach Van Wagoner is also excited to see juniors Ellie Hudson and Mya Burgess contribute to the varsity team after being a couple ofthe top performers her group ofseniors. Even with talent and some good sen­ ior leadership, the CHS coach expects the team's overall youth to lead to the need to regroup mentally throughout the season. Golf is as much a mental game as a physical one. The Scots are tal­ ented enough physi­ cally that their coach expects them to contend for OK Red Conference and regional titles this sea­ son and on into next year Copelin O’Krangley on the CHS JV team last fall. Van Wagoner also sees good leadership potential in too. The OK Red Conference continues to be filled with CHS youngsters working to replace senior leaders Brett Bremer Sports Editor It's time for a new group ofleaders to step up for the Caledonia varsity girls' cross country team. The Fighting Scots were led by a trio of seniors last fall. The program brings back seniors Alyssa DeFields and Kloe Kimbrell and juniors Adysen Daman, Hannah Dupuis and LeahWilliams from last year's varsity team that was fifth overall in the OK Red Conference. Daman, Kimbrell and Dupuis were all among the scoring seven for the Fighting Scots at the OK Red Conference champion­ ship meet at the end of the 2022 season. DeFields was the Scots' number four run­ ner at regionals a year ago. “We have over 10 return­ ing seniors,” Caledonia head coach Ben Howell said. “I Kloe Kimbrell am challenging them to step into leadership roles. We will also have a large team once again with around 45 girls which helps everyone improve in terms of having training partners.” Howell is entering his 17th season leading the CHS girls' team. He said he has a number offreshmen in the program this fall that should make an impact overall, but it's hard to tell where everyone shakes out until they get their first race in. The Scots compete for the first time Friday when they host Thomapple Kellogg for their annual early season dual at Caledonia High School. “It is always fun to see where we’re at for the start ofthe season, and having a meet with our neighbors to the south is fun because we know their coaches quite well,” Howell said. With so many new faces, Howell isn't sure what to expect from the OK Red Conference season. His girls will be working to finish in the top half of their confer­ ence and region. TENNIS, continued from page 12 the team. They have been supportive of the younger guys, as well as working to make their game better.” The group of returning varsity seniors includes Dion as well as first doubles play­ er Ben Diegel and fourth singles player Ryan Walbeck. Garrett Fales and Hudson Derengowski return as well for the Scots this fall. Those two sophomores, and Martin, saw time in the varsity line­ up as freshmen. The plan is for Fales to team with Diegel at first doubles. Derengowski is looking to fill the third singles spot. Will VanderWeele, a junior, is back to fill a dou­ bles spot along with fellow juniors Cody DeVries, West Larson and Neal Hargrove. DeVries did fill in at times for the varsity a year ago. Nearly every one of the varsity players is a new spot in the line-up, and none of the Scots' five doubles pair­ ings will have played togeth­ er prior to this season. The Fighting Scots have a dual with Hamilton on the schedule for Sept. 7 and then will host their own Cal Invitational Sept. 9. The OK Red Conference season starts with a Sept. 11 dual against perennial conference power­ house West Ottawa at Caledonia High School. Coach Bont said his guys will be working to finish in the top six in the tough con­ ference, which will once again likely have Hudsonville and Rockford trying to push the Panthers from West Ottawa for a league title. ; The Scots will also face a different regional tourna­ ment at the conclusion of the season, with a number of teams that they are unfamil­ iar with in Division 2. That tournament will be hosted by Mattawan. Caledonia opened its sea­ son with a fourth place fin­ ish at its own Dobber Wenger Invitational Aug. 16 and followed that up with a runner-up finish behind St. Johns at the four-team Under the Lights Invitational. The Scots had six oftheir eight flights medal in St. Johns, with the third dou­ bles team of VanderWeele and Hargrove and the fourth doubles team of DeVries and Luke Atheam winning championships. The OK Red Conference will be tough as usual. West Ottawa won the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 State Championship a year ago. The Panthers' state championship squad had two seniors but also three sopho­ mores and two freshmen including the individual state champion in sophomore Helen Sachs. Grand Haven also had a young group that finished tenth at the DI state finals a year ago. The Buccaneers didn't lose a single runner to graduation from that scoring group. Jenison was 11th at the finals with three sopho­ mores, a junior and a fresh­ man in its state seven. The OK Red Conference season begins with a jambo­ ree hosted by Rockford Sept. 19. talented teams and Rockford and Hudsonville are likely to be the biggest barriers to a conference title for the Scots. The Rockford girls are offto an outstanding start, and the CHS girls have gotten a taste of the competition. The Rams won the Sydney Carfine Memorial Tournament at The Meadows. The Rams finished that tournament on the campus of Grand Valley State University with a score of 331. Byron Center was sec­ ond with a total score of 344 ahead of Grand Ledge 359, Hudsonville 363, Spring Lake 364, Caledonia 380, Reeths Puffer 383, Forest Hills Northern 383, Grand Rapids Christian 397, Greenville3 398, East Kentwood 402, East Grand Rapids 415, Jenison 426, Grand Haven 437, Montague 449, Jenison 'B' 455, West Ottawa 468 and Grandville 499. O Another Red Conference fo East Kentwood senio Elise Fennell tied Rockford senior Jessica Jolly for the individual title at The Meadows. Both girls shot 69s. Byron Center senior Macie Elzinga was third with a 70. Copelin O'Krangley placed eighth individually with a score of 80. Honhart shot a 94 for the Scots, Codie O'Krangley a 100 and Hudson a 106. Senior Sarah Kirk also contributed at the event. Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS— • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Your local agent insures your C/ops FARM BUREAU INSURANCE' Midugade fnsuroKce- Contpiuta, Ml Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparkscsTDinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26, 2023/ Page 15 CHS team looking for new leaders on course Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys' cross country team will open the season with its annual Friday morning dual against Thomapple Kellogg at Caledonia High School Sept. 1 and then head to the TK hosted Coach B Invitational at Gun Lake Sept. 11. That gives the Scots a lit­ tle longer to battle for posi­ tion amongst themselves. In the past five to seven years there has typically been a clear number one, or one and two, in the Caledonia pro­ gram no matter how strong it was overall. This year things are a little more balanced at the top. “We have a lot of depth this year,” Caledonia head coach Ben Thompson said. “We are solid 1-10. The boys have put in a ton of mileage this summer in preparation for the season. There has been a lot of growth mentally and physi­ cally from our returning runners.” That group of returning runners from the team that placed fourth in the OK Red Conference a year ago include seniors Micah Nagel, Ayden Duffin, Levi Moss and Sam Pugh, juniors Kort Thompson, Ethan Buer and Mason Morrell and sophomore Eli Velting. Moss, Thompson, Nagel and Morrell were the Scots 4-7 finisher's at last year’s nets this year, along with a OK Red Conference freshman class that will Championship race all fin­ grow a lot. We should have a ishing within 30 seconds of very, strong pack ofrunners, each other. Moss set his PR it will be interesting to see at 17:07.42 in that race to how fast that pack can go.” place 25th overall. The Scots hope to Velting ran fast enough to improve enough throughout be a part ofthat pack too in the season to finish in the winning the championship top half of the OK Red in the conference's JV race Conference once again and last fall. to earn a top three regional Coach Thompson expects finish and a spot in the the freshman trio of Grant MHSAA Division 1 Lower Feldpausch, Grant Morrell Peninsula Cross Country and John Joyner to push for Finals as a team. spots in that scoring group Coach Thompson sees as well this season. the league as being very “It will be a fun year with balanced and competitive many new varsity runners,” from top to bottom. Grand coach Thompson said. “I see Haven, Jenison, East a lot of development hap­ Kentwood and Rockford pening with returning run- are the squads to most like­ ly push the Scots for those spots in the top four in the conference standings. Grand Haven's Seth Norder won the OK Red Conference Championship race at the end ofhis sopho­ more andjunior seasons and went on from there to place second at the DI State Finals, and he was one of six Buccaneers to finish in the top 20 at the conference finale in 2022. That group includedjust one senior. New swim co-op competes for the first time Wednesday Corbin Raffler 204775 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CaledoniA . TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER TRANSFER OF AN INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES TAX EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE [ACTION PACKAGING, LLC DBA OPUS PACKAGING - WEST MICHIGAN - 6610 PATTERSON AVENUE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (6610 PATTERSON AVENUE SE)] Sophia Marcukaitis Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans have a little time to settle in with their new teammates. The Calvin Christian co-op varsity girls' swim­ ming and diving team which from includes girls Thomapple Kellogg High School, Hopkins High School and West Catholic will compete for the first time as a group when it plays host to Traverse City West in Grandville Aug. 30. Calvin Christian and West Catholic have previ­ ously had competitive swim teams. Hopkins is new to varsity swimming, while the TK ladies' spent their first 20 seasons of varsity swimming in a co-op with Hastings and Delton Kellogg. Marco Thompson is the head coach of the Calvin Christian program this fall. Thomapple Kellogg girls helped the DK/TK/HHS team to a 29th-place finish at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls' Swimming and Diving Finals last fall. That group was led by now TK senior Sophia Marcukaitis who placed seventh in the state in the 100-yard breaststroke and 16^ in the 50-yard freestyle. Junior Abigail Dumond, now a junior, was 19*“ in the diving competition at the state finals a year ago. The Calvin Christian team had a handful of state qualifiers in Division 3 a year ago and placed 32nd at the finals. PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Township Board ofthe Charter Township ofCaledonia will hold a public hearing on September 6,2023, at 7:00 p.m. (or shortly thereafter), at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, Caledonia, Michigan, on the application of Action Packaging, LLL dba Opus Packaging - West Michigan.for the transfer of an existing Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate for building improvements on lands located at 6610 Patterson Avenue, S.E., within the Township and the Patterson Avenue Industrial Development District, and legally described as follows: Part ofthe Southwest one-quarter of Section 6, Town 5 North, Range 10 West, Caledonia Township, Kent County. Michigan described as: COMMENCING at the Southwest comer ofsaid Section 6; thence North 00°22’49” West 68.74 feel to the Southeast comer of Section 1, Town 5 North,,Ronge 11 West, Goines Township; thence North 00°24’ 44* West 1155.88 feel along the West line ofsaid Section 6; thence North 89°35’16” East 82.02 feet along the South line ofthe Michigan Department of Transportation (MOOT) right-of-way line; thence North 00°24’44” West 48.59 feet along said MOOT right-of-way line and the PLACE OF BEGINNING; thence North 00°24’44” West 564.88 feet along said right of-way line: thence North 89°30’45” East 812.94 feet; thence South 01°09’04” East 571.90 feet along the East line ofthe West fractional one-halfof the Southwest fractional one-quarter of said Section 6; thence North 90°00’00” West 820.33 feet to the place ofbeginning. Permanent Parcel No. 41-23-06-300-045 Following the public hearing, the Township Board may consider a resolution for the approval ofthe transfer ofan Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate under the terms ofAct 198 ofthe Public Acts of 1974, as amended, with respect to the building improvements more fully described in the application. All interested persons may attend the public hearing arid comment on the requested Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate. Written comments may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time ofthe public hearing. Dated: August 2, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, August 26,2023 TK athletes get creative, get up early, to beat heat TKHS boys win title at Oakridge The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys' soccer team did a great job creating chances, but had a hard time hitting the back of the net in its season opener. They did a fine job of finishing to start the day Saturday at the Oakridge Invitational. The Thomapple Kellogg boys took the tournament cham­ pionship at Oakridge with a 5-2 win over Kelloggsville to start the day. They fol­ lowed that up with a 2-1 winover Oakridge and a 2-1 shoot out win over The Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer team celebrates its victory at the Williamston in theMuskegon Oakridge Invitational Saturday. The Trojans were 3-0 on the day. day's finale. TK improved to 4-1 with a The Trojans were schedThe Trojans kick off the Cedar Springs Monday and 2-1 win at Zeeland East uled to return to action at OK Gold Conference season Grand Rapids Catholic Monday evening. Hastings Friday evening. next week at home againstCentral Wednesday. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team practices under the lights Thursday morning before school to beat the late summer heat. Brett Bremer Sports Editor With a heat index hover­ ing around 100 degrees and temperatures expected in the low to mid 90s Wednesday and Thursday this week ath­ letes did what they could to keep moving. Members of the Thomapple Kellogg High School girls cross country team rounded the track inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville while members of the high school football team practiced on the turf with the stadium lights on in the early dark hours of Thursday morning. While that was going on, the Trojan tennis team worked under the lights on its year-old courts. Members of the TK Middle School cross country Stellar outing gets Bulldogs title at TK Invite I team ran the air conditioned halls for practice Wednesday afternoon. The weather not only affected practice schedules but competition schedules as Brett Bremer well. The Thomapple Sports Editor Kellogg varsity boys' soccer Caledonia was fourth and team had its Thursday after­ noon contest with the Saxons Thomapple Kellogg seventh in Hastings moved to Friday at the Trojans' Thomapple afternoon, Aug. 25, in the Kellogg Invitational at at hours before the varsity foot­ Yankee Springs GolfCourse ball kickoff between the Friday, Aug. 25. Byron Center took the Trojans and Saxons on the turf inside Baum Stadium at tournament championship Johnson Field. That football with an overall score of 322. game was originally slated The Bulldogs had a solid lead over the runner-up team for Thursday. Temperatures had dropped from Lowell that finished to the more manageable with a sore of 333. Gull Lake placed third upper 70's by the time the varsity soccer contest was set with a score of 336 ahead of South to begin Friday and temps Caledonia 340, Christian 349, Mona Shores were expected to continue to drop through the weekend. . 357, Thomapple Kellogg 375, Lowell 'B' 379, St. Joseph 382 and Zeeland East 383 in the top ten. It was a field of20 teams over­ all. Byron Center Macie Elzinga scored an outstand­ ing 64 to win the individual championship. South Christian senior Ashley Thomasma was a distant second with a score of 71. Elzinga opened her day with a birdie on each of the first four holes on the white nine, and was five under through the first nine holes. She had three more birdies on the Gold nine to close the tournament at eight under par. Caledonia junior Copelin O'Krangley was third with a score of 74 and Thomapple Celebrating 12 Years Kellogg junior Ailana Leos finished in a tie for sixth with a 79. Rounding out the top five were Zeeland West senior Rylee Smith with a 76 and Zeeland East senior Carly Lukins with a 77. Rounding out the top four for the champion Bulldogs, senior Jenna Wallace shot an 82, sophomore Natalie Grit an 86 and sophomore Holly Lawrence a 90. The Caledonia team got an 80 from sophomore Codie O'Krangley, a 90 from senior Elizabeth Honhart and a 96 from junior Mya Burgess. Copelin O'Krangley got off to a good start herself trying to keep pace with Elzinga. She birdied number one and number three on the White nine and was even through nine holes. She had one more birdie on the Gold nine and closed at two over. Leos was one under on the White nine, but she had her best success at the back end with birdies on number eight and number nine. She was one under on the White nine after a rough start on the back half of the Gold nine. Trojan senior Sydney Robertson scored a 96 and fellow senior Emma Schut shot a 99. Junior Rae Borrink contributed a 101 for the TK team's fourth score. Rounding out the team scoring, Sparta shot a 386, Hopkins 410, NorthPointe Christian 416, Lakewood 417, Zeeland West 424, South Christian 427, Kenowa Hills 432, Holland 472, Wayland 475 and Thomapple Kellogg 'B' 506. Junior Kyra Casteel led the TK 'B' team with a score of 119. F001BAU, continued from page 12 RIB DINNER MUG CLUB MEMBERS SOUP/SALAD BAR 64501 OOthSt., Caledonia 616.89?lT6055fi| FREE APPETIZER BAR 3-5PM BACON CHEDDAR BURGER with fries Olli highlighted by senior Dharius Walker, an explo­ sive slot receiver, and senior Maddox Greenfield, fresh­ man Lincoln Senti and junior Parker Little. Junior Brody Betser and senior Blake Herron han­ dled quarterback duties in the preseason. Betser is a bit more of a traditional passer than Herron. “[Betser] throws it very well. He over throws it sometimes, but he has a cannon for an arm,” coach Pennington said ofthe 2022 CHS JV quarterback. “[Blake] is scary running it. On our pull-read stuff, he looks a little like a 200pound Mason [McKenzie] running it.” There are five guys back on both sides of the ball. Greenfield returns at cor­ nerback along with Townsend in the Scots' defensive backfield. Pennington and senior Blake Herron are back as starting linebackers - and both earned all-state honors at the position a year ago. Engelberg is back on the defensive line. Reed Vogeler, ajunior linebacker, is really another returnee to the defense, but he is mov­ ing up to play the team's Scot linebacker position rather than the safety spot he manned much of2022. “I think we're going to be good on defense again. That's not all execution. That is just being tough and running to the ball,” coach Pennington said. “We'll find 11 kids that will do that.” The Scots will be com­ peting in Division 2, assum­ ing they reach the state postseason, this fall. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-09-02.pdf ffb1582ab0592add98e18aeebf67776a PDF Text Text nhe.asin and=News LCUl Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas piO. 35 September 2, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Village zoning board approves 911 tower site for Middleville 145th year Big game at the Big House Greg Chandler Barry County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman addresses the Middleville Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the 911 communi­ cations tower that will be built near the village’s wastewater treatment plant on Sheridan Street Tuesday night. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Staff Writer Barry County Central Dispatch will move ahead with plans to erect an emergency communications tower near the village of Middleville’s wastewater treatment plant as part ofupgrading its 911 coverage. The village’s Zoning Board of Appeals Tuesday night voted 4-0 to grant a variance allowing BCCD to build the 300-foot-high tower on village-owned property at 607 Sheridan St. The village ordinance normally limits the height ofa communications tower to 120 feet. “The need for 911, the need for police, fire, EMS - it’s grown tremendously in our community,” Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman said. The new tower is one of two new 700/800-megahertz towers that are being built as Barry County works to move all of its police, fire and emergency response communications to a single system. The city of Hastings in April gave BCCD the go-ahead to erect a 315-foot-high tower at Bliss Riverfront Park at 1037 E. State St. Currently, all law enforcement communi­ cations in the county are transmitted off a 700/800 MHz tower in Castleton Township near the village ofNashville, while fire and EMS rely on an antiquated VHF radio sys­ tem, Lehman said. See 911 TOWER, page 2 The Caledonia Fighting Scots had the opportunity to break in the turf at the Big House in Ann Arbor before the Michigan Wolverines take .it over for the rest of the fall. Returning from a Division 1 state runner-up finish last year, Caledonia opened its new season with a trip to Michigan Stadium to participate in the Battle at the Big House, where they took on cross-state foe Romeo. The game didn’t disap­ point as the Fighting Scots notched their first mark in the win column in dramatic fashion. The Sun and News was there and you can read about all the highlights on page 9. Changes to COA could negatively affect private senior care facilities, Carveth Village administrator says Jayson Bussa Editor A group of owners and administrators at Barry County-based assisted living and adult foster care facili­ ties have voiced concerns about the Commission on Aging and its new collabora­ tion with county-operated greatly needed facility. Thomapple Manor. Earlier this year, the Barry Under the plan, the County Board of Commission on Aging would Commissioners unveiled a move from its current loca­ plan that would outfit the tion of 320 W. Woodlawn county’s Commission on Ave. in Hastings to the south­ Aging, which provides a eastern outskirts of the city, variety of services for area near the intersection ofM-79 seniors, including those in Highway and McKeown Middleville, with a new and Road. Carveth Village is an independent and assisted living center located at 690 W. Main Street in Middleville. The facility’s administrator, Makenzi Peters, is one of several who have expressed worries about the- Barry County Commission on Aging entering a partnership with Hastings-based Thornapple Manor. The new COA location puts it in the vicinity of the sprawling complex of Thomapple Manor, a coun­ ty-operated skilled nursing facility. The new site for the Commission on Aging is directly adjacent to Thomapple Manor’s new­ ly-built assisted living facili­ ty Harvest Pointe, which opened for business earlier this year and is currently at around half capacity. In fact, as plans firm up, the new COA facility will be attached to Harvest Pointe and feature some shared spaces, which is a major sticking point for people like Makenzi Peters, who is the administrator at Middleville­ based, privately-owned assisted living facility Carveth Village. Peters also serves on Middleville’s vil­ lage council, a venue where she has previously raised concerns about this issue. Peters, who said she has discussed this issue with her counterparts at other facili­ ties throughout Barry County, is concerned that this collaboration makes the COA and Thomapple Manor essentially synonymous with each other, creating an unfair advantage in the market­ place. “The COA would no lon­ ger be required to showcase any other resources because Thomapple Manor and Harvest Pointe would have become synonymous,” Peters said. “...I do feel that referrals won’t be there, or at least a need to house infor­ mation for other facilities, because no one is going to look left or right to see if there are other options.” The Commission on Aging is a county department that is designed to assist seniors throughout the aging process by providing a variety of services, including adult day services, Meals on Wheels See COA, page 3 • Public hearing set on Caledonia village solar ordinance • Farmers Insurance slashes staff, effects felt at Caledonia campuses • Bryan Harrison named CEF’s honored alumnus • TK runners make improvements at late-night meet • Hastings surges to oust Trojans on the gridiron �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023 Public hearing set on Caledonia village solar ordinance Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Caledonia Planning Commission will hold a public hearing later this month on a proposed ordinance that would allow village residents to put up solar panels on their homes or in their yards. The hearing will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28 during the commission's regu­ lar monthly meeting at the Village Hall, 250 S. Maple St. SE. Commissioners at their Aug. 24 meeting approved set­ ting the hearing after making small changes to the ordinance language that had been drafted by village attorney Kathryn Zoller. The ordinance would require anyone wanting to erect a solar energy system to submit a site plan request to the village and get approval from the village zoning admin­ istrator as an accessory use. The ordinance would also limit solar units that are mounted on the roof of a building to be no more than 3 feet higher than the maxi­ mum building height for residential-zoned districts. Wall-mounted units cannot exceed the height of the building wall to which it is attached, according to the draft ordinance language. Meanwhile, ground- mounted units can be no more than 12 feet high. The village also proposes to limit the lot coverage of a ground-mounted solar unit to no more than 10 percent of the lot size, up to 1,500 square feet, according to the draft ordinance language. The brunt ofthe proposed ordinance is similar to a measure already in place in Gaines Charter Township. The focus ofthe ordinance is on residential use. Village planning consultant Nathan Mehmed told commissioners in July that he didn't see the need for the village for largescale solar projects to be addressed in the ordinance. 911 TOWER, continued from page 1 “There is no cross-com­ munication between the two systems,” Lehman said. “We presently have law enforce­ ment on one, fire and EMS on the other - two different technologies, two disparate (-systems) ... not a lot of interoperability between them'” Relying on a single 70(5/800 MHz tower in the eastern portion ofthe county presents challenges for law portable (radio) ... They’re enforcement, Lehman said. not able to communicate with “Indoor coverage coverage is us. They may have to go out­ nowhere near what we need it side, they may have to call us to be, specifically for law on a cell phone.” enforcement,” she said. Meanwhile, the VHF sys­ “Often times, when officers tem on which fire and EMS are on a complaint and we rely has components that are need to check status, they aging and costly to replace. It need to have some type of would cost BCCD $1.2 mil­ communication with us, lion to overhaul a VHF sys­ they’re not able to. They’ll tem that Lehman says is basically get a ‘bonk’ on their dying. The county has eight VHF tower sites, including one attached to the village water tower near Thomapple Kellogg Schools. The limitations of the POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, county’s central dispatch sys­ FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, tem showed during a recent SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR fire at Bradford White DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE Corporation, the village’s _________WAGES STARTING AT $16.00 largest employer. Thomapple POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN Township Fire Department THROUGH SEPTEMBER responded to the call. “We had a hard time com­ FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON municating with (Chief Bill CALL 616-374-8837 Richardson’s) team that were FOR MORE INFORMATION in that facility suppressing OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com fire, because the (VHF) equipment’s old, dated - the APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM radios are older and dated. TWIN CITY FOODS There just isn’t enough 801 LINCOLN STREET oomph for power to get out LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 through the walls to make it OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM back to the water tower where that antenna is,” Twin City Foods,’Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in Lehman said. employment, without regard to race, color, religion, nationall ongm, gender, age, disability, ity, veteran status, or any other stat status “We can’t get out some­ __________________protected by law. times in our bay (in our building),” Richardson said. “We have to pull out (our truck) to get but (a call).” BCCD has been looking to upgrade its communications system since 2018. Lehman said that in addition to the present 700/800 Mhz tower site near Nashville, central dispatch needs six or seven similar tower locations across the county to be able to sup­ • Wheel Alignments port moving all emergency • Auto Glass Installation ’communications onto a sin- SEASONAL LABOR WANTED Bruce's Frame ond Alignment Full Service Body Shop • Insurance Work Welcome • Visa & MasterCard Accepted PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Over 40 years experience All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ brucesframe.com gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination." Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not' knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451 -2980. The HUD toll-free telephone number for the hearing Impaired is 1-800-927-9275. 116 EQUAL HOUSNQ OPPORTUNITY gle platform. The current price tag for erecting all those towers is about $30 million, she said. Of course, the challenge with making BCCD’s vision a reality is how to pay for the new towers. The first two towers in Hastings and Middleville have an estimat­ ed cost of$5.8 million, which will be paid for out of an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant arid a $3 mil­ lion allocation from the state’s budget surplus that was awarded to BCCD earli­ er this year, Lehman said. “I do need to find the money to build four more (towers), but it’s a great start,” she said. “We’re kind of piece-mealing this project together. Some is better than none.” BCCD originally looked at two locations in Thomapple Township for placing the tower — one in a residential-zoned area and another near near Duncan Lake, which Lehman Lehman said said was too far north to be an effective site. Then the village Department of Public Works property came up as a possibility. and Lehman former Middleville Village Manager Duane Weeks, now a memberr of county 911 Central o the tecounty entra Dispatch Authority, met with current Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg and DPW Director Alec Belson in the fall of last year to discuss the feasibility of an emergency communications tower at the village site. John Ellis, whose home on Crane Road abuts the DPW property, questioned why the site was proposed for the tower, as well as the height. “Why couldn’t it be.placed where the present (tower) is now? I’m familiar with the high school and the water tower area,” Ellis asked. Lehman said the site was proposed by Motorola as the most optimal location for coverage. She said locating the new tower by the water tower would present a cover­ age problem, particularly in areas of Irving and Rutland townships. “That’s basically real close to the county line. At that point we would be providing more coverage to Allegan County than we would be for Barry County,” Lehman said. Lehman also said the topography of the county made construction of a 300foot tower a necessity. “It’s very hilly, there’s a lot ofwater. Water does a lot of unique things in terms of land-mobile an-moeraocoverage; radio coverage; Sometimes LMR ... will skip right over it,sometimes it penetrates right through it, an and some sometimes it blocks it,” she said. . “The water, the hills, the elevation that we have, specifically on the west side of the county, is a challenge for us to cover.” “The height is needed to provide provide adequate adequate coverage that we need for the entire behind neighboring counties in incorporating the new technology, which would present a serious problem in the future with regarding to mutual aid situations. “All of our surrounding communities have already built these systems. They already totally migrated everybody to 700/800 MHz, or they are in the process of doing so. Kent County is done, Allegan County has been done for a very long time. Eaton County is done. Kalamazoo (County) just fin­ ished. Ionia and Calhoun (counties) are now underway to start their process ...We are at risk of becoming an island and having very limit­ ed interoperability right now with our surrounding com­ munities,” Lehman said. Lehman cited an automatic mutual aid agreement ■between Thomapple and Caledonia townships to the north in Kent County. Thomapple operates on the current VHF system while Caledonia is on Kent County’s 700/800 MHz sys­ tem, meaning the two depart­ ments have challenges com­ municating with one another. The village of Middleville will have no cost for the site. Utilities and ongoing mainte­ nance for the site will be township, the entire village, covered by BCCD, Lehman also to provide some of that said. coverage ... into Irving BCCD plans to break Township,” she added. “911 ground on the Middleville didn’t determine the height, I tower site in October or didn’t determine the height, t, November, and the Hastings the engineering that builds site in November or these systems determine the December. Lehman said she height. would like to see the towers Lehman went on to say standing “with system accepthat Barry County is lagging tance” by the end of2024. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023/ Page 3 Company-wide layoffs at Farmers Insurance felt in Caledonia Township, still murky as to what extent Greg Chandler StaffWriter One of Caledonia Township’s largest employ­ ers laid off* some of its work force this week, in a move it says will make the company more streamlined and effi­ cient. But they’re not saying how many employees were let go locally. Farmers Insurance announced Monday that it was laying off2,400 employ­ ees, representing 11 percent of the insurer’s workforce, saying it was necessary for the company’s long-term profitability and growth. The layoffs were across all lines of Farmers’ business, accord­ ing to a company news release. “Given the existing con­ ditions of the insurance industry and the impact they are having on our business, we need to take decisive actions today to better posi­ tion Farmers for future suc­ cess,” Farmers Group Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Raul Vargas said in the news release. “Decisions like these are never easy, and we are committed to doing our best to support those impact­ ed by these changes in the days and weeks to come.” Farmers also announced a new strategy that it says “will reinvent how insurance is delivered, simplifying sys­ tems and introducing inno­ vation that supports the suc­ cess of its employees and agents, while offering com­ prehensive protection for customers.” Fanners operates out of two locations in Caledonia Township - an eight-build­ ing, 438,644-square-foot complex on ’117 acres at 5665 North Kraft Lake Dr. SE and another two office buildings, totaling 210,096 square feet on 75 acres at 5600 Beech Tree Lane SE. The layoffs come the company continues to bene­ fit from tax credits that were approved by the state in the late 2000s as part ofa plan to expand Farmers’ presence in the township. A Farmers spokesman w'ould not say how many employees were laid off, nor would he say how many employees currently work at the Caledonia Township offices. “Out ofrespect for impact­ ed employees, we will not be providing a detailed breakdown,” company spokesman Luis Sahagun wrote in an email to the Sun and News. Farmers announced in June 2009 that it would invest $84.4 million to expand its operations in Caledonia Township with Farmers Insurance corporate office building, located at 5665 North Kraft Lake Dr. (Courtesy photo) two new buildings — one to Michigan Economic Association of Insurance hold offices, a training facil­ Development Corporation Commissioners, which is ity and call center, the other (MEDC). governed by chief insurance Peters said that she raised that’s why we wouldn’t ever to be used for printing and “The credits are contin­ regulators in each of the 50 her concerns when commis­ provide a direct referral. You distribution. The Michigan gent on employment levels U.S. states as well as U.S. sioners unveiled its vision for have to look at the full pic­ Economic Growth Authority at the facility,” McKinney territories and the District of approved tax credits for the wrote in an email to the Sun Columbia. a new COA and that she was ture.” told the two buildings would The two Fanners build­ Peters said that, during the project and the township and News. Based in Woodland Hills, ings are owned by an entity be separate. planning phase, she wished also approved tax breaks, as FIE (Farmers “That doesn’t seem to be that input from her and her well. The company said at Calif., Farmers Group Inc. is called the case anymore,” Peters colleagues was factored in. the time it would create a subsidiary of the Zurich Insurance Exchange) Grand said. She characterized the plans 1,600 new jobs as a result of Insurance Group, which has Rapids. The company paid owned Farmers since 1998. $515,560 in 2023 summer Peters has taken these con­ coming together via a “back­ the tax incentives. Since 2009, Farmers has The company is made up of taxes to Caledonia Township cerns to the recently formed room discussion.” steering committee for the “I know they need a new received $22,549,212 in three different insurance for the 5665 North Kraft — Farmers Lake Dr. complex Aug. 29 project, which is comprised building but (they should cumulative tax credits divisions of members of the COA, have) seen where the com­ through MEGA, and the Insurance Exchange, Fire and another $301,541 in Thomapple Manor and coun­ munity wants it to be,” Peters company is eligible to Insurance Exchange and winter 2022 taxes on Jan. 18. FIE Grand Rapids also said. “(The county should receive additional tax credits Truck Insurance Exchange. ty commissioners. The Farmers Insurance paid out $302,515 in sum­ Courtney Ziny, executive have considered) a needs through 2026. The compa­ director of the Commission assessment like the Village of ny’s remaining cumulative Exchange division in 2022 mer 2023 taxes for the 5600 Beech Tree Lane site Aug. on Aging said that concerns Middleville is doing with the tax credits would be capped reported a loss of $314.1 coming from Peters and her library committee, making at $26,124,213 for tax years million, following a loss of 29 and $176,935 in winter colleagues are valid, albeit, sure all parties are involved.” 2021 through 2026, accord­ $366.8 million in 2021, 2022 taxes on Jan. 18, “It’s not just our facility ing to Otie McKinney, a according to an annual state­ according to township tax that the collaboration is for the ment filed with the National records. strictly a way to bring cost groups that have an issue spokesperson with it; it’s also individuals efficiency to the project. “I know what my inten­ that rely on the Commission tions are, and what the inten­ on Aging’s location for easy tions of the organization are. accessibility and things like So, for her to bring it to our that,” Peters added. “So, I’m attention and to say ‘this is also fielding complaints how it could be perceived,’ I from people that come visit think it’s important to listen,” their families here and have Ziny said. “In my head, it is heard about it and don’t want two county departments to see the facility moved working together to best uti­ further away out in the boon­ 3PM-7PM | MIDDLEVILLE MARKET lize county resources. That’s docks.” Catherine Getty, a Barry 6:3OPM-8:3OPM | LIVE MUSIC BY ELLIE YOUNGS where the COA board feels it County commissioner who is is coming from.” fc30PM-8:30PM | CONCESSIONS BY LIONS CLUB Ziny said that the also on the steering commit­ Commission on Aging does tee for the COA project not make direct referrals echoed Ziny’s sentiments in when seniors and their fami­ that commissioners were 10AM | PARADE MAIN STREET lies are looking for assisted focused on leveraging coun­ or skilled living facilities. ty-owned resources in an 10AM - 4PM | ARTISAN CRAFT SHOW AT THE PAVILION Instead, they provide a bro­ attempt to provide the best chure that lists all the resourc­ possible care for seniors. AFTER PARADE-3PM | CHARLIE PULLEN MEMORIAL AUTO SHOW WITH DJ VICTOR IN Getty acknowledged es available. VILLAGE HALL PARKING LOT The Sun andNews obtained Peters’ concerns and said that 11-4 PM | CONCESSIONS FROM VARIOUS FOOD TRUCKS AND BOOTHS! a copy ofthe brochure and it she welcomes the input from lists a dozen adult foster care all adult foster care and AFTER PARADE-1 PM | KIDS GAMES & SLIME MAKING BY THE AMPHITHEATER and assisted living facilities, assisted living facilities as including those who have the vision for a new COA AFTER PARADE-4 PM | DUNK TANK BY TAPRC BESIDE THE PAVILION raised concerns. This infor­ moves forward. “I think her input is really mation is also available 3:00 PM | DUCK RACE BY ROTARY AT THE CANOE LAUNCH online through the COA’s valuable — as much inputs website on a subpage labeled we can get from them, and 3:00 PM | FIRE DEPARTMENT PUSH IN NEW ENGINE AT FIRE STATION ‘Helpful Resources’ under meeting with all of them as the heading ‘County we work with the facility 11 AM - 4 PM | LIVE MUSIC AT THE AMPHITHEATER. JIMMY BUFFET, TONY BENNET, AND planning is going to be super Resources.’ FRANK SINATRA TRIBUTES “Assisted living or any important,” Getty said. type of ‘what’s the next step “Really critical in making 4 PM - 7 PM | TURKEY DINNER FUNDRAISER AT THE FIRE STATION for my family member or sure there is no unfair advan­ myself?’ is such a personal tage. I think we just need to > A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS! thing and each situation is make sure that they’re sitting different,” Ziny said. “So around the table.” COA, continued from page 1 and a nutrition program. The goal of the COA is to allow seniors to live independently for as long as possible. When they can no longer do that, the COA provides resources for assisted living. Because ofthe partnership between the COA and Harvest Pointe, owners and operators of privately run facilities worry that this will create a pipeline leading seniors directly to Harvest Pointe and Thomapple Manor. “At the end ofthe day the optics are what they are,” Peters said. “I can’t speak to anyone’s intent and I certain­ ly can’t speak to the fore­ thought they put into it, but the optics are going to be the same,” Peters said she has received direct support for this senti­ ment from administrators at Lallybroch Adult Foster Care Home, Woodlawn Meadows Assisted Living Facility and Cedar Creek Adult Foster Care Home, all in Hastings. “With COA moving on to that property, Thomapple Manor really becomes their only connection and that shuts out 10 or 12 other pri­ vately-owned and operates homes like mine or the one that Makenzi works at,” York Adams, owner ofLallybroch, told the Sun and News. Under the current plan, the COA would share a kitchen with Harvest Pointe. The motivation behind that shared space is that it would stream­ line the preparation and delivery offood for the Meals on Wheels program. Outfitting a new COA build­ ing with its own kitchen of that scope could run up to nearly $1 million. Harvest Pointe and the COA would be attached by a hallway. At that area where the two facilities join, current plans show a shared area for dialysis and outpatient treat­ ments, an area owned and operated by Harvest Pointe and available to the commu­ nity. HERITAGE DAYS Middleville Ml FRIDAY SEPT 8TH SATURDAY SEPT 9TH �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023 Gaines Township Board to discuss possible committee to address Cutlerville Fire Department’s long-term direction James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Township Supervisor Rob DeWard and Township Manager Rod Weersing say they will rec­ ommend establishing a com­ mittee to discuss the long­ term direction of the Cutlerville Fire Department. “That is still in the idea-formulation station,” Weersing said. “That is something the township board will decide. Rob and I are in agreement on that being our recommendation, that we create a group to kind of walk through that process — so we’re getting input from all sides.” That, after the Byron Township board’s decision in July to discontinue its joint ownership ofthe fire depart­ ment with Gaines Township, breaking a 73-year partner­ ship in co-funding fire ser­ vices in Cutlerville. That is an unincorporated area locat­ ed in both townships. The Cutlerville Fire Station is at 11 68th St. SW, immediately west of the Division Avenue border between the two townships. It is jointly funded by Byron and Gaines townships. Each pays 50 percent of the fire “It’s not as simple as run­ department’s capital expen­ ditures. Gaines pays for 60 ning our own,” he said. DeKliene also raised the percent of its wages and Byron pays 40 percent. question of whether Byron Gaines handles the adminis­ Township should take sole ownership of the fire station tration. Byron Township has given on its property in Cutlerville, whether Gaines Gaines Township one year’s and advance notice of the pend­ Township should build a new ing split, as required by an one of its own “a mile or inter-governmental contract. two” east of Division It will be up to the Gaines Avenue. De Ward replied at the Township Board to deter­ mine whether a fire commit­ October 2022 meeting that tee will be set up. Weersing Byron Township had hired a said it likely will be dis­ consultant to examine that cussed at a special township possibility a few years ago. “And his response was board meeting in September. “It would combine con­ there is no better model than cerns about the fire depart­ what we have right now, ment, as well as our sheriff where two townships are (department),” DeWard said. sharing the cost of major “Just long-range planning for equipment. Are we both the next 10 years, five years going to sit on a $1.7 million ladder truck when we can and in the next three years.” The Byron Township share one that only goes out Board plan to discontinue the once a month?” DeWard joint ownership of the said. He was referring to an Cutlerville Fire Department may have been foreshad­ agreement the townships owed at a joint meeting of made to share in the pur­ the Gaines and Byron town­ chase of the new platform ship boards last October at fire truck for the Cutlerville Fire Department. the Byron Township Hall. “We run cheaper in Byron Trustee Jay DeKliene said at that time it Byron,” DeKliene said. “I was “awkward” for the two know you guys (in Gaines townships to mutually oper­ Township) are growing and I know you will have to buy a ate a fire station. The Byron and Gaines township boards holding a joint meeting in October 2022 at the Byron Township Hall. A Byron trustee asked at that meeting whether Byron should take sole ownership of the Cutlerville fire station. (Photos by James Gemmell) fire bam down the road someday.” However, Gaines Township has the option to retain the existing Cutlerville Fire Station on 68th Street, and pay offthe equity to take ownership ofthe building. That is one ofmany ques­ tions for which Gaines offi­ cials will be seeking answers. Time will be of the essence, with partial separation offire operations between the two townships to begin one year from now. The full separa­ tion will roll out over a cou­ ple years. DeWard and Weersing both told the Sun and News it will be up to the Gaines Township Board to deter­ mine whether it wants to set up a fire committee repre­ senting the various township stakeholders. Gaines officials were stunned after learning about the Byron board’s decision in July to discontinue the co-ownership of the Cutlerville Fire Department. Gaines Township Supervisor Rob DeWard said he told Byron Township Supervisor Donald (Amos) Tillema that it was “disrespectful” for Byron officials to have voted on the matter without first notifying Gaines officials. He said he found out via an email. But Tillema said the Byron Township board members were looking at what is in Byron’s best interests long­ term, and giving prior notifi- See FIRE DEPARTMENT, next page Caledonia United w Methodist Church dF— alasi cbg8',icsil Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68“'Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.aJaskabapnst.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the worid with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch □in us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST iunday Service BAPTIST Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com . Church: OURNEY U R C H Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. c H @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church 'Church Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School............. .... 9:30AM Sunday Wonhip ....,...,.10:30 ...,.10:30AM AM Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship.................... Community Group................................ service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY catholic church 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg cornerstonemi.org/weekend Join us for our traditional yet casual worship 10:00 a.m. 1 i-qq a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml t www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023/ Page 5 Harrison named CHS honored alumnus Longtime Caledonia ment onstage, the American Township Supervisor Bryan Legion had a chicken barbe­ Harrison has been named cue, and the fireworks were the Caledonia Education shot over the lake at dusk. Foundation's honored alum­ Homecoming was and nus for 2023. still is a true celebration of A 1986 Caledonia High Caledonia students and fam­ School graduate, Harrison ilies. Back then, it consisted will be honored during the of Spirit Week, a parade, CEF's annual Calapalooza football game, and a dance. celebration that will take Today, Calapalooza takes place on Friday, Sept. 22 at that community spirit which Ralph E. Myers Football incorporates the traditions of Stadium. The celebration the past and expands it to an will include the annual even bigger celebration. homecoming parade and Halloween trick or treat­ football game, as well as ing in the village was a time live music, food trucks, and that Harrison always looked a punt, pass and kick compe­ forward to. Seeing all your tition for kids. friends — “the Townies” — A lifelong resident of was part of the fun. Lastly, Caledonia, Harrison recalls he reminisced about the tra­ a simpler time when it was a dition of riding bikes to small community with school during the last week woods, water, fields, and of school. He lived seven or farms. eight miles from school, so Kids belonged to 4-H and several kids from the Morse Future Farmers ofAmerica, Lake neighborhood would and a trip to the county fair be seen pedaling down was a highlight of the sum­ 100th Street into town. Back mer. School was small then, kids could safely ride enough that everyone knew bikes pretty much anywhere. each other and were friends. Harrison attended Football games were the Caledonia schools from highlight of the week, and Caledonia Elementary up sports brought the people of through high school, which the community together. was at the Duncan Lake Harrison recalls fond building at the time. memories of all-day Harrison remarked, “For a Independence Day celebra-small rural community, I had tions held at Lakeside Park excellent teachers through­ following the annual parade. out my entire education. I The day included entertain- was voted class clown so I have an even deeper appre­ ciation for my teachers that had the patience to make sure I picked up some knowledge between wise­ cracks and pranks.” Harrison remembers many of his teachers very fondly and is grateful for the lessons learned from them and the lasting impacts they had on him. Kim Klingensmith was his fifth grade English teacher and used music from the Beatles and James Taylor in her les­ sons. Mrs. Crump taught her students the hustle in gym class. In eighth grade, Mr. Downer would bring world history to life in the classroom. In ninth grade, Stan Spencer taught Michigan history with humor and instilled in Harrison a deep­ er appreciation for all of its offerings. Al Steeby led the FFA program and also taught agriscience and agribusi­ ness. Al and this program had a profound impact on Harrison’s identity and suc­ cess. “I not only learned the differences between hay and straw and how to tell a Holstein and a Hereford; I also learned how to weld and back up a trailer, public speaking and parliamentary procedure, and how to field dress a deer,” Harrison said. Harrison was blessed to have John Soderman, one of the most successful coaches of all time, as a gym teacher and cross country and track coach. For four years under Soderman’s leadership, Harrison learned to train hard and expect to win. The teams did indeed win. In Harrison's four years in both cross country and track, the Fighting Scots never lost a conference dual meet. He earned four varsity letters each in track and cross coun­ try, and two more in wres­ tling. He was all-conference in track and all-conference honorable mention in cross country. He also sang in the honors choir and won several FFA awards in state competi­ tions. “I can remember one track meet where it literally came down to the final relay to determine the winner of the meet and I was a member of the relay team,” Harrison recalled. “We were running against a foursome that had beaten us in an earlier event at a different distance. I can remember gathering my teammates and telling them that we would not be the guys that broke Coach Soderman’s years-long unde­ feated record. “We were just kids but I knew even before the start­ er's gun went off that we would win. We had heart. We cared about each other, the team, and community pride. I can remember all my class­ mates rushing the field rejoicing. My father had a saying, ‘Respect all. Fear none,’ and sportsmanship was more important to him zens. Not only coverage-wise, but we’ve got to be good stewards of their dol­ lars,” DeWaard said. The Gaines Township Board’s regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11, but Weersing said he is hoping to schedule a separate session to focus only on the Cutlerville Fire Department situation. “So that we’re focusing on the immediate issues that need to be addressed,” he said. The only other fire station that directly services Gaines Township — excluding mutual aid from other munic­ ipalities — is the Dutton Fire Department, 3471 - 68th St. SE. It is owned by Gaines Township. Byron Township operates a fire bam in Byron Center, an unincorporated community. increase in staffing,” Van Cutlerville and Dutton Hall told the township board. Fire Chief Ken Van Hall “Our average time on scene declined a request to com­ has gone from 11 minutes, 34 ment. But he has said in the seconds to 22 minutes, 11 past that about 22 percent of seconds.” the service calls for fire and He added that there are not rescue in Cutlerville occur enough ambulances avail­ within a one-square-mile able to respond to service area on the Gaines Township calls in Gaines Township, side of Division Avenue, and that has caused the addi­ north of 68th Street. tional time on scene for Last year, the Gaines Cutlerville fire/rescue per­ Township Board approved sonnel. The Cutlerville Fire Board funding to add five full-time firefighters to the Dutton met in late August, but Fire Department, which Weersing said specifics switched to a 24/7 staffing about the impending split model in January. In June, between Byron and Gaines Van Hall requested that the townships over Cutlerville township board add three fire services were not dis­ firefighters to the station in cussed. The fire board con­ sists of two members each Cutlerville. “Since 2015, we’ve had a from Byron and Gaines 35 percent increase in call townships, plus an at-large volume with, really, no member. Bryan Harrison than winning. After winning the race I made sure I shook hands with every member of the relay squad we had just bested.” For more details on Calapalooza, visit caledoniacef.org. FIRE DEPARTMENT, continued from page 4 cation to Gaines officials would not have changed Byron board members’ minds about ending the part­ nership. The vote was 6-1. Tillema cited Byron Township’s rapid growth for the decision to operate its own station in Cutlerville. Byron is the second-fastest growing township in Kent County and Gaines is the fastest. Tillema said the Byron Township Board has not taken any further action on the matter, other than to hire an appraiser to determine a current value for the Cutlerville Fire building. “I am not sure if Gaines has hired someone yet to appraise all the equipment,” he said. DeWard acknowledged that one ofthe two townships will probably have to build a new fire bam in Cutlerville, but which one is uncertain at this point. Regardless, he said the new fire service operations will be costly for both townships. Tillema said fire services will be improved in Cutlerville once the sepa­ ration takes effect, with more firefighters available to cover the area. DeWard said that Gaines Township officials have to weigh all possible options before making any major decisions on fire operations. “We’ve got to look out for the best interest of our citi- cornerstonechurch September 17 I 3-5pm I 84th St. Campus 1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 This fun run/walk is a family-friendly event where participants walk for 6k because that is the average distance a woman or child has to carry water each day in many parts of the world. Cost: $30 per participant (includes a race t-shirt, race bib, a water jug, and frozen refreshments) All profits from the race will go directly towards providing a water well, so that at least one village of people no longer has to walk this far to fetch their water. REGISTER TODAY BY SCANNING THE CODE OR BY VISITING Members of the Byron and Gaines township boards discuss the joint purchase of a platform fire truck with a 100-foot aerial ladder at a meeting last fall. cornerstonemi.org/LugAJug �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2,2023 Commonwealth Senior Living cuts ribbon on $5.5M renovation, expansion in Gaines Township James Gemmell Contributing Writer It was just a year ago that Charlottesville, Va.-based Commonwealth Senior Living announced it would be moving into Michigan and enhancing its national footprint. It began with ground­ breakings for the expansion and renovation ofthree exist­ ing senior-living communi­ ties. On Wednesday, Aug. 30, the company held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest one in Gaines Township, called Community Senior Living of Grand Rapids. It is located at 1175 68th St., between Eastern and Kalamazoo ave­ nues. The $5.5 million renova­ tion and expansion of the 20-year-old building features a new covered entrance and lobby that connects two existing buildings with a new one, and includes renova­ tions of the common areas and suites. It has 50 assist­ ed-living beds and 36 memo­ ry-care beds. Commonwealth’s target customer is usually 65 years and older, although some residents are a little younger. The assisted-living area is for people seeking assistance with the activities of daily living. That can mean help with bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, programming and socializa­ tion. The memory care area is for residents who have been diagnosed with some form of dementia. It is in a secure area, so residents are safe and do not wander out ofthe building. Only company staff members have passcodes for the doors. “And we’ll provide spe­ cialized programming and support for them,” Earl Parker said. He is Commonwealth Senior Living’s president and chief executive officer. “It’s not something that insurance covers, normally, unless you have long-term care insurance. A lot oflong­ term insurance policies will cover assisted living and memory care. But it’s mostly private pay for folks who need that support and can’t stay home any longer,” Parker said. The company’s other ren­ ovated senior living commu­ nities in Michigan are Jennifer Stanley, executive director for Commonwealth Senior Living in Grand Rapids, prepares to cut the ribbon to celebrate completion of a renovation and expansion project in Gaines Township. (Photos by James Gemmell) Community Senior Living at East Paris in Grand Rapids, and Prestige Commons in New Baltimore (Macomb County). Among those attending the grand opening Wednesday afternoon was 79th District State Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Alto. “This is just a wonderful expansion and a remodel of an amazing facility,” Rigas told the Sim and News. “And, as we know, we have a shortage in senior housing. So, I’m just excited to bp here at this ribbon-cutting to celebrate the expansion of Commonwealth.” Gaines . Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barb Nauta gave the opening remarks at the rib­ bon-cutting. “We’re excited that you guys are here with us today, and we want to make sure to congratulate Commonwealth Senior Living for their amaz­ ing work with their renova­ tions,” she said. Nauta continued, “So, on behalfofthe Gaines Chamber of Commerce, we’re just so glad and so blessed to wel­ come your business to our community and our Gaines Chamber family. We ask God to bless your business, your employees and your resi­ dents. Our community is truly driven by the success of this amazing location and this business.” Next to speak was Jennifer Stanley, executive director for Commonwealth’s Grand Rapids market. “Commonwealth came to this location back almost a year ago...then, lots ofchang­ es, all for the good. We are excited to bring our signature programs and purpose to the seniors in our community,” Stanley said. Ground was broken for the expansion project 18 months ago and Commonwealth Senior Living began manag­ ing the property in September of 2022. Commonwealth is affiliated with MCAP Funds, which is an acronym for Municipal Capital Appreciation Partners. That is the real estate private-eq­ uity firm that bought the senior living community sites in Michigan three years ago. Commonwealth offers independent living, assisted living, personal care and memory care to seniors in Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. It supports 37 See TOWNSHIP, next page Caledonia author reflects on importance of upcoming Write Michigan Short Story Contest Shari Harris Contributing Writer They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but authors across the state of Michigan will have a chance to write up to 3,000 words in this year’s annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest. The competition, hosted by the Kent District Library and Schuler Books, is in its 12th year, and the Caledonia area has claim to at least two past winners, Amelia Veltman in 2022 and Andrew Rogers in 2013.. Rogers is a published author and says that the com­ petition helped him in his career. Along with giving him more confidence in his writing, he said, “It gave me something significant to show editors and even employers. Writers are self-conscious about what their resume looks like. This award was a bright spot for me. It was something I could share widely. Even if some­ one was unfamiliar with the Write Michigan contest, they knew what ‘award winning short story’ meant, and that was a real boon.” As a Caledonia High School graduate, Rogers says that long-time orchestra WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 ABUCSCIRN BUSIN teacher Mr. Pete DeLille had a profound impact on his writing. “He didn’t teach me to write, but he taught me how to express myself through another art form, music. He demon­ strated calm and encour­ aging leadership in cha­ otic settings (the orches­ tra room). He pushed me to play expressively and challenged me to play up to my potential. He taught me how to practice and refine my skills. All of these les­ sons transfer to the writer’s life in one way or another. Thank you, Mr. DeLille.” Rogers was also a judge last year when the contest drew in 1,250 entries. The competition is open to all current residents ofMichigan and has awards in three cate­ gories, youth, teens and adults. Winning entries will be published, and the top writers will receive cash prizes. “It’s a valuable opportuni­ ty for young or inexperi­ enced writers,” said Rogers, “because it’s easy to enter. It’s a good opportunity for someone new to get noticed.” “This contest gives writers the opportunity to reach their goal of getting published,” said Katie Zuidema, Marketing Communications Specialist at KDL. “Not only do writers have the chance to win $500, but their story could also be available to the masses library state.” The Friday, on bookstore and shelves across the contest opened on Sept. 1 and stories can be submitted through Thursday, Nov. 30. There is a $10 entry fee for ages 18 and above while those 17 and under may enter a story for free. All entries must be sub­ mitted online. There will be three cash prizes given in each of the. three categories — Judges’ Choice ($500), Readers’ Choice ($250) and Judges’ Choice Runner-Up ($250). The top 10 stories in each category will be reviewed by a panel ofjudges comprised ofpublished authors, editors, professors and literary agents. A public, vote will determine the winners of Readers’ Choice. “Write Michigan is truly a statewide effort,” said Josh Mosey, one ofthe organizers ofthe contest. “Kent District Library couldn’t put on the short story contest without our partners, including Schuler Books, Michigan Learning Channel, Capital Area District Library and Canton Public Library.” According to Leigh Verburg, Branch Outreach and Programming Specialist at the Caledonia Branch, judg­ ing will start on Dec. 4 and go through Dec. 22. Semifinalists will be announced on January 22, 2024. Then the online voting for the Reader’s Choice award begins Jan. 22 and clos­ es Feb. 12. Final win­ ners are announced Feb. 16, and the awards ceremony is on March 23. Even ifyou’re not a writer, you can still take part in the contest. Those who enjoy reading stories are encour­ aged to sign up to be a volun­ teer story reviewer at writemichigan.org/volunteer. Those interested in sub­ mitting a story can find more information online at writemichigan.org. There is also an online community ofwrit­ ers through Facebook (facebook.com/WriteMichigan) and Instagram (@write. michigan). Kent District Library is offering a pro­ gramming series geared towards writers and aspiring writers covering topics like getting published, freelance writing, self-editing and cre­ ating compelling characters. For more details, including dates, times and locations, visit writemichigan.org/writers-conference. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2,2023/ Page 7 Whitmer pushes clean energy, paid leave in Michigan; offers few specifics a "left-wing, progressive" wish-list from the second-term Democrat, who earlier this year worked with legislative Democrats to enact sweeping policy changes, including a pro-union Right-to-Work repeal and codification ofLGBTQ rights. Here’s some of what Whitmer is hoping to work on next: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer A paid leave mandate Jonathan Oosting Bridge Michigan LANSING - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday called for new paid leave, clean energy and health care policies Wednesday in a “What’s Next Address” laying out her priorities for the fall as the state Legislature returns from summer break next week. “Our plans are ambitious, but they are achievable,” Whitmer said in a roughly 24-minute speech at the Lansing Shuffle food court, where she was joined by Democratic legis­ lative leaders, local officials and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor. “We have a lot to do and only a few months before the new year,” the governor said. “We see ‘what’s next,’ so let’s get it done.” Whitmer’s speech was short on details, and she did not take ques­ tions from reporters. A spokesperson said the governor stuck to broad goals in order to leave room for negotiations with the Legislature, where Democrats’ twoseat advantage in the House could soon disappear iftwo members win mayoral elections in November and resign. 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Whitmer endorsed a.push to pro­ vide paid family and medical leave to all Michigan workers, guarantee­ ing time off for childbirth or health issues — but she did not propose specific details or endorse legislation. Whitmer called the issue "person­ al," noting that when she had her first daughter, she was also caring for a mother dying of brain cancer. "I was sandwiched between them," she said. "That time forged me and showed me the challenges that so many Michiganders live every single day." House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, panned the proposal, arguing it would create a "payroll tax" for small businesses and workers alike. He pointed to a recently-intro­ duced Democratic bill for up to 15 weeks of annual paid leave that would require employers to pay into a state fund and allow them to deduct up to 50 percent of the cost from employee paychecks. Business groups wary of a broad government mandate also criticized the idea. " The majority of small business owners already do everything they can to provide paid leave and flexi­ bility to their employees - this man­ date could either cause small busi­ ness owners to downsize, or close altogether," Amanda Fisher, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said in a statement A 100 percent ‘clean energy’ standard Whitmer offered broad support from a legislative push to require Michigan utilities produce 100 per­ cent of their energy from clean and renewable sources — but the gover­ nor stopped short of proposing a deadline for utilities to meet that requirement. Democrats in the Michigan Legislature have proposed requiring 100 percent clean energy production by 2035, a timeline that would require an aggressive phase out of several newly constructed natural gas plants, among other things. Whitmer has not yet committed to that timeline. Her own previously released climate change plan calls for a “carbon-neutral” energy stan­ dard by 2050. But the governor said she and the g .Legislature agree on the need to ensure all Michigan energy produc­ tion comes from wind, solar or what she called “other common sense sources,” including nuclear. “We can achieve 100 percent clean energy while balancing reli­ ability and affordability,” Whitmer said. State Rep. Phil Green of Millington, who appeared to be the only Republican legislator to attend Whitmer’s speech, criticized the proposed clean energy mandate and suggested it would make Michigan a “Third World country.” “We already know that’s going to raise the prices,” Green said. “It puts us at a competitive disad­ vantage to manufacturing facilities that are being built in China (and powered by coal plants). I don’t see a way that this improves Michigan’s economic standing.” Repeal ‘antiquated’ abortion law, expand insurance Whitmer confirmed support for what advocates are calling a Reproductive Health Act that would repeal several existing abortion reg­ ulations, including a 24-hour wait period law that requires women to receive information a full day before following-through with an abortion. “Let’s protect the freedom to make your own decisions without interference from politicians,” Whitmer said, suggesting the state build abortion rights added to the state Constitution last year through voter-approved Proposal 3. In a policy outline, the governor’s office also said Whitmer wants to ensure “everyone has access to abortion, regardless of where they live, work, or what type ofinsurance they have.” Among other things, Democrats want to repeal a 2014 Michigan law that prohibits private insurers from automatically including abortion coverage in their policies, requiring customers to instead purchase a sep­ arate “rider.” Codify the Affordable Care Act With the federal Affordable Care Health law facing legal challenges a decade after it became law, Whitmer proposed codifying at the state level what she .called “commonsense, cost-saving measures” from the Obama-era health care law. That includes: protections for res­ idents with pre-existing conditions, letting people stay on parents’ insur­ ance until they are 26 years old, banning annual or lifetime coverage caps and requiring insurance plans to cover essential services like ambulance rides, maternity care, mental health treatment and birth control. ‘Streamline’ business permits Whitmer called on the Legislature to work with her on improving the state’s permitting process for con­ struction projects, but she offered few details about what she would like to accomplish on that front? The governor said she wanted to "streamline" permitting for advanced manufacturing, infrastruc­ ture and housing projects, among others. "I hear from business leaders, especially folks in other states, about how no state has gotten per­ mitting quite right yet," Whitmer said. "Michigan should be the first. This is a bipartisan priority and I know we can get it done." ‘Protect democracy’ Whitmer said she wants to help “protect democracy” by increasing election security and protecting election workers from intimidation, among other things. "We cannot allow the will of the people to be tossed out or over­ turned, and we can’t permit politi­ cians to stay in office despite getting voted out," Whitmer said, referenc­ ing former President Donald Trump. "We must ensure Michiganders are heard and respected." TOWNSHIP, continued from page 6 senior-living communities across the country. It has been in business since 2002. “I was here for the first time about 18 months ago, and the transition from then to now is just amazing,” Parker told the crowd at the ribbon-cutting. “We don’tjust have a nice building that looks good, but we have resident care and support in the ’services,” Parker said. “What’s really rewarding for me is not just to see the interior look nice and pretty, but to see the spaces functioning with our residents. And the staffinter­ acting, the care that’s being Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville delivered, and the engage­ ment ofresidents.” There already were multi­ ple buildings on the site in Gaines Township before Commonwealth began man­ aging the property. The building where the grand opening took place was newly built to connect two separate buildings. The entire interior of the new facility was completely renovated. “It’s very well-attended and a beautiful facility here that’s been completely remodeled and refreshed,” Township Trustee Laurie Lemke said in a pre-ceremony interview. “And it’s a great asset to our township.” The memory care and assisted living are now all tion tool called “Smile.” consolidated ‘under one roof Another signature program is at the community site in called Travel the World. Gaines Township. But, as “As as part of our activi­ mentioned, the memory care ties, we take residents to a is in a separate, secure sec­ different place every month,” tion of the expanded build­ Parker explained. “We theme the calendar around that; so ing. Healthcare is not adminis­ this year it’s Castles Around tered on-site, although a vis­ the World. For example, in iting physician sees the resi­ August it was sand castles dents. Commonwealth works that we visited. We went to with various outside health­ Germany, Austria, England. care providers, while it Last year, each month we focuses on supporting the went to a different island.” “It’s a really neat facility,” activities of daily living. Commonwealth is known Gaines Township Manager for its award-winning Sweet Rod Weersing said. “It’s a Memories Alzheimer’s and good opportunity for people dementia program, as well as to stay within the community its farm to table dining and for different levels of care an interactive communica­ needed later in life.” Heritage Days Parade Saturday, September 9th, 2023 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. Lineup & Judging of Floats | 9:50 A.m. Parade Step off • Lineup will take place at the Village Parking Lot next to Thomapple Valley Church at 36 State St. The route will proceed down Larkin St., turn right onto E. Main St, proceed across the bridge and up the hill, and disband at the intersection of Irving Road and E. Main St. An official route map will be sent with your confirmation letter. • Prizes will be awarded to winners ofour parade decorating contest, which will be judged, by a mystery panel ofjudges from the Middleville Rotary Club. Entrants will be judged based on the creativity oftheir design and the way that.it exhibits this year’s theme of Middleville Farm Roots. Roots. First Place will be awarded $100, Second Place will be awarded $75, and Third Place will receive $50. • To sign up with a float, e-mail mpeters@carvethvillage.net Enthusiastic supporters attend the ribbon-cutting festivities outside the newly renovated and expanded Commonwealth Senior Living facility. �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023 Middleville’s Heritage Days packs lots of action into two days Greg Chandler StaffWriter Middleville's annual Heritage Days celebration is set for next weekend. The two-day festival begins Friday afternoon with the Middleville Market at the Pavilion run until by Ellie Sesquicentennial at 3 p.m. and will 7 p.m. Live music Youngs will take place at the Downtown Development Authority amphitheater from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with the Lions Club offering concessions during the concert. Retired TTES Fire Chief Randy Eaton waves as the Saturday's festivities will grand marshal of the 2022 Middleville Heritage Days include the annual Heritage Parade on Main Street. (Photos by Brett Bremer) Days parade, which begins at 10 a.m. downtown. After Live music featuring trib­ the parade, the Charlie to 1 p.m., and a dunk tank utes to Jimmy Buffett, Tony sponsored by Thomapple Pullen Memorial Auto Show, which is held in mem­ Area Parks and Recreation Bennett and Frank Sinatra ory of the late village presi­ Commission beside the will take place at the DDA dent, will be held in the pavilion from after the amphitheater from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Village Hall parking lot, parade to 4 p.m. Finally, the fire depart­ The Middleville Rotary running until 3 p.m. Other activities for the Club will hold its annual ment will hold its annual day include an artisan craft fundraising duck race by the turkey dinner fundraiser at launch on the the fire station from 4 to show at the Sesquicentennial canoe Thomapple River at 3 p.m., 7 p.m. Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 4 For more information and the Thornapple p.m., concessions from food while Township Fire Department registration forms to sign up trucks and booths starting at 11 a.m., kids games and will hold its Fire Department for the car show or the slime making by the amphi­ Push at the fire station at 3 parade, go to middlevilledda.org. theater from after the parade p.m. as well. The Thornapple Kellogg High School Marching Band led by the color guard makes its way along Main Street in downtown Middleville during last year’s annu­ al Heritage Days Parade. Fair Ground Festival takes over Barry Expo Center last weekend for first-year event Jayson Bussa Editor After a year of planning, the inaugural edition of the Fair Ground Festival came to fruition as the Barry Expo Center welcomed six bands and their fans on Sunday. In the works since the fall of last year, the Fair Ground Festival was organized by the Thomapple Arts Council (TAC) and designed to honor women in the music industry while developing an event that would pull vis­ itors into Barry County from throughout the state and region. The all-day music festival featured six different female-fronted bands or art­ ists, which each had ah hour- long performance slot. Joseph, a three-piece, all-fe­ male indie rock back out of Portland, Ore. served as the headliners for the event. With a lofty goal of attract­ ing a couple thousand through the gates ofthe expo center, attendance shook out to about 700 ‘people, who brought in their own chairs and blankets to watch an afternoon and evening of music. The festival featured per­ formances by Kyshona, Patty PerShayla and the Mayhaps, Ruthie Foster, The Crane Wives, The Accidentals and Joseph. “It felt really great to see it come to fruition; we have been working on it for, hon­ estly, probably since last fall, so for a year or almost a year now,” said Megan Lavell, executive director of the Thomapple Arts Council. “And it was, I think, hugely successful.. Of course, we always want more people to attend but the people who were there loved it and our committee felt good and we heard great feedback.” As with any event — especially with the first of what could potentially become an annual affair — an incident-free afternoon is always a positive sign, which is what organizers were able to achieve with the Fair Ground Festival. Lavell credited her com­ mittee. “A couple of them said ‘things are going to go wrong and we’ll be the only ones to know about it,’ and that was basically true,” Lavell said. “The only issues we had were just some tech­ nology things with credit card readers. Other than that, things went very smoothly. I’m sure each of us would have 100 things we would do differently but I don’t think any of them are huge things.” The Fair Ground Festival played out during a busy weekend in Hastings — the same weekend as the threeday Hastings Summerfest. In fact, Summerfest wrapped up earlier in the day on Sunday with its car show. Lavell, who worked close­ ly with Amber Buist, manag­ er for Nashville-based band The Accidentals, said that scheduling an event of this magnitude was a little tricky. “One of the things that made this festival difficult when it came to planning the date was that we’re dodging so many other festivals in Michigan and we don’t want to compete with those,” Lavell said. “The great thing about having it during Summerfest, while it’s a lot for the Hastings community, we’re not stepping on the toes of other (festivals).” For Lavell and her crew, they now turn their attention to the next big TACorganized event, which is Arts and Eats. This event features a self-driving tour through Barry, Allegan, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties visiting participating businesses that will provide experiences in art, food and agriculture. This year’s Arts and Eats is slated for Oct. 21 and 22. Savannah Buist performs with her band, The Accidentals, during Sunday’s first-ever Fair Ground Festival, held at the Barry Expo Center in Hastings. Organizers worked to create an event that would draw attendees from all across the state. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) BEKINS TREE SERVICE STRESS LESS AT STS 616-799-2944 I 616-799-0534 Patty PerShayla, a Grand Rapids native who now resides in Nashville, Tenn., performs live with her band the Mayhaps and later joined The Accidentals on stage at the Fairground Festival on Sunday. • Tree Trimming &. Removal • Standing Timber Buyers • Land & Lot Clearing • Skidsteer & Dirt Work - Fully Licensed & Insured - Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269)795.8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023/ Page 9 Last-minute TD strike lifts Scots at U of M Caledonia senior wide receiver Maddox Greenfield (21) catches the game-winning touchdown pass in the Fighting Scots’ 35-28 victory over Romeo Aug. 25 in the season-opening Battle at the Big House at Michigan Stadium, as Romeo defensive back Darren Miller (24) dives at Greenfield’s feet. Greenfield had a sen­ sational performance, catching eight passes for 208 yards and four touchdowns. (Photo by Chris Robotham) Greg Chandler Staff Writer With the score tied and time running out in the late afternoon hours of Aug. 25 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Caledonia High junior quarterback Brody Betser took the shotgun snap and. set up to throw. With plenty of protection from his offensive line, Betser let fly with a deep ball. It initially looked like he overthrew his target. Then, like a lightning bolt, senior wide receiver Maddox Greenfield raced up the left side of the field, made an over-the-shoulder grab of Betser’s pass at the Romeo 25-yard-line and dashed the rest of the way into the end zone for a 58-yard touchdowrt with 58 seconds, remaining. It was the fourth time Betser and Greenfield had connected for a touchdown pass in the game. ' Moments ^Jater, senior linebacker Reed Vogeler plays, all on the ground. stopped Romeo quarterback Senior running back Brock Kaden Burroughs short of a Townsend capped the drive first down on fourth down with a 31-yard touchdown from the Caledonia 32, run. Senior Nathan Maas snuffing out the Bulldogs’ kicked the first of his five last comeback hope. Betser extra points for the game to had to drop to a knee only give Caledonia a 7-0 lead. once to run out the clock, In the second quarter, the and the Fighting Scots, last Scots took to the air to strike season's state Division 1 pay-dirt. Betser, starting his runner-up, hung on for a first varsity game since tak­ dramatic 35-28 win in the ing over for the gtaduated Battle At The Big House to Mason McKenzie at quarter­ open the 2023 season. back, hit Greenfield on a “I thought it was over­ slant pass for a 20-yard thrown,” Caledonia head touchdown. coach Derek Pennington Then after the Caledonia said of the game-winning defense forced a three-andtouchdown pass. “God bless out, the Scots drove 66 yards Maddox. He closed it out. in four plays for their next You say, 'you gotta go get score. On third-and-10, the money on those.' He Betser fooled the Romeo went and got the money.” defense with a pump fake, It was a game of wild then fired a 38-yard scoring momentum swings, domi­ strike to Greenfield to give nated by Caledonia in the the Scots a 21 -0 lead. first half and by Romeo for Romeo got on the board most ofthe second half. with two minutes left in the The Fighting Scots took first half, but Caledonia the opening kickoff and came back with an answer marched 83 yards in 10 just before halftime. Again, Spring Special A/C TUNE-UP ^/mr$79 HEATING G COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. Caledonia senior running back Brock Townsend celebrates after he opened the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown in the Battle at the Big House against Romeo in Ann Arbor Friday, Aug. 25. (Photo by Chris Robotham) Caledonia cheerleaders get the Fighting Scots fired up from the sideline of Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor during the varsity football team's win over Romeo to open the 2023 season Friday, Aug. 25. (Photo by Greg Chandler) it was Betser to Greenfield, with Greenfield making a spectacular diving catch for a 39-yard touchdown with eight seconds left in the half. The Scots went to the locker room with a 28-7 halftime lead. Caledonia had a glorious opportunity to add to their lead early in the second half. The Romeo punter bobbled a snap on fourth down and the Scots recovered at the Bulldogs' 9-yard-line. But the Romeo defense came up with a goal-line stand, stop­ ping Townsend less than a yard short of the end zone on fourth down, a play that would flip the game's momentum in the Bulldogs' favor. Romeo then took the ball the length of the field, driv­ ing 99 yards on 16 plays. Burroughs connected with DJ Phillips on a 20-yard touchdown pass to cut the Scots’ lead to 28-14 heading into the fourth quarter. Caledonia’s offense sput­ tered on its next possession, going three-and-out. Romeo then drove 64 yards on 12 plays, with Burroughs ished the game with 413 plunging the final two yards yards oftotal offense and 17 for the score. Romeo then first downs. Caledonia outwent for two and converted, gained Romeo on the ground cutting the lead to 28-22 175-34. The Scots gave up with 7:15 remaining. 269 yards through the air. After the teams exchanged Betser accounted for 325 punts, Romeo came up with yards of total offense for a big play to tie the game. Caledonia in his first start, Burroughs went up top to completing 11 of 15 passes Joey DeBaldo, who got for 238 yards and four behind the Caledonia sec­ touchdowns, adding 87 ondary for a 5 3-yard touch­ rushing yards on 20 carries. down pass with 1:25 remain­ Greenfield caught eight of ing. An extra point would Betser's passes for 208 yards give the Bulldogs their first and the four touchdowns. lead ofthe game. Townsend added 73 yards But then Townsend came on 16 carries on the ground up with another big play, and caught two passes out of blocking the kick by Joseph the backfield for 22 yards. Celaj, and the score Defensively, senior line­ remained tied at 28-28, set­ backer Blake Herron and ting the stage for Betser and junior defensive back Parker Greenfield’s heroics. Little made eight tackles “I'm really proud of the apiece for the Scots,-while kids for fighting till the Vogeler contributed six end,” Pennington said. stops. “They flipped the momen­ The Scots were to " play tum when they stopped us their first game on their new on the goal line and went 99 turf surface at Ralph E. yards to score. We had a lot Myers Football Stadium on of fatigue, but our kids Friday against North found the will to win at the Farmington. A full story on end.” that game will be in next The Fighting Scots fin­ Saturday's Sun and News. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023 TK leaders cut times under the lights Brett Bremer Sports Editor The fastest Trojans were about as fast as they have ever been as Friday night turned into Saturday morn­ ing at South Christian High School. Two-time state qualifier Ava Crews, a junior, led the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team to a runner-up finish in the t Midnight Big Schools Division race at South Christian’s Under the Lights Invitational Friday. Crews was third individually with a time of 19 minutes 25.20 seconds. That is more than 45 sec­ onds faster than her time at the 2022 Under the Lights Invitational and almost 21 seconds better than her time on the same course, in the daylight, during the Division 2 Regional race last fall. She has only been faster than she was Friday on a few occa­ sions over her first two varsi­ ty seasons. The Thomapple Kellogg boys were eighth in their Midnight Big School Division race that took off just after midnight. Senior Lucas Van Meter was 12th overall in 16:47.00 - setting a new personal record at the Under the Lights Invitational for the second year in a row. He shaved 26.5 seconds from his time at the midnight meet a year ago. Jenison won the Midnight Big Schools Division girls’ race with 65 points. The TK ladies finished with 91 points, ahead of Zeeland West 94, Ottawa Hills 106, Kalamazoo Central 111, Hudsonville 114, Fruitport 128 and Forest Hills Northern 144. The TK ladies were happy not only to finish ahead of their OK Gold Conference foes from Ottawa Hills, but also to race better than fel­ low conference foe South Christian which ran at the same time in the Midnight Small Schools Division. “I was just shooting for a good race I guess. I was probably trying to get in the 20’s. I wasn’t planning to get in the 19’s today,” Crews said. “I feel like after I got fast- Thornapple Kellogg senior Lucas Van Meter rounds a turn during the final mile of the South Christian Under the Lights Invitational in the mid­ night hour Saturday a.m. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Synopsis IRVING TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES August 15,2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30pm. Four members present. One absent. Items approved: 1. Board Member Comments to end of agenda. 2. Agenda with change. 3. Minutes of Board Meeting, July 18, 2023 Approved Motions: 4. Cemetery Project, Big L, $2726.28 5. Freeport Fire Payment, dis­ bursement $64,777.05 6. Lydy Electric Payment $450.00, adjust new parking lights 7. Township Internet, ARPA Fund-$12,863 8. Hidden Hollow Drain, ARPA Fund - $18,500 9. Parking Lot Lights, ARPA Fund - $4,588 10. Filing Cabinet/Assessor not to exceed $500 Irving and German Cemetery driveways completed. Township parking lot in progress. Summer taxes due September 14. Defer interest payment forms online. Township audit complete. New Hastings Fire Chief, Mark Jordan. Township Hall Main Floor- redo, Code of Conduct Policy, Cash Management Policy, dead tree at township hall, Pet Cemetery Irving Township, Election Spe­ cialist tabled to September 19, meeting. Treasurer Report, Inter­ est earned on account since April 1, over $12,000. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. Copies of the meeting minutes are available from the Township Clerk, 269-948-0633, or on our website at www.irvinqtownship. org. Next board meeting, Septem­ ber 15, at Irving Township Hall. 205284 Thomapple Kellogg freshmen Elijah Frazer (left) and Grady Galaviz race side by side during the South Christian Sailors' annual Under the Lights Invitational during the midnight hour Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellslgnalpros.com A pack filled mostly with the Thomapple Kellogg and South Christian girls including TK's Ava Crews (1381) and Holly Velting (1395) takes off at the start of the Midnight girls' race Friday a little after 11:30 p.m. during South Christian's Under the Lights Invitational. The TK ladies finished second to Jenison in the Midnight Big Schools competition. (Photo by Brett Bremer) er during frack season I trained harder over the sum­ mer and did some more mile­ age and stuff,” Crews said. “I am really trying to hit the 18’s this year. I am actually getting pretty close.” Her extra training this summer included some more long mileage runs adding about five miles a week to her overall total. “We have a really strong team,” Crews said. “We have two freshmen this year that came from middle school strong and now they’re com­ ing into high school really strong. They’re doing really good.” The top seven for the TK ladies included freshmen Ellie Harmon (13th), Meghan-Jane Skidmore (21st) and Peyton Hardy (37th) as well as sophomores Madison Kietzman (26th) and Avery Hagemann (53rd). Kietzman set her personal record time at 21:34.50, and those other underclassmen set PR’s too in their first varsity race. Harmon came across the finish line in 20:32.00 and Skidmore finished in 21:21.30. Trojan senior Holly Velting was fifth among the Trojan scorers and 28th in the Midnight Big School race with a time of21:56.10. TK head coach Sam Wilkinson told his girls prior to the event not to get too high or too low during the race or based on the results “But then I looked at the team results and I had to work on curbing my own enthusi­ asm. Although I planned on looking at times and places of the athletes and the place of our team with curiosity and to gain more data points, I wasn’t putting a lot of emo­ tional stock into this race,” Wilkinson said. “However, when I saw that we finished in front of a handful of our OK Gold Conference rivals, I couldn’t help but to have a big smile on my face, let out a war whoop, and give my son Frank, who was standing next to me, an enthusiastic knuckle pump. Having said this, I realize it is very early in the season and all may not be as it seems. We have much more work to do, more to prove to ourselves, and so does every other team out there. It’s way too early to be dancing jigs or getting ahead of ourselves, but we can and should feel good about the data points we created in this race. “The girls did outstanding. I couldn’t be more pleased with what they did in this race. With Ava leading the way, with our veteran leader­ ship, and our red hot fresh­ man, we have the potential to do something cool - maybe a few somethings. Our girls are fierce competitors and our bumper crop of freshmen have come in and they have given us a much needed boost. Seeing them run over the last few years in middle school we knew they were special and they are delivering. This was a good start for us.” Ottawa Hills’ senior Selma Anderson won the Midnight Big School girls’ race in 17:52.60. She was well ahead of all the 222 girls overall competing in the Midnight big and small school races. Kalamazoo Central junior Annie Alkema was second in 19:21.40. There were 130 girls who finished in the Midnight big schools race. It was a mostly young group for the TK boys too, behind Van Meter and fellow senior captain Kaden Hamming who was 71st in the Midnight Big School boys’ race. Freshman Elijah Frazer and Grady Galaviz were right on his heels fin­ ishing 72nd and 73rd respec­ tively. Hamming hit the fin­ ish line in 19:26.00, Frazer in 19:26.80 and Galaviz in 19:28.60. Like Crews, Van Meter upped his training this sum­ mer boosted by confidence he gained during the 2023 spring frack and field season. “The more you run the better you do I guess,” Van Meter said. “I probably have more experience than I ever had. I almost qualified for state in track in the 800 and I got a lot faster working for that. I think that really helped me in the last mile [tonight] probably.” Van Meter is working on pacing himself a bit better in training this season. He much rather be setting his PR at the end of the season this time around while pushing for a spot in the cross country state finals. He said he is going to try and take it a little easier in his couple physical education classes throughout the fall. He thinks he has been a strong starter to the past cou­ ple season because of all his 8-10 mile summer runs, which make the 3.1 miles seem really easy at the outset of the season especially when tackling those shorter runs with a competitive atti­ tude. The TK boys’ team also had junior Hunter Tietz 157th in 20:07.30, sopho­ more Benjamin Postma 117th in 21:09.70 and sopho­ more Luke Archer 120th in 21:13.90 among its seven scorers. Kalamazoo Central won the Midnight Big Schools boys’ race with 40 points, ahead ofJenison 60, Zeeland West 68, Hudsonville 133, Ottawa Hills 135, Forest Hills Northern 141, Fruitport 142 and TK 209. Jenisonjunior Seth Conner was the individual champion in 15:54.70 with Kalamazoo Central senior Jasper Cane second in 16:01.10 and Ottawa Hills senior Liam Walters third in 16:14.50. There were 176 boys in the Midnight Big Schools race and 282 finishers over­ all between the big and small division in the final race of the night. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023/ Page 11 Saxons overtake Trojan football in fourth Brett Bremer Mir >^1 iStli^ tauidti|i BMtj ^bSik swStj ^hi tffint) .Kt ail Im uplift fflfijtai SStStWffl It Im lai o&ptiawastfillte ■K H fell nils Sports Editor The Saxon defense came to life in the fourth quarter and the offense scored touchdowns on its three fourth quarter drives to power the Hastings varsity football team Co a 50-34 season-open­ ing win over visiting Thomapple Kellogg Friday night inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field. Thomapple Kellogg led the ballgame 34-28 after an 11-yard touchdown run by Drake Snyder on the first play ofthe fourth quarter. Haiden Simmet powered the Hastings attack with nine rushes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, and quar­ terback Owen Carroll had a few key runs. He had five rushes for 84 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another score. “We didn't make big adjustments at halftime,” Hastings head coach Jamie Murphy said. “We talked about executing the details that we practiced all week on O and D, and playing with some sense of urgency. TK came offthe line better than us in the first quarter and a half. They are a good foot­ ball team.” The game was back and forth until Simmet answered Snyder's fourth quarter TD run with a 53-yard score of his own on the Saxons' first offensive snap after taking over possession of the foot­ ball. Simmet tacked on the two-point run too and Hastings led 36-34 with 11:07 to go. The Saxon defense then smothered four TK running plays to get the offense the ball back at the Trojans' 27-yard-line. A big Simmet run got the Saxons inside the ten-yard-line and Draven Pennock eventually scored on a two-yard run with 6:07 to go in the game. Landon p Steward's extra-point kick nudged the Saxon lead to two scores at 43-34. Steward was 4-for-4 on extra-point kicks. Simmet tacked on a 36-yard touchdown with 1:19 to go for the final mar­ gin. Carroll had TD runs of45 yards and 40 yards in the first half as the Saxons were able to answer two first half scoring drives by the Trojans. Hastings got its first lead at 20-14 on a 35-yard touch­ down run by Simmet and a Steward two-point run with 24 seconds left to play in the first half. “We have a lot of confi­ dence in Owen Carroll,” coach Murphy said. “His grasp of what we are doing allows us to leave some of what we do in his hands. We know he will get in the right play at the right time. Coach Murphy was really pleased with the efforts of his two-way starters like Steward, Devin Smith, Simmet and Diego Coipel. Thomapple-Kellogg took the opening drive of the game 72 yards for a score with quarterback Grant Middleton scooping up a bobbled snap and plunging forward into the end zone five minutes into the contest. The Saxon offense popped all the big plays it really needed. The TK defense had the Saxons in a third-and-12 at their own 28 on Hastings' first possession of the ball­ game. A play-fake in the backfield left Steward run­ ning wide open behind the TK defense, and if Carroll had gotten a little more air under the ball it would have been a sure TD. Instead, Carroll followed pulling right guard Coipel around the left side for a 45-yard TD run on the next snap. Jaxan Sias smothered Carroll's attempted two-point pass to leave TK in the front 7-6 seven and a halfminutes into the game. TK scored the big plays it needed to too, for a little over two quarters. Tyler Gavette took offon a 74-yard run around the left side to start TK's next possession and Middleton plowed into the end zone form a yard out two plays later. The Trojan leadjumped to 14-6 with the extra-point with 2:59 to play in the first quarter. The Saxons needed just four plays to go 55 yards for a score on their ensuing pos­ session, getting a 40-yard TD run from Carroll that moved his team within 14-12. The Hastings defense got the first stop ofthe bailgame with seven minutes to go in the first half, forcing a TK punt. The two teams then Thornapple Kellogg senior Tyler Gavette runs through the Hastings defense for traded stops until a TK punt a 74-yard gain during the first quarter inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in from its own 25 only man­ Hastings Friday, Aug. 25. (Photo by Brett Bremer) aged to cover ten yard with 41 seconds to go in the first to teammate Ethan Bonnema. the line and then stumbled “I was really happy to see half. A pair of Saxon passes Middleton followed that across the 50 before regain­ the kids finish a game the fell incomplete before up with a 25-yard touch­ ing his footing and racing to way they did,” coach Simmet snuck through the down pass to Sias who was the end zone. The extra Murphy said. “Their compo­ left side and turned the cor­ racing from left to right point made it a 27-20 TK sure in stressful situations ner on his 35-yard TD run across the field and just lead two and a halfminutes was a real sign of maturity. Now I would like to see four that got his team it's first managed to get the ball over into the second half. the goal-line at the right Hastings got the lead back quarters like that, a complete lead at 20-14. TK managed to even pylon. The extra-point for a few minutes with a game.” things up in the 20 seconds attempt was bobbled, and the 16-yard touchdown pass Snyder closed the bail­ before halftime. Zach Trojans tried to get a pass from Carroll to Steward and game with a team-high 116 Eldridge returned the Saxons ahead for the two-point con­ a Steward two-point run yards rushing on 12 carries kick-off to the 50-yard-line. version but officials ruled with 4:20 to go in the third forTK. TK got to the Saxon 24-yard- that the ball was somehow quarter. Gavette had 107 yards line on its first play, with just shy ofthe white as Tyler Steward had the only two rushing on five carries. back Tyler Gavette taking a Ybema came down with a Saxon receptions, covering Bonnema had five rushes for pitch from Middleton and pass from holder (and QB) a total of-38 yards. Carroll 77 yards and Middleton car­ then firing a pass deep down Brody Wiersma on the goal­ was 2-of-6 passing. David ried 11 times for 37 yards. Jiles added four rushes for Middleton was 2-for-3 pass­ line. TK got the lead back two 41 yards for the Saxon ing for 29 yards and the one TD. and a half minutes into the offense. second halfon a 60-yard TD Brennan Sensiba and Chad Lennert led TK with tackles. Jayce run by Snyder, following a Coipel led the Saxon defense seven stop by the TK defense. He with seven tackles apiece. Brummel and Snyder had spun off a block at the line Jett Barnum and Aiden Saint five each and Wiersma and of scrimmage, rolled offthe Amour had six tackles each, Dylan Welton added four back of another one of his Carson Gates had 1.5 sacks, apiece. Tanner Buxton had own blockers just through splitting one with Sensiba. two tackles for loss. jtfe«K uts^ jut ton pili St 'taiko to to feM* (bI^ kri** lint® pl1® jSito* ijift m#1 IC05 jpfO (<* II* jl> (jl w* StF is®*; Thomapple Kellogg junior defender Jayce Brummel sacks Hastings quarterback Owen Carroll, knocking the football loose in the process, during their season-opening ballgame in Hastings Friday, Aug. 25. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023 With new top player TK pushes Catholic Thornapple Kellogg first doubles player Dylan Bailey hits a volley during his win with teammate Andrew Beckering over Cedar Springs top doubles team Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans suffered their first OK Gold Conference defeat of the 2023 season Wednesday on the courts in Middleville, but they were a better team on Wednesday than they were in a win Monday. Thornapple Kellogg junior Kameron Nichols opened his second season at first singles for the Trojans by winning four of his first six matches, but bumped down to the number two spot for the team’s OK Gold Conference dual with Grand Rapids Catholic Central and earned one ofhis team’s two points Wednesday. The Cougars took a 6-2 win to even TK’s conference record at 1-1 this season. The TK team beat Cedar Springs 8-0 in Middleville Monday. Nichols outscored the Cougars’ Matiss McNally 6-2, 6-0 and the Trojan team also got a win from the sec­ ond doubles team of Dylan Bailey and Andrew Thornapple Kellogg junior Cameron Nichols hits a forehand back at his foe from Cedar Springs Monday during his first singles victory in the Trojans’ 8-0 OK Gold Conference win in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Beckering. That duo was in a new spot too, moving back from first doubles to the sec­ ond doubles spot. Beckering and Bailey scored a 6-3, 6-3 win over Jackson Doezema and John Kaufman. All that line-up shuffling is due to the fact that the Trojans welcomed exchange student Raphael DeMonval to the first singles spot for the first time. DeMonval lost out in a tough match with Catholic Central’s number one Charlie Lindemann 7-6(1), 6-3. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO US We treat our patients like family and offer comfortable, customized dentistry for everyone. 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F 9am-6pm 7am-3pm 8am-5pm 8am-4pm 8am-12pm £ ES3 | TK girls settle in behind top three OK Gold golf teams TK was right behind with a 187, ahead of Kenowa Hills 204 and Wayland 246. The Thomapple Kellogg Senior Kendra Coe and varsity girls' golfteam scored junior Ailana Leos led the a fourth place finish at the TK ladies each shooting a two OK Gold Conference 43. Senior Emma Schut jamborees this season this added a 50 and senior Sydney week. Robertson a 51. The standings matched South Christian senior from top to bottom with Ashley Thomasma was the Grand Rapids Catholic day's top individual. She shot Central, Forest Hills Eastern a 37. Catholic Central had and South Christian filling the two and three scorers the three spots ahead of the with sophomore Kelsey Trojans. Preston shooting a 38 and On the White nine at sophomore Margaret Deimel Yankee Springs Golf Course scoring a 41. Forest Hills Wednesday afternoon the Eastern was led by senior Cougars took the win with a Sophie Skoog's 41. score of 163. FHE beat out Catholic Central had four South Christian on a. tiebreak­ girls among the top nine er for the runner-up spot with scorers. Sophomore Sofia both teams shooting a 183. Piccione shot a 42 and junior Brett Bremer Sports Editor AND JOIN Things were up and down for the Trojans’ other two singles players Wednesday. Jacob Draaisma at third sin­ gles . fell 6-1, 7-6(3) to Thomas Tamae. Franklin Wilkinson at number four fell 6-4, 6-1 to Axel Cummings. Aidan Dudik moved out ofthe singles line-up to join Anson Verlinde at first dou­ bles. That duo improved as their time together went on, but fell 6-1, 7-5 to the Catholic Central team of Ben Radgens and Sebastion Deimel. Catholic Central’s Davis Vu and Danny Kirk took a 6-4, 6-4 win over the TK team of Daniel Beckering and Landon Conroy at third doubles, and the Cougars’ Jude Miller and Paul Huynh took a 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over TK’s Kyan Haywood and Brady Laven. Nichols took a first singles win in the Trojans’ 8-0 win Monday. He defeated Evan Mattson 6-3, 6-1. Thornapple Kellogg’s Franklin Wilkinson hits a All four TK singles play­ forehand return back at Cedar Springs’ Gabe Griffey ers, Draaisma at number during their fourth singles match in Middleville two, Dudik at number three Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) and Wilkinson at number four, won in straight sets. Beckering took the first dou­ Tom Lorach won at second Bailey and Andrew bles win and Haywood and doubles for TK. 1 teammate Ava Wisinski tied Coe and Leos for sixth with a 43 ofher own. The conference was at Orchard Hills Golf Course Monday for the jamboree hosted by Wayland. Catholic Central won with a 155 ahead of FHE 163, South - Christian 170, Thomapple Kellogg 184, Kenowa Hills 194 and Wayland 228. Leos led TK with a 42. Junior Rae Borrink scored a 47 for TK and so did Schut. Coe tallied a 48. Thomasma was the day's medalist again with an even­ par-35. Preston shot a 36. FHE sophomore Stella Bernhardt and GRCC senior Katie Cook both shot 37s to tie for third. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023/ Page 13 205032 284 Yankee Springs Township - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 N BRIGGS ROAD YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC HEARING PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANt CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT No. 23-4 TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN AND ANY OTHER : PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to PA 188 of 1954, as amended, the Township Board of Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, Michigan, has ddetermined, based on its own motion to undertake an aquatic plant control project on Payne Lake in the Township, and to create a special assessment district forit^cre“y®7°f‘h®MTon10coerS.PATC?JeaSSeSSment againstthe proPerties benefited. The Special Assessment District shall be known as the PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 23-4. fro-Zone goes Barbie for home opener in Middleville PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the land and premises in the special assessment district within which the foregoing improvements are proposed to be made and within which the costs thereof are to be specially assessed are more particularly described as parcels abutting Payne Lake and/or with deeded access to Payne Lake, which include the following parcel numbers and as depicted on the attached map: a PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 23-4 ---------- 08-16-020-028-20 - £§-1 §-0204)32-00 ---------- --08-16-0^8-033-20 08-16-08-033-20 6 A ioD st fizQO 7-Q7-QQ iBDEiTfZIHIEiI :gr.giIkgi?4Sri BDEiIirZi»cEiIi IiBDEiTFAyZffi iREinZtiaiEiTI iI;Bl;EiIfr£iy4:Ei ■ErtBDEHirEKIiEi MHBUiBDEiIKffilcREiI ^^KUiBDElIREikEElin ■>I:SratIkffcKEEtIi fM fM) O8-16-()?O-O?9-OO 8 ____ 08160^3188 08-16-0^31-88 08-16-031-88 Ast.3-00 88 11 0854)54 085454 08-1 6-130-018-00 08-16-1^lg-0g 8§-16-1^4)21-08 ^4)21 4)21 BEEiyfiEIKIsEiM 08-16-085-001-02 08-16-085-001 -OS EV! R L MM iT:BDEiT:).-EiinSP4H RBEESE^KSEiB :BI®T:WiTHEiI :BrSiT:kEiIHEiI T:BT3iI:TiEiTiEffH iBIiEIT&EiriEEi kBftEiI&EiIiKEii TifiDEiTil^iIiiaii iT:BDEiT:I.-EiIiI«iI BI;EtT:I.-EiI'T:E I:BDEff:kEiIifiEi f:BCEiT:5EiIDEiH 08-16-1 Ob-0 002-00 08-16-100-0 03-00 08-16-100-006-00 0800-006-00 .iTfcTSI.ILiLBTB’.TI.iYg.al.aLgJj.I 5g~l2~10Q~QQ8-Q0 OR-16-1 nn-nno-nn HHBaT’BETi'«a KllglHi EIH MiTxBDfiicTiEiTIREir iT;grakIiEiIiXg>H •/•Ml !• 51 ZLVJV I:BI:BfcIiEiIiy£iI OBrsSEIiEiTfiJEi l •T/•zMKl RSkTaYiirRfvEAaVTlviA :BrafcIiEiIIEiIi :BDBFcIiEiIEE fiBKfifcliBilfcffil :BraRHEiIEEiTi BDfiKIiEHHiI 08-16-210-001-00 08-16-210-O02-OO 6OS-1 §-|1Q4)Q§-QQ 08-166--221 16Q--OQO0S4--OQO0 08- 0Q88-- 6-21 6-21 ___ o8-i8 n«_ 6-91 il M MiH’kliBiBBEili HI fl1 klifliilifllll iEBiiganigineiB RBpsneEireaiTe U*aI*9!<IlEllK&iI EB^HiBilEBil kBDftiriEiiiieiii BBIs&iriEiIREiI tBriOTiEiIDEl FaWiaXATaWi KBriHTiEIBXEiI KBD&iriEiHiEiI lxBI&HiEiHcEiI Members of the Tro-Zone student section in Middleville have a hoop shoot during their Barbie themed pink-out in the stands inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville during the Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team's home opener against Lowell Thursday night. All their cheering wasn't quite Kenough for the TK team to come out on top though as the Trojans fell 34-13. :Br:SartEikZElT RBIiBlcIiEineili Special Assessment Parcel Map PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board has received plans showing the proposed project with associated activities, together with an estimate of the cost of the project in the amount of $20,000 to $25,000 per year for 5 -years (2024 - 2028 inclusive) (including administrative costs), and has placed the same on file with the Township clerk; has passed a resolution tentatively declaring its intention to make the improvement and to create the special assessment district. The plans, cost estimates and special assessment district may be examined at the Clerk's office from the date of this Notice to the date of the public hearing and may further be examined at such public hearing. PAYNE LAKE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT BARRY COUNTY. MICHIGAN YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Tiebreakers go Eagles’ way at first two Red jamborees Brett Bremer PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a public hearing on the plans, district and cost estimates will be held on September 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Michigan. At the hearing, the Board will consider any written objections and comments to any of the foregoing matters which are filed with the clerk at or before the hearing and any objections or comments raised at the hearing. If written objections are filed with the township board at or before the hearing, signed by the record owners of land constituting more than 20% of the area within the proposed special assessment district, then the township board may not proceed unless petitions in support of the project, signed by record owners of more than 50% of the area to be made into a special assessment district, are filed with the township. Following the hearing, the township board may revise, correct, amend or change the plans, cost estimates or special assessment district. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that appearance and protest at the public hearing is required in order to appeal to the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after the special assessment roll is confirmed. An owner or party in interest, or his or her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment, or shall be permitted to file at or before the hearing his or her appearance or protest by letter and his or her personal appearance shall not be required. All interested persons are invited to be present in person or by representative and to submit comments concerning the establishment of the special assessment district, the plans and cost estimates. PROPERTY SHALL NOT BE ADDED TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF COST SHALL NOT BE INCREASED BY MORE THAN 10% WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if the Township Board determines to proceed with the special assessments, the Board will cause a special assessment roll to be prepared and another hearing will be held, after notice to record owners of property proposed to be specially assessed, to hear public comments concerning the proposed special assessments. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon seven (7) days' notice to the Township Clerk. Mike Cunningham Yankee Springs Township Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 (269) 795-9091 Sports Editor Hudsonville beat out the Fighting Scots for the run­ ner-up spot on a sixth-score tiebreaker Wednesday at The Meadows, two days after the Scots lost lost out to the Eagles on a six-score tie­ breaker at Stonewater Country Club. Rockford won each ofthe first two OK Red Conference jamborees of the season this week and Hudsonville beat out the Caledonia varsity girls’ golfteam on a tiebreak to place second each time. At the jamboree hosted by East Kentwood Monday, Rockford took the win with a score of 163. Hudsonville and Caledonia both shot a 182. Behind those top three teams East Kentwood scored a 184, Grand Haven 200, West Ottawa 201, Jenison 220 and Grandville 240. East Kentwood senior Elise Fennell was the indi­ vidual medalist with a three-under-33. Rockford junior Jessica Jolly shot a one-under-35 and her senior teammate Carly Sampson added a 39. Caledonia junior Copelin O’Krangley matched Sampson’s 39 to lead the Scots. Caledonia also got a 45 from junior Mya Burgess, a 48 from sophomore Codie O’Krangley and a 51 from junior Ellie Hudson. Caledonia’s fifth score on the day was a 56 from senior Elizabeth Honhart. Hudsonville’s fifth score was a 48. Ashlyn VanderBaan led the Eagles with a 41. Ava Gardner, a junior shot a 46 and junior Sophia Howard shot a 47. Senior Marissa Hoang and junior Sofia Wolters both shot a 48 for their team to win the tie­ breaker with the Caledonia girls. At the Jamboree hosted by Jenison at The Meadows Wednesday the Eagles’ Wolters and Caledonia’s Ellie Hudson each scored a 51. That left it up to the number six golfer to break the tie and Hoang won that with a 57. VanderBaan led the Eagles at The Meadows with a 38. Howard scored a 43, Gardner a 44 and freshman Raylee Loughin shot a 45. Rockford won the jambo­ ree with a score of 167. Hudsonville and Caledonia tied at 170. Jenison was fourth with a 197 ahead of East Kentwood 202, Grand Haven 203, West Ottawa 228 and Grandville 231. Copelin O’Krangley paced the Scots with a score of 39 that had her third overall. Codie O’Krangley scored a 41. Burgess shot a 44 and Honhart a 46 to round out the top four. Fennell was the individual champ again with an even­ par-37. Rockford was led by a 39 from Jolly and a 40 from senior Aubrey Wilson. Grandville will host the next conference jamboree Tuesday at L.E. Kaufman Golf Course. Rockford plays host Thursday at Blythefield Country Club. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2,2023 Scots take it to Bulldogs in Red opener 6-1 Caledonia junior Austin Licari (center) celebrates his first varsity goal with junior teammate Simon Hilton (12) who assisted on the score during the second half against Grandville Monday at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Senior midfielder Jaxson Higgins got his head on a ball in the scrum following a comer kick and looped it towards the goal two min­ utes into the Caledonia var­ sity boys’ soccer team’s OK Red Conference opener against visiting Grandville at Scotland Yard Monday night. Grandville goalkeeper Tanner Boer, with his heels on his goal line, contorted his body reaching back with his right hand to swat the ball away as the Fighting Scots started looking for the goal signal from the referee. It took a couple extra beats, but the call finally came. It was just the start of a 6-1 victory for the Fighting Scots over a Bulldog pro­ gram that beat them 4-0 in the conference opener in 2022. “That was a bad game for us last year. We prepped our­ selves. We knew they had us last year and we wanted revenge on them. We defi- nitely got it. It was a good ing skills. “It’s kind of a mindset,” game,” said Caledonia senior attacker Nathan Maas said. “I am always hungry for getting more Maas. Maas left no doubt with goals in. Last year, I had 18 his three goals Monday goals I think it was and I shredding the back ofthe net wanted to get to 20. I am with three blasts. He posted hoping this year to get to 20. up a defender in the box, So, when I miss a couple I faked inside, turned outside think I should have got more to his left and then tapped - should have done this, the ball one more time should have done that. But I before drilling a left-footed am happy with what I got shot past the Bulldog keeper tonight and hopefully next in the other direction to game I can do the same.” complete his hat-trick with Senior midfielder Corbin 25:54 to play in the second Raffler finished off a comer half. The goal had the Scots kick 15 minutes later on up 4-1 at the time. Monday to push the Scots in Mass sprinted out of the front 5-1. box and slid down in cele­ “My coach said this once bration near the comer flag to me, Nate likes to make in the end of Scotland Yard the ones look hard and the nearest the Caledonia sup­ hard ones look easy,” porters. The three goals Caledonia head coach TJ pushed his total to seven for Ifaturoti said. “We are the season and he now has always going to trust him. nine after adding two more Nate is going to do his best Wednesday in a tough 4-3 for our team and tonight was OK Red loss at East just one ofthose days where Kentwood. everything went his way. Even with that goal total We’re looking forward to this season, Maas said he is having him keeping it still focusing on his finish­ going.” Caledonia senior Nathan Maas fights out of a crowd that includes Grandville’s Chris Perez (back) and Caden Webster during their OK Red Conference match at Scotland Yard in Caledonia Monday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) None of the goal celebra­ tions against the Bulldogs could match the smile on the face ofjunior Austin Licari and his teammates after Licari beat the Bulldog keeper to a chip into the box from teammate Simon Hilton and then chipped the ball himself into the open net for his first varsity goal with 1:46 left in the match. “We were winning our second balls and our intensi­ ty, we were on that right away,” Maas said. “We real­ ly took advantage of going down the line and trying to find those through balls.” He said it didn’t take long for the Scots to feel like their attackers had an advan­ tage against the Bulldogs’ center backs. Hilton got an assist for his helper for Licari. Austin DeVries had two assists in the ballgame, Maas one, Carter Johnson one and Brenden VanGessel one. Grandville’s lone goal came on a penalty kick late in the first half that pulled the Bulldogs to within 2-1 at the time. Ifaturoti was pleased to see the things his guys have been working on in practice being put into practice on game day. He is also happy with how guys are perform­ ing in new roles this season. The Caledonia boys are now 3-3-1 overall this sea­ son after falling at East Kentwood Wednesday. Things were back and forth Wednesday. Caledonia had a 1-0 lead on a goal by Maas, which was assisted by DeVries. The Falcons answered with two goals and then a PK by Mass had things knotted at 2-2 at the half. DeVries scored to put theScots up 3-2 in the sec­ ond half, but the Falcons got an equalizer and then the game-winner from Brody Conlon in the final five min­ utes. The Scots are scheduled for a match with the West Michigan Heat Tuesday and then will return to OK Red Conference play at Grand Haven Thursday, Sept. 7./ The Scots will be home next Saturday, Sept. 9, to take on Portage Central at 11:30 a.m. Back to School Items* Book Bags, Totes Pencil Case Cotton for comfy gifts Wide 108" cotton backs Hulrst■ Cleaners Pick-Up Station CU’l UMil'll}' QUESTIONS: ASK US- 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; ST* Saturday 9 am-3 pm VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., the Planning Commission of the Village of Caledonia will hold a public hearing at the Caledonia Village Hall, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, to receive comments concerning a proposed amendment to the Village of Caledonia Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendment would add regulations for solar energy systems within the Village. The proposed amending ordinance is on file and may be reviewed at the Caledonia Village office, 250 S. Maple, during Village office hours. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and be heard with regard to the proposed amending ordinance. Written comments may be submit­ ted to the Village office, at the above-stated address, up to and during the time of the public hearing. Caledonia senior midfielder Corbin Raffler gets by Grandville’s Max Callendar with the ball during the first half of the Scots’ 6-1 win over the visiting Bulldogs Monday at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Dated: August 28, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023/ Page 15 Thornapple Kellogg boys score. Friday night win Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys' soccer team scored its fifth win of the season Friday knocking off the Hastings boys 4-2 in their non-conference match on the turf inside Baum Stadium at Johnson Field in Hastings. The win moved the TK boys to 5-0 at the time while the Saxons were still looking for their first victo­ ry ofthe season. Junior Ryan Skidmore scored three goals for the Trojans and senior Ashton Nichols scored once. Junior Troy Hokanson had two assists for the Saxons, adding the helpers on goals by seniors Serg Arias and Charlie Nickels. Hastings led the match 1-0 after Nickels' goal at the midway point of the first half. Skidmore answered with a goal offan assist from sophomore teammate Peyton Foreman four minutes later. TK then took its first lead on Skidmore's second goal a little over five minutes into the second half. Arias's goal tied the Thornapple Kellogg senior Reece Hoeksma heads match at 2-2 12 minutes into the second half. That the ball forward during his team’s 4-2 non-conference Saxon lead lasted less than win at Hastings Friday, Aug. 25. (Photo by Brett a minute before Nichols put Bremer) TK in front. Skidmore found the net a third time result. The Trojan head coach, “Overall, our defense is Andrew Kiel, called it a with 21:05 to go in the coming together way, way frustrating night for his game, ending the scoring. The Trojans are now better than what we started guys Friday. 5-1-2 overall this season. the season offwith,” coach “We have been playing They opened the OK Gold Hokanson said after the such good soccer these last Conference season with a match with TK. “We four games. We just went 2-2 draw against Cedar weren't letting through balls and played Zeeland East Springs in Middleville through. We weren't letting who is a good team. We Monday and then fell 5-1 to balls over the top. We were played Williamston who is Grand Rapids Catholic shutting that down. I felt a really good team. We Central in conference play like we made Middleville went out and we not only work for all the goals they won, but we won possess­ in Middleville Tuesday. Hastings is currently 0-4. got today. We didn't give up ing the ball, dominating and tonight we just did not The Saxons were bested any cheap goals.” He liked the efforts ofAJ win fifty-fifty balls, we did 11-3 by visiting Godwin Charlie not possess as a team, we Heights Tuesday afternoon. Kohmescher, The four goals against Nickels, Christian Boniface did not work through the TK was the fewest the and others in the back row. middle, we were just trying Saxons have given up in a Nickels, a senior, has been to dump it behind. It was contest so far this season. a leader for the Saxon just chaotic and it was not That had new Hastings defense while settling into organized, and it drove me head coach Matt Hokanson his new position in the crazy. Absolutely crazy. “It was one of those fairly pleased with Friday's back. Thornapple Kellogg’s Peyton Foreman fights with Hastings’ AJ Kohmescher during the second half as TK’s Ashton Nichols (6) and Hastings’ Aden Armstrong head up field with them Friday, Aug. 25. (Photo by Brett Bremer) where you win, but it didn't feel like a win.” There were some bright spots. He liked junior Simeon Biltawi's strong second halfoffensively dis­ tributing the ball and draw­ ing defenders into the mid­ dle of the field and finding through passes. Senior Reece Hoeksma chipped in three assists for TK and junior Jayce Curtis had one. The Trojan coach also liked how Skidmore has put pressure on defense while also coming back to win balls, and he saw continued solid play from senior Blake Dykstra on the out­ side. “Dykstra on the outside has just been one of our most consistent players all season, just owning that left side putting pressure on opponents not only defen­ sively, but also getting involved in the attack and keeping things moving,” Kiel said. The Trojans go on the road for the first time in the OK Gold Wednesday, Sept. 6, at Wayland. 205098 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, SE, Caledonia Michigan, 49316. The request is for a rezoning of 18.60 acres from R-l and RR to 1-1, Light Industrial for a portion of parcel 41-23-06-300-041. CLS girls already hitting qualifying marks at Holt Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia/Lowell/ South Christian varsity girls' swimming and diving team opened its 2023 season with a 100-83 victory at Holt Thursday evening. CLS junior Bella Treib met the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle state qualifying times already, and the Vikings had a handfiil of girls hit the MISCA Meet qualifying times too. Treib won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.74 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 53.70. She was also a part of two relay wins for the CLS team. Treib, freshman Mya VanderZwaag, sophomore Aliya Van Hofwegen and sophomore Clara Kerkstra won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1 minute 46.39 sec­ onds. Sophomore Sophie Gaylord, VanderZwaag, Van Hofwegen and Treib won the 200-yard medley relay in 1:56.20. Both ofthose relays met the MISCA Meet quali­ fying times. Gaylord had another MISCA time met in the 100yard butterfly. She did it while winning the 100-yard butterfly in 1:00.70. The Vikings went 1-2 int hat race with Van Hofwegen second in 1:09.16. Gaylord had a winning time of 1:02.06 in the 100yard backstroke too with teammate Isabella Leason second in that race in 1:11.12. VanderZwaag won the 200-yard individual medley in 2:25.57 and had the top time in the 100-yard breast­ stroke for CLS in 1:14.18 and Gaylord, Leason, Kerkstra and Macy Keegstra teamed for the top time of the day in the 400-yard free­ style relay at 4:12.54. Kerkstra won the 200yard freestyle in 2:17.38 with teammate Leason second in that one in 2:18.33. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed rezoning. Written comments concerning the requested rezoning may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. Dated: August 21, 2023 PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 2, 2023 Arrows pull away from TK in second half Brett Bremer Sports Editor For the second week in a row the Trojans found them­ selves in a tight ballgame in the second half. And for the second week in a row, their opponent pulled away for the ‘W.’ The Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team fell to 0-2 on the season with a 34-13 loss to visiting Lowell in the home opener inside of Bob White Stadium in Middleville. TK fell 50-34 to Hastings in week one in a ballgame that was tied 20-20 at the half and where they led by six at the opening of the fourth quarter. The Trojans struck first again Thursday night against Lowell and the Red Arrows held just a 20-13 lead at the half, but they shut out the TK offense the rest of the night while putting together two steady scoring drives oftheir own. The Trojans had a couple drives end in Lowell territo­ ry. The foughest one was by way ofa fumble that the Red Arrows’Marshall VanWagner snagged on one hop and took 73 yards for a touchdown that gave his team its first lead in the ballgame with 10:17 to go in the first half. There was no one between him and the end zone at the south end of the field when the ball jumped up into his arms. His score and Todd Parcheta’s extra-point kick had Lowell up 14-7 at the time. The Trojans rallied from the miscue and got within 14-13 with 5:33 to go before the half on a one-yard TD run by senior fullback Drake Snyder - who was the work­ horse ofthe Trojan backfield for most ofthe night. Snyder finished the ball­ game with 18 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored the TD on TK’s opening drive of the ballgame on a 14-yard run. Braden Sharrar’s extra-point kick was good after that first TD, but his second attempt was blocked leaving TK down one late in the first half. “I like what we’re doing on offense,” TK head coach Jeff Dock said. “I think our offensive line is coming off the ball really well. Drake, our fullback, he is a horse. He is awesome. He is tough to bring down. I think, the key is to figure out ways to consistently get our guys the football. I think we did some of that well, and I have to find better ways to do that on a consistent basis. They played hard on offense for sure, on defense too.” Thornapple Kellogg’s Zach Eldridge returns the opening kickoff against Lowell Thursday night in Middleville as the Red Arrows’ Bobby Nichols (40) closes in. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Trojan offense moved the ball in the first half. Quarterback Grant Middleton was 2-for-2 passing for 22 yards in the first half and the Trojans managed 155 yards on the ground. TK didn’t complete a pass in the second halfthough and managed just 49 more yards on the ground over the final two quarters. “That’s the frustrating thing in both week one and week two, it’s not like they changed anything defensive­ ly,” Dock said. “There weren’t any adjustments made. We missed a play here and we missed a play there, or we have a procedure pen­ alty.” “In both games, you watch the film they’re doing exact­ ly what they’ve been doing. It’s not like they came out in a new front or anything,” he added. Dock said he and the coaching staff need to work on making sure the Trojans’ playmakers are all getting a chance with the football bet­ ter. Senior Tyler Gavette had five rushes for 54 yards in the first half, but didn’t get a second down carry. Senior Ethan Bonnema had 17 yards on three carries in the first half and got just one more carry in the second half - an eight-yard gain. Those are two of the Trojans’ most explosive athletes on offense. “We need to keep track of how many touches our guys have and figure out ways to get them the football. Tyler [Gavette], Ethan [Bonnema], Jaxan [Sias], Drake [Snyder], those are four pretty dam good football players, great kids and hard workers. They’re seniors, a lot ofthem are three year seniors, and we have to find ways to spread the ball to them. Typically, when the ball is in their hands good things happen.” The Trojans once again got junior quarterback Brody Wiersma some time. Coach Dock has been pleased with the way his senior Middleton has been running the offense, but has also looked for a spark in each ofthe first two weeks from Wiersma. Senior quarterback Jackson Reisbig made a lot of big things happen for Lowell. He was 5-of-5 pass­ ing for 92 yards and a touch­ down. He connected with senior Ben Gaskin for a 34-yard score four minutes into the fourth quarter put­ ting the final TD ofthe night on the scoreboard. He was also the lead ball­ carrier on the ground for the Red Arrows. He scored on an 11-yard run at the end ofthe Red Arrows first drive ofthe ballgame to tie things at 7-7 and then scored on a six-yard run midway through the third quarter to extend his team’s lead to 27-13 at the time. Running back Bobby Nichols extended his team’s lead from 14-13 to 21-13 with a touchdown run with 2:44 to go before the end of the first half. Lowell nearly added more points to its lead before the TKHS marching band took the field for halftime. The Red Arrows had first and goal at the TK seven-yardline with four seconds to go Thomapple Kellogg’s Ethan Bonnema just can’t in the first half. Reisbig quite haul in a second half pass while defended by scrambled to his right and the Trojan defense managed Lowell’s Jackson Reisbig Thursday night in Middleville. to get him to the turn at the (Photo by Brett Bremer) one-yard-line. The Trojans talked in the Conference season. TK plays The Red Hawks are also locker room after the loss host to Cedar Springs Friday, 0-2 on the season after losses about the future. That future Sept. 8, to open conference to East Grand Rapids and is the start of the OK Gold play. Zeeland West to open play, PREMIER FAMILY A MEMBER OF Dr. Carlie Crank, OD Dr. Jay Crank, OD Locally owned company, second generation Welcome Dr. Carlie Crank, a Caledonia alumni Latest technology in eye care First in West Michigan to offer THE NEURO LENS, which can alleviate headaches, neck and back pain, eye fatigue and motion sickness symptoms Specialty and Multi-focal Contact Lenses Variety of independent and designer frames Advanced treatment for glaucoma, macular degeneration dry eye and refractive surgery Two Locations Premier Family Eye Care 2350 32nd St SE Ste 103 Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Thornapple Kellogg defender Tanner Buxton (63) chases after Lowell quarter­ back Jackson Reisbig in the backfield during the first half of their ballgame inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Tel: 616-243-0007 F: 616-243-0540 Premier Family Eye Care 6748 Kalamazoo Ave SE t Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Tel: 616-275-2020 F: 616-512-6102 PremierFamilyEyes.com � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-09-09.pdf 4e5386a20cb95f45a4fa42930b75acf7 PDF Text Text un and News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas f-j P her 9,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Cause of apartment fire in Gaines Township being investigated The amphitheater portion of Community Green Park in Caledonia Township. (Courtesy photo) Options presented for Community Green maintenance building Greg Chandler StaffWriter The on-again, off-again discussions on a maintenance building at Caledonia Township’s Community Green Park are back on again. This time, township offi­ cials are hopefill the project can be completed at a reason­ able cost. At Wednesday night’s Township Board meeting, Trustee Greg Zoller updat­ ed his fellow board mem­ bers on options for the project. It’s one of the first times the project has been discussed since the board in June of last year rejected bids for the project when they came in $79,000 above the township’s $400,000 budget for the project. Zoller presented the board with three options for the new building, two of which are virtually identical to the building that was proposed last year, a 48-foot-by-48foot stackstone structure to be built at the end of Higley Street, southwest ofthe main park property. The only dif­ ference between those two options was one would have a foundation while the other would be a post-frame struc­ ture. “We would be able to save James Gemmell Contributing Writer Investigators are trying to determine what caused a minor fire at the Woodfield Apartments on Tuesday morning. It broke out just before 5 p.m. at the section of the complex that is on the west side of Eastern Avenue, at 60th Street. The is the bor­ der with the City of Kentwood. Cutlerville and Dutton Fire Chief Ken Van Hall told the Sun and News that Kentwood firefighters, along with those from the Cutlerville and Dutton fire departments, responded to the scene. The fire was con­ tained by firefighters within about 20 minutes. “No civilian or firefighter injuries, and the cause is money going with the post­ under investigation,” Van Hall said in a brief tele­ frame,” Zoller said. The only question is would phone interview. the soil conditions of the property allow for the post­ frame construction to take place. One company that considered the project last year told the township the water table on the site is too high to support post-frame construction, but Zoller told Some damage was done to two apartment units. “A deck on one, and some walling on the other,” he said. The fire chief did not say the fire was suspicious in origin; just that it was being investigated. Firefighters have said in the past that a significant percentage of the fires in Cutlerville come from a one-square-mile area north of 60th Street and east of Division Avenue. And many ofthose calls come from the Woodfield complex. In March last year, two dozen carports and 13 vehicles were destroyed in a two-alarm fire. No cause of that fire was deter­ mined. And a grease fire that started on a stove in February 2013 led to the evacuation of two build­ ings at the Woodfield Apartments. See COMMUNITY GREEN, page 3 Middleville council moves toward library committee appointments Middleville resident and library supporter Josh Mosey addresses the Village Council with regard to pending appointments to an ad hoc library committee on Tuesday. Mosey has applied to serve on the nine-member committee. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Greg Chandler StaffWriter A committee that was cre­ ated to look into the feasibil­ ity ofa standalone communi­ ty library in Middleville is starting to take shape. The Village Council is expected next Tuesday to approve the appointment of six community members as well as two council represen­ tatives to the nine-member ad hoc committee, which would study options for both the location and funding of the new library. Meeting as a committee of the whole on Tuesday, the council voted to move the appointments to next week’s agenda. The council voted July 11 . to set up the committee, giv- ing the group two years to An early-morning fire damaged two units at the report back to the council on Woodfield Apartments complex in Gaines Township. options for the project. “I believe that we will (Photo by James Gemmell) come to a good solution for our neighborhood and com­ munity,” said Josh Mosey, one of the six citizen mem­ bers who are expected to be • Gaines Township names its new appointed to the committee. assessor “I’m excited to see this thing move fopvard, to be able to • Off-road vehicle debate sparks back make solid steps in providing up in Middleville the citizens of Middleville • Sweep of Wayland gets TK tennis with a service that they deserve.” above .500 in OK Gold The village received six • Scots score first football victory on applications for the citizen Ralph’s new artificial turf appointments, with all six being members of the volun­ • TKHS girls and Caledonia boys win teer group Middleville Needs annual early-morning duals See LIBRARY, page 2 �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9,2023 Kent County drain commissioner hopes to leverage Switch Inc. funding to plant trees along some drains James Gemmell Contributing Writer Kent County has nearly 700 miles of drains, but it is battling an invasive species of Canary grass that has been plugging some of those drains. “So, then we got to go in and dig it out every two, three years to allow that water to flow,” county Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker said. One solution is to plant trees along the drains to provide the shade that kills the invasive grass. Yonker said that would result in the county having to do less drain maintenance, which would save money, cool the water and lead to a better fish habitat in some loca­ tions. Yonker talked to the Gaines Township Planning Commission about that at their Aug. 24 meeting at the township hall — a meeting that was cut short when a tornado warning in Kent County prompted the com­ mission to move the meet­ ing to the basement, and then adjourn it altogether. Before that, though, no action was taken on the drainage discussion, any­ way. But Yonker, a for­ mer state representative, told the commissioners that Switch Inc. has expressed concern about a township requirement that some trees be plant­ ed around where it has been working on an expan­ sion project. The Las Vegas-based global tech­ nology company has been building another datastor­ age facility on its sprawling 1.8 million-square-feet Pyramid campus at 6100 East Paris Ave. The county has a drain that runs along the south side ofthat property. That is the site ofthe for­ mer Steelcase Inc. pyramid building north of M-6. The company has said it will become the largest data center campus in the east­ ern United States once the Kent County Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker addresses the Gaines Township Planning Commission at a recent meeting in the township hall. (Photo by James Gemmell) Switch Inc.’s pyramid campus at 6100 East Paris Ave. (Courtesy photo) expansion is completed. Switch has stored data for many major corporations, including clients such as eBay, JP Morgan Chase, Sony, Boeing, Amazon and Google. Gaines planning com­ missioners have required some trees to be planted to soften the visual impact of the data center near East Paris Avenue. The Kent County Drain Commission has been working with a group called the Plaster Creek Stewards, which is comprised of stu­ dents, faculty and staff that aim to restore natural because they would inter­ fere with the overhead power lines. Switch had to upgrade its power plant to accommodate the expan­ sion. But the township requires it to be visually screened from the road. Yonker told the planning commission that Consumers Energy would object to tree branches interfering with its power lines. “So, if you can find another way to meet your requirement without put­ ting big trees up — shade trees — we could use (Switch) to spend their money along our drain. watersheds and does vari­ That allows us to use grant ous environmental projects. The organization often secures federal grant money for such endeavors, which include planting trees along drains. The drain commission is collaborating with the Plaster Creek Stewards to obtain grant money to plant trees along the drain along East Paris adjacent to the south side of the Switch campus. But the company doesn’t want to plant tall trees around its powerhouse money on other drains that we otherwise won’t be able to,” Yonker said. But Planning Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo said East Paris is a main road in the township. “So softening (the visual impact of the data facility) is pretty important to us,” she said. “Can they plant some smaller trees, and then some bigger trees along the back?” Community Develop- -END OF SUMMER SPECIAL ment Director Dan Wells replied that township plan­ ners have previously been given the authority to approve the final landscap­ ing plan. “I’ll work with Switch and the drain commission to make sure we get some good plants along that drain,” he said. “I could work with Switch to put in some kind of smaller trees and shrubs that wouldn’t get in the power lines. It would be, maybe, more acceptable to Consumers (Energy).” “We feel pretty strongly about having that land­ scaped very nicely along there,” Giarmo said. “If we can get some landscaping options that reach the top of the fence and no taller, that might be something we could think about.” “I’m sure they can accommodate that,” Yonker replied. Planning Commissioner Brad Waayenberg asked how the ditches will be cleaned with trees in the way. Yonker said that the trees would be planted 30 feet apart to provide enough LIBRARY, continued from page 1 igh Efficiency lESHB FURNACE 8 AIR $400 OFF Must present this coupon. Expires 9-15-2023 (not valid with other offers) FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Locally owned business. The company built by spacing. “And you alternate in between that gap on the other side. When they mature, we’ve got good shade coverage. And that gives me plenty of room to get in between. But if I have good water flow, that drain should have very little maintenance on it. What creates problems in our drains is when we’ve got blockage. Because, now sediment builds up. If we’ve got a good flow in our drain, they’re healthy and there’s very little main­ tenance that I have to do.” Yonker said the big pic­ ture is to consider the health and quality of the drains, beyond stormwater mainte­ nance. “We’re looking at fish habitat, we’re looking at the health ofthose streams, thus the trees are a big aspect,” he said. “This is a battle that’s being worked out with the drain com­ mission and private indus­ try, and special interests — Plaster Creek Stewards. They’re all taking an interest in this one sub­ ject.” A New Library. The group has been meeting for more than a year to discuss ideas for a community library separate from the school district. Besides Mosey, the other applicants for the appoint­ ments are Chris Boysen, Sarah Buer, Kattie Bynski, Michelle Frey and Jamie Bowman. The group had been look­ ing into a “Friends of’ desig­ nation that could raise funds for the new library. There is an existing fund called the Beacon Society, Friends of the Middleville Area Community Library, which is linked to the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation, an arm ofthe Barry Community Fund, that could be tapped for a fundraising effort. Two members ofthe Village Council and one member of the Thomapple Kellogg Board ofEducation will serve on the committee. Village President Mike Cramer and Council Trustee Makenzi Peters are expected to be the council representatives on the com­ mittee, and the TK school board has appointed Brenda Hess to be its representative. Council Trustee Kevin Smith expressed a desire for the applicants to come to next Tuesday’s council meeting and possibly give a short statement as to why they want to serve on the committee. “It’d be nice to put a face to the name,” Smith said. “It’d be good to see them in person.” Thornapple Kellogg Schools have hosted the local library in Middleville since 1934. The current library, located inside Thomapple Kellogg High School, is only open 12 hours a week during the school year. • �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023/ Page 3 Caledonia Twp. board approves tax break transfer; Some trustees seek clawback against prior abatement holder Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township board Wednesday narrowly approved a local manufactur­ er’s request for tax breaks as an incentive to move into larger facilities elsewhere in the township. Meanwhile, some board members have questions about whether the request to transfer the tax break to Action Packaging LLC, doing business as Opus Packaging - West Michigan, would affect the township’s ability to take action against the company that previously held the abatement. The board voted 4-2 to approve the transfer of the 11-year, 50 percent local tax abatement that the township had approved in December 2018 from Function Inc. to Opus Packaging, which will move into an 185,000-squarefoot building it has leased at 6610 Patterson Ave. SE. The tax abatement will remain in effect through the end of 2030. Opus Packaging, which produces corrugated boxes, partitions and related prod­ ucts, will move its manufac­ turing operation out of its current headquarters at 6995 Southbelt Dr. SE in the Southbelt Industrial Park. However, it will continue to keep its corporate offices at the Southbelt Drive location and use the rest of the 109,000-square-foot build­ ing for warehousing and shipping, chief financial offi­ cer Louis Sicilia told the Township Board. Opus Packaging plans to consolidate its West Michigan manufacturing operations at the Patterson site. The company is closing a plant in Kalamazoo as part of that consolidation. The company expects to employ 150 employees and invest $9 million into the new facility, Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. The new Opus Packaging facility was previously occu­ pied by Function Inc., a beauty supply company that recently closed, putting 68 employees out ofwork. “They are already out of the building,” Sicilia said of Function Inc. When the township approved the tax abatement for Function in 2018, it said it would create 240 jobs in two years. Township Trustee Greg Zoller said the compa­ ny never met that target and questioned whether the township could seek to recoup lost tax revenues through a clawback provi­ sion ifthe tax abatement was transferred. “Function did not meet the requirements for the first couple ofyears of operation, and they didn’t provide us numbers for 2022,1 believe,” Zoller said. Zoller said he was not comfortable with voting on Action Packaging LLC, doing business as Opus Packaging - West Michigan, will move its manufacturing operation out of its current headquarters at 6995 Southbelt Dr. SE in the Southbelt Industrial Park. (Courtesy photo) this and then the state could say, ‘sorry, they’re going to get it anyway,’ or we could approve it and the state could say ‘no, they’re not going to Were growing rapidly here in Caledonia, and I don’t know that it’s necessary that we continue to give (industrial tax breaks), because people are coming. Our schools could use the money.” — Joni Henry, Caledonia Township Clerk the transfer until the town­ ship gets confirmation that it can pursue the clawback. He and Township Trustee Tim Bradshaw voted against approving the transfer. “(Function) did not meet their requirements for three years out of the last five,” Township Clerk Joni Henry added. “I guess my concern would be, for what it’s worth, regardless ifwe approve this or deny it, the final say is up to the state. We could deny get it.’ The final decision comes with the state.” Henry went on to raise a further question about future industrial tax break requests that may come before the board. “We’re growing rapidly here in Caledonia, and I don’t know that it’s neces­ sary that we continue to give these, because people are coming,” she said. “Our schools could use the money.” COMMUNITY GREEN, continued from page 1 the Sun and News in a phone interview Thursday night that soil conditions are favor­ able to support such con­ struction. One of the specifications that came up in discussions with the project architect revolved around the type of floor the new building would have. The architect suggested a polished floor, but Zoller doesn’t think it’s a good idea. “That’s just a slip-and-fall problem (waiting to hap- pen),” he said. “Our recom­ mendation is a trowel (fin­ ished), smooth (floor). It would be much less slippery for the workers.” Trustee Richard Snoeyink agreed. “You can put sealer on there, to keep oil from absorbing into the concrete, so you don’t have to have a polished in order to seal it,” Snoeyink said. A cost for the project has not yet been determined because it has not been sent out to contractors to bid on. Supervisor Bryan Hamson authorized Zoller and Trustee Tim Bradshaw to continue meeting with the architect to develop final plans for the building to present to the board at its next meeting Sept. 20, at which time the plans could be sent out for bids. The project will be funded by a combination of general fund dollars as well as fund­ ing through the American Rescue Plan Act. Henry said that questions about whether the township could approve the transfer to Opus Packaging and still seek action against Function Inc. have been referred to the township attorney. “That particular question has not been answered,” Henry said. Function saved $93,182 in taxes in 2022 under the tax abatement, about $6,000 of which was township taxes, Henry said. Township Supervisor Dale Hermenet. Treasurer Bryan Harrison did not think Richard Robertson was the transfer would cancel out absent. Harrison suggested bring­ the township’s ability to pur­ sue a clawback procedure ing in The Right Place, the economic development orga­ against Function. “It’s a separate, standalone nization in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, to address agreement for seven years ... I don’t see how that affects the value of industrial tax the previous agreement,” abatements to the communi­ Harrison said. ty“We pay dues to them, and Harrison and Henry were joined in approving the tax they can come in and help us abatement transfer by trust­ understand why these are a ees Richard Snoeyink and good idea,” Harrison said. k ALTO HARVEST FESTIVAL & CAR SHOW SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16,2023 9AM-3PM ♦ Alto Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast 4 Food Booths 4 Car Show 4 Pie Eating Contest + Arts I Crafts * Baking Bingo 4 Blue Ribbion Baking Contest + Alto Library gently used book sale ♦ American Legion Bingo/Kids Bingo ♦ Kids Zones Inflatables, Face Painting, Match Box Derby Cars, Petting Zoo 4 Plus a whole lot more family-friendly FUN �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9,2023 Gaines Township promotes Zenas as new assessor after VanHoose takes job with Kent County Dale Wells Herbert Dale Wells ofLake Odessa, MI, passed away on September 1, 2023. Dale was bom to Wilbert and Emma Wells from Harbor Beach, MI on July 25, 1940. He married Lucille Morley from Elkton, MI, on December 22, 1962. After serving honorably in the Army, he worked at the Huron County Road Commission. Dale attended Michigan State University at the age of 42 and settled in Lake Odessa to work at Michigan Chief Sales. In 1972 (age 32) he was ordained as a Deacon in the Community of Christ church in Owendale, MI. Then ordained in 1975 (age 35) to Priest, and then in 1979 (age 39) to Elder. He was elected Pastor at Owendale three times, two times at Hastings and elected as Grand Rapids District President for two years. Dale excelled in football, basketball and baseball in high school, softball for the Army, and several softball leagues as a third baseman or pitcher until age 51 but played golfup until June 2023. He will be remembered for his humor, teasing and warm manner when interacting with anyone. He would talk to a stranger like they were friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sonya; broth­ er, Curtis (Korean War); neph­ ew, Derek Wells, parents, par­ ents-in-law, Clifford and Emma Morley, and brother-in­ law, Robert Liedke. He is survived by daugh­ ters, Bonnie (Chuck) Reineer and Dena (Andy) Kish; four grandchildren, Shawn (Marc’l) Kish, Andrea (Cody) Wagner, Bailey (Cody) Clarke, and Megan (Levi) Sutliffe; eight great grand­ children, Travis, Elecktra, Ava, Izabella, Mason, Donny, Anastasia, and Lilith; brother William “Bill” (Judy) Wells; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” (Robert) Liedke; and eight nephews (+ spouses) and 14 nieces (+ spouses). A Celebration of Life ser­ vice will be held at the Thomapple River Community ofChrist in Alto on November 18,2023. James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Charter Township has a new assessor. Township Manager Rod Weersing said the Assistant Assessor Jim Zenas has been promoted to that position after previous assessor Megan VanHoose left to take over as Kent County’s new director of the Bureau of Equalization. She leaves the township after about four-and-a-half years as its assessor. “The county will really benefit from her skills and knowledge,” Gaines Community Development Director Dan Wells said. “I’m wishing her the best.” VanHoose replaces Matt Woolford, who retired as the county’s Equalization Director in June after 26 years on the job. Prior to coming to Gaines Township, VanHoose worked as the assessor for Eureka Charter Township in Montcalm County for seven years. She began working for Gaines Township in April 2019. The county said in a news release that VanHoose certi­ Church ‘ iheete’ato D cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Middleville fied the annual assessment and tax rolls for more than 8,500 parcels in Gaines Charter Township with an assessed value of more than $1.7 billion. VanHoose also supervised residential prop­ erty valuation and adminis­ tered aspects of property tax exemptions and abatements. The county also said VanHoose is an Executive Board member and chairs the International Association of Assessing Officers Education Committee for the Kent County Association of Assessing Officers. Megan VanHoose “I am excited for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with the did a fabulous job preparing also develop programs to County’s excellent equaliza­ Jim for this next venture in improve property valuation tion team,” VanHoose said. his life. And the township is data and oversee the coun­ “As an assessor, I have seen confident that Jim will be ty’s remonumentation pro­ Kent County establish a cul­ able to do as good a job as gram. That pertains to ture that sits firmly in the top Megan was doing,” Weersing retracing and maintaining tier of equalization depart­ said. the accuracy of land survey ments throughout the state.” VanHoose started her new boundaries. Weersing said that job with Kent County on “I really enjoyed working VanHoose’s departure is a Tuesday. She is responsible with her,” Well said. “She loss for Gaines. But he fig­ for maintaining the county’s was very organized and had a valuations. really good sense of how to ures that Zenas will keep property-tax things going smoothly in the That includes assessments work the department and assessing office. and evaluations of all com­ very technically sound. And “Losing Megan was a big mercial, private and residen­ personally very amenable blow to the township, but she tial property. VanHoose will and easy to work with.” alas affi 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9:30 AM Fellowship Time 10:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Youth Gathering 5:00 PM Adult Bible Study .6:00 PM Our mission Is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service 10:30 AM 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: asor: Rev. ev.eer Peter Berg erg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Church: ■|w OURNEY S,t- CALEDONIA: LEARN MORE! 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE thejchurch.com @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org 1664 M-37 @thejchurch JBr Whitneyville Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod's Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday Worship 10:30 AM .10:30 Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS Sunday School-------------9:30 9:30 AM Cutfaran Chcurch Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledonialIMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening — Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. (269) 795-2391 Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE: 9:30 a.m. i#—Caledonia United w Methodist Church 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowsliip.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023/ Page 5 Council resumes Middleville off-road vehicle debate Greg Chandler StaffWriter Off-road vehicles continue to be a hotly debated topic in the village ofMiddleville. As an ad hoc committee is soon expected to present rec­ ommendations on possible changes to the village ordi­ nance regulating such vehi­ cles, some Village Council members sounded off on the topic at the conclusion of Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. “We think we don’t have an ORV problem,” Village President Mike Cramer said. “On Aug. 23, someone decided that my (American Youth Soccer Organization) fields looked too pretty, and turned a bunch ofdonuts and caused $6,000 worth ofdam­ age.” Cramer, who is also the regional commissioner for the Middleville AYSO pro­ gram, shared pictures of the field damage with his coun­ cil colleagues. He believes a side-by-side Vehicle was used to create circles in the turf. The AYSO fields are located at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School. Nothing was caught on the school’s surveillance camer­ as, Cramer said. “It’d be nice to find them because we are a nonprofit organization. (The costs) come right out of the kids’ pockets,” Cramer said. Cramer raised additional complaints regarding the recent use of ORVs. He said that on Sept. 1, he saw a woman driving a golf cart with an infant on her lap in the Misty Ridge subdivision. “Ifsomebody turns a blind comer, going too fast and doesn’t see that golf cart, that’s blood on somebody’s hands right there,” Cramer said. “There’s no way any­ body survives on that golf cart. That’s ridiculous.” Middleville’s current ordi­ nance, which has been in place since 2001, allows ORVs only to be driven on private property. More than 50 business owners signed a petition last winter calling for the village to legalize the use of ORVs and golf carts on public streets in the vil- M-37 with no plates and no insurance (and didn’t stop the vehicle),” Cramer said. “We’re not enforcing this. It’s gotta stop. The reason we don’t see tickets is because it keeps happening and we’re not issuing tickets.” The ad hoc committee held its last meeting on July 18. Trustee Robert Bishop raised a question about the enforceability of the current ordinance. “I just (Tuesday) talked with one of the deputies, because I had the question of ‘do you want us to even call?”’ Bishop said. “I was at Hive Mercantile and I watched side-by-sides com­ ing down the road, and I thought, ‘what’s the point of lage. An ad hoc committee calling the police’ - because was created in June to look I would have called a into possible changes to the non-emergency line that’s ordinance. going to go down to central “We don’t write these dispatch, they’re going to ordinances for the people radio up here, and assuming that follow the rules. We the deputy’s not busy, they’re write the ordinances so that now going to miss that sidewe can protect everybody by-side by probably 20 minelse from people that don’t utes. There’s really nothing (follow the rules),” Cramer they can do ifI call it in. said. “I asked them, ‘should I be Cramer also said he saw a calling it in’ and then they side-by-side vehicle pulling can put it in their documents out of Greg’s Get-It-N-Go that we received these calls, store on M-37 and driving and they said it wouldjust go erratically and saw a under reckless driving. It Michigan State Police vehi­ wouldn’t be visible to the cle that was only a couple of council.” cars behind the side-by-side. Trustee Kevin Smith “He watched it drive down raised similar concerns. “There’s no cop that’s going to stop an ORV, whether it’s licensed or unlicensed, whether the ordi­ nance says you can or can­ not drive it, it’s not going to stop somebody at one in the morning from doing donuts in the middle of a lawn, it’s not going to stop them. They’re going to do it because those people are going to do whatever they do because they’re lawbreakers. They’re going to do it no matter what,” Smith said. “What hill do we want to die on? Are we going to be willing to die on an ORV hill... because I’ll be honest with you, ifwe do decide to die orFfhe ORV hill, we’re going to (tick) off every law enforcement person in this community that comes and serves in Middleville, because they are going to be ‘these people are so granu­ lar.’ It’s going to take us an hour to respond to an ORV call and they’re going to be gone. And there’s no way for us to track that. We’re just going to make their lives more complicated,” Smith added. Cramer said he did not know what the solution was to the question of enforce­ ability. “We have a clearly written ordinance for just this rea­ son, and it’s not being fol­ lowed,” he said. “So to write another one to allow this use when they’re not doing it right in the first place seems ill-advised.” Trustee Richard Hamilton called for a resolution ofthe debate. “What I would like to see is that we do something - yes or no - and move on and get this off the agenda. It’s just hanging around. We’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Hamilton said. The ad hoc committee that has been working on the ordinance has submitted its recommendations to the vil­ lage attorney for his review before any proposed changes are brought to the Village Council, Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers said. 35,000 visit the Mackinac Bridge for the 2023 bridge walk Light breezes balanced out the bright sunshine for the 2023 Mackinac Bridge Walk on Monday, and those near-perfect conditions deserve at least some of the credit for the biggest crowd seen in several years. “With roughly 35,000 people from across Michigan and beyond joining us for the bridge walk, this is the largest crowd we’ve seen since 2016 when 45,000 people walked the bridge,” said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “It was a beautiful day, and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the unparalleled views of the Straits.” The bridge, which closed at 6:30 a.m. to all vehicle traffic for the walk, reopened promptly at noon. Based on the success of the recent events, the 2023 Annual Bridge Walk again started from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminated the need for bus­ ing and offers additional options for participants. The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 walk was the 64th event, when 26,000 people participated. Ftee preschool available now in Kent ISD Great Start Readiness Program classrooms The Great Start Readiness Program has openings now for free high-quality pre­ school for families of chil­ dren who turn 4 by Dec. 1. Enrollment for this school year is open now and contin­ ues as long as spots in class­ rooms are available. Families can enroll their 4-year-old children in fullday preschool classrooms throughout the area. Most locations offer preschool Monday through Thursday, and new this fall, some Great Start Readiness Program classrooms are offering pre- school on Fridays, too. Families interested in the five day option must call Great Start Readiness Program at 616-447-2409 to find locations where this option is available. “Enrollment in affordable, high-quality preschool is one of the best ways to prepare children for success in school and life,” said Ashley Karsten, Director of Early Childhood at Kent ISD. “We are excited to be able to offer Great Start Readiness Program preschool to more families than ever this year and to expand this program to five full days a week in many areas.” There are many openings now throughout Kent ISD public school districts and in community based programs such as Childtime, Tutor Time, YMCA and Milestone centers. Families are encour­ aged to apply and learn more about openings and sched­ ules by contacting the Great Start Readiness Program at 616-447-2409 or visiting kentisd.org/early-childhood/ great-start-readiness-pre ­ school. Roughly 35,000 people participated in the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge walk this year, the largest crowd since 2016. (Photo provided) cornerstonechurch September 17 I 3-5pm I 84th St. Campus 1675 84th St SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 This fun run/walk is a family-friendly event where participants walk for 6k because that is the average distance a woman or child has to carry water each day in many parts of the world. Cost: $30 per participant (includes a race t-shirt, race bib, a water jug, and frozen refreshments) All profits from the race will go directly towards providing a water well, so that at least one village of people no longer has to walk this far to fetch their water. REGISTER TODAY BY SCANNING THE CODE OR BY VISITING cornerstonemi.org/LugAJug �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023 Middleville eyes expanding pay for council liaisons to village boards Greg Chandler StaffWriter Middleville Village Council members have no interest in raising their own pay but appear willing to expand pay for its members to serve on additional vil­ lage boards. The council at its com­ mittee ofthe whole meeting Tuesday voted to move onto next week’s agenda a proposal to pay council members who serve as a liaison on such boards as the Downtown Development Authority, Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Local Development Finance Authority. Those council members would be paid $45 per meeting attended, up to two meetings per month. Currently, only the coun­ cil liaison to the Planning Commission receives addi­ tional pay of $45 per meet­ ing. Council Trustee Makenzi Peters spoke in support ofexpanding pay to the additional boards. “We only do that for one (board), while most munici­ palities do it either for all (boards) or nothing at all,” Peters said. “I do think that should be corrected.” •The council’s discus­ sion followed a review of council pay compared to communities of similar nearly $147 million. Its council salaries range from $2,320 to $3,280 per mem­ ber, and council members also are paid $80 per meet­ ing attended, according to Wfe only do that for one (board), while most village documents. municipalities do it either for all (boards) The city of Lowell is slightly smaller than or nothing at all. I do think that should be Middleville with 4,142 corrected.” residents, but has a tax — Makenzi Peters, base of more than $168 million. Council members Middleville Village Council Trustee there receive an annual in the 2020 census was salary of $ 1,440 to $2,160 the same since 2007, Village Manager Craig 4,295, and the village’s tax­ plus $60 per meeting attended. The city of able value was nearly $151 Stolsonburg said. The village president’s million. By comparison, the Gaylord in northern lower salary has remained at city of Wayland in Allegan Michigan is almost identi­ $3,280 since 2018, when County is slightly larger in cal to Middleville in popu­ the council approved a raise population with 4,435 resi­ lation with 4,286 residents for then-President Charlie dents and has a tax base of but has a taxable value of population and taxable value. The annual salary for council trustees is $2,680 and has remained Pullen but declined increas­ es for the rest of the coun­ cil. Middleville’s population more than $205 million. Council members there receive an annual salary of $3,100, according to vil­ lage documents. “Overall, I think you’re in line in relation to popula­ tion and taxable value with other municipalities around the state,” Stolsonburg said. Trustee Richard Hamilton is the council’s liaison to the Planning Commission, Peters is the council liaison to the ZBA, Village President Mike Cramer is the liaison to the DDA, Trustee Johnny DeMaagd is the liaison to the LDFA and Trustee Ann Williams is the TAPRC council liaison. Kent District Library announces 12th annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest The Kent District Library (KDL) has announced the twelfth annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest which drew 1,250 entries last year. Michigan writers of all ages are invited to enter, with separate categories for youth, teens and adults. Winning entries will be published, and the top writers will receive cash prizes. “This contest gives writers the opportunity to reach their goal of getting published,” said Katie Zuidema, market- ing communications special­ ist at KDL. “Not only do writers have the chance to win $500, but their story could also be available to the masses on bookstore and library shelves across the state.” Stories can be submitted at writemichigan.org through Thursday, Nov. 30. Details include a 3,000-word maxi­ mum length and a $10 entry fee for ages 18 and above. Those 17 and under can enter for free. Additionally, partic­ ipants in the contest must submit their stories online and must be current residents of Michigan. There will be three cash prizes given in each of the three categories: Judges’ Choice ($500), Readers’ Choice ($250) and Judges’ Choice Runner-up ($250). The top 10 stories in each category will be reviewed by a panel ofjudges comprised ofpublished authors, editors, professors and literary agents. A public vote will determine the winners of Readers’ Choice. Gary Schmidt, multiple award-winning author and Michigan resident, will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 Write Michigan awards ceremony in March. Schmidt will also be writing the fore­ word to the anthology, which is published by Chapbook Press. “Write Michigan is truly a statewide effort,” said Josh Mosey, one of the organizers of the contest. “Kent District Library couldn’t put on the short story contest without our partners, including Schuler Books, Michigan Learning Channel, Capital Area District Library and Canton Public Library.” Those who enjoy reading stories are encouraged to sign up to be a volunteer story reviewer at writemichigan.org/volunteer. Those interested can join an online community ofwrit­ ers through Facebook (facebook.com/WriteMichigan) and Instagram (@ write, michigan). There, writers can find encouragement, writing tips, challenges and more while plotting out their award-winning short stories. Kent District Library is offering a programming series geared towards writers and aspiring writers, cover­ ing topics like getting pub­ lished, freelance writing, self-editing and creating compelling characters. For more details, including dates, times and locations, visit writemichigan.org/writers-conference. More information on Write Michigan can be found at writemichigan.org. Alto Harvest Festival and Car Show slated for Sept. 16 Alto will be celebrating its 42nd annual Alto Harvest Festival and 17th annual car show on Saturday, Sept. 16 with activities for all ages. The event will kick off with the Alto/Bowne Township Firefighters’ pancake break­ fast at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. The breakfast will run until 10 a.m. and will be located at the Alto Fire Station, 6260 Bancroft Ave. Golf cart shuttles will be available to and from the breakfast. Opening ceremonies for the festival begin at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park with the national anthem, a formal flag-raising ceremony by the Girl Scouts and the presenta­ tion of colors by the Alto American Legion Post 528. The car show is expected to pull in around 200 hot rods from the community. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Goodie bags and dash plaques for the first 150 entries will be provided. The top 50 entries will be awarded. Those interested will pay $10 to enter. Those registered in the show may be treated to door prizes, a grocery guess and awards. The Alto American Legion is hosting bingo from noon to 6 p.m. Kids bingo will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Throughout the day, the American Legion will be hosting a membership drive with the intention of reach­ ing out to eligible veterans in the community. The Legion will be open to the public throughout the day. During the day, attendees will find contests and activi­ ties for everyone, including returning favorites such as the Blue Ribbon Baking Contest and Baking Bingo, which is a new twist on an old game. Instead of prize money, Baking Bingo con­ testants can win baked goods and baking essentials. This is a true Alto Harvest Festival original. The craft and ven­ dor show will feature up to 20 booths, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the Alto Library will be conducting its gently used book sale from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., as well as a scavenger hunt The Magic Bus Band will bring the sounds of Woodstock to the Alto Harvest Festival and Car Show (Courtesy photo) during the festival. Children will be able to enjoy a variety of activities at the Kids Zone, located on the green at the Alto Baptist Church with inflatables, Cheek to Cheek face paint­ ing, a petting zoo and match­ box derby cars. The- Alto Lions Club will have free vision screening on-site as a part ofthe Lions ofMichigan Foundation Project Kidsight, with a focus on preschool and elementary children. One of the more popular old-fashioned competitions at the Harvest Festival is the Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Pie-Eating Contest. Organizers invite anyone to comejoin the fun. Participants will compete either in the kids or adult category, with kids eating a smaller pie. Winners will receive $10 and a trophy. Sign-up for the Pie-Eating Contest begins at 10:45 a.m. on Sept. 16 and the contest begins at 11 a.m. Live music starts at 11:30 a.m. and runs through 2:30 p.m., featuring The Magic Bus. The band’s musical abilities -and authentic look relive an era with its tribute to the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco and Woodstock in 1969. Organizers invite audiences to break out their fringe and beads, put flowers in their hair and get into those hip-hugger bell-bottom jeans, headbands, beads and tie-dye peace sigh clothing. Music will take place at Veterans Park. Audience members are asked to bring their own chairs. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023/ Page fracing the historical roots of Middleville’s Heritage Days Makenzi Peters Special to the Sun and News This Saturday we cele­ brate Middleville and its his­ tory with the age-old tradi­ tion of Heritage Days. For those of us who are new in town are learning about Middleville and investing in the community, it is import­ ant to appreciate the history of our “little big town” as well as celebrate those who have carried the rich heritage on through generations. Middleville was founded in 1834 by Calvin G. Hill. He bought 400 acres on either side of the Thomapple River and named it Middle Village. Early farms were the back­ bone of Middleville. Even today, though we are still growing, farm life is still greatly engrained and cher­ ished in the Middleville community. A few of those generational farm families are still in the community today. These families include Robertsons, Ottos, the Wengers, Wieringas, Smiths, Geukes, Solomons, Benders, Dykstras and more. A few of the families agreed to sit down and give some history on the farms. Robertson Farm Established in 1846 by John A. Robertson, the farm originally grew com and raised livestock. Currently, the farm is rolling operations over to its sixth generation and grows hay. The Robertsons lease out land for livestock pasture and crops. Otto’s Turkey Farm Established in 1846 by 7 Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 852-0667. 517­ Business Services METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish-craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets,bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premi­ ums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Wal­ nut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. While Heritage Days has turned into a modern celebration, complete with events like the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, it has deep roots in the historic farming community. (Photos by Brett Bremer) McQueen. Charles McQueen’s daughter Kittie married John Otto and they had a general farm where they would grow various crops for subsidized farming. Kittie and John’s son Harold and grandson David began raising turkeys for meat, cre­ ating Otto’s Turkey Farm as we know it today. Nate Otto, being a member of the sixth generation, continues this legacy with his wife Jillian. Having learned from Nate’s parents, Tom and Jeri, they hope to pass this legacy on to their three children. Wieringa Dexter Farm The Wieringa family has farmed in the area since Hubbard Hill’s establish­ ment in 1860 by Andrew Wieringa. They raised and showed Irish Dexter cattle as well as traded horses. In 1987, Andrew’s great-grand­ son Lee Wieringa opened Wieringa Dexter Farm in Middleville with his wife Roberta. They continue the legacy ofraising Irish Dexter cattle and show them across the United States. Geukes Meat Market and Farm Geukes Meat Market and Slaughterhouse, known as A.G. and Son, was estab­ lished in 1929 by Art and Florence Geukes. In the 1940s they, along with their son Chester, bought farm acreage and began raising sheep and other livestock. In 2013, Don Geukes, Chester’s son, retired with his wife Janet and sold the meat mar­ ket to Bradford White. However, the legacy lives on through the family. Jennifer Meyer, Don’s daughter, and her husband Dan raise show pigs. Jeff Geukes, Don’s son, raises show sheep with his wife Sarah. Both Jeff and Jennifer are very active with local 4-H and help kids build skills and gain experience. Smith Farm Established around 1900 by Howard Smith, it was a small dairy farm and grew a small number of crops for the family. It was sold in 1980 and became a parcel for development. Solomon Farm Claire Hull, dressed as Harry Potter, tosses candy from the Education Station flat in the 2022 Middleville Heritage Days Parade. (Photo by Brett Bremer) In 1948, Russell Solomon moved into Middleville to work on the family farm that was established in 1895 by James and Justiphina Marsh. They operated as a dairy farm and later raised pigs. Russell’s daughters are still very active in the Middleville community. Wenger Farm The Wenger Farm was established in the early 1900s by Arthur W. Cridler and his wife Lottie. Their three sons, Paul, Bill, and Reg, continued the legacy by operating a general farm and raising livestock. In the early 1960s, they began focusing on dairy. The Wenger Farm as we know it today has recently been passed down from Marty and Sheri Wenger to their son Levi and his wife Sara, making this a third-genera­ tion operation with the hope of passing the farm down to their children. Speaking with each fami­ ly, it was humbling to get to know them and the work they do, not just on their farms but for the community past and present. Unsurprisingly, farm life is hard work. But these fami­ lies still find the passion to give back to the community through real heartfelt com­ munity service. It shouldn’t surprise you to see a member ofthis farm community serv­ ing as a first responder for the Thomapple Township Emergency Service, serving on the school board, serving at the Commission on Aging, working at the school or working with each other and service groups to give back to those in need in our com­ munity. As we celebrate Middleville Heritage Days, remember to appreciate those who have built the community into what it is today. Bernard Baruch said it best: “Agriculture is the greatest and fundamentally the most important of our industries. The cities are but the branches of the tree of national life, the roots of which go deeply into the land. We all flourish or decline with the farmer.” CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269­ 838-5937. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. Rea! Estate FREEPORT- 1.8 ACRES, mostly wooded. 400' Cold­ water River frontage. Lots of deer. $125,000. 616-893­ 1872. Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial o -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd H ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. 269-792-2234 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023 Owners, administrators of assisted living facilities bring their concerns over COA project to county board Jayson Bussa Editor X group of owners and operators of private senior care fatalities around Barry County nave become more vocal about objections to the ongoing. vision for the new­ ly-planned Commission on Aging. On Tuesday, they brought those concerns to the Barry County board’s Committee ofthe Whole. Spearheaded by Makenzi Peters, administrator for Middleville-based Carveth Village, the group turned up the volume on their griev­ ances associated with the new $3 million COA facility, which is to be built on coun­ ty-owned land southeast of Hastings. The Commission on Aging, a county department that is focused on delivering a variety of services for seniors, was in sore need ofa new facility, as their current building at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings is in a per­ petual state ofdisrepair. In an effort to cut costs associated with the new con­ struction, and to leverage existing services of another county-operated entity, the new plan is to connect the COA building with Harvest Pointe, an assisted living facility that is owned and operated by Thomapple Manor, a non-profit skilled nursing facility run by the county. The COA and Harvest Pointe would share a kitchen space, allowing the COA to produce food for Meals on Wheels on-site rather than order it from Grand Rapids. A hall would connect the two buildings and the plan also includes a co-mingling out­ door space. As outlined in a Sun and News report last week, one of the primary concerns that privately-owned facilities have with the plan is that the COA and Harvest Pointe would become synonymous with each other, creating an anti-competitive climate in the local industry. “Regardless of price, (Harvest Pointe) charges res­ idents to live there which means this is a private-pay facility therefore, they are operating in a private indus­ try which means they are competitors,” Peters said in front ofthe Committee ofthe Whole on Tuesday. “They don’t pay property tax, which the rest of us do, so there is already an advantage.” Peters argued that, when families are looking for an assisted living facility, they generally are content with going on a waiting list for their primary choice instead ofexploring alternatives. “With COA having a con­ joining building, they become a direct line to Thomapple Manor and Harvest Pointe — no poten­ tial resident will look at any other aging-in-place options that offer through-end-of-life care, such as Carveth (Village) and others.” “The biggest (point) is this,” she added. “The Commission on Aging was designed to be an uninflu­ enced resource for Barry County seniors. With this merge between Thomapple Manor, which operates in a private industry, the Commission on Aging is no longer independent. It will become synonymous with the Thomapple Manor and Harvest Pointe conglomerate and vice versa.” Don Easlick of Cedar Creek Adult Foster Care Home in Hastings said he just heard about the plans a week ago. “Is that the most accessi­ ble point for dur seniors? Who knows. Studies have to be done. Have they been FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO US We treat our patients like family and offer comfortable, customized dentistry for everyone. Same Day Dentistry Implants catered to your treatment needs to return your teeth to good health Pediatric Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry with kid-friendly options for ideal results Dental exams are even more important as we get older, preventing problems and reducing the risk ofserious illness. 11207. OFF i [ your first visit Mention this offer when you call or bring this card with you. 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I don’t know because that information isn’t readily available,” Easlick said at Tuesday’s meeting. “I’m here before you today to ask you guys to think about the ‘why.’ Is this creating the biggest impact for our seniors and is this the right deci­ sion?” Easlick added “We strug­ gle to get employees. We struggle to stay self-suffi­ cient. We want to continue to help impact our county in a way that enriches the lives of our seniors.” Some commissioners responded to the concerns later in the meeting, includ­ ing Bob Teunessen, who is part of the steering commit­ tee that is guiding the new COA project forward. He and others associated with the project contend that the collaboration was designed to optimize the dollars spent and to provide the highest level of services possible for local seniors. “It’s a great thing to see that there is actually cooper­ ation going on and that’s what we kind of felt people wanted — to see people working together for once,” Teunessen said. “And that’s what this will offer is people working together and get­ ting something done and actually providing a great­ service.” “If someone has a better idea of where this needs to be, bring it up,” he added. “It’s the most logical place to utilize services.” County board Chairman David Jackson echoed those sentiments and said he want­ ed to make sure that, as plans continue to firin up, assisted living facility owners and operators hadrra seat at the table. “If you represent a senior care facility in the county and you’re here today, thank you. Your voices are being heard,” Jackson said. “We’re not going to just dismiss this. All input is important input and it’s valuable input because there is always opportunity to be better.” “We just have to put our minds together and think about how we can create more communication, more collaboration and certainly a fair playing field for every­ one involved in senior care because our number one goal is to provide the best possi­ ble care and opportunity for seniors in the county,” he added. Middleville planners add signage rules to new zone districts Greg Chandler StaffWriter When the Middleville Village Council approved the addition of two new zoning districts in March oflast year - one for transitional mixed uses and another for transi­ tional industrial - it forgot to include in the ordinance lan­ guage regulating signage in the new zones. The Planning Commission’s Ordinance Committee has been working to rectify the omission, and on Tuesday commissioners voted to recommend the pro­ posed sign regulations for the new districts be drafted into ordinance form by the village attorney. Once that’s done, the regulations will then be presented to the council for its consideration. The hew zoning districts had been proposed in the village’s 2021 master plan update. The transitional mixed-use zone is designed to serve as a transition between M-37 and the down­ town area on parcels that abut Main Street, providing options for development. Single-family homes would be allowed by right in the district, and special land uses may be granted for such uses as multi-family residential, bed-and-breakfast inns, cof­ fee shops, bakeries, offices or art studios, according to the. village ordinance lan­ guage. Meanwhile, the transitional industrial zone is specified as an area located offState Street east of M-37. It would accom­ modate residential, mixeduse and light industrial land uses. It was created “in recog­ nition of the location and space needs of industrial activities, which create only a minimum of off-site effects,” the ordinance language reads. Uses such as multi-family residential, distribution and packaging centers, business incubators, warehouses and research and training facilities would be allowed by right in this district. It also allows recreational marijuana grow­ ers, processors, safety com­ pliance facilities and secure transporters as special land uses, according to the ordi­ nance language. The proposed signage rules for the transitional mixed-use zone would be similar to the existing language in the cen­ tral business district zone. In the transitional industrial zone, ground signs cannot be taller than eight feet from grade, while ground and wall signs cannot be more than 32 square feet per sign or 200 square feet for all signs per lot or parcel, according to the proposed ordinance language. The sign language for the new zone districts would be presented at a future council meeting, Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9,2023/ Page 9 Barry County Sheriff’s office files lawsuit against own county over FOIA requests Jayson Bussa & Greg Chandler Sun and News Staff Allegations^- voter fraud in the 2020. presidential election by Barry County Sheriff Dar | Leaf have reached a newnevel. Leaf’s office has filed a lawsuit against Barry County government, alleg­ ing the county has failed to release election-related emails that were asked for in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by the sheriff’s office. The suit was filed Aug. 29 in Barry County court, court records show, and there is no hear­ ing set as ofyet. Leaf did not respond to a request for comment on the matter. “Defendant Barry County has wrongfully withheld and/or otherwise failed to produce responsive records in a timely manner which Plaintiff Barry County Sheriff’s Office is entitled to receive under the FOIA,” the lawsuit reads. “Defendant Barry County has acted arbitrarily and capriciously in its delay and/ or refusal to comply with the FOIA and its own poli­ cies. Defendant Barry County has acted intention­ ally ih its delay and/or refusal to comply with the FOIA and its own policies.” The sheriff’s office first submitted the request for the election-related emails on May 4, 2022. Deputy Mark Noteboom, who has been the sheriff’s department’s designated deputy to investigate alleged fraud from the 2020 election, submitted a FOIA request to the county. The sheriff’s office and county later “discussed cer­ tain aspects and clarifications to the request.” On Aug. 4, 2022, the county submitted a bill to the sheriff’s department for tronic poll book)” “integri­ necessary county officials ty,” “poll book,” “pollbook.” were working with the “qualified voter voter file,” Sheriff’s department to ful­ “QVF,” “ballot,” or “fraud” fill the request. anywhere in the document, The abrupt lawsuit caught according to court records. Barry County Board of The scope of such a request Commissioners Chairman would yield thousands, if Dave Jackson by surprise, not tens of thousands, of saying that the county’s var­ emails that then must be ious departments have a sifted through. long track record ofworking “This is an active criminal collaboratively to iron out investigation, there shall be issues. According to no redaction of informa­ Jackson, this lawsuit came tion,” Noteboom wrote in “abruptly” and “without any the FOIA request. communication.” The FOIA law requires a “When I was learning governmental entity that about this, it was very disap­ receives a request for infor­ pointing and very frustrating mation for public records at the same time that we got must respond within five such a good record and there days. The suit claims the is always that spirit of coop­ county did not respond to eration here but yet this was the sheriff’s office request kind ofdone just abruptly or by Jan. 20, which was five quickly without allowing business days after the any conversation or any request was received. potential resolution for it,” In March, the county once Jackson said. “It kind of again submitted a bill for goes against the spirit of $3,019.76 for expenses con- what we try to do here.” nected with the FOIA Jackson added that he request and said the emails expects the county to work would not be released unless and keep this matter out of the bill was paid in full court. upfront. A statement from “We’re going to, of the county on its expense course, see ifthere is a solureport said “the number of tion to this that doesn’t hours required to review and involve legal — going to redact emails, due to the court over this,” he said. broad scope of the request, “That would be just ridicuis excessive and well beyond lous. We’ll work with legal the amount that should be counsel as needed.” absorbed by the county.” As for Lambert, who is On April 19, the sheriff’s representing the Sheriff’s office paid the FOIA bill in department, county adminisfull. However, the suit trator Brown said Leaf claims the county still has hasn’t indicated that he will not released any of the be billing the county for requested emails. In its whatever expenses he request for relief, the sher- incurs, if any. This falls in line with cir­ iff’s office called for the surrounding county to be ordered to cumstances release the emails, to reim­ other legal actions Leaf has burse the sheriff’s office the taken in the past, including full amount of fees that were last year when Leaf filed a lawsuit against various state paid, to pay attorney fees and costs related to the law- officials and members ofthe suit, as well as imposing of Michigan State Police for civil fines allowed under the allegedly harassing him and state Freedom of Information interfering with his voter Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf speaks in front of the county’s Board of Commissioners earlier in the summer. Leaf’s office recently filed a lawsuit against the Barry County government, alleging that it failed to fulfill a FOIA request he submitted in an effort to find and expose voter fraud. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) worked with Junttila, he never billed the county for any legal expenses. “Based on his past prac­ tice, I don’t anticipate see­ ing a bill for this,” Brown said of the lawsuit against the county. The lawsuit comes nearly a month after Leaf was cleared by a special prosecu­ tor of charges he took part in a conspiracy to obtain and test voting tabulators, seek­ ing to prove there was fraud in the 2020 election. One of the tabulators that was tested came from Irving township. Following the announce­ ment, Leaftold the Sun and News that his investigation would continue and he was confident that his investiga­ tors would conduct their work in accordance with the law. “We plan on pressing for­ ward and getting it done. We’re still waiting on reports from all around. I can’t elaborate on where,” Leaf told the Sun and News in early August. Leaf has long vowed to conclude his extensive investigation — the scope of which extends both state­ wide and nationwide — and present his findings to the Board of Commissioners. Former President Donald Trump received 65 percent ofthe votes in Barry County $3,019.76 as the costs ofpro- Act law. The law allows for fraud investigation. In that case, he was reprecessing the FOIA and asked fines to be issued of no less for full payment before the than $2,500 and no more sented by then-attorney Stefanie Lambert Junttila, emails would be released. No than $7,500 per occurrence. Kentwood lawyer Thomas who has since been charged payment was made at the time and the request was Lambert has been retained with alleged wrongdoing considered “abandoned,” to represent the sheriff’s associated with the acquisi­ office in the lawsuit. tion and testing of voting court records show. When Leaf The FOIA request was Lambert previously repre- equipment. resubmitted by Noteboom sented gun owners in a 2020 ▼wwvwwwwwwww ’rrwra ▼wwvwwwwwwww r on Jan. 10 of this year to lawsuit challenging a direc• Flannel for Everyone - Kids David Shinavier, the coun- tive from Secretary of State an dA dult ty’s information technology Jocelyn Benson making it Christmas Gifts - Quilts, and geographic information illegal for anyone to open Pillow Cases, Placemats, systems director. It asked to carry a firearm within 100 “inspect or receive copies of feet of a polling place Ornaments, Table Cloths, any and all e-mails, inbound entrance or exit, inside any Tree Skirts and outbound” from any polling place or any hallway Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station employee of the county used to access a polling clerk’s office, the Michigan place. Barry County Secretary of State, the Michael Michigan Attorney Administrator QUESTIONS: General’s office, the county Brown serves as FOIA coorASK US... prosecutor’s office, city of dinator — all FOIA requests 218 E. State St., Hastings * 945-9673 Hastings, and all townships go through his office before OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; in Barry County that include being diverted to the appliSaturday 9 am-3 pm To the words “investigation,” cable departments. “election, EPB, (for elec- Brown’s knowledge, the that were cast in the 2020 presidential election, a total of23,471 votes, compared to 33 percent for current President Joe Biden, who received 11,797 votes. Trump received a greater show of support from county voters in 2020 than when he won the presidency in 2016, when he received 63 percent of the vote compared to 30 percent for Hillary Clinton 19,202 votes to 9,114. “It’s frustrating that we continue to chase the ghost of 2020 without any tangible results or information or any expectation of an end game in sight especially since we know, I’m confi­ dent there was not election fraud in Barry County,” Jackson said. “Our clerks are well trained, they’re pro­ fessionals, we have a good canvassing board, there were no irregularities that would have made any sub­ stantial difference. But when we continue to waste admin­ istration and various county departments’ time in these things, it really is a point of frustration for all the people involved in this thing.” BEKINI3 WEE SERVICE STRESS LESS AT STS 616-799-2944 I 616-799-0534 • Tree Trimming & Removal • Standing Timber Buyers • Land & Lot Clearing • Skidsteer & Dirt Work - Fully Licensed & Insured - _ Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023 COVID hospitalizations surge in Michigan; Doctors remain cautiously optimistic Mike Wilkinson Bridge Michigan new wave ofCOVID-19 infections is sending an increasing number of Michigan residents to the doctor office — and the hos­ pital. COVID-19 hospitalizations jumped by more than a third Wednesday, with the state reporting 388 COVID19-positive patients state­ wide, up from 289 last Friday. The number in inten­ sive care units nearly dou­ bled, from 28 to 50. The last time there were this many was May 1 when there were 391 confirmed COVID-19 patients. The increase comes as hospitalizations are rising across much of the country, where they are up 15 percent nationally in the past week. Statewide, confirmed COVID-19 cases — which are a dramatic undercount because of home testing — have risen 81 percent to 2,528 this week from 1,395 on Aug. 15. “In the last week we’ve seen quite a bit (of an increase),” said Dr. Beena Nagappala, a Clinton Township family physician who is also president of the Michigan Association of Family Physicians. Unlike during the initial COVID-19 wave in March 2020 and the delta variant outbreak that fall, Nagappala said the current one is — at least for now — generating mild to moderate symptoms of upper respiratory illness and gastrointestinal prob­ lems. “I hope it’s not as bad as delta; let’s cross our fingers,” she said. Nagappala said she has not sent anyone to the hospi­ tal; she said those who are getting admitted are likely going straight to the emer­ gency department. The number of people going to the emergency department with COVID­ like symptoms also rose 34 percent from Friday to Wednesday, from 525 to 711, state records show. The increase is most pro­ found in the six counties of metro Detroit, though other increases have been noted in the Flint-Saginaw-Bay City region and in western Michigan. John Karasinski, a spokes­ person for the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, said no hospital has reported that the increase has affected its ability to pro­ vide care. Compared to previous waves, cases remain low. At the peak of the omicron-variant wave in January 2022, there were 5,000 COVID-19-positive patients in Michigan hospitals, many of which were struggling to keep their facilities fully staffed because of the high rate ofinfections. So far this year, COVID19 has waned dramatically, with hospitalizations falling to a low of 103 patients on July 7. But since then, that num­ ber has begun to climb, with the most recent report the biggest jump, spurred by new variants that have begun spreading in Michigan and the country as families return from vacations and students return to K-12 schools and college campuses. “The issue is that every new strain that gets a foot­ hold is better at infecting people than previous strains,” said Dr. Russell Faust, medi­ cal officer for the Oakland County Health Department. These new strains, includ­ ing EG.5, are able to evade Michigan COVID cases are increasing as are hos­ pitalizations, but treatment protocols have vastly improved, mitigating the risk of the illness. the immunity that some peo­ ple have built up from vacci­ nations and previous infec­ tions. Faust is cautiously opti­ mistic on two counts: the overall hospitalization num­ bers and low and COVID-19 deaths, now at an all-time low, have not been increas­ ing despite more people requiring hospital care. That’s a byproduct of hard-earned medical knowl­ edge on treating COVID-19 patients and the addition of new therapies, he said, including monoclonal anti­ bodies and antiviral treat­ ments. Faust and others recom­ mend that the most vulnera­ ble to COVID-19, the elderly and those with cardiovascu­ lar, pulmonary disease, con­ sider wearing a well-fitting mask if in public and avoid­ ing crowds. Chamber hosts Barry County Developers Day, showcases available properties Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Developers took a tour through Barry County to check out properties available for potential projects this week. Developers met in Hastings Thursday for the Barry County Developers Day, hosted by the Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance. Starting at the Barry Community Foundation in Hastings, developers took a walking tour through Hastings before heading to Middleville to check out more sites. Developers saw seven sites in downtown Hastings before traveling to see an additional three sites in Middleville. In their trip to Middleville, devel­ opers toured the former Baby 205606 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING please be advised the Village ofMiddleville Zoning Board ofAppeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible to consider an application for a dimensional variance on property located on parcel #08-41-005-006- 00 (also known as 124 Grand Rapids Street). The hearing will be held in the Council Chambers ofthe Village Hall, 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, Ml 49333 and via zoom. Members ofthe public wishing to participate in this meeting may do so electronically via the following website address https://us02web.zoom.us/jZ85366507406, Meeting ID 853 6650 7406. Passcode: Village. The application to be considered by the Zoning Board ofAppeals seeks the following variance from the terms of the Village Code: Sec. 78-21 (d), which allows for a detached accessory building to be located no closer than five feet from the rear lot line. The petitioner is requesting a one foot setback from the rear property line, requiring a. dimensional variance to allow for the proposed addition to an existing accessory structure four feet closer than what is allowed by right. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to offer comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alternatively, to participate in the meeting by providing written public comment, you may email your public comment to the following email address powersd@villageofmiddleville.org. Emails received prior to 4:00 pm on September 28, 2023, at the above-listed address, will be distributed to Zoning Board ofAppeals members and it will be noted that such written comments were received prior to the meeting. A copy of the variance application is available for inspection at the Village office, 100 E. Main St., during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearing. Respectfully submitted, Kim Dannenberg Deputy Clerk Bliss site, the former Middle Villa Inn site and an available site at 36 State Street. City, village and chamber employees were present to provide more information about each site and the tools and incentives available to developers. Developers were informed ofa mixed-use hous­ ing development proposal for the former Middle Villa Inn site that would come before village council soon, with room for several commercial spaces in that development Developers toured several sites in Hastings and Middleville Thursday, including the former Baby Bliss site pictured here. Village officials have pre­ sented renderings of potential The Barry County Chamber hosted Developers Day last week, showcasing available sites to potential developers. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) Caledonia Community Schools The Caledonia Community Schools is seeking bids for the provision and installation of Secure Transaction Windows at six locations. Please see information regarding this RFB on the school district website: https://www.calschools.org/ departments/business-services/ developments that could go on the 36 State Street site, which currently holds only a parking lot alongside the Thomapple River. The property is zoned as a transitional industrial property, which means it could hold residential, commercial or mixed-use developments on the site. Village renderings showcased townhouses with a marina-like structure provid­ ing water access as a potential use for the site. Nichole Lyke, economic development director for the chamber, said the event served as a good way to showcase potential opportunities in Barry County. Having city and village officials available to answer questions and provide information generated lots of discussions with developers, Lyke said. “There was a lot ofconver­ sation and follow-up after­ ward from potential develop­ ers asking about the types of tools and incentives and where to start if they wanted to pursue a project like this,” she said. “I do think it was helpful in raising awareness that those properties are avail­ able and ready to be devel­ oped right now.” �The Sweep of Wayland gets TK above .500 in Gold Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team pushed its OK Gold Conference record to 2-1 this season with an 8-0 sweep of Wayland on the road Wednesday. Kameron Nichols recap­ tured the top singles spot for the Trojans this week and scored a 6-0, 6-1 win over the Wildcats’ top player Austin Graham. Raphael DeMonval took a 6-3, 6-0 win for the Trojans at the second single spot over Theo Oddy from Wayland. The Trojans won all eight flights in straight sets. Jacob Draaisma notched the third singles win by outscoring Cam Sieffert 6-1,6-1. Franklin Wilkinson took a 6-0, 4-2 win at fourth singles. TK’s top doubles team of Aidan Dudik and Anson Verlinde beat out the Wayland duo of Aiden Ketchapaw and Jacob VanDuine 6-3, 6-3. At sec­ ond doubles, TK’s Dylan Bailey and Andrew Beckering scored a 6-0, 6-0 win over Asher Hendricks and Malcolm Sheffer. Daniel Beckering and Landon Conroy at third dou­ bles scored a 7-5,4-1 win over the Wayland duo of Grant Dunkle and Brayden Tomson at third doubles and at number four Kyan Haywood and Tom Lorach outscored Grady Lettinga and Bradley De Weerd 6-1,6-2. The Trojans came right back Thursday to score a 7-1 win at Otsego in a non-conference dual. The Trojan singles swept their matches. Nichols beat out Spencer Shearer 6-4, 6-1 at number one and DeMonval scored a 6-0, 6-0 win over Phoenix Orona at number two singles. Draaisma won 6-0, 6-1 at number three. In the toughest singles match of the afternoon Wilkinson outlasted Ryan Fielbrandt 7-5,7-5 for the win at number four. The first doubles match was a marathon as well with the Otsego team of Ricky Amos and Isaac Madalinski scoring a three-set win after the TK team of Dudik and Verlinde won the opening set 6-1. Bailey and Andrew Beckering took a 6-2, 6-0 win at second doubles for TK. Daniel Beckering and Conroy won 6-4, 6-2 at third doubles. The TK team of Haywood and Lorach won 6-2, 6-1 at number four. The TK boys have an OK Gold Conference dual at home on the schedule for Monday. They will host the Ottawa Hills Bengals. TK heads to South Christian for a key conference match-up Wednesday, Sept. 13. TK hits the road to face Plainwell in another non-conference dual Thursday, Sept 14. Former Grand Rapids city commissioner named new director of Michigan’s DNR 5stst,iW l^iplK irW This week, week, Governor February 2017 making him Gretchen Whitmer appointed the longest serving lottery M. Scott Bowen as Director of director in state history. Prior the Michigan Department of to his appointment as lottery Natural Resources (DNR). commissioner, he served as “We are blessed to have the Director of Office of the some of the most beautiful State Employer. Bowen’s hisbeaches, forests and lakes in tory of government service the country right in our back­ also includes two terms on the yard,” Whitmer said in a state­ Grand Rapids City ment. “But that also means we Commission. have a tremendous responsibil­ Before his governmental ity to take care ofthese natural service, Bowen served as wonders. Scott is the right per- judge of the 62-A District son to lead the Department of Court in Wyoming, Michigan Natural Resources as they after being appointed by undertake historic renovations Governor Jennifer Granholm and upgrades at state parks in 2003. His appointment across Michigan. Together, we came while he was a partner at will leave our public lands in McInerney & Bowen, having better shape.” previously founded the firm of Bowen has a long history Bowen, Distel & Haynes ofpublic service to Michigan. P.L.C. Bowen has also served He served as the as city attorney for multiple Commissioner ofthe Michigan West Michigan cities and Lottery from January 2008 to worked as special assistant attorney general for the Michigan Department of Transportation, where he spe­ cialized in condemnation work. Most recently, Bowen served as Senior Vice President of Business Development for NeoPollard Interactive, LLC, a Michigan-based technology company. He holds a Bachelor ofArt in history from Michigan State University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit. Bowen has also been an active mem­ ber of the State Bar of Michigan for more than 30 years. “I’m excited to join the DNR team. It will be an honor to contribute a chapter to the agency’s long history ofman­ aging and protecting the natu­ ral and cultural resources that help define what it means to M. Scott Bowen be from Michigan,” Bowen said. “I know how essential this work is to maintaining the state’s quality of life and eco­ nomic vitality. My background in overseeing other state agen­ cies and building relationships has provided valuable experi­ ence that I can draw on, and I’m eager to get to work.” Shannon Lott has been serving as the acting director ofDNR following the resigna­ tion of Dan Eichinger earlier this year. She will continue to serve in a leadership role at DNR. Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023/ Page 11 Grand Haven bests Scots in OK Red match Grand Haven scored its first OK Red Conference win of the 2023 varsity boys’ soccer season by outscoring the Caledonia boys 3-1 in Grand Haven Thursday. The Buccaneers are now 1-1 in the confer­ ence while the Fighting Scots fall to 1-2 in the conference and 3-4-1 overall. The Scots look to bounce back today, Sept. 9, as they play host to Portage Central. The Scots return to OK Red Conference action Tuesday at Jenison and then will be home to face West Ottawa Thursday. Trojans getting GRCC soccer off to good start Brett Bremer Sports Editor Grand Rapids Community College is playing its inaugu­ ral season of collegiate soccer and a pair of Thomapple Kellogg alumni are a part of the nationally ranked Raider men’s program. The Raider roster includes freshman defender Alex Harrington and freshman goalkeeper Daniel Beyer, both members ofthe TKHS class of 2022. Beyer has seen time in net in a pair ofRaider matches so far. Harrington has made six starts for the Raiders and and tallied an assist in a season opening 6-0 win over Jackson College Aug. 19. The Raiders are currently 5-1 overall this season with a 4-0 mark in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association so far. Grand Rapids Community College upset ninth ranked Schoolcraft College 4-0 Sept. 1 and took another conference win Wednesday by a score of 9-0 over Lake Michigan College at MacKay-Jaycees Park in Grand Rapids. Harrington got a shot off while playing 44 minutes in the upset of Schoolcraft. Wyoming alumnus Mohamed Tamour scored two goals in that victory, and currently has a team-high 11 goals to go with four assists. Wayland freshman Elijah Maas had four goals and six assists so far this season for the Raiders. The Raiders are currently ranked 13® in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II rank­ ings. The only loss of the sea­ son so far for the Raiders was by a 4-0 tally at Aquinas Monday. s CHS hosts tourney today, opens OK Red Thursday skp®1 eiafcif Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity vol­ leyball team will host its annual Macayla Kohn Memorial Invitational today, Sept. 9. The Fighting Scots have had some time to prep for the annual celebration/remembrance having not faced competition since a trip to the Zeeland West Aug. 28. In Zeeland, the Fighting Scots took a 25-20, 25-16 win over the host Dux and a 25-23, 25-20 win over the Otsego Bulldogs. Junior Cambria Gaier had a team-high six kills in the Fighting Scots two-set sweep of Zeeland West. The Scots spread the attack around with seven different girls getting at least one kill. Senior Reagan Hurst and junior Josie Noble had four kills apiece and freshman Aubrey Reynolds and junior Georgia Pennington had three each. Gaier added a team-high three aces too. Pennington chipped in two blocks defen- sively. In the back, the Scots got eight digs each from fresh­ man Avery Seifandjunior Jess Maier, and six each from Gaier and Reynolds. Maier put up 21 assists in the match. Gaier had nine kills in the Scots’ victory over Otsego, while Reynolds smacked six , Noble five and junior Eliza Pehrson four. Pennington and Gaier both had three blocks. Noble and Reynolds hit two aces each. Seif had a team-high 14 digs and Pehrson and Gaier added 11 apiece. LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS • PICK UPS • ONE TONS • VANS • SOWS • JEEPS • 4X48 269-381-2300 4* 0^ 9 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellrignalpros.com Hrimeej F4ffM BUREAU INSURANCE9 9 Mic&gatug J USED PARTS y USED TIRES Give us a call! 269-967-8241 Red teams ranked among the top ten in the state in Division 1 by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association. The Rams sit at number six in the DI poll with Hudsonville at number three and Grand Haven among the honorable mention teams. Your local agent insures your FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Maier finished the win over the Bulldogs with 26 assists. Caledonia will follow up its weekend tournament by prep­ ping for a Thursday showdown with the Rams in Rockford to open the OK Red Conference season. The Rams enter confer­ ence play as one of two OK 1811 LAKESKOLAMAZOb Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �Page age 12/The e Sun un an and News, ews, Saturday, a ur ay, September ep emer 9,2023 , Scots cruise to first victory on new turf of many for the Fighting Brett Bremer Scots as they improved to Sports Editor Senior linemen Ali Salih 2-0 on the season with a 42-7 and Ian Fedewa led the way win over North Farmington. “All the kids are like, with senior H-back Derek ‘who is going to get the first Pennington Jr. coming around the end to help out, touchdown on the turf,” and all senior running back Caledonia head coach Derek Brock Townsend need to do Pennington said. “I thought was follow the green turf it was kind of fitting that Brock got it. It was nice to road into the end zone. a Central see Derek [Pennington Jr.] Townsend, Michigan University com­ get one too.” Pennington, a Western mit, scored the first touch­ down on the new artificial Michigan University com­ turf in the updated Ralph E. mit, scored the second TD on Myers Stadium in Caledonia the new turfsnagging a short Friday night. It was the first pass from junior quarterback Caledonia senior running back Brock Townsend hurdles North Farmington’s Justin Cross on his way to the end zone to score his second TD of the night Friday, Sept. 1, inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Fighting Scot junior quarterback Brody Betser fires a pass during the second half of his team’s win over North Farmington in Caledonia Sept. 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brody Betser and lunging to the goal-line through a cou­ ple Raiders. Coach Pennington was more impressed with Derek’s blocking Friday than any­ thing he did with the ball in CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold three (3) public hearings to consider the following items at the September 28,2023,7:00 PM meeting: 1. Special Land Use request to allow for a 792 square-foot addition to an existing acces­ sory building, for a total of 1,752 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property, located in the Residential (RL-10) zoning district. a. 2. b. Parcel Number: 41-22-08-151-032 c. Applicant: Renae & Christopher Port Caledonia scored the first touchdowns of the night for the Fighting Scots, a couple freshmen just starting their varsity time in purple and gold put the finishing touches on the evening. Freshman receiver Lincoln Senti went high in the air to snag a pass from Betser mid­ way through the third quarter and then spun and trotted into the end zone for a 31-yard score that helped put the Scots up 35-0 at that point. Dallas Moody, fresh off of Thursday’s ninth grade action, got his first runs with the varsity as a freshman three runs in fact. The only reason he didn’t get more was that he ran out of artifi­ cial turf to cover. The Scots took over possession of the football at the Raiders’ 39-yard-line with ten minutes to go in the bailgame. Moody busted through tackles for a 28-yard gain on the first play ofthe drive; plowed 24 yards to the nine on the next play; and he ended the drive with a third rush from the nine into the end zone. Townsend rushed for a pair of touchdowns. He scored on a 13-yard run with 2:22 to go in the first half that nudged the Scots’ lead to 21-0 at the time. Senior running back Blake Herron capped offthe Scots’ opening drive of the second half with a nine-yard touch­ down run. See SCOTS, next page Special Land Use request to allow for a 1,200-square-foot addition to an existing ac­ cessory building, for a total of 2,800 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property, located in the Agricultural/Agri-Business (A-B) zoning district. a. 3. Property Address: 990 Windrow Street SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 his hands. “I thought he was very physical and played a lot tougher on offense for us this game. All that stretch stuff we’re running right behind him. He was doing a good job handling their outside linebacker,” coach Pennington said. “We just felt like ifwe could put a hat on their outside linebacker they were going to struggle with that play because we were getting ricochet blocks up to their linebackers. And Brock does such a good job making one jump cut and going. “I was pleased.” While a pair of future NCAA Division 1 football players with one more fall of work to do on the gridiron in Property Address: 2688 100th Street SE, Caledonia Ml 49316 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-34-100-010 c. Applicant: Todd Rorie, Set Apart Building &. Construction LLC, on Behalf of Greg Kaiser Special Land Use request to allow for a 3,120-square-foot accessory building, for a total of 5,616 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property, located in the Agricultural/Rural-Residential (A-R) zoning district. a. Property Address: 8735 East Paris Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 b. Parcel Number: 41-22-23-200-036 c. Applicant: Brian Koster Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on September 28th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. LOCATION OF HEARINGS: GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP OFFICES, BOARD ROOM, 8555 KALAMAZOO AVE., SE, CALEDONIA, Ml 49316 The Caledonia student section sings along with “Party in the U.S.A.” as the Fighting Scot varsity football team works its way to a 42-7 win over North Farmington inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium Friday, Sept. 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9,2023/ Page 13 SCOTS, continued from previous page That first scoring drive of the second half was a drive in which the Scots’ mixed things up a bit getting Betser outside the pocket a few times. Betser was 5-for-5 passing for 44 yards on the drive. Coach Derek Pennington was happy to see his young quarterback make a few big plays with his legs throughout the night too. “We just felt like they were blitzing us so much in the middle, we wanted to throw some fast perimeter passes to kind ofspread them out and tire them out a little bit. At halftime, we had to make some adjustments with [DJ] Walker getting an ankle injury. What can we do? We can throw a sprint out pass and run the ball, but because they were blitzing so much in tiie A gap it was hard. We were leaving too few guys to protect when they were bringing seven.” Spreading things out in the passing game early in the second halfalso opened up a few more running lanes. Townsend finished the evening with 13 rushes for 145 yards. Betser rushed himself eight times for 77 yards. Moody, Evan DeYoung and Herron all had more than 30 yards on the ground. Betser completed 13 passes for 101 yards and the two scores. “I am really pleased with how all our running backs ran. You saw Brock Townsend obviously, then Blake Herron, then Dallas Moody the freshman and then DeYoung. All four of those dudes really ran well, ran hard and were physical Caledonia senior defensive back Kamrin Van’t Hof drives North Farmington receiver Trey Brown to the turf during the second quarter of the Scots’ win over the visiting Raiders Sept. 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia freshman running back Dallas Moody finds room to run around the left side during the fourth quarter of the Fighting Scots’ win over visiting North Farmington Friday, Sept. 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 205557 and obviously they have a lot of speed. Dallas looked pret­ ty dang good out there for a ninth grader for three carries. I liked how physical he was running the ball. It is notjust speed. He runs hard. It was fun to get him out there and run a little bit.” North Farmington spoiled the shut out with an 18-yard touchdown pass from quar­ terback Ryan Shelby to Robert Bridges with 1:55 to go against the Caledonia reserves. Senior safety Kamrin Van’t Hofwas a key part of a stellar defensive effort for the Scots. He had an inter­ ception and a few big hits and four total tackles. Reed Vogeler had a team-high six tackles for the Scots. Caledonia kicker Nathan Maas was a perfect 6-of-6 on extra-point kicks. Shelby threw for 108 yards and rushed 12 times for 26 yards. He was able to do a fine job of avoiding the Caledonia pass rush, but never broke any of those scrambles for big gainers against the next level of the Caledonia defense. KENT COUNTY DRAIN COMMISSIONER RIVERLAND RANCH DRAIN - NOTICE DAY OF REVIEW OF APPORTIONMENTS AND REVIEW OF DRAINAGE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES DATE: TIME: LOCATION: QUESTIONS: Wednesday, September 20, 2023 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Kent County Drain Commissioner’s Office 775 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503 (616) 632-7910 The Kent County Drain Corpmissioner will hold a Day of Review of Apportionments and Review of Drainage District Boundaries on the above date, time, and location. The Day of Review is an opportunity to review the tentative apportionments of ben­ efit for each parcel and municipality within the drainage districts. Maps of the pro­ posed drainage district boundary revisions can be found on the Drain Commissioner’s website at: https://www.accesskent.com/Departments/DrainCommissioner/meeting notices.htm A general description of the lands by section number proposed to be added or delet­ ed from the drainage districts, as recommended by a licensed professional engineer or surveyor for the drains, is as follows: Drain Municipalities Portions of Sections Added RIVERLAND RANCH CALEDONIA CHARTER TOWNSHIP 22,23 Portions of Sections Removed The Drain Commissioner, engineers and/or other staff members will be available to assist individuals throughout the day and make revisions to the boundaries or appor­ tionments where necessary. There is no need to schedule an appointment for a specific time on the Day of Review. The computation of costs for the drains will also be available at the Day of Review. Drain assessments are collected in the same manner as property taxes and will appear on your winter tax bill. If drain assess­ ments are being collected for more than one (1) year, you may pay the assessment in full with any interest to date at any time and avoid further interest charges. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the Day of Review should contact the Drain Commissioner’s Office at the number noted above (voice) or through the Michigan Relay Center at 7-1 -1 (TDD) at least 24 hours in advance of the Day of Review to request mobility, visual, hearing, or other assis­ tance. Comments on the apportionment of benefits and drainage district boundaries may be submitted to the Drain Commissioner in writing before the date of the Day of Review to 775 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49503, or electronically to drinfo@ kentcountymi.gov . Comments may also be submitted in writing or verbally at the Day of Review. Comments submitted in advance must be received by the Drain Commissioner prior to the Day of Review to ensure consideration. You may appeal the Drain Commissioner’s decision to revise the district boundaries to the Kent County Circuit Court within ten (10) days, and you may also appeal the determination of apportionments to the Kent County Probate Court within ten (10) days. The following is a list of any county, township, city, and village to be assessed at large in Kent County in each of the drainage districts: Caledonia Charter Township, Kent County and Kent County Road Commission The following is a description of the lands constituting the drainage districts: Caledonia senior running back Blake Herron fights for yardage along the Caledonia sideline during the Fighting Scots’ 42-7 win over North Farmington Friday, Sept. 1, inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium. (Photo by Brett Bremer) RIVERLAND RANCH DRAIN; Sections 22 & 23, Caledonia Charter Township, Kent County, Michigan �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9,2023 TKHS girls and CHS boys win early duals Brett Bremer Sports Editor The dew was still an hour or two from burning offthe grass as the last of 101 runners crossed the finish line during the annual Friday morning dual between neighborhood rivals Caledonia and Thomapple Kellogg behind Caledonia High School Sept 1. The Thomapple Kellogg girls and Caledonia boys took victories, with Trojan runners Thornapple Kellogg senior Kaden Hamming makes his way down hill with the crowd at the start of the Trojans’ dual with the Fighting Scots at Caledonia High School Sept. 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) SEASONAL LABOR WANTED POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN QUALITY CONTROL, FORKLIFT OPERATORS, INSPECTION TABLE, SANITATION, AND MACHINE OPERATOR DAYS AND NIGHTS AVAILABLE WAGES STARTING AT $16.00 POSITIONS STARTING NOW AND WILL RUN THROUGH SEPTEMBER FULL-TIME HIRING AT THE END OF SEASON CALL 616-374-8837 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR E-MAIL: kristyz@tcfi.com APPLY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8 AM TO 4 PM TWIN CITY FOODS 801 LINCOLN STREET LAKE ODESSA, MI 48849 OR ONLINE AT TCFI.COM Twin City Foods, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, igin, gender, age, disability, ity, veteran status, or any other status stat jTrotectecH^aw. hitting the finish line first in both races. The TK ladies were led to their rare victory over the Caledonia girls by junior Ava Crews who had her best time ofthe young season at 19 minutes 24.0 seconds. The TK boys were paced by senior Lucas Van Meter who finished in 16:58.2. The Caledonia boys out­ scored TK 20-43 as the next 11 guys across the finish line behind Van Meter were clad in purple and white. Junior Kort Thompson led the Caledonia boys with a time of 17:05.0. Junior Joshua Maier fin­ ished a varsity race in less than 18 minutes for the first time for the Scots. He placed third overall in 17:43.5. The top five for Caledonia also included junior Ethan Buer in 17:48.7, senior Micah Nagel in 17:54.2 and sophomore Eli Velting sixth in 18:00.6. The scoring seven for the Scots also included senior Ayden Duffin who moved his PR to 18:04.7 and junior Mason Morrell who came in at 18:20.5. The second Trojan in was freshman Elijah Frazer who cut 24.5 seconds from his first varsity race and placed 13th overall in 19:02.3. Trojan senior Kaden Hamming was 17th overall in 19: 21.9, freshman Grady Galaviz 19th in 19:28.5 and junior Hunter Tietz 26th in 20: 18.8. Sophomores Benjamin Postma and Luke Archer rounded out the top seven for the TK team. Caledonia freshman Olivia Hawkins overtakes senior teammate Kloe Kimbrell as they work to the finish line during their dual with the Thornapple Kellogg girls Friday, Sept. 1, in Caledonia. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Thomapple Kellogg girls took a 21 -34 win over the Caledonia girls. “Our team is pretty young, so many of our girls may not fully appreciate the magnitude of today’s 21-34 win over Caledonia, but in all of my seven years of coaching, we have never accomplished this 205639 / W* NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, September 25, 2023, at 7:00 RM. feat,” TK girls’ coach Sam Wilkinson said. “I’m really excited about what we did today and I am really proud of the effort our girls put in. “However, I also have per­ spective enough to under­ stand that this was a close meet and could have gone either way. I have a great deal of respect for Caledonia’s team and coaches, and I know that today’s win was just that - today’s win. When we see them again at the Coach B Invitational, they are not to be taken for granted. Having said this, we will enjoy the moment, for the moment.” Caledonia head coach Ben Howell was happy to get many great performances from his girls too. The Fighting Scots were led by senior Alyssa DeFields who finished a varsity race in under 21 minutes for the sec­ ond time. She set her PR at 20:29.5 to place third overall. Trojan freshman Ellie See CROSS COUNTRY, next page Please be advised the Thornapple Township Planning Commission will hold public hearings on September 25, at 7pm or as soon thereafter as possible. The public hearings will take place in the Township Hall, 200 E. Main St., Middleville. The public hearing will address the following: get your tickets FOR THE HOTTEST ENTERTAINMENT ACTS 1. Amending the Solar Energy Systems ordinance to allow for administrative approval for solar systems up to 720 square feet, up from the current 600 square feet limit. Any interested person may attend the public hearings to learn about the extent and location of Special Use requests to offer comments to the Planning Commission. A copy of the applications noted above may be examined in the Township offices at the address noted above during regular business hours. Monday - Thursday 9am- 4pm Visit our website at FireKeepersCasino.com or purchase at the Box Office inside the Hotel. Written comments regarding these applications may be addressed to: Secretary, Thomapple Township Planning Commission, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. Sandy Rairigh, Commission Secretary or submitted via email to: zoning-administrator@thomapple-twp.org Register your email with your Red Hot Rewards account to get access to exclusive presale opportunities. GET YOUR VKtfFoN- J'J™, JS Americans with Disabilities Notice Persons with special access needs should contact the Township Clerk at 269-795-7202 no less than 72 hours before the hearings. 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Cindy Ordway, Thomapple Township Clerk Caledonia’s Joshua Maier works his way along the final mile of course a bit ahead of teammate Ethan Buer during their dual with Thornapple Kellogg at Caledonia High School Friday, Sept. 1-. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9, 2023/ Page 15 Runner-up finish for TK ladies at Riverside Brett Bremer Sports Editor Only the Ottawa Hills girls were faster than the Trojans at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Wednesday evening, in a race pushed back a couple hours to avoid the hottest part ofthe day. The Bengals finished the first OK Gold Conference jamboree of the season with 50 points. The Thomapple Kellogg girls were second with 61 points. Forest Hills Eastern (74 points) and South Christian (82) weren’t too far behind the TK ladies. “With the separation of points between die top four teams being 50, 61, 74, and 82 respectively, I believe each of our conference meets will be an ‘Any given Sunday’ sit­ uation,” TK girls’ coach Sam Wilkinson said. “Today Ottawa Hills cer­ tainly looked to really be in control, but we were very much in the mix.” Junior Ava Crews placed fourth individually to lead the TK team with a time of 19 minutes 37.40 seconds, and she was followed across the finish line by a pair offreshmen. TK’s Ellie Hannon was ninth in 21:05.40 and Meghan-Jane Skidmore ran her fastest race yet to place 11th in 21:15.10. Ottawa Hills had three girls in the top ten led by individual champ Selma Anderson. The Bengal senior hit the finish line in 18:17.60. The Bengal team also had sophomore Enna Wainer sixth in 20:36.00 and senior Campbell Hansen tenth in 21:07.90. Rounding out the top five for the Trojans were sopho­ more Madison Kietzman and freshman Peyton Hardy. Kietzman placed 18th in 21: 58.20. Hardy was 19th in 22: 12.90. Ottawa Hills also hadjunior Reese Hansen 13th in 21: 41.20. The Bengals’ num­ ber five was sophomore Jana Kalumbula who was 20th in 22: 19.80 just behind the Trojans’ four and five. Grand Rapids Catholic Senior Kaden Hamming Central senior Emily Tomes was TK’s number three. He was the runner-up in 18:42.90 placed 43rd in 19:30.80. The and Forest Hills Eastern senior TK team also had freshman Addison Washier was third in Elijah Frazer 50th in 20:00.50 19:27.90. and junior Hunter Tietz 63rd Cedar Springs was fifth in in 20:30.90. the team standings with 110 Ottawa Hills senior Liam points ahead of Grand Rapids Walters won the boys’ race in Catholic Central 136, Kenowa 16:17.10 beating out Forest Hills 214 and Wayland 221. Hills Eastern junior Henry Forest Hills Eastern domi­ Dixon by two tenths of a sec­ nated the boys’ meet finishing ond at the finish line as Dixon with 25 points. Cedar Springs put on a late hard charge to try won the battle for second and pass the front-runner. place with 91 points ahead of The next three guys across Catholic Central 96 and the finish line were Dixon’s Ottawa Hills 97. South senior teammates. Cooper Christian was fifth with 116 Jacobsen was third in 16:45.20, points ahead of Wayland 128, Brendan Hoving fourth in Thomapple Kellogg 162 and 16:45.90 and Liam Hinman Kenowa Hills 231. fifth in 16:46.10. Senior Lucas Van Meter led The Hawks’ number five the TK boys with a time of was senior Tate Miller who 16:54.90 and the Trojans’ placed 11th in 17:13.70. number two was freshman TK will host its annual Grady Galaviz who was 40th Coach B Invitational at Yankee in 19:05.50. Galaviz has got­ Springs State Park Monday, ten a little faster in each ofthe Sept. 11, and the Trojans will Trojans’ three races this fall also play host the foe next OK and cut an impressive 23 sec­ Gold Conference jamboree onds offhis PR Wednesday. Sept. 26. CROSS COUNTRY, continued from previous page----------------------------Harmon was foe runner-up with a PR of 20:28.1. She put on a late charge to finish ahead of foe Fighting Scot senior DeFields. “Ellie kept pace throughout, but Alyssa began pulling away with about 400 meters to go,” Wilkinson said. “At this point Ellie had to make a decision. She had to either accept defeat or mentally regroup and get after it. She chose foe latter and gave another push. As she began to close foe gap, Alyssa did not back down. It wasn’t until after foe final downhill and with about 50 meters to go that Ellie dug deep and out sprinted DeFields at foe end. It was an exciting and inspiring finish.” The TK team’s top five scorers finished among foe top eight. Freshman Meghan-Jane Skidmore placed fourth in 21:29.5, sophomore Madison Kietzman sixth in 21:43.2 and freshman Peyton Hardy dropped her Pr to 21:53.1 to place eighth. Breaking up that pack for foe Fighting Scots were junior Hannah Dupuis who was fifth in a PR of 21:38.2 and fresh­ man Akaela Daman who was seventh in 21:45.7. Rounding out foe top five for Caledonia were freshman Olivia Hawkins ninth in 22:03.3 and senior Kloe Kimbrell tenth in 22:09.9. Junior Leah Williams was not too far behind Kimbrell for foe Scots in llfo place and freshman teammate Madison Trompen placed 13 th. Closing out foe TK top seven were sophomore Avery Hagemann in 12th place and freshman Carmen Reynolds in 14th. Both of those Trojans improved their time from foe opening meet of foe season. TK Boosters hosting Clay Shoot Sept. 17 The Thomapple Kellogg Athletic boosters are hosting their annual Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser Sunday, Sept. 17 at foe Caledonia Sportsman’s Club. Proceeds from foe event ben­ efit the TK Athletic Boosters and support Thomapple Kellogg student athletes. Check in for foe event runs from 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m. and snacks and drinks will be provided during that time. Shooting begins at 1 p.m,. The cost to particpate is $85. Sponsorship opportuni­ ties are also available. A link to register online can be found on foe tktrojanathlet- ics.org homepage. Each entrant recives 50 sporting clays, a door prize ticket, lunch and refreshments. Shoots may also bring cash to participate in additional games and raffles. Due to an ammu­ nition shortage, each partici­ pant is responsible for their own ammunition. Contact Luke Fleischmann with any questions at hike. fleischmann@michiganpipe. com. Every participant is required to have safety glasses and hear­ ing progrection. For more infor­ mation about foe Caledonia Sportsman’s Club visit their website at www.calsc.org. Scots add two runner-up Red finishes Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia earned a pair of runner-up finishes in OK Red Conference varsity girls’ golf jamborees this week. The Fighting Scots were behind both Rockford and Hudsonville at each offoe first two conference jamborees this season and nudged ahead of each team once in week two of the conference slate. Rockford won foe confer­ ence jamboree it hosted Thursday at Blythefield Country Club with a score of 171. The Fighting Scots were just a stroke back at 172 ahead of Hudsonville 177, East Kentwood 186, Grand Haven 209, Jenison 217, West Ottawa 225 and Grandville 243. Junior Copelin O’Krangley and sophomore Codie O’Krangley finished third and fourth overall. Copelin shot an event-par-36 and Codie scored a 40 for foe Caledonia team. Copelin fired birdies on foe two par-5’s on foe front nine. Senior Elizabeth Honhart closed foe day in a tie for eighth individually with a score of 45 and junior team­ mate Mya Burgess contributed a 51. East Kentwood’s Elise Fennell as foe day’s individual champ with a two-under-34 and Rockford senior Jessica Jolly shot a one-under-35. Copelin, Fennell and Jolly were all one under through three holes. Fennell eventually pulled away thanks to birdies on six and number nine. Her lone bogie came on seventh, foe toughest hole by handicap at Blythefield; Rockford took foe win with a 43 from senior Aubrey Wilson, a 45 from senior Megan Calkins and a 48 from senior Morgan Vanos. Hudsonville had two girls among foe top six individuals with sophomore Ashlyn VanderBaan scoring a 41 and junior Ava Gardner a 43. Hudsonville was foe team on top as Grandville hosted foe conference at LE Kaufman Golf Club Tuesday. The Eagles shot a 179, Caledonia a 180 and Rockford a 191 to fill foe top three spots. East Kentwood was fourth with a 192 ahead of Jenison 207, Grand Haven 211, West Ottawa 222 and Grandville 231. Fennell was foe individual champ again with a one-un­ der-35. Rockford’s Calkins was second with an even-par-36 and Copelin O’Krangley was third with a one-over-37. Copelin opened her round with a double bogie on five, but then was even through eight holes with birdies on number nine and number two. Codie O’Krangley finished in a tie for fifth with a 43. Burgess shot a 48 for foe Scots and Ellie Hudson added a 52. Burgess closed strong with pars on her final three holes. Hudsonville had three girls in foe top eight for foe day, led by VanderVaan who shot a 42. The Eagles also got a 44 from freshman Raylee Loughin and a 45 from Gardner. Rounding out foe top four for foe Eagles was junior Sophia Howard with a 48. The Caledonia girls were CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the August 2, 2023 Township Board ofTrustees Meeting which were approved on September 6, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. set to head to Kenowa Hills for a tournament Friday morn­ ing, Sept. 8. They will head to The Meadows Tuesday morn­ ing for foe OK Red Conference Midseason Tournament. Grand Haven hosts foe confer­ ence at Pigeon Creek Golf Course Thursday, Sept. 14. TKHS freshman Ellie Harmon turns towards the finish line during her team’s dual meet victory over the Caledonia girls at Caledonia High School Friday, Sept. 1. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 205638 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 QledoniA < TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinance which would repeal Ordinance No. 93-1, as amended by Township Ordinance No. 94-18, has been posted in the office ofthe Township Clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and have also been posted on the Township’s website, the address of which is www.caledoniatownship.org. The amending ordinance would repeal Ordinance No. 93-1 as amended by Ordinance No. 94-18 which established animal control requirements. The above stated ordinance was considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on first reading at a public meeting of the Township Board held on September 6, 2023 and is expected to be considered on second reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on September 20,2023. This notice is given in accordance with foe Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 9,2023 Brett Bremer Sports Editor It wasn’t the start to the OK Gold Conference season that the Trojans were hoping for in Middleville Thursday evening, but senior setter Charlotte Nelson had a smile on her face. Junior middle Brooklyn Harmon celebrated all the small victories. The big victory went to the Cedar Springs girls who out­ scored the Thomapple Kellogg Thomapple Kellogg senior Bailey Eden puts a set up as freshman teammate Reece Ritsema steps up on the attack during their OK Gold Conference match with vis­ iting Cedar Springs Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) varsity volleyball team 25-7, 25-15,25-16 in the conference opener. “Honestly, what we’re really trying for is to just strive to have some fun playing volley­ ball, keep growing, keep learn­ ing and keep teaching,” TK head coach Tia Cross said after the three-set loss. “We have good things happening when we have a freshman and three sophomores, and we’rejust try­ ing to build. We have the cou­ ple of new additions this year, and that has been good too.” Nelson and new senior set­ ter Bailey Eden did a solidjob of running the offense for the Trojans, but balls weren’t easy to put away against the Red Hawks. Cedar Springs won 13 ofthe final 15 points played in the opening set to take control of the match, with senior Briley Andres combining a couple of aces with a couple ofkills from junior Kaitlyn Reybum late to finish offthe set. The Red Hawks had a similar early lead in the second set to the one they built in the first, but the Trojans battled better. Freshman Reece Ritsema had a couple nice swings at the net for the Trojans late in the set which coach Cross was excited to see. The third set the Trojans’ kept things tight for the first half ofthe set. TK had a 10-9 PREMIER FAMILY Thornapple Kellogg senior Brittany Roodvoets hits an attack during the Trojans’ OK Gold Conference match against Cedar Springs in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) lead before the Red Hawks surged, pushing their lead to 21-11 and then finishing off the victory. Junior Kylee Rypma led the Red Hawks with eight kills. Elizabeth Pinkelman had five kills and Kaitlyn Reybum and Madison Reybum had four kills each as setters Olivia Williams and Briley Andres spread the ball around. Williams had 13 assists and Andres finished with eight Junior Alyssa Krol head a team-high 14 digs for the Red Hawks. At the net, Rypema, Pinkelman and Addison Amell had two blocks each. The Trojans have faced some tough front lines recent­ ly. They were 0-3 in their last action, Aug. 30 at the Zeeland East Quad. The TK ladies fell in matches with Zeeland East, West Ottawa and Holland Christian in Zeeland. Coach Cross was pleased with her girls’ play in Zeeland, but thought her girls could have been more positive about their performance - which was why that was a focus Thursday. The Trojan coach was happy to see Harmon play well in the middle, after a move from an outside hitter position. Cross has also liked the improvements she has seen in her girls playing together and moving together better on the court, and picking up the speed of the offense as they get used to each other. The TK girls are scheduled to play host to Grand Rapids Catholic Central for an OK Gold Conference dual Tuesday, Sept 12, and then they go on the road to face Wayland in a conference match Thursday. A MEMBER OF Dr. Carlie Crank, OD Dr, Jay Crank, OD Locally owned company, second generation Welcome Dr. Carlie Crank, a Caledonia alumni Latest technology in eye care First in West Michigan to offer THE NEURO LENS, which can alleviate headaches, neck and back pain, eye fatigue and motion sickness symptoms Specialty and Multi-focal Contact Lenses Variety of independent and designer frames Advanced treatment for glaucoma, macular degeneration dry eye and refractive surgery Two Locations Premier Family Eye Care Premier Family Eye Care 2350 32nd St SE Ste 103 Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Tel: 616-243-0007 F: 616-243-0540 6748 Kalamazoo Ave SE Grand Rapids, Ml 49508 Tel: 616-275-2020 F: 616-512-6102 PremierFamilyEyes.com Thomapple Kelloggs Kellogg’s Bailey Eden (left) and Brooklyn Harmon look to get a a block on an attack by Cedar Springs’ Gracey Newman during their OK Gold Conference match in Middleville Thursday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-09-23.pdf a701d7df1fae51431a9dc3ec5f9e0a6c PDF Text Text TheSun an^lews Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 38/ September 23, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Doug Clark, principal for the Novi-based Case Group, defends the orientation of the proposed Portland Federal Credit Union planned for 6451 Cherry Meadow Dr. SE, as PFCU executive vice president Joe Krieger listens. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Caledonia Elementary has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Caledonia Elementary, Cross Creek named National Blue Ribbon Schools Greg Chandler Staff Writer For the second time in three years, a Caledonia Community Schools elemen­ tary school has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Meanwhile, a charter school in Gaines Township has also achieved National Blue Ribbon School recogni­ tion. Caledonia Elementary School and Cross Creek Charter Academy were named National Blue Ribbon Schools Tuesday afternoon in recognition of the schools’ “exceptional commitment to academic excellence and stu­ dent success.” The two local schools were among 11 Michigan schools to be recog­ nized with the honor. “I’m really excited for our staff and students and fami­ our community,” Caledonia lies. We have an amazing staff Interim Superintendent Dirk here that cares very much for Weeldreyer said in a news every student who walks release. “This National Blue through the door, and to have Ribbon recognition is a testa­ the ability to recognize them ment to our school’s dedica­ on a large scale is just really tion and the outstanding sup­ exciting,” Caledonia port from our staff, parents Elementary Principal Brent and community.” It was also the second time Huck said in an interview “Cal El,” as people around the with the Sun and News. Just two years ago, Dutton district call the school, Blue Elementary School in the received National Caledonia district was named Ribbon School recognition. a National Blue Ribbon The Department ofEducation School by the Department of also recognized the school in 1988. Caledonia Elementary Education. The program iden­ tifies schools that excel in is the oldest building in the Caledonia Community promoting school excellence, achieving remarkable turn­ Schools, having been in exis­ arounds and closing gaps in tence since 1950. • Cross Creek is a school student achievement. “Caledonia Elementary operated by National Heritage exemplifies the spirit of our Academies, a West Michigan­ district — a commitment to based charter school compa­ nurturing agile learners who ny. Principal Joe Nieuwkoop make a positive difference in wrote in the school’s applica- tion for National Blue Ribbon School recognition that Cross Creek serves a community that has grown more diverse since it opened more than 25 years ago. “While we are an NHA school that utilizes a common curriculum and a unified approach to teaching and learning, we have a unique culture that prioritizes relationships, collaboration with parents, shared values, and a commitment that no student ever slips through the cracks,” Nieuwkoop wrote in the application. “Three of our board members, including our board president, have served for more than 20 years. We have a dedicated staff with little staffturnover.” Cross Creek’s mission is to “challenge each child to See BLUE RIBBON, page 2 Gaines Heritage Festival slated for Oct. 14, promises plenty of fun James Gemmell Contributing Writer One of the biggest annu­ al autumn events in south­ ern Kent County will take place Oct. 14 outside the Gaines Charter Township Hall. As usual, the Fall Heritage Festival is sched­ uled for the second Saturday in October and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The location is at the southwest corner of Kalama­ zoo Avenue and 84th Dozens of vendors bring all manner of foods, arts and crafts, kids games and more to the annual Fall Heritage Festival in Gaines Township. (File photos by See FESTIVAL, page 3 James Gemmell) PFCU developer, township planners dash over zoning rules Greg Chandler StaffWriter The developer of a proposed drive-through credit union next to Taco Bell in the Cherry Meadow Business Park in Caledonia Township is clashing with township planners over the proposed orientation ofthe building and a township greenbelt requirement he says will affect the visibility of the credit union branch. The township Planning Commission Monday, for the second time, tabled the special land use request from Portland Federal Credit Union for the 2,000-square-foot branch at 6451 Cherry Meadow Dr. SE. The property is owned by Shurlow Family Enterprises Company. Novi-based Case Group is representing the credit union. PFCU wants the orientation of the building to face M-37, with three drive-up windows, a proposal Case Group princi­ pal Doug Clark says will improve the branch’s visibili- ty to motorists on the high­ way. But Township Planner Lynee Wells says that orienta­ tion clashes with the town­ ship’s architectural standards. “The architectural stan­ dards in our ordinance state that drive-throughs should be oriented away from M-37. This (proposed branch) fronts M-37,” Wells said. Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis clashed with Clark over the PFCU plans. “Why aren’t you meeting our standards?” Curtis asked. “That’s step one. You’re going to tell us how awesome your project is and all that, but at the end ofthe day, we want to know why you think you don’t have to meet our stan­ dards.” “If you put drive-throughs on either side (of the build­ ing), headlights will be point­ ed either at the road or at the residential (development, Jasonville Farms condomini- See PFCU, page 2 • Middleville DDA approves interior restoration for train depot • Next Barry County Clerk named • TK spikers beat Bengals, will host Pink Out Tuesday night Gators win a handful of events during dual in Holland pool Scot golfers score third-place finishes at pair of OK Red outings �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23,2023 PFCU, continued from page 1 ------urns),” Clark said. “The way we have it ... ifthere is any­ body in the drive-through (with their lights on), they’d be pointed at Taco Bell.” “We’d like some consider­ ation because we’re a retail business,” Clark added, at which point Curtis cut him off. “So is everyone else going in along M-37. Why do you want an exception, compared to everyone else?” Curtis asked, emphasizing the word “you.” “Because if we give it to you, are they going to use that same excuse you’re about to tell me?” Clark further objected to a township greenbelt require­ ment that requires one tree be put in for every 30 feet of length ofthe property, as well as additional shade trees along the edge ofthe properly facing M-37, saying it would block the visibility of the branch. “We’re being required to put in 38 trees on a 1-acre lot,” he said. “I’ve never seen a standard with that (type of requirement).” When asked to further explain, Clark added, “We spent a lot of money on a retail design company to design the exterior and the interior so that it would attract people into it. Ifwe cover up the building with all these trees, no one can see it from the road. That’s the whole idea of having this particular site — to be able to see the brand of this building from the road.” Commissioner Jodie Masefield defended the town­ ship’s architectural standards. “I think we spent a lot of time thinking about what we want the look and the feel of the (M-37) corridor to be,” Masefield said. “This is a heavily traveled road, and we researched other areas ... I think there’s a lot of cleanup work that needs to happen in here, obviously, before we can do any form of a recom­ mendation.” Commissioner John Eberly agreed. “What you have is a proto­ type. What you have is a poor site adaptation, right now,” Eberly said. “You’ve done a great job on the prototype. You spent a bunch ofmoney ... but the site adaptation has failed because you’re not meeting the local zoning requirements. That’s where we are. And you’re asking us to say ‘Well, let’sjust look the other way.’ What we’re sug­ gesting is, we need to see you come closer to the require­ ments ofthe zoning.” PFCU has been operating a branch in leased space at 9864 Cherry Valley Ave. SE (M-37) for the last eight years. At a previous planning commission meeting, resi­ dents ofthe Jasonville Farms condos expressed concern that the proposed credit union would lead to the construc­ tion of a planned access drive that would connect a private road serving the condo devel­ opment to file PFCU site and four other properties along Cherry Meadow Drive. But Wells said that the proposed extension is not part of the PFCU proposal. “This development is not extending the roadway beyond the limits of their property line,” she said. The planning commission is not expected to meet again until Monday, Oct. 16. BLUE RIBBON, continued from page 1 achieve through academic excellence, parent partner­ ships, student responsibility and moral focus.” At Caledonia Elementary, the process of applying for National Blue Ribbon School status began in January with a phone call from the Michigan Department of Education. “They indicated we had met the criteria for a Blue Ribbon (award), the academ­ ic criteria,” Huck said. “They encouraged us to complete the application that would be submitted to the U.S. Department ofEducation to review. At that point, I assembled a team offive indi­ viduals that helped me com­ plete the application ... It was a great opportunity for us to tell our story.” Caledonia Elementary has 312 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The school has 13 classroom teachers, plus six resource or specialist teachers, five para­ professionals and five student support professionals such as counselors, according to the school’s application. Building relationships is a key part of the school’s success, Huck said. “Last year, as a district, we made a commitment to train our staff in Capturing Kids-’ Hearts,” Huck said. “At its foundation, that’s a program that really highlights the importance of building rela­ tionships with students, offer­ ing them opportunities to talk about their lives outside of school, working to intertwine their interests and likes out­ side of school into lessons. That’s something that I think we do at an extremely high level. Our teachers have true genuine care and compassion for their kids ... Relationships are at the core ofwhat we do. We wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything that we have without that foundation ofrelationships.” On the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress during the 2021-22 academic year, 89.5 89.5 percent year, percent of third-graders atat Caledonia Caledonia Elementary achieved an outcome of “proficient” or “advanced” in English lan­ guage arts, while 78.2 percent of fourth-graders achieved “proficient” or “advanced” status in ELA, according to mischooldata.org. •math, according to mischooldata.org. Cross Creek has 779 stu­ dents in grades K-8, with stu­ dents representing 14 non-English speaking languages across the school community. The-school has 28 classroom teachers, 12 resource or spe­ cialty teachers, 15 paraprofes­ sionals and eight student sup­ port professionals, including counselors. The school fol­ lows the National Heritage model of emphasizing moral focus in addition to academic excellence. “We build character through nine values that are taught and reinforced throughout the academic year,” Nieuwkoop wrote in the school’s application. “Values such as wisdom, respect, gratitude, courage and integrity are taught daily through an age-specific cur­ riculum. As students prog­ ress from Young Five's through eighth grade, their understanding of each value deepens, and they learn spe- On the math portion ofthe M-STEP in 2021-22, 81.8 cific ways to put these valuess into action. Teachers use a percent of third-graders at wide collection of books Caledonia Elementary from diverse perspectives reached ““proficient proficient”” or or tthat reinforce the values “advanced” status, while 74.5 being taught. percent of fourth-graders On the M-STEP during the achieved an outcome of“pro- 2012-22 school year, 51.4 ficient” or “advanced” in percent of third-grade stu- -FALL INTO SAVINGS■AM^Wiih^ off Must present this coupon. Expires 10-13-2023 (not valid with other offers) FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 8I <u<ie--un ors. (Courtesy photo) dents at Cross Creek reached “proficient’ or “advanced,” “proficient” or “advanced” while among fourth-graders, status in English language that number rose to 81.1 per­ arts, while 75.3 percent of cent. Among sixth-graders, fourth-graders achieved an 60.7 percent of Cross Creek outcome of “proficient” or students achieved an outcome higher. Among sixth-graders, of “proficient’ or “advanced,” tthat figure was 71.4 percent, while among eighth-graders, while among eighth-graders, 76.3 percent tested “profi­ 91.3 percent achieved “profi­ cient’ or higher, according to cient” or “advanced” status, mischooldata.org. according to mischooldata. “We utilize a robust set of org. curriculum tools, specifically On the math portion ofthe in English language arts and M-STEP for 2021-22, 70.2 math, that meet all state stan­ percent of third-graders tested dards and give our students Brace's Frame and Alignment High Efficiency RUUg FURNACE & AIR $400 Cross Creek Charter Academy, a Gaines Townshiplocated school operated by National Heritage Academies, also received National Blue Ribbon hon- Full Service Body Shop : I • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience bruc6sframe.com “I’m really excited for our staff and students and families. We have an amazing staff here that cares very much for every student who walks through the door, and to have the ability to recog­ nize them on a large scale is just really excit­ ing,” Caledonia Elementary Principal Brent Huck said. (Photo by Greg Chandler) college opportunities,” Nieuwkoop wrote in Cross Creek’s application. “Specific examples include research­ based programs in ELA such as phonics instruction, readaloud and shared reading instruction, writing and gram­ mar, and literature seminar. “In math, we believe that every person is a math per­ son. We have utilized pro­ grams and tools that rein­ force a growth mindset by focusing on conceptual understanding, number sense, and the development of problem-solving skills that can be transferred to real-life decision-making.” While thrilled with the honor of being a National Blue Ribbon School, Brent Huck says there’s an opportu­ nity for Caledonia Elementary to build upon its success. “Moving forward, we want to continue to maintain that high level, but we want to set our sights even higher,” he said. “There’s room for growth. Until you get to 100 percent (proficient or better), there’s room for growth. Our staff is not complacent at all, and although we’re going to take time to celebrate this accomplishment, as we should, we re having meet­ ings focused on supporting kids and fostering instruction­ al plans and trving to get tn T AA navnanf ” �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023/ Page 3 FESTIVAL, continued from page Street. There is no admis­ sion fee to attend the 11th festival. Torrential rains quashed it in 2019, and the COVID-19 pan­ demic resulted in its postpone­ ment in 2020. But it returned in 2021 and last year with large crowds ofattendees. “This is a free family event for our community. The festi­ val highlights our heritage with hayrides, a peddlers’ mar­ ketplace craft show, and a farmers’ market,” Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke said. The festival, in its present form, was started in 2011 and has been run by the Gaines Historical Society in recent years. Its president, Shirley Bruursema, has chaired the event for several ofthem. She said it harkens back a century or so to when area farmers got together in a field once a year in the fall. “This is a microcosm of that. They played games, they did all kinds of stuff,” Bruursema said. “We had a charter member of the Historical Society who was 96 when she passed away. And she had attended those. She’s the one who told us about it. And so that is what we’re copying. Ours has gotten a lit­ tle bigger with the vendors.” Indeed, there will be dozens ofparticipating vendors set up at tables and booths with all manner of food, arts and crafts and kids’ games. There also will be live music. Fire trucks, antique tractors and a hayride ride through adjacent Prairie WolfPark are also included in the festivities. Doug’s Good Time Pig Roasting and BBQ Shack out of Dorr will be returning this year to provide food. The Historical Society will be sell­ ing apple cider and doughnuts, which Bruursema said are donated by the Meijer store at Gaines Marketplace. The The scenic campus of the Gaines Charter Township Hall will serve as the site for the annual Fall Heritage Festival. It is also the site of a Kent County Sheriff’s Office substation. Dutton Fire Department will have some fire trucks at the festival and will be offering hot dogs and chips for a dona­ tion. Some members of the Cutlerville Fire Department may be on hand, as well. Bruursema will have avail­ able at the Historical Society booth about two dozen loaves of homemade bread that she makes. Apple, pumpkin, banana, poppyseed and blue­ berry are some ofthe varieties. “I make banana bars, which are a big seller. I make pineapple upside-down cake. I do all that baking myself,” she said. At the time of publication, Bruursema was waiting to hear back from several other food vendors as to whether they would be participating in this year’s Heritage Festival. She said the event tries to replicate some ofthe historical activities that took place when farmers gathered in a bygone era. For example, Jerry Berg of Comstock Park set up a Historic Michigan Lumberjack Encampment at last year’s fes­ tival. Participants dressed up in period clothing from the mid-to-late 1800s. Berg runs a Lumberjack and Logging Museum. “We had a village set up last year, like in the woods,” Bruursema said. “They did cooking over open fire, they made pie, they made breakfast They had tool (demonstrations) there on how to cut wood. This year, we’re adding to that.” There will be a set-up some­ what similar to a small-scale Civil War re-enactment, for example. “He’s done a lot ofresearch and we’ve found some names of Civil War veterans from Gaines Township. Last year, it was just the best. So, I told him to repeat that this year,” Bruursema said. The Historical Society gets partial financial assistance from the township to help pay for some of the set-up costs and for the entertainment acts, such as the demonstrations Jerry Berg’s crew does. Also, for the live music. There are two country music slated for this year’s event. Both are perennial festi­ val favorites: the Lem Frazzle Trio out of Allendale and Doug Smith from Hastings. Festival organizers tow a stage from a bam up to a hill on the township hall campus. There will be plenty of ani­ mals to see, in keeping with the farm theme. “The (Kent County) Sheriff’s Department is com­ ing, and we hope they have their (mounted unit) horses. We never know until the week of. We had them last year, and they were a huge hit. It depends on how many other events in the Mary’s Country Critters’ petting zoo is always a big hit with the kids — and adults — at Heritage Festival. county are going on for them, too,” Bruursema said. One of the biggest attrac­ tions every year is a mobile petting zoo. Mary’s Country Critters comes in from Wayland Township and places the animals in pens where they can be seen or petted. “This year, I’m bringing two sheep, two goats, a rabbit, a chicken, a duck, a miniature mule and a miniature horse. Both of those are a year old and cute as little buttons,” said Mary Tegethoff. She is the owner of Mary’s Country Critters, which is having an unrelated festival of its own on Oct. 7 and 8 at its 50-acre farm at 3000 4th St. in Wayland. More information is posted on the Mary’s Country Critters Facebook page. That event will cost $10. “Included in that $10 admission is a hayride patch to the pumpkin patch, where you go home with a great big pumpkin. And the pony rides are going all day,” Tegethoff said. But as far as the Fall Heritage Festival in Gaines Township on Oct 14, she said the historical aspect is hard to beat. “It’s pretty cool. I like all the stuff that they have that they sell. The old cars and the old tractors, all that stuff you see out there is so cool. And I like the bands. And then, you get to go down and shop all the little craft thingies. I like the stuff where they make homemade quilts, and where they make gloves and stuff,” Tegethoff said. Farmers from places like Gaines Township, Dorr and Byron Center will be driving antique tractors to the Heritage Your local agent insures your Lfcfe j* Greg Chandler Staff Writer State environmental offi­ cials will hold a presentation next Thursday on possible PFAS pollution in the area of an old landfill in Yankee Springs Township. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART), which is part of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, will give the presentation regarding the Misak Landfill at 6 p.m. at the Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd. The Misak Landfill, locat­ ed at 1075 Patterson Rd., was operated by Yankee Springs Township from 1965 to 1972, but was then closed. It reopened two years later when Andrew Misak bought the landfill, and he operated it until 1983, when it closed for good, according to state records. In 1985, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources conducted an investigation into groundwa­ ter contamination near the landfill. That investigation found the groundwater had volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metals, state records show. Residential wells south of the landfill were found to be contaminated, although the DepartmentofEnvironmental Quality could not establish a clear link between the land­ fill and contamination, according to state records. The contamination of the wells led to Yankee Springs constructing a municipal water system in 1990. “What we do know is that a couple of wells (near the landfill) are pretty hot for PFAS,” Township Trustee Larry Knowles said at a recent Township Board meeting. “But that is in that protected area that’s served by the water system, which has always tested negative for PFAS.” Yankee Springs Township had a couple ofwells outside the township water system tested a couple of years ago to determine ifthere was any PFAS contamination. Tests from both wells came back negative, Knowles said. “We don’t have any reason to believe that there’s some­ thing bad (going on),” he said. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said the presenta­ tion is part of a series of presentations MPART is making around the state. “They are all over the state right now, testing (for) PFAS. It’s not something that’s spe­ cial here, it’s going on all over,” Heethuis said. MPART is a multi-agency team that consists of repre­ sentation from EGLE as well as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments. The team was created under an executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2019. PFAS has been linked to a number of health problems, including certain types of cancers, decreased immune system response to vaccines, thyroid disease, liver dam­ age, higher cholesterol levels and reduced fertility, accord­ ing to MPART. Representatives from the Barry-Eaton District Health Department are also expect­ ed to be part of the PFAS presentation. 1 BUREAU INSURANCE9 MieKta/ui (ttgur<ute& CtMftpaau> Jason Parks PFAS presentation to be held at Yankee Springs Township Hall Festival. Bruursema said Russ Vos Tree Farms out ofWayland will be at the event, as well. The popular and free tractor rides that run from outside the township hall to the adjacent Prairie Wolf Park will take place again this year. But Bruursema said the retired fanner who, for years, drove the tractor pulling an 18-footlong trailer wagon passed away recently. She said another man, Rich McConnell, will be driv­ ing the tractor this year. The tractor ride takes about two dozen passengers at a time down a trail into the woods and back It’s about a two-mile trip. 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@lbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Colleen Cox Celebrates 90 Years! Colleen Cox, lifelong resident of Middleville will celebrate her 90th birthday on October 5,2023. She was married to the late Roily Cox and has two daughters, Lynne Kyser and Cari Nicolai. She has four granddaughters and seven great grandchildren who are all very special to her. Colleen, may you know how much you mean to everyone and feel the love we have for you! We are all so lucky to have you • in our lives! The family will celebrate with a small open house with close friends and family in mid-October. For those ofyou who wish to send Colleen best wishes and congratulations you may send cards directly to her at: Colleen Cox 1115 Eagle Drive, Apt. 216 Wayland, MI 49348. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023 Middleville TOPS 546 Frances Mlynarche Frances Lucille Mlynarchek, age 90, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Sunday, Sept 10,2023. She was bom to Andrew and Anna in Wayland July 7,1933. Frances was one of 13 children and grew up on the family farm in Wayland, MI. She later attended Mercy Central School of Nursing and worked in Grand Rapids laterjoining the Peace Corps and serving in Brazil. Upon returning to Michigan, she attended Wayne State University and graduated with her master’s degree and became the assistant director at Grace School of Nursing. She later taught at the University of Michigan as well as Grand Valley State University. She served as the Assistant Director of Healthcare at Jackson Correctional Facilities and later as a state surveyor for longtime care facilities. She was a lifelong member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church; she cherished her faith and time spent with family. She will be deeply missed. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Anna Mlynarchek; sib­ lings, Andrew Mlynarchek, Joseph Mlynarchek, Annie Hasdidt, Mary Cigler, Frank The Sept. 18 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There are two new fish in the fishbowl. Virginia gave out the new 75th anniversary shirts the group will wear to the rally in Mlynarchek, Charles Mlynarchek; sister, Diana Mlynarchek, Agnes Hawthorne, Dorothy Tolan, Helen Napper, Cecilia Cisler, and Edward Mlynarchek. She will be greatly missed by a host of 27 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, and friends. A Funeral Mass remember­ ing Frances wsd held Friday, Sept. 15,2023 at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 159 131st Ave., Wayland, MI 49348. Frances will be laid to rest at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery. In memory ofFrances and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Therese Catholic School or to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. The family welcomes mem­ ories and messages in their guest book online at www. kubiakcookwayland.com. October. Virginia led the group in a lively exercise as members filled in the blanks to the TOPS Libs in the Sept/Oct TOPS magazine. Alice lost the Ha-Ha Box. Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 pan. to 3:45 pan., fol­ lowed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in TK hosts parade, festivities for Homecoming 2023 Thomapple Kellogg Schools will celebrate homecoming next Friday with a night filled with activities and celebrations of being a TK Trojan. This year’s homecoming theme is “Around the World.” The night kicks off with the homecoming parade starting at 5 p.m. from Lee Elementary School. The parade route trav­ els west on Main Street then turns left on Bender Road to the south parking lot ofthe high school. Many school teams, clubs and groups will be marching or riding floats in the parade along with members of the 2023 Homecoming Court. After the parade, there will be pre-game tailgate festivi­ ties including games and food to prepare for the homecom­ ing game. Another pre-game event slated is the TK Alumni Association presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards. This is an award rec­ ognizing graduates who have Pictured In front from left are Eva Corson, Mali Holland, Kate Powers, Brooke Kimbel, Madison Kietzman, Molly VanDenBrink (Back row) Jaxan Sias, Ethan Bonnema, Lucas Van Meter; Spencer Ybema, Frank Wilkinson, Milo McCormick. made a difference in the lives ofothers and have gone above and beyond in their chosen fields, earned significant dis­ tinctions and given back to their community and school. The Alumni Association presented the first Distinguished Alumni Awards at the 2017 homecoming. The TK Trojan Marching Band will be in action, too. In addition to being in the parade, the band will perform its pre-game show prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff. The band will return during halftime and provide music from the stands throughout the game. Halftime festivities will also include introduction of the homecoming court and crowning ofthe homecoming king and queen. The Trojans take on the Ottawa Hills Bengals in the homecoming game. 4—Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 Sunday’s Ministries 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor i Good Shepherd ? Lutheran Church Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School­ Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg Church: Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY 5£Tauf X Cfiurr/i Mi ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org @thejchurch agi Whitneyville Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School------- 9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. c H U R C H j / Fellowship Church Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm ” Watch our servicesfrom our website (see above) Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilIeFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting THOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone:616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses...........9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com cornerstonemi.org/weekend Join us for our traditional yet casual worship 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. ° James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023/ Page Middleville DDA approves depot interior restoration Quick response to barn fire saves adjacent home Greg Chandler Staff Writer A Hastings-based compa­ ny that performed exterior restoration of Middleville’s historic train depot last year will now handle restoring its interior. The Middleville Downtown Development Authority board Tuesday approved awarding the con­ tract for the interior resto­ ration of the old Michigan Central Railroad depot to Vintage Building and Restoration Inc., at a cost of $64,400. Vintage Building and Restoration is owned by Rob Pohl. “(Pohl) said he would December and finish by February,” DDA Director Gretchen James said. The contract was approved on a 7-0 vote. Funding for the project will come from the DDA’s facade budget, James said. The interior restoration project will include installa­ tion of a new furnace and air conditioner, new plumbing and electrical work, painting, repairing the plaster walls inside the depot, refinishing and repairing hardwood floors, replacing damaged and rotten flooring, installing new tile floors in the bathrooms and demolition work, according to village documents. “I’m so excited (that the project is moving ahead). It is such a gem,” DDA Board Chairwoman Kim Jachim said. “So much of it is original. It’s going to be amazing.” “There’s the original type- The Middleville DDA approved hiring Rob Pohl of Hastings to administer inte­ rior restoration work on the village’s historic train depot, see here. (Photos by Greg Chandler) writer in there, there’s the original wagon in there, the original coal door is still on. It’s just amazing,” Jachim added. Vintage Building and Restoration was hired by the DDA in March 2022 to restore the exterior of the depot at a cost of $31,300. That project was also with funded out ofthe facade budget. The 116-year-old depot, which was acquired by the village in 2017, was named to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. National Park Service in April 2022. According to michiganrailroads.com, passenger An original typewriter is still housed inside the historic train depot in Middleville where it was once used. The depot has been designated a state and national historic site. train service to Middleville began in 1869. Middleville operated a station on Michigan Central Railroad’s Jackson-to-Grand Rapids line. The Michigan Central 5 Railroad eventually became part ofthe New York Central Railroad system. Passenger service to the village ended in 1959 while freight service was discontinued in 1972. Greg Chandler Staff Writer An early-morning fire in Caledonia Township Sunday destroyed a large bam, but quick response by the Caledonia Fire Department and neighbor­ ing departments prevented the blaze from reaching the adjacent home. Firefighters were called to 10350 Patterson Ave. SE just before 7 a.m. Caledonia Township Trustee Richard Snoeyink, who lives next door, said he heard a pop­ ping sound and initially thought someone was try­ ing to break into his house. “I walked to my bay window in the back and I looked to the north and all I see are flames and a big column of smoke and thought, ‘‘oh oh no, Snoeyink said at Wednesday night’s Township Board meeting. He called 911 immediately. Caledonia Fire Chief Scott Siler said he could see smoke from his home about three miles away. The first firefighters arrived on the scene eight minutes after the 911 call. “Upon arriving, we knew we weren’t going to save what was there in the bam. The goal was to save the house,” Siler said. Firefighters put wateron the nearby house to keep the flames from spreading. Scott Siler “All of the siding and the soffit was melting off the side of the house. It was literally down to bare plywood. It was probably within minutes of catching UUVX OU1U, Firefighters were able to bring the flames under control within 10 minutes of arrival, then remained on the scene until about 11:30 a.m. to make sure the fire didn’t reignite, Siler said. A tractor mower that was inside the bam along with memorabilia that had been stored over the years was destroyed in the fire, as well as a car that was parked in front ofthe bam. No dollar amount on damage is known yet, Siler said. The cause of the fire remains under investiga­ tion. Assisting in the fire responses were units from Thomapple Township Fire Department, as well as from Leighton Township, Dutton Fire Department and Cascade Township, Siler said. Harvest Festival set in Caledonia Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia’s annual Harvest Festival will take place next Saturday at the Community Green Park, 6260 92nd St. SE. The festival, which has been in existence for more than a decade, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is put on by the Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce. Festival in Caledonia typically draws hun­ dreds of attendees, creating a day filled with vendors, games, food and other attrac­ tions. This year, the fes­ tival will take place on Sept. 30 at Community Green Park. (Courtesy photo) In Memorium Brenda Berarup 02-25-67 • 09-28-2022 *•» A Brenda, It’s been one year since the Lord took you to Heaven to be with your Mother & Father. The last year has been so empty for me since you passed away. Every day I think of all the good times we had together. Heaven has another angel since your passing. Love, Fred All kinds of activities are planned, including the new Touch-a-Truck dis­ play, a comhole tourna­ ment, pumpkin decorating, a family photo spot, foot­ ball toss, face painting and a coloring contest. Food trucks will be available to purchase food and the bookmobile from Kent District Library will also be present. There will also be live music from the band Sibling Revelry. For more information about the harvest festival, including sponsorships and registration for the comhole tournament, visit business.caledoniachamber.com/events/details/ caledonia-harvest-festival-2023 online. Around the Table You’re Invited to join us for our “Around the Table” series, starting October 8. We’re going to discuss what Christian community Is supposed to look like and how to live out the “one another” commands In the New Testament. Plan your visit at cornerstoneml.org/Plan. We’ll also be hosting "Gather Around the Table" on Wednesdays, October 11 through November 15, where we’ll go through a discussion guide together while sharing a meal. Childcare is available for Infants through Sth grade. Visit the link below to register. We hope to see you there! cornerstonechurch cornerstonemi.org/AroundTheTable �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023 __ — Irving Township votes to remain member of BIRCH, ask for more equitable cost-sharing Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Irving Township will remain a member of the BIRCH Rural Fire Association, at least for the near future. Township board mem­ bers voted down a motion to provide BIRCH with a notice of their intent to leave the board and approved an additional $15,000 contribution toward the purchase of a new BIRCH fire vehicle. Irving Township was the last to approve its contribu­ tion, with all other constitu­ ent townships meeting ear­ lier in the month approving their contributions. At Irving Township’s Tuesday meeting, Township Treasurer Doug Sokolowski recommended the board provide notice to BIRCH of their intent to leave the association. While Irving was still unsure of whether it would like to remain or leave BIRCH, Sokolowski said notifying the BIRCH board of the township’s intent to leave would pro­ vide the township with the most options. The issue of Irving’s potential departure from the fire association arose during the Aug. 24 BIRCH meet­ ing. At that meeting, Sokolowski presented a let­ ter asking for an exemption to a clause in the BIRCH contract asking for a year’s notice before any township left the association. BIRCH board members voted down the request. Sokolowski raised a few concerns if the township were to remain a member of BIRCH. The formula used by BIRCH to collect funds from townships needs to be changed drastically, he said. In addition to underfunding BIRCH, Sokolowski said the formula unfairly put a heavy burden on Irving Township. While Irving had the lowest taxable value protected by BIRCH among the five constituent town­ ships, it had the highest fire protection millage rate. “BIRCH has not really accrued enough money to really fund the department, if you will. On average, they save about $33,000 to $35,000 a year. At that rate, it takes a long time to build up (enough funds) to buy an engine,” Sokolowski said. “In addition, with the exception of Irving Township, none ofthe other townships pay even one mill towards fire protec­ tion.” Hastings Fire Chief Mark Jordan, attending the meet­ ing Tuesday night, said he heard the township’s con­ cerns and was working on addressing them. “I think leaving BIRCH or attempting to leave BIRCH now is a little pre­ mature,” Jordan said. “I’ve just got here, we have a iot of good ideas we’re plan­ ning on working on that will make this organization worthwhile.” Jordan, appointed Hastings Fire Chief in August, said he’d already made significant changes and improvements to the department’s operations. Given two to three more months, he said it’d be like- Irving Township board members voted to remain as a member of BIRCH Rural Fire Association at their meeting Tuesday. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) ly BIRCH would be run­ ning more smoothly and with a much improved cost-sharing formula. Sokolowski commended Jordan’s improvements to the department but said he was not certain if every constituent BIRCH town­ ship would be willing to pay a higher amount to properly support the fire association. “There’s no doubt there’s been significant improve­ ment (at the department). It’s more of a question of is BIRCH going to make the commitment to be on the right path,” Sokolowski said. “All townships have to commit to paying the right amount of money to support that.” “I think they will,” Jordan said. The next BIRCH meeting is 6:30 p.m. next week Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Hastings Fire Department. New Barry County clerk successor named as current clerk approaches retirement Jayson Bussa Editor As current Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer heads toward her retirement date this year, her successor has been named. Cindy White, who has logged over two decades of service with the county, will take Palmer’s place upon her retirement, effec­ tive Oct. 20. Palmer’s term as an elected official goes through 2024. She ran unopposed for the position in 2020. Palmer leaving her post early leads to White’s appointment, which was announced at Tuesday’s meeting of the county board’s Committee of the Whole. In fact, the announce­ ment fell a bit under the radar, drowned out by a nearly three-hour meeting that focused on opposition to planned solar energy TATELQFjTHEFmSYSTEMS / Complete Collision projects in Barry County and a run-through of the preliminary county bud­ get. Barry County’s Circuit Court Judge Vicky Alspaugh briefly appeared in front of the Committee ofthe Whole during the public comment­ ing portion of the meeting to inform the board that she had met with Chief Judge William Doherty and Judge Michael Schippef to deter­ mine a successor for I ED'S BODY SHOP Service CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN / Frame Repairs / State &I-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies EOS ID9Y w “•IK tn IWMBAI NFIB Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 616.891.0150 GOLD CLASS Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Water Bourne System Palmer, who has spent nine years as county clerk after 19 years as a judicial clerk. “That’s going to be Cindy White,” Alspaugh said. “She has been an employee with the county for some 24 years. I worked with her in the prosecuting attorney’s office way back in the day when I was there. We’re very confident that she has the skills and the abilities that are needed to carry out the duties of the county clerk.” White wields 24 years of experience working for the county. She initially logged 10 years working in the county prosecutor’s office before taking some time off to spend with family and to help in her husband’s busi­ ness. But, in 2007, she had the opportunity to return, this time working in the district court office, where she remains today. White and Palmer had previously worked together when Palmer served as a clerk for former Judge James Fisher. “I heard about (Palmer’s) retirement and I had a few conversations with her and became interested and was looking for a new chal­ lenge,” White said about what led her to the role. “(Palmer) has a great staffand they are very help­ ful and informative,” White added. “She’s been infor­ mative. I’ve actually spo­ ken with other county clerks now and I’m just doing my due diligence.” While White will take over the position immedi­ ately, she will have to run for election in 2024, adding a political element to her career for the first time. “The policy I live by is that I try to do the best job at anything I do,” White said. “I’m not a politician,” she added. “I’ve seen it before — I’ve watched it before but I’m not a politi­ cian. But, I am a worker. I will do the best for the con­ stituents as I can.” Amongst the many, and growing, record-keeping duties handled by the clerk’s office, While will also be the new leading lady to administer elections county-wide. This includes a Presidential primary elec­ tion in February of next year leading into the 2024 general election, which includes a race for the White House. White and her office will take over at a time when the state has mandated a variety of changes to the voting process, as dictated by Proposal 2, which was passed by voters during last year’s mid-term election. This proposal is designed to expand voting rights, which entails at least nine Cindy White days of early voting and required prepaid postage for absentee ballots in addi­ tion to the pre-processing and early tabulation of these absentee ballots. The proposal also expanded the types of valid IDs needed to vote. Palmer and her office continue to untangle these mandates, some of which are feared to be unfunded by the state, and will hand her duties off to White soon. Election integrity has proven to be a hot-button topic within Barry County, one that White looks to navigate with full transpar­ ency. She took a page from a recent sermon at her church to highlight her approach to addressing these concerns. “Harmony is not just one note — everyone has to be heard,” she said. “There are several voices to be heard to have harmony. You can only do that by being transparent and open with what’s going on — keeping everything on the up and up.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023/ Page 7 Deep Roots wrapping up first month in its new market facility Stephen and Liv McDaniel (center), owners of Deep Roots Produce in Alto, let their young daughter cut the ribbon to signify the opening of their new market earlier this month. (Photos by Shari Harris) A Farmall Tractor is prominently displayed in the center of the new market at Deep Roots Produce in Alto. Shari Harris Contributing Writer With great excitement and a few happy tears, the new market at Deep Roots Produce in Alto opened earlier this month. Owners Stephen and Liv McDaniel gave their young daughter the honor of cutting the ribbon. Prior to opening, Caledonia attendance and provided the McDaniels with a tribute on behalf of her and State Senator Thomas Albert as a way ofmarking the occasion. “It’s wonderfid to take part in any business expansion, but I think we can all agree that Deep Roots is a little bit differ­ ent,” she said. “Owned by a wonderfid family, and I’m get­ ting emotional because we’ve Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison, told the waiting crowd, “What an excellent addition to our community, celebrating family, celebrat­ ing entrepreneurs, celebrating our rural heritage featuring all of our great farm products. Please continue to come out and support local.” The McDaniels were grate­ fid that the expansion is com- plete. “A lot ofthings can change in five years, going from an old hay bam to this bam,” said Stephen during his speech before the ribbon was cut. “But one thing that hasn’t changed in five years is the community support. We greatly appreciate that.” State Representative Angela Rigas was also in all watched this process. We’ve all watched the difficul­ ties that it’s been to get this bam built and finished. Going from the building over there which has this amazing coun­ try feel, to expanding, to giv­ ing our children a place to run around in a sunflower field. I think we can all agree that that is just truly a unique experi­ ence in this community.” Deep Roots sells pro­ duce like tomatoes, corn on the cob and peppers but is also home to a corn maze and other fami­ ly-friendly attractions. Visitors to the bam will see colorfid vegetables like toma­ toes, com on the cob and peppers available for pur­ chase which line the middle section of the market. Photos and quotes hang on the walls, and a Farmall Tractor is prominently displayed in the center. A small comer of the building is dedicated to chil­ dren and offers books, a chalkboard and more for them to enjoy. BCCMHA expands services in response to increased requests for mental health assistance Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Barry County Community Mental Health Authority has launched a new program to reach out to coun­ ty residents who might be struggling with a mental health issue. BCCMHA has established what it calls a “crisis out­ reach response team,” a mobile team that will go any­ where in Barry County to connect with people who might be experiencing a men­ tal health crisis. “This (team) is pretty much open to anyone that’s having any type ofcrisis, and the individual defines the cri­ sis,” BCCMHA chief execu­ tive officer Richard Thiemkey said. “It (will) be a master’s level and a bachelor’s level staff will respond to them, and the goal is to deescalate the individual, provide sup­ ports and services wherever they’re at, so they don’t have to either go to the hospital or some other facility.” The establishment of the crisis outreach team is the latest effort by the mental health authority to expand services in Barry County in response to an increasing number ofcalls for assistance across the county. Over the last three fiscal years, the number of clients BCCMHA has served has grown by more than 28 percent, from 1,187 in the 2020-21 fiscal year to 1,527 in the recently completed 2022-23 fiscal year that ended Aug. 31, Thiemkey said. “Our requests for services continue to go up, and that’s across the board — children, families, adults,” Thiemkey said. BCCMHA expanded its services with the help of a two-year, $3.35 million vide treatment in the least Certified Community restrictive way possible and Behavioral Health Clinic increase engagement in ser­ grant awarded by the federal vice, in a way that is empow­ Substance Abuse and Mental ering and person-centered,” Health Services Higgins added. Administration in August While ACT seeks to 2021. That grant allowed the resolve a situation without authority to hire at least 12 having an individual be taken new clinicians, as well as to a hospital, sometimes the create its Assertive situation is such that hospital­ . Community Treatment ization is needed to stabilize (ACT) team, which goes out the person. “If somebody is needing into the community to work with county residents experi­ in-patient (care), we’ll find encing an acute mental health the nearest available bed,” crisis. The team is comprised Thiemkey said. of a clinician, therapist and Barry County does not caseworker, Thiemkey said. have an in-patient psychiatric “Some individuals in our facility, so that typically community, they just have a means someone in need of hard time coming to us for such care has to be transport­ services,” Thiemkey said. ed to Grand Rapids, to either “So they quite often will go Pine Rest Christian Mental to people’s homes and pro­ Health Services or Forest vide therapy, case manage­ View Hospital. However, if ment, (medication) manage­ those facilities are full, as they often are, that person ment.” The ACT team may get may be taken to a facility tips on people who might be outside ofWest Michigan. “There’s definitely a need struggling from family members or from law enforce­ for increased in-patient beds (across the region),” ment, Thiemkey said. “We have Tound that pro­ Thiemkey said. Sometimes, the situation viding crisis service in the community allows us to pro­ involving a person struggling vide service in a more trau­ with their mental health turns ma-informed way, in the per­ deadly. In 2021, the most son’s environment, where recent year such statistics are they typically feel more com­ available from the state of fortable or the crisis is occur- Michigan, 13 Barry County ring,” Jennifer Higgins, residents died by suicide, the access and crisis services most since 2015 when 15 supervisor for BCCMHA, people in the county died as a wrote in an email to the Sun result of suicide, state vital statistics show. and News about ACT. The Barry County “Our team provides de-es­ calation, treatment interven­ Substance Abuse Task Force tions, crisis planning and has worked to put out mes­ linking to resources to assist sages in the community about in helping a person safely helping those who might be manage a crisis situation and thinking about taking their return to baseline. When own life, to encourage them needed, we link people to a to reach out for help. Those hospital for further stabiliza­ messages have included bill­ tion, but our goal is to pro- boards and flyers, as well as social media posts, SATF coordinator Liz Lenz, said. Lenz says that calls to cen­ tral dispatch to report some­ one who is experiencing sui­ cidal ideation have gone up in recent years, which she sees as a positive. “That means more people are taking (suicide) seriously and recognizing it’s an emer­ gency,” Lenz said. “We are normalizing talking about not feeling well mentally and getting help.” calling the county’s 24-hour crisis line at (866) 266-4781 or by calling the 988 crisis line. For more information about BCCMHA and its ser­ vices to Barry County, visit Come and Join us! At Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy Caledonia We’re located at 9321 Cherry Valley Ave. Suite D in Caledonia Visit us online at www.ivyrehab.com OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, October 4th • 4-7 pm Ivy Rehab - Caledonia Give us a call with questions (616) 536-9339 You’re invited to see our brand-new facility! Meet our team, tour the space, and enjoy food and drinks! You'll have the opportunity to speak with experts in Physical Therapy. We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP To Chris Posthumus at chris.posthumus@ivyrehab. com An RSVP is appreciated, but not required. PHYSICALTHERAPY �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023 Local entrepreneur reflects on summer with new Gun Lake business, looks toward what’s next Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer The patio ofThirsty Buddy in Yankee Springs, in front of a backdrop oftrees, can create quite the ambiance. In fact, for Debbie Tomko, there’s no better way to con­ nect with her fellow members of her book club as they chat over food, drink and dessert. Thirsty Buddy opened seven months ago and has steadily drawn in patrons ever since. “I like having another option,” said Tomko, a Gun Lake native. “We come here quite often for book club and my husband and I come here to get a quick meal. If we want a good salad or avocado toast, it offers healthier choices as well as comfort food, too.” Tomko and her book club are among the mix of patrons that Julie Fox and her business partner, Shashin Kothawala, hope to continue to attract to their new restaurant. Thirsty Buddy is an expansion on the east side of the 6,670-square- foot building that is already home to the locally famous Curley Cone, also owned by Fox. In fact, Fox has created her own little comer of com­ merce at the location. Next to the new Thirsty Buddy restau­ rant lays six pickleball courts built in the fall of2021. Fox, who grew up in Hastings, said both her restau­ rants offer a unique experience in the heart of Gun Lake. The Curley Cone is intend­ ed to be more than just an ice cream shop; it’s a sit-down 50s-style diner and drivethrough, unlike Thirsty Buddy, which displays an upscale fine dining experience and extrav­ agant decor inside without the upscale prices. Curley Cone originated in 1954 and today evokes the same diner style. Fox expand­ ed on that tradition in her restaurant when she acquired it in 2017. Now, like Curley Cone, she is confident that Thirsty Buddy will stand out among other restaurants in the area, offering something dif­ ferent for patrons. Next to Thirsty Buddy is an outdoor covered patio displaying contemporary heaters with enclosed flames decoratively placed among the tables and chairs. “I bought the building, so I had to do something with the other halfofit. I already had a liquor license,” Fox explained. “Ijust felt there was a need for something that felt a little bit swankier, yet it’s very comfy and cozy. It’s a come-as-youare place.” Laura Kelly is a Gun Lake native and enjoys the food and decor at Thirsty Buddy. “It’s such a nice addition to Thirsty Buddy opened in Yankee Springs this spring and has completed its first summer of business. It’s owned by Julie Fox and is attached to locally beloved restaurant Curley Cone. (Photos by Karen Turko-Ebright). the Gun Lake community because it’s fine dining with­ out the fine dining prices. The pizza is unique, having woodfired pizza,” Kelly said. “It’s just a beautiful place with the atmosphere and the variety of food. They did a nice job putting it together.” Guests at Thirsty Buddy can listen to live music on Friday and Saturday nights on the four-season deck A come­ dy show, also on the four-sea­ son deck holds the spotlight every last Saturday night of the month. Trivia is on the weekly agenda on Thursday nights. “It just felt like there was a niche there for something. I wanted it to feel like you’re in downtown Grand Rapids or Chicago, but you are in Yankee Springs,” Fox explained. Fox said the new restaurant proved to be a crowd-pleaser, especially during the summer tourism season. “The cool thing about hav­ ing the restaurant in three sec­ tions is, that you can come for the comedy or music, but if you’re in the mood for a more intimate night with friends and family, you can choose one of the two other venues,” Fox explained. “We often see peo­ ple enjoying the music on the four-season deck, and others in the dining room or outdoor patio enjoyingjust visiting.” Fox said in mid-October guests will still be able to dine outside on the patio thanks to the igloos that will be set up to allow that space to stay open all year round. Abbey Dorgan from Plainwell is a four-year bar­ tender in her first year working at Thirsty Buddy. “One ofmy friends recom­ mended the job. I love work­ ing on the lake. I know a lot of the regulars' that have been coming in,” Dorgan said. “It’s been great and fun starting at a new bar. There have been some obstacles on where to put things and make things run smoother. It’s a very neat experience to see and do that.” Thirsty Buddy is Fox’s newest venture that had a grand opening party on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Since it’s been around for almost seven months and with its first tour­ ism season wrapped up, Fox can reflect. “It went really well. When we did our business planning, we thought about utilizing Thirsty Buddy. It’s a two-fold thing: First was to open it up as a restaurant, which we did,” Fox said. “It’s been a great summer. We are starting to enact the second phase of what we are doing. That is a venue for private and corporate events.” Fox said her venue is per­ fect for accommodating a See THIRSTY BUDDY, next page Owner Julie Fox also owns six pickleball courts next to the Curley Cone and Thirsty Buddy restaurant building. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE OF POSTING - ANNUAL PUBLIC SAFETY SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR 2023 The Gaines Charter Township Board of Trustees held a public hearing on September 11, 2023 regarding the estimated costs and expenses for police, public safety, rescue, fire protection, and on the distribution of the levy for 2023. At the regularly scheduled September 11, 2023 meeting of the Gaines Charter Township board of Trustees, the Board adopted a resolution confirming the Gaines Charter Township Fire and Public Safety Services “Special Assessment Roll” and approving the assessment of 1.00 mills for 2023. A lrue c°Py of the resolution, A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR 2023 may be obtained at the Gaines Charter township Hall located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. Gaines Charter Township 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Michael A. Brew, Clerk Debbi® Tomko’ Karen Page-Kennedy and Jessica Myers. All three of ‘hese ladjes regularly gather for their book club at Thirsty Buddy on Chief Noonday Road on Gun Lake. * y �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23,2023/ Page 9 THIRSTY BUDDY, continued from previous page Abbey Dorgan is a four-year bartender who started working at Thirsty Buddy when it opened about seven months ago. small wedding party. Thirsty Buddy is divided into three separate rooms, including the main dining room with a bar area in front ofthe other space, a four-season deck. Outside is the covered patio, which is the third space. When it comes to wed­ dings, Fox said she thinks there’s a segment ofthe mar­ ket that wants to do some things off-site and not on the same campus. But also, there’s just a lot of smaller functions that the Thirsty Buddy venue can accommo­ date. “Ifwe had a wedding party of 50, they could have an absolutely stunning rehearsal dinner, reception and a next­ day brunch,” Fox explained and added that it’s not the same experience as having all functions on one site. It’sjust a little bit different. Outside of weddings, Fox is also giving attention to corpo­ rate events, too. “We’re pursuing people who have vendors and cus­ tomers for more business din­ ners and private business din­ ners,” Fox explained. “For businesses, we can do offsite training or offsite marketing events and pursue businesses that want to entertain.” Not only can wedding par­ ties be accommodated at Thirsty Buddy, but private par­ ties for special occasions, too. Those include brunches, rehearsal dinners, parties for anniversaries, milestone birth­ days and other celebrations, bridal showers, rehearsal din­ has to call and sign up for a time slot However, the list is full right now. “We want to make sure we have enough courts so people don’t have to wait,” Fox said. There’s a small fee ofabout $200 a year. Beginners’ lessons are includ­ ed in that price. The pickleball courts are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and lit up in the eve­ ning. Fox said the whole opera­ tion works because of her staff; she receives many com­ pliments on the service at the Curley Cone and Thirsty Buddy. “I’m lucky because I have a great staff working at the Curley Kone and Thirsty Buddy,” Fox said. “We are very fortunate. The Curley Cone has an extremely tal­ ented kitchen and wait staff, and a lot of those are high school and college kids, but nonetheless, they do a great job.” Curley Cone has 40 part­ time and full-time employees in the summer and about 35 in the winter, while Thirsty Buddy has 12 employees. ners and baby showers are among the long list ofevents. Fox also has six pickleball courts and a pickleball club. “It’s at full capacity and went over very well,” she said. Her pickleball partners are Ken and Beth Pechumer. Fox owns the courts but said that the Pechumers spearheaded the idea and ran the courts, including leagues and lessons. GIVING BACK TO THE Plus, Fox said they made a COMMUNITY significant contribution to the Thomapple Kellogg and cost ofthe courts and lighting Wayland Union Schools will and added it’s their way of have their homecoming din­ giving back to the community ners at Thirsty Buddy for two and spreading their love of consecutive Saturdays. Fox pickleball. said the main dining room is “The courts would not be reserved for the two schools. here today ifnot for Ken and Each high schooler will be Beth’s generosity of time and charged $20 for their dinners, treasure,” explained Fox. but five of those dollars will Anyone who wants to play go back to the students for Pictured here is pizza in a wood stove that is sta­ tioned on Thirsty Buddy’s four-season deck. The space can accommodate up to 50 people like the main dining room. their senior party. For their $15, the seniors will get a mocktail, pizza, burger, salad and dessert. On Sundays, comfort food specials are delivered to senior citizens in the Gun Lake community. That tradi­ tion started during COVID19 because seniors could not get out or see their families. The deliveries are made to seniors every week from Labor Day to Memorial Day. Thanksgiving is when most meals are delivered and include an authentic Thanksgiving meal with all the fixings, including dessert. The senior citizen meal delivery tradition is not based on financial need. Many times, it’s for people who need something to look forward to or cannot get out quickly. According to Fox, a five-minute visit is often more important to them than the actual meal. There are still slots available on Sunday. Anyone interested can contact Fox at 312-961­ 8657. Every Sunday, Fox delivers those free meals to senior citizens in the com­ munity. “We do the veterans memo­ rial event every summer and do not charge for the food truck serving (hot) dogs, fries and ice cream,” Fox said. “Toys for tots, we match every toy donated with four toys from Curley Cone.” In conjunction with parents, Thirsty Buddy is coordinating a euchre night to benefit the Thomapple Kellogg Schools senior party, as well. “We have run our food truck to raise money for indi­ viduals whose families are struggling due to something catastrophic happening,” Fox explained. “Most of the time, this is for our employees, but we have done it outside our employee circle.” Michigan fall colors 2023: Peak colors may be late. Blame El Nino Janelle D. James Bridge Michigan One ofthe best times ofthe year in Michigan — fall color season — may be delayed by warmer than usual tempera­ tures. But those same warm fall days and nights could mean even more vibrant colors than usual. Leaves in some parts ofthe Upper Peninsula could peak within the next few weeks, with the first to peak tradition­ ally being in the northwestern U.P. and the rugged region around Tahquamenon Falls. Generally, color-changing season peaks in mid-October and runs through the month, depending on where you are in the state, but Emily Holm, plant physiologist and profes- sor at Michigan State University said that the start date might be later, because of warmer temperatures caused by El Nino. “Peak fall colors could be pushed slightly back because it’s really those cold tempera­ tures that promote the fall color and so if it is slightly warmer, then it would delay it a little bit,” she said. Calls on Tuesday to mer­ chants in Escanaba said trees in southwest U.P. were about two weeks away from peak, while merchants in northeast U.P. ‘s Newberry said the peak could start as soon as this weekend. Trees near Tahquamenon Falls State park have started to change colors but have another week or so before peak. Michigan trees will become their own attraction as they change from green to orange, red and yellow, a sign that fall is near. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a 95 percent chance of a strong El Nino year. In these years, winters are drier and warmer because warm water blowing west along the equa­ tor is pushed back east. This causes the Pacificjet stream to move further south. Places in North America, like Michigan, tend to be warmer during El Nino years. The last one was in 2016 and the average tem­ perature that winter was about 33 degrees. The leaves start to change colors between 32 and 45 degrees fahrenheit at night. “The biggest predictor is reallyjust the fall temperatures overnight and the light that the leaves get,” Holm said. Leaves in Northern and mid-Michigan are estimated for now to peak between Oct. 9 and October 16. Warmer temperatures in the west and southern regions ofthe Lower Peninsula mean peak color is often between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23. Shorter days and colder nights help break down the enzymes in the leaves, which function at a certain tempera­ ture. Those enzymes signal the plant to start, producing less chlorophyll, which is respon­ sible for the green pigment of the plant. That is when red, yellow, orange and brown burst like fireworks across Michigan forests. “The breakdown of chloro­ phyll, getting rid ofthat green, is a way that the plant can recycle the nutrients that are within those compounds” and store it during the winter, Holm said. Trees preserve sugar from the chlorophyll that boost its metabolism which allows it to “hibernate” during long, harsh Michigan winters.. Trees that are on the out­ skirts of a forest or line to the side of major roads and high­ ways tend to change colors first and be more red since they are exposed to more heat and sunlight. Best places to see fall colors Color changing season is very dependent on the region. Trees along Lake Superior at Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Porcupine Mountains have started to change color but will peak in the coming weeks. The Tunnel of Trees is 22 miles of colorful trees along M-119, state trunkline high­ way in northern Michigan, Ocqueoc Falls in northern Michigan is surrounded by hardwood forest filled with trees ofvarious hues. It is the largest waterfall in the lower peninsula. Holland State Park over­ looks Lake Macatawa where leaves will start to turn color between early and mid-October. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING ~ CHANGES TO THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES FIREWORKS CONTROL ORDINANCE At a regular meeting of the Township Board of the Charter Township of Gaines, Kent County, Ml’, held on Monday, September 11, 2023 the Township Board adopted a Fireworks Control Ordinance which clearly defines the use of fireworks in the Township. The ordinance will be effective seven (7) days after this publication. A true and complete copy of the approved Fireworks Control Ordinance clearly defining the use of fireworks in the Township has been posted on the Township’s website at www.gainestownship.org. In addition, a true and complete copy of the Fireworks Control Ordinance can be inspected or obtained in the office of the Township clerk at the following location: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 616-698-6640 Charter Township of Gaines Michael A. Brew, Township Clerk �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023 As a need for food pantries spikes, The Congregational Kitchen seeks donations and volunteers James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Allegan-based Congregational Kitchen’s all-volunteer staff has been serving meals and supplying pantries around West Michigan for 17 years, but this year it could use more donations and volunteers. The nonprofit organiza­ tion’s director, Carrie Lovett, says most of the food pantries the Food pantries have been seeing a significant increase in people needing food Congregational Kitchen serves have been seeing a this year. significant increase in the And that is why they are a few people,” Lovett said. nization grew with it. number of people who are “We also have a kitchen “But what happened was going to the food pantries. showing up to receive Prior to the pandemic, we found there was also an division, and through there food. Congregational influx of excess food that last week we fed 840 peo­ “Some of them are tell­ The Kitchen served nearly was going to food brokers. ple. Those are take-out ing me they’re up about 80 1,000 meals every And this is food that’s meals only. We don’t have percent. Some of them are doubling in numbers, and Thursday night for dine-in actually been rejected. It our dining room open yet, some ofthem are almost at or takeout. But it is pro­ could be by a restaurant or since we closed it during 100 percent more families viding take-out meals only by a store. It’s rejected and the pandemic.” The Congregational right now, as it waits for then it goes to the broker, coming,” Lovett said. That is partly due to the its kitchen division to who in turn has food that Kitchen serves meals to only one school district: we can tap into.” discontinuance of some reopen at some point. The ministry has two Allegan Public Schools. It It also supplies about 30 state and federal COVIDpantries per week in the trucks. One runs through also gives out roughly 400 19 relief funding. bags every “I had a young lady counties of Allegan, Kent, the Grand Rapids area and backpack Friday to the students one that runs to Brighton. speak to me, and she told Ottawa, Kalamazoo and me that there was $300 Van Buren. The food and It receives about 25 skids during the school year. The ministry had a less money that she’s able supplies are donated by a week of so-called mis­ matched food, which is booth set up this month at to get per month. Now, for private corporations. Congregational relies taken to Congregational’s the Allegan County Fair to a young family that’s a totally on donations and warehouse. The food is bring awareness to the considerable amount. sorted, cleaned and, if public about what the You’ve learned to live grants. with those $300, and it’s Don Lucas was The necessary, re-packaged. organization does. gone now,” Lovett said. Congregational Kitchen’s The 30 pantries come and Congregational says on a “And so, they’re looking founder. pick that food up the next brochure that was being for ways to stretch the dol­ “He saw a need in the day. passed out there that its lars that they do have and town. We started in 2006, As the amount of acces­ mission is to “Demonstrate do receive.” thinking we could feed just sible food grew, the orga- the love of God through the cheerful serving of free, delicious meals in a CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ For Sale Pets clean, safe and comfortTIONS, REMODELING, Roof- 1980 FORD 1500 tractor with loader, roll bar, PTO. $1,000. 616-240-7484. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517-852­ 0667. Business Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. 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Please call Wes at 616-558-7464. 206184 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 cmtdonia (townshipJ Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 PUBLIC NOTICE Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan A meeting of the Election Commission, a sub-committee of the Charter Township of Caledonia Board of Trustees will take place on Monday, October 2, 2023 at the Township Hall beginning at 2:30 p.m. The Township Hall is located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The purpose of the meeting is to appoint the election inspectors for the November 7, 2023 Special Election; to set the date for the Public Accuracy Test to demonstrate that the computer program used to tabulate the votes cast at the election meet the requirements of the law; and to approve the early voting site and plan for the February 2024 Presidential Primary. Joni Henry, Clerk The Congregational Kitchen started as a small oper­ ation, but supplies 30 food pantries each week, as well as the Allegan Public Schools. (Photos provided) The ministry fills about 400 bags with food every Friday for delivery to students. able environment to all day long.” Some volunteers may who are hungry.” Donations can be sent to break down boxes, for The Congregational example, while others deliver meals. Kitchen, at 323 Cutler St., “And they are a wel­ Allegan, MI. 49010. A GoFundMe page also has coming smile to people. been set up for cash dona­ There’s so many ways that we can actually reach out tions. “We are always looking into this world that’s hurt­ for donations, but we’re ing,” Lovett said. She added that also looking for donations of time,” Lovett said. “A Congregational Kitchen volunteer can work with could also use a volunteer us hand-in-hand. to help it build a website. Sometimes, I have some­ It does have a Facebook one coming in for only an page. hour worth of time, and “We are looking for a that’s an hour’s worth of community director. time that somebody else We’ve got some wonderful doesn’t have to do. It grant writers, but we’re doesn’t mean that the vol­ always looking for more unteer has to be there all people,” Lovett said. West Nile Virus confirmed in human case in Kent County The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is tracking a human case of West Nile Virus in a Kent County resident. The patient has a limited travel history so it is likely they contracted the virus after being bit by a mosquito in the 49507 zip code. The patient is currently hospitalized. No other patient details will be released. With weather forecasters predicting unseasonably warm temperatures this week­ end, people will likely be spending more time outdoors. “People need to know that mosquitoes are still quite active this time ofyear,” says Adam London, Administrative Health Officer at KCHD. “It continues to be important that people take measures to pro­ tect themselves from being bitten.” The best treatment for West Nile Virus is preven­ tion. The KCHD recom­ mends wearing a mosquito repellant that contains 10 to 35 percent DEET, wearing CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the September 6, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on September 20, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. light colored clothing and staying indoors during dusk. To learn more about the choices and usage of insect repellants, visit epa.gov/ insect-repellents. You can help stop mosquitoes from breeding by removing any standing water in your yard and keeping your lawn and shrubs cut. West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito borne illness in the United States. Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus will never know it but about 20 percent ofthose infected may develop a fever or other symptoms. In rare cases, West Nile Virus can become a serious and some­ times fatal illness. For more information about West Nile Virus, visit cdc.gov/westnile/index.html. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023/ Page 11 State ninth overall in high school sports participation Michigan continued to rank nationally for both girls tenth nationally in high school­ (111,569) and boys (156,501) aged population during the participation separately, while 2022-23 school year and con­ ranking ninth for high-school tinued to best that ranking in aged boys population and 10th participation in high school for girls according to U.S. sports, according to the annual Census Bureau estimates. national participation study Michigan’s national rank­ conducted by the National ings in seven sports improved Federation of State High from 2021-22, while nine School Associations (NFHS). sports saw lower national Michigan ranked ninth for rankings than the previous overall participation national­ year. The biggest jumps came ly, based on a total of268,070 in girls volleyball and boys participants who competed in soccer, which both moved up sports for which the MHSAA two spots - volleyball to conducts postseason tourna­ fourth-highest participation ments. The total counts stu­ nationally, and boys soccer to dents once for each sport eighth. Girls golf (fourth), played, meaning students who softball (seventh), girls track are multiple-sport athletes are & field (seventh), girls swim­ counted more than once. ming & diving and boys Michigan also ranked ninth swimming & diving (both eighth) also moved up on their respective national lists. Participation in several more MHSAA sports also continued to outpace the state’s rankings for high school-aged population. For girls, participation in bowling (fourth), tennis (fourth), cross country (sixth), basketball (seventh), competi­ tive cheer (ninth) and soccer (ninth) all ranked higher than their population listing of 10th nationally. Among boys sports, bowling (second), ice hockey (fourth), tennis, (fifth), golf (fifth), basketball (sixth), track & field (sixth), cross country (seventh), football - all for­ mats combined (seventh) and baseball (eighth) exceeded that ninth ranking for popula- tion. includes 4,529,789 boys and 8- and 9-player football. Only 11 states sponsor 3,328,180 girls, according to Next on the boys list were alpine skiing, but Michigan figures obtained from the 51 outdoor track & field, basket­ ranked third on both the girls NFHS member state associa­ ball, baseball, soccer, wres­ and boys lists for that sport. tions, which include the tling, cross country, tennis, Wrestling, with boys and girls District ofColumbia. golf, and swimming & diving, totals counted together, ranked Eleven-player football respectively. eighth. remained the most popular On the girls side, outdoor Participation nationally rose boys sport, and most popular track and field (up 6.5 percent) more than three percent from participation sport overall, and volleyball (3.6) remained 2021-22 to 7,857,969 partici­ with the total climbing back in the top two spots, while pants, the first upward move­ over one million participants. basketball reclaimed the third ment in participation data The total of 1,028,761 partici­ position. Cross country ranked since the all-time record of pants marked an increase of fourth, followed by softball, 7,980,886 in 2017-18, which 54,969 and 5.6 percent from soccer, golf, tennis, swimming was followed by the first the previous year. This year’s & diving and competitive spir­ decline in 30 years in 2018-19 increase was the first in the it, respectively. and the two-year halt in data sport since 2013 and only the Texas remained atop the list collection by the NFHS relat­ second increase since the all­ of state participation with ed to the pandemic. (The time high of 1,112,303 in 827,446, but California closed MHSAA continued to collect 2008-09. There also was a the gap in second adding and report its data during this slight gain (34,935 to 35,301) 25,000 participants to climb to time.) The national total in the number of boys in 6-, 787,697. Caledonia boys outscore Scots suffer a second OK Red loss in five sets Eagles 4-0 in second half For a second straight Thursday night the Caledonia varsity volleyball team was bested in five sets in OK Red Conference competition. The Caledonia girls are 0-2 in the conference after a 25-15, 19-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-8 loss at Grand Haven Thursday. Rockford bested the Scots in five sets to open the conference season the previous Thursday. Cambria Gaier had a teamhigh 17 kills for the Scots in the loss to the Buccaneers and Aubrey Reynolds hit 12 kills. Josie Noble added seven and Reagan Hurst six. Noble and Georgia Pennington totaled three blocks apiece at the net. Setter Jess Maier put up 44 assists for the Scots. In the back, the Scots got 21 digs from Gaier, 20 from Avery Seifand 15 from Reynolds. Seif also smacked a teamhigh seven aces in the five sets. The OK Red Conference season continues with a match at East Kentwood Thursday, Sept. 28. CHS boys run to fifth at first OK Red jamboree Brett Bremer Sports Editor Caledonia runners record­ ed more than 30 personal best times on the course at East Rockford Middle School Tuesday during the first OK Red Conference jamboree of the season. The Caledonia boys’ varsi­ ty team was just three points shy of earning a spot in the top half of the day’s stand­ ings. Grand Haven, led by senior Seth Norder’s sea­ son-best time of 15 minutes 21.85 seconds, won the jam­ boree with a score of 32 points. Jenison was second with 49 points ahead of East Kentwood'76, Rockford 128, Caledonia 131, West Ottawa 134, Hudsonville 177 and Grandville 185. Jenison had juniors Seth Conner and Mason Lucas run their fastest race ever to fin­ ish in second and third place behind Norder. Conner hit the finish line in 15:27.04 and Lucas came in at 15:44.03. There were five guys who finished in less than 16 min­ utes. East Kentwood junior Isaac Tanis set his PR at 15:54.47 and his junior team­ mate Evan Nickoles was fifth in 15:57.60. The Caledonia team was led byjunior Kort Thompson. He placed 13 th with a time of 16: 30.31. Fighting Scot senior Levi Moss was 21st overall in 16:52.11. They both set a new PR at the meet. The Caledonia team had four guys in the top 30 finish­ ers. Senior Ayden Duffin was 27th in 17:04.03 and sophomore Eli Velting placed 29th in 17:09.06. Senior Micah Nagle was the team’s fifth scorer with a time of 17: 29.00. Rounding out the top seven for the Caledonia boys, junior Joshua Maier was 44th with a personal record time of 17:37.01. Junior teammate Mason Morrell was right behind with a season-best time of 17:39.64. West Ottawa took the vic­ tory in the girls’ meet with 45 points ahead of Grand Haven 51, Rockford 89, Jenison 107, Hudsonville 127, East Kentwood 140, Grandville 176 and Caledonia 184. Grand Haven junior Valerie Beeck was the indi­ vidual champion with a sea­ son-best time of 18:24.18. She was one of four girls to finish in less than 19 minutes. The other three set new PR’s. That group included West Ottawa sophomore Ava Porras (18:50.56), Grandville junior Chloe DeRidder (18:54.77) and West Ottawa sophomore Addie Birkholz (18:56.11). The two fastest Fighting Scots both ran their fastest race yet. Junior Hannah Dupuis placed 28 th in 20: 40.37 and freshman Akaela Daman was 36th in 21: 05.64. Another CHS freshman, Olivia Hawkins, was 41st in 21:21.76. Caledonia senior Kloe Kimbrel was right on Hawkins’ heels with a 43rd-place time of 21:32.42. Scot junior Adysen Daman rounded out the top five for her team with a 49th-place time of 21:55.37. Caledonia junior Leah Williams set her personal record for the Scots wjth a 50th-place time of 21:56.14 and junior teammate Avalynn Klapmust placed 51st in 21:57.62. The Fighting Scots are slat­ ed to be a part ofthe Cougar/ Falcon Invitational in Grand Rapids today, Sept. 23, and will be back in action next Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Otsego Invitational. The next OK Red Conferencejamboree ofthe season will be hosted by the Fighting Scots at Caledonia High School Oct. 3. Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ soccer team closed out a 3-3-1 OK Red Conference regular season this week. The Fighting Scots scored a 5-1 win over visiting Hudsonville at Scotland Yard Tuesday evening and then fell 3-0 to visiting Rockford Thursday evening. The Scots and Hudsonville Eagles were knotted at 1-1 to start die second half, but the Scots quickly broke the dead­ lock with Austin DeVries roll­ ing a pass ahead to the left side of the Eagle goalbox. gathering a rebound and step­ Teammate Nathan Maas got ping by the downed Eagle behind the Eagle defense and keeper to fire the ball into the tapped a shot from a tough open net. angle by a diving Hudsonville The Fighting Scots will open goalkeeper. the conference tournament on Maas converted on a penal­ the road at Grand Haven Oct 2. ty kick midway through the The Buccaneers are currently second halfto make it 3-1 and 4-2 in conference play and have then DeVries upped their one more to go at home against team’s lead to 4-1 by finding Rockford Tuesday. an opening at the top of the Caledonia has a pair of Eagle goalbox and collecting a non-conference tune-ups pass to fire into the upper right before the start ofthe postsea­ 90 ofthe net. son. The Scots play host to Austin Licari finished off South Christian Tuesday and the scoring for the Fighting Forest Hills Central Thursday Scots in the final moments in the week ahead. TK beats Bengals, hosts Pink Out Tuesday night Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg picked up its first victory of the OK Gold Conference varsity volleyball season by outscoring Ottawa Hills in three sets in Middleville Tuesday. The Trojans took 25-14, 25-21,25-17 wins in the match with the Bengals. Kenna VanElst led the TK team on the attack with seven kills. Bailey Eden, Brooklyn Harmon and Reece Ritsema had four kills each. Setter Eden put up ten assists. Jesse Drenten had a team-high 11 digs. The TK girls are now 1-2 in the conference this fall, with both of those losses coming in hard-fought match­ es. The Trojans fell in four sets to open the conference season in Wayland Sept. 14 and were bested in three sets at South Christian Thursday night. The Sailors took a 25-22, 27-25, 25-22 victories in the three sets. New Cotton Blenders, Flannel, 108" Backs, Solid Colors, more... • Gift List: Quilts, Totes, Purses, Runners, Tree Skirts, Tablecloths, etc. • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... SiAtenA *?4ilhicA 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; —HSr Saturday 9 am-3 pm M aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaJ TK will be back at it in the conference Tuesday hosting Forest Hills Eastern for its annual Pink Out game. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, September 11,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to renew the existing employee medical coverage plan with a premium share of 20% and to retain a monthly stipend of $500 for those not taking insurance coverage starting with a renewal date of 12/01/2023. 4. Approved motion to host a “12Lead Class” for emergency services staff (and any member of MCA want­ ing to attend) for a cost of $350. 5. Approved motion to send one paid-on-call firefighter to EMT school at a cost of $1,950. 6. Approved motion to send five people to Fire Academy for a total cost of $2,000. Meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Super­ visor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Town­ ship Clerk or by visiting our website at https:/rthornapple-twp.org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023 Rams get a leg up in Red with win over Scots Brett Bremer Sports Editor About 11 months ago the Caledonia varsity football team lost an OK Red Conference showdown with the Rockford Rams at Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia - the first confer­ ence loss ofthe 2022 season for either team. Those Fighting Scots could dream of a playoff rematch, which they got and which they won. These Fighting Scots don’t have to (or get to, depending on how they want to look at it-) Rockford, ranked third in the state in Division 1, improved to 4-0 overall this 2023 season and 2-0 in the OK Red Conference with a 40 • 14 AM »»*AJ MV MA U1V VAMAVAAA^ Fighting Scots inside Carlson-Munger Stadium in Rockford Friday. Caledonia went into the match-up as the top ranked team in the state in Division 2. The Scots are now 3-1 this season and 1-1 in the OK Red. Caledonia head coach Derek Pennington said Rockford’s depth and ability to compete with far fewer guys playing on both sides of the football was one of the key factors as the Rams turned a 14-10 halftime lead into a rout. Rockford senior quarter Drake Irwin connected with senior wide receiver Camden Kruisenga for a 72-yard touchdown on the second snap of the second half to boost the Rams’ lead to 21-10, and the duo would pair up for another long touchdown later in the third quarter. "cored "ointo on four oftheir five full sec­ ond halfdrives, with a missed 30-yard field goal attempt accounting for the only Caledonia assistant coach Whitney Bell talks with senior defensive back Maddox Greenfield after a Rockford touchdown pass during the second half of their loss to the host Rams inside Carlson-Munger Stadium in Rockford Friday, Sept. 15. (Photo by Brett Bremer) scoreless possession. They ended the bailgame kneeing out the clock on the Scots’ side ofmidfield. Caledonia missed a few key regulars to injury for all of or part ofthe second half including senior linebacker Derek Pennington Jr., junior safety Reed Vogeler and they were without senior safety Brock Townsend for a bit. Senior running back Blake Herron had to take over Pennington’s H-back duties on offense for a while, a spot he’s never played before. Freshman Dallas Moody finally took over Townsend’s lead running back spot on offense to finish out the game. “Obviously, we really want to win the Red,” coach * ^AXAA^x^vMxa UU*U, Mv*V ««M iv playing for the postseason. We’re playing for the play­ offs. You get into a game situation like that where things aren’t going your way and you have guys dinged up, you just pull off. It is what it is. It is disappointing. “I felt like at halftime we should have been up, if we finish the one drive, and then we just had a third-quarter collapse. They had put every team away by halftime that we had seen on film. They were up big on Muskegon, and Mona and Jenison at half. We played a great half, but football games aren’t a half. They are a whole game.” Moody scored the Scots’ final touchdown on a oneyard run with 4:01 to go. It wasn’t the ending the Scots wanted, but things couldn’t have started much better. Townsend returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, with kicker Nathan Maas’ extra-point giving the Scots a 7-0 lead 12 seconds in. But the Caledonia offense Fighting Scot senior linebacker Derek Pennington Jr. (32) sets his sights on Rockford senior quarterback Drake Irwin as he blitzes through the line during the Rams’ OK Red Conference win over visiting Caledonia Friday, Sept. 15. (Photo by Brett Bremer) had two drives stall deep in Rockford territory in the first half. Rockford marched down the field on its opening possession ofthe bailgame to tie WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING ATING & & AIR AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 Caledonia junior safety Reed Vogeler (4) celebrates a tackle for a loss with senior Blake Herron and others during the second quarter of their OK Red Conference contest at Rockford High School Friday, Sept. 15. (Photo by Brett Bremer) UGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS • PICK UPS • ONE TONS • VANS • SUV’S • JEEPS • 4X4S FULL SERVICES YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 LENNOX ACCREDITED BUSINESS j USED PARTS USED TIRES 1811LAKE St.jUULAMAMU things up at 7-7 on a nineyard touchdown run by senior running back Ryan Ahem. The Rams took the lead on an 84-yard punt return by junior Isaac Poot four minutes into the second quarter. The Fighting Scots had first-and-goal at the Rockford ten with a little over four minutes to play in the first quarter, but couldn’t get inside the three-yard-line and had a fourth down pass fall incomplete. After the Rams’ punt return for a touchdown, the Scots had a drive get inside the Ram 15-yard-line before they had to settle for a 29-yard field goal from Maas. The Rams added to their lead in the second halfwith a 26-yard touchdown pass from Irwin to senior wide receiver Seth Anderson with 3:53 to go in the third quar­ ter; another Irwin to Kruisenga TD -strike this time from 45 yards out with 2:14 to play in the third quar­ ter; and a five-yard touch­ down run by junior Corbin Starkey with 8:45 to play in the fourth quarter. Irwin finished the night 19-of-26 passing for 368 yards and the three touch­ downs. On the ground, Ahem had six mshes for 48 yards. Kruisenga hauled in eight passes for 178 yards. Anderson finished with eight catches for 106 yards. “Hats off to them,” coach Pennington said. “[Kruisenga] is a really good player. I thought the quarterback deliv­ ered some good balls.” See SCOTS, page 16 �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023/ Page 13 FHE makes most of second half chances Thornapple Kellogg goalkeeper Owen Corner knocks a Forest Hills Eastern shot away from his line during the first half in Middleville Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity boys’ soccer coach Andrew Kiel asked his guys to think about how to be better prepared for the start of a contest before excusing them for the evening after a loss to visiting Forest Hills Eastern. He was looking for ideas on how to improve the over­ all consistency ofhis team’s Play. Forest Hills Eastern scored two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half and held on for a 3-1 win over the Trojans inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Monday. “The first half we were 0-0, Kiel said. “We should Thornapple Kellogg junior defender Jordan Rowley (5) fights to beat Forest Hills Eastern’s Carson Tucker to a ball bounding through the midfield Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Eastern keeper Mars Steenwyk and into the back have been up more and we ofthe net. don’t put our opportunities That goal came on a good, away. Even in the second hard shotjust inside the near half, you can take the score post, but Steenwyk would line and they win, but we have surely liked to have possessed the ball and we had the chance for the save were the better team. They back. He made up for it had four opportunities and moments later, keeping his they put three away. That is team in the lead 2-1 by the frustrating part. stealing a scoring chance The Trojans’ Simeon away from Biltawi. Biltawi had two shots ring Biltawi ran onto a chip off the post in the first half into the Hawks’ box behind and Jayce Curtis had one the defense. From just to the great chance whizz just right of the penalty spot he wide ofthe net. hit a shot at the lower left TK got its lone goal with hand comer of the net that 11 minutes to play when Steenwyk managed to lay­ Biltawi looked up in the out for and snag. center of the attacking zone Forest Hills Eastern’s and found senior teammate Noah McGraw put his team Reece Hoeksma to his right. back up by two goals at 3-1 Hoeksma ripped a shot by a with 5:53 to go on the block. defender that glanced off A well-timed run up the TK junior Blake Hardy shots a pass across the offensive zone during his team’s OK Gold Conference match with visiting Forest Hills Eastern Monday inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) right side and a ball from inside out led to the scoring chance. The ball came back to the middle for McGraw who fired it into the net. McGraw also scored the Hawks’ opening goal on a 30-yard shot that he lasered under the cross bar. Trojan sophomore defender Nathan Shoemaker chased down a long ball into the TK box to prevent the ini­ tial scoring chance, but the Trojans’ clearance found McGraw charging back in on goal 5:50 into the sec­ ond half. The Hawks scored again three minutes later. Forest Hills Eastern’s Lawrence May found space on the far side of the field and the Hawks managed to get the ball across the field from left to right before the TK defense could completely rally. With the opening on the right side, May cut through the Trojan box with the ball and maneuvered through a couple of defend­ ers for the space to roll a shot by keeper Owen Comer. Comer was solid in goal for the Trojans. He had one excellent save on a free kick by the Hawks that curled by a Trojan wall from about 35 yards out late in the first half. “We have to capitalize,” Keil said. “And that has been the story ofour season. We are not threatening enough up top.” The Trojans have started working to push the attack ahead more with an extra man in the midfield. Coach Keil said that Shoemaker’s speed and ability have allowed the team to try and play with three defenders along the back line more often lately than in the early part of the season. Coach Keil said he likes how fel- low defenders Blake Dykstra and Jordan Rowley are able to pressure oppo­ nents and then leave Shoemaker to clean things up. Another key part of the change is that it should help limit opponents’ space through the midfield. “It’s working. It’s just converting now,” Keil said. “We’re leaking less and we seem to have a better foot­ hold in the game. We’ve just got to get things clicking.” The Hawks did do well possessing in the midfield, but especially in the first halfhad a tough time break­ ing through to create great scoring chances - like the ones they took advantage of in the second half. The Trojans close out the conference regular season with a 1-5-1 record and are 6-6-2 overall. TK fell 2-1 Wednesday in the final con­ ference regular season game at Kenowa Hills. The Trojans will be out­ side the conference to visit West Catholic Monday, Sept. 25. The Trojans go to East Grand Rapids next Thursday, Sept. 28. TK opens play in the OK Gold Conference Tournament at Cedar Springs Oct. 2. Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23, 2023 TK shoots to third-place Beat Down V bringing boxing to Expo Center finish at Egypt Valley Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was the best finish of the OK Gold Conference season so far for the Trojans as they finished third at Egypt Valley Country Club Wednesday. The Trojans put together a score of 195 at the confer­ ence jamboree hosted by Forest Hills Eastern. Grand Rapids Catholic Central won with a score of 167. Forest Hills Eastern was second with a 180. Thomapple Kellogg junior Ailana Leos and Grand Rapids Catholic Central junior Ava Wisinski tied for individual honors on the day each shooting a 40. Leos had the early advan­ tage on Wisinski with a birdie on the par-4 number two. The duo went back and forth with Wisinski eventu­ ally moving two strokes ahead with a birdie on the par-4 number six. They were back to even by the end of nine though. Leos closed her round with back to back pars on eight and nine. Behind the Trojans, South Christian tallied a score of 206, Kenowa Hills 233, Cedar Springs 233 and Wayland 263. Catholic Central took the win with five girls in the top ten scorers ofthe day. Junior Claire Sullivan shot a 41, sophomore Sofia Piccione a 42 and Kelsey Preston a 44. Junior Rae Borrink had a solid round for TK finishing in a three-way tie for tenth overall. Borrink shot a 47. The Trojan team got a 51 from senior Emma Schut and a 57 from senior Joselyn DeBoer. Forest Hills Eastern had two girls in the top five with senior Sophie Skoog shoot­ ing a 41 and sophomore Stella Bernhardt a 42. The conference was back in action Thursday after­ noon for the conference jamboree hosted by Grand Rapids Catholic Central at Quail Ridge. The Cougars won on their home course with a score of 160. Forest Hills Eastern was second with a score of 177 ahead of South Christian 179, Kenowa Hills 210, Thomapple Kellogg 210, Cedar Springs 223 and Wayland 242. Leos shot a 47 to lead the TK team. Borrink scored a 54, senior Kendra Coe scored a 55 and senior Katie Comeau added a 58. A trio*of girls shot 38 to finish atop the day’s stand­ ings: Bernhardt from Forest Hills Eastern and the Cougars’ senior Katie Cook and Wisinski. Skoog was fourth with a 39 and Catholic Central sophomore Margaret Deimel scored a 40. The TK team went into those back-to-back confer­ ence jamborees having scored a 203-221 win over Hopkins at Yankee Springs Tuesday afternoon. Leos shot a 40 on the red nine to lead the TK team. Coe scored a 45, Borrink a 52 and Comeau a 66. Hopkins was led by a 49 from senior Cayla Szubinski. The OK Gold is slated to get together for jamborees Tuesday and Wednesday in the week ahead and then will head to Point O’ Woods GolfClub in Benton Harbor for a pre-regional tourna­ ment. 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NOW ACCEPTING HEALTHY KIDS DELTA DENTAL AND HEALTHY KID DENTAQUEST JOIN YANKEE SPRINGS' DENTAL 12715 W M-l 79 Hwy • Wayland, Ml 49348 YankeeSpringsDental.com Office Hours (269)792-9723 Scan to request an appointment and learn more. M 9am-6pm ppTW ur 7gasmd-e3nptmal Th F 8am-5pm 8am-4pm 8am-12pm our team Looking to add a Dental Assistant i| Brett Bremer Sports Editor Barry County Beat Down V will be held at the Barry Expo Center Saturday, Sept 30. The event being put on by Richard Burtts and Shann Jackson will bring amateur boxing to Barry County for the first time since 1978 according to Burtts - who plans to fight himself for the final time in one of the dozen or so men’s and women’s matches being planned. The doors to the hog bam at the Barry Expo Center where the fights will be held open at 6 p.m. Fights are slated to start at 7 p.m. Burtts said that while Mixed Martial Arts fights have been a part of the first four Barry County Beat Down events, he thinks boxing is seeing an uptick in popularity. “It is a little bit safer for the fighters,” Burtts said. “If you box, you have to do it through USA Boxing and USA Boxing insures the fighters. That is the main focus there, keeping the fighters safe.” Tickets for the event are $25 to general admission, $50 for VIP admission and tables are available for $400. There are plans for fighters from Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Ilinois, Wisconsin and across Michigan. “If you want to see local tough guys and some of the best showcased boxing talent in the country this is the place to be,” Burtts said. Burtts started boxing him­ selfat an early age. “This started for me 40 years ago. This is my going away tour. I am coming back home to fight. I have never gotten to fight here,” Burtts said. He said that from the time he could walk his grandfather Richard Bird had him punch­ ing a pillow. “They were all golden gloves boxers back in the late 40’s early 50’s and they would train in the bam,” Burtts said. “When I was about 13 years old I could beat [my grandpa] and he started taking me to a gym in Grand Rapids.” The last time Burtts fought was 2010 in Des Moines, Iowa, a match he said he won by a first round knock out. At that point he stopped fighting and started training fighters. Burtts said that the Barry Beat Down V is a family friendly event. Kids 10-and-under are free. There will be food and beer available for purchase, raffles and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 616-260 -6334 or 616-427-6763. Crews front of PR-filled pack at Sparta Invite Brett Bremer Sports Editor The fastest Trojans con­ tinued trimming time from their personal records in the Gold Division race at the Sparta Invitational early Saturday morning. Trojan junior Ava Crews won the individual title in the girls’ race with a per­ sonal record time of 18 minutes 57.56 seconds. It is the first sub-19 race of her outstanding varsity running time so far. TK senior Lucas Van Meter placed sixth in the boys’ race with a per­ sonal record time of 16:33.11. Crews cut about 21 seconds offher previous best time and Van Meter cut almost 14 seconds from his previous PR. Of the nine TK ladies racing, eight had their fast­ est race of the season with six of those a new personal record. That wasn’t quite enough to get the TK ladies the team championship. Spring Lake had four girls finish among the top eight and won the title with 36 points. TK was second with 60 ahead of OK Gold Conference foe Forest Hills Eastern who finished with 74 points. Fruitport was third with 76 points ahead of Sparta 130, Coopersville 147 and Hamilton 193. Spring Lake was led by senior Kyla Meyers’ thirdplace time of 19:29.55. Fruitport senior Tatum Dykstra was the runner-up in 19:24.87. In a unique format, the girls’ race took offtwo min­ utes after the boys’ race. The girls’ pack for TK finished the ace with five girls in the top 20. Freshmen Meghan-Jane Skidmore and Peyton Hardy were the Trojans’ two and three. Skidmore placed ninth in 20:29.40. Hardy came in at 20:54.58. It is the fastest varsity race yet for the two youngsters. TK sophomore Madison Kietzman set her PR at 20: 56.47 right behind Hardy placing 16 . Trojan senior Holly Velting turned in her fastest time of the season to place 19*“. She hit the finish line in 21: 15.48. TK also got personal record times from freshmen Carmen Reynolds and Alaina McCrumb in the girls’ race. Forest Hills Eastern won the boys’ championship Saturday morning with 41 points followed by Sparta 47, Hamilton 72, Fruitport 112, Wayland 116, Thomapple Kellogg 144 and Coopersville 179. Sparta had the two fastest guys. Senior Gregory Janesak improved his PR to 15:40.21 to win the individ­ ual title. His sophomore teammate Owen Metzger was the runner-up in 15:58.45. The next two guys across the finish line were Forest Hills Eastern junior Henry Dixon (16:02.25) and senior Cooper Jacobsen (16:23.85) who both improved their PR’s. Of the eight TK guys competing four set new.personal records and two oth­ ers had their top time ofthe season. The trio of senior Kaden Hamming and freshmen Elijah Frazer and Grady Galaviz came in together again. Hamming led the group with a time of 19:00.22. Frazer dropped his Pr to 19:02.15 to place 35*h and Galaviz was 36**1 with a PR of 19:02.98. TK junior Hunter Tietz ran his fastest race of the year to place 42n“ overall. He came in at 19:39.30. TK also got a personal record time from sopho­ more Noah Donker Saturday morning. Thornapple Kellogg heads to Calvary Christian for an invitational Saturday morning, Sept. 23, and will host an OK Gold Conference jamboree on the course at Gun Lake where the Trojans host their annual Coach B Invitational Tuesday, Sept. 26. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23,2023/ Page 15 Catholic Central gets to 4*0 with win at TK Brett Bremer ’’Ito <1 X ’’S s?i< ^«IL Sports Editor The Trojans moved the football, but couldn’t slow down the high-flying Cougar attack as they fell 49-14 in Middleville Friday. It was a tough start to the second halffor the Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team. The Cougars led 20-7 at the half and then added three touchdowns by running back Kellen Russell-Dixon in the first four and a half minutes ofthe third quarter. Russell-Dixon scored on a 28-yard run a minute into the second half, added an 82-yard TD run two and a half min­ utes later after a TK punt, and then finished off a short drive following a TK fumble by scoring on a two-yard run. The Cougars move to 2-0 in the OK Gold Conference with the win and 3-1 overall. The Trojans fell to 0-4 with the loss. Russell-Dixon also scored the Cougars’ first points on the night on a 14-yard touch­ downs reception from quar­ terback Connor Wolf. The Trojans had a 7-0 lead after getting a four-yard touchdown run by Drake Snyder at the end of a long first drive that ate up the first half of the opening quarter. TK still led 7-6 at the end of the first quarter after the Cougars’ were unable to con­ vert on the extra-point try following Russell-Dixon’s first TD. Catholic Central took its first lead of the game at 12-7 with three minutes to go in the first half on a one-yard TD run by Wolf. The Cougars tacked on a ten-yard TD pass from Wolf to Jami Williams with 20 sec­ onds to go in the first halfand added a two-point conver­ sion. A couple solid runs through the middle by Snyder and a 41-yard pass up the left side MtlS Ufchfe * iMfelii Hisiqta Mjfyi UtKIU tiij fc ml si n|IHi spnsti ® hi Hw tsdiPK' Thornapple Kellogg varsity football coach Jeff Dock greets senior Grant Middleton (2) and the rest of his team as they enter Bob White Stadium for their Sept. 15 match-up with visiting Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Thornapple Kellogg junior Chad Lennert Jr. works to bring down Catholic Central quarterback Connor Wolf as his teammates close in during their OK Gold game inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Sept. 15. from quarterback Brody Wiersma to Jaxan Sias got the Trojans in position to score again following the Cougars’ outburst to start the second half. Snyder scored on a oneyard run with 2:39 to go in the third and the extra-point got TK within 42-14. Catholic Central got the final TD ofthe bailgame with ten minutes to play on a nineyard run by Lucas Thelen. TK was slated to visit Wayland Friday night, Sept. 22. The Trojans went into the ballgame having won five in a row against the Wildcats. Wayland entered the contest with a 2-2 overall record and a matching 0-2 mark to the Trojans in the OK Gold hav­ ing also fallen to GRCC and Cedar Springs. TK will host Ottawa Hills for homecoming Friday night, Sept. 29, in Middleville. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 23-4 TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisor and Assessor have prepared and filed in the office of the Township Clerk for public examination a special assessment roll covering all properties within Payne Lake Aquatic Plant Control Special Assessment District No. 23-4 benefited by the proposed aquatic plant control project. The roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing the costs of the project within the aforesaid special assessment district, which district is more particularly shown on the plans on file with the Township Clerk at Yankee Springs Township Hall. The costs of the project are as shown on the estimate of costs on file with the Township Clerk at Yankee Springs Township Hall. The project cost is $100,000 to $125,000, including administrative costs, which is the amount of the assessment roll. The amount assessed against each property in the district will be approximately $172 per year for a front parcel and $84 per year for a back parcel. The term of the special assessment will be five years, 2024 through 2028 inclusive. liniii plisiii PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Supervisor and Assessor have further reported to I Hr the Township Board that the assessment against each parcel of land within said district is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in said district as the benefit to such parcels bears to the total benefit to all parcels of land in said District. alfci PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board will meet at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Michigan on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the special assessment roll, hearing any objections thereto and confirming the roll as submitted or revised or amended. The roll may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days until the time of the hearing and may further be examined at the hearing. Any person objecting to the assessment roll shall file objections thereto in writing with the Township Clerk before the close of the hearing or within such other time as the Township Board may grant. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/ her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may file his/her appearance and protest by letter before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. The owners or any person having an interest in real property who protests in writing at or before the hearing may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days ijkik l B' ini W ill* |!^ pjiid after confirmation of the special assessment roll. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting to individuals with disabilities upon seven (7) days' notice to the Yankee iit^ Springs Township Clerk. Cili jl* ft TK senior back Ethan Bonnema looks to get around the right side with the help nf a block fmm teammate Tylar Gavatte during tha first half nf their OK Gold ftroriH RorCdc* Cridaif 1R YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Mike Cunningham, Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 12691 795-9091 - �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 23,2023 SCOTS continued from page 12 Coach Pennington said he thought junior quarterback Brody Betser threw the ball well. Betser was 13-for-26 for 140 yards. Max Greenfield had a team-high five catches for 63 yards. Townsend rushed 12 times for 64 yards and had four catches for 47 yards. “We have to sit down as a staff and figure out how we play less guys both ways. We’re playing too many dudes both ways and that hurts us in a long game. We ferent animal when you’re have six or seven guys going dealing with [Rockford] and both ways. We’re going to the fact that they only had have to develop some kids one dude playing both ways, and trust some kids to play so and he didn’t do it all the we’re fresher. You have to time. It is just different. have more dudes out there to They’re built different. “I’m proud ofthe kids. I’ll finish a game - especially show up Monday and coach against a kid like Rockford. “But also, we’re in them.” It wasn’t only a full side­ Division 2 [for the postsea­ son] this year. You’re not line for the Rams Friday. It going to see a school of was a full Carlson-Munger 2,600 kids that has 100 kids Stadium. The attendance was on the team either. It is a dif­ announced as 12,756. Gators win a handful of events in Holland pool Brett Bremer Sports Editor ■ The Calvin Christian/West Catholic/Thomapple Kellogg/ Hopkins varsity girls’ swim­ ming and diving team known as the Grand Rapids Gators was bested by host Holland 100-84 Tuesday evening. The Gators got a victory from sophomore Aliyah Garcia in the 100-yard breast­ stroke. She won the race in 1 minute 17.98 seconds and her team also finished first in the 200-yard medley relay to start the meet with a time of 2:12.41.' In the 500-yard freestyle the Gators had three of the five scorers. The group was led by Garcia who won in 5:54.99. Mia Bergman was third and Grace Schumacher was fifth in that race for their team. The diving competition was a good one, as usual, for the Gators with Lydia Slagel lead­ ing a sweep of the top three scoring places. She won with 221.40 points. Natalie Wickstrom was second with a score of 217.15 and Abigail Dumond placed third with a mark of205.80. Aubrey Hawks had a strong swim in the 200-yard freestyle to earn a runner-up finish for the Gators. She touched the wall in 2:21.69. She was also second in the 100-yard back­ stroke in 1:13.32 with team­ mate Avery Hollebeek right behind in third place. Natalie Legg won a pair of individual events for the Holland team - beating out Hawks in those races. She took that 100-yard backstroke in 1:06.35 and the 200-yard freestyle in 2:12.47. Elizabeth Middleton scored a third-place finish in the 200yard individual medley for the Gators with a time of2:50:36 and she was second to Garcia in the breaststroke with a time of 1:23.56. In the 50-yard freestyle the Gators had Berta GarciaQuilez third in 30.26 and teammate Malia Hamby fourth in 30.92. Hamby later added a thirdplace time in the 100-yard butterfly. The Calvin/West Catholic/ TK/Hopkins girls are sched­ uled to be a part of the East Grand Rapids Diving Invite Saturday, Sept. 23, and the team will swim a dual with Grand Rapids Union at Grandville High School Thursday, Sept. 28. CHS golfers third at pair of OK Red competitions The Fighting Scot team got Sports Editor a 47 from junior Ellie Hudson Rockford and Hudsonville and a 48 from senior Elizabeth traded the 1-2 spots and Honhart. Caledonia’s varsity girls’ golf East Kentwood senior Elise team was third at the two OK Fennell was the day’s individ­ Red Conference jamborees ual champion with a two-un­ this week. der-par 34. Rockford senior Rockford won Wednesday Jessica Jolly was a stroke back on Hudsonville’s home course with a 35. at Sunnybrook Country Club. Hudsonville had two girls The Rams put up a score of tied with Codie O’Krangley in 160 to beat out Hudsonville fourth place with 40’s, sopho­ 165, Caledonia 174, East more Ashlyn VanderBaan and Kentwood 187, Jenison 198, junior Ava Gardner. Grand Haven 209, Grandville Behind Jolly for the 209 and West Ottawa 212. champs from Rockford Caledonia junior Copelin senior Carly Sampson shot a O’Krangley was third on the 40, senior Morgan Vanos day with a score of 39 and shot a 41 and senior Aubrey sophomore Codie O’Krangley Wilson scored a 44. finished in a four-person tie West Ottawa hosted the for fourth with a 40. conference at Macatawa Copelin was steady Legends Golf and Country throughout. Codie had a bit of Club Tuesday. Hudsonville an up and down, but closed took the win in Holland with a really strong with birdies on score of 171 ahead ofRockford number six and number nine 177, Caledonia 186, Jenison to finish at four over. 192, East Kentwood 200, Brett Bremer Caledonia junior quarterback Brody Betser finds space to run through the Rockford defense during the second quarter of their OK Red showdown inside Cad$on-Munger Stadium in Rockford Sept. 15. (Photo by Brett Bremer) More than a provider, we're your partner in wellness. TK gets a few singles’ wins in two tough duals Brett Bremer SCAN THE QR CODE TO SCHEDULE ONLINEI Trinity Health Medical Group, Primary Care - Caledonia 10047 Crossroads Ct SE Caledonia, Mi 49316 Trinity Health We See All of You™ I Grand Haven 209, West Ottawa 224 and Grandville NTS. Copelin O’Krangley was one of three girls tied at 39 atop the day’s individual standings. She was matched by Hudsonville junior Sophia Howard and Grand Haven senior Maddie Schopf. Fennell shot a 40 and Jolly a 41 to lead their teams. Hudsonville had three girls in the top seven. VanderBaan was sixth with a 42 and fresh­ man Raylee Loughin placed seventh with a 43. Hudson was the Scots’ num-. ber two scorer Tuesday. She shot a 44 to finish in a tie for eighth individually with Rockford senior Aubrey Wilson. Caledonia got a 51 from junior Mya Burgess and Codie O’Krangley shot a 52. The Fighting Scots are scheduled to host the confer­ ence at Broadmoor Country Club Tuesday. Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team is 2-2-1 in the OK Gold Conference after falling 6-2 against visiting Forest Hills Eastern Monday in Middleville. TK’s top two singles play­ ers, Cameron Nichols and Raphael DeMonval got rare top flight singles wins for the Trojans over the Hawks. Nichols bested FHE’s AJ Droog in three sets, pulling out a 7-5 thriller in the end. Nichols won the opening set 6-1 before Droog rallied for a 6-2 win in the second set. DeMonval bested the Hawks’ Justin Hunter 6-2, 6-0 at second singles. The two other Trojan sin­ gles players also pushed their FHE foes. Drew Dylenski sur­ vived for a 7-6(4), 7-5 win over TK’s Jacob Draaisma at number three singles. At num­ ber four, the Hawks’ Henry Elms pulled out a 6-3,6-1 win over Franklin Wilkinson. The Trojans were on the road at Zeeland West for a non-conference match Thursday, felling 6-2 to their hosts. DeMonval took a 6-1, 6-4 win over Landen Mosbauer in the second singles match. Draaisma earned TK’s other point by outscoring James Stewart from Zeeland West 6-2, 6-4 in the third singles match. Zeeland won the other six flights in straight sets. TK is scheduled to visit Kenowa Hills for an OK Gold Conference dual Monday, Sept. 25, and will be home for a non-conference dual with Calvin Christian Sept 26. The Trojans head to Vicksburg Saturday, Sept 23. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-09-30.pdf 39d04027b965a0f63ec636327b062812 PDF Text Text fneafe? am News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 39/ September 30, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Area townships opt not to consolidate with others for early voting Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County clerk’s office has devel­ oped a plan to facilitate the mandatory nine-day vot- ing period for upcoming elections while minimiz­ ing costs. Still, the county and See VOTING, page 3 Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer spoke with the Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, outlining plans for early voting in upcom­ ing elections. The mandatory early voting period is being implemented following the passage of Proposal 2 in 2022. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) Dutton Elementary School principal Shawn Veitch,,. Amazon Inc. senior operations manager Eric Miller,, Caledonia school board President Marcy White, State Rep. Angela Rigas and Caledonia Community Schools Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer dig into the dirt at Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new Dutton Elementary. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Caledonia schools break ground on new Dutton Elementary Greg Chandler Your Royal Highnesses It’s safe to say that Caledonia Community Schools know how to celebrate homecoming in style. Last week Friday, the Caledonia community staged its annual Calapalooza celebration to coincide with the homecoming football game. The parking lot outside of Ralph E. Meyers featured a festival-like atmosphere, complete with food, live music and other activities. During halftime of Caledonia’s 32-6 win over Jenison, they crowned this year’s homecoming king Kamrin Van’t Hof (left) and queen Mackenzie DeVries. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Staff Writer Shawn Veitch held up a child’s sweatshirt with the words “Dutton Wildcats” printed on it as he addressed a gathering Wednesday night where the new Dutton Elementary School will be built. Veitch, who has been Dutton’s principal for the past 10 years, said he was given the sweatshirt by a former school board mem­ ber when he took the princi­ pal’s job. “He sat down with me and said, ‘I wore this sweat­ shirt when I walked through the halls at Dutton Elementary.’” Veitch said. “He said, ‘Mr. Veitch, please carry on the legacy that we have here at Dutton — the legacy of love and support of one another, and the legacy of academic excellence.’ And I promise you that’s what we’re going to continue to do as we open up this new building.” Moments later, school administrators and Caledonia Board of Education members were joined by Dutton parents and students in turning over the first ceremonial shovelfuls of dirt to mark the official start of construction for the new 60,000-square-foot school at the southeast cor- ner of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. The school is expected to open in time for the 2025-26 school year. “We’re excited to have a brand new building, a brand new building that we have been able to specifically design to meet our students’ needs — from a barrier-free playground to a school building where all students can access the entire build­ ing and the entire play­ ground, where we can all come together as one,” Veitch said. The new Dutton will replace the current Dutton building on 68th Street, which has been in existence since the 1950s. Mandy Austhof, a kindergarten teacher who is in her sec­ ond year of teaching at Dutton, can’t wait for the new school to be built. “I could tell (when I started) that we are in need of a new building,” Austhof said. “My classroom is run­ ning out of space because of numbers (of students increasing). I’m also look­ ing forward to the air condi­ tioning (the current Dutton building does not have air conditioning).” Construction of the new school was made possible by a $61 million bond issue that was approved by voters in the Caledonia Community Schools district in May. “Your votes and trust in the district speak volumes about your commitment to quality education for all of our students,” said school board President Marcy White, a former Dutton par­ ent. ■ “Beyond the ballot box, this community has consis­ tently demonstrated its sup­ port in tangible ways. Volunteers have stepped up time and time again, offer­ ing their time and expertise to enrich the educational experiences for our chil­ dren. Your strong atten­ dance at school events has not only fostered a sense of community but has also bolstered our students’ enthusiasm and pride. Moreover, your investment in the future, through the bonds, is a clear indication of your dedication to pro­ viding our children with the best possible opportuni­ ties,” White added. The Dutton project was originally planned to be part of the May 2020 bond issue, but the school board put the project on hold after bids came in more than $9 million over the original $21 million budget, with unexpected spikes in build­ ing material costs and sup­ ply chain issues linked to the COVID-19 pandemic driving the overrun. That led to the board putting a See NEWSCHOOL, page 2 • Retired teachers honored as Middleville Hometown Heroes • Scout groups push back at new Cal schools facility policy • Wayland football turns turnovers into more points than Trojans • Fighting Scot football wins its homecoming contest over Jenison • Caledonia tennis team scores its first OK Red Conference win at EK �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30,2023 Woman dies in Gaines Township fast food restaurant from possible drug overdose James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says a woman who was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant in Gaines Township has died. First responders were called to the McDonalds on Kalamazoo Avenue south of 60th Street on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 23. They found a 42-yearold Lowell woman uncon­ scious. Police say they are await­ ing autopsy and toxicology results from the Medical Examiner’s Office, but Sgt. Eric Brunner told the Sun and News an initial investi­ gation points to a possible drug overdose as the cause of death. “We will wait for the Kent County Medical Examiner’s Office to make that final determination if it was, indeed, a drug overdose death. But we do have some paraphernalia that was found in the restroom that would lead us to believe that it is related with the death,” Brunner said. The KCSO said Dutton and Kentwood Fire Departments arrived along with AMR Ambulance and continued medical care, administering two doses of NARCAN. However, a short time later, the woman was pronounced dead. “This is an ongoing prob­ lem. We’re seeing fentanyl mixed and cut with a lot of and other types of interven­ different types of drugs, from cocaine to metham­ tion have helped prevent phetamine to heroin. And deaths. The KCSO said in a news this is a leading factor in many of the overdoses and release: “You are not alone in your addiction or the loss deaths,” Brunner said. The Sheriff’s Office says of loved ones from it. One it has responded to 56 over­ resource in our community Families Against doses this year, including 10 is Narcotics — Grand Rapids. deaths. Deputies responded to an average of one over­ You can find more informa­ dose every three-and-a-half tion at familiesagainstnardays. That amounted to 104 cotics.org/strongertogether.” “Our investigators are overdoses last year, with 16 continuing to investigate the resulting in death. Deputies say NARCAN case and work with the fam- ily through this difficult time,” the statement added. “There is support for those who struggle with addiction and the families of those who walk alongside them ...So, we would just reach out to our community and let them know that there are resources available,” Brunner said. NEW SCHOOL, continued from page 1 supplemental bond issue on the ballot this year. The district has set aside $40 million out of the 2023 bond issue to build the new Dutton building. The school board recently approved the sale ofbonds for the project in the amount of $37,145,000, which will be paid off over a period of 30 years at an interest rate of 5 percent. State Rep. Angela Rigas called the new Dutton building “a symbol ofprog­ ress and a testament to our commitment to providing the best education to our students.” “Our current school has been a place of cherished memories and learning, but today’s groundbreaking represents the dawn of a new era. This new building Amazon Inc. presented a check for $40,000 to Caledonia Community Schools to help cover the cost of building a playground at the new Dutton Elementary School. Shawn Veitch, principal of Dutton Elementary, holds up a child’s sweatshirt with the words “Dutton Wildcats” printed on it. It was given to him by a for­ mer school board member that once wore the shirt and used it to encourage Veitch to carry on the legacy of the school. Bruce's Frame ond Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted will provide not only a a mile northwest from state-of-the-art facility but where the new school will also foster an environment be built. where imagination can soar, “We see this place as where dreams can be pur­ (one) where students will sued and where friendships have fim, learn and most can be forged,” Rigas said. importantly, grow for gen­ One of the highlights of erations to come.” the groundbreaking cere­ The new building will mony was the presentation have two entrances, one off of a $40,000 check from 76th and the other off Amazon Inc. to the school Patterson. It will have three district to go toward the wings of classrooms, with a cost of building the school commons area in the center playground. and a dedicated special edu­ “We saw a major gap in cation area. It will also some of the funding for the include a full-size gymnasi­ playground for this new um and a separate cafeteria. elementary school, and our The new building would be site decided we immediate­ able to serve 600 students ly had to get involved and project architect Paul Will help out with this play­ of Plante Moran Cresa sai ground,” said Eric Miller, at a school board meetin senior operations manager earlier this summer. at the Amazon fulfillment Veitch spoke of the long center on 68th Street, about standing tradition ofacadem ic excellence at the present Dutton facility, which has included receiving the Golden Apple Award and the Beating the Odds School award from the state of Michigan, being recognized as a Reward School for sev­ eral years running, and most recently, being named a National Blue Ribbon School in the fall of2021 by the U.S. Department ofEducation. He spoke of the dedication and love his teachers and staff have for students. “I’m excited to have a new building that has a high quality of excellence in the craftsmanship that we’re going to design and build, but also a building that is built on the foundation of love,” Veitch said. The district was expected to open bids Thursday on the earthwork portion of the Dutton project. The school board is expected to award the contract at its Oct. 16 meeting. Contracts on the building portion of the proj­ ect are expected to be award­ ed later this fall, CCS Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess said. Your local agent insures your Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Retirement Ask about our annuities and IRAs . 121 E. Main Street Downtown MiudiOviiie FARM BUREAU INSURANCE' (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com r-armBureauinsurance.com Caledonia Community Schools Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer speaks on Wednesday during a groundbreaking ceremonv for the nai*> Ri it+on Plamantan, Qrhnnl �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, VOTING, continued from page 1 individual townships will likely be on the hook for expenses associated with implementing these changes brought about by Proposal 2, also known as the Voting Policies in Constitution amendment, which was approved by voters during the 2022 election. Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer appeared in front of the Board ofCommissioners on Tuesday morning to out­ line her office’s plans to consolidate voting locations amongst numerous townships, allowing them to save on staffing and new equip­ ment needed to carry out nine days of early voting. However, Irving, Thomapple, Yankee Springs and Orangeville townships are not among those enter­ ing into consolidation agree­ ments. Palmer walked through the consolidation arrange­ ments, which include the following. — Baltimore township will host early voting for Baltimore, Assyria and 2023/ Page 3 - Maple Grove townships. — Carlton Township will host early voting for Carlton, Castleton and Woodland townships. — Barry Township will host early voting for Barry and Prairieville townships. — Rutland Township (both precincts) will host early voting for Rutland, Hastings Charter and Hope, townships — The City of Hastings will consolidate its four wards into one location for early voting. These consolidated loca­ tions will require just one set of equipment and a sin­ gle crew of election workers to facilitate voters in these multiple townships. “I cannot mandate that townships join in on this consolidation,” Palmer pointed out. “I had five of them that wanted to go on their own and they had their own reasons for that. For example, keeping track of their own voters. So, ifthere is a jam or an imbalance at the end of the day, they feel it’s easier to find where that mistake took place and not have to worry about these other townships that are consolidated.” The five townships that chose to forego consolida­ tion included the high­ ly-populated Thomapple and Yankee Springs town­ ships in addition to Orangeville, Irving and Johnstown townships. The downside for town­ ships that opted not to con­ solidate is that they will need to purchase their equipment, including a ded­ icated voting tabulator that will cost roughly $6,500, a voter assist terminal (VAT) that will cost around $5,200, among other equipment. Expenses brought on by these changes have been a major concern for Palmer and her office, as Barry County faces roughly $125,000 in new equipment needs combined in addition to over $100,000 to staff early voting locations throughout the county. Both Palmer and the Board of Commissioners previously feared that Proposal 2 may prove to be an unfunded mandate, but Palmer provid­ ed information on potential reimbursement from the state. She said initial informa­ tion provided to her from the State of Michigan indi­ cated that the state could potentially reimburse 40 percent of equipment costs to individual townships. Those townships will have to foot the rest of the bill. For consolidated townships, the state will reimburse each collective for 80 percent of equipment costs. The Secretary of State’s office will look to stretch $30 million across Michigan’s 83 counties to do so. “I have already submitted my plan to the state as far as who is going to consolidate with who and I also applied for a grant application as to how much equipment we would have to order, how much it will cost us for workers to run this nine-day process. Palmer was not sure when her office would hear back, but forewarned commis­ sioners that the county and townships will incur expens­ es. “But I’m letting you know I have applied for this grant. If they don’t reimburse us 100 percent — depending on how far that $30 million stretches — the county could be on the hook for some of this equipment but hopefully we are able to make that balance.” In theory, all townships in Barry County could have consolidated together to form one county-wide site for all early voting. However, that would have meant that one polling loca­ tion would be handling roughly 70 different ballot styles, which made the smaller pockets of consoli­ dation much more appeal­ ing. “The propensity of some­ one making an honest mis­ take and giving someone the wrong ballot would be much greater,” Palmer said of that scenario. Nine days of voting was one ofa few new policies set in place through the passage ofProposal 2. ■ This proposal, designed to expand voting rights, also requires prepaid postage for absentee ballots in addition to the pre-processing and early tabulation of these absentee ballots. The proposal also expand­ ed the types of valid IDs needed to vote. Palmer, also, is less than a month away from retiring and stepping away from her post as clerk. Last week, Barry County’s judges announced that Cindy White will be appointed to fill the position. She was in atten­ dance at Tuesday morning’s meeting. White will take the reins ofthe county’s election pro­ cess, including a Presidential primary election in February ofnext year leading into the 2024 general election, which includes a race for the White House. Retired teachers honored by colleagues, family members as Middleville Hometown Heroes Hunter McLaren Staff Writer Family, friends and col­ leagues gathered this week to celebrate Keith and Cindy Middlebush as this year’s Middleville Hometown Heroes. The two longtime Thomapple Kellogg teach­ ers were recognized for their various contributions to the district and the larger community Thursday night at Leason Sharpe Hall in Hastings. Their daughter and cur­ rent TK teacher, Cary Saxton, said she has learned much of what she knows about teaching from her parents. Saxton said she still benefits from their tire­ less and constant support — the same support that they’ve extended to hun­ dreds of students over the years. It’s a level of care that requires many hours of work, time which her par­ ents give freely and self­ lessly. “I have seen what goes on behind the scenes of their heroic lives, and it is much tedious hard work and sacrifice. It’s hours and weeks and weekends, all adding up to years of time that they have given to the people of this com­ munity, but definitely not in vain and definitely not under duress,” Saxton said. “They are passion­ ate, thoughtful educators who chose to make edu­ cating and supporting the youth of Middleville their life’s work. As their daughter, I can say that they were the first and greatest teachers I ever had.” Karen Seifert, also cur­ rently an instructor in the district, spoke about her time working with Cindy at McFall Elementary. She characterized those years as the highlight of her teaching career, both because of Cindy’s knowl­ edge and her dedication to students. “I was instantly impressed with her profes­ sionalism, insight and tire­ less devotion to the chil­ dren. She worked hard,” Seifert said. “She brought so much knowledge on how to reach struggling readers from her years as a special education teacher. She is a true collaborator. She always listens, ponders, and then suggests. She has this natural wisdom, and she lets her decisions be guided by the philosophy of what is best for kids.” Gordon Dahlgren, former TK teacher, said it was great to see Cindy and Keith working together as such a team. Together, they’ve always found ways to give back to the commu­ nity. Inside and outside of the classroom, they would show their students how valuable giving back really is. “One of the many quali­ ties that set Keith and Cindy apart as educators is that not only would they look for opportunities to help others, but they’d also encourage students to learn the value of helping others by becoming positive con­ tributors in our school and in our community,” he said. “For Keith and Cindy, what happened in the class­ room was just the begin­ ning of the impact they hope to have on their stu­ dents.” Craig Stolsonburg, speaking as vice president of the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation, said Keith and Cindy were the perfect fit for this year’s Middleville Hometown Heroes recognition. Stolsonburg personally thanked the two for their contributions to his own life: Keith for encouraging him when he was a TK stu- dent, and Cindy for giving his daughter a love for reading. “A hero is defined as a person or people admired or idolized for courage, out­ standing achievements or noble qualities. When we make our annual call for Hometown Hero nomina­ tions, we describe the Hometown Hero as an out­ standing individual or indi­ viduals in a community who exemplify integrity, excellence and commit­ ment,” he said. “I think we’d all agree that our hon­ orees tonight exemplify it all. Caledonia American Legion POLISH MEAL FUNDRAISER Friday Oct. 6, 2023 PROCEEDS DONATED TO Pulaski Days $15.00 COMMUNITY REBUILDERS HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM FRESH KIELBASA KAPUSTA (Sauerkraut) RYE BREAD GOLUMPKI (Cabbage Roll) PIEROGIES (Potato & Cheese Dumplings) SERVING NOON - 7PM (Or Gone) ------------ DINE IN OR TAKE OUT--------Build-a-burger and regular kitchen menu not available this day. RAFFLE PRIZE TICKETS $1.00 or 6-$5.00 1“ -Pitt Boss Grill • 2nd-$500 Meijer Gift Card _____ 3ri Kobalt Combo Blower/Trimmer • 4th Husqvarna 28CC Blower Cindy and Keith Middlebush were honored as 2023’s Middleville Hometown Heroes Thursday night in Hastings. (Photos by Hunter McLaren) 9548 Cherry Valley Ave. SE, Caledonia • 616-891-1882 �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023 Jon Alan Pelletier Jon Alan Pelletier, age 67, passed away on 9/22/23 in Raymond, MO. He raised his family in Caledonia, MI. Jon showed his zeal for life with his charisma and humor and his love ofsports. Jon coached varsity softball at Caledonia High School for 10 years and had a streak of very successful teams win­ ning districts in 1995. He was active in church youth ministry for many years. He found purpose and calling in mentoring youth. He used sports as a way of developing mental strength and often used sports as anal­ ogies for life in his preach- ing, coaching, and mentor­ ing. Jon was head custodian at Caledonia Elementary and Emmons Lake Elementary for his entire career before falling ill. He loved garden­ ing and yard projects and he could transform space in beautiful ways. He is survived by his children, Heather (Lance) Pelletier, Holly (Stephen) Powell, Heidi (Jeremy) Pelletier; his siblings, Paulette (Garth) Resch, Debra (William) Bravata, Lionel Pelletier, Angela (Lemans) Bishop Forsyth; his grandchildren, Isabella (Elijah) Gordon, Abbygayle Szotko, Ethan Szotko, Noel Szotko, Emma Szotko, Nicholas Szotko, Liv York, and Landyn York as well as many other family mem­ bers. A service will be held for him at Community ofChrist Thomapple River 8146 68th St SE Alto, MI 49302 on October 6, 2023 at 6 p.m. There will be a potluck after in the church base­ ment. Middleville TOPS 546 The Sept. 25 meeting opened with the secre­ tary’s report and roll call. There are two new fish in the fishbowl; one fish fell out. Virginia talked about State Recognition Days in Lansing next year. The group took a poll as to how many would like to go. It was decided to only stay for one night. Virginia’s program was on the “7 Types of Hunger.” The types of hunger include eye hun­ ger, nose hunger, mouth hunger, stomach hunger, cellular hunger, mind hun­ ger and heart hunger. Alice won the Ha-Ha Box. Alice was also the best loser for September. Alice and Maryellen are at their new lowest weight for the year. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., fol­ lowed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269­ 908-8036, or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. Village planners recommend approval of Caledonia solar ordinance the home, according to the ordinance language. StaffWriter Ground-mounted solar A proposed ordinance units would only be allowed that would allow residents to erect solar panels on in the rear yard of a home, their homes or in their and must meet the same yards is headed to the setback requirements as accessory buildings. Such Caledonia Village Council units can be no more than for final action. 12 feet in height. The max­ The village’s Planning Commission Thursday imum size of a solar unit voted to recommend the can be no more than 10 council adopt the new percent ofthe lot size, up to 1,500 square feet, accord­ rules. No comments were received during a public ing to the ordinance lan­ guage. hearing prior to the vote. Any resident wanting to The ordinance is pat­ terned after a similar put in a solar unit would ordinance in Gaines Charter Township. It would limit roof-mounted solar units to no more than three feet higher than the maximum build­ ing height for residential-zoned districts. It also limits wall-mounted units to be no higher than the height of the wall to which they are attached. In addition, wall-mount­ ed units would not be allowed on the wall facing the street, but may be allowed on the front roofof Greg Chandler have to present a site plan and get a zoning compli­ ance permit approved by the village zoning administra­ tor, as well as building, elec­ trical, plumbing and mechanical permits. The zoning administrator may refer requests for approval to the planning commission. The ordinance does not address utility-scale solar systems, which are not per­ mitted in the village. The ordinance is expect­ ed to come before the vil­ lage council when it meets on Oct. 9. nF—Caledonia United alasi faecte’ity 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org ffih Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ who win reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L. Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) .9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. OURNEY c H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 1664 M-37 ©thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou SundaySchool--------- 9:30 9:30AM AM TKntfX Sunday Worship------- 10:30 0:30 AM Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.. ..9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.cotn �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023/ Page 5 Scout groups object to Cal schools facility policy Greg Chandler StaffWriter Local scout troops are objecting to a new Caledonia Community Schools policy that charges them a fee for the use oftheir buildings. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and their leaders packed the district’s Board of Education meeting room Monday, Sept. 18 to show their opposition to the policy, which was passed by the school board in May 2022 with no discussion the night the policy was adopted. The new fee structure that was approved at that May 2022 meeting took effect July 1 ofthis year, CCS Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess said. Xander Priem, an eighth­ grade student at Duncan Lake ifAimuC uvnuui cuiu hivuimCi Oa Boy Scout Troop 202, told board members that the scout troops were “blindsided with facility rental fees that have always been waived for non­ profits in the past.” “Last (school) year, the school board, superintendent, teachers union and countless football parents rallied the community behind the idea that ‘a stronger Caledonia Community Schools means a stronger Caledonia communi­ ty,’” Priem said, referring to the district’s allocation of money from the $61 million bond issue that voters approved in May to pay for The policy gives a hierar­ improvements to Ralph E. chy of priorities for approval Myers Football Stadium and of facility use, giving top pri­ the CalPlex sports complex. ority to uses directly related to “But I would argue the inverse schools and school operations, is also true a stronger followed by uses and groups Caledonia community means indirectly related to schools, a stronger Caledonia meetings ofemployee associa­ Community Schools. tions, uses for voter registra­ “The fun part was spoken tion and elections, government loud and proud: for $6.5 mil­ departments or agencies, and lion, the football team now has then “community organiza­ access nine times a year to a tions or groups of individuals beautifully updated facility, formed for charitable, civic, while the ugly part was hidden social, religious, recreational quietly in board meeting min­ and educational purposes.” utes and not shared with the A memo dated April 15 stakeholders who had been outlines the fee structure for making room reservations for anyone wanting to use CCS their scout troops for years.” facilities. Policy No. 7510 on the dis­ “All renters will pay an trict’s policy manual states that hourly rate that covers the “the Board of Education building use and custodial, believes the school facilities of maintenance or food service this District should be made required personnel costs,” the « «VVcAl1UU1V cAl1UU1V 1U1 1U1 VMllAlllLAllltj VMllAlllLAllltj' j>C4A~ j>C4A~ aaavaaaG Scud. AAAOIMAJT poses, provided that such use does not infringe on the origi­ nal and necessary purpose of the property or interfere with the educational program of the schools and is harmonious with the purposes of this District The policy further goes on to state that the board will allow the use of school facili­ ties “when such permission has been requested in writing or electronically by a responsible organization or a group of citizens and has been approved by the Superintendent or des­ ignee.” countless Eagle Scout and Gold Award projects. He pointed out that the day the scout leaders received offi­ cial word of the new policy and fee structure, the district posted a Facebook message thanking Alden Jones for building and donating instru­ ment carts to the Caledonia band program for his Eagle Scout project. David Rose, who has been a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader in Caledonia for more than a decade, echoed Priem’s objections. Rose says as non­ profits, the scout troops rely The base rental fees that are now in effect are $15 per hour for classrooms, $25 per hour for fields, $40 per hour for the use ofcafeterias, large group instruction and com­ mons areas, $40 per hour for use of the gymnasiums at elementary buildings and Kraft Meadows Intermediate School, $50 per hour for use ofthe gyms at the high school and Duncan Lake Middle School, $75 per hour for use of the football stadium or Scotland Yard and $200 per hour for use of the auditori­ um, according to the memo. And that’s an issue for Xander Priem and the Scout troops. “Who does this new policy impact the most? Six-year-old boys who are fundraising for field trips and camp by ped­ dling popcorn at fall festivals and in their wagons door-todoor,” Priem said. “Or 10-year-old girls who would have to sell 480 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in sub-freezing temperatures outside ofD&W in February just to pay for a room for meetings. “Do you really think that nickel-and-diming these troops into extinction is the way to claw your way back from building and grounds debt that was incurred before they were bom?” Priem went on to mention that the schools have a long VI UV11V11IU11C, aTGaJA on fundraising, and that the Boy Scout organization only allows popcorn sales. “It’s easier to buy popcorn from the little boys, but when you get a 14- or 15-year-old boy coming to try to sell you popcorn, it’s not as cute any­ more,” Rose said. “It’s much harder for the older scouts to do the fundraising. “The problem that we have with this is, we have done so many different things for the Caledonia schools. In the last three years alone ... we’ve done three Eagle (Scout) proj­ ects specifically for the middle school and high school. “As the (Cub Scout) pack leader, when I did that, we had our meetings at Caledonia Elementary. They would go about an hour and a half, and we met every week. So the cuaiGuaaa Vi iaamaaCV uiut be taken out from the boys, it just means that much less that we can pay for their trips and any other things that we do,” Rose added. Policy No. 7510 was adopt­ ed as part ofa package ofpol­ icy changes approved by the board with counsel from Neola, a consulting organiza­ tion that helps school districts across the country draft educa­ tion policies. It was reviewed by the school board’s Policy Committee in March 2022 and received two readings at the school board, but no discus­ sion on the policy took place at either board meeting. The school board unanimously adopted the policy. Hess defended the new pol­ icy, speaking of the need for the district to recoup costs. “We’ve been talking about this in operations and facility costs for quite a while,” he said. “(Former Superintendent) Dr. (Dedrick) Martin intro­ duced that topic five years ago.” Board President Marcy White thanked the speakers for sharing their concerns but said the board could not offer an immediate response. In an e-mail to the Sun -and News sent days later, White wrote that it was the first time the school board had heard con­ cerns raised about the new policy. She wrote that Interim Superintendent Dirk VVAA1 UUUlVA AAAI.MA “ mation on the situation and reach back out to a contact for the scout groups. “There are significant costs that do occur when buildings are used by all groups,” White wrote in her email. “We are all aware ofthe commitment of the Scouts to the communi­ ty and we value the relation­ ship that we have shared over the years. We also need to make sure we are treating all groups as equitably as possi­ ble. I am confident that Mr. Weeldreyer will work through this for the best possible solu­ tion.” Thornapple Players open 25th season with ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ The Thomapple Players are busy rehearsing “The Importance of Being Earnest” as they prepare to open their 25th season next week. The show, written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Erin Merritt, can be best described as a triv­ ial comedy for serious people. “The Importance of Being Earnest,” first performed in 1895, is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists main­ tain fictitious personae to escape burdensome social obligations. Merritt has been involved in dance and theater for over 40 years. Her formative expe­ rience led her to acting, cho­ reographing, directing and production jobs with Grand Rapids Civic Theater, Actors’ Theatre, Circle Theater and Heritage Theater Group, all in Grand Rapids, and with Thomapple Players here in her hometown. “I’m so happy to be back with the Thomapple Players for this show,” said Merritt. The cast includes Julian Kratochvil as Algernon Moncrieff, Julie Coon as Lane and Merriman, Nathan Huss as Jack Worthing and Ernest, Niki Reitz as Gwendolen Fairfax, Sandy Kirchinger as Lady Bracknell, Evelyn Scheil as Cecily Cardew, Michelle Pappas as Miss Prism and Mike Bremer as Dr. Chasuble. Crew mem­ bers include Cassie Moyer, Bruce Young, Jennifer Craven, John St. John, Vickie St. John, Dee Lowell, Steve Hoke, Angela Seeber, Abigail Othmer, JeanAnn WahlPiotrowski, Lis Burton-Haas, Carol Svihl, Kimmy Beck and Matt Sink. The group will host an open dress rehearsal on Local students on Ferris State’s Academic Honors list Ferris State University in Big Rapids recently recog­ nized several local students for excellence in academics on its summer 2023 Academic Honors list. To be eligible for Academic Honors, the min­ imum requirements for full­ time students each term are: 3.5 GPA and completion of 12 Ferris credit hours or more ofgraded course work at the 100 level or higher. The minimum requirements for part-time students each term are: 3.5 GPA with completion of at least 12 accumulated Ferris credit hours of graded course work at the 100 level or higher. Area students named to Ferris State’s Academic Honors list are: Alto - Kylie Gardner, Lilli Kempisty, Megan Losey, Carmen Maas and Paul Riha. Caledonia Kaitlyn Baldwin, Mackenzie Curtis, Lejla Husic, Lily Le, Eulalia Nichols, Cooper Sorsen, Caleb Tenhaaf, Olivia Torres, Taylor Vander Berg, Carson Vanderhoff and Claudia Wilkinson. Freeport - Henry Deridder and Brendan Vandam. Hickory Comers - Salina Dally. Middleville Thyra Ekloev Lindholm, Trinity Palasek, Hunter Poe and Amelya Thome. Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. with all tickets costing $10. Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5, 6, 7 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. All tickets for these performances are $12. Tickets can be pur­ chased at Gilmore Jewelers (cash or check only) or can be reserved by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. Performances will be located in the Dennison Performing Arts Center at 231 The cast of “The Importance of Being Earnest.” The Thornapple Players will perform the farcical com­ edy next week, Oct. 5-8. (Photo provided) S. Broadway St. in Hastings. Questions can be answered by emailing thbmappleplayers@gmail.com, visiting the Thomapple Players Facebook page or by leaving a message with the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. Around the Table You're Invited to Join us for our “Around the Table" series, starting October 8. We’re going to discuss what Christian community Is supposed to look like and how to live out the “one another” commands In the New Testament. Plan your visit at cornerstonemi.org/Plan. We'll also be hosting "Gather Around the Table" on Wednesdays, October 11 through November IS, where we’ll go through a discussion guide together while sharing a meal. Childcare Is available for Infants through 5th grade. Visit the link below to register. We hope to see you there! cornerstonechurch | cornerstonemi.org/AroundTheTable �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30,2023 State to continue testing of wells for PFAS near Misak Landfill Greg Chandler StaffWriter State environmental offi­ cials are looking into the extent of PFAS pollution near the old Misak Landfill in Yankee Springs Township. Township residents turned out Thursday night to hear a presentation from the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, which is part of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, on the PFAS situation across the state, and more specifically near the landfill, at the Township Hall. MPART is a multi-agency team that consists of representation from EGLE as well as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments. The team was initially created under an executive order issued by Gov. Rick Snyder in 2017, and then made permanent under an executive order by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer two years later, Hendershot said. PFAS is an acronym for per- and polyfluoroalykl sub­ stances. They have been around since the 1940s and there are roughly 10,000 to 15,000 such chemical compounds in existence today, MPART Executive Director Abby Hendershot said. “We’re talking about a family of chemicals that have veiy strong carbon-fluorine bonds,” Hendershot said. “Because ofthis unique chemical structure, they’re great surfactants (surface active agents, commonly used in cleaning products), very highly stable. They repel the waters, oils, the fats, the greases (we encoun­ ter).” PFAS is found in every­ thing from stain-resistant protectants that are used on furniture to carpeting, cos­ metics, household cleaners, non-stick cookware, aerosols and firefighting foam. The environmental problem with PFAS is when it gets into the ecosystem, it is hard to get rid of, Hendershot said. “They really don’t break down. They don’t naturally biodegrade ... When it gets into the ecosystem, it can travel very far, and it also has the ability to bioaccumulate in our bodies as well as in animals and fish,” she said. MPART has been investi­ gating areas where PFAS has been found or is suspected to be, most notably the area around the former Wolverine World Wide tannery in Rockford. It has also con­ ducted sampling of municipal drinking water systems across the state as well as Abby Hendershot of the Michigan PFAS Action investigated groundwater Response Team speaks at Thursday’s presentation at sources for potential contam­ ination. Fish are also tested Yankee Springs Township Hall. (Photos by Greg Chandler) for contamination, Hendershot said. (Perfluorooctanoic acid) Springs Township from 1965 PFAS has been linked to concentration of 21 parts per several health problems, to 1972, but was then closed. including certain types of It reopened two years later trillion, which exceeds the cancers, decreased immune when Andrew Misak bought state drinking water standard system response to vaccines, the landfill, and he operated for PFOAs of eight parts per The Robbins thyroid disease, liver dam­ it until 1983, when it closed trillion. age, higher cholesterol levels for good, according to state Cemetery had PFOA levels below the state standard. In records. reduced fertility, and In 1985, the Michigan May 2021, Yankee Springs MDHHS toxicologist Lisa Fischer said. Department of Natural Township presented the investigated PFAS sampling data to “The main pathway of Resources exposure is by drinking con- groundwater contamination EGLE and asked the agency for further investigation. taminated water,” Fischer near the landfill. State In 2022, EGLE sampled said. “Some other pathways records show that investiga­ (include) fish that are caught tion found the groundwater existing monitoring wells for in water bodies that are con­ had volatile organic com­ PFAS at the site and found taminated with PFAS. That’s pounds (VOCs) and metals. PFOA in several wells above why we have the Eat Safe Residential wells south of the criteria, the highest of Fish guidelines.” the landfill were found to be which was 160 parts per tril­ Fish from the Thomapple contaminated, leading to lion. One well location, just River have been tested for Yankee Springs building a off the southeast edge of the PFAS, with rock bass fish municipal water system in landfill property, also exceed­ showing higher levels of 1990. ed EGLE groundwater-sur­ PFAS than other larger predIn 2019, Yankee Springs face water interface criteria ator species of fish. Township sampled an irriga­ for PFOS, said Lynn Gossen, “We’re not exactly sure tion well at Robbins an EGLE project manager why that is,” Fischer said. Cemetery and two other assigned to study the impact MDHHS will test fish remaining drinking water ofthe Misak landfill. from Gun Lake for PFAS wells in the area which were Earlier this year, EGLE next year, Fischer said. not abandoned in 1990 when sampled at two locations to The Misak Landfill, locat­ the municipal water system better define the vertical ed at 1075 Patterson Rd., was built. One residential extent of PFAS contamina­ was operated by Yankee well showed PFOA tion near the former landfill. PFOA levels exceeded the state standard at both loca­ tions, with the highest level at 84 parts per trillion, WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial DeWeerd (68) 1EATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 LCNN/DX ACCREDITED BUSINESS Gossen said. intersection, it’s primarily “Those are not particularly wells.” high levels for a landfill,” Gossen encourages any­ Hendershot said. “They’re one in those areas who might higher than we want people get an access letter to have it drinking, but it’s not terribly signed and sent back, and she high in the order of what I will contact residents to let see at landfills across the them know when sampling state ... the highest drinking will occur. water (PFAS) level we had in “I’ve just been trying to Rockford was 100,000 parts figure out what’s our best per trillion in a drinking approach to keeping the resi­ water well. We’re not even dents in this area safe and to going to come close to that.” find the best approach to One monitoring well near keeping you guys informed the Wolverine World Wide ... so that we keep eveiytannery in Rockford showed body in the same loop,1‘sb PFAS levels of a million nobody’s questioning where parts per trillion, EGLE dis­ we’re at and what we’re trict supervisor Karen Vorce doing,” she said. said. Hendershot says you can Gossen said the next round have your drinking water oftesting locally will address tested for PFAS if you have any potential migration of any concerns. A list of certi­ PFAS from the Misak fied laboratories that will test Landfill toward Gun Lake. your water samples is avail­ “We’re doing some testing able on the MPART website of some wells in the area, at michigan.gov/pfasresome drinking water wells sponse. ... I’ve got access to do some “They can send you a testing on Payne Lake Road, home test kit to get your and I have some access let­ drinking water sampled for ters going out to (residents PFAS. You just follow the on) Parker Drive,” Gossen procedures, send it back in said. “Parker Drive has the little cooler, send it to municipal service in the first them, and they’ll send you section, and after the first the results,” Hendershot said. EGLE grant to fully fund Middleville water service line inspections Greg Chandler -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers Lynn Gossen of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy talks about the testing that was done near the Misak Landfill in Yankee Springs Township Thursday night. Staff Writer A grant from the state of Michigan will fully cover the cost of inspecting water service lines in the village of Middleville. The Village Council Tuesday voted 5-0 to award the project to Waste Recovery Systems of Wyoming, which submitted the low bid of $101,222. It’s a figure that came in 44 percent lower than the $182,000 that project engi­ neers had estimated as the project cost. “It is our belief that this was a good, competitive bid process,” project manager Brandon Mieras ofthe engi­ neering consulting firm Williams & Works wrote in a memo to Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg. A second cotnpany sub­ mitted a bid of $262,500 for the project, according to vil­ lage documents. Waste Recovery Systems has worked with the village in the past on its wastewater treatment plant improve­ ments, and has undertaken similar projects throughout West Michigan, Mieras wrote in his memo. The Michigan Department ofEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy had earlier this year approved a grant for $162,875 through its Drinking Water Asset Management grant program. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state have ordered that all municipal water systems prepare and maintain an inventory of water service line materials by October 2024. Waste Recovery Systems plans to begin work on the project right away and complete the work by Nov. 10, Mieras wrote in his memo. No village funds are being spent on the project. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30,2023/ Page 7 Gaines Township Board to hold joint meeting with Byron Board to discuss Cutlerville Fire budget James Gemmell If Gaines Township Contributing Writer decides to cancel the pur­ The Gaines Township chase of the platform fire Board has until Oct. 27 to truck and buy a less-expen­ decide whether it will go sive truck instead, that will ahead with plans to purchase result in a delivery delay of a $1.7 million platforfn fire 36 to 48 months. truck or cancel the purchase. “So, if we get out of (the The Gaines and Byron purchasing) line, we’ll be township boards had agreed waiting quite a while,” last year to split the cost of Weersing said. the 100-foot aerial ladder He added that a less-expen­ truck for the Cutlerville Fire sive fire truck may end up Station at 11 68th St. SW. costing more than $1.5 mil­ But that was before the lion, and it would not have a Byron Board voted in July to platform and could not be end its 73-year partnership used for rescues. However, it with Gaines Township in would be equipped to fight mutually operating the tall structure fires. The price Cutlerville Fire Department. differential between the The partnership will begin to less-expensive fire truck and The Gaines Township Board held a special meeting Monday evening to discuss, among other things, what officially dissolve in less the platform truck might only questions need to be answered concerning the future of the Cutlerville Fire Department. (Photo by James than a year. save Gaines Township about Gemmell) One ofthe two townships $200,000. will end up owning the exist“And for $200,000, I like for Byron Township and the hiring a construction con­ where do you put it? Within Weersing mentioned in a ing station in Cutlerville, being able to rescue,” City of Grandville. He said tractor and so forth. half a mile of where the cur­ post-meeting interview that while the other township will Weersing said, stating his he was not surprised to see “The people I have talked rent location is?” the township has the option eventually need to build a preference for the platform Byron Township vote to split to ... are saying strongly, ‘If “And that’s the mb,” of using some of its funding new fire station in Cutlerville truck. off from Gaines Township in we’re going to have a fire De Ward said. “When we get allocation from the American to handle the growing num­ He also pointed out that it running the Cutlerville Fire department fully funded by a (fire) committee together, Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to ber of calls for fire/rescue was determined last year that Department. But he said he Gaines Township, serving the they’ll have to go through help pay for the platform services. Gaines Township will need did not expect to see it hap- residents of the western por­ some ofthese issues ofwhat ladder truck. The Gaines Township the new ladder truck, due to pen right now. tion ofGaines Township, that makes sense.” “Once we have all of the Board now has less than a the increasing age ofthe cur“Am I surprised it’s com­ department should be located The annual joint meeting information we need to make month to decide whether to rent one. He saidjust because ing about at this particular in Gaines Township’,” Uyl of the Byron and Gaines the decisions, we’ll start go ahead with the purchase the two townships will break point in time? Yes, I am, said. township boards will take making those decisions,” he of the platform truck, which offtheir fire department partbecause they’re in the pro­ But De Ward said it would place Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in said. “What portion of the would cost both townships nership next summer does cess right now of putting a not make economic sense for the lower level ofthe Gaines ARPA money gets used for a more than $800,000 apiece. not alter the fact that a new major addition onto their Gaines to build a new fire Township Hall. The board’s new fire station, new equip­ The truck is due to be deliv­ truck is needed. (Byron) township offices,” bam when it has a less regular monthly meeting will ment? What portion of ered in August 2025 and Byron Township Uyl said. “And can they han- expensive option to buy out take place upstairs at 7 money would come from would replace the township’s Supervisor Donald (Amos) dle a new fire station and a the equity in the existing o’clock that night. savings? What portion of existing ladder truck that was Tillema has said that Byron township office addition at building on 68th Street, and It was at the joint meeting money would come from built in 2003. It came with an trustees voted to discontinue the same time? Maybe continue to use that one, a year ago that some mem­ future tax revenues?” expected service lifetime of the partnership with Gaines they’re more flush with even though it is located in bers ofthe Byron Board hint­ Other questions that need 20 years, which it has just because of the rapidly money than I realized.” Byron Township. ed that it might be in Byron’s to be answered soon include expanding population in reached. Uyl speculated that Byron “I hear what Jim (Uyl) is best financial interests to finding out what the value of “We bought it used ... It’s Byron Township. He said Township trustees may want saying about not owning a split off from Gaines the current Cutlerville Fire had some expensive repairs Byron board members felt to build a new fire station in fire station in Byron Township on sharing a fire station is, and what it would that have needed to be done,” that the township needs its the eastern portion of that Township,” Fryling said. “But department. cost to build a new station. Gaines Township Manager own fire station in Cutlerville. township, rather than take economically I agree with However, Weersing said Gaines Township will need Rod Weersing said at a speThat leaves Gaines sole ownership of the exist- you, Rob. That’s going to be the agenda for that meeting is to get an appraisal ofthe fire cial township board meeting Township with the option of ing station on 68th Street, the way to go; just to pur­ to approve the operating bud­ equipment it wants to keep on Monday, Sept. 25, at the either paying offthe equity in even though it’s on Byron chase that (existing fire bam). get, so he does not anticipate from the existing fire build­ the existing fire bam on 68th Township property. township hall. Because I think it’s going to any decisions will be made ing. The rest of the equip­ “There’s a lot more detail Street in order to take owner“I just think they’re tiying cost three times that to build then about the future of the ment could go to Byron involved in that as far as how ship of it or building a new a little bit to back you into a something (new). And then, Cutlerville Fire Department. Township or be sold. much it’s going to cost to fire station somewhere else in comer,” Uyl told the Gaines replace that truck,” Township 1Cutlerville. Gaines officials Township Board. “I think Supervisor Rob DeWard 1have said it would be too they’re trying to say, ‘Hey. said. “Ifwe cancel now, what iexpensive to construct a new We’re hoping that you’re will it cost in the future to istation. Tillema has said one going to buy us out of that 68th and Division property,’ replace it? How long will the <of the two townships will (fire department’s) existing ]probably end up building a because I don’t really think truck last before it starts !second station in Cutlerville that they want to take that over. I think they want to go within a few years. turning into a money pit?” “I think the public would ahead and build something Clerk Michael Brew noted that the platform truck is due ni ot perceive that well to new.” Uyl added that it would to arrive in Gaines Township <drive down 68th (Street) and one year after the partnership fsee two stations within a have been “a little classier” if with Byron Township begins <quarter mile of each other,” the Byron Board had discussed the matter upfront to dissolve in August 2024. 1De Ward said. Gaines owns and operates with Gaines officials before The complete dissolution of the inter-government accord the Dutton Fire Station in the voting on it. And if it had 1Dutton area, but it needs one given Gaines a few years to will roll out over a few years. “My concern on that new 1for the Gaines Township side work with Byron in arriving engine is ifwe end up having <of the Cutlerville area. at mutual decisions on the to pay the full value of that JSimilarly, Byron Township fire stations. Instead, De Ward engine ... I just worry about coperates a fire station in said Byron didn’t notify that huge bill that, potential­ IByron Center but will need Gaines staff about its deci­ ly, could come on us,” he cone for the Byron Township sion to end the partnership until after the vote was taken. said. side of Cutlerville. He noted it would take Former Gaines Township Weersing said not to Supervisor Jim Uyl addressed either township a few years expect that. “I think the way to think of tihe township board. He was to complete everything that it is not the huge bill, but half tlhe supervisor more than is required to build a new fire of the huge bill. Which still tlhree decades ago and cur- station, such as selecting a is $800,000,” he said. rently does assessing support site, architectural planning, �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023 Barry County Commission on Aging unveils plans for new building outlines next steps , Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board of Commissioners received its first glimpse ofa marquee project that was put in motion earlier this year. Barry County Commission on Aging Executive Director Courtney Ziny appeared in front ofthe board on Tuesday morning to provide render­ ings of a new facility that will house her organization. The Commission on Aging is a county department tasked with providing various ser­ vices for area seniors as they age. The organization is cur­ rently headquartered at 320 W. Woodlawn Ave. in Hastings, but its facility is old and in perpetual disre­ pair. Ziny, who was joined by COA staff and members of its board and building com­ mittee, provided a look at its newly-planned home. In February, the Board of Commissioners announced that the COA could build on a piece of county-owned property near the comer of M-79 and McKeown Road. This site is adjacent to Harvest Pointe, an assisted living center owned and operated by Thomapple Manor, which is also operat­ ed by the county. As plans have progressed, a steering committee for the project decided to connect the COA with Harvest Pointe in a move that would signifi­ cantly drive down costs as both entities would share some resources. The newly-released plans show a 16,500-square-foot facility, which is significant­ ly larger than the 10,000-square-foot facility the COA currently operates. Ziny said the new project makes for expanded space for adult day services — aimed at residents battling Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia — and nearly doubles the size of the exer­ cise and fitness space. The new facility would also expand seating, visiting and dining areas. The COA’s current dining space can seat around 44 visitors while the new space could hold potentially 100 visitors. “If you’ve been to lunch at our current building right now, you know that we are in dire need of more dining space,” Ziny said. “We’re kind ofpacking it in now.” The Commission on Aging and Harvest Pointe would be connected, and at that con­ nection point, Harvest Pointe hopes to create an area to house medical services such as dialysis and outpatient rehab services. This is a space that will be open and accessible to the general public and will be funded by Harvest Pointe or private donors. Becky DeHaan, administra­ tor at Thomapple Manor, was in attendance on Tuesday and said that portion ofthe project alone would cost around $1.2 million. If Thomapple Manor can’t get it funded in time when construction on the COA begins, they will still construct the shell and further develop the section later. Connecting the COA with Harvest Pointe, and sharing both amenities and spaces, carries the potential for sig­ nificant cost savings. The COA plans to utilize Harvest Pointe’s commercial kitchen, where it wants to begin producing meals for the Meals on Wheels pro­ gram instead of ordering the food from Grand Rapids. Utilizing this kitchen space will shave off$350,000 from the COA’s project. In all, Ziny and DeHaan estimated that the COA can spare $1.5 million by lever­ aging Harvest Pointe’s resources. In addition to providing the land, the county also is dedicating $3 million to the project. That, Combined with the money that COA has in hand, means that the project is roughly 60 percent funded, according to Ziny. The COA will now embark on a $2.5 million capital campaign in addition to host­ ing community conversa­ tions across the county to get feedback from seniors and their families. “We want to know how this new facility can best serve our community and residents,” Ziny said. The project has drawn some criticism from a group of adult foster care and assisted living facility own­ ers and administrators, who argue that the COA and Harvest Pointe would become synonymous and seniors would no longer con­ sider their care facilities. Ziny said that she and COA board members have met with some ofthese individuals and look to engage with others to hear their con­ cerns and probe avenues to foster greater collaboration. “From my perspective, the conversations have gone well,” Ziny said. “We’ve dis­ cussed ways file organiza­ tions providing services to Barry County seniors can partner to educate communi­ ty members about the avail­ able resources.” “We plan to partner in order to begin monthly educational programming at the COA,” Ziny added; “One month may be about assisted -FAIL INTO SAVINGSHigh Efficiency BWD FURNACE & AIR $400 OFF * Must present this coupon. Expires 10-13-2023 (not valid with other offers) FRONTIER HEATING G COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia •ILEiklfiiplili Locally owned business. LfiKg A rendering of a new facility that is proposed to house the Barry County Commission on Aging. The facility will be constructed at the corner of M-79 Highway and McKeown Road and be conjoined with county-operated Harvest Pointe assisted living center. (Courtesy Rendering) The Commission on Aging will not only be attached to Harvest Pointe assisted living center, but also in the vicinity of the larger Thornapple Manor campus. As seen on this map, a large, additional swath of county-owned land sits adjacent to the newly-proposed COA and could potentially be used for additional infrastructure to support local seniors. (Graphic provided) living facilities, one month may be about veterans ser­ vices, estate planning, in-home health. These events will b^jnclusive and all providersjfwill be given the opportunity to participate, whether as a speaker or hav- ing an informational table available. We’re hoping to get this started before the end ofthe year.” Middleville council moving. forward with expanding pay for council liaisons to village boards:: Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council Tuesday took a step toward expanding pay for its members to serve on additional village boards. The council voted 4-1 to direct its attorney to craft ordinance language instituting a $45 per meeting stipend for council members who serve as a liaison to such boards as the Downtown Development Authority, Zoning Board of Appeals, Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission and Local Development Finance Authority. Council members would be paid for up to two meetings attended per month. The change would take effect with the 2024 budget. Previously, only the coun­ cil liaison to the Planning Commission had been receiving a per-meeting sti­ pend. Council Trustee Makenzi Peters proposed expanding the stipend, while also plac­ ing a limit on the number of meetings per month that would be compensated. “I just think it’s a little more fiscally responsible. It’s at least a step in the right direction,” Peters said. “If it comes to a point we’re having so many meet- ings so frequently, maybe we need to reevaluate this,” she added. Peters was joined in sup­ port by Village President Mike Cramer and trustees Richard Hamilton and Robert Bishop. President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd was the lone no vote. He suggested an overall pay increase for council members in the future rather than adding a stipend. “The work included here warrants a higher pay. This is a part-time job, when done correctly ... If you’re elect- See PAY, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023/ Page 9 MAKING THE DOUGH: Young entrepreneur reflects on first summer on Gun Lake Karen Turko-Ebright Contributing Writer After a successful grand opening and summer on Gun Lake, many fall sur­ prises are seemingly in the works at Maddie’s Cookies & Cream. “I’m thinking all pump­ kin stuff because I love pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice,” said 19-year-old Maddie Pape, owner and manager ofthe new Maddie Cookies and Cream, which made its debut in July and is located at 11937 Marsh Road across from Gun Lake. With fall weather around the comer, Pape can reflect on a busy summer. “I was really nervous at first,” Pape said. “It’s been going so well; it’s been great.” During the summer, Pape’s ovens worked over­ time to bake enough cook­ ies for the locals and tour­ ists. “I had lots of orders for parties and things like that,” Pape said. Sometimes, Pape needed help to keep up with the crowds. “That was a big problem at first -but now we know more ofwhat we’re doing,” Pape gxplained. “We jgot a iflgfS^^xer^ that frelped make more dough and rSade things go faster/,’ Pap?, said the crowds are thinner atthe end of August but are Wafting to pick up again with another week of warmer weather. Maddie has her showcase of cook­ ies full for locals and tour­ ists alike. While staying on Gun Lake, Donna and Ed Cieslak from Trenton, decided to listen to their friends and stop by Maddie’s Cookies and Cream. “The first thing they told us was to go to Maddie’s Cookies and Cream,” Ed Cieslak said. While Donna Cieslak said she can’t wait to try the caramel cookies, Ed has other cookies on mind. “The apple pie cookies look good, and so do the Muddy Buddies,” he said. Pape always greets her customers behind her cook­ ie showcase with a smile and asks them to take their orders. “Two apple pie,” said Ed Cieslak. While wearing gloves with cookie tongs in hand, Maddie prepares the box and carefully sets the cookies inside in rows. “Two of the chocolate chips and two ofthe Muddy Buddies,” Donna Cieslak said. “We heard it was excellent.” “Oh, awesome,” responded Pape. YWe htmS'Arends at tn’e cottages here in GunXake. .Everybody told us we had to come here.” Donna asks Maddie for a few caramel cookies, too. Maddie Pape, owner and manager of the new Maddie’s Cookies & Cream store on Gun Lake, holds up a tray of chocolate chip cookies. Pape said they were her best sellers during her first sum­ mer in her new business. (Photo by Karen TurkoEbright) Maddie hopes word of mouth from the Cieslaks and other satisfied custom­ ers keeps business flowing during the changing sea­ sons ahead. “I have a few pumpkin spice, pumpkin cheese­ cake, pecan pie and some apple cider-type cookies I’m getting ready to make,” Pape said. Pape said the chocolate chip cookies were her big­ gest sellers during the summer. Now, she’s looking forward to the fall and win­ ter seasons. “I’ve gotten great feed­ back. The summertime sure does bring in a lot more people,” Pape com­ mented. “It’s slowed down, but I think this warm weather keeps people around.” Besides cookies, Pape said she also sold a lot of ice cream. Her most popular flavor during the sum­ mer was the Beth Dutton. “It’s a caramel whiskey bourbon ice cream with salted toffee swirl and tof­ fee pieces,” she explained. Customers can still try the popular ice cream fla­ vor. Pape plans on selling ice cream halfway through October. Ice cream will be back in April or May next year. “I had about six to seven people work for me in the summer. Right now, it’s down to two, Pape explained. “I may need some more help over the holidays.” Pape said many hands have helped her get her business off the ground. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me through this crazy adventure,” Pape said. With cooler weather ahead on the horizon, so are new cookie ideas for Pape. “I have a lot of ideas for fall,” Pape said. “I’m thinking pumpkin and pecan pie cookies, and I’m hoping to do fun things for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Pape takes orders for holiday festivities. Those orders are accepted ahead of time. “At least a few days for an order or a week if it’s a PAY, continued from previous page ed, you should participate in whatever committee you’re appointed to without any sort of other financial incentive. You should just be able to show up, you signed up for this job, you know what you’re getting yourselfinto,” DeMaagd said. Cramer receives $3,280 in salary per year. The presi­ dent’s salary has remained the same since 2018. Council trustees receive a salary of $2,680 annually, and that fig­ ure has not changed since 2007. “I get paid more than enough to sit here. This is public service,” Cramer said. “But I also understand the counterpoint that we want people to participate (in local government).” Hamilton is the council’s liaison to the Planning Commission, Peters is the council liaison to the ZBA, Cramer is liaison to the DDA board, DeMaagd is liaison to the LDFA and Trustee Ann Williams is the TAPRC liai­ son. Willliams and Trustee Kevin Smith were absent from Tuesday’s meeting. Ed and Donna Cieslak from Trenton pay a visit to Maddie’s Cookies & Cream, which recently opened. (Photo by Karen Turko-Ebright) huge order,” Pape explained. “They can order through my Maddie’s Cookies & Cream Facebook page or come in and order,” Pape said. “And with having the store, they can come in and buy as many cookies because I’ll be able to have a bunch already made.” Fall hours for Maddie’s Cookies & Cream are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones What to know about HSAs and FSAs Paying for health care can be challenging — but are you taking full advan­ tage of all the resources available to you? You might have access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexi­ ble Spending Account (FSA), so let’s look at both. An HSA is a personal savings account used to pay health care costs. If you’re enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, you also may be eli­ gible to contribute to an HSA. You aren’t taxed on the money you put into this account or on the earnings generated from your con­ tributions, as long as with­ drawals are used for quali­ fied health care costs such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. And there’s no “use it or lose it” provision with HSAs — the money stays in your account until you use it. In fact, you can carry your HSA with you all the way until retirement, when you can use the money to pay for qualified expenses that Medicare or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) doesn’t cover. In 2023, you can contrib­ ute up to $3,850 to an HSA, or $4,850 if you’re 55 or older; for family cov­ reimbursed for your costs. erage, you can put in up to It’s helpful to have a $7,750. good estimate of your It’s important to keep in yearly medical expenses mind that your HSA’s tax for a Flexible Savings benefits only apply when Account. That’s because your withdrawals are used an FSA generally needs to for qualified heath care be spent before the end of costs. If you use the money the plan year — if you for non-qualified expens­ don’t use all the money, es, it is considered taxable you can only carry over income, and you may also some ofit and any remain­ face a penalty of 20% on ing balance is forfeited. the amount withdrawn. (You can cany over up to However, once you turn $610 from 2023 into 65, you can use your HSA 2024.) funds for any purpose You can’t contribute to without a penalty, though an HSA and a traditional the withdrawals will still FSA in the same year. But count as taxable income. if you have an HSA, you Now, let’s turn to the might be able to use what’s Flexible Savings Account. known as a Limited Pur­ An FSA may be available pose Flexible Spending to you if you get health Account (LPFSA) for den­ insurance through your tal and vision expenses. employer. And because You’ll need to check with you fund your FSA with your plan to see if this pretax dollars, your contri­ option is available. butions can reduce your Managing your health taxable income. (In 2023, care expenses should be a you can contribute up to key part of your overall $3,050 to an FSA.) Your financial strategy — so employer may also choose consider putting an HSA or to contribute to your FSA. FSA to work for you. Once your account is fund­ ed and active, you submit This article was written claims with proof of your by Edward Jones for use medical expenses, along by your local Edward with a statement that these Jones Financial Advisor. expenses aren’t covered by Edward Jones, Member your plan, and you can be SIPC �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30,2023 Caledonia Twp. seeks back taxes from company that shut down local facility Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Township will seek to collect back taxes from a company that received approval for local tax breaks five years ago with the prom­ ise of creating jobs, only to have that company leave town earlier this year. Meanwhile, the township will also ask the state to revoke a tax abatement for another company that failed to live up to its promise to create jobs in exchange for a break on their taxes. The Township Board ear­ lier this month voted unani­ mously to authorize Township Clerk Joni Henry to begin what’s called a “clawback” procedure against Function Inc., which received two industrial facil­ ities tax abatements in December 2018 for its facili­ ty at 6610 Patterson Ave. SE. In a separate action, the board also voted to ask the State Tax Commission to revoke the final two years of tax breaks for George Koch & Sons at 5041 68th St. SE. Function Inc. was a beauty supply company that operat­ ed out of an 185,000-squarefoot building at the Patterson Avenue location. When the company requested the tax break in 2018, it promised to create 240 jobs within two years, Township Trustee Greg Zoller said at a board meeting earlier this month. However, the company closed its doors earlier this summer, putting 68 employees out ofwork “My understanding is that they relocated to another com­ munity (out of state),” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. “The process can begin with simply sending them a bill. That will incur little to no cost ... (We’re) simply saying, ‘we had an agreement and that agree­ ment wasn’t kept and here’s the amount that is due,”’ Harrison added. “Ifthat goes unpaid, we can take that to collections and we can follow that route, includ­ ing I believe up to a judgment for a lien on the property. There may be other legal avenues to pursue as well, but I believe that is the first step we’re seeking to do at this time.” Function had an 11-year, 50 percent tax abatement on real property taxes and an 8-year, 50 percent break on personal property taxes, both of which date back to 2019. For the 2022 tax year, the company paid $117,901 in property taxes to the town­ ship, but avoided paying additional taxes of $92,248 as a result of the two tax abatements, according to a memo from Henry to the board. Those amounts include taxes to all taxing entities, including Caledonia Community Schools and Kent County. The potential total back taxes Function could owe the township is still being deter­ mined. “(Our deputy treasurer) will have to work with our assessor to get the final amount that it would be for the past four years,” Henry said. “We would simplyjust send them a bill and say, this is how much you owe us with a copy ofthe (tax abate­ ment) agreement, here’s the part you didn’t meet Ifwe did not receive any payment from them, then we would move to a demand letter from counsel, and ifthat doesn’t work we’ll have to go to the next step.” Harrison said that he has spoken to Caledonia Community Schools Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer about having the schools share in the legal costs of pursuing action against Function. “He understood that, he saw the benefit (of pursuing the clawback action) and encour­ aged us to pursue it,” Harrison said. Henry said she had spoken to officials in the city of Kentwood, who have pursued similar procedures to collect back taxes against companies that fail to follow the terms of their industrial facilities tax breaks. “They’ve had plenty of experience with clawbacks,” she said. “We have a good partner to help us.” The clawback procedure against Function is not expect­ ed to affect the remaining por­ tion of the tax abatement, which is being transferred to Action Packaging LLC, doing business as Opus Packaging - West Michigan, whrch has moved into the Patterson Avenue site that Function pre­ viously occupied. The Township Board approved transferring the remainder of the tax break to Opus Packaging Sept. 6. The com­ pany plans to employ 150 workers and invest $9 million into the facility. The tax abate­ ment will remain in effect through the end of2030. Meanwhile, the board voted unanimously to petition the State Tax Commission to revoke the final two years oftax breaks for George Koch & Sons, which received approval in 2015 for a 10-year, 50 percent tax abate­ ment on real property and an 8-year, 50 percent break on per­ sonal property. When George Koch & Sons got approval for the tax breaks, it said it would retain 69 exist­ ing jobs at the company plus add six newjobs. “They have not left. They are still in their business and are still running their busi­ ness,” Henry said. However, the company reduced employment within two years to 60 workers, and continued to cut staff down to 40 employees by 2022, according to a memo from Henry to the board. “Because they haven’t left, we can’t claw back anything, but we can ask the State Tax Commission to revoke their current certificate,” Henry said. “We can only make the rec­ ommendation to the state. The state is the one that will ulti­ mately decide (whether to revoke the abatement),” Henry added. Companies that have tax abatements through the town­ ship have to file reports annu­ ally to show their employment numbers. No other local com­ pany has failed to abide by terms of its tax break Henry said. George Koch & Sons paid $38,879 in real and personal property taxes to the township during the 2022 tax year. That figure includes taxes to the township, schools, county, and other taxing entities. However, they saved $30,388 in addi­ tional taxes through their abatements, according to a memo from Henry to the board. Cal school board approves scoreboard purchase for main gym, holds off on boards for baseball and softball Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools will move ahead with purchase of a new digital video scoreboard for the high school main gymnasium, but will hold off on purchasing additional scoreboards for the district’s baseball and softball fields. The district’s Board of Education voted 4-1 last Monday to approve the pur­ chase and installation of the new gymnasium scoreboard with Daktronics, Universal Sign Company and Buist Electric at a cost not to exceed $133,980. Funding will come from the district’s May 2020 bond issue. The new scoreboard will be an addition to the existing scoreboard in the main gym­ nasium, CCS Executive 1NSU14>4 SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville • New Cotton Blenders, Flannel, 108" Backs, Solid Colors, more... • Gift List: Quilts, Totes, Purses, Runners, Tree Skirts, Tablecloths, etc. • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm Director of Operations and “I think the idea here is that Transportation Matt Hess we will return to the baseball said. and softball scoreboard dis­ “They’ll be tied together. cussion in a little (while), as They’ll operate off similar we see where the rest of the systems, same (controller) rollout of those bond dollars boards, so we can operate goes,” Weeldreyer said. “I’m them together,” Hess said. not saying we won’t do it, but The district sought bids on we just want, from a timing video scoreboards for the standpoint, to make sure we main gymnasium as well as get through the rest of the the baseball and softball fields bond.” in its bids. Three companies Daktronics is the score­ submitted bids, with board manufacturer for all of Daktronics being the low bid­ CCS’ athletic facilities, der with a total bid of including older analog units $390,835 to supply the dis­ at some facilities. trict with the scoreboards. “We do wish to stay with The other two bidders sub­ them for consistency and abil­ mitted bids of $425,580 and ity to use the software and ... $447,099, according to dis­ to use the tools that we .have,” trict documents. Hess said. “The amounts have Board Trustee Jennifer changed, drastically (from Nichols questioned the timing when costs were first estimat­ of the scoreboard proposal. She ed),” Hess said. expressed concern about the Interim Superintendent pending Dutton Elementary Dirk Weeldreyer said that the School construction, which is district will take a second being funded by the $61 mil­ look at the baseball and soft­ lion bond issue that voters ball scoreboards down the passed in May, and making road. sure that project is fully funded. “We haven’t even hit the groundbreaking of Dutton,” Nichols said. “I think all ofus are concerned with any poten­ tial price escalations, things that we don’t necessarily see coming with Dutton. We’ve been down that road with Dutton. Is there any option to maybe table this until we get further into that project and see that school is going to hit the price that we (budgeted)?” The Dutton construction was to have been part of the 2020 bond, but was pushed offto the 2023 bond after bids for the project came in more than $9 million over the orig­ inal $21 million budget. The district has allocated $40 mil­ lion out of the new bond for the Dutton construction, which officially launched onWednesday with a ground­ breaking ceremony. Board member Jason Saidoo said the district has a five-year time limit to spend the funds from the 2020 bond issue, and expressed concern that by reserving some ofthe 2020 funds to cover potential cost overruns on Dutton con­ struction could stretch that time limit. “I just worry that we’re going to start running out of time for (spending) those funds,” Saidoo said. “I do appreciate that we scaled back, at least the softball and baseball (scoreboards). I ini­ tially have some reservations about that. “The other thing we have to balance, in my opinion, is we did go to the community and say, hey we’re going to finish the list, right, and come up with ... the things that we want to do. The more we start scaling back from the list, the more pushback we might receive on some of that. While I agree that Dutton is the priority, I’m very hopefill we have enough in the 2023 bond to cover Dutton and any potential overages with that.” Nichols cast the lone dis­ senting vote, while board President Marcy White, Vice President Brittany Barber Garcia, Trustee John Brandow and Saidoo voted yes. Trustee Tim Morris and Secretary Katie Isic were absent. Weeldreyer said that there are several projects tied to the 2020 bond that will be going out to bid soon, and that he will have a better idea on the remaining funding from that bond once those contracts are awarded. At that point, a deci­ sion could be made on the baseball and softball score­ boards, he said. It’s expected to take Daktronics about two months to manufacture the video scoreboard, which would mean it would be installed in time for the winter sports sea­ son. “This is their quieter sea­ son, so they’ll be able to man­ ufacture quickly,” Hess said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023/ Page 11 TK fourth again as OK Gold golf season winds down Brett Bremer Brett Bremer Cougars beat out Forest Sports Editor Hills Eastern on a fifth­ The OK Gold Conference score tiebreaker to win the will gather at LE Kaufman day’s event. GolfCourse for the 18-hole The Cougars and Hawks conference championship both finished with a score Monday. of 167. South Christian was Thomapple Kellogg’s third with a score of 183 varsity girls’ golf team strokes ahead of TK 191, scored another fourth place Cedar Springs 200, Kenowa finish at the conference Hills 208 and Wayland 252. jamboree hosted by South Thomapple Kellogg Christian at Railside Golf junior Ailana Leos finished Course Wednesday after­ tied with Catholic Central noon. junior Ava Wisinski for The Catholic Central third place individually. Both girls shot a 40. Forest Hills Eastern senior Sophie Skoog scored a three-un­ der-34 to take the day’s top individual honors. Cedar Springs junior Aavra Relich was second with a 39. Senior Emma Schut was TK’s number two on the day. She scored a 45 which had her in a tie for 12^ individually. The Trojan team got a 51 from junior Rae Borrink and 55’s from seniors Joselyn DeBoer and Kendra Coe. Kellogg Community College and Davenport University create partnership to streamline student transitions ^Strife I’htK. JR’ltfltl Md Lite tuhUtmt ^htih w|iti Rli : tteR WUM ijRl lit' jaM il jftfc I Bj'Bp Bp lotoH1 **& iysW 1 slW ; | I i aii^ &»* (di^r jk®^ [aJ.^ »* | it'* i,l^ I Gaylord races to pair of early wins for CLS at Hudsonville BATTLE CREEK Kellogg Community College and Davenport University leaders this week announced a strategic partnership aimed at facilitating a seamless educational journey for stu­ dents. The agreement, signed Tuesday, Sept. 26, on KCC’s North Avenue campus in Battle Creek, paves the way for a smooth transition for Kellogg Community College and Davenport students seeking to transfer University leaders announced on Tuesday a new strafrom KCC to Davenport to tegic partnership between the two institutions that pursue their bachelor’s supports the educational journeys of students. degree without losing credits or time. mitment to student success ly designed to accept and This articulation agree­ and access to a quality edu­ apply the students’ entire ment builds upon the cation,” Davenport President associate degree to a similar strengths ofboth institutions, Richard J. Pappas said. “It’s bachelor’s degree at DU. leveraging their combined part of our ongoing support And even after the comple­ resources and expertise to ofthe state’s community col­ tion oftheir associate degree, create an educational path- leges and the students who KCC students can take addi­ way that benefits students begin there but need a bache- tional courses at KCC and throughout the region. lor’s degree from Davenport transfer up to a total of 90 Presidents of both institu­ to maximize their future credit hours toward the tions agree that aligning their opportunities.” Davenport bachelor’s degree. programs and streamlining Davenport’s Associate Visit davenport.edu/transthe transfer process makes Degree to Bachelor Degree fer to learn more about sense for students pursuing Completion articulation Davenport transfer opportu­ plans (A2B plans) are differ- nities. For more information degrees in the state. “The partnership with ent from other four-year col­ about transfer opportunities Davenport is a perfect exam- leges and universities. The available through KCC, visit ple of Kellogg Community Davenport plans are unique­ kellogg.edu/transfer. College’s mission to empow­ er students,” KCC President Paul R. Watson II said. “Aligning our institutions for the easy transfer of credits provides our students with Help us support veterans and community functions. enhanced opportunities for academic and career advancement and reflects our and the First Saturday of each month dedication to helping stu­ Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. dents achieve their education Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, and career goals.” biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. The agreement is designed D to maximize credits trans­ * Menu subject to change D ferred and to minimize dupli­ Adults $ 13.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 offee For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 Donated by cation of coursework for stu­ dents moving from KCC to Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 Davenport. All transfer stu­ 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, Ml dents will receive a transfer scholarship from Davenport, ranging from $4,500 to $6,500. “This collaboration with Kellogg Community College exemplifies our joint com- Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Saturday, October 7, 2023 Sports Editor Hudsonville beat out the Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian varsity girls’ swim­ ming and diving team 175­ 135 in a dual in Hudsonville Thursday evening. Viking sophomore Sophie Gaylord raced to a victory in the 50-yard freestyle relay with a time of 25.86 seconds that beat her nearest competi­ tor, Hudsonville’s Lydia Oosterbaan, by a little over half a second. That came on the heels ofa winning time of minutes 16.37 seconds in the 200-yard individual medley. She won that race by nearly nine and a half seconds. The Vikings’ sprinters had a good night. The team also won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1 minute 46.82 sec­ onds. The CLS 400-yard freestyle relay team also got the first place points thanks to a time of4:07.96. The diving contest was one ofthe top events for the CLS girls with junior Elise Miller putting together a winning combination that earned her 191.80 points. Sophomore teammate Larissa Dudica was second with 180.40 points. Freshman diver Ella Rigley picked up the sixth-place points with her performance too. Another CLS freshman, Mya VanderZwaag had a runner-up time of 2:10.69 in the 200-yard freestyle relay at the opening ofthe dual. Sophomore Aliya Van Hofwegen scored a run­ ner-up time of 1:11.71 in the 100-yard butterfly for the CLS team and junior Bella Treib was second in the 500yard freestyle with a time of 5:41.62. That 500-yard freestyle was one of the top races of the evening as Treib pushed Hudsonville’s Kayla Bolhuis to a personal best time of 5:39.49 to get the win. Treib added a runner-up time of 1:08.75 in the 100yard backstroke too. The CLS girls are slated to be at Loy Norrix today, Sept. 30, and return to OK Red Conference duals Thursday at East Kentwood High School. Eagles take tiebreaker to end ahead of Scots at Broadmoor Brett Bremer East Kentwood senior Sports Editor Elise Fennell shot a five-un­ Caledonia lost out on a fifth der-31 on the back nine to score tiebreaker in the battle take the day’s top honors. She for the runner-up spot at the opened with a birdie on num­ OK Red Conferencejamboree ber 14 and added four more it hosted at Broadmoor on 16,18,10 and 11. She had Country Club Tuesday. a round with five birdies and Rockford took the day’s four pars. championship with a score of Rockford senior Jessica 166 to take the lead into next Jolly was second with a week’s OK Red Conference one-under-35. Caledonia 18-hole championship tourna­ junior Copelin O’Krangley ment. placed third with a 37. Hudsonville took a fifth The Caledonia team got a score tiebreaker to best the 44 from sophomore Codie Scots for the runner-up spot O’Krangley, a 45 from junior after both teams’ top four tal­ Mya Burgess and a 48 from lied a total score of 174 junior Ellie Hudson. strokes. East Kentwood was Hudsonville was led by a fourth with a 186 ahead of 40 from junior Ava Gardner Grand Haven 198, Jenison and a 41 from sophomore 202, Grandville 222 and West Ashlyn VanderBaan. Ottawa 230. Hudsonville also got a 45 Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing ma­ chines. 517-852-0667. 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Faith based orga­ nization for neglected and abused young men. Some experience preferred. Please call Wes at 616­ 558-7464. HOW WOULD YOU like the same schedule as your child? Nights, weekends & holidays off. YOU EVEN GET A SNOW DAY!!! FLEX­ IBLE HOURS AVAILABLE. Caledonia Schools Food Service is looking for help. Experience preferred in food & customer service, abili­ ty to work in a fast paced environment. If interested in joining our team please call 616-891-0227 from SamNoon Mon.-Thurs. Or apply online at aramark.com click on Caledonia Schools. from junior Sophia Howard and 48’s from junior Sofia Wolters and senior Marissa Hoang. The Fighting Scots’ fifth score was a 51 from senior Elizabeth Honhart. The conference postseason tournament will be at Muskegon Country Club Thursday, Oct. 5. SYNOPSIS IRVING TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING September 19,2023 Meeting called to order at 6:30pm. Five members present, (14) public. Items approved: 1. Agenda with change, Birch update to New Business. 2. Minutes of Board Meeting, August 15, no changes. 1. p9 2. Code of Conduct Poli­ cy, adopted. 3. Hickory Tree Service, $700. 4. Snowplowing, 2023/2024 Goggins Construction contract, $70/$75. 5. Thornapple Township Invoice, $23,462. 6. Purchase, a parcel and a section map, $300. 7. Birch, Contribution Request, $15,261. September bill pay, 8. $45,271.69. Adjourn meeting @ 9. 8:11 pm. New township parking lot com­ pleted. Cemetery Building/Day of Caring completed project. Town­ ship main floor renovation, tabled to October. Birch, Sokolowski suggested a standard millage for all townships at 1.25 mils to support Birch. Congratulations to Lani Forbes, 25-year service an­ niversary. New Barry County Clerk, Cindy White and new Transit Di­ rector, Mary Bassett. Interest earned to date, from April 2023 on accounts, $15,836. Public concerns, SOLAR, Consumers Energy, China and 15,000 acres of Barry County tillable farmlands in Master Plan to used. Election Support, tabled to October. Copies of the meeting minutes are available from the Township Clerk, 269-948-0633, or on our website at www.irvinqtownship. orq. Next board meeting, Octo­ ber 17, 6:30 pm, township hall. �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023 Handful of medalists for Scots best Falcons for Scots at Cougar/Falcon first OK Red victory Sports Editor A group of four Fightings Scots earned medals as the Caledonia varsity boys’ and girls’ cross country teams competed in the Cougar Falcon Invite at the Eagles’ Nest hosted by South Christian High School Saturday. The Caledonia boys’ team placed fourth in the ten-team Eagle Division standings. Fighting Scot senior Levi Moss finished in less than 17 minutes for the second time ever and improved on his personal record with a time of 16 feating out runner-up Forest Hills Central which finished with 82 points. Forest Hills North was third with 93 points ahead of Caledonia 97, ReethsPuffer 101, Portage Northern 144, St. Joseph 156, Mattawan 165, Mona Shores 244 and Wyoming 303. Fighting Scot sopho­ more Eli Velting was fourth for his team with a 26th-place time of 17:25.9. Duffin Senior Ayden placed 30th in 17:31.2-. Reeths-Puffer senior Jaxon Allen won the boys’ race in 16:10.7 and St. Joseph senior Shay White St. Joseph had the two fastest girls in the race, but Forest Hills Central had three girls in the top seven and all seven in the top 24 overall. St. Joseph senior Gail Vaikutis won the race in 17:24.4. Her junior teammate Elena Figueroa set her. PR to keep pace finishing sec­ ond in 17:43.9. Forest Hills Central was led by senior Clara JamesHeer who placed third in 18:07.9. Juniors Adysen Daman and Avalynn Klapust both ran their fastest time of the season for the Fighting Scots. Daman placed 29th had him in 12th-place overall. There were a trio of medalists for the Caledonia boys’ team. Fighting Scot junior Kort Thompson placed 15th in 17:02.1 and senior Micah Nagle improved his personal record to 17:03.1 to place 16th. Senior Alyssa DeFeilds led the Caledonia girls’ team with a ninth-place time of 20:00.1. West Ottawa won the boys’ race with 71 points, of 16:17.6. The next two guys in were Forest Hills Central Rangers. Junior Sawyer McCarthy was third in 16:22.0 and junior Jacob Sanford moved his PR to 16:27.8 to place fourth. Forest Hills Central won the girls’ race with 44 points beating out St. Joseph 49, Forest Hills Northern 103, Portage Northern 110, Caledonia 121, Mattawan 151, Mona Shores 151, Reeths-Puffer 181 and Kenowa Hills 255. was 32nd in 21:50.4. Fellow junior Hanna Dupuis ran a time of 21:10.8 that put her in 21st-place. The Caledonia team also had freshman Akaela Daman in its top five. She came in 30th overall in 21:46.9. The Fighting Scots are back in action today, Sept. 30, at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational. The OK Red Conference comes to Caledonia Tuesday for the second conference jambo­ ree ofthe season. Brett Bremer 111 X<l.*rV."r —111V11 C JLlk.ACl£SlAl -1--4--0- L t^OVij Come and see what we’re all about! Join us! At Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy Caledonia We’re located at 9321 Cherry Valley Ave. Suite D in Caledonia Visit us online at www.ivyrehab.com OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, October 4th • 4-7pm Ivy Rehab - Caledonia Give us a call with questions (616) 536-9339 You're invited to see our brand-new facility! Meet our team, tour the space, and enjoy food and drinks! You'll have the opportunity to speak with experts in Physical Therapy. We look forward to seeing you there! RSVP To Chris Posthumus at chris.posthumus@ivyrehab. com An RSVP is appreciated, but not required. PHYSICALTHERAPY Fighting Scot junior Cody DeVries hits a backhand return during his fourth doubles win with teammate Luke Atheam at East Kentwood High School Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ tennis team notched its first victory of the OK Red Conference season on the courts at East Kentwood High School Monday after­ noon, outscoring the Falcons 8-1. Ben Deigel and Garrett Fales at first doubles and West Larson and Isaac Robotham at number two doubles pulled out close wins, both rallying from deficits to win in straight sets. Diegel and Fales put pressure on their opponents Finn Schultz and Tran Vincent at the net, building a 3-2 lead in the second set before the Falcon duo ral­ lied to go up 4-3. Fales slammed a tough overhead volley down for a winner that helped the Caledonia duo back into the lead at 5-4 and then helped clinch the final game ofthe second set with a great angled volley after Diegel hustled down a ball wide to his forehand side to keep the point alive. Larson and Robotham at second doubles trailed their opening set 5-4,but rallied to win three straight games to get a 7-5 win over the Hawks’ Evan Neubauer and Blane Bueche. The Caledonia pair then took a 6-3 win in the second set. Ryan Walbeck, at fourth singles, finished off the afternoon for the Scots with a 6-4,3-6,6-1 win over East Kentwood’s Adam Huynh. “I think overall we’re competing better and com­ peting harder each match,” Caledonia head coach Scott Bont said. East Kentwood got its lone point with Simon Wolters outscoring the ond singles and Hudsen Derengowski at number three both picked up wins for Caledonia. Martin took a 6-0, 6-0 win over East Kentwood’s Isaac Drueke. Derengowski outscored Andy Tran 6-3, 6-2. The teams of Will VanderWeele and Neal Hargrave and Cody DeVries and Luke Atheam took wins at third and fourth doubles for the Scots, and the Caledonia team of Kaeler Fox and Josh Raboum tal­ lied a forfeit win at fifth doubles. VanderWeele and Hargrace outscored Kyle Hodges and Daniel Hildebrand 6-4,6-2 at num­ ber three. At fourth doubles, DeVries and Atheam knocked off Donte Landon and Gavin Peterson 6-1, 6-3. Caledonia is now 1-5 in OK Red Conference duals. The Scots were bested 9-0 by Grandville in conference action Wednesday after­ noon. The conference duals end Monday when the Scots visit Jenison. The OK Red Conference Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Grand Haven. Coach Bont said he is looking forward to seeing his team put their sea­ son-long improvements to the test at the conference tournament. Martin scored the lone set win for the Scots in their dual with Grandville. In the end, he was bested by the Bulldogs’ Evan Mann 3-6, 6- 3, 6-1. Dion pushed to extend his first singles match, but fell to the Bulldogs’ top player Isaac Renkema 6-0, 7- 5. Caledonia’s Colin Martin hits a serve during his Scots’ Tucker Dion at first second singles victory at East Kentwood High singles. Colin Martin at sec-School Monday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023/ Page 13 TK girls lead Gold heading into final race Brett Bremer Sports Editor For the first time in eight seasons under head coach Sam Wilkinson the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country won an OK Gold Conference jam­ boree Tuesday afternoon. The Trojans beat out South Christian and Ottawa Hills by ten points on the course along Murphy’s Point at Gun take. TK junior Ava Crews led her team with a fifth-place time of 19 minutes 29.16 seconds and the TK team tallied 63 total points. South Christian beat out Ottawa Hills, the team that won the first conference jamboree, on a tie breaker to place sec­ ond. The Sailors and Bengals both finished the race with 73 points. Forest Hills Eastern was fourth with 93 points ahead of Cedar Springs 99, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 112 and Kenowa Hills 196. The win, combined with Ottawa Hills’ third-place finish, puts the TK ladies at the top of the conference standings with the confer­ ence championship meet set for Oct. 17 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. “After a tough week last week the girls really bounced back,” TK head coach Sam Wilkinson said. ' “Just before the mile two' marker I saw a whole lot of [South Christian] blue and white running in packs of three and four in front ofus, and frankly I thought they were going to figuratively punch us in the mouth on our own course. Later in the race there was a mix ofblue and orange and the girls battling. were really Ultimately the girls did what they needed to do, they won the races they were in, and they came out on top in an OK Gold Jamboree for the first time.” He said Crews had the lead 500 meters into the race, an aggressive move, but one the Trojan coach was okay with. “I liked that she was chal­ lenging herself. When she came back through around roughly the 1500-meter mark she was in third, but still hanging tough in the front.” It takes a lot ofgirls push­ ing to win an OK Gold Conference jamboree. TK had four girls in the top 13 and sophomore Avery Hagemann ran her fastest race yet to place 35th in 22:17.64 and finish as the team’s number five. Freshman Meghan-Jane Skidmore was the Trojans’ number two. She hit the finish line eighth in 20: 29.67. Skidmore was part of a crash during the Trojans’ Saturday race, and injured an ankle. “With determination, guts, fortitude, and a wrapped ankle she took on the day and did not back down,” coach Wilkinson said. “She battled not only the athletes on the course, but she also fought back the pain she was experiencing near her foot.” Sophomore Madison Kietzman was 12th overall in 21:11.91 and freshman Peyton Hardy 13th in 21: 12.59 forTK. Coach Wilkinson said Kietzman and Hardy did a fantastic job of working together during the race, as did Hagemann and freshman Alaina McCrumb who was right behind Hagemann in the end with a 26th-place time of 22:22.49. “Collectively, their impressive performances of these girls passing one person after another put us over the top. If they hadn’t done what they did, a different team would have sailed off with the victory tonight. It was a great showing of teamwork that I hope to see continue,” Wilkinson said. Rounding the top seven for TK was senior Holly Velting who suffered an ankle turn on an already ten­ der foot, but she hung tough and finished in 38th in 23:10.01. Ottawa Hills was led by senior Selma Anderson who won the race in 18:57.71. Catholic Central senior Emily Tomes was second in 19:14.39; South Christian senior Ellia Agar was third in 19:22.18; and Forest Hills Eastern senior Addison Washier placed fourth in 19:25.63. Hagemann was one of two TK ladies to set her PR on the day. Freshman Raylee Preston dropped her PR to 25:19.36 placing 68th over­ all. Forest Hills Eastern won the boys’ meet with 45 points ahead of Catholic Central 74, Cedar Springs 89, South Christian 111, Ottawa Hills 120, Wayland 140, Thomapple Kellogg 164 and Kenowa Hills 208. Senior Lucas VanMeter led the TK boys with a time of 16:46.05 which put him in fourth overall. He was 14.5 seconds faster than he was on the same course during the Coach B Invitational earlier this month. TK senior Kaden Hamming broke that 19-minute mark again to place 37th with a time of 18: 53.10. Behind Hamming was the freshman duo of Elijah Frazer and Grady Galaviz. Frazer placed 43rd in 19: 18.56 and Galaviz 55th in 19:53.54. Sophomore Benjamin Postma rounded out the top five for TK with a 68th-place time of 20: 53.97. The TK boys’ team got one PR on the day, from freshman Dylan Bremer who came in at 21:24.54 getting to compete for the first time this fall. Ottawa Hills senior Liam Walters won the boys’ race in 16:22.57. He was the first ofnine guys to finish in less than 17 minutes. Cedar TK soccer squad can’t get out of early hole at EGR Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans’ goal was a thing of beauty, but one wasn’t enough for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer team on the shores of Reed Lake Thursday. The East Grand Rapids varsity boys’ soccer team scored a 3-1 win over the Trojans in non-conference action improving its record to 2-10-3 on the season. The Pioneers made good work of a couple comer kicks in the first halfto build a 2-0 lead - criss-crossing the ball across the front of the Trojan net. TK got its lone goal to pull within one with a little less than eight minutes remaining in the first half. A Pioneer turnover, caused by good high pressure from the Trojans, got the ball to the feet of junior Jayce Curtis. Senior Reece Hoeksma saw Curtis positioned at the top of the box and made a run in from the left diago­ nally towards the goal. Curtis saw it and chipped a short pass through the crowd that Hoeksma ran onto and fired into the back ofthe net. That 2-1 scored held until the Pioneers got some fine passing in the middle of the offensive third themselves, narrowly avoiding an offside flag, which resulted in a goal that upped their lead back to two goals. The TK boys are now 6-8-2 overall this season. They also fell 3-2 in a non-conference match at West Catholic Monday. The Trojans open the OK Gold Conference Tournament at Cedar Springs Monday evening. Springs sophomore Ethan Shofiner dropped his PR to 16:24.91 to place second. Catholic Central junior Jeb Hillary was third in 16:35.71. Wayland junior Dylan Pallett led his team with a fifth-place time of 16:51.67. Forest Hills Eastern’s top guy was senior Brandan Hoving who placed sixth in 16:51.67, but the Hawks had their seven scorers all among the first 16 finishers while also having two other guys among the top 20 overall. The TK teams were also in action last Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Covenant Christian Chargers Autumn Sunrise Invitational. The TK ladies were fifth in the Autumn Division standings. Crews set her personal record at 18:48.3 in placing third behind a pair of Zeeland East girls. Zeeland East junior Emma Dmek won the race in a PR of 18:15.0 and her senior teammate Allison Kuzma set her PR at 18:43.8 to place second. Zeeland East won the girls’ Autumn title with 54 points ahead of Spring Lake 60, Unity Christian 89, Byron Center 114, Thomapple Kellogg 118, Fruitport 123, Holland 188, Lowell 199 and Allendale 229. The five fastest TK ladies all ran their best time ofthe season. Kietzman placed 20th in 20:31.1. Hardy placed 26*h in 20:39.5 with Velting right behind her in 27th with a time of 20:40.9. The TK team also had McCrumb place 42n<^ in 21:47.9. The middle of the TK boys’ pack was especially strong Saturday. Hamming bumped his PR down to 18:27.2 to finish in 36^ place. Frazer improved his PR to 18:33.3 to place 38th and Galaviz was right behind with a PR of 18:47.6 that put him in 39^. Van Meter led the TK boys with a fifth-place time of 16:37.9. Rounding out the top five scorers was Postma who came in 43r<^ with a time of20:17.9. Byron Center won the Autumn Division boys’ title with 52 points ahead of Zeeland East 75, Lowell 76, Fruitport 90, Unity Christian 101, Holland 126 and TK 161. Holland senior Noah Lambers ran a PR of 15:30.8 to win the boys’ race. He was well ahead of the Byron Center senior duo of Mark Millard (16:16.2) and Levi Green (16:32.0) that placed sec­ ond and third. Those two Bulldogs both ran a PR Saturday as did Fruitport junior Vincent Pollock who placed fourth in 16:35.5. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT 23-4 TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Township Supervisor and Assessor have prepared and filed in the office of the Township Clerk for public examination a special assessment roll covering all properties within Payne Lake Aquatic Plant Control Special Assessment District No. 23-4 benefited by the proposed aquatic plant control project. The roll has been prepared for the purpose of assessing the costs of the project within the aforesaid special assessment district, which district is more particularly shown on the plans on file with the Township Clerk at Yankee Springs Township Hall. The costs of the project are as shown on the estimate of costs on file with the Township Clerk at Yankee Springs Township Hall. The project cost is $100,000 to $125,000, including administrative costs, which is the amount of the assessment roll. The amount assessed against each property in the district will be approximately $172 per year for a front parcel and $84 per year for a back parcel. The term of the special assessment will be five years, 2024 through 2028 inclusive. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Supervisor and Assessor have further reported to the Township Board that the assessment against each parcel of land within said district is such relative portion of the whole sum levied against all parcels of land in said district as the benefit to such parcels bears to the total benefit to all parcels of land in said District. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Township Board will meet at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, Middleville, Michigan on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the special assessment roll, hearing any objections thereto and confirming the roll as submitted or revised or amended. The roll may be examined at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days until the time of the hearing and may further be examined at the hearing. Any person objecting to the assessment roll shall file objections thereto in writing with the Township Clerk before the close of the hearing or within such other time as the Township Board may grant. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that an owner or party in interest, or his/ her agent, may appear in person at the hearing to protest the special assessment or may file his/her appearance and protest by letter before the hearing, and in that event, personal appearance shall not be required. The owners or any person having an interest in real property who protests in writing at or before the hearing may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the State Tax Tribunal within 30 days after confirmation of the special assessment roll. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services at the meeting to individuals with disabilities upon seven (7) days' notice to the Yankee Springs Township Clerk. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Mike Cunningham, Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 (269) 795-9091 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30,2023 Wildcats turn turnovers into points better than Itojans Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg stole the ball away from the Wildcats’ on their first two drives of the bailgame, but couldn’t turn either turnover into points. A fourth down pass fell incomplete at the goal-line and another near TD pass from quarterback Grant Middleton was waved offdue to a holding penalty. The Wayland varsity foot­ ball team turned a TK turn­ over, an interception, into the only points of the first half getting a field goal that put it in front 3-0, and the Wildcats went on to a 17-14 win over the visiting Trojans. Early in the second halfthe Wildcats took over following a TK fumble on the Trojan side of the 50-yard-line and turned that turnover into points too to lead 10-0. The Wildcats got a five-yard touchdown run to finish off its short drive. The Trojans kept pace with some big plays. Jaxan Sias broke a tackle and took a pass from Middleton 46 yards up the visiting sideline to put TK in position for its first points of the ballgame. Ethan Bonnema eventually got the Trojans into the end zone tak­ ing a pitch six yards around the left side for a touchdown. The extra-point from Braden Sharrar had TK within 10-7. Wayland answered with a long drive that had the Wildcats across the 50-yardline at the start of the fourth quarter. The Wildcats kept marching in against the trojan defense for a three-yard TD run that put them in front 17-7 A 40-yard run by TK soph­ omore Zach Eldridge kept TK’s hopes alive, moving the offense into Wayland territory down two scores in the fourth quarter. A good run by Bonnema around the left side had TK at the Wayland 28. But a fumbled option pitch set the Trojans back. They faced a fourfo-and-18 from the Wayland 36. The Trojans’ prayer was answered from there with Middleton lofting a pass down the middle ofthe field that Bonnema caught in stride over his shoulder as he closed in on the five-yard-line. He cruised into the end zone between the Wayland safeties and another extra-point kick had TK within 17-14. The Wildcats recovered an onside kick attempt by the Trojans following that touch­ down, and TK’s defense was never able to get the ball back Wayland eventually knelt down to take the final seconds offthe clock deep in TK terri­ tory. Middleton had a solid night completing 3-of-6 passes for 92 yards. Bonnema led the Trojans on the ground with five car­ ries for 78 yards. Eldridge finished with three carries for 66 yards. The Wildcat defense was mostly able to contain TK back Drake Snyder who had ten carries for 32 yards. Snyder did have one 46-yard reception. Sias forced the first turn­ over for the Trojan defense in that opening quarter, shooting in on the Wildcat quarterback as he tried to run an option out to foe right The ball got away and Chad Lennert blew threw a crowd ofTrojans who were there to get his arms around foe football. Bonnema ripped the ball away from a Wildcat back and then came out offoe pile himselfwith foe ball for that second early takeaway by foe TK defense. TK was set to host its homecoming contest Friday night against Ottawa Hills. Both teams entered foe con­ test with 0-5 records. TK goes on foe road to face South Christian at East Kentwood High School next Friday, Oct 6. Fighting Scots take it to Wildcats Fighting Scot running back Brock Townsend pulls in a touchdown pass during the second half of the Scots’ win over Jenison Friday, Sept. 22. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The homecoming script played out as planned. The Caledonia varsity football team improved its record to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the OK Red Conference with a 32-6 win over visit­ ing Jenison inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Friday, Sept. 22. The Scots had a couple big ones ahead coming out of the homecoming victory taking on a 4-1 Hudsonville team Friday night, Sept. 29, and they will be home for an Oct. 6 showdown with a Grandville team offto a 4-1 start. Junior quarterback Brody Betser threw for 198 yards and four touchdowns in the Scots’ win over Jenison. He connected with senior wide receiver Maddox Greenfield for a 29-yard score in the opening quarter and the Scots went on to lead 15-0 at the half and then 22-0 head­ ing into the fourth quarter. Betser hit Derek Pennington Jr. at the goal­ line for a five-yard score in the second quarter and added a 36-yard field goal 206560 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Caledonia Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 . TOWNSHIP . CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on September 20, 2023, the Township Board of the Charter Township of Caledonia adopted an ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 93-1, as amended by Township Ordinance No. 94-18 foe Caledonia Charter Township Ordinance, relating to animal control requirements. The ordinance will become effective on September 30, 2023. A copy of foe ordinances may be examined or purchased at foe Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: September 30, 2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA Caledonia H-back Derek Pennington snags a pass at the goal-line for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Scots’ homecoming victory over visit­ ing Jenison Friday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Caledonia quarterback Brody Betser finds a seam to run between Jenison defenders Skyler Jewett (74) and Cam Pike (40) for a second half gain during the Scots homecoming win Friday, Sept. 22. (Photo by Perry Hardin) from Nathan Maas before the intermission. Senior running back Brock Townsend caught two touchdown passes from Betser in the second half. A 36-yard score put the Fighting Scots up 22-0 in the third quarter. He finished the touchdown scoring by pulling in a 17-yard TD pass from Betser in the fourth quarter. Maas tacked on a second field goal, this time from 28 yards out, in the fourth quar­ ter. Bester was the Scots’ top ground gainer on the night too rushing 15 times for 80 yards. Townsend finished the bailgame with 15 carries for 73 yards. Greenfield had more than just his one big TD catch. He had six receptions on the night for 107 yards. Pennington caught three passes for 48 yards. Townsend had two catches COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of foe September 12, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on September 26, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. for 43 yards. Blake Herron, a senior linebacker, led the Caledonia defense with nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Townsend had an intercep­ tion for the Caledonia defense too and had three tackles. The Caledonia defense limited the Wildcats to 224 yards of offense. Eli Zeitman was 8-of-16 passing for the Wildcats for 53 yards. He led his team on the ground too rushing 14 times for 72 yards. Dane DeVries had a game-high ten tackles for the Wildcat defense, includ­ ing a sack and three tackles for loss. Jenison moves to 0-5 with the loss and 0-3 in the OK Red. �The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023/ Page 15 Scots shut out by Rangers on Senior Night Hills Central senior midfielder Alex Moeller during their match at Scotland Yard Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Caledonia sophomore Gage Helinski looks for an opening to shoot a pass in front of Forest Hills Central’s Cole Deckler in the midfield Thursday night at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sports Editor There weren’t a lot of smiles amongst the purple and white clad Fighting Scots as they trotted across the field to acknowledge the crowd, butjunior Brody Siler and senior Jaxson Higgins took a moment to rush along the wall in front of the home stands at Scotland Yard Thursday. They slapped hands with the classmates who came to cheer on the Fighting Scot varsity boys’ soccer team on Senior Night. Forest Hills Central put a damper on the day’s festivi­ ties with a 1-0 win in a phys­ ical non-conference match. The Rangers scored the game’s only goal with six and a halfminutes to play in the first half. Junior mid­ fielder Andrew Moeller got Trojan tennis team sweeps both Squires and Knights Brett Bremer third singles match for the Trojans 6-2, 6-2 over Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg Brandon Tavera. At fourth varsity boys’ tennis team fin­ singles, TK’s Franklin ished off its regular season Wilkinson scored a 6-1, 6-3 duals by shutting out Kenowa win over Mason Elliot. TK only dropped one Hills and Calvin Christian this week. game in the fourth doubles flights. Aidan Dudik and The Trojans took an 8-0 over the Squires in Anson Verlinde won at first Middleville Tuesday after­ doubles for TK, Dylan Bailey noon. and Andrew Beckering won Kameron Nichols had a at number two, Daniel good battle with Calvin Beckering and Tom Lorach Christian’s Reid Dykstra in won at number three and the first singles match. Landon Conroy and Kyan Dykstra took the opening set Haywood took the fourth in a tiebreaker 7-6(5), but doubles victory. Nichols rallied to win the The results weren’t much second set and a super tie­ different in the Trojans’ OK breaker. Nichols took the Gold Conference dual at second set 6-3 and then won Kenowa Hills High School the super tiebreaker 10-5. Monday afternoon. TK won the other seven Nichols won a competitive flights in straight sets. first singles match 6-3, 6-2, Raphael DeMonval took a the other three TK singles 6-2, 6-1 for TK at second players won in straight sets, singles over Matt Perkin and three nf the TK doubles TonnK Tlraaicma ivnn the (6-0, 6-0) victories. DeMonval outscored Max Huhn from Kenowa Hills 6-2, 6-1 at second singles. Draaisma outscored Jack Labotz 6-0, 6-1 at number three and Wilkinson won 6-4, 6-0 over Landon Breen at number four. Dudik and Verlinde had the toughest test on the dou­ bles side for TK. They pulled out a 6-3, 6-2 win over Kenowa Hills’ Sam Chapman and Tyler Herpolsheimer. Bailey and Andrew Beckering at second doubles, Daniel Beckering and Lorach at third doubles and Conroy and Haywood at number four took the other doubles victo­ ries for TK. The Trojans go to South Christian Thursday morning for the OK Gold Conference Tournament. The Trojans were 4-2-1 in OK Gold Conference duals flll C OPQCAtl Caledonia senior midfielder Corbin Raffler works to fend off Forest Hills Central defender Micah Scholtens during the first half of their non-conference match at Scotland Yard Thursday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) just enough space on the left side ofthe Caledonia box to rip a shot by Fighting Scot keeper Brayden Smith. There was a flurry of action in that final 15 min­ utes of the first half. A punt by Smith sprang senior midfielder Austin DeVries who got behind the defense and made-a run for the end line. He turned towards the goal to earn a comer kick for the Scots, but they weren’t able to turn the free kick into a more dangerous chance. That came on the heels of Brenden VanGessel on the wing playing a good ball ahead up the left side for senior attacker Nathan Maas who ripped a shot that Ranger keeper Kasey Dantuma managed to make a sliding kick save on. Maas had another solid chance on a free kick from about 25 yards out that he put towards the lower right cor­ ner of the net which Dantuma was able to save. The Rangers pestered Maas all evening long, giv­ ing him little space to turn towards the net. Players had hands on each other in both directions throughout the contest and there were more than a cou­ ple ofhard tackles. A total of five yellow cards were dis­ pensed. The Scot honored their ten seniors and their parents before the start of the con­ test. The senior group this year included Smith, Maas, Higgins, Raffler, DeVries, VanGessel, Victor TzulMoran, Arton Idrizi, Brandon Osorio Lopez and Armin Bektas. The loss evens the Scots’ record at 6-6-3 overall this season. They took a 3-1 win over neighborhood rival South Christian Tuesday evening. Caledonia was 3-3-1 during the OK Red Conference regular season. The Scots go to Grand Haven to open the OK Red Conference Tournament Monday, Oct. 2. 206559 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Phone: 616.891.0070 Caledonia, MT 49316 . QeedoniA township , Fax: 616.891.0430 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA, COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that two proposed Caledonia Charter Township Ordinances that would amend the zoning ordinance have been posted in the office ofthe Township Clerk at the Caledonia Charter Township offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, for review by the public during Township office hours, and have also been posted on the Township’s website, the address of which is www. caledoniatownship.org. The first proposed amending ordinance would amend several different provisions of the zoning ordinance including industrial uses in the Overlay District, rental businesses in the Overlay District and C-2 District, rental business special land use standards and definitions, accessory building regulations, architectural standards, PMR escrows, mineral removal slopes and enclosures, animal regulations, drive-through regulations, use ofnon-conforming platted lots, dimensional variance standards, greenbelts, and other minor amendments. The second proposed ordinance would rezone lands commonly known as 5362 60th Ave from R-l Low Density Single Family District to R-4 High Density Residential District. The above stated ordinances were both considered by the Caledonia Charter Township Board on a first reading at a public meeting of the Township Board held on September 20,2023 and are expected to be considered on second reading by the Township Board at a public meeting on October 18, 2023. This notice is given in accordance with the Charter Township Act and is authorized by action taken by the Caledonia Charter Township Board. Joni Henry, Township Clerk Caledonia Charter Township �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, September 30, 2023 TK picks up play as Pink Out goes on The Thornapple Kellogg and Forest Hills Eastern varsity girls’ volleyball teams share a moment together following the Hawks’ three-set win over the Trojans in their OK Gold Conference match Tuesday in Middleville. It was the Trojans’ annual Pink Out match to raise money to fight cancer. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg teamed up with Forest Hills Eastern for the Trojans annual Pink Out volleyball game. The Trojans wore black shirts with pink lettering that said “Spike Out Cancer,” on the front, and the FHE girls had a reverse image with pink shirts and black lettering. A lot ofthe Trojan fans, in the student section including a number of members of the high school boys’ volleyball Cross said. Forest Hills Eastern took the match by the scores of 25-18, 25-13, 25-21. The loss drops TK to 1-5 so far this season in the OK Gold Conference. TK will hit the road to take on Kenowa Hills in the conference Tuesday, Oct 3. The Trojans didn’t quite live up to their performance from last Thursday where they pushed South Christian in all three sets of a 25-22, 27-25, 25-22 loss. “We were right there,” Cross team, didn’t need pink shirts being that they were set to cheer on the Trojans covered in pink paint. There were pink “Spike Out Cancer” shirts being sold to raise money to fight cancer, and it was the Hawks who won the battle on the court in three sets. “They played better in the third set. It took us a while to get going, just the hype ofthe evening, but then they relaxed and had some fun and started playing,” TK head coach Tia October 7,2023 Annua/// 10:00am - 2:00pm Platinum Sponsors United Bank rwt eoiutioM CASINO |K 2023 bringing businesses & community together • Admission Park ing Parking Kids Vision Testing • Vendor Items •■BBMM■ MMBB BB • • Chair Massages • Blood Pressure Checks • &MORE! 12:00pm - Watch the WFD Firefighters as they demonstrate extrication techniques used 10:30am & 12: 12:30pm pm - Enjoy this exciting presentation by Sponsored by KOVAL CONSTRUCTION FREEOMrens Vision Testing FREE Children's Vision Testing: Lions partner with medical pro­ fessionals and community leaders to screen young children, and primary school students, to identify those at risk for vision loss. Exhibits Will Include • Retail & Service Emergency Officials Businesses • Local Schools • Churches Arts & Crafters Market Free Kids Crafts Check out NEW • Local VFW Post 7581 businesses in our area! • Organlzations/Clubs And MUCH MORE! ww Groceries - Courtesy ofEd Koehn Ford WIN Gift Cards - The first 500 adults will receive a "Vendor Bingo" card for a chance to WIN a gift card. ENTERTAINMENT BY: Expo Proudly Hosted By: 10:30am & 12:30pm - Magician Alan Kazam 10:30am-l:30pm - Luke Lenhart & The Green Valley Boys 11:30am & 1:30pm - Improv by WUHS DJ Service Sponsored By: Fusion Fitness Area www.waylandchamber.org Premier Sponsors • Booth Hilaski Grevenstuk Insurance Agency • Hopkins Propane • Huff Pool & Spa • Full Potential Chiropractic • Laurels of Sandy Creek • Greenridge Realty • MyTown Ace Hardware - Dorr • Prime Edge Media • State Farm - Weston Packer Agency The Chamber would like to graciously thank Wayland Union Schools and all Expo exhibitors for their continued support of the Expo aid. “That was a big highlight, and we just kind of thought let’s go into this night [with FHE] with the same enthusi­ asm, energy and positivity and let’s play. And we did, but there were a lot of errors on our part tonight. We’re young. We’re going to get there. “The first couple ofsets we struggled with keeping the ball in the court and getting it over the net. It definitely got cleaned up in that third set.” The Trojans had a lead as big as 16-10 in what turned into the final set Tuesday. Senior Brittany Roodvoets and sophomore Tealy Cross had kills as the Trojans began to build that lead. An ace by senior Bailey Eden and a big solo block in the middle from junior Brooklyn Harmon were key parts ofthe run too. A kill by Harmon off an assist from senior setter Charlotte Nelson had TK in front 17-13, but the Trojans’ next serve went into the net and Forest Hills Eastern’s freshman Emily Wolter stepped to the service line and fired three straight points to tie the set at 17-17. The Hawks took a 20-19 lead as senior Avery Headworth blocked down a Trojan overpass and her team led the rest ofthe way. “Harmon had three key kills in that set, and had some key blocks and so did Kenna VanElst and Bailey Eden so that really helps when we can get those,” coach Cross said. “I think in the entire first set we had one block. We picked up more blocks in the third set, which makes a big difference.” Harmon closed the night with a team-high six kills to go along with three blocks. The Trojan senior libero Jessie Drenten had a solid game in the back row and led TK with 13 digs. Senior setter Bailey Eden hit there aces for the TK team. The Trojans bounced back to score a five-set win at Covenant Christian Thursday evening. They outscored the Chargers 25-14, 16-25, 20-25, 25-15,15-13. TK senior libero Jessie Drenten passes a Forest Hills Eastern attack during the Trojans' OK Gold Conference match with the Hawks in Middleville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg sophomore McKenna Hoebeke rises up to hit an attack by Forest Hills Eastern’s Madison Reyburn (5) at the net during their OK Gold Conference match in Middleville Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK senior setter Charlotte Nelson puts a pass up as senior teammate Kenna VanElst gets set to take off for an attack during the Trojans’ Pink Out match with Forest Hills Eastern in Middleville Tuesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-10-14.pdf b60310104ab17e0c69940074a591bbff PDF Text Text " raft Ar* •»> ft Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No 41/ October 14 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year MDOT sets two meetings concerning M-37 rebuild project Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Michigan Department of Transportation will hold two public meetings on plans to widen and rebuild M-37 in the Caledonia area on Wednesday. Meanwhile, township offi­ cials have scheduled their own open house to coincide with one of the M-37 public meetings to welcome com­ ments from residents on the updated M-37 Subarea Plan and township land use updates. The MDOT meetings will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., and again from 4:30 to 6 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE. The township open house will coincide with the later MDOT meeting, and will be held in the lobby of the Township Hall from 4:30 to 6 p.m., to be hosted by the Township Board and Planning Commission. The public is invited to stop by at any time during those meet- Thornapple Township firefighters who received their black helmets Monday, from left, Mike Powell, Casandra Vugteveen, Eric Jachim, Hanna Hollis, Justin Niles, Brandon Luxford, McKenna Preslar, Steve Arnold. Not pictured are Lloyd Skiba and Bryn Lymburner. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Thornapple Twp. firefighters honored at "black helmet ceremony With the upcoming M-37 project, the state plans to widen a stretch of the road into a four-lane boulevard from north of 76th Street to south of 92nd Street in 2026. SeeM37 REBUILD, page 3 (Image provided) DeMaagd resighs from Middleville council amidst sheriff’s department investigation in Middleville and Hastings, Greg Chandler was elected to the Village StaffWriter Middleville Village Council as a write-in candi­ Council President Pro date in November of last Tempore Johnny DeMaagd year, and was chosen by his resigned his seat on the coun­ council colleagues for the cil Monday, less than a week president pro tempore role in after an incident at Village January. He declined further Hall where he allegedly comment on the incident and struck a parked vehicle as he his resignation on Tuesday. The Village Council was arriving for a committee of the whole meeting of the accepted DeMaagd’s resignation at Tuesday night’s council. “To better serve our neigh­ council meeting. “It’s unfortunate to lose bors - and especially to bet­ ter advocate for the someone with so much LGBTQIA+ and other mar­ potential, over a mistake,” ginalized groups - lam step­ Cramer said after the meet­ ping down from my posi­ ing. “We all make mistakes. I tion,” DeMaagd wrote in his respect his decision to letter, addressed to Village resign.” The incident took place in President Mike Cramer. “My resignation is effective the late afternoon hours of Oct. 3, as the council had immediately. “I believe Middleville is begun its committee of the one of the most beautiful whole meeting. DeMaagd communities this state has to arrived at the meeting 20 offer, and I wish the village minutes after it started in a the best in the coming years Left Field Cafe van. The van scraped the rear passenger ofgrowth.” DeMaagd, who owns the side of a parked car in the Left Field Cafe coffee shops Village Hall parking lot. DeMaagd arrived as the DeMaagd was questioned by a Barry County sheriff’s council was discussing the deputy from the Middleville recommendations of an ad unit after the meeting. The hoc committee that had been Sun and News filed a formed earlier this summer Freedom of Information Act to consider legalizing the use request for the police report of off-road vehicles on vil­ from the incident on Oct. 4, lage streets. The current ordi­ the day after the incident. nance, which has been in The sheriff’s department has place since 2001, allows not released the report as of ORVs only to be driven on press time, citing an ongoing See DEMAAGD, page 2 investigation. Greg Chandler StaffWriter Ten members of the Thomapple Township Fire Department received their black helmet recognition at Monday night’s township board meeting. The firefighters — Mike Powell, Lloyd Skiba, Casandra Vugteveen, Eric Jachim, Hanna Hollis, Justin Niles, Brandon Luxford, McKenna Preslar, Steve Arnold and Bryn Lymburner — were recognized for com­ pleting their probationary training. Powell and Skiba had technically completed their training several years before but voluntarily chose to go through the training process again, Chief Bill Richardson said. Firefighters in Thomapple Township are required to go through a probationary peri­ od after they complete fire school. Richardson says there’s a reason for it. “(Fire school) just teaches you the very miniminn. Not only is it good practice that we have probationary objec­ tives, but also (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires that we do this,” Richardson said. The department had a “black helmet” training pro­ cess in the past, but it was interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic came. “So when I came (in as fire chief), I identified this is one of the areas we needed to work on,” Richardson said. Since January, Thomapple firefighters have performed 1,050 hours of documented training, as well additional one-on-one training that was requested by department members. “It was driven by the members here,” Richardson said. Most of those honored Monday have completed emergency medical training school and are now in school to become paramedics. “We are very proud of these members and their hard work,” Richardson said. • Proposed Middleville budget would make investments in IT • Village of Caledonia fine tunes golf cart ordinance • TKHS and Caledonia football teams drop week 7 heartbreakers • Caledonia volleyball reaches finals of Lakewood Invitational Middleville Village President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd in attendance at last week’s committee of the whole meeting. DeMaagd has since resigned from his position on the council. (Photo by Greg Chandler) • Fighting Scot golf team earns spot in Division 1 girls’ golf finals �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 DEMAAGD, continued from page 1 private property. Shortly after arriving at that meeting, DeMaagd went on a rambling two-minutelong rant after seeing that state laws allow children as young as 12 to be able to cross any street or road while operating an ORV as long as they have a valid ORV safety certificate and are under the direct visual supervision of an adult. “I’m grateful for the work that the subcommittee has done. However, I want to recognize that ... people at the age of 12 years old can drive underneath this rec­ ommendation. Twelve,” DeMaagd said, drawing out the word “twelve” in his comment. “I wouldn’t give second thought to (allow­ ing) people that are 12 years old (to drive). They’re not even teenagers, they’re not even teenagers. It angers me, it pains me to see the Johnny DeMaagd committee has even recom­ mended that people 12 years old would be able to operate off-road vehicles - granted, don’t get me wrong, I drove an ORV (last week). They had a plate, they had a tag, they had everything that they needed to. They were fully licensed as an ORV ... ORVs can and should have a way in which they could be fully licensed.” “This is asinine. This is absurd that we are even dis­ cussing this. We’re done with this. There’s no need to con­ tinue to discuss (allowing) 12-year-olds to cross M-37,” DeMaagd went on to say. “Someone’s going to get hurt, someone’s going to get killed here. I will not have that on my conscience, I will not have that on my hands. I’m sick ofit. I yield.” Andrew Beck, who is a member of the ORV ad hoc committee, responded to DeMaagd’s comment that the proposed change would not allow anyone that young to operate an ORV in Middleville. “It was my recommenda­ tion that we did not follow the state of Michigan and Barry County. My words at the (July 18 ad hoc commit­ tee) meeting were that we should go with 16 (years old), with a legal driver’s license. (Those) were my exact words,” said Beck, who submitted a petition to the village in February call­ ing for legalizing the use of ORVs. More than 50 busi­ ness owners signed the peti­ tion. The incident involving DeMaagd led two trustees on Tuesday night to propose a code ofconduct for the coun­ cil. “There really isn’t much in the ways of behavior and the state of mind of coming into meetings,” Trustee Makenzi Peters said. “It’s not something I expect immediate action on, but it’s something I think we should adopt. As a council, there’s no law saying you can’t adopt a code of conduct, but there’s also no laws giving us a code of conduct, other than to not be unruly. I think this would protect us and be able to hold accountable ... people who come into a meeting with mind-altering substances.” Trustee Kevin Smith Field Cafe on Main Street in November 2018, shortly agreed. “I think we, as a board, before he graduated from should have a bare minimum Hope, then opened Left of behavior patterns that are Field’s Hastings location on exemplary of not only the State Street in July 2022. role that we’re playing, but He sits on the board of the Area also as leaders in the com­ Thornapple Enrichment Foundation and munity,” Smith said. Smith, who is the lon­ is a member ofthe Hastings gest-serving trustee on the Rotary Club, according to council, will temporarily fill his website. DeMaagd helped orga­ the role ofpresident pro tempore until a new one is nize an LGBTQ Pride Festival in Middleville in appointed next month. DeMaagd, a graduate of June, and tried unsuccess­ Hope College, ran as a fully to have the council write-in candidate to the adopt a resolution declaring Village Council last that month “Pride Month.” November to a two-year His motion failed to gain a term that is scheduled to second from his council col­ expire in November 2024. leagues. The council has 45 days to He- received 41 write-in votes to six for Robert appoint a replacement for Bishop, who was later DeMaagd, Cramer said. The Sun and News will appointed to the council after the resignation of long­ provide continuing coverage of this story as the police time Trustee Mike Lytle. DeMaagd opened Left report is released. Middleville budget proposal seeks "significant” IT investment, use of reserves for roads, utilities Greg Chandler Staff Writer The proposed budget for the village of Middleville for 2024 calls for a signifi­ cant investment in informa­ tion technology, as well as dipping into savings for streets, water and sewer improvements. The Village Council Tuesday got its first look at the 2024 budget proposal from Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg. It calls for total expenditures across all village departments of $6,813,462 and revenues of $5,365,848, resulting in a shortfall of $1,447,613. The general fund portion of the budget, the portion most impacted by property taxes, is expected to show a surplus of $224,400, on revenues of $2,243,418 and spending of $2,000,622. It would boost the village’s general fund reserves to $1,712,749, according to the budget document. “While previous admin­ istrations have done a won­ derful job saving for the future, they have done an equally poor job investing GUN LAKE COMMUNITY CHURCH CRAFT VENDORS WANTED in our information technology infrastructure,” Stolsonburg wrote in his budget executive summary. “This has resulted in out­ dated computer equipment, security cameras, access equipment and a central server leaving us and our residents vulnerable to a cyberattack.” A total of $75,000 has been allocated in a line item marked “contractural ser­ vices” for the IT infrastructure upgrades, Stolsonburg wrote in an email. Improvements to the vil­ lage’s IT system was the subject of debate at Tuesday’s council meeting, prior to the budget presen­ tation. The K-Group, a Grand Rapids-based tech­ nology company, brought forth a proposal that includes replacing the vil­ lage’s existing server as well as other technology upgrades, with options of “good,” “better” and “best.” The “best” option carried a cost of close to $200,000, which included a bank of more than $80,000 that could be used for labor and ofwhich the unused portion would go away after one year. That option didn’t sit well with Council Trustee Kevin Smith, who called the cost “an enormous amount of money,” particu­ larly since the village is expected to transition to a cloud-based technology within three years. “If anybody has ever replaced a 10-year-old any­ thing when it comes to tech­ nology, you could buy the Walmart entry-level door­ buster today and it would crush what we purchased 10 years ago,” Smith said. Contact Nancy (269) 929-7743 www.gunlakecommunltychurch.org • 269.795.7903 12200 West M-179 Hwy., Wayland, Ml 49348 Your local agent insures your C^ops FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Mic/ugans 6tsttraM& Conq>atuj. Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jpaikswTmnsmi.com FarmBureaijlnsurance.com Middleville Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg outlines the proposed 2024 village budget to council mamharo T« laedau nirih* /Dhrrivx hi< flraci rhondlatA “Anything we buy today is going to be way better than what we currently have, and it’s going to solve the problem that we’re on the verge ofhaving a server that is going to collapse at some point. I just encour­ age the board as we make a decision about this that we draw some boundaries that are non-negotiable,” he added. The council agreed to con­ sider a “time and materials” contract with K-Group and eliminate the one-year limit on use of the labor bank funding. That will be taken up at the next council meet­ ing in two weeks. The general fund budget proposal also calls for no change in spending for law enforcement. The village contracts with the Barry County Sheriff’s Department. The budget proposal calls for spending $507,750 on law enforce­ ment, representing roughly a quarter of general fund expenditures. The proposal includes the addition of a fourth deputy for the Middleville unit, according to Stolsonburg. The budget also includes hourly pay increases for both union and non-union employees, as well as creat­ ing an additional equipment operator position in public works that would be dedicat­ ed to parks, Stolsonburg wrote in his budget summa­ ry. The village would spend $1,149,467 on major streets under the new budget, including the use of $530,372 of that division’s reserves, reducing the fund balance there to $748,763, according to the budget doc- Major street projects planned for next year include reconstruction of High Street ($500,000 bud­ geted) and “mill and fill” work on Washington ($100,000) and Russell ($50,000) streets, according to budget documents. The village would also dip into its reserves for local streets, spending $460,182 on revenues of $304,194, resulting in the use of $155,988 in savings. That would bring down the local streets fund balance to $487,909, according to the budget document. The local streets budget for next year includes $350,000 toward reconstruction on Dearborn Street, according to the bud­ get document. The village proposed to use $251,860 of reserves in the sewer fund and $471,017 in the water fund next year. Sewer projects planned for next year include continued lining of sewer mains and replacement of the High Street sewer, while water projects include new well construction and lead ser­ vice replacements, Department ofPublic Works Director Alec Belson said. The village’s tax rates would remain the same under the new budget at 10.5 mills for general oper­ ations and 1.8878 mills for roads, Stolsonburg said. Budget discussions will continue at the next com­ mittee of the whole meet­ ing on Tuesday, Nov. 5. A public hearing on the bud­ get will take place on Tuesday, b ov. 26, and the budget is expected to be adopted on Tuesday, Dec. 17, according to the budget �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14, 2023/ Page 3 75 years of dogs, and counting Cook’s Hot Dog Drive­ In in Dutton celebrated its 75th anniversary last week. The restaurant was founded in 1948 by Martin Cook, with its original location on Eastern Avenue in Kentwood. Gary and Char Baar purchased Cook’s in 1997 and moved it to its present location at 6874 Hammond Ave. SE, just south of 68th Street, in 2007. Char Baar has con­ tinued to run the drive-in since the death of her hus­ band in 2014. Cook’s offers more than 20 variet­ ies of hot dogs, home­ made root beer, hand­ dipped malts, shakes, sodas and cones. State Rep. Angela Rigas, R-Alto, presented a framed rec­ ognition of Cook’s anni­ versary to Char Baar. “We are proud to recognize the significant role that this enterprise has played in contributing to both the economic well-being of the area and the lives of countless citizens,’’ Rigas wrote in the recognition. M-37 REBUILD, contin ings to review and offer com­ ment on the proposals. The MDOT meetings will provide an update on the environmental assessment, design plans and schedule for the M-37 project, which is planned to be widened into a four-lane boulevard from north of 76th Street to south of 92nd Street in 2026. Earlier plans called for the project to be done in 2025. MDOT has allocated $40 million toward the construc­ tion on M-37. As part of the M-37 con­ struction, MDOT is propos­ ing to realign the trail located along the east side of M-37 and Cherry Valley Avenue between 84th and 92nd streets. The trail would be shifted to the east to accom­ modate the widened road­ way. During construction, the trail section will be closed with no alternate route, according to an MDOT news release. “Public input is being sought to help recognize and address any concerns that may result from any recre­ ational impacts to the adja­ cent ' Caledonia Township trail relocation and the tem­ porary closure of the trail to pedestrian traffic during con­ struction,” the MDOT release said. Meanwhile, Caledonia Township is holding a sec­ ond open house to take resi­ dent comments about the scaled-back M-37 Subarea Plan. In late March, the township took comments on a conceptual plan for a large area of farmland on the east side of M-37, between the Cherry Meadow Business Park and 100th Street. The concept that was presented showed the 790-acre subarea could be eventually redevel­ oped into a mix of land uses, including single family and multi-family residential, commercial and green space. But that plan got consider­ able pushback from resi­ dents, who were concerned about the loss ofthe commu­ nity’s rural character. That led township planners to reduce the area of potential development, keeping the land south of 92nd Street as farmland. That change is being proposed as an amend­ ment to the township master plan, which was last updated in 2018. “We did receive a lot of comment related to the inter­ ests of farmland preserva­ tion, sort of that tension between growth and rural character and rural preserva­ tion,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said at a Planning Commission meet­ ing earlier this summer. “Because of ... the com­ ments we received, we decid­ ed to scale back our sub-area boundary and include only those parcels north of 92nd in this proposed future land­ use plan. The parcels south of92nd, specifically some of these existing farms, would remain, and even return to its agricultural designation.” Ifyou are unable to attend the Wednesday MDOT open house, public comments can still be submitted by using an online comment form or by mail, email or phone to MDOT Public Involvement Specialist and Hearings Officer Monica Monsma at MonsmaM@Michigan.gov, at 425 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909 or at (517) 335-4381. Residents can also sign up online to receive project updates. Debate over ORVs continues to smolder in Middleville Greg Chandler Staff Writer Joe Miller of Irving Township recently purchased a side-by-side off-road vehicle. He wants to drive his vehicle into Middleville to get gas when he needs it, but is baffled by the village’s ordinance that bans ORVs on village streets. “I haven’t been able to find anybody that’s got any clarifi­ cation on why not ... Somebody must have a reason why the ordinance is there,” Miller said during the public comment period of Tuesday’s Village Council meeting. The Village Council is con­ sidering changes to the ordi­ nance that have been recom­ mended by an ad hoc commit­ tee that met earlier this sum­ mer. On Tuesday, Sgt. Scott Ware of the Barry County Sheriff’s Office Middleville unit was asked about enforce­ ment ofthe current ordinance, which only allows the use of ORVs on private property within the village limits. Council Trustee Richard Hamilton asked Ware about whether he keeps a separate listing ofORV violations in his monthly reports. “I have never done that before, but if that’s something that council wants, I can add that in there,” Ware said. “I can tell you for the last two months there have been zero ORV complaints called into us. Personally ... in the last month, I stopped three people (who were driving) either side-by­ sides or golfcarts on my way to other complaints. So there was nothing we could do enforce­ ment-wise anyway because we were on our way to other stuff.” “If there are issues with it, people need to call and report it or notify us so we can look into it. That’s the key to it Ifwe’re not getting the calls, we’re not going to respond to it. If you see it, we’ll address it. But if we’re not getting called for it and we’re not seeing it, it goes by the wayside,” Ware added. The ad hoc committee has recommended allowing the use ofORVs on village streets by anyone who is at least 16 years old and holds a driver’s license. More than 50 busi­ ness owners signed a petition that was submitted to the vil­ lage in February supporting a change in the ordinance. Council Trustee Kevin Smith, who has been part of the ad hoc committee, raised the issue ofwhether the ordinance should remain in effect if it can’t be effectively enforced. “I think it’s very important that we continue to double down on (enforcement), especially since we’re entertaining either the acceptance or the abolish­ ment ofan ordinance that has to do with ORVs,” Smith said. “I think it makes really good sense to be able to adopt or let go ofan ordinance that we find to be frivolous or not effective.” Village President Mike Cramer said the ORV ordi­ nance was adopted because of a lack of compliance with pre­ vious rules. “The lack of compliance is definitely not the people in this room that want the (ordinance) changed, it’s the people that aren’t in this room who really don’t care,” Cramer said. “It’s the people who previously drove snowmobiles through my in-laws’ yard, drunk, because they left the bar and that was the shortest way out of town. It’s the people that are now picking up their kids up in their golfcarts from the (Early Childhood) Center and driving across the drain field to get back to Misty Ridge. The peo­ ple that aren’t complying are the problem. It’s not the people that are. And changing this ordinance back isn’t the right idea, in my opinion.” “I can’t fathom why spend­ ing $30,000 on a machine grants you privilege from pay­ ing the same license and regis­ tration that everybody else pays to use the road. It doesn’t absolve me from personal responsibility,” Cramer added. Smith said that the ordinance was put in to protect people from themselves. “While you just purchased an ORV and can think through the risks involved in having that ORV, I think you can also agree that there are people who own ORVs who don’t always think that way,” he said. “It’s my objective and my beliefand my goal to remove an ordi­ nance out of our ordinances that don’t make sense. This one is going to be nuanced. I think we should eliminate it or abol­ ish it and let people make their own decisions.” The Village Council plans to resume discussion on the ORV ordinance at the Nov. 7 com­ mittee of the whole meeting, Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said. Cars drive through the intersection of M-37 and 84th Street in Caledonia. This is a portion of M-37 that the state plans to rebuild to facilitate the high traffic vol­ ume that passes through on a daily basis. (File photo by Greg Chandler) -Mil INTO SOWINGSHigh Efficiency RUUP FURNACE $200 OFF *79 Must present this coupon coupon? Expires 10-30-2023 (not valid with other offers) HEATING 0 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8 Locally owned business. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 Merlene Kay De Vries Nathan R. Taylor Nathan Robert Taylor, age 23, of Middleville, MI, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Linda Taylor. Nathan will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Robert and Lori Taylor; sis­ ters, Elisa Taylor, Kaylie and Ryan Austin; niece, Alice Rose; grandparents, Robert Taylor, and Sheila Vincent; aunts, uncles and cousins and friends. Nathan was a hard worker. He liked to stay busy and help others. He was available for anyone who needed help and he showed his love for others through big hugs and his goofy love. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 at Leighton Church, 4180 2nd Street, Caledonia, MI 49316. Relatives and friends may meet the family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Those who wish may make memorial contribu­ tions to the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfiineralhome.com. Merlene Kay DeVries, age 86, ofAlva, FL (former­ ly of Caledonia, MI) has gone home to be with her Lord Jesus on October 8, 2023. Merlene was born December 13, 1936 to Merle and Ruth (Holly) Shook in their home in Caledonia. She was the valedictorian of the Caledonia High School class of 1955. She was mar­ ried to the love of her life, John J. DeVries on June 1, 1957. Merlene was an incredi­ ble mom and homemaker in addition to being an accom­ plished seamstress who loved to travel and entertain with dinners in their home. Merlene was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Ruth Shook and her daughter, Jill DeVries. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of66 years, John J. DeVries; two sons, John R. “Chip” (Melinda) DeVries, and Jeffrey (Nickilette) DeVries, as well as her grandchildren, Jacob DeVries, Rachel (Craig) Brookes, Brittnie (Michael) Berger, Thaddeus (Madeline) DeVries, Nicholas DeVries, Kendall DeVries, and Noah Sazy; eight great grandchildren; her sister, Carol (Robert) Diefenbaker, and her niece, Robin (Christopher) Murphy, and nephew, Todd (Ann) Diefenbaker. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Hope Hospice in Cape Coral, FL or the American Heart Association. Caledonia council asks for revised language on golf cart ordinance change Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Caledonia Village Council Monday held off on approving a change to the village’s golf cart ordinance. The council asked Village Attorney Kathryn, Zoller to rework the language in the ordinance change, which would allow the village to ticket golf cart owners for violations committed by any­ one who drives their vehi­ cles. At present, the village can only cite the operator for violations. Some council members expressed concern with a portion ofthe new ordinance language that stated “it is presumed that the golf cart is being driven with the knowl­ edge and consent of the owner if it is driven at the time of a violation by his or her spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter or other immediate member ofthe family.” “It doesn’t say anything about if you loan it to your neighbor ... That is not cor­ rect,” Village President Jennifer Lindsey said. Council Trustee JeffNiles called the language “kind of confusing.” The golf cart ordinance has been in effect since November 2018. The chang­ es were proposed in response to concerns that were raised by village leaders of unsafe use of golf carts, including reckless driving and opera­ tion of carts by those under age 16. Under both the vil­ lage ordinance and state law, anyone operating a golf cart must be at least 16 years old and licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Village Manager Jeff Church Thornton said he could send the ordinance language back to Zoller for clarification. “I’ll even ask them ifthey can be in attendance at our next meeting so we can get through this,” Thornton said. In other business Monday, the council approved chip­ seal paving work and catch basin replacement on Vine Street. A-l Paving will han­ dle the project at a cost of $3,000 to $4,900 for the pav­ ing and $1,900 for the catch basin work. Thornton had contacted A-l about a week ago when he learned of Caledonia United Methodist Church alask church Sunday’s Ministries 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST issues with the catch basin on Vine. “You can put a broom han­ dle all the way down and it doesn’t stop ... While he was out there, he noticed the con­ dition ofthe pavement in the rest of the loop,” Thornton said. The village had cost sav­ ings from a recent paving project undertaken by A-1 on Main Street, Thornton said. Thornton will send out notices to Vine Street resi­ dents informing them of the pending project and con­ struction dates. Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service 10:30 AM Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Livestream: facebook.com/flrstbaptistmidcHeville 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY Sr. ?du(£iitfaran Cfiurcfi c H U R C H BM ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 ©thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Bible JChurch 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School......... 9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship......... 10:30 10:30AM AM Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Janies L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY ATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14, 2023/ Page 5 Yankee Springs board OKs moratorium on new short-term rental applications Greg Chandler it’s legally defeasible,” Staff Writer Shea said. “We put a lot of Yankee Springs detail in (the resolution), a Township is putting a tem­ lot of factual basis, a lot of porary hold on consider­ it based on complaints that ation of new applications Brad (Williams, zoning for short-term rental per­ enforcement officer) and I mits. received on STRs this sum­ The Township Board mer.” Thursday night voted The township received unanimously to enact a complaints of drunk and six-month moratorium on disorderly conduct, loud, new registrations for STR music and noise late in the permits while a subcom­ evening, illegal parking mittee reviews and consid­ and littering associated ers changes to the current with short-term rentals, ordinance that was passed according to the resolution by the board in March language. 2021. Shea was asked whether The resolution does not any public hearing was affect the processing of needed before the moratori­ current short-term rental um was adopted. He said permit renewals nor any no. new applications that were “What we’re doing ... is received before Thursday’s known legally as a police vote. power resolution,” he said. “It will have the effect of “No public hearing is pushing the pause button required. A police power on STR registrations for six resolution means that it is months only. It will not based on being a necessary and retain the residential result in any harm to our and appropriate action to community character of the current STR permit hold-preserve the public health, township” and says the ers,” Township Zoning safety and welfare of the intent of the measure is to Administrator Joe Shea township.” “make the STR activity told the board. Shea went on to say that permitted by this ordinance “Right now is the perfect any changes to the short­ resemble the existing and time to do this because term rental ordinance that traditional residential uses we’re past the peak rental would be recommended to made by resident owners season, and six months will the Planning Commission and lessees.” The township approved expire next April, prior to would go through a public 32 STR permits this year, next year’s peak rental sea­ hearing process. “Actually, we1 would like but Shea said there are son. It will give our STR subcommittee six months to hear from (residents) many more property own­ to work on STR issues and during the six months that ers in Yankee Springs that make some recommenda- we’re spending on this. I are renting out their homes tions to the Planning would invite people to and cottages without a email, call, let us know permit, based on a review Commission.” Shea worked closely what they think about of such websites as Vrbo with township attorney short-term rentals,” Shea and Airbnb. The subcommittee is expected to Catherine Kaufman in said. The STR ordinance lan­ address how to handle crafting the moratorium resolution. guage states that the town­ those non-compliant prop­ “In Catherine’s opinion, ship “wishes to preserve erties in any potential TKAA gives gifts to new elementary teachers amendments to the ordi­ nance, Shea said. In other business Thursday: — The board approved spending $2,800 to upgrade the township website. Clerk Mike Cunningham said the current website software is 13 years old and that some visitors to the website have experienced “major issues with their computers” after visiting the website. Ocean Inc., the township’s informa­ tion technology provider, will update the website and give it a new look, Cunningham said. — Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis gave his evalu­ ation of Shea’s performance during his first year as zon­ ing administrator. “He has exceeded my expectations. I believe Joe now feels com­ fortable with taking the lead on township zoning ... I believe our township has taken a positive, giant step by bringing our zoning administrator in-house, and Joe, with his team, filled that void beyond my wildest dreams,” Heethuis said. The township had contracted with an outside company for zoning administration ser­ vices for several years before hiring Shea for the position. Shea credited Williams, Trustee and former zoning administrator Larry Knowles and zoning assistant Sandy Marcukaitis for helping him grow in the position. — On matching 3-2 votes, the board voted to forgo a 3 percent penalty fee and a 1 percent interest charge for winter 2023 taxes that are paid on or after Feb. 15 through Feb. 29, 2024. Treasurer Deb Mousseau said this has been a common practice of the township since 2008. Trustees Dave VanHouten and Larry Knowles voted against the measure. “When it’s due, it’s due. It seems like we’re always lowering the bar,” VanHouten said. — The board approved the purchase of a new pre- cinct tabulator and ballot bin, as well as a laptop computer, specifically for early voting that will take place starting with next year’s presidential primary, at a cost of $8,100. — The board approved the assessment roll for aquatic plant control treatment on Payne Lake. The board approved the treatment on the lake last month, at an expected cost of $20,000­ $25,000 per year for the next five years. A total of 125 properties are affected by the assessment, with front lot parcels to be charged $172 per year and back lot parcels to be assessed $84 per year during the five-year period. — The board approved a $3,000 payment to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs Gun Lake chapter for maintaining the berm at the township park this summer. — The board approved the purchase of a pet waste bag dispenser at the township park at a cost of $415. WORKSHOPS at cornerstone ■ ■ ■ ■ TOPIC: SUICIDE PREVENTION Wednesday, November 8 | 6:30-8pm I 84th St. Campus Join us for a workshop with guest speakers Richard TenHoor and Sue Toman, where they’ll be sharing with us about the crucial topic of suicide prevention. The Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association gave $100 to each of the nine new TK elementary teachers to help them purchase items for their classrooms. TKAA President Karen Kennedy and Treasurer Wanita Huizenga presented the gifts recently and welcomed all the new teachers to the district. This is the sec­ ond year the TKAA has been able to help new teachers with classroom needs. Pictured in front from left are Kennedy and Huizenga; back row, Alex Benedict, Lauren Ehrlich, Ryan Gorton, Matthew Spees, Ally Jachim, Kara Burbridge, Lauren Durkee and Chloe Parry; pictured in separate photo is Erin Roon. (Photo provided) After their son Eric died by suicide in 2013, Richard and Sue both became certified to teach QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer, an evidence-based suicide prevention workshop. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlech Maneuver help save lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. This event is recommended for adults, or older teens accompanied by a parent. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the workshop, as well as conversation about further resources available to those who struggle with mental health. Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Classes ------ cornerstonechu �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 TK board says no to second public comment period at board meetings Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Thomapple Kellogg school board won’t be add­ ing a second public comment period to its meetings. Board members were deeply split Monday night on the issue, which has been pushed for by some district residents as a way ofprovid­ ing greater public input to the board. At present, the board has a public comment period early on in the meet­ ing before it takes action on agenda items. Those who campaigned for the change wanted to see a second com­ ment period added after board actions and before adjournment. While no formal vote was taken, three board members - Derrick Brock, Tyler Wenger and David Smith supported adding the second public comment. Opposing it were board President Matt Powers, along with Vice President Krissy Hooson, Anne Hamming and Brenda Hess. “The business ofthis enti­ ty is to serve the children and the parents of this district, and the more we hear from them, the better,” Brock said. “The more we hear from the parents who we’re serving different ways that your ings. However, the board — we’re ultimately serving mind’s already made up,” changed that policy to a sin­ their kids day in and day out Laansma said. “In other gle comment period back in — the more transparency we words, even though you are 2016 at the suggestion of can have, the more trust they voted into your positions, then-Assistant Rob can build in us, to lead their ostensibly to represent the Superintendent child in their full education.” public on this board, you are Blitchok, Hamming said. Powers questioned the necessity of a second com­ It is important to hear all sides of a situation. ment period, saying it would not change any votes the We are all representatives ofthe Thornapple board had taken. Kellogg school district. However, I do not “I fully appreciate and see a distinct advantage of adding a second take to heart the comments opportunity for public comment.” ofthe public, and quite often they affirm my thought pro­ — Matt Power, School Board President, cess or simply put, better yet, Thomapple Kellogg Schools they challenge me to rethink my decision, and I do that, I “It was just redundant to think and contemplate, and stating that you do not care to that’s my job,” Powers said. hear their viewpoints because have it at the end (of the “It is important to hear all you’ve already made up your meeting) when there was sides of a situation. We are mind. You say this right after nobody there to make com­ all representatives of the you said you value their ments,” Smith said. “I think, Thomapple Kellogg school input, so how does this pro­ personally, ifpeople are ask­ district. However, I do not cess work? We are supplied ing for an opportunity to talk see a distinct advantage of with an agenda containing a second time or to have a adding a second opportunity very little detail - the agenda second public comment, I for public comment.” is covered with the necessary think we should honor that. I Dave Laansma, a district description, discussion and would encourage us to have resident who advocated for questions between board a second public input at all of the additional public com­ members, but the public can­ our meetings.” ment period, took issue with not comment (on a board Hamming said there are objections that some board action) until next month.” other opportunities for par­ members raised to the idea at Smith, the longest-serving ents and other district resi­ the September board meet­ member of the TK board, dents to share their concerns said that for many years, the with board members outside ing. “In objecting to a second school board had two public ofmeetings. “This is the time to con­ comment, it was stated in comment periods at its meet­ duct the business of the dis­ trict, and people do have opportunities, ample oppor­ tunities, before, during and after (meetings), and we lis­ ten. We hear,” she said. “But the bottom line is, the pur­ pose ofthe meeting is for us, as board members to deliber­ ate, to listen to one another, to learn together, to collabo­ rate and build consensus.” Hess, a former mayor and city council member in Buchanan, said having two comment periods but only allowing a person to speak once at a meeting would “make it really rough on the person running the meeting.” “I understand people want to be involved, but there’s lots ofways to be involved,” Hess said. “We’re very approachable. We hang around after meetings, most of us. We have email, you have our phone numbers. There’s no reason why you can’t reach out later and talk to us about anything, wheth­ er it’s on the agenda or not.” Later, the board briefly discussed whether to move the comment period to fol­ low the board action items. That idea was also turned down. “I like to hear the public and what they have to say (about) the agenda,” Hooson said. “It helps me think through some things. Sometimes it changes my mind, honestly, on where we’re going to vote. I’d much rather have it ahead of time, before we vote, than after.” In light ofkeeping the sin­ gle comment period, Brock suggested making more information being consid­ ered by the board available to the public. In other business, the board heard a presentation on the district’s 2022-23 audit from Jeff Straus of the accounting firm Manen Costerisan. The district ended the fiscal year with a general fund surplus of more than $1.61 million, boosting TK’s reserves to $7.88 million. In addition, Superintendent Craig McCarthy updated the board on several construc­ tion projects, including the pool reconstruction project at the high school. McCarthy expected that the roof over the pool to be enclosed this week with work now focused on the interior. He also said that bids for parking and paving work should be awarded next month. Thornapple Twp. board OKs raising allowable size for ground-mounted solar without special land use Greg Chandler Staff Writer Thomapple Township res­ idents seeking to erect ground-mounted solar power units at their homes now have fewer hoops to jump through. The Township Board voted 5-0 Monday to approve a change in its ordinance, raising the allowable size for ground-mounted units to be approved through an admin­ istrative review process from 600 to 720 square feet. Up until now, residents who wanted to set up a ground-mounted solar unit larger than 600 square feet had to to request special land use approval from the town­ ship Planning Commission. “Most of the basic ground-mounted solars are 720 (square feet) or larger,” said Township Trustee Sandy Rairigh, who is the board’s liaison to the Planning Commission. “Rather than have them keep coming back and going through a special use (request), we’re going to suggest we bump it to 720.” Township Trustee Curt Campbell asked why commis­ sioners didn’t consider raising the allowable size even more. • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! >ftSureCag 1/ 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com ST lNSUt4r SPRAYFOAM " Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville “We’re concerned about (the visual impact on) neigh­ bors,” Rairigh said. “(720 square feet) seemed to be a good compromise.” Ground-mounted solar units can be no taller than 16 feet. They are allowed in the rear and side yards. Any request for a unit in the front yard would require special land use from the Planning Commission, according to the ordinance language. The ordinance change does not affect applications for building-mounted solar units. Such units are allowed as an accessory use in the township and must go through an administrative review. Solar energy collec­ tors that are mounted on a building roofcan be no more than five feet higher than the highest point ofthe roof and cannot exceed the maximum building height for the zon­ ing district it’s located in. Any building-mounted units must be permanently and safely attached to the build­ ing, and evidence must be provided to the township building official for approv­ al, according to the ordinance language. Township Clerk Cindy Ordway and Treasurer Laura Bouchard were absent from Monday’s meeting. In other action Monday, the board: — Approved an amended contract that requires fire department employees that are area,” Richardson said. — Approved a contract going through paramedic Trustee Ross DeMaagd pro­ with Goggins Construction school to work two shifts a posed the board have a dis­ for snowplowing services at month for a period of three cussion on allowing the Township Hall, fire sta­ years to pay off their tuition. Richardson to fill openings tion and Duncan Lake sewer Should the employee leave the in his department without drive, at a cost of $360 per department before that three- having to go back to the snowfall event ofat least two year window is complete, the board each time for approval. inches. employee would have to repay — Approved spending — Approved spending a prorated portion of the tui­ $2,200 for the purchase of $1,500 for a new keypad tion that was covered. new fire department badges. door lock for the primary — Approved the hiring of Richardson said that at pres­ entry door to the fire station. two part-time paramedics to ent, the department has a The current lock is 20 years bolster staffing. Fire Chief variety of badge styles, and old and in need of replace­ Bill Richardson said the that it was important for uni­ ment, Richardson said. department recently lost one formity to have one style of — Approved having paramedic who was hired by badge. Department members Township Supervisor Eric the Grand Rapids Fire receive their badge once they Schaefer be trained to be the Department, while another complete fire school, he said. backup sewer lagoon opera­ has been promoted and is — Approved spending tor for the Duncan Lake working Monday through $8,400 for Wickham Sewer Authority. Schaefer Friday. “We’re back into a Cemetery Services to remove will take a two-day course shortage of having (part­ dead trees in Mount Hope later this month to get trained time) paramedics in our Cemetery. for the operator position. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14, 2023/ Page 7 Woman accused of stalking Barry County prosecutors Jayson Bussa er sentence and explicitly stat­ Editor ing that there are no sentenc­ The Michigan Department ing agreements in place. ofAttorney General has filed On the heels of her hus­ charges against a woman who band’s initial sentencing by it claims spent the last several Judge Schipper, Williams took months harassing members of to social media to speak out on the Barry County Prosecutor’s aspects ofthe case that she felt office. were unfair while champion­ Rita Williams, age 37, was ing legal and prison reform taken into custody last issues both in Michigan and Thursday and arraigned in around the country. * 56-B District Court in Bany Peppered into these social County with two counts each media posts were screen­ of stalking and use ofa com­ shots of alleged emails that puter to commit a crime. Both she sent to parties such as charges are misdemeanors Barry County Prosecuting and carry up to a year of Attorney Julie Nakfoor Pratt, incarceration. Assistant Prosecuting Williams spent a night in Attorney Chris Elsworth and the Barry County jail before the offices ofJudge Schipper. being released on her own Some of them were laced personal recognizance and with profanity. will appear back in court on In a statement about the Nov. 7 for pre-trial proceed- recent charges, Attorney ings. Meanwhile, she is not General Dana Nessel’s office allowed to use the internet, the alleges that Williams directed medium through which the “hundreds of email(s) and alleged harassment was con­ voicemails” to members ofthe ducted through. prosecutor’s office in response Williams and her interac­ to her husband’s legal protions with members of the ceedings. Barry County prosecutor’s “When instructed to cease office nearly a year ago when contact by the prosecutors, it is her husband, a former IT alleged Williams persisted employee at local manufactur- gratuitously, sending harasser FlexFab, was charged and ing messages to the attorneys eventually convicted of on both their work and personembezzling over a halfmillion al devices,” the statement said. dollars from the company “Public service is a calling through purchases made for many, often too few, devot­ through the silicone hose man- ed residents in our state,” ufacturer’s Amazon business Nessel was quoted as saying in account and with a company the statement. “Dedicating credit card. Williams’ husband oneself to government pled guilty to the charge and employment or law enforcewas initially sentenced in ment does not mean being January by Judge Michael subjected to stalking or unmitSchipper to 10 to 20 years in igated harassment should prison. He is currently lodged come with the job. These at the G. Robert Cotton activities are illegal, no matter Correctional Facility in who the target is, and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent Jackson. husband ofthe law.” Williams’s The case puts members of returned to Barry County court in August and filed a petition the prosecutor’s office in unfa­ for re-sentencing and to poten- miliar territory — as victims tially withdraw his guilty plea. in the case as opposed to the Schipper granted him and his party that will be trying the attorney an opportunity for case. Members ofthe attorney re-sentencing and will do so in general’s office will be hanearly November while making dling the case. Pratt spoke with the Sun clear that it didn’t necessarily mean he would receive a light- and News about the recently announced charges but stopped short of discussing any specific incidents or evi­ dence as the AG’s office works through the case. “We certainly have people that express their thoughts and feelings to us or an entity,” Pratt said about the nature of herjob. “This one, just, we had to turn it in (to the AG’s office). There is so much here. It took a turn, in my opinion, in August,” Pratt added. Pratt added that the nature of the communications “got personal.’-’ Williams issued a statement to the Sun and News and her view on these matters is diametrically opposed to what is being laid out by the Attorney General’s office. Williams alleges various forms of misconduct by the prosecutor’s office over the duration ofher husband’s trial, and she consistently refers to him as a “wrongfully convicted man” on her social media posts. Williams has been public about filing grievances with various oversight groups and higher levels of law enforcement, such as the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission and even the same State Attorney General’s Office that is now charging her. She said the recent charges are an effort to silence her from speaking out about the alleged misconduct she has faced. “I sent emails to their public email addresses confronting their misconduct and then immediately exposing it on social media — that is your legal right to dissent as a citizen and hold government account­ able,” Williams wrote to the Sun andNews. “My only hope was they would do better and stop hurting people. I specifically informed them I was informing the public so they could not hurt anyone else the way they’ve destroyed my family. I even told them, start doing yourjob, you won’t hear from me again.” Auctions Business Services Pets NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ AGE Sale: Please notice Red Dot Storage 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledonia, MI 49316 in­ tends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 11/1/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit num­ bers are as follows: #307; #343. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for detail. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. BOXER PUPPIES. 1st shots and wormed. Very cute. Parents on site. $550.517-726-0706. Wanted WANTED: OLD FASH­ IONED MAYTAG ringer washing machines. 517­ 852-0667. DOG GROOMING. QUALITY local groomer at reasonable rates. 269-331-9999. Thornapple Players hosting auditions for Christmas comedy on Monday The Thomapple Players are already getting into the holiday spirit and are hold­ ing open auditions next week for the Christmas comedy, “A Good OldFashioned Big Family Christmas” by Pat Cook. Open auditions will be held on Monday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Dennison Performing Arts Center, 231 S. Broadway St. in Hastings. Auditions are open to high school seniors MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. HOW WOULD YOU like the same schedule as your child? Nights, weekends & holidays off. YOU EVEN GET A SNOW DAY!!! FLEX­ IBLE HOURS AVAILABLE. Caledonia Schools Food, Service is looking for help. Experience preferred in food & customer service, abili­ ty to work in a fast paced environment. If interested in joining our team please call 616-891-0227 from SamNoon Mon.-Thurs. Or apply online at aramark.com click on Caledonia Schools. ■ that follows one family’s attempt to get everyone together for Christmas — and somehow stay jolly about it. The show is being directed by Audrey Burton. Production dates are Dec. 7-10 with an open dress rehearsal on Dec. 6. More information can be found by visiting the Thornapple Players Facebook page or by emailing thomappleplayers@gmail.com. Onaway spruce becomes State of Michigan’s 36th Christmas tree LANSING — The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) has selected the official 2023 state Christmas tree. A 60-foot spruce will be harvested from Onaway in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Onaway resident Vic Ruppert and his family have donated the tree in honor of his late wife, Shirley Ruppert. The spruce will arrive in downtown Lansing to grace the Capitol lawn for the holiday season on Saturday, Oct. 28. This is the first tree from Presque Isle County, and the A 60-foot spruce from Onaway has been select­ ed to be this year’s state Christmas tree. The spruce will adorn the Lansing Capitol lawn beginning Saturday, Oct. 28. (Photo provided) 13th from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula since an official tree began being placed at the Capitol each holiday sea­ son in 1987. The tree, will be harvested Thursday, Oct. 26, and trans­ ported to the Capitol with help from the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association and DTMB’s Christmas tree crew. Once at the Capitol, local Boy Scout troops will continue the tradition of untying the tree. The HI-Ball Company of Lansing will provide a crane and crew to hoist the spruce into place near the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues. Once in place, the City of Lansing’s forestry team will prepare the tree for the light­ ing scheme and decorations developed by the Michigan Capitol Commission and the Lansing Board of Water & Light. The entire journey culminates with a tree light­ ing ceremony on Friday, Nov. 17, at the 39th Annual Silver Bells in the City cele­ bration. Rain or shine, digni­ taries will flip the switch that turns on thousands of twinkling lights at approximately 7:30 p.m. As one of Michigan’s premiere holiday events, Silver Bells includes an electric light parade fea­ turing more than 70 entries DMC Floss Help Wanted CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. or older. Those auditioning need not prepare; the audi­ tion will consist of reading selections from the script. The cast will begin rehearsing on Oct. 23. Rehearsals are typically scheduled from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with the possibility of Wednesdays should they be needed. The Players describe the show as a hilarious play New Collection Cotton • Cotton Flannel - Prints & Solid Colors • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm decked out with thousands of lights, high school marching bands, horse drawn carriag­ es. the arrival of Santa Claus, lighting of the state tree, a community sing and a drone holiday light show. The event concludes with a fire­ works display over the Capitol. More information on Silver Bells in the City can be found at SilverBellsintheCity.org or by contacting Mindy Biladeau, vice president of sales and service for Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority, at 517­ 908-4037. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 128 HIGH ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 9,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Five members present. Bouchard and Ordway were absent as they were at­ tending a work conference. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as pre­ sented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to approve training Eric Schaefer as a backup sewer lagoon operator. 4. Approved motion to revise the EMT/Paramedic Contract. 5. Approved motion to award the snow plowing contract for the Town­ ship Hall, Emergency Services, and Sewer Lagoon locations to Goggins Construction. 6. Approved motion to revise Ordi­ nance 21.37 to allow for administrative approval for the ground mounted solar systems up from 600 sq. ft. to 720 sq. ft. 7. Approved motion to hire two ad­ ditional part-time paramedics. 8. Approved motion to purchase a replacement keypad door lock for the Emergency Services Building entry at acostNTE $1500.00. 9. Approved motion to purchase 22 department badges. 10. Approved motion to hire Data Guardian for shredding services at the Township Hall and Emergency Ser­ vices Building. 11. Approved motion to hire Wick­ ham Cemetery Services to remove dead trees from Mt. Hope Cemetery at a cost of $8,400.00. Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Town­ ship Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp.org/meeting-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 Byron, Gaines township boards unanimously approve 2024 budget for Cutlerville Fire Department James Gemmell Contributing Writer It may take a few years for Byron and Gaines townships to totally dissolve their 73-year-old partnership in co-ownership of the Cutlerville Fire Department. However, it took the respective township boards only 20 minutes at their annual joint meeting on Monday to approve the fiscal year 2024 budget for the fire department. Gathering in the lower-level conference room at the Gaines Township Hall, each board voted unani­ mously to adopt the $1.5 mil­ lion budget. The cost will be divided between each municipality, but not evenly. The precise budget' for each township will depend on the total num­ ber of calls for fire and rescue services in its jurisdic­ tion. In a typical year, slight­ ly more than 40 percent of the calls are in Byron Township, and nearly 60 per­ cent of the calls come from Gaines Township. So, Gaines pays for roughly 60 percent of the fire staff’s wages, while Byron pays about 40 percent. The Cutlerville Fire Station, at 11 68th St. SW, is located just west of Division Avenue, which is the bound­ ary between the two town­ ships. Gaines Township han­ dles the fire department’s administrative operations. Gaines and Byron each pay 50 percent ofthe fire depart­ ment’s capital expenses. Gaines Township has the option to pay off the equity in the existing building to take sole ownership ofit. Ifit does, that likely would result in Byron Township eventual­ ly building its own fire sta­ tion. But if Gaines trustees don’t want to own the exist­ ing station, they could vote to leave it for Byron and opt to have a new Gaines fire station built in the future. In July, the Byron Township board surprised Gaines Township trustees by voting to end the joint inter-governmental operating agreement between the two municipalities that has been in place since 1950. Under the terms of the original agreement, the dissolution of the partnership begins after one year. So, the split begins in August 2024, although there will be some financial aspects ofthe agreement that won’t be totally discontinued for a few years yet. The joint meeting of the two boards Monday was decidedly cordial, in contrast to the anger that some Gaines trustees had expressed at the August township board meeting. Gaines Supervisor Rob De Ward said in August that he told Byron Supervisor Donald (Amos) Tillema it was “disrespectful” for the Byron board not to inform Gaines officials before vot­ ing in July to dissolve the partnership. Tillema was absent from Monday’s meeting. He had said previously that Byron Township’s booming popula­ tion created the need for Byron to have its own fire station operating in Cutlerville. Some major issues that will need to be addressed before the inter-governmen­ tal partnership ends were not brought up. The purpose of the joint meeting between the township boards was focused strictly on agreeing on the 2024 budget for the Cutlerville Fire Department. The Gaines Township fis­ cal year begins on January 1, whereas the Byron Township fiscal year starts on April 1. “So, that always creates a little bit of a problem when we’re looking at the budget,” Byron Township Clerk Peggy Sattler said in a post-meeting interview. “Because we have an extra quarter when we’re figuring out our budget in April.” The $1.5 million budget adopted for 2024 represents a 2.75-percent decrease over the 2023 fiscal year budget for the Cutlerville Fire Department. There will be no reduction in firefighting ser­ vices. “I think it’s a good, fair budget; realistic,” Gaines Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke said. “And our man­ ager (Rod Weersing) did a great job of looking at each line item and determining what the costs are to run our fire department.” “I think the budget-setting went well,” Weersing said after the meeting. “A good discussion and, I think, a good direction to wrap up the final year ofthe agreement.” He noted that Gaines won’t be buying any large pieces of equipment and that it reduced expenses for sup­ plies, fuel and uniform pur­ chases in the budget. As for staffing, he said there would be a “relatively modest increase in the neighborhood of 5 percent, with contract negotiations coming up ... We’ll see a little bit of a bump in payment in place of health insurance, just to keep up with what we’re paying.” Weersing said that the budget will be cushioned by the annual township-wide special assessment levy the Gaines Township Board approved in 2021. It allows Gaines trustees to levy up to 1.5 mills annually for public safety (police, fire and res­ cue) services. Trustees voted earlier this year to levy one mill for the upcoming fiscal WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS year. Gaines Township is sched­ uled to add a new township patrol shift for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 1. That will cost the township $360,000. “But that equates to a cou­ ple deputies, fill-in for their time off, and vehicle. So, there’s a lot that goes into that,” Weersing said. Gaines Township is bud­ geting $1.36 million for the dedicated sheriff’s office ser­ vices. The township will transfer from its general fund $2,125 million into public safety, which includes fire, rescue and police services. Weersing said he did not recall off-hand how many sheriff’s deputies will be working in the township beginning in 2024. But the number of service calls for public safety has skyrocket­ ed in recent years in Gaines Township, which is the sec­ ond-largest township in Kent County and one of the fast­ est-growing, along with Byron Township. The Dutton Fire Department went to a 24/7 staffing model in January to meet the growing demand for service in Gaines. And in July, Fire Chief Ken Van Hall requested three addi­ tional -firefighters r for the 1 Cutlerville Fire Department. But that was just before Byron Township voted to dissolve its partnership with Gaines in running Cutlerville Fire. So, staffing and budget for Cutlerville after the partner­ ship ends may change quite a bit. Also uncertain is whether Gaines Township will go ahead with the purchase of a $1.7 million platform fire truck for Cutlerville. The two towi&hips had agreed last year to split the cost of that purchase, but that was before Byron voted to break offthe partnership. The Gaines Township board has until Oct. 27 to decide whether it wants to cancel the purchase order for the 100-foot aerial ladder truck or go ahead with it. If the township cancels by that deadline, it will get a dis­ counted cancellation fee. The township could use some ofits American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help pay for the platform truck. It is scheduled to arrive in August 2025 from Appleton, Wise.-based Pierce Manufacturing. If Gaines trustees cancel the purchase and opt to buy a less-expensive truck, that would result in a delivery delay of .36 to 48 months from the manufacturer. That delay could be an issue, with the fire department’s existing aerial fire truck now more than two decades old. The inter-governmental The Byron and Gaines township boards held their annual joint meeting to discuss the Cutlerville Fire Department budget. (Photos by James Gemmell) agreement between the town­ ships spells out the specific procedures for how the split between Byron and Gaines townships must be done. “And what that is, we agree on an assessment of the (fire) building and all of the equipment,” Lemke said, noting that Gaines has the option to pay offthe building equity. “We would pay Byron one-half of that assessment over five years. So, in 20-percent increments (annually). And then, we would keep all the equipment and the build­ ing.” The building appraisal has been completed. “And now, they’re work­ ing on the equipment, the vehicles,” Sattler said. ■ Lemke said; Byron Township has made some proposals to Gaines regard­ ing the equipment purchases, but nothing has been decided yet. The joint meeting between the Byron and Gaines town­ ship boards ended downstairs at the township hall around 5:30 p.m. Monday. Later that night, the Gaines Township Board held its regular month­ ly meeting upstairs with no Byron trustees present. “They’re getting the cart before the horse, and they know that,” De Ward said to Weersing about the Byron board’s equipment proposal. DeWard pointed out that the equipment appraisals were not even scheduled to be completed until four days later, on Oct. 13. Gaines staffers had recom­ mended that the township board form a Cutlerville Fire Advisory Committee to dis­ cuss the dissolution of the inter-governmental agree­ ment and all other related matters. The nine-member committee will be comprised of the township supervisor, the township manager, one trustee, the fire chief, the deputy fire chief, two fire­ fighters from the Cutlerville Fire Department, one from the Dutton Fire Department and one resident with knowl­ edge of fire department oper­ ations. Clerk Michael Brew told the board that the committee would be “over-balanced” with too many people having fire department backgrounds, compared to non-fire person­ nel. “This is an informational advisory group (only),” Weersing said, pointing out that the township board will make any final decisions, not the committee. “If we’re looking at where to place a fire station, we need a group of people with that knowl­ edge that can help us make the best decision possible. Then, they’re going to make that recommendation to you.” “I’m wondering whether nine people are too many people on this commission ... whether a nine-person (com­ mittee) can come up with an agreement in such a short amount of time,” Brew said, referring to the Oct. 27 deci­ sion deadline r on the* fire truck purchase. “I think this is a group that will give us well-rounded opinions,” Weersing coun­ tered. “I think it will foster good discussion and give us the opportunity to look at items from all sides as the recommendation is being made,” Weersing said the most immediate priority for the township board to decide is if it wants to cancel the pur­ chase order for the platform fire truck or not. He said the second priority is to decide whether the township wants to pay off the equity in the existing fire station in Cutlerville and take owner­ ship of it, or consider build­ ing a new one. “From there, we need to do some planning ... threeyear, five-year, 10-year plan­ ning on what the future of fire departments in the town­ ship looks like, where fire stations are going to need to be located in the short, mid­ dle and long term,” Weersing said. The advisory committee will meet this coming week and recommend to the town­ ship board in advance of a special Oct. 23 meeting. That is four days before the town­ ship must notify Pierce Manufacturing about wheth­ er it will go ahead with the purchase ofthe platform fire truck. On a voice vote, the town­ ship board agreed unani­ mously to form the advisory committee. �Barry County Clerk honored on eve of her retirement Jayson Burna ffttaor The Burry County Bawd tf Cau^HaaKn honored Clerk Pm Pahncr. outeung 4T~rt Lu rfiihT) r~ aent r» cn through tome of Ac owrc IwWent times m tecouury't hfatary Dsnnf tu nrfilarty scheduled mcclinf on fiaadny taonwift. the Board of CteaateKmcn paved a rcaoteKM M honor of ■aftnr as she heath into retirement foflowura nine year* at the poamoa. In total. she baa spent 28 yean Palmer has Knud two terras as ceaany dark and *41 on* *cp aude, making way1 for newly appnuued dark Cady Whae While the poution of County Clark comms wah a *cmng the cmaay m * anout capaoteaa. Her retirement a effective on Oct 20. The lifelong Barry Coanty ddagc of duties, admuKiftcrresident began her aamce to mg county. CMC and nation­ the county tn October of al rlrctiuaa far local ftoften 1995, serving aa Barry t* one of te higher profile < aunty Tnal Coart judicial job*. Palmer sen cs as the •moot far 19 yean before elcciioa official for the she war appointed to her cur­ county. assisting the Barry rent position tn 2014. County Board of Cam assert preparing election certifica­ tes sad board tnurates, overseeing campaign finance fam and rccen rag assocwed film** Ater a 2020 prawdomai efactea tel steed up theo­ ries of deetton tend and al a county , aaae and aabosnl level —­ Palmer » office ma farced to wester a taaragr of H HA request* and other aiqutnn from parties icckmg to expose such alleged activity. The beard prated Palmer far her patience and transparen­ cy throughout a penod where her office unnecessarily came under fine. “Since tak mg her < uth of office. Clerk Palmer has faith fully vers cd the c it urn* of Barry County by preserv­ ing the mtegnty of (Um County ftfadnaa in an an*i- ronment w tach fan become increasingly contentious and has handled the conflict with the uhanat grace and mtegn ty,” te renofaaoa read One of Palmer'* final acts on the job has been a fairly arduous one one. After Michigan's Proposal 2 passed in the 2022 election, a Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer holds up an honorary resolution given to her by the Barry County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday morning. Palmer is retiring from her position next week after 28 years of total service to the county, nine of them as clerk. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) anat be aaptemented to te etectioa process, tnchahng nine day* of curly vobog, Palmer hs been bray orga­ nizing with township* teougfaan tecounty ante best fennel and structure to facteate te new rate* man­ dated by te state Another major burrito tet Pbfater faced duratg her ten­ ure — just aa her colleagues in oter county department* dto was the riungmoMi brought on by te COVID19 pandemic. The clerk'* office » a * cry puNac-faoafe *crvkc-oriented department, and tenting down opera­ tion* waa ranpiy not am ion during te* anpteceJcn ted time. “During te COVHM9 pandemic. Clerk Palmer kept her office running and vers­ ing te puNic pros tomg te vital services needed for con­ stituent* of Harry County,” te coMoteuoMcn wrote in their resolution Aside from te w ords laid out m the resolution. individ­ ual commisMaaar* heaped praise on Pabner duratg te meeting; many of te com­ missioners said that Palmer practiced pabamoe w «h tern mi took orac io educate them aa tey were just start“You were appointed as c ierk just before 1 became a coaMmaaaoaer and wan­ dering through bow to do cleetmak* as a new coaanHationcr and setting those many thing* up and the many things wc’vc been through.” Chairman Dave Jachaon said. “I always apprccMte you being there - home phone, office phone, many hours and I'm just one (person). I know you had a lot of phone call* and a tot of l hi ng* to do but I appreciate your dedica­ tion to the job.“ “It hasn't been an easy job. there ha* e been a lot of people who ha* e questtoned you. but we have always known that you've been there and done the right thing with te utmost integrity." Jackson added. PaImcr soaked in the kind words and only offered a few of her own. "Dm journey doesn't *ccm like it"* been tet long when I've gathered so many friend* along te way.*- Palmer said FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones When should you sell investments? Barry County commissioners and gallery members at Tuesday morning's meeting stand and applaud County Clerk Pam Palmer, honoring her years of ser­ vice. If you're a long-term m* e>lnr, your portfolio may Uay fairiy stable over time I low ever, that doeanT mean you will never sell any investments But when should you sell and whv? Here are tome scenario* to con *idcr • If tin iniritmsnl htii COlUiMmfy linilrrpcr forotfti — For one reason or another, some investment* may no! live up to y <mr expectations. Rather than holding these investment* tn the hope that they will eventually show consistent­ ly positive return*, you might be better off selling them and using the pro­ ceed* to buy other invest merit * that could help you make progre** toward your goals. Keep in mind, though, that short-term pace swing* are inevliable for virtually all invest­ ments. so you may not want to sell an investment after just a few price drop*, as it may still have strong funda mentals and good pros­ pects. • If the investment itself has changed — The nature of some investment*. such as stocks, can change over time. Stocks represent com­ panies. and companies can evolve and adapt — or not. So. you may ow n shares in a company whose manage­ ment has changed or whose products arc less competi­ tive than they once were. If this company no longer ment. you may consider selling your shares and movmg <ra. • If an investment i* “redundant" Over time, you may have added faveatment.v that are similar to other* you already own If you do have too many invrvtments that arc alike, you n*k not having a fully diversified portfolio, and while diver*ifK*alion can’t always protect against all losses or guarantee profits, it can help reduce the impact of market volatility ixi your holdings. Conse­ quently. you might want to sell an investment that may now be “redundant” to your portfolio and replace it w ith another one that could boost your diversification efl<wt» • If an investment takes up too much space tn \tuir partfnlin - If you bought an investment year* ago. and it's grown substantially in value, it could eventually take up more space in your portfolio ten you had intended, which could expose you to more risk than you'd like — because too much of any single investment may leave you more vulnerable to market downturns. Of course, if te investment is still appropri­ ate for your needs, and still has a good outlook, you may not want to totally liq­ uidate h, but you could con­ sider scaling back on the shares you own. • Ifyour own needs have changed ongimillv created your investment mix to help you reach cer­ tain goal*. Mich a* a com­ fortable retirement And during much of your work­ ing life, you could possibly afford to invest primarily far growth, accepting the n*k that come* along w ith that approach. M you knew you'd have time to poten­ tially overcome the short • term volatility that** port of investing. Hut a* you near retirement, you may want to lower your risk level. Con­ sequently. you could decide to sell some of your growth-oriented investment* and mo* e the money into income-producing <M»cs However, even during retirement, you’ll still need your portfolio to provide some growth opportunities to help you ahead of infla­ tion. Generally speaking, you may not w ant to do a lot of selling (or buying) of investment* once you've built a portfolio that'* appropriate for your goal*, risk tolerance and time horizon. But if you are going to sell investments, make sure you do so for the right reason*. Pin article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones hnans tal Advisor. Edward Jones. Member SIPC �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 Proposed state oversight of solar, wind pits energy needs against rural rights Kelly House Bridge Michigan A day after introducing bills to speed up wind and solar permitting by shifting control to the state, Michigan lawmakers debat­ ed whether the change would be a gift to strug­ gling farmers and utility customers — or a bane on rural communities. a During hearing Wednesday before the House Energy, and Communications Technology Committee, the legislation’s Democratic sponsors said local resis­ tance to renewable energy projects blocking is Michigan’s energy transi­ tion and depriving farmers of opportunities to earn money by leasing land for power. “The reality is this, we will not be able to sustain our state, with our energy supply,” said Abraham Aiyash, D-Hamtramck and a key sponsor of the bill package. “We will not be able to have a reliable ener­ gy source if we are not going to look at large-scale investments in solar and wind.” The permitting bills are part of a broader push by Democratic lawmakers to move Michigan more quickly off of fossil fuels and toward renewable ener­ gyBut sponsors heard an earful from rural Republican lawmakers, who contend their constituents would bear the brunt of legislation pushed mainly by urban and suburban lawmakers. “None of these projects will probably go in any of ... the bill sponsors’ dis­ tricts,” said Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes. “They will go to the rural communities. We will be stuck with the infrastruc­ ture.” At issue was House Bills 5120-5123, which would authorize the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve large wind, solar and energy storage projects in the state. Those projects, which tend to be placed on farm­ land because ofthe need for large open spaces, currently need the blessing of local governments. They fre­ quently encounter resis­ tance from nearby residents who don’t want their pastoral views replaced with wind or solar arrays. Fights over the issue can often turn vitriolic, pitting neighbors against neighbors and leading to recall votes. Proponents of the bills say they would take the heat off local officials, while eliminating roadblocks to renewable energy development as Michigan utilities strive to decarbonize their power supply. The conflicts bubbling up in rural communities were apparent in the hearing room, as one resident testified that renewable energy is “being shoved down our throats,” while a farm owner urged passage of the bills in hopes that they’ll enable her to lease her land for solar. Currently, she’s barred from leasing her land due to a local ordi­ nance. The Michigan Farm Bureau and groups repre­ senting local governments oppose the bills, arguing they would leave communi­ ties unable to craft zoning policies that cater to the Lawmakers on Wednesday debated a series of bills that would shift permitting authority for large wind and solar developments from local governments to the state. (Bridge photo by Dale Young) needs oftheir specific community. Judy Allen, director of government relations for the Michigan Townships Association, said the pack­ age “totally disregards any locally-adopted zoning ordinances as well as it eliminates the voices of the residents.” Allen raised fears that state-approved projects would interfere with com­ munities’ existing plans for growth and development. And she criticized the bills for omitting specifics about how much land would be allowed for renewable ener­ gy in any given municipali­ ty. Instead of defaulting to state control, she said, locals should have the first chance to review an appli­ cation, with developers able to pursue a separate process if that fails. The package has support from the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), environmental and labor groups. MPSC Chair Dan Scripps called it “a necessary shift in how we think about energy infrastructure.” Scripps noted that other Great Lakes states have similar regulations, and that Michigan already regulates natural gas, petroleum and electric transmission lines at the state level in recogni­ tion that individual commu­ nities shouldn’t have veto power over matters critical to the state’s energy needs. “If every individual local unit of government can block those projects, we end up without the projects that we need for Michigan,” Scripps said. Responding to criticism that the legislation would strip away local rights, pro­ ponents noted that the leg- islation includes provisions to protect local interests, from requiring developers to provide benefits stipulat­ ed by the surrounding com­ munity to insisting that they pay prevailing wages to construction workers. Speaking to the press before the hearing, Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton Township, highlighted the jobs potential of building out wind and solar arrays. He called the bill package potentially “life-changing” for farmers who could earn money by leasing their land for renewable energy. Farm loss is a nationwide problem as development and consolidation eat away at ag land and replace fami­ ly farms with corporate operations. There were 9.2 million acres of farmland in Michigan last year, down 500,000 acres from 2021. With a slim Democratic majority in both chambers and widespread Republican opposition to energy reforms, Democrats push­ ing to change Michigan’s energy laws will likely need near-unanimous support from within their party. That’s not a given. While Democrats largely expressed support for the renewable permitting bills, Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, expressed concern about “how broad­ ly this is written.” She wanted more specifics on the public benefits energy developments would need to provide to local commu­ nities, she said. The committee didn’t vote on the bills Wednesday. Bill sponsors have said they aim to push the package through to passage before the Legislature breaks for the year, but are open to amendments. Bruce's Frame and Alignment Michigan’s feral cats breeding like Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience crazy: 5,000 caught, neutered last year Brandy Muz Bridge Michigan Feral cats have colonies across the state, and their inbreeding, overpopulation and constant pregnancies have caused these strays to multiply. Richelie Brown of the Cheboygan County Humane Society says wild cats usual­ ly flock to areas where there’s something to eat. “They go to where they get fed. Ifpeople are feeding bam cats, they also have this colony of feral cats as well,” Brown said. Brown said some feral cats are bom with defects due to inbreeding. Misshapen heads, extra toes or crossed eyes could be results of incest among them. “Unfortunately, there’s that vast of a population, and they’ll start to have smaller litters or the kittens will die early on in life,” Brown said. Many shelters and humane societies run TNR - trap, neuter and release - pro­ grams. Brown said the public can participate with such programs to reduce the num­ ber of stray and feral cats. “They can live-trap the cats, bring them in and we fix them and give them a rabies shot. Then they can pick them up at the end ofthe day and let them back out­ side,” she said. However, Sal Palombo, who owns Michigan Animal Control, a company in DeWitt, said there’s more to curbing feral cats than sim­ ply trap and release. “There are still strays that aren’t neutered and will con­ tinue the breeding cycle,” he said. “The strays are not going to be interested at all in the cat that has no sexual organs. They’re going to be worried about and interested in the pheromones of the ones that do,” he said. Palombo is a cat lover and has made friends with the feral cats around his home. But he still recognizes the harm they do to the surrounding environment, including songbirds: “You know, they’re all great, but the reality is, they’re indis­ criminately killing wildlife every day.” The Michigan Humane Society, based in Bingham Farms, reported taking in 4,861 strays in 2022. It has multiple programs to reduce pet overpopulation, including humane education programs, discounted veteri­ nary services for the indigent and free pet food hanks, along­ side its own TNR program. Brown said helping strays not reproduce by TNR is dif­ ferent than saving them. “People think they’re sav­ ing ferals by trapping them and bringing them to the shelter to surrender,” Brown said. But that doesn’t help the cat that’s never been in captivity because it behaves differently from house pets.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023/ Page 11 Special teams and last second TD do in Scots Fighting Scot linebacker Alex Klingensmith wraps up Bulldog running back Braylen Haney with the help of a teammate during the OK Red Conference contest inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Friday, Oct. 6. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Who plays who somewhere in the postseason may change. Rockford is still in the lead for the OK Red Conference Championship — at least the Rams were heading into last night. A Friday night loss to Grandville, the Scots’ second defeat of the season in OK Red Conference action, doesn’t change a lot of the goals Caledonia had coming into the contest, but it was ballgame they’d certainly like to have back. Grandville returned two kick-offs for touchdowns, recovered a pooch kick late in the fourth quarter and got a three-yard touchdown run from quarterback Cash Ruff with two seconds to play to steal a 38-34 win over the Caledonia varsity football team inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Oct. 6. The Bulldogs, a team Caledonia defeated twice last season, improve to 6-1 overall with the win. The Bulldogs were set to take on 7-0 Rockford last night, Oct. 13. Caledonia fell to 5-2 overall with the loss and had plans to visit East Kentwood last night. Things went awry for the Scots from the get-go last Friday. Grandville’s Miguel Rojas returned the opening kick-off 95 yards for a touch­ down. He returned another Caledonia kick-off 90 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter which had his team within 28-26 at the time. Brock Townsend answered that second Rojas TD return with a 35-yard touchdown run of his own that boosted the Scots lead to 34-26 at the close ofthe third quarter. Ruff scored on a 16-yard Caledonia H-back Derek Pennington Jr. (left) rises up in the end zone to to try and pull in a pass as Grandville defensive back Carson Kopko steals it away for an interception Friday, Oct. 6 in Caledonia. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Caledonia's Reed Vogeler knifes through the Grandville backfield to stop Jayden Terry before he has a chance to turn up field during their bailgame inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Friday, Oct. 6. (Photo by Perry Hardin) run with about five minutes remaining to pull his team to within 34-32, but Caledonia held its lead by thwarting the Bulldogs’ two-point conversion try. Another special teams mis­ cue by the Scots allowed Grandville to recover a high, short kick-offat the Caledonia 37-yard-Iine following that touchdown and the Bulldogs milked the rest ofthe clock as they moved in for the game winning score. On third-andthree with 11 seconds to go, Ruff took the snap and just managed to beat everyone to the left pylon in the south end ofthe stadium to put his team in front. Both star running backs in the game had two touchdowns. Townsend helped put the Scots up 15-12 at the half with a 21-yard touchdown recep­ tion from quarterback Brody Betser. Grandville led 12-0 at the end ofthe first quarter. Jayden Terry scored on a one-yard run to add to Rojas’ first score. Betser hit Maddox Greenfield for a 28-yard touchdown pass and Nathan Maas booted the extra-point to get the Scots within 12-7 in the second quarter. Terry gave the Bulldogs the lead back early in the second half with a 76-yard touchdown run where the Scots’ had him bottled up at the line of scrim­ mage before he burst into the clear. The extra-point kick made it 19-15 at the time in favor ofthe Bulldogs. Caledonia moved out to a two score lead with a 13-yard TD run by Betser and a second Betser to Greenfield TD, this one covering 34 yards. It was 28-19 Scots before Rojas answered with another return TD to get his team within 28-26. Terry closed the night with 27 rushes for 201 yards for the Bulldogs. Townsend had 18 rushes for 158 yards and Betser had 11 rushes for 73 yards. Through the air, Betser completed 5-of10 passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns. ?07130_l Community Schools SEARCHING FOR ACTIVE BIDDERS FOR 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 & Caledonia L TOWNSHIP PUBLIC Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 NOTICE NEW DUTTON ELEMENTARY PROJECT Charter Township of Caledonia Kent County, Michigan FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy Test for the November 7, 2023 Special School Election has been scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at the Caledonia Township Hall located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave, Caledonia, Michigan. THE URL BELOW HTTPS://im.CALSCH(IOLS.ORG/DEPARTMENTS/ BUSINESS-SERVICES/REQUEST-FOR-PROPOSALS-BIDS/ BID PACKAGE NO. 2GUIDING SUPERSTBUCTURE/ENCLOSURE/ANISHES/MEP-F/S The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the computer pro­ gram used to tabulate the votes cast at the election meet the requirements of the law. Joni Henry Clerk, Charter Township of Caledonia �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 CLS swimmers, Gators’ divers perform well at MISCA Meet Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia/Lowell/ South Christian varsity girls’ swimming and diving team, fresh off its first OK Red Conference victory, placed sixth at the MISCA Meet hosted by Calvin University last weekend. Sophomore Sophie Gaylord and junior Bella Treib placed fourth and fifth respectively in the 50-yard freestyle and Treib was fourth in the 100-yard freestyle to lead the way. Gaylord turned in a time oof 23.79 seconds in that 50 freestyle and Treib was right behind touching the wall in 23.79. That was a race won by Jenison senior Grace Albrecht in 23.35 seconds. While the freestyle sprinters powered the Vikings, the Grand Rapids Gators were paced by the Lydia Slagel divers. placed tenth with an 11-dive score of 334.00 points. Teammate Avigail Dumond was 19“ with a score of 318.50. The field of 32 divers was led by Novi senior Lorelai Maisano who put together a score of 413.55 points. Oxford junior Tristan Kraj carski was the runner-up with a total of 409.05 points. The Gators’ other com­ petitor at the two-day meet was sophomore Aliyah Garcia who finished 52nd in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1 minute 13.47 seconds. Gaylord added a ninth­ place time of 59.29 in the 100-yard backstroke. Treib and Gaylord were also a part of the Vikings’ relays at the meet. They joined freshman Mya VanderZwaag and sophomore Aliya Van Hofwegen to place seventh in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:52.25 meeting the Division 1 state cut in the race. The CLS team of Van Hofwegen, Gaylord and juniors Rian Restau and Izzy Leason placed 18“ in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:43.56. VanderZwaag and Van Hofwegen joined their two teammates in the 50-yard freestyle competition. VanderZwaag was 43“ in that event with a time of 25.96 and Van Hofwegen 59*h in 26.45. VanderZwaag was also 48^ in the 100yard breastsstroke with a time of 1:12.88. The Vikings finished off the meet with the team of VanderZwaag, sophomore Clara Kerkstra, senior Macy Keegstra and Treib placing 35“ with a time of3:54.98 in the 400yard freestyle relay. Carlson won the meet with 258 points, ahead of Swartz Creek 222.8, Allen Park 199.3, Flint Powers Catholic 184, West Bloomfield 166, Cis 165.9, Grandville 164, Hartland 161.3, Dexter 159.7 and Portage Central 159 in the top ten. Girls from 83 different teams from across the state were a part of the meet. The CLS girls followed up the MISCA perfor­ mance by scoring a 114­ 68 win in a non-conference dual at Mason Tuesday. Trojans set to face No. 2 Maroons in district semi’s Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans earned the chance to try and knock the second ranked team in the state in Division 2 from the postseason. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ soccer team heads to Holland High School Tuesday to face Holland Christian in the MHSAA Division 2 District Semifinals at 5 p.m. It’ll be the postseason opener for the Maroons, the district’s top-seeded team. The Trojans opened their postseason Wednesday with a 3-0 win over Zeeland East in Middleville, their second win ofthe season over the Chix. TK head coach Andrew Kiel said his guys are ready for the challenge the Maroons pose. “They play good teams all year round. You look at their schedule and being able to look at a few of their games on film, they’re an all-around solid team,” Kiel said. “They are able to do little things right that make them success­ ful. As a team, we’re excited to go get them. You’ve got to beat the best teams at some point if you want to win the whole thing. “We’ve been playing really good soccer here the past few games and the past few weeks.” Junior Jayce Curtis scored two goals and senior Reece Hoeksma scored one in the Trojans’ 3-0 win over the Chix. Hoeksma scored the only goal ofthe first half with the help of pressure from team­ mates Juan Aguiar and Jordan Rowley. Aguiar forced a poor pass by the Chix and Rowley intercepted it and found Hoeksma. Hoeksma beat one defender on his own and slid a shot by the Zeeland East keeper. Kiel said Curtisjust kind of bullied his wav through the Zeeland East back line to power the ball into the net to put his team up 2-0 in the second half, and then touched in a blistering cross from teammate Braden Sharrar for a 3-0 lead. “It felt like the most com­ plete game we played all sea­ son,” coach Kiel said. He liked how his team kept mistakes to a minimum while still using defenders to put pressure on opponents. Rowley and Nate Shoemaker are leading that charge, and having freshman Milo McCormick come into his own as a defensive mid­ fielder has been a big boost. He started the season as an outside defender. Junior Isaac Ruth stepped into that spot as McCormick transitioned to the midfield. “That is no easy task,” Kiel said of McCormick’s role as a freshman. “You have guys that are bigger and faster than you and you aren’t playing with the friends you’ve grown up playing with. It’s foreign.” “Him getting his confi­ dence and playing in that cen­ ter defensive mid role has really made a difference.” TK is now 9-9-2 overall this season. The Trojans closed the reg­ ular season with a 7-3 win over Kenowa Hills in the final round of the OK Gold Conference tournament. The Knights had defeated the Trojans 2-1 in their confer­ ence regular season meeting. Hoeksma had two goals, Sharrar one, Curtis one and Fernando DeSantiago one. Freshman Bo Dykstra, a recent varsity addition, scored his first two varsity goals. Trojan singles players have strong day at D3 regional Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team was three points shy of earning a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Boys’ Tennis Finals at their regional tour- 207128 CHa x nament in Holland Wednesday. The TK boys placed fourth in the field of eight teams. Holland Christian won the regional champi­ onship with 16 points ahead of Zeeland West 12, Hamilton 10, Thomapple Kellogg 7, Holland 6, Zeeland East 5, Hastings 0 and Wayland 0. TK junior first singles player Kameron Nichols pushed third-seeded Aiden Sin from Holland in their opening round match, but Sin eventually tallied a 7-5, CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE “ZONING ORDINANCE OF GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP” AS PROVIDED FOR IN CHAPTERS 10 AND 27 THEREOF BY AMENDING THE GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE ZONING MAP FOR THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) KNOWN AS “BREWER PARK APARTMENTS PUD”. At a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Charter Township of Gaines, held on Monday, October 9, 2023, the Township Board considered a proposed ordinance of the Charter Township of Gaines which will amend the Gaines Character Township Zoning Ordinance and zoning map. The Township Board will hold a public hearing to consider an amendment to rezone the following described property from RL-10 Residential and RL-14 SingleFamily Residential to the Brewer Park Apartments Planned Unit Development on Monday, November 13,2023 at its regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, held at the Township Hall located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. Land situated in the Charter Township of Gaines, County of Kent, State of Michigan, described as follows: All that part of the South one-half (S 14) of North Forty (40) Acres of West Fractional one-half (1/2) of Southwest Fractional one-quarter (1/4) of Section Lying East of the center line of Division Avenue Road (so-called) (Excepting and reserving therefrom commencing at the North-west corner thereof and running thence East 340.85 feet: thence South Nine (9) Rods: thence West to center line of Division Avenue Road and thence Northerly along the center line of said road to beginning) being in Section 18, Town 5 North, Range 11 West. A true and complete copy of the proposed ordinance amendment can be obtained at: Charter Township of Gaines 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Michael A. Brew, Clerk 6-2 win. Hamilton’s Marco Catalano eventually won the first singles title at their flight, besting Zeeland East’s Brady Schanski 6-2, 6-1 in the final. The top two teams from regionals across the state this week earn spots in next weekend’s state finals. Hamilton made it three state qualifying teams from the Holland regional in D3 by scoring ten points in the eight-team field. TK junior Jacob Draaisma won the third sin­ gles flight knocking off Zeeland East’s Charlie Reese in the championship round 6-1, 6-3. Draaisma, the second seed at the flight, defeated Wayland’s Cam Sieffert 6-1, 6-2 in the opening round then took a 6-0, 6-3 semifinal win over Zeeland West’s James Stewart. The Trojans had nmner-up finishes at the other two singles flights. Junior Franklin Wilkinson, the number four seed at his flight, beat Holland Christian’s Zach Apotheker, the top seed, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifi­ nal round before falling 6-1, 6-3 to Hamilton’s Dylan Loew in the champi­ onship. Wilkinson started his day with a quick 6-0, 6-1 win over Zeeland East’s Dominik Rieder. Exchange student Raphael DeMonval was the runner-up at second singles. Entering the tournament as the top seed, he eventually fell to unseeded Dylan Becksvoort from Holland Christian in three close sets in the championship match. Becksvoort knocked off the third, second and first seed­ ed players at the flight to get the victory. The Trojans were unseeded at all four dou­ bles flights and fell to seeded teams in the open­ ing round in all four of their matches. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Public Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy test for the November 7, 2023 Election will be conducted on Monday October 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Gaines Township Community Room, lower level, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE., Gaines Township, Michigan The Public Accuracy test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and computers that will be used to tabulate the results of the election have been prepared in accordance with law. Michael Alex Brew Gaines Township Clerk �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023/ Pag Page 13 Scots challenge themselves among state’s best at Portage inin, Hi <i itit i Ino I Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia boys were 21st st and the girls’ 22n<t iin a field of over 30 teams in the Division 1 races at Saturday’s annual Portage Invitational in a mix ofrain and sunshine. Caledonia junior Kort Thompson led the Fighting Scot varsity boys’ cross country team with a 48th-place finish which earned him a top-50 medal in the race. Thompson hit the finish line in 16 minutes 22.8 sec­ onds. A pair of Caledonia varsi­ ty runners improved their personal record times. Senior Micah Nagel was 110th overall and third among the CHS boys with a time of 16:59.7. Freshman Olivia Hawkins was the number two for the CHS girls’ team and 94th overall in her race with a time of20:25.9. Senior Alyssa DeFields led the Caledonia girls with a 61st-place time of 19:46.3. Hawkins was one ofthree freshmen in the scoring ten. seven for the Fighting Scots. Sophomore Eli Velting Akaela Daman was 109th was the Caledonia boys’ overall in 20:44.2. Isla team’s number two on the Sheely placed 158th in day. He came in with Nagel 21:38.4. placing 109th in 16:59.1. The Caledonia girls’ team Fighting - Scot senior also had junior Adysen Samuel Pugh was 138th in Daman 145th in 21:21.5. 17:17.3 and his classmate Junior Hannah Dupuis was Ayden Duffin placed 155th 155th in 21:37.4. The Scots’ in 17:26.5. Rounding out the number seven on the day was seven for the Scots were senior Kloe Kimbrell who junior Ethan Buer 162nct in placed 175th in 21:58.7. 17:3 J .0 and sophomore Luke Ann Arbor Pioneer senior Smith 195th in 17:52.8. Rachel Forsyth won the race Grand Haven senior Seth in 16:49.2. Ottawa Hills Norder won the DI boys’ senior Selma Anderson was race in 14:57.3 - his fastest almost a minute back with a race of the season. Dublin runner-up time of 17:45.5. Jerome senior Samuel West Ottawa sophomore Ava Ricchiuti was the runner-up Porras was third in 18:13.1. in 15:06.5 and Chelsea senior Forsyth’s Pioneer team Connell Alford was third in won the championship too, 15:12.3. by four points over Brighton Brighton took the boys’ 127-131. West Ottawa was team title with 83 points led third with 163 points ahead by PR’s from senior Tyler of Okemos 176, Northville Langley, senior Luke 191, Saline 216, Grand Campbell, and juniors Elijah Haven 217, Traverse City Forbord, Tyler Brock and West 224, St. Joseph Tyler Outlaw who were all Academy 244 and Forest among the top 50 medalists. Hills Central 283 in the top Norder’s Grand Haven The Caledonia varsity boys’ cross country team huddles during the Portage Invitational Saturday at Portage West Middle School. The event has proven to be one of the top state meet previews each fall. team was second with 128 points ahead of Dublin Jerome 161, Jenison 211, Ann Arbor Pioneer 216, Northville 218, Kalamazoo Central 227, Bay City Western 293, Traverse City Central 300 and Forest Hills Central 303 in the top ten. Caledonia heads to Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Thursday for the OK Red Conference Cham­ pionship. South takes lead from TK in fourth quarter at EKHS skt f ta taluk itata itaut '.hai stidDii ftnHH ittte dedoffk dfari I! Wt tai* id fell itheopfr Itad Brett Bremer terback Grant Middleton. Sports Editor The extra point kick from South Christian scored the Braden Sharrar made it 7-0. game’s final 13 points in the The Sailors tied things up fourth quarter to keep its on a 14-yard touchdown run undefeated OK Gold from Chaflie Schurei- early Conference record intact in the second quarter, but heading into a big showdown TK got the lead back before with fellow conference lead­ the half. With 11 seconds er Grand Rapids Catholic left on the clock, TK fin­ Central. ished off a long drive with a The Sailors and Cougars touchdown pass from were set to meet up last Middleton to running back night, Oct. 13, both sporting Drake Snyder. 6-1 overall records and 5-0 The Sailors got within one marks in the OK Gold. TK four and a half minutes into moved to 1-6 overall and 1-4 the third quarter on South in the conference with the Christian quarterback Carson loss. Vis’s seven-yard touchdown Thomapple Kellogg had to Austin Tiesma. The extra­ the lead more often than it point was no good, leaving didn’t in the ballgame with TKup 14-13. the Sailors in the rain and TK went right back the wind at East Kentwood’s other way with a drive that Falcon Stadium Friday. ended on a 14-yard touch­ Thomapple Kellogg took down run by Brody Wiersma. the lead in the ballgame on This time it was TK’s extra­ its first possession, getting a point try that went awry, one-yard TD dive from quar- leaving TK in front 20-13. The Sailors came right back with a methodical drive that culminated in a three-yard touchdown pass from Vis to Jake VerMaas On a play in which Vis bat­ ted a high snap into the air and then eluded TK rushers before finding VerMaas in the end zone on a thirddown play. The Sailors eyed the lead and went for two, and somehow Sam Weiss managed to keep his feet inbounds along the end-line while pulling in a pass from teammate VerMaas who took a reverse running from left to right and looked to throw. Now trailing, TK faced a third and long in its own end and Middleton had a pass picked offby VerMaas which the Sailor defender returned to the TK 3 5-yardline. The TK defense came up with a huge play to get the ball back still down CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN Public Notice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy test for the November 7, 2023 Election will be conducted on Monday October 16, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Gaines Township Community Room, lower level, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave SE., Gaines Township, Michigan one. Jaxan Sias came off the left end for TK to get into Vis’ face forcing am errant throw that was inter­ cepted by TK teammate Jordan Simpson. TK took over with a little over seven minutes to go at the its own 17 and manged one first down, but then faced a fourth and six at their own 32-yard-line. Quick pressure up the middle from the Sailors forced Middleton to scramble before having any chance to get a pass away, and his scramble was brought down short of the line to gain. The Sailors took over with three and a half minutes to go and drove in 34 yards for seven-yard touchdown run by Vis. The Sailors chose to go for two points again, looking to push their advan­ tage to two scores with a lit­ tle over two minutes to go. Vis rolled right away from pressure and managed to hit James VanderArk with a pass on the side ofthe end zone to upped their team’s lead to nine points, sealing the vic- tory for all intents and pur­ poses. Snyder had 15 rushes for 90 yards in the bailgame, but suffered an injury that forced him tot he sideline and set back the TK attack. Fellow senior Ethan Bonnema closed the game with ten rushes for 70 yards. Sias had three receptions in the game for 37 yard for TK. Zach Eldridge had a 22-yard catch. Middleton was 5-of-ll passing for 66 yards and the one TD to Snyder. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF POSTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES REGARDING THE OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. The Gaines Charter Township Board of Trustees held a public hearing Monday, October 9, 2023, and approved an ordinance amending the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map. The amendment defines the intent and purpose, permitted uses, and development standards for the “Office-Service” (O-S), “neighborhood Commercial” (NC), and “General Commercial” (GC) zoning districts. The changes bring Chapter 8 into compliance with the 2023 Gaines Charter Township Master Plan. The proposed amendments include the following: Section 1. Repeals Chapter 8 in its entirety and replaces it with a new Chapter 8, which includes the following: A. B. C. D. E. Intent and Purpose of the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. Table of Permitted Uses for the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. Development Standards for the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. Additional Standards for the Office-Service (O-S), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and General Commercial (GC) zoning districts. Additional Standards for Neighborhood Commercial (NC) Zoning District. Section 2. Sets an effective date for the amendments. The Public Accuracy test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and computers that will be used to tabulate the results of the election A complete copy of the approved zoning ordinance can be viewed at the Charter Township of Gaines office, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. have been prepared in accordance with law. The Zoning Ordinance amendment will be effective seven (7) days following posting. Michael Alex Brew Gaines Township Clerk Gaines Charter Township 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Michael A. Brew, Clerk �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 Scots reach finals of Lakewood Invitational Brett Bremer Sports Editor High school volleyball in the state ofMichigan doesn’t get much better than Caledonia junior Cambria Gaier rising up at the left post ofthe net as Lakewood senior libero Carley Piercefield shuffles her feet across the back row into position on the other side. If Gaier’s first swing at it late in the first set, which Piercefield dug up, was at a 9.5 then the Fighting Scot outside hitter cranked it up to 11 for her next attempt at a kill. The floor in the west end of the old gymnasium at Lakewood High School didn’t appear to be disfigured by Gaier’s blast, but it nearly took that kind of attack to finally get the ball to the floor beside the three-time all-stater Piercefield during Caledonia junior Cambria Gaier fires an attack past the Mattawan block during the championship match at Saturday’s Lakewood Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 NOTICE Yankee Springs Township - Barry County Is seeking estimates for a township hall, kitchen renovation Project. The basic scope of work is as follows: Installation of a new, lower, suspended ceiling Removal of the existing grill vent hood system New flooring New Cabinets Hard surface counter tops Passthrough window modifications Township Hall Location: 284 N. Briggs Road - Middleville, Ml Certificate of Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 must be submitted with the bid. Bids will be received until Noon, Friday, November 17,2023, addressed to: Mike Cunningham Yankee Springs Township Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 Please call 269-795-9091 with questions. Estimates may also be e-mailed to mikecQvankeesprinestwp.ore and must be received no later than Noon November 17, 2023. It is re­ quired that contractors visit the township to review the project with township staff prior to submitting an estimate. A more detailed scope of work will be sent upon request. Estimates will be evaluated by the township after 12:00 PM, 11/17/2023 before being presented to the Township Board for pos­ sible awarding at the December 14, 2023, Township Board Meeting 6:00 PM. Yankee Springs Township reserves the right to reject any and all estimates. their teams’ Gold bracket quarterfinal match at Saturday’s Lakewood Invitational. Piercefield and the Vikings got the better of Gaier and the Scots in that opening set, but the Scots picked up their play to fight back for a 16-25, 25-23, 15-11 victory. “[Gaier] is really good. Her and Carley will be team­ mates this year, along with [Lakewood setter] Abby [Pickard], in club. Cambria is good. She brings a ton of heat on the ball. She is a high flyer. Her volleyball is catch­ ing up to her athleticism. That was the biggest thing she had to figure out,” Lakewood head coach Cameron Rowland said who is very familiar with her through his leadership in the Far Out Club. Caledonia head coach Grace Will said the Vikings were one of the only teams all season long that has been able to dig up Gaier’s swings. “She is pretty hard to get the ball up. That was a really fun game,” Will said. “I think it was good for us to play a Caledonia junior Georgia Pennington flips a shot over the block of Lakewood’s team that can play solid defense like that, because she Cadence Poll during their Gold bracket quarterfinal match at Lakewood High is a hard player to stop but School Saturday, Oct. 7. (Photo by Brett Bremer) the longer we go in the post­ season the better passers we’re going to play against. We want to get used to that now having to work for every point.” Gaier and the Fighting Scots went on to a runner-up finish at the tournament while the Vikings, now ranked fourth in the state in Division 2, finished off their day with a consolation victory over Hamilton. The Caledonia girls made a habit of falling behind and then rallying in bracket play. Lakewood took that first set Caledonia freshman libero Avery Seif lunges forward to pass a ball during her in the opening round. Three team’s semifinal match against Three Rivers Saturday at Lakewood High School. Rivers built a 6-0 advantage (Photo by Brett Bremer) at the start ofthe opening set in its semifinal match with tournament. We took down with five kills on five attacks. serve receive, that and serv­ the Fighting Scots, but they Lakewood ... that was a Noble had two blocks to go ing, are the most mental parts eventually pulled even at great win. We’re peaking at along with those attack num­ ofthe game,” Will said. “It is 11-11 and went on to win by the right time. Every -single bers. The Scots got two aces what you have the most time the scores of25-17, 25-20. tournament and game we’re each from junior setter Jess to think about. We have a Mattawan had a lead as getting better, which is what Maier and Gaier. freshman in the libero jersey large as 10-3 in the opening you want heading into the “Cambria Gaier, I think (Seif) who is doing a great set of the championship postseason. I am really proud she hit the ball hard every job, but sometimes on-those match with the Caledonia of the way we played today. time she swung today,” Will communication points we girls. This time Caledonia We had a lot of kids have said. “We are having a lot of just need to talk earlier. That battled back to within 21-19, career highs today. players that are growing into is what we work on in prac­ but couldn’t overtake the “Runner-up isn’t what we their roles at the right time, tice, kind ofjust working on Wildcats. Mattawan took the wanted, but the lessons you and at the end of the day we thinking every ball is your tournament championship learn from losing are going care more about the way the ball so we can eliminate any with a 25-19,25-22 win over to benefit us more in the team is gelling than neces­ ofthat hesitation. the Fighting Scots in the postseason than maybe a tro­ sarily what the score is as we “Yeah, you have to talk in Gold bracket final. phy would have.” move into the final run of volleyball, but you also have “Mattawan is a tough Gaier had a team-leading conference and then the post­ to listen and that just comes team. They’re a tough pro­ eight kills in the final with season.” with more time playing gram,” coach Will said. “It is Mattawan and junior team­ Junior Eliza Pehrson had a together and more time. really hard to beat a team mate Josie Noble had a per­ team-leading nine digs We’ve got some new pieces twice, especially at the same fect 1.000 hit percentage against Mattawan for the this year. That communica­ Scots, and Maier, Gaier, tion is definitely getting bet­ freshmen Aubrey Reynolds ter, but it is really hit or miss. and Avery Seif had six digs It is an easy area ofthe game each. Maier put up 17 assists. to kind of fall short in quick­ COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The Fighting Scots continue ly. We’re just working on to be as strong as their serve maintaining that confidence The minutes of the September 26, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on October 10, 2023, are receive and passing allow and being ready to reset after posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the with most ofthe team’s expe­ every point.” website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. rience along the front line. “The biggest thing with See SCOTS, next page �he Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023/ Page 15 L Red champs from Rockford end Scot soccer season Brett Bremer Sports Editor The night took its toll on Caledonia senior goalkeeper Brayden Smith. He hobbled, limped and dove as best he could across his goal-line to help keep the Fighting Scots’ season going, but the 13-3-2 OK Red Conference Champions from Rockford peppered him and the back of the net with enough shots to score a 4-2 win in their MHSAA Division 1 District opener at Scotland Yard in Caledonia. Both teams scored once in the first five minutes of the ballgame, but it wasn’t until the final 16 minutes of the first half that Rockford took control of the ballgame with two well-played pushes up the left side of the field with sophomore Adam Flanders at the center ofeverything. Rockford’s Reid Riley patiently dropped a pass back for sophomore defender Aidan Flanders with about 16 minutes to play in the first half. The Rams were got the jump on the Caledonia defense as Aidan lifted long ball ahead that Adam ran Caledonia senior Arton Idrizi catches his breath on the turf at the end of the Scots’ loss to visiting Rockford in their MHSAA Division 1 District opener at Scotland Yard Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) onto. He streaked across the end line with the ball and fired a shot from a tough angle from left to right by Smith to put his team in front 2-1. It was less than five min­ utes later when the back line put the ball ahead in a good position for Adam Flanders again. This time it was senior defender Reid Wyngarden Caledonia senior defender Brandon Osorio Lopez tries to contain Rockford’s Adam Flanders during the first half of their district opener at Scotland Yard in Caledonia Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) waiting for the opening to East Kentwood, the only fire the ball forward. Adam team to beat the Rams beat a Caledonia defender to during the OK Red the ball, snaked around two Conference regular season, others and the rolled a pass in the finals of the confer­ across the front of the goal ence tournament. It was that teammate Noah Sept. 12 when West Ottawa Christian just had to tap into last put one in the net behind the net. the Rockford defense. Caledonia had an answer Maas ripped a shot from for the Rams’ first goal, by the right side by the Rockford Brian Goushaw, as senior keeper to pull his team with­ attackers Nathan Maas and in 3-2 five minutes into the Austin DeVries teamed up to second half. tie the game at 1-1, but the Rockford capped off its Scots couldn’t come up with scoring with 23:21 to go in enough answers in the sec­ the match. Junior Dugan ond half. Black collected a throw into It was just the fourth time the Caledonia box and gave all season that the Rams had the ball another tap from given up as many as two right to left to Aidan Flanders goals. Rockford came into charging in. He drilled a shot the match riding a streak of offthe far right post and into eight consecutive shut outs the goal. that included a 2-0 win over Smith made a couple stel- lar saves over the final 20 minutes, sacrificing his body to keep the Rams within reach, but quality scoring opportunities were few and far between for Caledonia the rest ofthe way. Soon after that fourth Rockford goal, DeVries rif­ fled a shot from more than 30 yards out that skidded through the hands of the Ram keeper Nicholas Stemmier, but the ball some­ how managed to hang just in front of the goal-line before Stemmier finally secured it. The Scots end their season with a record of 7-9-3. Caledonia finished off the regular season with a 2-0 win over visiting Grandville Monday in the final round of the OK Red Conference Tournament. 207216.1 VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE POSITION OPEN VILLAGE COUNCIL fltap iniF Caledonia senior goalkeeper Brayden Smith is hit by Rockford defender Ryan Sheffer after pulling a Ram free kick out of the air in front of his net during the first half Thursday night during the MHSAA Division 1 postseason opener at Scotland Yard. (Photo by Brett Bremer) SCOTS, continued from previous page The Scots are also work1( M M *ng on slowing things down jut I w^en nee<t to, especially pjdji when opponents start to put together a bit ofa run. Ajjji Coach Will said she saw a ^1 l°t of great leadership from her Jun'ors throughout the j .^j Saturday. “We have talked a lot \jjd about sometimes being jjj5: careful getting after r your teammates,” Will said. “It is great to lift people up, but sometimes you just need somebody to say ‘hey, let’s go’ and really put their foot on the gas, and I think we definitely saw that from our five junior starters today.” Seeing tough competition continued as the Scots returned to the OK Red this week. Caledonia took a 26-24,25-12,25-19 win over lonnnm Thursday evening after a 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 loss to visiting Hudsonville Tuesday night. Hudsonville is ranked second in the state in Division 1. The conference season continues with the first OK Red Conference Round Robin Wednesday evening, Oct. 18, at Grandville. The Scots play host to a confer­ ence Round Robin Saturday, 01 The members of the Middleville Village Council attend two regular monthly meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday ofthe month at 7:00 pm and one committee-of-thewhole meeting on the first Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Members review meeting packets from the Village Clerk prior to each meeting to consider and act on special events, ordinances, and infrastructure projects; set tax millage rates and approve the annual budget; and other business that comes before the Council. Members are also appointed to a committee or board to serve as a liaison between the Council and that committee/board. The Council operates under the Michigan General Law Village Act of 1895. A member of the Village Council should become familiar with these laws. Attendance at the Michigan Municipal League’s training and conferences is encouraged and paid for by the Village. The term ofoffice will begin upon approval and swearing-in ofthe member and run until November 20, 2024. All Village Council members must reside within the Village limits and be a registered voter. An application can be be found on the Village of Middleville website at https://www. villageofiniddleville.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Application-for- Boards-andCommissions-fillable-2.pdf For more information regarding the open Village Council seat, please contact the Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg at 269-795-3385 or stolsonburgc@villageofiniddleville.org The Application for Boards and Commissions is due by Friday, October 27, 2023, to: Village ofMiddleville Attn: Village Council PO Box 69 100 E. Main Street Middleville, MI 49333-0069 �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 14,2023 Scots earn spot in DI Girls Golf Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor All fall, the Caledonia var­ sity girls’ golf team has been chasing Rockford in the OK Red Conference. That continued Wednesday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Regional Tournament on the Betsie Valley course at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. But everyone else was chas­ ing the Fighting Scots. The Caledonia girls earned a spot in next weekend’s MHSAA L.P. Division 1 Girls Golf Finals with their run­ ner-up finish. The top three teams and top three individu­ als not on those teams at regionals across the state this week earned spots in the state finals. The DI Finals will be held Oct. 20-21 at Forest Akers West Golf Course on the campus ofMichigan State University in East Lansing. Caledonia junior Copelin O’Krangley was one of the five regional medalists, shoot­ ing a 75 to finish fourth indi­ vidually. Her sophomore teammate Codie O’Krangley placed ninth in the individual standings with an 89. Junior teammate Mya Burgess was right behind that duo with her best varsity 18-hole round yet. She scored a 90 boosted by a pair ofbird­ ies on the final two holes of the tournament - the 324-yard, par-4 number 13 and the 138yard, par three number 14. “She really turned up the heat as the round went on,” Caledonia head coach Veronica VanWagoner said of Burgess. “Mya, in my opinion, was the highlight ofyesterday. She has been on a tear the last three weeks ofthe season real­ ly focusing in and taking her time - going through her pre­ shot routines and taking time to read her putts.” Those two birdies came on the heels ofher lone par on the back nine, on number 12. She was just one over on her final seven holes combined. Copelin opened her round with a birdie on the 308-yard, par-4 number 16. She really got rolling with back to back pars on number five and six and then closed the front nine with consecutive birdies on number seven, eight and nine. She was just one over on the front nine. Codie had birdies on num­ ber five and number nine. “Copelin and Codie did exactly what the team needed from them,” VanWagoner said. “We would not have got­ ten here without the dedication those two have to the sport.” The Scots’ number four score was a 102 from junior Ellie Hudson and senior team­ mate Elizabeth Honhart was right behind with a 103. “I would say as far as the team as a whole, we had a plan of attack on every hole,” VanWagoner said. Apractice round on Tuesday really helped out with that. “These five golfers have been the core of the team for the entire season,” the Caledonia coach added. “We overall did not get into a ton of trouble. We were able to play a clean round and capitalize on holes that we could capitalize on.” Rockford won the regional championship with an overall score of340 strokes. Caledonia was second at 356 and Byron Center earned the third state qualifying spot from the regional with a score of 371. Hudsonville was just a bit back ofthe Bulldogs in fourth place with a score of379 and a stellar 67 from East Kentwood senior Elise Fennell, which Caledonia varsity girls’ golf coach Veronica VanWagoner and players (from left) won her the individual region­ al championship, helped her Elizabeth Honhart, Mya Burgess, Codie O’Krangley, Copelin O’Krangley and Ellie Hudson celebrate their team’s runner-up finish at their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Falcons to fifth. East Kentwood closed the Division 1 Regional Tournament at the Betsie Valley Golf Course at Crystal day with a score of382 to beat Mountain Resort in Thompsonville Wednesday. out Portage Central 384, Traverse City West 397, Haven senior Maddie Schopf Sampson a 90 and Violet VanderBaan and Wilson as a Traverse City Central 398, who scored an 88. Andrews a 93. The Rams’ top-five medalist. Grand Haven 408, Jenison Fennell and Jolly finished Senior Jessica Jolly from number five was Morgan 416, Grandville 433 and West Rockford was the regional Vanos with a 94. second and third respectively Ottawa 448. runner-up behind Fennell. She The third-place team from at the 2022 MHSAA L.P. The three individual state scored a 70. Rockford was the Byron Center was led by Division 1 Girls GolfFinals at qualifiers from the regional only team with all five of its senior Macie Elzinga who Bedford Valley where Copelin are Fennell, Hudsonville soph­ girls under 100. All five Rams scored a 74 to place third indi­ made her first appearance in omore Ashlyn VanderBaan competing are seniors. Aubrey vidually,joining Fennell, Jolly, the state finals as an individual who shot an 87 and Grand Wilson shot an 87, Carly Copelin O’Krangley and qualifier. Trojan junior earns spot in D2 Finals for first time Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg junior Ailana Leos offset one trouble hole on the front nine with a pair ofbirdies to earn a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ Golf Finals for the first time this fall. Leos finished in a tie for third overall to earn one ofthe three individual state qualify- ing spots. The top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams at regionals across the state this week earn spots in the state finals. Leos shot an 82 on the course at Point O’Woods Country Club in Benton Harbor tying Mattawan junior Charlotte Stenger. Gull Lake sophomore Charlotte Boudeman was the individual regional champion with a score of 80 and Portage Northern senior KT Leinwand was second with an 81. St Joseph took the team regional championship with an overall score of 364. Gull Lake shot a 373 and Sturgis earned the third and final team state spot with a score of379. The top three teams were well ahead of the field. Leinwand and the Huskies from Portage Northern were fourth with a score of 395 ahead of Mattawan 400, Harper Creek 401, Zeeland West 402, Stevensville Lakeshore 413, Thomapple Kellogg 416, Zeeland East 446, Wayland 486, Coldwater NTS and Holland NTS. Sturgis ' junior Madison Webb shot an 85 and Zeeland West senior Rylee Smith and Zeeland East senior Carly Lukins both shot an 86 to round out the top five individually, with Smith and Lukins the closest girls in the field to chas­ ing down Stenger and Leos for the final individual state quali­ fying spot. Lukins was a part of the three-way playoff for two individual state qualifying spots along with Leos at their regional at Yankee Springs GolfCourse in 2022, with Leos the odd-man out that day. The Thomapple Kellogg team also got a 103 from senior Kendra Coe, a 106 from senior Emma Schut and 125’s from senior Joselyn DeBoer andjunior Rae Borrink. Leos was at three over through her first ten holes, but an tight on the 418-yard par-5 number seven set her back a bit. She rallied for a par on number eight and a birdie on the 106-yard par-3 number nine to finish offthe front nine with a 40, and went on to close out a strong round that earned her a first appearance in the state finals in her third varsity season. St. Joseph took the regional team title with four girls under 100. Senior Margaret Cox led the way with an 89. Freshman Mary Walters shot a 90, senior Clara Berry a 92 and senior Grace Rommel a 93 from St. Joseph. Behind Boudeman for Gull Lake, senior Kara Nelson shot a 94, junior Ella Schaberg a 95 and junior Aubrey Crowley scored a 104. Behind Webb for thirdplace Sturgis, senior Aspen Hyska shot a 95, senior Citori Kosmerick a 97 and sopho­ more Piper Sterling a 102. The MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ Golf Finals will be held Oct 20-21 at Forest Akers East GolfCourse on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. Thornapple Kellogg senior Ailana Leos earned a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls Golf Finals with a third-place finish at the regional tournament at Point O’Woods Country Club in Benton Harbor Tuesday. (File photo) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-10-07.pdf b9a3c8ebfb1ba23e287f8eb02533d1f5 PDF Text Text $ Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 40/ October 7,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Students from EPIC Homeschool Academy Sias and Corson raise over $13,000 for clean water crowned TKHS homecoming royalty As part of the Light the Night fundraising events, students and adults ran and walked laps around Peace Church. (Photos provided) Shari Harris Contributing Writer A group of 22 students and teachers from EPIC Homeschool Academy in Middleville set out to raise money to help bring clean water to communities in need. Together, the group raised $13,633 through an annual event called Light the Night. The group’s organizer, Karen Miedema, said, “The team from EPIC Academy wanted to invite their entire school to participate in this life-changing opportunity. On Sep. 29, 100 students moved their feet for two hours to raise money for clean water.” To add some fun to the fundraising efforts, the stu­ dents were given incentives for raising money. “If boys raised more money than girls, then the girls would get a pie in the face, and vice versa,” said Miedema. “And their director, Sonny Huisman, agreed to have a sundae built on her head. The more money brought in, the grosser the top­ pings.” Because the students raised more money than their $10,000 goal, the toppings included live worms and crick­ ets. Since the girls raised more money than the boys, the boys got the pie in the face. The night of fun was complete with dinner, laps around the Peace Church parking lot, a bonfire, s’mores, glow sticks and face paint. All of the fundraising is done through the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision which, “.. .helps children and their families and communities overcome pover- ty and injustice,” said Miedema. “One of the ways they do this is through respond­ ing to the global water crisis, the number one preventable cause of death and disease in our world today.” According to the Team World Vision Website, $50 helps bring, “life-changing clean water to children in need.” Therefore, the amount the students raised through Light the Night will provide clean Thornapple Kellogg senior Jaxan Sias and Eva Corson are crowned the Trojans’ 2023 homecom­ ing king and queen during a ceremony at halftime of the TK varsity football team’s victory over visit­ ing Ottawa Hills inside Bob White Stadium in Middleville Friday, Sept. 29. See CLEAN WATER, page 2 County authorities launch investigation following incident involving Middleville Village Council member Greg Chandler ing seeking information on scratch marks on its rear showed damage to the van as the incident. The sheriff’s quarter-panel, the car’s well. Staff Writer DeMaagd arrived as the Middleville Village office said it could not release owner reported to the sher­ President Pro Tempore any details on the incident iff’s office. Other photos council was discussing the Johnny DeMaagd is facing yet because it was still under supplied to the Sun andNews recommendations of an ad the likelihood of criminal investigation as of noon charges after an incident Friday, according to two Tuesday afternoon that ended department employees. DeMaagd has not yet been at Village Hall. DeMaagd, who owns the arraigned on any charges, Left Field Cafe coffee shops Barry County Prosecutor in Middleville and Hastings, Julie Nakfoor Pratt said. DeMaagd arrived at was questioned by Barry County Sheriff’s Deputy Tuesday’s Village Council Alizah Blundell after committee of the whole Tuesday’s Village Council meeting at 4:50 p.m., 20 committee of the whole minutes after it started. He meeting as the department arrived at the meeting in a investigated a property dam­ van from Left Field Cafe. The vehicle was parked age complaint. Middleville Village President Pro Tempore Johnny The Sun andNews submit­ extremely close to another DeMaagd ranting on the topic of an ordinance that car in the parking lot behind ted a Freedom ofInformation Act request to the sheriff’s Village Hall, and the latter would legalize the use of off-road vehicles on village office on Wednesday morn­ vehicle received several streets. (Photo by Greg Chandler) hoc committee that had been formed earlier this summer to consider legalizing the use of off-road vehicles on village streets. The current ordinance, which has been in place since 2001, allows ORVs only to be driven on private property. DeMaagd, page 2 • Caledonia Harvest Festival attracts record turnout • Gaines Twp. planners table action on site plan for new Pine Rest facility • Trojans blow by Bengals from the start for homecoming win • CLS Vikings earn first-ever OK Red Conference victory • Trojan tennis team second at Gold tourney; wins top flights �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7,2023 DEMAAGD, continued from page 1 (to drive). They’re not even teenagers, they’re not even teenagers. It angers me, it pains me to see the commit­ tee has even recommended that people 12 years old would be able to operate off­ road vehicles - granted, don’t get me wrong, I drove an ORV (Monday). They had a plate, they had a tag, they had everything that they needed to. They were fully licensed as an ORV ... ORVs can and should have a way in which they could be fully licensed.” “This is asinine. This is absurd that we are even dis­ cussing this. We’re done with this. There’s no need to con­ tinue to discuss (allowing) 12-year-olds to cross M-37,” DeMaagd went on to say. Shortly after arriving, DeMaagd went on a ram­ bling two-minute-long rant after seeing that state laws allow children as young as 12 to be able to cross any street or road while operating an ORV as long as they have a valid ORV safety certifi­ cate and are under the direct visual supervision of an adult. “I’m grateful for the work that the subcommittee has done. However, I want to recognize that ... people at the age of 12 years old can drive underneath this recom­ mendation. Twelve,” DeMaagd said, drawing out the word “twelve” in his comment. “I wouldn’t give second thought to (allowing) people that are 12 years old Caledonia Women’s Club raises funds for local food pantry Members of the Caledonia Women’s Club cele­ brated the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) National Day of Service on Saturday, Sept. 30 by hosting a cookie sale at the Caledonia Harvest Festival. Proceeds from the cookie sale will be donated to Holy Family Church’s food pan­ try. The GFWC Day of Service is a day each year in which GFWC members band together to high­ light an area of need and act to address it. THE HOTTEST STARS “Someone’s going to get hurt, someone’s going to get killed here. I will not have that on my conscience, I will not have that on my hands. I’m sick ofit. I yield.” Village President Mike Cramer, who has opposed any changes to the ORV ordinance, said he understood why the reference to 12-yearolds was in the state law. “That is the state law for taking an approved course to be able to ride off-road,” Cramer said. “But that cer­ tainly should not yield to have them on the road.” Andrew Beck, who is a member of the ORV ad hoc committee, said that the proposed change would not allow anyone that young to operate an ORV in Middleville. “It was my recommenda­ tion that we did not follow the state of Michigan and Barry County. My words at the (July 18 ad hoc committee) meeting were that we should go with 16 (years old), with a legal driver’s license. (Those) were my exact words,” said Beck, who submitted a peti­ tion to the village in February calling for legalizing the use of ORVs. More than 50 busi­ ness owners signed the peti­ tion. No decisions have been made on changing the ORV ordinance. The issue will go* back to the council for further discussion at its November committee of the whole meeting, Cramer said. DeMaagd, a graduate of Hope College, was elected as a write-in candidate to the Village Council last November to a two-year term that is scheduled to expire in November 2024. He received 41 write-in votes to six for Robert Bishop, who was later appointed to the council after the resigna­ tion of longtime Trustee Mike Lytle. DeMaagd was chosen by his council col­ leagues as president pro tem­ pore in January. DeMaagd opened Left Field Cafe on Main Street in November 2018, shortly before he graduated from Hope, then opened Left Field’s Hastings location on State Street earlier this year. He sits on the board of the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation and is a member ofthe Hastings Rotary Club, according to his website. DeMaagd helped organize an LGBTQ Pride Festival in Middleville in June, and tried unsuccessfully to have the council adopt a resolution declaring that month “Pride Month.” His motion failed to gain a second from his coun­ cil colleagues. The Sun and News attempted to contact DeMaagd for comment on the incident, and did not receive a response. Both Left Field Cafe locations were closed Wednesday through Friday. The Sun and News will continue to pursue this story as more information becomes available. Developer offers to buy villageowned property on Main Greg Chandler Staff Writer A Middleville man has approached village officials about purchasing a vacant par­ cel of land owned by the vil­ lage and building one or two homes on the property. Isaac Bainbridge has present­ ed a proposal to acquire the 0.3acre parcel that is between 211 and 217 W. Main St that the village has owned since 2016. The property is bordered by Main on the north and Dearborn Street on the south. The propos­ al was discussed by the Village Council at a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday. There had been a sin­ gle-family home on the prop­ erty, but it was destroyed by fire about a decade ago. The property has been unimproved since 2014, Village Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers said. “The petitioner has been working with the planning department to prepare plans that would be permitted by right,” Powers said. The property is seen as a transitional mixed use under the village’s master plan. The TMU category is a new zon- low-cost (as possible). This will be a quality home,” Bainbridge said. According to plans submit­ ted to the village, Bainbridge is looking to build a 1,300-squarefoot home on Main that would have three bedrooms, two bath­ rooms, a two-stall garage and covered porches. We kind oflike the idea of staying in the Bainbridge acknowledged village, to create more housing in the village the potential challenges of for people (and to) try to keep it as low-cost (as running a sewer line to serve possible). This will be a quality home.” a potential home on Dearborn Street. — Isaac Bainbridge, “I did look where the sewer Middleville resident and developer runs, and it’s going to be chal­ lenging to get it back there. Bainbridge has presented streets, and it’s not proposed to That’s why I did submit two two different development be added under the village’s options because it is going to options for the village to consid­ current capital improvement be a struggle (to fit two homes er. One would be a single-fami­ plan, Powers said. on the property). One would ly home entering off Main “This property is less than be fine ... We’re just looking Street The setbacks and lot area 200 feet from a connection to try to get a quality house in would be permitted by right. point, where by ordinance we the village,” he said. The second option is splitting require anyone that’s less than Bainbridge said he would the parcel into two lots with a 200 feet from a service loca­ like to move ahead with a second home to be built on tion to connect to municipal project as soon as possible. Dearborn Street, Powers said. services,” Powers said. Village Manager Craig “The lot width is 50 feet Bainbridge told the Village Stolsonburg said Bainbridge when minimum (required) is 60 Council that he is looking to can present an offer to buy the feet, and the lot area (for tire develop affordable housing. property, which will be dis­ Dearborn Street lot) would be “We kind of like the idea of cussed by the Village Council less than our minimum required, staying in the village, to create in a closed-door session, if divided, being 7,250 square more housing in the village for which is allowable under the feet, so additional actions would people (and to) try to keep it as Michigan Open Meetings Act. ing designation that “suggests multiple housing types with enhanced streetscape and lim­ ited setbacks for single-family homes, live and work options, missing middle and higher res­ idential densities on blocks near downtown,” Powers said. be required,” Powers said. If a house were built on Dearborn, it would be required to connect with the village’s sewer system at the develop­ er’s expense. At present, sewer does not run along Dearborn between Larkin and Russell CLEAN WATER, continued from page 1 water to more than 270 chil­ dren around the globe. However, the team had already raised $42,000, so the total amount raised at the time of this writing is more than $55,000. This amount will help bring clean water to more than 1,100 people. “Team World Vision invites people to train to complete a halfor full marathon and raise funds for clean water in devel­ oping countries,” said Miedema. The group from EPIC Homeschool Academy will participate in the Grand Rapids Marathon on Oct. 15. Miedema continued, “Their finish line will be a new start line in life for those living in poverty.” DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 QUEEN NATION TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF QUEEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 7 Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR wfifiFoN- CASINO • ■* U HOTEL BATTLE CREEK I-94 to Exit 104 I 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. As an incentive for students and teachers from EPIC Homeschool Academy in Middleville to raise money to bring clean water to communities, director Sonny Huisman agreed to allow them to build a sun­ dae on her head complete with gross ingredients like �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023/ Page 3 Caledonia Harvest Fest draws record turnout Greg Chandler StaffWriter Betty Nelson dressed up in a bee costume for last Saturday’s Caledonia Harvest Festival. She matched her yellowand-black costume with school bus tennis shoes and school bus earrings, to go along with her moniker “Bee Safe Betty.” “I teach kids how to be safe on a school bus,” said Nelson, who has been a bus driver for Caledonia Community Schools for the past 20 years. Nelson was on hand at the festival to recruit new drivers for the school district and share school bus safety infor­ mation, including information on what to do when a bus activates its flashing lights when it picks up or drops offa student Ifthe yellow lights are flashing left to right on top of the bus, it’s a sign for the driv­ er to slow down. If the red lights are on up top, drivers must stop, Nelson said. Safety is a big deal to Nelson, and that carries over into the school bus roadeo competitions she and other CCS bus drivers take part in every year. Last spring, Nelson took first place in the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation’s School Bus Roadeo state championship in Hudsonville. She became the first CCS driver ever to take first place at the state competi­ tion. The roadeo is an annual event that highlights the driv­ ing abilities ofschool bus driv­ ers and promotes driver safety as well. Caledonia schools were just one of many organiza­ tions and businesses that had displays set up for the Harvest Fest, which was held at the Community Green Park. Visitors packed the park under sunny skies and warm temperatures. Lori Gaier, executive director of the Caledonia Area Chamber ofCommerce, said it was the best-attended festival in the event’s history, with an esti­ mated crowd of more than 3,000. “I’m sure the beautiful weather contributed to the great turnout as well as partic­ ipation from over 50 business­ es and organizations that helped spread the word,” Gaier said. The Harvest Fest was highlighted by a comhole tournament, using boards that were manufactured by Comhole America from Betty Nelson of Caledonia Community Schools transportation in her “Bee Safe Betty” outfit, recruit­ ing bus drivers for the school district. Cedar Springs and sponsored by local businesses. Other highlights included live music by the band Sibling Revelry in the Community Green amphitheater, dance performances by students from Caledonia Dance & Music Center, and food trucks from several vendors. Dancers from Caledonia Dance & Music Center perform on the stage during last weekend’s Caledonia Harvest Festival. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Girl struck by car in Caledonia Twp Greg Chandler Staff Writer An 8-year-old Caledonia Township girl suffered serious injuries Monday night when she was struck by a car in front of her home. According to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the girl was struck about 7:20 p.m. on 68th Street near Kraft Avenue. She had entered the roadway to retrieve mail when she was struck by a Lexus sedan, Sgt. Eric Brunner of the sheriff’s office said. The driver of the Lexus was determined not to be at fault for the accident. The girl was taken to a Grand Rapids hospital for treatment, Brunner said. No word on her condition was available at press time. TK 40-year reunion set The Thomapple Kellogg High School Class of 1983 will hold its 40-year class reunion on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Fire Rock Grill inside Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Gaines Charter Township. The reunion will run from 6 to 10 p.m. with a buffet dinner at 7 p.m. Dress is din­ ner attire for the event. Cost for the reunion is $50 per person, which will include dinner, dessert and soft drinks. A cash bar will be provided. Any 1983 TK graduates planning to attend are encouraged to upload a recent photo of themselves and their families to go along A couple of young boys hammer nails into a piece of wood at the Caledonia Kiwanis Club booth during last Saturday’s Caledonia Harvest Festival. with their school photo, which will be put on name tags. Photos may be submit­ ted to mfrancisco@ tkschools.org. RSVPs for the reunion will be taken until Oct. 30. For more information, go to eventcreate.com/e/tkhsclass-of-83-40th-reunion online. A couple of competitors get ready to toss their bean bags at last Saturday’s cornhole tournament. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd f681 .......................... vrars .eg ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7,2023 James Edward Cordon James Edward Gordon, age 53, of Freeport, MI, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. He was sur­ rounded by his family at the time of his passing. Born in Grand Rapids, MI on September 22, 1970, James was the sec­ ond child of Mark Gordon and Vicky Graham. Wide eyed and inquisitive, he always needed to know why. He later grew to enjoy the little perfections in life like keeping his car meticulous, his hair neat, his jeans pressed, and his shirt collar perfectly straight. Spending time with friends at concerts, downhill skiing or just cruising through Hastings, he was always a joy to be around. James spent his career largely in sales. Early in his career, he worked in various roles at Steelcase alongside his father. After a brief time in the sprin­ kling business working with his brother Mike, he entered into the industrial tool industry. After pur­ chasing a Mac Tool Truck, he managed his own route for many years. Most recently, James had developed a passion for selling windows and doors. His style of sales was never the hard closer type; he was a relationship builder and was always fond of the many relation­ ships he built throughout his years in sales. James found deep joy in being a “dog dad” and spending time with his family. He found great comfort over the years being around family mem­ bers. Whether talking about a ball game or race with his brothers while they were working on cars or talking politics while sitting around a campfire, James was always very engaging with every mem­ ber of the family. Never short of opinions,. he was always willing to listen to all sides of an issue before coming to a conclusion. And like a true Gordon, he also enjoyed a great meal and glass of wine. James was preceded in death by his father, Mark Gordon and his brother, Michael Gordon. He is survived by his mother, Vicky (Philip) Graham; step-mother, Patricia Gordon; sisters and brothers, Amy (Scott) Hoek, George (Shannan) Graham, Joel Graham, Josh (Marissa) Graham, Mandy (Aaron) Thomas, Robyn (Jason) Schopp, Zachary Graham; sister­ in-law, Carey Gordon; his beloved dog, Max, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and neph­ ews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with a visita­ tion from 10 to . 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Donations in James’ name can be made to the Humane Society or to the Barry County Animal Shelter in honor of James’ love for animals. Condolences can be sent on line at www.mkdfuneralhome.com. David Roy Hooper David Roy Hooper, age 84, of Middleville, MI, peacefully passed away on September 29, 2023 in Middleville. He was bom on December 24, 1938 in Grand Rapids, MI to Alfred and Agnes (Zwart) Hooper. David leaves behind a family who deeply cherish his memory his children, David (Beth) Hooper, Richard (Nicole) . Hooper, Todd (Shari) Hooper, Tim (Jayne) Hooper, Jeffrey Hooper, Darlene Hooper, and Teri (Mike) Leedy. He was a beloved grandfather to 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and is fondly remembered by his sister, Christine, alongside several nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his beloved parents; cherished wife, Shirley Hooper; loving son, Mark Hooper; siblings, John and Ron Hooper. David served in the U.S. Army and later worked dedicatedly at Steelcase for 27 Middleville TOPS 546 The Oct. 2 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. Two fish fell out ofthe fishbowl. Virginia’s program was on obesity and sleep. Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that regulate appetite. When sleep is deprived, they acti­ vate feelings of hunger. Insufficient sleep impairs the metabolism of food. Shorter sleep loss tends to make you chose high-calorie foods and causes sleepiness and fatigue during the day. Obese people usually have insomnia and trouble sleeping. Obesity is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, GERD, depres­ sion, asthma and osteoarthri­ tis. How can you get better sleep? Sleep hygiene means engaging in practices that support good sleep like a good bedtime routine, healthy habits during the day, exercise and finding a good mattress for you. Maiyellen lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting closed with alaska chElch 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9:30 AM Fellowship Time 10:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Youth Gathering 5:00 PM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed Mowers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd ’ Lutheran Churc 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) .9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY C H U 5f.TPuufXutferan Cliurc/i R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 @thejchurch www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church Bible 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School......... 9:30 :30AM AM Sunday Worship 10:30 0:30 AM WSctS ' ' Watch our services from our website (see above) Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org years. He retired in 1992 and ambitiously started a suc­ cessful venture, UNI-PRO, in 1996. He served on the board of directors for 20 years, retiring in 2006. Yet, his most treasured accom­ plishment was raising his eight children. Relatives and friends met with David’s family on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 from at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home where a funeral service was held Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Burial took place at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condo­ lence message for David’s family. "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maiyellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. —Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023/ Page 5 Gaines planners table action on site plan for Pine Rest’s new Pediatric Behavioral Center James Gemmell and patient services. A parking Contributing Writer lot, truck docks, utility ser­ The Gaines • Township vices and landscaping would Planning Commission saw be included. enough red flags in a proposed Pine Rest is one ofthe laigsite plan for Pine Rest est mental and behavioral Christian Mental Health health providers in the United Service’s Pediatric Behavioral States. The campus is zoned Health Center that it tabled for Office-Service (O-S), so action on it at its Sept. 28 the children’s facility is an meeting. allowed use in the township Pine Rest plans to open the zoning district. $86 million facility in the fall It would provide mental of 2025 in the southeast sec­ health services for children. tion of its 220-acre wooded The State of Michigan autho­ campus, which is located at rized 40 additional beds for the comer of 68th Street and the project on July 31. Pine Division Avenue in Cutlerville. Rest projects that the Pediatric The site plan calls for con- Behavioral Health Center will struction of the increase access to inpatient 135,000-square-foot chil- care for an additional 3,000 dren’s hospital site near the children per vear in Michigan, comer of 72nd Street and and to outpatient care for an Madison Avenue, abutting a additional 10,000 children residential neighborhood to each year. the east. It would sit on 74,000 “It’s a new program, an square feet and include 66 expansion of existing uses on beds. Medical offices would the property,” Jack Barr said comprise the other 61,000 during a presentation to the square feet. Altogether, it planning commission. He is would encompass 25 acres. the engineering director for Several residents in that Nederveld & Associates, neighborhood cited concerns which is plotting the project about the proposed project layout for Pine Rest. during the public comment Barr said the hospital con­ period of the planning com­ ducted a year-long master mission meeting. planning process and deter“We’ve lived there for over mined the southeast quadrant 25 years with peace and quiet near 72nd Street and Madison and harmony,” Jim Klugiewicz Avenue would be the best skid. “And this construction location for the Pediatric right in our backyard — with Center. the lighting, the traffic and the “We looked at other options noise — is going to destroy it for locating the building to the It’s going to remove a great north part ofcampus,” he said. deal ofthe habitat for the ani­ “That would’ve required mals that we’ve enjoyed shar­ removing existing buildings, ing our neighborhood with. which they provide services in The turkey, the deer, the other those buildings. So, that didn’t animals that live there. With work for them. We looked at the loss ofthose woods there, locating the building south of the country drain. The properthey’re all going to be gone.” Klugiewicz also expressed ty that they own down off worry about the negative from 76th (Street). The probimpact the Pediatric Center lem with that is that this buildmight have on property val­ ing would not be in proximity ues. He lives on Sundale to the rest oftheir facilities for Drive. sharing ofstaff. It would put it “I’m concerned about the too far away. They do have (internal) road that’s going in,” plans for eventually developLinda Cebula said. She lives ing all oftheir property.” on Sun Valley Court. “You But Sundale Drive resident have new entrances, you have Tim Olexa told planning comnew people. It’s a small resi­ missioners the building is too dential street. It’s not meant to close to neighboring residents. have that kind oftraffic.” “The infrastructure is not She noted the 90-degree meant to support what this turn at Madison Avenue and building is,” he said. “They’re 72nd Street near the building’s going to see this two-story building, and the impression proposed location. Pine Rest’s property stretch­ to people will be, ‘What is it? es a mile between 68th and A prison? Who knows what 76th streets, east of Division that thing is?’ It’s going to Avenue. An internal access stick out. How can we camouroad will be built to give fire- flage that building?” “We can work with staffon fighters quicker access to the future buildings on the south the landscape plan,” Banreplied. end ofthe property. “I’d also like to see how it’s The Pediatric Behavioral from Eastern Health Center would employ screened Planning 215 full-time staff members, (Avenue),” with 72 employees transfer­ Commissioner Tim Haagsma ring there from some other said. “I’m sorry, but the buildexisting Pine Rest treatment ing elevations (in the site plan) facilities. About 195,000 are very hard to see ... Their square feet would be used for landscape plan is hard to read. short- to medium-term resi­ And it does not show the road dential rooms, medical offices right ofway and where that is Pine Rest Mental Health Services is requesting approval of a 25-acre site plan where the new 135,000-square-foot Pediatric Behavioral Health Center would be built. But planning commissioners want to see some improvements to the plan first. (Rendering provided) in relationship to some of their landscaping.” Haagsma also pointed out that the site plan does not show sidewalk along the new frontage that would be built along 72nd Street and Madison Avenue. And he expressed concern that the trash removal and loading area is facing that intersection, with very little landscaping to screen its view from the adjacent neighbor­ hood. “I think you could probably block the view from Madison with a variety of landscaping elements, Community elements,”” Development Director Dan Wells said. “Whether that’s a low berm with some evergreens and shrubs that would help block that view.” “The view going right into the truck bays is terrible,” Planning Commissioner Ryan Wiersema said. He also asked Barr if the staffparking spaces at the southeast comer of the building near the residential roads could be moved to the other (west) side ofthe building where there already is a parking lot. The side-yard setback in that zoned district is only 15 feet from the road. The proposed building would be about 90 yards from the nearest houses. “The location ofthis build­ ing allows for future expansion of this building to the west,” Barr replied. “The parking in the southeast quadrant there is intended for staff. And the reason we didn’t locate that further to the west is, eventually, we think we’re going to need more parking to the west, as well. Pine Rest is hoping this (will be) a very successful program. And, at some point in time, they may build another wing of this building going east-west, coming off kind of the south end ofthis building.” Pine Rest plans to expand a large stormwater detention area on the far west side ofthe property to accommodate the 25 acres ofnew development. It also plans to further develop the area between the detention basin and the Pediatric Center in the future. So, that will limit the amount ofadditional park­ ing available on the west side ofthe building. Commissioners mentioned that the pine trees near Pine Rest’s east property line don’t provide much of a visual buf­ fer. Barr assured them that the landscape screening will be adjusted to better block the view of the Pediatric Center from Madison Avenue, as well as the trash-removal and load­ ing dock areas. “A lot of what Pine Rest has provided to our commu­ nity is borne out of its 100-plus-year tradition of allowing healing to happen with the context of the future,” resident Tim Leugs said. He lives on Sundale Drive. “Within the context of allowing people to see the wildlife, to see the trees, to see the duck pond — this takes away from that in that easterly area. It also does take away from our neigh­ borhood in a way that makes me sorrowful.” Commissioners also raised concerns about security at the proposed new facility. They noted that firefighters in Cutlerville have had to respond to more fire calls at Pine Rest than any other location in the township. “As I understand it, there’s an inordinate amount of calls there that are false alarms,” Planning Commission Vice Chair Ronnie Rober said. “And, ofcourse, they have to answer to every single alarm.” Pine Rest Facilities Manager Mary Wiersma said that only staff will have access to the (fire alarm) pull stations in the patient areas. Planning Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo asked how many security workers will be hired. “Significant personnel will be hired for both safety and security,” replied Robert Nykamp, vice president and ChiefOperating Officer. “We know that certain popula­ tions that we treat at Pine Rest have, at times, caused additional security issues requiring the (Kent County) Sheriff’s Department’s response.” He said that Pine Rest closed a residential program that was causing a majority of the calls for public safety response. And he noted that there are almost no calls for service for the type of acute inpatient care that will be pro­ vided in a large “three fingers” wing ofthe facility that faces the neighborhood. “I think that helps,” Giarmo said. “We we need to continue to work with you to address this issue and see if we can make it even better ... And so, if we can start to bring that (number of service calls) down, I think it would make all of us happy. I think it would make the residents of the township who are paying for that happy, as well.” After that, Haagsma said he was not comfortable with approving a site plan for the project and made a motion to table it until Pine Rest and Nederveld can make the pro­ posed revisions requested by the planning commission. They will bring an updated site plan back for review later this fall. Commissioners then voted 7-0 to table the site plan request. Around the Table You’re Invited to Join us for our “Around the Table” series, starting October 8. We’re going to discuss what Christian community Is supposed to look like and how to live out the “one another” commands In the New Testament. Plan your visit at cornerstoneml.org/Plan. We’ll also be hosting "Gather Around the Table” on Wednesdays, October 11 through November 15, where we’ll go through a discussion guide together while sharing a meal. Childcare is available for Infants through 5th grade. Visit the link below to register. We hope to see you there! �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7,2023 McKeown honored with TK Distinguished Alumni Award Scott McKeown was sur­ rounded by his wife, children and grandchildren as he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Thomapple Kellogg Alumni Association during the school’s homecoming events on Sept. 22. The award is presented each year to one or more deserving recipients during the homecoming game and at the spring all-school ban­ quet. McKeown is a member of the TK Class of 1973 with many of his classmates attending the homecoming game as they celebrate their 50-year reunion. TKAA members Brenda Kimmey Seifert, Class of 1973, and Howie Gragg, Class of 1970, presented the award to McKeown for his leadership in the area of business and community ser­ vice. The Class of 1973 motto was, “To get more out oflife, put more into* it,” and McKeown has certainly lived up to it. He graduated in 1973 as one of the top ten academic students in his class. In school, he was involved in many clubs and organizations, including Student Council, National Honor Society, Ski Club, Latin Club, Magazine Group, prom committee, school musicals, Methodist Youth League, and various sports. After high school, McKeown continued his education at Western Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in accounting. It was during his college years that he met his wife, Deb. She also grad­ uated from WMU and together the pair embarked on careers in public account­ ing. Scott worked at Pricewaterhouse in its Battle Creek office. In 1985, McKeown and fellow TK classmate Hal Fisher started their own accounting firm in Middleville. The firm, now known as McKeown Kraai Professional, CPAs, has gone through many changes over the years, but now employs about 20 professionals at its offices at 500 Edward St. Scott was raised on the same farm where his father, Bill, grew up. He and Deb decided they also wanted to raise their family on the same farm. Scott continues to own and operate it as a family farm, teaching his family the value of hard work and humility. Deb and Scott raised their four sons on the farm and are now passing on their love of farming to their 12 grandchildren, who all attend TK schools. As a couple, Scott and Deb McKeown give back to the community in many ways. Both are longtime board members of the Barry Community Foundation and members of the Middleville United Methodist Church. Scott has also served on the Highpoint Community Bank board for nearly 20 years. He has served as a Middleville Rotarian and has been on the Pennock Foundation Board. They have also been avid support­ ers of the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation. In 2018, the McKeowns Scott McKeown (right) is honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association during the school’s home­ coming events on Sept. 22. (Photo courtesy of TK schools) were named Middleville’s Hometown Heroes by the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation. CROP Walk for hunger relief set for Sunday in Middleville Greg Chandler StaffWriter Barry County residents will take to the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail on Sunday to raise money for hunger relief efforts around the world and in the local com­ munity. The annual Barry County CROP Walk will begin at 2 p.m. from Middleville United Methodist Church, with registration at 1:30 p.m. CROP Walks are com­ munity-based fundraising events that take place across the country to support the mission of Church World Service, a faith-based orga­ nization that responds to issues of hunger, poverty and natural disasters around the world. CROP Walks have been held in Barry County for about 40 years and have raised more than $467,000 for hunger reliefthroughout the local event’s history. About 125 walkers from 10 churches participated in last year’s Barry County CROP Walk, raising $10,321, local walk coordinator Nolan Hudson said. Of the funds that are raised each year, 75 percent go to Church World Service’s worldwide hunger relief efforts. The remain­ ing 25 percent go to support four local food pantries in Barry County — at Middleville UMC, Green Street United Methodist Church in Hastings, Barry County Cares in Hastings and Maple Valley Community Center of Hope in Nashville. Each of the four pantries received $645 from last year’s CROP Walk proceeds, Hudson said. Requests for help at the local food banks have increased by 25 percent over the past year, Hudson said. “There are more people in need, more families in need,” he said. The location of the Barry County CROP Walk rotates annually to include Hastings and Nashville, Hudson said. To register to walk or to donate to the CROP Walk, you can go online at events. crophungerwalk.org/2023/ event/hastingsmi. New face to Caledonia takes over longtime optometry practice Jayson Bussa Editor At the beginning of this year, patients of long-time Caledonia optometrist Dr. Douglas Atkinson OD were met with a surprise when they went to schedule their yearly appointments. Dr. Atkinson had retired, stepping away from practic­ ing in a community where he had served since 1982. A new face has taken over: Dr. Carrie DeWolfe OD PLC. Dr. Carrie DeWolfe “Patients knew (Atkinson) for the last 30 years, so, there spent the last year winning were some people that were over patients ofher longtime mad and called and they’re predecessor while settling in like ‘Is she any good?’ and of at the office space at 9028 N course the ladies that work Rodgers Ct SE, Suite K in here would say ‘Yea she is Caledonia, making it her good,”’ De Wolfe said with a own. chuckle. Atkinson’s practice, which And so, DeWolfe has had been at that location LIGHT TRUCK PARTS USED PARTS •PICK BPS* ONE TONS-VMS ‘SUITS’ JEEPS •«« FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 4 i wiliwn WIJWUNI ■ '1111 WJtC^NgNINW'WMmWOOMWWMJ 1811 LAKE ST. KALAMAZOO Fresh Coast Optical is a vision care clinic located in Caledonia. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) since 2014, was simply called Eyecare, while DeWolfe has put her own personal style on the space. It’s now known as Fresh Coast Optical, and DeWolfe was joined by members of the local business communi­ ty last month to cut the rib­ bon on the newly renovated space. “I’ve always wanted to be a practice owner,” DeWblfe said. “It’s nice to be able to make it your own.” “I want people to feel comfortable here,” she added about the office’s decor. “I don’t want it to be scary like you’re going to the doctor. That’s not me. I’m a very chill, approachable person. I can do my job well but I’m not trying to intimidate peo­ ple.” • DeWolfe was bom in Traverse City and relocated to South Florida. She returned to the Mitten for her senior year of high school where she graduated with a class of 40 classmates at Frankfort High School. DeWolfe did her under­ grad work at Northern Michigan University, where she majored in biology and Spanish — she is fluent in Spanish. In fact, she even studied abroad in Spain for a year. From there, she attended graduate school at the Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University. DeWolfe brings diverse experience to her private practice, having worked in retail, private practice and ophthalmology settings. As she settles into her new practice in Caledonia, she still works part-time at Michigan Street Optical in her hometown of Grand Dr. Carrie DeWolfe (center) prepares to cut the ceremonial ribbon on her new optometry practice, Fresh Coast Optical in Caledonia. DeWolfe purchased the practiced from longtime eye doctor Dr. Douglas Atkinson. (Photo provided) Rapids. Michigan Street Optical is an ophthalmolo­ gist and she said it’s a benefit because patients at Fresh Coast Optical can come to see her there ifthey encoun­ ter medical needs. However, she hopes that, over time, she can bring in the capabilities to handle a variety of medical needs at her new home in Caledonia. “This was always a rou­ tine vision care clinic, which is important to have,” DeWolfe said. “(Atkinson) did a little medical ... I would like this to be more updated and (have) the latest and greatest technology and be able to do everything in-house instead ofhaving to send people out.” Fresh Coast Optical con­ sists of De Wolfe, two part­ time employees and one full­ time employee. DeWblfe has been working to get out and mingle with the community, taking part in both the recent Calapalooza and Caledonia Harvest Festival events. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7,2023/ Page 7 Local teen spots rare bird in Barry County, bringing flock of bird enthusiasts Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Birdwatchers journeyed to Barry County in droves last week to catch a glimpse of a rare bird, all thanks to the local teen who spotted it. Dalton Rose, a 15-yearold Hastings resident, started bird watching about a year and a half ago. He got inter­ ested in the hobby after watching his mother mark birds in her logbook, noting their characteristics and A Limpkin, pictured here, visited Charlton Park in tracking their behaviors. Hastings last week. Normally native to Florida, the Rose frequents Charlton birds live in marshy areas and eat snails and crusta­ Park, where he’ll bring his ceans. (Photo by Shelly Sulser) binoculars and watch for birds. While there last week, one one of ofaahandful handful ever everspotted spotted tend to explore a bit after he made a shocking discov- in the state. in the state. maturing and separating ““To ery: a lone Limpkin. To see see itit inin Michigan Michigan isis from their parents. It’s likely ” Klein” Klein said. said. these far-from-home birds, “I’ll usually go down by so unusual, so unusual, the river, and I’ll see what While Whileititisisunusual, unusual,itit’s’snot not known as “vagrant” birds, birds are down there. I entirely unprecedented. unprecedented. are young Limpkins looking noticed that there was some­ Klein said Barry County for a new habitat to settle thing that I’ve never seen birders spotted a scis- into. before down there,” Rose sor-tailed flycatcher in 2014, Why Michigan? Several said. “I got out my field normally native to Oklahoma factors could be contributing, guide, I found out what it or Texas. Just in the past few Machinksi said. Drought in was, and I called one of the weeks, national media out­ Florida and diminishing wet­ guys in the Bird Club.” lets have reported on flamin- lands due to development The Limpkin, a heron-like gos being spotted as far north have left the birds looking bird normally seen no further as Pennsylvania and Ohio. for those swampy, marshy north than Florida, likes to Chad Machinski, conser­ areas full of tasty snails and spend its time in warm vation manager for the crustaceans. Strange and swamps or marshes munch- Michigan Audubon Society, extreme weather patterns ing on snails. To see one this said there are several reasons might also be confusing the far north is highly unusual. why birds can sometimes be birds, similar to the flamin­ After reaching out to his fel­ found outside oftheir normal gos. low birders in the Barry habitats. In the case of the As the climate continues County Bird Club, Rose’s flamingos, the birds likely to change, there will likely suspicions were confirmed got pushed outside of their be more strange bird sight­ — he had spotted Barry normal habitat by Hurricane ings in the future. Machinski County’s first Limpkin. Idalia. The Limpkin in Barry said there’s been an upward “I was nervous to have an County is a little harder to trend of tropical bird sight­ expert come out there and explain, he said. ings in Michigan the past identify it with me because if “Five years ago, it would few years, but it’s likely the it wasn’t the Limpkin then I have been very odd that this birds will remain as just visi­ would have been disappoint- bird would have shown up,” tors. Michigan is still just too ed and kind ofembarrassed,” Machinksi said. “But in the cold for many of these birds Rose said. past two years, Limpkins to establish any kind ofpopFor midwestem bird­ have been turning up every­ ulation in the state. watchers, it was a rare oppor­ where in the fall.” Machinski encourages tunity to see a bird far out­ In 2021, four states record­ anyone in the area to try and side of its normal habitat. ed their first Limpkin sight- see the bird ifthey can, which Doug Klein, an organizer of ing. Nine more states, includ- was seen hanging around the Barry County Bird Club, ing Michigan, recorded their Charlton Park as recently as said the sighting immediate- first sighting in 2022. Just Monday. Those new to the ly began to draw bird watch- this year, Limpkins have hobby should take care to ers from across the state who been spotted in Michigan in give the bird space to ensure it isn’t stressed and can get wanted a chance to see the October and November. Although there seems to back to its normal habitat. Limpkin. Klein said anyone interest“Someone went out and be a trend, Machinksi said verified the bird (last) it’s too early to tell why ed in birding can contact the Monday night. Birders start­ Limpkins are exploring so Bany County Bird Club at ed pouring out there at first far outside of their normal barrycountybirders@gmail. light,” Klein said. “It’s been territory. While they aren’t com or on their Facebook hanging around, eating snails migratory birds, juveniles page. I guess. It’s been sticking iSgL around for a while, probably enjoying not having to look out for alligators.” For many ofthese visiting bird watchers, Klein said the sighting could be a “life Closed or Open Cell bird” or “lifer,” what bird or Blown-In Fiberglass watchers call their first sight­ ing of a species. Last week’s Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 sighting is the first time a 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Limpkin has been recorded in Barry County and only *>SllNS^Q SPRAY FOAM W Caledonia High School September Students of the Month Caledonia High School is recognizing students each month. For the month of September, the focus was on students who have shown “community” in the school. These students were chosen by their teachers for demonstrating the attributes that contribute to making Caledonia High School have a positive community and a better place. Pictured left to right: Gretchen Vandereide, Yasmeen Ghannam, Evalyn Hoffman, Stephanie Dryburgh, Jennifer George, Jayden McCoy, Danny Vranjes, Connor Gifford, not pictured: Emmett Haan. (Photo provided) THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR HARVEST FESTIVAL Pumpkin Sponsors e^FOX; CHEVROLET GREENRIDGE REALTY CALEDONIA Squash Sponsors Stomping Grounds ^pfaacafe^ newo ^PFCU <g)CHURCH Credit Union Candycorn Sponsors Trinity Health, Bluebird Roofing, Greenbauer Asphalt, Caledonia YMCA, and Premier Martial Arts Cornhole Sponsors Caledonia Fire Department, Everdry Waterproofing, LMCU, Fresh Coast Optical, Harder and Warner, Seif Chiropractic, Caledonia Fit Body Boot Camp, New Ground Church, Caledonia Farmers Elevator, MEF Fieldhouse, & Kiwanis VolunteerSponsors Journey Church and Caledonia Boys Varisty Soccer Committee Members Monique Brennan (Caledonia Resource Center), Maranda Pellerito (Journey Church), Jeff Kelly (Duke's Doggie Salon), Carrie Siefert (United Bank), Becky Bonnell (Lykke Haven Designs) Music and Emcee Sibling Revelry (Carole, Marty, & Peggy), Thom Kohl (Greenridge Realty) Touch A Truck Caledonia Fire Department, Kent County Sheriff, Greenbauer Asphalt �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023 Gators keep taking bites out of their PR’s girls all really like being around each other. They’re just a team. That is all it is. “They didn’t know each other a couple months ago and now a lot of them are really close, really good friends. They carpool to practice. They support each other in everything. It’s just a really good group of stu­ dent-athletes and it doesn’t get better than that. I think they’re getting along really well and I am confident in their future.” The Gators are continuing to work to be faster in the water. They do much of that work in the Grandville High School pool, where the team practices working around the schedule of the Grandville Bulldogs’ OK Red Conference team as neces­ sary. The Gators’ coach liked the progress he saw Tuesday Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Calvin Christian/West Catholic/Thornapple Kellogg/Hopkins varsity girls’ swimming and diving team is a mouthful to say and practically an essay to type. In the preseason, the girls from the four schools com­ ing together to form a new co-op team in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference worked to start building an identity together. A part of that process was finding a more meaningful, manage­ able team name. The Grand Rapids Gators were bom. “It is sort ofdifficult when you have four different schools,” the program’s new head coach Marco Thompson said Tuesday night after a conference dual with Unity Christian at Hudsonville High School. “I think the Grand Rapids Gators’ diver Lydia Slagel spins above the water as she performs dive 403C during her team’s dual with Unity Christian at Hudsonville High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Grand Rapids Gators’ Jenna Robinett drives through the water in the 100-yard butterfly race during her team’s dual with Unity Christian at Hudsonville High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) in a 105-75 loss to the host “We had a lot of time drops and quite a few season bests across the aboard,” coach Thompson said. Sophomore Aliyah Garcia had already met the MISCA qualifying time in the 100yard breaststroke prior to Tuesday and won that race in the dual with the Crusaders thanks to a time of 1 minute 14.57 seconds. Senior team­ mate Elizabeth Middleton earned the runner-up points in that race with a time of 1:23.11 making it one ofthe top events for the Gators on the night. The best event of the night, as it has been on many nights this season for the Gatbrs, was the* diving com­ petition. Lydia Slagel won with a score of233.10 points. Natalie Wickstrom was sec­ ond with a score of 226.80 and Abigail Dumond was third with a score of216.65. Coach Thompson has teamed up with coach Emily Kostik to lead the team. The divers continue to work with dive coaches Todd Bates and Francesca Pileci who lead the Hastings Community Diving Club and worked with Thomapple Kellogg divers for years as they shared a co-op with Hastings ED’S BODY SHOP / Complete Collision Service CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN / Frame Repairs / State & l-CAR Certified Technicians / Direct Repair Facility * Most insurance companies WMBAI Open Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.’ . h. k N __ F _ _I B_ 616.891.0150 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner HQ Johnson St., Caledonia* www.edsbody.com GOLD CLASS Grand Rapids Gator Elizabeth Middleton swims to a runner-up finish in the 100-yard breaststroke during her team’s OK Rainbow Tier II Conference dual with Unity Christian at Hudsonville High School Tuesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Aubrey Hawks leads off the 400-yard freestyle relay for the Grand Rapids Gators during their dual with Unity Christian at Hudsonville High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) and Delton Kellogg stu­ dent-athletes. All three of those divers, Slagel, Wickstrom and Dumond are qualified along with Garcia for this weekend’s MISCA Meet which will be held at Calvin University in Grand Rapids Friday and Saturday (Oct. 6-7). At the end of the night Tuesday, the Gators got the first-place points in the 400yard freestyle relay with the team of Aubrey Hawks, Berta Garcia-Quilez, Mia Bergman and Aliyah Garcia earning a time of4:21.50. Aliyah Garcia also Won the 200-yard individual med­ ley with a time of 2:29.27, besting her nearest competi­ tor by more than ten seconds. “We have seen consistent time drops, but today I think we saw ones that were more significant, more drastic than in the past. It was a really good meet,” coach Thompson said. Hawks also had a run­ ner-up time of2:19.51 in the 200-yard freestyle at the opening ofthe meet and later added a second-place time of 1:12.15 in the 100-yard backstroke. Garcia-Quilez was third int he 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:06.84. Others scoring points for the Gators included Audrey Groenboom, Jenna Robinett, Avery Hollebeek, Jolee Schumacher and' Makayla Brown. The Gators have plans to host Wayland at Grandville High School for Senior Night Thursday, Oct. 12. Junior Corinne Bierling was a part of four victories for the Crusaders in the dual Tuesday. She was a part of 200-yard freestyle relay and 200-yard medley relay wins while also finishing first in the 100-yard backstroke in 1: 10.47 and the 50-yard free­ style in 26.22 seconds. Crusader teammate Ellie Vredevoogd, a sophomore, won the 200-yard freestyle in 2: 13.39 and the 100-yard freestyle in 1:00.62 while also putting in a solid time anchor­ ing a team ofCrusaders in an exhibition run ofthe 400-yard freestyle relay. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7,2023/ Page 9 Trojans blow by Bengals from the get-go Thornapple Kellogg sophomore running back Derious Robinson finds room to run around the right side during the second half of the Trojans’ homecom­ ing win over Ottawa Hills Sept. 29 in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK senior Ethan Bonnema is greeted by head coach Jeff Dock as he nears the sideline following his touch­ down run on the second play of the Trojans’ homecoming victory over visiting Ottawa Hills inside Bob White Stadium. (Photo by Brett Bremer) The Thomapple Kellogg High School student section, the TroZone, sings the school fighting song after an early touchdown in the TK varsity football team’s home­ coming win over visiting Ottawa Hills Sept. 29 in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) south end zone for the first of his three touchdowns in the Trojans’ 46-12 victory. “I just knew that he was coming my way and I had to do my work for him to get a touchdown,” Sias said of the block. “It felt good to be able to put up that block for him to get in.” It was the first time this season the now 1-5 Trojans have had the chance to feel good after the final .whistle this season. They had a Thornapple Kellogg offensive lineman Kyle Porritt (77) clears the way as quar­ two-touchdown lead get terback Grant Middleton puts the ball into the belly of running back Drake Snyder away against Cedar Springs on a five-yard touchdown run for the Trojans during their homecoming win over in a ballgame the Red Hawks eventually won in overtime Ottawa Hills Sept. 29 in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) and then were nipped by “I caught the ball. I saw rival Wayland 17-14 last with visiting Ottawa Hills Brett Bremer Jaxan blocking. He was the Friday, Sept. 22. inside Bob White Stadium. Sports Editor “We have been waiting for Senior quarterback Grant only guy out there. I got It took two snaps for the Trojans to have a lead they Middleton twisted to his left around him, and there was it,” said Sias who was crowned homecoming king would never relinquish on after getting the second snap nobody,” Bonnema said. There, wasn’t another alongside queen Eva Corson homecoming night in of the game and flipped a pitch out left for senior back Bengal in sight. Sophomore at halftime of the victory. Middleville Friday. Senior back Drake Snyder Ethan Bonnema who was Zach Eldridge and junior “We have been putting so Spencer Ybema were left much time in the weight took a hand-off four yards up already on the move. the middle to the 47-yard- Bonnema looked on as senior downfield looking for some­ room, and so much time in line for the Thomapple TE/WR Jaxan Sias trucked body, anybody to block, but the summer, and for things to wasn’t anybody. just go wrong at the very end Kellogg varsity football team Ottawa Hills’ Willie Duke there Bonnema sprinted up the vis­ of every game. Some things on the first play of its OK backwards, eventually driv­ itor sideline 53 yards to the just don’t end up right. Itjust Gold Conference contest ing him to the turf. feels good to put one togeth­ er for once.” Bonnema said head coach Jeff Dock and the other See TROJANS, page 10 Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com �Pag* 10/The Sun and Hew*, Saturday, October 7,2023 Scots bounce back from tough Red loss Brett Bremer Sporlt Editor The first two top-ranked OK Red Conference foes the Fighting Scots faced this fall. Rockford an Grand Haven, got pushed to five sets. Caledonia couldn’t do the same at Jenison Tuesday Caledonia freshman Aubrey Reynolds rises up for an attack as Jenison’s Karis Chatfield (11) protects her side of the net during their OK Red Conference match at Jenison High School Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) • New Cotton Blenders, Flannel, ’ 108" Backs, Solid Colors, more... Gift List: Quilts, Totes, Purses, Runners, Tree Skirts, Tablecloths, etc. Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station 0! bA QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings * 945-9673 OPEN Monday-Fnday 8 am-5:30 pin. Saturday 9 am-3 pm evening. The Wildcats, ranked ninth in the state in Division 1 coming into the week, scored a 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 win over the visiting Caledonia varsity volleyball team. The Fighting Scots bounced back quickly though, earning their sec­ ond conference win of the season. They knocked off visiting West Ottawa 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-23 at Caledonia High School Thursday to move their record to 2-3 on the sea­ son. Junior Cambria Gaier smacked 20 kills to power the Fighting Scots’ attack while freshman Aubrey Reynolds added nine kills, junior Gretel Knipping had six and junior Josie Noble five. Noble had four total blocks and Gaier had three. Setter Jess Maier put up 45 assists in the four sets. Junior Georgia Pennington had a big night from the service line for the Scots firing 15 service points with four aces. Freshman libero Avery Seif had three aces and junior Eliza Pehrson added three aces too. Pehrson and Reynolds had 13 digs each for the Scots and Seiffinished with 12. Sophomore Karis Chatfield was the big swinger for the Wildcats in their win over the Scots Tuesday finishing with 17 kills. The service line was where the Wildcats did a lot of their work. Caledonia had ten service errors on 57 attempts Tuesday night. They followed that up with just four errors on 77 recep­ tions in the four-set win over Jenison. Jenison had eight aces, including three from junior -FALL INTO SAVINGSHigh Efficiency RUUP FURNACE <200 OFF S7O * MustI present this counppoonn? X Expires 10-30-2023 (not valid with other offers) Bl S SOr ■ HEATING 0 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia dl^^TB^TiTi Locally owned business. Rudy Maynard and two from Chatfield. Maynard put up 16 assists in the win for the Wildcats. Freshman Rylee Paddock chipped in a team-high eight digs while Chatfield and Maynard had seven each. Reynolds led the Scots with five kills and three blocks and Gaier had four kills to go with three aces. Seif and Gaier both had seven digs for Caledonia. The Caledonia girls are at the Lakewood Invitational today, Oct. 7, and will be back in action in the OK Red in the week ahead. They take on Hudsonville Tuesday and Grandville Thursday at Caledonia High School. Caledonia junior setter Jessica Maier puts a pass up as Jenison’s Aubrey Johnson looks on from the other side of the net during the No. 9 Wildcats’ win over the visiting Scots in an OK Red Conference match Tuesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TROJANS, continued from page 10 members of the coaching staffhave been doing a good job ofkeeping everyone in a positive mindset. The players have been working to keep each other in good spirits as well. “We have some great cap­ tains on this team,” Sias said. “The linemen, the line­ men keep going every single day. Every single day at school and every single day at practice they’re so much fun. All the credit to them up front.” Snyder continues to run hard behind his linemen. He scored on a five-yard dive through the line to end the Trojans’ second possession and put them in front 13-0. The Bengals struck back with a touchdown on their next drive to get within 13-6, but wouldn’t sniff the end zone again until the Trojans’ victory celebration was well underway in the fourth quar­ ter. TK got a four-yard touch­ down pitch from Middleton to junior Brody Wiersma, touchdown runs of 19 and 13 yards from Bonnema, and a 46-yard touchdown run from Middleton before the halftime homecoming ceremonies even began to lead 39-6. Wiersma’s TD run put TK up 19-6 at the 10:13 mark of the second quarter, and team­ mate Tyler Bentley beat all the Bengals to a short pooch kick by teammate Braden Sharrar to get the ball right back for TK. Only 17 sec­ onds had gone off the clock since Wiersma’s TD when Bonnema scored on a run around the left side that put TK up 25-6. The Trojans’ only touch­ down of the second half came on a 12-yard run by sophomore Derious Robinson midway through the fourth quarter. It was set up by a 52-yard pass from the back-up quarterback Wiersma to junior Jacob Davis deep down the right side. The Trojan side got fired up for Davis’ catch. Sias was also pretty excited to see junior lineman Connor Martin get his hands on the football on a kick return. The victory was the first ofthe season for either team. TK moved its record to 1-3 in the OK Gold Conference with the victory. Ottawa Hills fell to 0-6 and 0-4 in the conference with the loss. TK was set to head to East Kentwood High School to face South Christian last night, Oct. 6. The Trojans will be home Friday, Oct. 13, taking on Forest Hills Eastern. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023/ Page 11 Comeback victory for TKHS boys at FHE TK senior Blake Dykstra works to contain Forest Hills Eastern’s Lawrence May in the midfield during their OK Gold Conference Tournament game in Ada Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Wandering out of the sta­ dium at Forest Hills Eastern High School after a one-goal game, the Trojans were left talking about the goal that might have been. But they had smiles on their faces while they were doing it. Thomapple Kellogg’s var­ sity boys’ soccer team avenged a regular season loss to the Hawks by outscoring them 2-1 in the second round ofthe OK Gold Conference Tournament in Ada Wednesday. Jordan Rowley and Reece Hoeksma scored goals for the Trojans as they dug out of a 1-0 hole against FHE, but all the orange and black really wanted to talk about was junior William Nathan’s non-goal. Rowley fired a long throw in towards teammate Jayce Curtis at the top of the FHE box with about nine minutes to play and the Trojans cling­ ing to their 2-1 lead. Curtis turned towards the goal as the ball bounded in and col­ lided with FHE defender Tobi Thielmann who came jumping in at him from the weak side to head the ball weakly away. Thielmann fell back as the ball bounced to Nathan five yards to the right of the penalty spot and he knocked a perfectly placed shot into the upper left 90 and then took the celebration to the far comer of the field with his teammates. Forest Hills Eastern senior goalkeeper Mars Steenwyk had returned the ball to mid­ field and the Trojan celebra­ tion was dying down as they Thornapple Kellogg’s Braden Sharrar is sand­ wiched between Forest Hills Eastern’s Vince Savino (left) and Tobi Thielmann (right) as he tries to get to a free kick during the second half Wednesday in Ada. (Photo by Brett Bremer) returned to their end before it became clear to everyone other than the official that he had called Curtis for a push back in the Hawks’ box. The victory allows for the smiles. The victory also gives the Trojans the chance to avenge another conference defeat in the final round ofthe confer­ ence tournament, at Kenowa Hills Monday, Oct. 9. TK opened the conference tour­ nament with a 3-2 shootout loss at Cedar Springs Monday, Oct. 2. “We played really well Monday for Cedar Springs. We brought them to PK’s and lost in the PK’s. The past three games we have turned a comer as a team,” TK head coach Andrew Kiel said. “We are clicking and not all the results are there, but we have just been playing really well and doing good stuff. On a different night than toinght maybe we get three or four goals, but we don’t, we get two. Two is still enough for the win. “Just as a team, all 18 of these guys, all 18 of them have gotten in the past three games and gotten time, got­ ten minutes, and itjust shows the level ofcommitment they have and the level of depth that we have on the bench. It makes a difference this late in the season when you have guys who are fresh and can go out and run. I amjust real­ ly pleased and happy, with the past three or four games we have been playing. We have reconnected as a team.” Nate Shoemaker connect­ ed on the two Trojan goals in the contest with Cedar Springs Monday. He also had an assist on Hoeksma’s goal Wednesday night. Shoemaker and Rowley, a couple of Trojan defenders, Thornapple Kellogg senior Ashton Nichols and Forest Hills Eastern’s Isaac VanDyke battle for control of the ball out in front of the Hawks’ goal during the first half of their OK Gold Conference Tournament match in Ada Wednesday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) have become key parts ofthe attack this season. Rowley’s long throw-ins were as good as comer kicks much of the night. Shoemaker was called up to try and get a head on those and on the Trojans’ comer kicks throughout the contest. He just missed get­ ting his head on a couple comer kicks midway through the first half with FHE in front 1-0. “The team is organzied enough and we know each other well enough that we know [Shoemaker] and Rowley are two go-getters when it comes to 50-50 balls, along with Jace, and that is why they are center backs. So, when we get those oppor­ tunities down there [on the offensive end], we throw them up and as a team we understand what the shift is. “Our outside backs who are a little smaller and get­ ting up and down the field will pinch to the middle. It is not by accident. It is design. That is what we want. I think [Rowley] and [Shoemaker] both have four goals each this season, just from coming up and doing stuff like that. That is a strength ofours, set pieces, so the more set pieces we get the better.” On one flurry following a comer, TK’s Fernando DeSantiago and Isaac Ruth both got good hits on the ball and Shoemaker rolled a pass across the goal-line that proved just out of reach of teammate Braden Sharrar. Moments later, the Trojans earned a free kick 35 yards from the end-line along the right sideline. Sharrar flicked the ball backwards where it was saved off the goal-line by Hawk defender Wes Conkling whose header went directly to the right foot of Rowley in the middle of the Hawk box. Rowley one- following an Eastern turn­ touched it into the lower over, in the closing minutes right comer ofthe goal to tie of the first half. It was the score with 16:53 to play announced at halftime that it in the first half. was Steenwyk’s 100th save TK got the go-ahead goal ofthe season. with 21:44 to play as Thomapple Kellogg heads Shoemaker sent a perfect into that match with Kenowa cross from left to right Hills with a 7-9-2 overall through the offensive third of record this season. One of the field to Hoeksma who those seven victories was by was making a run in on goal. a 2-1 score over Zeeland Hoeksma ripped a shot by East in last August. The Steenwyk. Trojans will see the Chix Getting a ball by the again Wednesday, Oct. 11, Eastern keeper hasn’t been when they play host to an an easy task for the Trojans opening round game in their this season. Steenwyk held MHSAA Division 2 District TK to one goal in a 3-1 FHE Tournament. win in Middleville last The winner ofthat district month. Nathan really had a match will face sec­ great shot at two goals. The ond-ranked Holland Hawk keeper made an out­ Christian in the district semi­ standing diving save on a finals at Holland High low hard shot by Nathan, School Oct. 17. • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com www.cellsignalpros.com Your local agent insures your W FARM BUREAU tB, INSURANCE^ Micfyatis (ngcu^utea Contpaxu, Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023 Scots take spots on program’s fastest list Brett Bremer Sports Editor It is an impressive and ever shrinking list ofnames of Caledonia varsity cross country runners who have ever been faster than cur­ rent junior Kort Thompson. Thompson moved into I2th-place all-time on the Caledonia boys’ record board with a ninth-place time of 16 minutes 13.22 seconds Saturday in the Division 1 boys’ race at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational. The names ahead of him have made Caledonia one of the state’s top cross country programs over the past three decades, names like All-American Tim Ross, 2022 grad Jordan Domanv and 2021 grad Josh Oom. Just for refer­ ence, Thompson’s time Saturday was a little over five and a halfseconds fast­ er than the time run by 2021 CHS graduate and all-stater Jamin Thompson (No. 4 all­ time) at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational during his junior campaign in the fall of2019. “I just wanted to get a better time. I like being as far up as I can,” Thompson said. He set himself a goal of finishing in less than 16:20 Saturday - a mark he easily met. He said his list ofgoals for this season now include pushing that PR under 16:10, and maybe eventual­ ly under 16 minutes, and certainly qualifying for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals. Jamin just happens to be Kort’s big brother. Their father is Caledonia varsity boys’ cross country coach Ben Thompson. Kort’s best time coming into this season was a 17:03 at last year’s regional race and he was pretty confident coming into the season that he’d be in the 16’s right away after putting in about 463 miles between June to August. He was right about there at the first race ofthis season and ticked under 17 minutes for the first time at the Scots’ second competition. “I basically ran every day,” Kort said. “It was a few more miles than last summer. We meet like six days a week, or at least five.” He said it makes it a lot easier having a big group of guys ready to put in the miles all summer, and meet­ ing about 200 meters from home certainly makes it easy too. Sophomore Eli Veiling from the CHS boys’ team and senior Alyssa DeFields from the girls’ team both earned a spot in the top 20 all-time on their respective lists in Caledonia with their own personal record runs Saturday too. In all, the Caledonia varsity and JV boys’ and girls’ teams recorded 43 personal record times. DeFields had the top fin­ ish of any Fighting Scot Saturday, leading the Caledonia girls with a sev­ enth-place time of 19:23.94. The Panthers, league-mates with the Scots in the OK Red, won the girls’ champi­ onship with just 17 points. Byron Center was a distant second with 92 points and Portage Central third with 97. The Caledonia girls were sixth as a team with 141 points. A pair of sophomores led the way for the Panthers. Ava Porras won the race in 18:17.33 and Addie Birkholz was second in 18:24.32. Kalamazoo Central freshman was the only girl from another team in the top six. She placed fourth in 19:10.10 - a new PR for her. West Ottawa junior Jane Olney was third in 19:06.60, and the Panthers had junior Emma Gunnett fifth in 19:15.46 and freshman Lyla Dowling seventh in 19:23.94. The three fastest girls from Caledonia all set their Freshman Akaela PR. Daman was 26th overall in 20:22.20 and junior Adysen Daman 31st in 20:46.68. Finishing out the top five for the Scots, junior Hannah Dupuis was 33rd in 20: 49.91 and senior Kloe Kimbrell 45th in 21:44.30. Junior Leah Williams added a personal record run of 21: 44.77 that put her in 46th. The Scots also had junior Avalynn Klapmust 50th in 22:07.91. Kalamazoo Central ran to the DI boys’ championship with 35 points. Portage Central was second with 59 points and Byron Center third with 97. West Ottawa beat out the Caledonia boys by one point, 111-112, for fourth in the field of nine teams. Battle Creek Lakeview Caledonia senior Kloe Kimbrell runs along the course at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational at Otsego High School Saturday morning. (Photo by Brett Bremer) senior Aiden Moore ran his 16: 35.26. PR, a time of 15:10.34, to Scot senior Samuel Pugh win the boys’ race. improved his PR to 17:06.00 Kalamazoo Central senior to place 32nd. Junior Ethan Jasper cane was the run- Buer dropped his PR to ner-up in 15:18.50. The top 17: 07.12 to place 34th. five guys all finished in Junior Joshua Maier ran to under 16 minutes, and the a PR of 17:12.69 to place first 18 guys across the fin­ 36th. Scot senior Micah ish line all improved their Nagel helped push Maier to PR. Kalamazoo Central that PR with a 27th-place won on the strength of five time of 17:12.96. finishers in the top 12. Caledonia runs in another Caledonia had five of its big Saturday invitational seven runners earn their today, Oct. 10, the annual best time ever. That group Portage Invitational. of PR’s included a time of The Fighting Scots were 16:34.55 from senior Ayden back in action Tuesday for Duffin that took more than the second OK Red 24 seconds off his previous Conference jamboree ofthe best time. He placed 18th. season, a race they hosted Veiling was right behind in at Caledonia High School. 19th-place with a time of The Scots made the most Caledonia senior Alyssa DeFields works her way along the course at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday where she set her PR at 19 minutes 23.94 seconds in the Division 1 girls’ race. The time puts her 20th all-time on the list of fastest CHS harriers. (Photo by Brett Bremer) of the home course advan­ tage and a plan from coach Thompson that encouraged his guys to go out a little bit slow because of high heat and humidity Tuesday afternoon. The Caledonia boys moved up to fourth after a fifth-place finish at the first conference jambo­ ree. The Caledonia girls jumped from eight to sixth, and were only a few points shy of fifth place. It was a day for racing, not a day for setting new PR’s. There were only a handful all afternoon and none of them were by run­ ners involved in the varsity team scoring. Grand Haven edged Jenison for the boys’ team victory 38-44. East Kentwood was third with 101 points ahead of Caledonia 115, Rockford 119, West Ottawa 143, Grandville 168 and Hudsonville 170. Jenison junior Seth Conner took the individual win with a time of 16:09.31 and Grand Haven senior Seth Norder was the run­ ner-up in 16:33.08. Grandville junior Carter Livermore was third with a See SCOTS, page 14 Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED The Caledonia varsity boys’ cross country team takes off in the fog at Otsego High School Saturday ing during the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational. The pack is led early on by junior Kort Thompson (270) and Eli Veiling (274), with teammates (from left) Micah Nagel, Joshua Maier and Ayden Duffin not too far behind the duo. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023/ Page 13 TK seniors crush times from last Otsego run Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Benjamin Postma rounds a turn during the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday at Otsego High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) TK senior Holly Velting makes her way along the course at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor A minute is an eternity in a varsity cross country race. That’s about the amount oftime Thomapple Kellogg seniors Lucas Van Meter and Kaden Hamming shaved from their 2022 fifties at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational during the 2023 version of the event Saturday morning at Otsego High School. Grand Rapids Christian of 332 points. won the D2 boys’ title in The three fastest guys in Otsego Saturday with 52 the race all set their PR. points. Plainwell was sec­ That group included ond with 96 points ahead of Dearborn Divine Child Holland Christian 110, junior Colin Murray Harper Creek 145, Grand (15:42.58), Harper Creek Rapids Christian ‘B’ 202, junior Dominic Lowrie Otsego 206, Hastings 214, (15:54.75) and Holland Zeeland East 226, Unity Christian junior Will Christian 242 and Dearborn Engbers (16:00.84). Divine Child 252 in the top Thomapple Kellogg also ten. Thomapple Kellogg’s had freshman Elijah Frazer boys were 15th with a score 79th in 18:44.59, freshman Grady Galaviz 89th in 19: 03.25 and junior Hunter Tietz 93rd in 19:11.82 - a new PR for him. The Trojans were led in the D2 girls’ race by junior Ava Crews who equaled Van Meter’s llth-place fin­ ish. She hit the finish line in 18:59.60. The TK team had sopho­ more Madison Kietzman 40th in 20:52.77 and fresh­ man Peyton Hardy 42st in 20: 54.31. The next three TK ladies across the finish line set their PR on the day. Both guys set their per­ sonal record times Saturday. Van Meter did it in an finish that llth-place earned him a medal in the Division 2 boys’ race. He hit the finish line in 16:29.74, just under a min­ ute faster than he was at the race as a junior. Hamming placed 70“* in 18:21.34, a little over a minute faster than he was as a junior in 2022. Thomapple Kellogg senior Kaden Hamming closes in on a new personal record time at the end of the Division 2 boys’ race Saturday at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Freshman Alaina McCrumb was 57th in 21:39.85, soph­ omore Avery Hagemann 58th in 21:40.69 and sopho­ more Megan Schuurmans 67th in 22:23.89. Trojan varsity girls’ coach Sam Wilkinson said he likes having those duos of Kietzman and Hardy and McCrumb and Hagemann racing together. Grand Rapids Christian had seven runners in the top 25 and two more among the top 30. The Eagles’ took the day’s championship with 36 points and like the boys had a strong ‘B’ team perfor­ mance. Otsego was second with 57 points ahead of Zeeland East 106, Holland Christian 117, Unity Christian 165, Thomapple Kellogg 207, Grand Rapids Christian ‘B’ 226, South Christian 227, Paw Paw 258 and Three Rivers 272 in the top ten. Grand Rapids Christian senior Natalie VanOtteren won the D2 girls’ race in 17: 43.50. Otsego had three girls in the top six including the second- and third-place finishers. Sophomore Emma Hoffman led the Bulldogs in a personal record time of 18:03.76 and senior teammate Logan Brazee set her PR at 18: 10.88 to place third. There is another big race on the slate for the Trojans today. They’ll be a part of the Division 2 races at the annual Portage Invitational, Oct. 7. The Trojans will have a little over a week to prep for their next competition, the OK Gold Conference Championship meet which is scheduled for Oct. *17 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: Summary of Request: Special Land Use request to allow for a 240 square-foot addition to an existing accessory building, for a total of 880 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property, located in the Residential (RL-10) zoning district. Property Address: 6646 Paris Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Ml 49548 Parcel Number: 1-22-06-453-004 Applicant: Doug Gesink, Gesink Building, o/b/o Sandra Lewis Date and Time of Hearing: October 26th, 2023, at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Gaines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Thomapple Kellogg freshman Alaina McCrumb works her way through the crowded pack at the start of the Division 2 girls’ race Saturday morning at the annual Otsego Bulldog Invitational, a step or two ahead of sophomore teammate Avery Hagemann. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on October 26th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023 SCOTS continued from page 12 time of 16:33.95. Kort Thompson matched his 13th-place finish from the first con­ ference race hitting the finish line in 17:16.42. The guys behind him had huge jumps in their placing from meet one to meet two in the confer­ ence. Velting jumped from 29th to 18th (17:39.07). Duffin went from 27th to 19th (17:39.78). Nagel Caledonia seniors Samuel Pugh (right) and Micah Nagel race along together during the Division 1 boys’ race at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) moved from 42nd to 26th (17:50.31). Buer jumped from 49th to 29th (18:09.99). The Caledonia girls had some similar improve­ ments, none bigger than the addition of DeFields who didn’t run the last conference jamboree. She placed 14^ in 20:46.17. Freshman Olivia Hawkins was 41st at the first con­ ference jamboree and leapt to 29**1 with a time of 21:39.78 Wednesday. The senior Kimbrell was 31 Tuesday in 21:42.19 after placing 43rd at the first OK Red meet-up. Rounding out the top five for the Caledonia girlsTuesday were Dupuis with a 35th-place time of 22:04.03 and freshman Akaela Daman placing 43rd in 22:31.49. West Ottawa won Tuesday with 34 points while the Grand Haven girls finished with 66, Rockford 78, Hudsonville 123, Jenison 148, Caledonia 150, East Kentwood 158 and Grandville 163. West Ottawa sopho­ mores Ava Porras and Addie Birkholz went 1-2 in the race. Porras won in 19:26.37 and Birkholz came in at 19:30.73. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO US. We treat our patients like family and offer comfortable, customized dentistry for everyone. Same Day Dentistry Implants catered to your treatment needs to return your teeth to good health Pediatric Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry with kid-friendly options for ideal results Dental exams are even more important as we get older, preventing problems and reducing the risk ofserious illness. 1207. OFF I I your first visit I Mention this offer when you call or bring this card with you About Yankee Springs Dental Come experience the welcoming atmosphere of our rural, local office, where our patients know each other. Tyler Veneman, DDS is a native of Caledonia who keeps up on the latest technology within dentistry and enjoys getting to know the patients' unique needs. NOW ACCEPTING HEALTHY KIDS DELTA DENTAL AND HEALTHY KIDS DENTAQUEST YANKEE SPRINGS DENTAL 12715 W M-l 79 Hwy • Wayland, Ml 49348 YankeeSpringsDental.com Office Hours M (269)792-9723 Scan to request an appointment and learn more. https://ya sTpur W Th F 9am-6pm 7gasmd-e3npmta 8am-5pm 8am-4pm 8am-l2pm 1 Defense leads rout of Hudsonville for Scots Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity foot­ ball team ran its record to 5-1 with a 30-0 win at Hudsonville Friday, Sept. 29. The Fighting Scot defense limited the Eagles to 105 yards ofoffense in the shut out. Senior linebacker Derek Pennington Jr. led the Caledonia defense with six total tackles, an interception and a sack. Sophomore defen­ sive lineman Brent DeYoung had three tackles including two sacks. Senior linebacker Alex Klingensmith recovered an Eagle fumble. Senior running back Brock Townsend rushed 13 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Caledonia and junior quarterback Brody Betser was 12-of-20 passing for 144 yards and a TD pass to Townsend. Betser rushed in a TD himself. Caledonia led 7-0 after one quarter on a 36-yard touch­ down run by Townsend. He took a pitch to the right and was flying through the Eagle secondary up the sideline in the blink ofan eye. The Scots doubled their lead early in the second quar­ ter with a 25-yard TD pass from Betser to Townsend, and Townsend found the end zone a third time on a one-yard run before the break as the Scots improved their lead to 21-0. Kicker Nathan Maas booted a 22-yard field goal for the only points ofthe third quarter. Betser scored the only touchdown ofthe fourth quar­ ter at the end ofa 23-yard run. Caledonia was slated to host Grandville last night, Oct. 6, and will go on the road to face East Kentwood Friday, Oct. 13 Runner-up finish for CHS golf team at OK Red final Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity girls’ golf team fired its way to a runner-up finish at the OK Red Conference Post-Season Tournament Thursday morning at Muskegon Country Club. Only Rockford, the team ranked fifth in the lower pen­ insula in Division 1, finished better than the Fighting Scots. Caledonia junior Copelin O’Krangley was third individ­ ually while sophomore Codie O’Krangley finished sixth. Conference studs Elise Fennell from East Kentwood and Jessica Jolly battled it out for the top two spots, both finishing under par. The Falcon senior Fennell finished with an impressive six-un­ der-68. Jolly, also a senior, fired a one-under-73. Fennell opened her round with seven consecutive pars on the front nine and then bird­ ied number eight and nine before moving to the back nine where she was four under with pars on 11,14,15 and 18. Copelin O’Krangley tallied a 77 and Codie shot an 85. They both fired their lone bird­ ie ofthe day on the 393-yard, par-4 number eight. Jolly and the Rams won the day’s team title with a score of 336 strokes ahead ofCaledonia 350, Hudsonville 368, East Kentwood 388, Jenison 420, Grand Haven 422, West Ottawa 431 and Grandville 447. The Caledonia team got a 92 from junior Mya Burgess and a 96 from junior Ellie Hudson. Burgess birdied the 500-yard, par-5 number 14. The Caledonia girls head to Crystal Mountain Resort Wednesday for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Regional Tournament where the top three teams and top three individuals not on those teams qualify for the state finals. All eight OK Red Conference teams will be a part ofthat 12-team tournament. Leos earns all-league honors at Gold tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg junior Ailana Leos finished fifth individually and earned Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing ma­ chines. 517-852-0667. Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & work­ man's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. all-conference honors at the Leos shot a 79 and the TK OK Gold Conference team finished fourth overall. Championship Tournament Grand Rapids Catholic Monday at LE Kaufman Golf Central, the top ranked team in Club in Grand Rapids. the lower peninsula in Division 1, won the day’s champion­ Pets ship with a score of329. Forest Hills Eastern was second at DOG GROOMING. QUALITY local groomer 351 ahead of South Christian at reasonable rates. 269­ 357, Thomapple Kellogg 382, 331-9999. Cedar Springs 393, Kenowa Hills 401 and Wayland 451. Help Wanted TKjunior Rae Borrink fired HOW WOULD YOU like a score of 98 and the Trojan the same schedule as your team also got scores of 102 from child? Nights, weekends senior Emma Schut and 103 & holidays off. YOU EVEN GET A SNOW DAY!!! FLEX­ from senior Joselyn DeBoer. Senior Sydney Robertson was IBLE HOURS AVAILABLE. Caledonia Schools Food right behind that duo with a 104. Service is looking for help. Birdies on six and seven Experience preferred in food helped Leos finish at just two & customer service, abili­ ty to work in a fast paced over on the front nine, and she environment. If interested closed out her day with consec­ in joining our team please utive pars on 14,15,16 and 17. call 616-891-0227 from SamSouth Christian senior Noon Mon.-Thurs. Or apply Ashley Thomasma took the online at aramark.com click day’s individual medalist hon­ on Caledonia Schools. ors with a 75. Forest Hills TIMBERCREEK RANCH Eastern got a 76 from senior is looking for a business Sophie Skoog. manager. Up to 20 hours Catholic Central had five of a week. Faith based orga­ nization for neglected and the day’s top ten scorers. abused young men. Some Sophomore Kelsey Preston experience preferred. led the way with a 78 that was Please call Wes at 616­ matched by Cedar Springs 558-7464. junior AavraRelich. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7,2023/ Page 15 CLS girls get first-ever OK Red victory Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian Vikings urge on their teammates during the final race of the night, the 400-yard freestyle relay, during their team’s 166-139 victory over the host Falcons at East Kentwood High School Thursday. Senior Macy Keegstra leads off for an exhibition team in the 400-yard freestyle relay for the Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian varsity girls’ swimming and diving team during its OK Red Conference win at East Kentwood High School Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Wnir ^Ilj ttirif hijim 3%!^! lint ml ipii Cm rftr: thufa I'siupi' fflf® b seanlt iOi® ft.® if ill® tot®® |J0 Brett Bremer Sports Editor It turned into the race of the night. Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian 400-yard free­ style relay anchor Bella Treib trailed East Kentwood’s Ayla Wiltrout by about half the length of the pool as she dove into the water for her 100-yard leg ofthe final race in their feams’ OK Red Conference dual in Kentwood Thursday. Treib passed Wiltrout before the final turn and finished the last 25 yards to help give her team the top time in the race at 4 minutes 2.95 seconds. Treib, senior Macy Keegstra, sophomore Clara Kerkstra and freshman Mya VanderZwaag didn’t get the first place points though. They were marked down as an exhibition squad in the race. It is tra­ dition in high school swimming and diving for teams to do that kind of a thing when they have a goodsized lead in a meet. The Vikings hadn’t had the chance to return the favor in the OK Red Conference ever before. The CLS girls won an OK Red Conference dual for the first time ever Thursday, outscoring the Falcons 166-139. The fall of 2020 was the first OK Red Conference season for the Viking program. The Vikings won every event until that final relay against the Falcons. Treib was a part ofthree ofthose. She teamed with freshman Mya VanderZwaag, sophomore Aliya Van Hofwegen and junior Rian Restau to win the 200-yard medley relay in 1:59.62 and followed that right up by winning the 200-yard freestyle in 2:05.54 2:05.54. A spri sprinter typi distance races proved big for the Vikings. She also won the 500-yard freestyle in 5:45.12. In that 400-yard free­ style relay, Treib was cred­ ited with a split of 53.28 seconds. The only other girl in the race with a split under a minute was East Kentwood senior Vi Nguyen who led off the race for the Falcon four­ some that took the first place points in the race with a time of 57.95. Treib is back to her shorter distances this weekend as she and a few teammates compete in the MISCA Meet at Calvin University in Grand Rapids (Oct. 6-7). Treib qualified for the big state preview meet in the 100-yard freestyle and the 50-yard freestyle. CLS has swimmers qualified for the MISCA Meet in all three relay races. Sophomore Sophie Gaylord was the number two seed in the 50-yard freestyle going into the meet and and Van Hofwegen VanderZwaag qualified for MISCA in that race too. Gaylord met the qualifying time in the 100-yard back­ stroke and VanderZwaag in the 100-yard breaststroke. Treib wasn’t the only Viking swimming an “off event” Thursday as the Vikings tried to maximize their point scoring possi­ bilities against the Falcons. There were great perfor­ mances throughout the night for the Vikings. Junior Elise Miller surpassed the 200-point mark for the first time in the diving competition. She won it with an overall score of 201.80. She capped offher performance on the 1-meter board with an inward 1.5 summersault in the u k position which p all three judges and added 39.60 points to her final total. Sophomore teammate Larissa Dudicz was the runner-up in the diving event with a score of 175.95. “We had some solid drops all around honestly,” first-year CLS head coach Amber Pearson said. “We just came out of a meet this weekend where a lot of the girls were Tech’d up. So, CLS freshman Mya VanderZwaag nears the halfway point of the breaststroke the tech suits activate the leg of the 200-yard individual medley on her way to a first-place finish in the race right muscle groups when during the Vikings’ OK Red Conference win at East Kentwood High School they’re swimming, so a lot Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) ofthe best times in the sys­ tem today were from that 206771 and we had a lot of girls swimming just right on par after a busy weekend.” She said her girls had a VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE lot of fun Tech’d up COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN Saturday at the Loy Norrix Invitational where they earned the third-place tro­ NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY phy. “It definitely has boost­ OF THE REGULATORY EFFECTS THEREOF ed their confidence a lot. They started last year and PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on September 26. 2023, the Vil­ the coach basically said lage Council of the Village of Middleville (the “Village”) adopted Village Ordinance you’re not going to win No. 2132 (the “Ordinance”), which amends Sections 78-166, 78-196, and 78-226 of anything, and this year Chapter 78 ofthe Village’s Code ofOrdinances (the “ Village Code”) relating to ground we’re setting up for suc­ coVer regulation. The principal provisions ofthe Ordinance are summarized as follows: cess,” Pearson said. “We Section 1 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 78-166 ofthe Village Code to add start every day with a posi­ a requirement that all unpaved surfaces in lots and parcels in the R-l Low Density Sin­ tive quote. I have a bag of gle-Family District be planted with trees, grass, shrubs or other ground cover capable of candy. Every PR they get preventing soil erosion prior to the erection of any building, structure or enlargement of to take home a trick-ora building dr structure. treat size piece of candy. Section 2 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 78-196 ofthe Village Code to add Every PR they get to take a requirement that all unpaved surfaces in lots and parcels used for a single-family home their little reward. It dwelling in the R-2 Medium Density Single-Family District be planted with trees, grass, is constantly remembering shrubs or other ground cover capable ofpreventing soil erosion. that we’re working hard in Section 3 of the Ordinance adds Section 78-226(11) of the Village Code to practice for a reason.” require all unpaved surfaces in lots and parcels in the R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District be planted with trees, grass, shrubs or other ground cover capable ofpreventing VanderZwaag and soph­ omore Sophie Gaylord soil erosion. Section 4 ofthe Ordinance provides for the severability ofthe Ordinance in the both won two individual event a portion ofthe Ordinance is determined to be unenforceable. races Thursday. Section 5 ofthe Ordinance provides that the Ordinance is effective seven days VanderZwaag won the after its publication or publication of a summary of its provisions in a local newspaper 200-yard individual medof general circulation in the Village. ley in 2:20.96 and the 100breaststroke in A copy of Ordinance No. 2132 may be examined or purchased at the Village yard 1:13.83. Gaylord won the -offices, 100 East Main Street, within the Village, during Village office hours. 100-yard butterfly in 1:01.60 and the 100-yard Dated: September 28, 2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE backstroke in 1:03.94. ifliriunc �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 7, 2023 VIKINGS, continued from page 15 Keegstra second in 1:01.62. The team ofjunior Izzy Leason, junior Taylor Cole, Restau and Van Hofwegen won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:50.65. The CLS team honored its four seniors prior to the meet. That group includes Keegstra, Olivia Shenefield, Anna Haverdink and Grace Bryant. Keegstra was a team captain a year ago, and continues to show out­ standing leadership while spreading a love of the sport according to coach Pearson. The Viking coach said Haverdink is one ofthe best motivators in the group and is closing in on her big goals for the season in the 50-yard freestyle after dropping about a second and a half from her PR in the race Thursday. Shenefield got to compete forjust the second time this season, and coach Pearson was really happy to see her coming on ready to com­ pete while working hard to improve her form too. Senior captain Bryant is unable to compete any­ more this fall though with a broke wrist. “This girl is still show­ ing up to every single pracCaledonia/Lowell/South Christian junior diver Elise tice and every single meet,” Miller twists high above the water while performing Pearson said. “It has been dive 5223D during her team’s OK Red Conference really good to see her be so victory at East Kentwood High School Thursday. supportive and mentoring (Photo by Brett Bremer) the young athletes when Van Hofwegen won the 50-yard freestyle in 26.49 with teammate Restau sec­ ond in that race in 27.61. The Vikings also had a 1-2 finish in the 100-yard freestyle with Kerkstra winning in 1:01.52 and More than a provider, were your partner in wellness. CLS junior Bella Treib races to a victory in the 500-yard freestyle during the Vikings’ OK Red Conference win at East Kentwood High School Thursday night. (Photo by Brett Bremer) you have that major disap­ pointment of ‘this is my sport, I have been doing this for years and now I can’t.’” The CLS girls are now currently 1-3 in the OK Red Conference this fall. The CLS girls go to Mason Tuesday night, Oct. 10, for a non-conference dual and then will visit Grand Haven for another OK Red Conference dual Thursday, Oct. 17. TK singles players win top flights at Gold finale Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg junior Kameron Nichols proved the OK Gold Conference’s top player this fall going 10-0 in his conference matches includ­ ing a perfect 3-0 day at the OK Gold Conference Championship Tournament Wednesday. The Thomapple Kellogg boys had their best-ever finish at the OK Gold Conference Tournament, played on the courts at TK and South Christian High School, placing second behind only the conference champions from Forest Hills Eastern who are cur­ rently ranked fourth in the state in Division 3. Nichols went 6-0 at first singles during the confer­ ence duals, and won a match against Grand Rapids Catholic Central at second singles. Nichols got to face the Cougars’ top player, Charlie Lindemann, at the conference tournament Wednesday and pulled out a three-set victory after fall- ing in a tiebreaker in the opening set oftheir match. Lindemann outscored Nichols 7-4 in their first-set tiebreaker, but Nichols ral­ lied for a 6-0 win in the second set and then fin­ ished offthe win with a 6-1 win in the third set of the championship match. Lindemann was playing his second three-setter of the tournament after he knocked off Kenowa Hills’ Logan TenBrink 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the semifinals. Nichols opened his championship run with a 6-0,6-2 win over Wayland’s Austin Graham and then beat Ike Schroetenboer from South Christian 6-3, 6-0 in the semifinals. Raphael Fre Fresse De Monval, who filled the first singles spot in the Trojans’ regular season dual with Catholic Central before set­ tling in at second singles, won his flight too. He out­ scored Forest Hills Eastern’s Justin Hunter 6-3, 6-4 in the championship round after opening his day with convincing wins over the number two players from Wayland and South Christian. DeMonval’s only loss so far this season was a tight defeat against Lindemann in their conference dual. He has gone 9-0 at second sin­ gles since then. As a team, TK went 4-2-1 in OK Gold Conference duals this fall. The Trojan team also had Jacob Draaisma place sec­ ond at third singles and Franklin Wilkinson place fourth at fourth singles. On the doubles side, the TK team got a fourth-place finish from the number one team ofAnson Verlinde and Aidan Dudik. Dylan Bailey and Andrew Beckering at second doubles, Daniel Beckering and Tom Lorach at third doubles and Landon Conroy and Kyan Haywood at fourth doubles all placed third at their flights. The TK boys return to action Friday, Oct. 13, at their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional Tournament host­ ed by Holland High School. SCAN THE QR CODE TO SCHEDULE ONLINE! Trinity Health Medical Group, Primary Care - Caledonia 10047 Crossroads Ct SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Trinity Health We See All of You ™ ■ Members of the Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys* tennis team celebrate their team’s runner-up finish at the^dK Gold Conference Tournament Wednesday on the courts at South Christian High School. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-10-21.pdf 5656348d3151d967db186df5d303c439 PDF Text Text 77?d S^a^iud Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 42/ October 21,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Residents speak out on M-37 project, subarea plan Community Green Park in Caledonia was the scene of a minor vandalism incident last month and township leaders are seeking charges in the matter. (Photo provided) Township seeks charges in Community Green vandalism Michigan Department of Transportation engineer Thomas Sabin fields a question from a Caledonia Township resident at Wednesday’s public meeting on the M-37 project. (Photos by Greg Chandler) Greg Chandler StaffWriter Dave Ambrose was the first homeowner to settle in the Graymoor neighborhood of Caledonia Township, just off the comer of M-37 and 76th Street, about four years ago. He understands the need for improvements to M-37, but has some concerns about how the project might affect his family and their neighbors. “We hear the accidents from our house,” Ambrose said. “Yeah, it’s a big impact on us. We have concerns about the adding of the extra lanes what does that do for the noise in our neighborhood, ifthey’re going to take out trees?” Ambrose was among more than 100 people who turned out Wednesday for two public input sessions hosted by the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Grand Region to share the latest update on plans to widen M-37 from its present two-lane con­ figuration to a four-lane boule­ vard from just north of 76th Street to just south of 92nd Street. Construction on the project had been scheduled to take place in 2025, but has now been pushed back to 2026, MDOT spokesman John Richard said. Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said he was encour­ aged by the turnout for the input sessions. “It showed that people are paying attention, that they care about this project,” Harrison said. “I think most ofthe com­ ments I heard were construc­ tive. I think that’s the point of holding these public hearings. I think it’s encouraging that the state has chosen to fund the project I want to see it go for­ ward. I think it’s important that as we grow, we have the infra­ structure that softens the effect ofgrowth on the community.” Harrison and other local officials campaigned for years to get MDOT to widen the highway in response to growth in the community. Resident Charlie Hardy said the project is way overdue. “We’ve lived here for 20 years, and I’d say over 20 years ago would have been a good time (to start),” Hardy said. The M-37 project finally began to take shape last year after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a $4.8 billion infrastructure package that was approved by the state Legislature. The package included $40 million in fund­ ing for M-37. Current state Sen. Thomas Albert, who at the time chaired the House Appropriations Committee, was influential in getting the project included in the infra­ structure package. The M-37 project includes median crossovers for left turns at 76th, 84th and 92nd streets. While MDOT officials say the project will significant­ ly reduce traffic congestion and crashes on M-37, some who came feel the project will only push the problem ofcon­ gestion and traffic backups further south. “They’re taking the bottle­ neck from 76th to 84th (Street), and they’re pushing it to ... 100th (Street),” said Diana White, who lives in the Cherry Valley Meadows condomini­ um complex. The future site of the new Dutton Elementary School, at the southeast corner of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. (Photo by Greg Chandler) School, district officials ended up with a case ofstick­ er shock when supply .chain issues and COVID-related price spikes for building materials drove bid prices $9 tion and discussed the incident. “I expressed my per­ sonal view that I want to discourage late-night activity, which is trespass­ ing, vandalism, drug use,” Harrison said. Nugent said she had seen video footage of the incident. “She was fully aware that there was a camera, and laughed at the camera and just kept doing it. It wasn’t like they didn’t know they were being watched. They knew they were being watched. They continued doing drugs and vandalizing the property,” Nugent said. Township Treasurer Richard Robertson expressed concern that only one of the teens had been identified through the video. “My concern is, what about the rest of them?” Robertson asked. “You watch enough television See VANDALISM, page 3 See M-37 PROJECT, page 2 Bids for Dutton School earthwork, utilities come in nearly $1.1M under budget Greg Chandler StaffWriter The last time Caledonia Community Schools went out for bids on construction of the new Dutton Elementary Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Township will seek charges against at least one teenager in connection with a vandal­ ism incident at the Community Green Park last month. Township Manager Alison Nugent reported that the incident occurred on Sept. 14. “The father in this case wants to pay for fixing it so his child avoids prose­ cution,” Nugent told the Township Board at Wednesday night’s board meeting. In her report to the board, Nugent wrote that a group of teens was caught on camera using drugs and damaging park property. One teen was identified and has been contacted by the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, she wrote. Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison met earli­ er on Wednesday with the lieutenant from the sher­ iff’s department substa- million over budget, putting the project on hold. The news is much better so far for the district as it begins approving contracts for construction of the new school to be built at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. On Monday night, the See NEW SCHOOL, page 3 • Park and trails a focal point of proposed Caledonia Twp. budget • Cal schools end fiscal year with unexpected surplus • MiCHILIgan hammock hang fill wet weekend at Deep Lake • Caledonia football back on track with victory at East Kentwood • Scots' Velting keeps dropping time on fast course at Riverside Park �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 M-37 PROJECT, continued from page 1 White also expressed con­ cern about how the project might negatively affect the strip ofbusinesses on the west side ofM-37, starting with the Glen Valley neighborhood and going south. “All they’re doing is creat­ ing another problem, big time,” said Linda DeBoer, who also lives in the Cherry Valley Meadows condos. White and DeBoer believe MDOT should have built the boulevard all the way to 108th Street, at the Kent-Barry County line, or not at all. However, the funds were not available to go further south with the boulevard con­ cept, Richard said. “There’s so many things we between 76th and 92nd with a want to do, to every one ofour short four-lane boulevard roads,” he said. “But we’re around the 84th Street inter­ handcuffed a lot oftimes, just section, the other being a fivelane option with no median, because of funding. MDOT has also presented a and again a four-lane boule­ couple of other alternatives to vard around 84th. But state the boulevard concept — one officials have made it clear being a so-called “no build” that the boulevard concept is option that matches the current their preferred choice. MDOT has been conducttwo-to-three-lane alignment ing an environmental assess­ ment of the project since spring, and that assessment isn’t expected to be complet­ ed until May 2024. One of the potential areas being studied is a wetland area near the Lepard Nature Preserve off M-37 and 76th Street where Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes — Michigan’s Tyler Kent of the Michigan Department of Transportation reviews plans for the M-37 project with attendees of Wednesday’s public meeting. More than 100 people turned out at the Caledonia Township Hall to learn more about the M-37 project this week. only venomous snake — are potential development, keep­ ing the land south of 92nd said to reside. The environmental impact Street as farmland. That study must be completed change is being proposed as before MDOT can begin the an amendment to the town­ process of acquiring right-of- ship master plan, which was way to accommodate the bou­ last updated in 2018. Township Planner Lynee levard construction. As a result, bids for the project are Wells said it made sense for not expected to be received the township to hold the open until fall 2025, pushing the house on the subarea plan in anticipated start of construc­ conjunction with the M-37 tion to the spring of 2026, public input session. Richard said. “When we think about As part of the M-37 con­ ■transportation and our circula­ struction, MDOT is proposing tion system, we also have to be to realign the trail located mindful ofwhat the land uses along the east side of M-37 are around that roadway. That and Cherry Valley Avenue was one of the reasons why between 84th and 92nd streets. (we scheduled our open house The trail would be shifted to to coincide with MDOT). the east to accommodate the Transportation and land use widened roadway. During are so closely related,” Wells construction, the trail section said. will be closed with no alter­ “The other (reason we nate route. MDOT will need to held it) is that we’re cogni­ acquire additional land for the zant that people are busy. We trail relocation, said Sheila didn’t want to have people Upton, a resource analyst for have to come out twice. It’s a MDOT. busy time of year. We While the second public thought, why not do them input session was taking both (at the same time)?” place inside the meeting Harrison agreed. room of the Township Hall, “We know Caledonia’s the township was holding a going to continue to grow, so companion open house in the we continue to try to be hall lobby to provide an smarter and better ofhow we update on the M-37 subarea prepare for that growth. I land use proposal. In late March, the township think M-37 is a response to that growth, I think the sub­ took comments on a conceptu­ area plan is trying to be pro­ al plan for a large area of active and give us some farmland on the east side of options so that as we grow, GAMES-CANDY-DOUNCE HOUSES-FOOD-FBEE1599 FIRST BAPTIST Middleville M-37, between the Cherry Meadow Business Park and 100th Street. The concept that was presented showed the 790-acre subarea could be eventually redeveloped into a mix of land uses, including single family and multi-family residential, commercial and green space. However, that concept ran into opposition from many residents, who expressed concerns about the loss of the community’s rural char­ acter. That led township the effects are more benefits than burdens,” Harrison said. If you weren’t able to attend the M-37 input ses­ sions, comments are still being accepted through Nov. 18. They can be submitted by using an online comment form or by mail, email or phone to Monica Monsma at MonsmaM@Michigan.gov, at 425 W. Ottawa St., P.O. Box 30059, Lansing, MI 48909 or at (517) 335-4381. Residents can also sign up online to receive project �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023/ Page 3 NEW SCHOOL, continued from page 1 board authorized its general contractor, The Christman Company, to award contracts for earthwork, site utilities and temporary site fencing. Most notably, bids for the earthwork and site utilities came in nearly $1.1 million under budget. The low bid from Zeeland­ based DeSai Excavating for the earthwork and site utili­ good start, and provides us ties came in at $1,803,815. with a little cushion for some Christman engineers had of our other bid categories,” estimated the cost for those Interim Superintendent Dirk line items at $2,902,246, Weeldreyer told the school according to a memo from board. the company to CCS The Dutton project was Executive Director of made possible by voter Operations and approval in May of a $61 Transportation Matt Hess. million bond issue. The dis­ “It gets us off to a really trict has allocated $40 mil- lion of the bond issue fund­ ing for the new elementary, which will replace the cur­ rent Dutton building on 68th Street. The new school is scheduled to open in the fall of2025. The contract for the tem­ porary site fencing will go to Grandville-based Straight Line Fencing, which bid $74,070. The engineer’s esti­ mate was $65,000, according to the Christman memo to Hess. “This is fencing to pro­ tect the site during the con­ struction period,” Weeldreyer said. “This is not the actual fencing that you will see at the end, but it’s the temporary construc- tion fencing.” Eight companies bid on the earthwork and site utili­ ties contract while three firms submitted bids for the site fencing, Weeldreyer said. More contracts tied to the Dutton construction are expected to be awarded next month. Proposed Caledonia Twp. budget may use reserves for parks, trails Greg Chandler year than what it has Nugent said. StaffWriter received so far this year, to “We collected a lot more Caledonia Township $651,416. The township is money this past year than plans to use more than $2.2 expected receive another we had anticipated,” Nugent million out of its savings $1.6 million in state reve­ said, noting the township for various parks and recre­ nue sharing and another received $123,278 in earned ation projects next year. $100,000 in earned interest, interest this year, well Township Manager Alison Nugent unveiled her first budget proposal since assuming her role as man­ ager at Wednesday night’s township board meeting. Nugent has proposed a gen­ eral fund budget of $5,088,435, with the largest line item being capital out­ lay in parks and recreation at $3,214,088. Nugent has proposed the use of $2,287,994 out of fund balance, which would be used for trail improve­ ments, acquiring additional parkland and construction of the Community Green maintenance building, she said. If approved, the use of that fund balance would bring down the township’s expected general fund reserves to $1,541,372 by the end ofnext year, accord­ Caledonia Township Manager Alison Nugent dis­ ing to the budget document. The township is expected cusses the proposed 2024 township budget at to generate nearly $50,000 Wednesday night’s board meeting. (Photo by Greg more in tax revenues this Chandler) VANDALISM, continued from page 1 (crime dramas), can you get her to roll over on her bud­ dies for a lesser sentence?” “She has so far refused to identify any other individu­ als involved,” Harrison responded. “Short of facing the consequences, she prob­ ably won’t. Add it to the list. You were in the park after dark, which isn’t allowed, you’re using drugs, you’ve damaged the property, and now you’re not cooperating and show­ ing any good faith that you have some regret for your actions, it doesn’t seem to me.” Damage from the inci­ dent was only about $100, but Harrison said there’s a larger lesson to be learned. “It’s the behavior that we want to discourage. Even though no one wants to see their daughter prosecuted, she was in a park, using drugs and damaging prop­ erty. I think that has conse­ quences,” he said. “I would encourage us to send a mes­ sage to anyone who would (engage in) those type of activities to our property. They won’t be tolerated.” above the expected amount of $25,000. “We’re in a very good interest rate environment for saving, not for borrow­ ing, but for saving,” Township Treasurer Richard Robertson added. “What I discussed with Alison is that’s based on $5 million in our checkbook. By the end of this year, we’ll have shelled out $2 million more for the trail ... even though the rates remain pretty high, our bal­ ances in these accounts is going to go down signifi­ cantly, so we’ll have less money working for us.” The proposed budget would raise the salary for Township Clerk Joni Henry from her current level of $17,523 to $27,291. The increase is intended to address additional elections duties Henry is responsible for. “That was a request made because of all the elections that are coming up in the next year and all the train­ ings that have been done. We have all these election law changes that have hap­ pened,” Nugent said. Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said the role of the clerk has changed. “The amount of work for an election has increased. Elections are no longer a single-day event, they’re (held over) multiple days. There’s absentee (ballot) requirements, notifications, mailings, things like that,” Harrison said. The board could consider per diem compensation for the clerk’s elections work. Henry said she will soon provide more details on her additional election respon- sibilities to the board to help her colleagues decide whether to approve the increase. The budget proposal also includes $400,000 for law enforcement and $ 1,471,900 for the fire department. Both items are funded by a separate tax levy from the general fund. Nugent is also proposing a funding boost for commu­ nity promotions, from $31,000 this year to $50,000 next year. “It’s up to the board to decide what they want (in terms of funding the line item), but that just includes all of the events,” she said. If you want to do more events, (the funding is there).” The board will hold a public hearing next month before approving the bud­ get. can <s> 4TH NOVEMBER DUNCAN LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Caledonia Township Trustee Dale Hermenet (left) asks Township Manager Alison Nugent (right) a ques­ tion about the recent vandalism at the Community Green Park during Wednesday night’s Township Board meeting, as Trustee Richard Snoeyink (center) listens. • DMC Floss • New Collection Cotton * Cotton Flannel - Prints & Solid Colors ‘Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station Habitat Quilt Tickets A vailable Here. Drawing October 25th at noon CALEDONIA ARTS& CRAFT SHOW 2025 10:00AM - 3:OOPM FREE ADMISSION HANDMADE CRAFTS WITH MORE THAN 1OO VENDORS! ALL FUNDS RAISED BENEFIT THE • CALEDONIA SENIOR CENTER • INSPIREMENOW.ORG 616-891-8117 �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 Kimberly De Weese Sovern Sarah Jane (Wood) Nichols Sarah Jane (Wood) Nichols passed away peacefully in Kalamazoo, MI, on October 14, 2023, having graced this world with her thoughtful and generous presence since July 3, 1954. Bom in Charlotte, MI, Sarah created a vibrant legacy that spanned family, work, and community. She is survived by her sons, Jim (Jodi) Nichols, and Bill (Allison Bazaire) Nichols, along with three grandchildren who were her utmost delight: Easton, Keiser, and Eli Nichols. Sarah’s siblings Nancy Adams, Norm (Jackie) Wood, Wilmott (Deborah) Wood, Edgar Wood, and John (Nicole) Wood, and their fam­ ilies, share in the loss. Her loving sisters-in-law, Mary Dewaid, Pat Nichols and Sandy Wood, and brother-in­ law, Larry (Brigette) Nichols, will forever remember her warmth. Sarah was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Harold Nichols, daughter, Mary Nichols, her parents, and brother, Robert Wood. • Beyond her family by blood, Sarah’s unwavering heart held a chosen family dear. Lacey (Brian) Helmus, and their children Ellie, Laylee, and Jack, as well as the broader Patterson family equally mourn their loss. Sarah had numerous “other kids” that she loved and cher­ ished their presence in her life.. Starting as a teen, Sarah served the State of Michigan for nearly 39 years - a position she initially took up for three months at the tender age of 16. Her dedication to her work was clear evidence of her tenacity and commitment. On June 16, 1979, Sarah married the love of her life, Harold Nichols. During their 38 years together before Harold’s passing in December 2016, the couple savored their shared passion for travel. Sarah’s selflessness shone brightly through an annual Easter egg hunt tradition she started even before she had children of her own. This event celebrated its 40th year last Easter, bringing Sarah immense joy as she filled over 3,000 eggs, witnessing hun­ dreds of thrilled children par­ ticipating. Sarah was part of the con­ gregation of the First Baptist Church in Middleville. People remember her as a woman who was both thoughtful and generous, willing to extend her hand to help anyone in need. Sarah’s spirit will be missed not only by her family but also by her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who are left to cherish her memory. Sarah made a mark on this world with the love she spread, the work she accomplished, and the families she built. As we mourn her passing, we also celebrate the values, love, and joy she brought into our lives. A celebration of Sarah’s life was conducted on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Middleville, Pastor Nate Archer officiated. Sarah will be laid to rest next to her husband at Mount Hope Cemetery in Middleville. Memorial contributions to the Mary Fund will be appre­ ciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfimeral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence message for Sarah’s family. Arrangements made by Beeler-Gores Funeral Home. Kimberly DeWeese Sovern, age 64, of Middleville, MI, passed away on October 9, 2023. Kim was bom on October 26,1958 in Battle Creek, MI, the daughter of Joseph and Marilyn (Hume) DeWeese. Kim’s greatest passion in life was and always has been her family. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, James Sovern; daughters, Kameron (David) Clark of Mears and Kassidy (Steve) Hall of Grand Rapids. Though she loved her hus­ band and daughters they could hold no match to her four biggest treasures, her grandchildren, Jamison and Hadley Clark, and Graycen and Emersyn Hall. Kim is survived by her sister, Kristina (Brett) Darwin of Alabama; nephews, Ean and Evan Darwin and niece, Meghanne Ullrich-Garland ofBattle Creek. Kim was preceded in death by her parents. A celebration of life will be held in Kim’s honor on November 4, 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home in Middleville. In lieu of flowers, dona­ tions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit www.beelergoresfimeral.com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Kim’s family. The Big 1-0-0! Bev Eimer, a resident at Carveth Village in Middleville, turned 100 years old early this week. Born on Oct. 16, 1923, Eimer was treated to a cake from her friends at Carveth Village. Eimer enjoys music and game shows. Her favor­ ite food is ice cream and her favor­ ite flowers are roses. She has five children and many more grand children. When asked if she felt 100 years old, she said “not today!” ala^^ Slch —Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9:30 AM Fellowship Time 10:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Youth Gathering 5:00 PM Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service 10:30 AM Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http:/1 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages .com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 1664 M-37 (269) 795-2391 Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS MIDDLEVILLE: Church: Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. OURNEY C H U R C H CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE 9:30 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 _________www.stpaulcaledonia.org @thejchurch Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School---------- 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM vcritfh I MTta Watch our services from our website (see above) 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising Cod through Hymns • Reading Cod’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship........................ Community Group..................................... 10:00 a.m. 11 ;00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY ^/CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www,tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023/ Page 5 Cal schools consider transportation software proposal Greg Chandler StaffWriter Parents of students in the Caledonia Community Schools could soon be able to track where their kids are on bus rides to and from school. The district’s Board of Education Monday discussed purchasing a software package from Tyler Technologies that includes an advanced bus rout­ ing system, fleet maintenance scheduling, field trip planning and an app that parents can download to track the location of their child’s school bus. School officials say the new software will make the bus system more efficient and cut down on ride times and trans­ portation costs. “Just knowing where our buses are, real-time, is import­ ant,” CCS • Assistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury said. The new system would replace the current PolyPlot routing system that has been used to create bus routes in the Caledonia district The creator of PolyPlot, Oakland Intermediate School District in metropolitan Detroit is no longer going to service the system. “This is a natural (time) for us to look at a replacement for PolyPlot,” Kingsbury said. CCS Transportation Director Michaellita Fortier worked with Tyler Technologies’ TRAVERSA software program in her previ­ ous position as transportation director at Comstock Park Public Schools. “In July 2018, I had one month to implement a brand new software (program) and get buses ready to go by Aug. 12,” Fortier said. “It was very difficult because I had to bring myselfup to speed ... and my dispatcher up to speed. We were able to get it done within six weeks. I am absolutely comfortable with it” Implementing the TRAVERSA system would require an investment of $118,421 — about two-thirds of it in one-time costs for pur­ chasing, programming and installation of software as well as installation of GPS hard­ ware. The remaining costs — $38,822 — are in software Middleville TOPS 546 The Oct. 16 meeting opened with two new fish in the fishbowl. Three fish fell out. Virginia led a discussion on what’s bothering us. What can we do as a chal­ lenge? Suggestions includ­ ed: to lose what was gained, to have a weight loss more than one week in a row, not coming home with goodies from the grocery store only healthy foods, and to definitely lose weight next week. Linda lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meet­ ing. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meet­ ing is free. Caledonia Twp. to seek new bids for Community Green maintenance building Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Board is making a second attempt to get bids for the con­ struction of a maintenance building at the Community Green Park. The board Wednesday approved a measure to seek requests for proposals for building the structure at the end of Higley Street, south­ west of the main park proper­ tyIn June 2022, the Township Board rejected bids for the maintenance building when they came in $79,000 higher than the $400,000 that had been budgeted. Township Trustee Greg Zoller said contractors will have options in terms of how they want to bid on the project. (They) can bid post-frame or they can bid (constructing the building with a) founda­ tion, and we can see who is cheapest,” Zoller said. “That opens it up to more bidders here’s the basic plan, and then we would ... give them the option (to build it) foundation or post-frame.” Township Treasurer Richard Robertson raised objections to the exterior building materials that Zoller proposed for the maintenance building, saying they don’t fit with the township’s recent­ ly-adopted architectural stan­ dards. “The outside of the build­ ing, under our ordinance, has to be 75 percent masonry or an acceptable material, which is wood (or) Hardie board. Steel ... is not one of the acceptable materials,” Robertson said. The architectural stan­ dards, which were approved two years ago, apply to com­ mercial, mixed-use, multi-family residential, townhouse and duplex build­ ings within the highway commercial zone district as well as the Broadmoor and Cherry Valley overlay areas. They do not apply to sin­ gle-family homes. “Ifwe’re going to lay down these rules for others, we ought to be willing to apply them to ourselves,” Robertson added. But Zoller said that one of the options he proposed was identical to an earlier proposal Robertson had presented when the project was first discussed. “There was no changes with what you wanted us to approve a number of months ago,” Zoller said. Robertson said his first pro- posal called for a stone or block structure, which would have met the architectural standards. But the costs for that option were too high. Zoller said making changes could delay the start of con­ struction. But Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said the township should honor the architectural stan­ dards. “People hate it when gov­ ernment exempts itself from the rules - the rules are good enough for others but not for us,” Harrison said. “We’ve designed a build­ ing to meet our needs. We should include specs that we impose on others, and we should build that building,” he added. Harrison suggested adding steel as an acceptable materi­ al. The board unanimously approved the building speci­ fications, to bring it in com­ pliance with the architectural standards, and solicit propos­ als. The Community Green maintenance building con­ struction will be paid for by a combination of general fund dollars and funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. licensing fees as well as fees for the My Ride K-12 app. The district has been paying $9,000 annually for the PolyPlot system, Fortier said. “I (compare it between) a cab and an Uber,” Fortier said in comparing the two systems. ‘When a cab comes to get you, youjust don’t know when they’re coming and you hope for the best. (With) Uber, you can pull up your phone and you can track the car coming to you. That’s the way to look at the way these two compare to one another. “PolyPlot has done its job as far as getting the routes together, but TRAVERSA allows us to be the Uber and we make sure that we can pro­ vide the parents with all the information that they need, and in a timely manner.” The district will have to purchase GPS tracking devic­ es for 16 vehicles in its fleet to coincide with the new soft­ ware at a cost of about $1,000 per vehicle. The GPS tracking devices, as well as the GPS hardware and installation costs, would be covered by state school safety grant fund­ ing, while ongoing costs from software licensing would be paid out of the district general fund, Kingsbury said. About $40,000 has been budgeted in the 2023-24 fiscal year for the software purchase, Chief Financial Officer Sara DeVries said. If approved, CCS would begin implementing the TRAVERSA system at the midway point of the school year, with the process of map­ ping bus routes expected to take 3-4 months. The system is expected to be in full opera­ tion by next fall, Fortier wrote in a memo to the school board. The purchase of the TRAVERSA system is expected to come up for a vote at the board’s next meeting in November. School Board President Marcy White is encouraged by the proposal. “I think we’ll have parents that will be pleased because I think they have been asking for some time ifwe will have systems that allow them to track buses ... I anticipate that will be a positive change for parents,” White said. vai auiiwia vnu iiavcn ycrcii with unexpected $1.3M surplus Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools had expected to dip into its reserves by more than $2 million during the 2022-23 fiscal year. Instead, the district bolstered its fund balance by more than $1.3 million, according to the result ofits audit CCS ended the fiscal year with a surplus of $1,334,623, on revenues of $70,910,584 and expenditures of $69,575,961, Chief Financial Officer Sara DeVries told the school board Monday night. The district now has reserves of $10,377,344, rep­ resenting slightly less than 15 percent ofthe district’s spend­ ing, DeVries said. Kevyn Kozumplik from the Grand Rapids-based accounting firm Gabridge and Co. presented results of the audit to the school board’s Finance and Operations Committee on Oct. 10. There were several factors contributing to the better-than-expected financial numbers, including an infu­ sion of funding through the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency “That was great because in Relief (ESSER) program that was part of the American the prior two years with Rescue Plan Act that was COVID, we had seen decline passed in response to the (in enrollment),” she said. The district is expected to COVID-19 pandemic. The district has received $10 mil­ dip into those reserves in the lion in ESSER funding since current fiscal year. The school 2020, DeVries said. board in June approved a 2023­ CCS spent more than $3.62 24 budget with expenditures of million in ESSER funding for $69,854,877 and revenues of the year for interventionist $68,097,065, resulting in the teachers, itinerant teachers, use of$1,757,812 ofsavings. mental health supports, staff The board eliminated 11.5 training, tutoring and English teaching positions that had been language learning programs for created through ESSER funding the year. The district has close when the current budget was to $2.8 million of remaining adopted, with the people who funding that must be spent by held those jobs being moved to the end of September 2024, other teaching positions to fill openings created by retirement DeVries said. CCS also experienced an or resignation. The remaining enrollment increase of 29 stu­ ESSER-funded positions are dents from the fall of 2021 to expected to be eliminated in the the fall of2022, DeVries said. 2024-25 budget Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED WORKSHOPS at cornerstone ■ ■ ■ ■ TOPIC: SUICIDE PREVENTION Wednesday, November 8 | 6:30-8pm | 84th St. Campus Join us for a workshop with guest speakers Richard TenHoor and Sue Toman, where they’ll be sharing with us about the crucial topic of suicide prevention. After their son Eric died by suicide in 2013, Richard and Sue both became certified to teach QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer, an evidence-based suicide prevention workshop. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlech Maneuver help save lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. This event is recommended for adults, or older teens accompanied by a parent. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the workshop, as well as conversation about further resources available to those who struggle with mental health. Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Classes ------ cornerstonechu �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 Middleville DDA seeks new board member Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Middleville Downtown Development Authority is looking to fill an opening on its board. But there’s a catch. Applicants must live in the DDA district. Its bylaws require one member to reside within the district. “We’ve received some inquiries (about the open­ ing). Unfortunately, due to the restrictions of the board member needing to live in the district, it is a bit chal­ lenging,” DDA Director Gretchen James said at Tuesday’s board meeting. Anyone who lives in the DDA district who might be interested in serving can con­ tact James or DDA Board Chairwoman Kim Jachim, apply online or come into Village Hall for an applica­ tion. In other business Tuesday: — James announced that four new sculptures for the downtown area will be revealed at a brief ceremony at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday, shortly before the Village Council meets. Three of the sculptures will be located in the area of the stagecoach gazebo and a fourth at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion, James said. — DDA board member Andrew Beck asked his fel­ low board members to con­ sider a letter of support for changing the village’s ordi­ nance that currently bans off­ road vehicles on village streets. Beck submitted a petition in February signed by more than 50 businesses seeking to lift the ban. The Village Council is expected to discuss any changes to the ordinance at its Nov. 7 com­ mittee of the whole meeting. The DDA may hold a special meeting beforehand to con­ sider Beck’s request. Beck said he would abstain from any vote the DDA board may take. — James presented the authority’s proposed budget for next year. It anticipates an overall 5 percent increase in tax captures from the vil­ lage and Thornapple Township, for a total of $210,594, out oftotal expect­ ed revenues of $233,595. Expected expenditures are $230,141, a slight decline from this year’s budget of $237,292. The budget pro­ poses a 3 percent increase for the events line item (from $19,000 to $19,570). The events budget will support Heritage Days, Christmas on the River, the Riverbank Music Series, Movies Under the Stars, and the Independence Day celebra­ tion (the latter in partnership with the Middleville Lions Club). The facade budget would be reduced by 6.8 per­ cent from $75,000 to $70,000. — The board voted to invite a Thomapple Kellogg High School student to join the board as a non-voting member. “It would give us a liaison to the high school and also would give that student an opportunity to see how government functions, possi­ bly putting (in) National Honor Society hours. I think it’s a win-win for all of us,” Jachim said. DDA will con­ tact the school to see if there are any students who might be interested in the position. — The board voted to spend no more than $300 for repainting the big chair next to Village Hall. The TKHS art program has been paint­ ing the chair for more than six years. “They are out of paint,” Jachim said. Every other year the big chair is repainted and is relocated alternately between the green space next to Village Hall and the high school. Barry County Road Commission names headquarters after retiring managing director Greg Chandler StaffWriter “Dependable. Predictable. Results-oriented ... consis­ tent, competitive, a mentor.” This is how Barry County Road Commissioner Frank Fiala described outgoing Road Commission Managing Director Brad Lamberg on Tuesday, in paying tribute to the man who has led the county road agency since October 1997. Moments later, commis­ sioners unanimously approved a resolution renam­ ing the Road Commission’s administrative headquarters as the Bradley S. Lamberg Administration Building. “The Barry County road commissioners wish to honor Mr. Lamberg for his excep­ tional service and have his legacy remembered by future generations,” Assistant Managing Director Jake Welch read from the resolu­ tion. Lamberg will officially retire at the end of the year. He is the longest-serving managing director in the Road Commission’s 107-year history, Welch said. “You have left this organi­ zation and the taxpayers of Barry County in an excep­ tional position for future suc­ cess,” Road Commission Board Chairman David Solmes said. “While it wasn’t always popular, you have always chosen to do what is right and not just take the easy route. “You took time to make sure the board had sufficient information — at times a little too much information — but you always took time to make sure we had the best informa­ tion to make the best decision possible. For all this, I’d like to say a heartfelt ‘thank you.’ Thank you for making the Barry County Road Commission the top (road commission) in the state of Michigan.” Lamberg thanked the com- missioners for their kind words. “It means a lot. I just want to thank you all. I appreciate all the friends and family I have here ... I won’t forget it. Thanks,” said Lamberg, who was joined at Tuesday’s meet­ ing by his wife, Michelle. Lamberg is leaving the Road Commission at a time where the county’s road net­ work is ranked the best in the state, as measured by the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council, which provides independent data on the condition of Michigan’s roads and bridges. In the most recent assess­ ment of roads that are under the Road Commission’s juris­ diction (not including state highways such as M-37, From left, Barry County Administrator Michael Brown, County Road Commission M-43 and M-179), only 3.1 Board Chairman David Solmes, retiring Managing Director Brad Lamberg, Road percent of them are rated in 04276678 Frank Fiala and Road Commissioner Jim James in front of the poor condition. Meanwhile, Road Commission administrative offices, which will now be known as the Bradley 53.4 percent of the roads S. Lamberg Administration Building. underjurisdiction ofthe Road Commission are rated in good condition and 43.6 percent are rate in fair condition. By and nurtured excellent rela­ comparison, in 2012, 26.2 tionships with township part­ percent of Barry County ners, the Barry County Board roads under Road of Commissioners, and many Commission jurisdiction other community groups in were rated in poor condition, and around Barry County,” according to the TAMC web­ Welch read from the resolu­ site. tion. The Road Commission has A graduate of Michigan jurisdiction over 1,067 miles State University with bache­ of roads in Barry County, of lor and master’s degrees in which 626 miles are paved. civil engineering, Lamberg Early in Lamberg’s tenure as joined the Road Commission managing director, the agen­ in 1996 as a project engineer cy was aggressive in paving after previously working for gravel roads, largely funded road agencies in Berrien and by local townships. The reso­ Newaygo counties. A year lution recognized Lamberg’s later, he was promoted to work in that area. managing director after the “Mr. Lamberg has created retirement ofJack Kineman. SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass . Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville . Lamberg has been actively involved with the County Road Association of Michigan, the organization that represents road commis­ sions across the state. He cur­ rently serves on the associa­ tion board and was its presi­ dent in 2014-15. Welch will officially assume the duties of manag­ ing director on Jan. 1, 2024. He joined the Road Commission as a project manager in 2013. Two years later, he was promoted to director of operations. In 2021, he was named engi­ neering director and last year was promoted to assistant managing director. “He’s been a huge mentor for me, and certainly helped me get where I am today,” Welch said ofLamberg. “I’m super thankful for that and thankful for the place he left this organization, because it’s made my life a heck of a lot easier. I’m looking for­ ward to the future and thrilled I got to work with him as long as I did.” �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023/ Page 7 Gaines planners begin changing zoning ordinance James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Township’s new zoning ordinance likely won’t be fully written and adopted until around January 2024. But the township planning commission has been approv­ ing individual chapters of the ordinance this fall as it goes through the step-by-step pro­ cess of overhauling the old ordinance. For example, at its Sept. 28 meeting, it approved a text amendment proposal to repeal Chapter 7 ofthe zoning ordinance and replace it with a new Chapter 7. The revision brings the medium- and high-density residential zon­ ing district into alignment with the township’s new master plan that was adopted earlier this year. The ordinance language authorizes development of housing in the “Village Residential” category spelled out in the master plan update. The township board also held a public hearing on Oct 9 for a proposal to amend a chapter of the zoning ordi­ nance and the zoning map that will define the difference between Office-Service (O-S) and Neighborhood Commercial (NC) and General Commerical (GC) zoning dis­ tricts. Several properties that cur­ rently are in the township’s General Commercial district would be rezoned into a new Neighborhood Commercial designation in order to entice more walkable, neighbor­ hood-type services that people can more easily access close to home. Community Development Director Dan Wells said the planning commission might tweak the ordinance chapters some more when the overall zoning ordinance is eventually adopted. A actions NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE Sale: Please notice Red Dot Stor­ age 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Caledonia, MI49316intends to hold an auc­ tion ofthe storage unit in default ofpayment This sale will occur online via www.storageauctions.com on 11/1/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment Unit num­ bers are as follows: #307; #343. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time withoutnotice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for detail. “There are a couple sections of the zoning ordinance that we’re moving on a little quicker than the overall effort,” he said. “The main reason being that we have so much (township) devel­ opment coming down the pike that we have to get ahead ofit, rather than be reactive at this point So, the Neighborhood Commercial changes and the medium-density residential changes are kind of priorities. So, we’re going to move on those quicker.” Township officials learned last year how urgent it was to and is now working to adopt the new zoning ordinance. It will serve as the legal docu­ ment for regulating all zoning in the township. And it will specify what kind of develop­ ment is allowed in each sec­ tion ofthe township. Part of the current discus­ sion involves proposed chang­ es in the Neighborhood Commercial and General Commercial categories that will be incorporated into the new zoning ordinance. Those changes will affect several businesses along the Division update the zoning ordinance Avenue corridor in Cutlerville and 14-year-old township and the 68th Street corridor in master plan after being sued Dutton. by a developer over a major The changes reflect the construction project. For near­ wishes of some stakeholders ly two years, Indianapolis- in the township that were based American Kendall expressed through a year-long Properties had pushed for public input process steered by township approval of an township planners. It solicited approximately $100 million input in a public survey and town center project called feedback in community sesPrairie Wolf Station. sions held at the township hall, The township board finally the library in Cutlerville and voted in February 2022 to the fire station in Dutton. Plus, reject the 82-acre mixed-use through township-wide mail­ housing and retail develop- ings and discussions at public ment on 84th Streetjust east of meetings. Kalamazoo Avenue. An entity called Caleydonia LLC, acting on behalf of American Kendall, then sued the township for $4 million, saying that kind of development was allowed under the old zoning ordinance by right. The township board agreed to reverse its decision that denied the project, and the lawsuit was eventually dismissed on a consent agreement in Kent County Circuit Court. So, the township is trying to specify in the new zoning ordinance exactly what is allowed to be built and where, before any more large developments are proposed. The township board adopted a new master plan and future land-use plan in April METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Several business owners, however, have been express­ ing their dissatisfaction with the revised zoning designations proposed under a draft of the new ordinance. They have spoken out at public hearings and in mailings to the township about not wanting to be moved into the new Neighborhood Commercial zoning district that is being proposed. Steve Tjapkes, a senior attorney with the Foster Swift law firm, spoke at the Oct. 9 board meeting on behalfof the owners of the former J & A Post Family Farm. The prop­ erty is adjacent to Dutton Shadyside Park. Last February, Green Development Ventures and Allen Edwin Homes pre- Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. $400. 269-223-9194. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly $400.00. 517-852-4881. 517-852-4881. sented a residential develop­ ment proposal to the planning commissionfortheThomapple Farms subdivision to be built there. It calls for 171 sin­ gle-family detached homes to be constructedjust north ofthe park. Most of the property is zoned as single-family resi­ dential (RL-14) and the devel­ opment would cover 96 acres along Hammond Avenue. Tjapkes said there is a resi­ dential parcel farther to the north on the former Post prop­ The shaded area shows the corridor along 68th erty at 3316 68th Street that is Street where businesses would be rezoned into the zoned residential (RL-10), proposed new Neighborhood Commercial district in plus a portion that is in the Dutton. (Image provided) Office-Service district He said that the O-S portion although the township mailed Even though it wasn’t his would now be placed under a letter to property owners fault, Wells apologized that the Neighborhood notifying them ofthe proposed Van Laan’s letter was not Commercial zoning district changes to zoning districts, not included in the meeting packet He said the owners of the everyone received the letter. and said it was not intentional. former Post property would He said the township letter He also said that the existing object to that also did not mention anything business owners who spoke at “Ifwe’re going to take that about a clause that allows the meeting will be able to opt part of the zoning map that property owners to opt out of out ofthe new zoning designa­ was previously part of a resi­ the proposed change in their tion if they contact the town­ dential zoning, and we’re now zoning designation to ship soon. Except for the going to show it on the zoning Neighborhood Commercial. northern section of the Post map as being in the Van Laan had requested at a property. Viola Post addressed the Neighborhood Commercial previous public meeting that district, then that would obvi­ the township send owners a township board. Her group ously preclude development letter spelling out exactly what owns the property between for residential,” Tjapkes said. the opt-out clause would mean 68th Street and Shadyside Wells clarified that - except for them. But he said that also Park. for single-family detached had not been done. “We’ve been in the process housing - residential develop­ A big question for many of of trying to sell it,” she said, ment would be possible within the owners who spoke at the noting that their builder is not the Neighborhood Oct 9 meeting was whether happy with the proposed Commercial designation. their businesses would be able changes in the zoning districts. A discussion was held con­ to expand or renovate under Tjapkes said that, as proper­ cerning the rezoning ofmulti­ the new Neighborhood ty owners begin to understand ple parcels along Division Commercial designation. what the changes would mean Avenue in Cutlerville and “What it means today, what for them, more and more of along 68th Street in Dutton. it means tomorrow, what it them are beginning to object Local business owner Steve means ifwe sell our business. to them. “Ifyou look at the updated Van Laan said he emailed a What it means ifwe sell our message to the township that property. All of these things, map of the opt-outs, you will was supposed to be included I’ve not seen anything on see a lot of doubts. There’s a in the board’s meeting packet that,” Van Laan said. lot of folks here who, when but was not. No one on the He added, “There is a lot of they understand what it means board said they received it. He mistrust by me and, I would to their business, want to opt said that suggests a lack of say, by a lot ofpeople because out,” he said. communication by township ofhow some ofthis is going. Tjapkes said his clients are staffers. Whether that was mistakes or interested in residential devel­ “So, maybe this just speaks ifit’s on purpose, I don’t know opment, not in being included to more ofmy point,” he said. what it is. But it’s greatly con­ in the new Neighborhood Van Laan noted that, cerning.” Commercial district. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial Wanted WANTED: OLD FASHIONED MAYTAG ringer washing ma­ chines. 517-852-0667. B usiness Services F4RM BUREAU INSURANCE* MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Micfayuie (nsur<utc& CtHKpajuf, -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd §68 1 1 CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fblnsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 MDARD Director celebrates Michigan Farm Bureau Agritourism Month, tours urges drivers to share the road with farm equipment Swiss Lane Farms Last week, Michigan to find that perfect pump- petting farm, pumpkin said Director patch, cow train and Department of Agriculture kin,” wagon rides, and other and Rural Development Boring; Swiss Lane Farms in Alto attractions. (MDARD) Director Tim Farmhaus Cider Co. is Boring was in West is a centennial farm based Michigan to celebrate off core values around their known for producing a Agritourism Month and family and religion. Swiss wide variety of ciders, all honor agritourism’s eco­ Lane finds success through made on location, on a nomic and social benefits to innovative farming tech­ 150-year-old family farm the state’s farms and com­ niques, a positive and that was restored. Farmhaus munities. Director Boring knowledgeable work envi- Cider is run in Michigan toured Swiss Lane Farms, ronment, with hard work­ with a thirst for change. Schwallier’s Country ing, cow loving people. The owners believe in challenges, Basket and Farm Haus Their mission is to continue embracing to grow in the dairy busi­ breaking the rules, and Cider Co. proving they can do things Earlier this month, ness. Schwallier’s Country their way. Governor Gretchen Throughout 2023, Whitmer proclaimed Basket is a family-owned October as Agritourism that opened in 1989, in the MDARD will meet with Month in Michigan to cel­ heart of West Michigan’s Michigan’s food and agri­ ebrate and honor agritour­ apple capital. Their store cultural businesses to dis­ ism’s economic and social originally started as a cuss how they can continue benefits to our state’s roadside produce stand to succeed and how the farms and communities. and it has evolved into a department can best assist Autumn trips to farms, thriving farm market com­ their continuous growth and wineries, farm markets, plete with giant corn maze, expansion. cider mills and other agri­ tourism businesses offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy all Michigan offers while supporting family farms, small businesses and rural communities across Michigan. “Agritourism opportu­ nities are available in every county in Michigan, providing loads of family friendly fun. There’s nothing like visiting a farm to pick fresh, crisp MDARD Director Tim Boring visited Swiss Lane apples or take a hayride Farms in Alto last week while celebrating Agritourism out to the pumpkin patch Month. (Photo provided) It’s harvest season in Michigan, and that means farmers are busy gather­ ing food in Michigan and beyond. Of course, this is all done with aid of equip­ ment of all sizes. That means drivers may soon be seeing more farm machinery on the road, which can signify a safety hazard when motorists are not being attentive. The Michigan State Police 2022 Statewide Traffic Crash Data Year End Report showed crash­ es involving farm equip­ ment rose from 195 in 2021 to 214 in 2022 — a nearly 10 percent increase year-over-year. Four of the crashes last year were fatal, with 60 injuries reported across the state. The Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) has released a statement ask­ ing that drivers keep an eye out for anything that has an orange triangle on the back — which is a slow-moving vehicle sign. “If you’re driving 55 miles an hour it only takes about five seconds to trav­ el the length of a football field and catch up to a piece of equipment going 15 miles per hour,” said Andrew Vermeesch, MFB legislative counsel. “That’s why it’s critical to be attentive and be ready to slow down.” Farmers also ask that if motorists are behind farm equipment on the road, they slow down and only pass when it’s safe to do so. One rule of thumb for motorists to remember: If they can’t see the machin­ ery’s driver, then the driv­ er can’t see them, either. While farmers try their best to stay close to the shoulder ofthe road, driv­ ers should also keep in mind that they might have to merge over to avoid hitting something — like a mailbox. Machinery doesn’t turn like a car, either, so opera­ tors may need to make wide turns. “We all want to get our work done safely and get back home safely to our families, and we can do it — together,” Vermeesch added. “Thank you for shar­ ing the road with farmers.” 207653 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised the Village of Middleville PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on November 7,2023, at 7 pm or as soon thereafter as possible, to consider rezoning properties indicated in the master plan for the future land use as Transitional Mixed-use or Transitional Industrial for REZONING. This consideration effects the following properties: TRANSITIONAL MIXED USE (TMU) 100 Arlington St.; 205, 211 W Main; 218 - 321 W Main St.; 115 Water St.; 107 Larkin St.; 611 Grand Rapids St.; Parce 1ID:41 -048-004-00,41 -049-001 -00,41 -045-010-00,41 -048-004-00,41 048-002-00. TRANSITIONAL INDUSTRIAL (TI) 20,36, 38,39 State Street. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Planning Commission meeting, which any interested person can attend, at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333, and via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89348948409, Meeting ID 893 4894 8409, Passcode: Village (this information can be found on the Village’s website). The Planning Commission shall receive public feedback and prepare a recommendation for approval to the Village Council to rezone the aforementioned parcels to those found on the future land use map designated TMU or TI. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain information about the rezoning request or provide comments to the Planning Commission. Additional information is available via email request to the Village Clerk at rvanpolen@villageofiniddleville.org. Emails received prior to 4:00 pm on November 7, 2023, at the above-listed address, will be distributed to the Planning Commissioners. A copy ofthe future land use map can be found in the Middleville Master Plan located at: https://www.villageofiniddleville.org/ master-plans/. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day of the hearing and may be delivered to Village Hall or by email at rvanpolen@villageofiniddleville.org . According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, while only 19 percent of Americans live in rural areas, 45 percent of traffic crash fatalities occurred on rural roadways from 2016 to 2020. (Photo provided by Michigan Farm Bureau) Say ‘Goodbye’ to Wrinkles! Get the lowest rates for wrinkle relaxer when r our BOO-tox Event! ALL DAY WEDNESDAY 10/25 WALK-INS WELCOME VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR STOP IN TO BOOK YOUR CONSULT TODAY! SCANhttps://propereu. HERE ® WWW.PROPEREU.COM Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Van Polen Village Clerk 99809 CHERRY VALLEY AVE. SE. SUITE C. CALEDONIA Ml ^616.327.5155 �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023/ Page 9 Middleville’s Palmer heads into retirement after 28 years working for Barry County, nine as clerk Jayson Bussa Editor Pam Palmer is quick to admit that she knows it is the right time for her to retire. But, that decision isn’t so easy when she consults her heart “That’s when it really gets tough,” Palmer said, her voice beginning to crack. As just about anyone who has logged decades of service on thejob can attest to, Palmer faces a bittersweet moment as she pries herselfaway from 28 years ofworking in the Barry County Courthouse — 19 years as a judicial clerk in the circuit court and the previous nine that were spent as the county’s clerk. This was Palmer’s final week on the job, which was punctuated by a community open house on Friday at the Tyden Center in Hastings. Palmer takes with her the myriad of memories that came from wearing so many hats as the clerk. She recalled moments she spent serving as a bailiffin court, leadingjuries in and out ofthe courtroom; as a magistrate conducting arraignments and setting bonds; and even officiating a handful ofweddings. That whole journey began for •Palmer, a Woodland native who from graduated Lakpwood Public Schools, nearly 28 years ago to the day. Palmer’s entrance to county work came when she served as judicial secretary for Circuit Court Judge James Fisher. Palmer had worked with Judge Fisher previously as a legal secretary when he was practic­ ing law. She ran into the recently elected judge at a wedding reception and he extended her the invite to serve as his secretary. After Judge Fisher’s exit, Palmer went on to work for Judge Amy McDowell before throwing her hat in the ring to become the county clerk. “I thought it would be a pretty easy transition (to become county clerk), but it wasn’t,” Palmer recalled with a smile. “I was used to working the files ... but there are so many more hats for a clerk to wear thanjust working the files.” Palmer had submitted her resume for the gig upon the departure of her predecessor, Pam Jarvis. Palmer didn’t think she would get the job. “I interviewed in front of the three judges and when I got the phone call, Judge McDowell was on vacation already, and when I got the call from her, I’m thinking ‘Oh no, what did I just do to myself.’ The terror set in.” Palmer took office in January of2015 and that next year she had to run a campaign and ask for the voters to confirm the choice the judges already made. That was the only year she faced opposition — and formidable opposition, at that. Palmer faced off against fellow Republican Craig Stolsonburg, who was serving, as the chair of the * Barry County Board of Commis­ sioners at the time. Stolsonburg is now Middleville’s village manager. “I ate more pancakes than I ever would like to admit,” Palmer said ofthat campaign. “I went to every pancake breakfast. I was in parades. I went around to the different township meetings and introduced myself to the different people at the townships just so Barry County Clerk Pam Palmer wrapped up a 28-year career serving the county. (Photos by Jayson Bussa) A wooden name placard that says ‘Pamela’ sets on Pam Palmer’s desk in the Barry County Courthouse. The placard formerly belonged to Palmer’s predeces­ sor, Pam Jarvis, who handed it down to her. Last week, Pam Palmer was honored in front of the Barry County Board of Commissioners for her 28 years serving the county, the last nine of which were spent as the county’s clerk. they could see my face and get to know me.” She received the stamp of approval from voters and didn’t face opposition after that. “Once you’ve established yourself, you’re either approved or not approved,” Palmer said. One aspect ofPalmer’s leg­ acy, whether she likes it or not, is how she stood up to claims of alleged statewide voter frau^ and improprieties. Many ofthese accusations arid much ofthis noise came from inside her own county, including from Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf, who has placed him­ self at the forefront ofinvesti­ gating what he believes to be fraud in the election process. Palmer and her office have been, at times, pummeled by FOIA requests that have come from all over the country. Both local and national media have made their way to Barry County to document the con­ flict. “I don’t regret how I han­ dled elections,” Palmer said. “I have no regrets. I know that some people don’t like me. But I know a lot of people stand behind me and I appreci­ ate them. I follow the letter of the law and if I’m ever not sure, I contact the Bureau of Elections for guidance or a county attorney or whatever. I don’t try to play it offlike I’m knowing when I might not have it right” Palmer said administering elections is one of the things she will miss most after retir­ ing, proud ofthe fact that she came in knowing nothing about elections and gained copious knowledge over the last nine years. Palmer must be a glutton for punishment as, on election night, she tends to spend all night at the courthouse as returns come in. She remem­ bered one election night not returning home until 6:30 a.m. She stopped in long enough to brush her teeth and then head­ ed back out for a day ofwork. “I’m going to miss this — I love elections,” Palmer said. Palmer also admitted that, on the night ofthe next major election, she will still stay up and watch the returns come in. But, as a mother of three adult kids (all Thomapple Kellogg grads) and a grand­ mother of seven, Palmer is all but assured to stay plenty busy in her new life ofretirement. On Sunday, she said she started a new tradition with her older granddaughter, Abby. “We bake cookies on Sunday afternoons,” Palmer said. “I’m teaching her to bake. Next week, we might try a pie. We’re testing new terri­ tories.” CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES Meeting Minutes The minutes for the September 20, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on October 18, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org . FALL COLOR TOUR Wednesday, October 25 11 am - 3 pm Come enjoy a golf cart ride along the beautiful Paul Henry Thornapple Trail. Refreshments will be served in the Community Pavilion across from the Village Hall at 100 E. Main Street. The event is free and reservations are not needed. In case of rain, the event will be held on Thursday, October 26. MANY THANKS TO THIS YEAR’S COLOR TOUR SPONSORS: �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 Michigan House committee advances wind, solar permitting bills Kelly House Bridge Michigan A Michigan House com­ mittee on Wednesday advanced legislation that aims to speed up the devel­ opment of wind and solar energy in Michigan by shifting permitting control from local government to the state. In a 9-7 party-line vote with one Democrat abstain­ ing, the House Energy, Communications and of the power to self-govem during times of financial crisis. “It’s an unfair and unjustified power grab,” said Clint Beach of Fowlerville, borrowing words that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used in 2011 to oppose the use of emer­ gency managers. By supporting the ener­ Wind energy is expanding across Michigan, but local fights over the projects gy siting legislation, Beach said, Whitmer “is trying to are hindering that expansion. Now, some lawmakers want the state to take con­ do the exact same thing trol. (Photo by Dale Young) Technology Committee approved House Bills 5120­ 5123, which now go to the full House for consider­ ation. Identical bills were intro­ duced in the Senate last week. The vote came after impassioned testimony from bill opponents, with one of them comparing the package to the emergency manager law that stripped towns like Flint and Detroit THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 THORNAPPLE KELLOGG PTO WALK-A-THON SPONSORS! ALUMNI Thornapple Credit Union BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS MIDDLEVILLE MI Andy Steensma Insurance Agency AThornapple Andy Steensma Insurance bcpncy 5X0 KaLarnaxDO fate. SE Kentwood, Ml 49508 financial center 616-455-6200 Meemic-convAndySteecsmaAgency Chen uest GREENRIDGE REALTY BUIST ELECTRIC Raising The Standard OLIVIA GAUDREAU REALTOR* Edward Jones4 Andrew R. Cove, CFP* AAMS Business Solutions Financial Advisor west STo STyo Michigan Pharmacy Care C I AT E s!! Gifts 4652 North M-37 Highway Middleville. Michigan 49333 Phillips TAXACONSULTING CHERRY VALLEY CARDENS STACEY 6. GARRISON DOS HASTINGS, Ml K/mP*'** ALL FUNDS RAISED SUPPORT OUR TK ELEMENTARY SCHUULS STUDENTS & STAFF TK STRONG! that she so vehemently project’s approval. opposed just a few short “We’ve heard your con­ years ago.” cerns about how we partici­ Bill proponents, mean­ pate in this process,” said while, tout the package as a Rep. Jenn Hill, needed antidote to local D-Marquette, who authored conflicts that have doomed two of the amendments. wind and solar projects As Michigan utilities across the state. Without a strive to decarbonize their streamlined state process energy supply, they plan to for vetting prospective build out thousands of renewable energy develop­ acres of wind and solar ments, they argue, Michigan developments in the next may fail to swap fossil fuels few years. for renewables by midcen­ It’s expected to take a tury. small fraction ofMichigan’s That’s the deadline by farmland to achieve those which scientists say human­ goals. But opponents ity needs to stop adding expressed concerns that an greenhouse gasses to the uneven distribution of proj­ atmosphere, or risk increas­ ects could overburden some ingly dire consequences towns. from climate change. The solar permitting bills “If every individual local are part of a broader unit of government can Democratic push to speed block those projects, we up Michigan’s energy tran­ end up without the projects sition. The centerpiece of that we need for Michigan,” that effort is legislation that Dan Scripps, chair of the would put state-regulated Michigan Public Service utilities on a 2040 deadline Commission (MPSC), told to go carbon-free. lawmakers during a hearing What’s in the bills last week. The bills apply to solar Under the bills, Scripps projects over 50-megawatts and two other commission­ (350 acres for a project that ers would be tasked with generates 7 megawatts-perapproving or denying large acre), wind projects over renewable projects in the 100-megawatts (about 35 state. As part of that pro­ turbines), and energy stor­ cess, they would have to age facilities over 100 consider what public bene­ megawatts. fits each project provides, They give the Michigan as well as how much renew­ Public Service Commission able energy has already power to approve or reject been installed in a given plans for those projects. community. Developers Commissioners would would be required to sign have a year to make a deci­ agreements spelling out the sion. benefits they’ll provide to In addition to the require­ the local community. The ments for local benefits and bills would also require prevailing wages, the com­ developers to bargain with mission would have to con­ labor groups and pay pre­ sider a host of factors. vailing wages. Developers building on Committee members greenfields would have to made a series of amend­ explain why they can’t use ments to the package other land. before Wednesday’s vote, Solar arrays would need clarifying that the mea­ to be 150 feet from the sures would not give the nearby homes, and state power to use emi­ couldn’t extend more than nent domain for wind and 25 feet above the ground. solar developments and For wind arrays, the dis­ spelling out the public tance to the nearest off benefits a development site residence would need must provide to the pub­ to be 2.1-times the highest lic. Another amendment point on the wind turbine. would require wind and Outdoor noise impacts to solar developers to cover the nearest home would be up to $150,000 in costs limited to 55 decibels, local governments incur about as loud as a home while fighting a proposed refrigerator. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023/ Page 11 MHSAA-supported bill allows retirees to work Recent public school retir­ ees including those serving as coaches, game officials and in other sports-related roles will be able to continue doing so for limited compensation after the signing of a bill Tuesday, Oct. 10, by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer allowing those retirees to receive limited compensation without having their retire­ ment benefits affected. Public Act 147 (PA 147) amends PA 184, which was signed into law July 25,2022, and required a retiring public school employee to wait nine months before being rehired effectively sidelining several longtime coaches, officials and others who play substan­ tial roles in school sports all over the state. PA 147 instead allows recent retirees to work for a public school district during the first six months of retire­ ment as long as the individual ifif5 earns less than $15,100 during a calendar year. The great majority of coaches, officials and others who contribute to school sports -public-address announcers, team bus drivers, scoreboard operators and other game managers, for example - earn far less compensation than that maximum allowed with this bill. Soon after the signing of PA 184 during the summer of2022, the Michigan High School Athletic Association met with the state’s Office ofRetirement Services and several legislators seeking ways to allow public school retirees to remain employed in athletics without that nine-month pause, or with­ out having to work and not be paid. (Prior to PA 184, retirees were required to be detached from a school district for only 30 days before being rehired at less than 30 percent of their compensation at the time of retirement. This allowed most retirees to do so at the end of a school year and then return after 30 days to continue coaching, officiating, etc.) MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl and Assistant Director Cody Inglis, and Brighton athletic director John Thompson who serves on the MHSAA Representative Council - all testified in support ofPA 147, which was sponsored by 13 legislators from the Michigan House of Representatives and introduced by Rep. Matt Koleszar from Plymouth. “This new public act fixes the biggest MHSAA concern that recent retirees could not return to coach or officiate during their bona fide retire­ ment period,” Uyl said. “Our schools desperately need these experienced and knowledge­ able people to continue con­ tributing to athletics, and we’re pleased that they’ll have that opportunity.” Falcons unable to find way through Scots’ D Brett Bremer Townsend carried the Sports Editor load with 17 rushes for 153 The Falcons were held to yards. less than a 150 yards of Greenfield’s TD run was offense and the Caledonia just part of a solid night defense shut them out with the football in his Friday night at East hands. He rushed five times Kentwood High School. for 62 yards. The Caledonia varsity Betser was 3-of-8 pass­ football team got back on ing for 76 yards. track with a 21-0 win over The Scots had 362 yards the host Falcons Oct. 13. ofoffense with 286 total on Brock Townsend scored the ground. on a 55-yard reception Caledonia’s defense held from quarterback Brody the Falcons to 149 yards Betser and also on a and just 53 on the ground. 22-yard run for the Fighting Falcon back Elijah Jones Scots. had 13 rushes for 70 yards, Maddox Greenfield but losses took the team scored the game’s opening total back. points on a 15-yard run in Casey Joppie completed the first quarter. 7-of-13 passes for 59 yards. The Fighting Scots Andrew Burton took his upped their lead to 14-0 by turns at QB too and was the half with Betser’s TD 5-of-9 passing for 37 yards. pass to Townsend in the He was intercepted once by second quarter. the Scots’ Dallas Moody. Derek Pennington Jr. led the Caledonia defense with six tackles, including two for a loss. Moody had four tackles. Caledonia was slated to close the regular season at home taking on Grand Haven last night, Oct. 20. The Scots will learn their playoff fate Sunday eve­ ning when the MHSAA announces the playoff pairings beginning at 6 p.m. The Fighting Scots entered the final weekend of the regular season sixth among all Division 2 teams in playoff points and sporting a 6-2 record. The only two losses came against Rockford and Grandville, a pair of teams among the top ten playoff point leaders in Division 1. Hawks rally in the rain to overtake TK SI 1 I ■tyiuli ik tojecij ortr ; (iboct 35 Md mt m IN iMiciipi MDH iOfttjtCl I projects, wild I twpt- .Ikitt uttoca- Brett Bremer Sports Editor It happened again. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity football team saw another second half lead slip away in the OK Gold Conference as Forest Hills Eastern came back for a 36-30 win over the Trojans on senior night in Middleville Friday. Quarterback Grant Middleton and backs Drake Snyder and Ethan Bonnema had touchdown runs in the second quarter to put TK in front 30-22 at the half. The Hawks pulled even with a five-yard touchdown run by Max Ferrick in the third quarter and a one-yard TD run by Preston Hoexum in the fourth quarter moved their team in front. Hoexum finished the ballgame with 129 yards on the ground. TK had 300 yards rushing in the bailgame and 350 for the night, outgaining the Hawks who finished with 266 yards all on the ground, but the Eastern defense managed to keep TK offthe 01 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: lluicio cu'll« All real estate advertising in this newspaper is scoreboard the entire sec­ ond half in the rain inside Bob White Stadium. The Trojans turned the ball over once, and were penalized seven times for 31 yards - hurting their cause. FHE turned the ball over once as well, but was only flagged for two penalties. TK also had second half leads get away in confer­ ence contests with Cedar Springs and South Christian this season. Forest Hills Eastern took a 6-0 lead in the bailgame with a six-yard touchdown run on its first possession of the game. The* Trojans answered with a four-yard scoring run by Snyder and a successful two-point conversion run by Middleton that put them in the lead 8-6. Snyder bounced around the right side to find clear running space into the end zone. That first Trojan scoring drive was boosted by a 30-yard run by Brody Wiersma after taking an option pitch from Middleton. Middleton’s one-yard TD plunge and another twopoint conversion, once again on a Middleton run, had TK in front 16-6 at the end of a 95-yard scoring drive to start the second quarter. The Trojan defense stifled a fourth down run by the Hawks two-yards shy of the line to gain in the shad­ ow of its own goalpost to start that go-ahead drive. TK plowed forward from there. A couple runs had the ball across the 30, then Sias shook a tackle after hauling in a pass in the left flat and 25 yards into Hawk territo­ ryBack and forth the two teams went in that second quarter. The Hawks scored on a 15-yard run and added a two-point try to get within Community Schools SEARCHING FOR ACTIVE BIDDERS FOR NEW DUTTON ELEMENTARY PROJECT 16-14 after a big kick-return to the Trojan 30-yard-line. That TD came on a secondand-goal play from the 15-yard-line where the FHE ballcarrier dodged a couple would-be tacklers in the backfield before busting around the left side. TK’s answer was a 24-yard Snyder TD run, oh which he just blew through the center of the FHE defense with the football, that had his team ahead 22-14. The Hawks tied things up at 22-22 before the half thanks to a seven-yard TD run, and a successful twopoint pass, on another drive sparked by a long kick return. The Hawks weren’t the only ones to make a big special teams play or two. Wiersma took the ensuing kick-off 83 yards south to north in front of the visitor bench to the Hawk 12-yardline in the final moments of the first half. Bonnema eventually scored on a three-yard run and another successful two-point con­ version, by Wiersma this time, moved the TK lead to 30-22. Bonnema had eight rush­ es for 75 yards in the game and Brody Wiersma carried five times for 74 yards while adding a 15-yard reception. Jaxan Sias had two catches for 35 yards for the Trojans. Middleton rushed the ball 11 times for 34 yards. TK was slated to close the 2023 season at Kenowa Hills Friday night, Oct. 20. 207652 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised the Village ofMiddleville PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on November 7,2023, at 7 pm or as soon thereafter as possible, to consider Modifications to the Sign Ordinance 78-627(h), 78-629, 78-630, 78-631, 78-633, 78-635, 78-638 AND 78-639 OF CHAPTER 78 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Planning Commission meeting, which any interested person can attend, at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333, and via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89348948409, Meeting ID 893 4894 8409, Passcode: Village (this information can be found on the Village’s website). The Planning Commission shall receive public feedback and prepare a recommendation for approval to the Village Council to amend the sign ordinance. subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan dditf1 Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille- g gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or t marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial , I ihefr | FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. THE URL BELOW This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ ilU^ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are t^1 discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at Upti®*' HTTPS:#WWW.CALSCHOOLS.ORG/DEPARTMENTS/ dviailaiblie on a otni an equal eqlul atlhopportunity oppForitunHity basis. baisis. CTo report rteportt available 9 61e6r f-4o5r 1th-2e h8e0a. rTinhe iH b mUaDir teodll-isfre1e8te00lep9h2o7n9ee2num­ BUSINESSSERVICES/REQUEST-FOR-PROPOSALSBIDS/ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. BID PACKAGE NO. 2BUILDING SUPERSTRUCTURE/ENCLOSURE/FINISHES/MEP+F/S j|0{ ■1J1JAa aMMLMOlNMI OMMMOiLrM a TMOMlNITMVI Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain information about sign ordinance or provide comments to the Planning Commission. Additional information is available via email request to the Village Clerk at rvanpolen@, villageofiniddleville.org. Emails received prior to 4:00 pm on November 7, 2023, at the above-listed address, will be distributed to the Planning Commissioners. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day of the hearing and may be delivered to Village Hall or by email at rvanpolen@villageofiniddleville.org. Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Van Polen Village Clerk �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023 Vetting pushes to PR at Riverside Park Caledonia freshman Olivia Hawkins nears the finish line in a personal record time Thursday during the OK Red Conference Championship at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Riverside Park in Grand Rapids has been to Caledonia sophomore Eli Velting what an Energizer battery is to a fluffy, pink toy bunny in sunglasses. He keeps going and going faster there. Velting was on the heels of junior teammate Kort Thompson as they neared the finish line in a light rain along the banks ofthe Grand Fighting Scot senior Micah Nagel looks ahead to the finish line near the end of the OK Red Conference Championship race Thursday at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) River at the OK Red Conference Championship Thursday. Thompson hit the finish line 10th in 16 minutes 15.68 seconds and Velting was 11th in 16:15.91. Typically a fast, flat track, especially when it is a little less slick than it was Thursday, Velting has had his two fastest races ever there, and had the fastest race ofhis freshman season there too in winning the JV boys’ race at the 2022 OK Red Conference Championship. That time was a 17:27.6. Velting took more than a minute off that to set his PR at 16:18.9 when the Scots 207216_1 VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE POSITION OPEN VILLAGE COUNCIL The members ofthe Middleville Village Council attend two regular monthly meetings on the second and fourth Tuesday ofthe month at 7:00 pm and one committee-of-thewhole meeting on the first Tuesday at 4:30 pm. Members review meeting packets from the Village Clerk prior to each meeting to consider and act on special events, ordinances, and infrastructure projects; set tax millage rates and approve the annual budget; and other business that comes before the Council. Members are also appointed to a committee or board to serve as a liaison between the Council and that committee/board. The Council operates under the Michigan General Law Village Act of 1895. A member of the Village Council should become familiar with these laws. Attendance at the Michigan Municipal League’s training and conferences is encouraged and paid for by the Village. The term ofoffice will begin upon approval and swearing-in ofthe member and run until November 20, 2024. All Village Council members must reside within the Village limits and be a registered voter. An application can be be found on the Village of Middleville website at https://www. villageofiniddleville.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Application-for- Boards-andCommissions-fillable-2.pdf For more information regarding the open Village Council seat, please contact the Village Manager Craig Stolsonbuig at 269-795-3385 or stolsonburgc@villageofiniddleville.org The Application for Boards and Commissions is due by Friday, October 27, 2023, to: Village ofMiddleville Attn: Village Council PO Box 69 100 E. Main Street Middleville, MI 49333-0069 returned to Riverside Park for the Ottawa Hills Invitational Sept. 15. That remained Velting’s PR until Thursday when he entered the top 15 all-time on the list of fastest Caledonia harriers. A pair of Caledonia guys set their PR Thursday at meet, Velting and junior Andrew Tava. A trio of Caledonia girls improved their PR on the day too. Thompson and Velting both earned all-conference honors and Alyssa DeFields from the Caledonia girls’ team earned honorable men­ tion all-conference. DeFields placed 21st with a time of 19:45.91. Grand Haven senior Seth Norder won the boys’ confer­ ence championship for the third consecutive season pull­ ing away from Jenison junior Seth Conner to hit the finish line in 14:57.81. Norder and Conner had each won one conference jamboree heading into the championship. Conner ran to a PR of 15:12.05 chasing Norder. Conner’s junior teammate Mason Lucas was third with a time of 15:54.15. Norder’s Buccaneers won the boys’ conference championship with 36 points, sweep­ ing the three conference races this season. Jenison was sec­ ond with 59 points ahead of East Kentwood 84, Rockford 126, West Ottawa 137, Caledonia 142, Grandville 159 and Hudsonville 175. Fighting Scot senior Micah Nagel was 38th with a time of 17:15.22 and senior Ayden Duffin placed 41st in 17:17.67. Tava was right behind in 42nd with a per­ sonal record time of 17:19.96. Senior Samuel Pugh and junior Joshua Maier rounded out the seven for the Caledonia boys in the race. Freshman Olivia Hawkins Caledonia junior Eli Velting kicks to a new person­ al record time and an Uth-place finish at the OK Red Conference Championship at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia junior Hannah Dupuis works her way to a new personal record time at the OK Red Conference Championship at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) was the first Caledonia girl across the finish line with a new PR. She placed 32nd in 20:21.27. Fellow CHS fresh­ man Akaela Daman as right behind her with a 34th-place time of20:27.88. The next two Caledonia girls in came across the fin­ ish line in personal record times. Junior Hannah Dupuis was 38*h overall in 20:35.21. Senior Kloe Kimbrel placed 43rd in 21:00.14. Juniors Adysen Daman and Leah Williams were the six and seven finishers for the Caledonia girls. West Ottawa sophomore Ava Porras was the first finishers in the girls’ race, lead­ ing her Panthers to the team championship too. She pushed her PR down to 18:08.12. Grand Havenjunior Valerie Beeck was the runner-up in 18:21.63. The first eight girls in the race all came in with a time less than 19 minutes. That group included West Ottawa sophomore Addie Birkholz who was third in 18:27.61. West Ottawa- had four runners in the top ten and five in the top 14 overall. The Panthers won with 36 points. Grand Haven was second with 47 points ahead of Rockford 69, Hudsonville 131, East Kentwood 157, Grandville 166, Jenison 167 and Caledonia 168. Caledonia will head to Portage West Middle School for its MHSAA Division 1 Regional race Saturday, Oct. 28. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023/ Page 13 Hopkins takes fifth set on TK senior night Brett Bremer Sports Editor Wanting a win on senior night, Trojan senior setter Bailey Eden put the ball over the net all the ways she could think of to tiy and get the Thomapple Kellogg varsity volleyball team a win in Middleville Thursday night. Trailing 9-5 in a fifth and deciding set against Hopkins, Eden dumped a second ball into the open space on the Vikings’ side ofthe court for a side-out. She flung another second ball over the net that had the Vikings’ scrambling to get her team another point, then had a slightly more tradi­ tional attack for a kill off a helpful assist from junior teammate Brooklyn Harmon that got the Trojans within 9-8. Another point for TK evened the set at 9-9 and forced a Hopkins timeout, but after being knotted at 11-11 the Vikings went on a four-point run to clinch the set and the match. “Bailey Eden, single-handily, I think got us back in that fifth set with the tips and the plays she was making,” TK head coach Tia Cross said. Hopkins won in the end by the scores of 25-21, 20-25, 20-25,25-18,15-11. We were keeping the ball in play. We were hitting really well. My seniors really stepped up tonight Kenna VanElst had a really good match tonight. Bailey Eden had a great match tonight,” coach Cross said. “They were scrappy. They were all over the floor. They played for it tonight, probably the best I have seen them play in a while. “It was fun to watch.” Cross said she gathered all the girls in the program, from the freshmen, JV and varsity squads during practice Wednesday. “A lot of them were playing like they were ready for the season to be done. That was kind of the way we played Tuesday night and it was across the board - freshman, JV and varsity. I pulled them all in and said we still have a couple weeks to go. For these seniors, it is all they’ve got. Some ofyou guys are thinking you’ve got next year, you’ve got your next sport. They might not have a next sport.” The Trojan coach said she got good feedback from her players after the speech, and a few of them told her they were expecting that. “We weren’t happy that we lost, obviously, but we were happy that we played every point,” Cross said. Every point was big throughout the night. The opening set was tied as late as 18- 18 before a couple kills each for the Viking seniors Kate Cleypool and Peyton Roxbury nudged their team to the 25-21 win. Set two was tied 13-13 before a big service run by Trojan senior libero Jessie Drenten shot her team to a 19- 13 lead. Senior setter Charlotte Nelson found VanElst for a couple kills on the left side and Harmon provided a key kill in the middle ofthe net in the middle ofthe run. Eden clinched that set for TK by getting kills on the final two points, the first throwing a second ball to the back line and the second on a swing at the net off an assist from Nelson. The second set went similar­ ly with the Trojans getting their run a little earlier. This time it was VanElst with a service run that took TK from 11 -8 in front to 17-8. She had an ace during that run and sophomore McKenna Hoebeke, who attacked well throughout the night, had a kill from VanElst’s typical spot at the left side of the net The Vikings never got closer than within three points the rest ofthe set. It was Hopkins turn to create a gap in set four. Another kill on the right side by Eden off an assist from Nelson had TK in front 14-13, but the Vikings’ top attacker Cleypool answered with a kill from the left side to even the set again. The Hopkins’ libero Ellie Sebright went to the service line to start a run that pushed her team’s lead to 19-14 and the Vikings controlled the fourth set from there. The Trojans went to Kenowa Hills in the OK Gold Conference Tournament Tuesday and fell in three sets to the Knights. TK will get to play on its home court a couple more times this season. The Trojans host Ottawa Hills in the final round of the conference tournament Tuesday and then will be home to face Grant Thursday in the week ahead. That made senior night a not too emotional experience for TK’s five seniors. That group includes Eden, VanElst, Drenten, Nelson and Brittany Roodvoets who was solid in the middle of the net for TK throughout the match with -Hopkins. That group is doing what it can to pass on its experience to the Trojan youngsters as the season goes on. “They have been really tak­ ing care ofthat leadership role with the young ones,” coach Cross said. “Kenna VanElst has taken [freshman]"Reece Ritsema under her win all sea­ son long tojust try to progress, her and Brittany both have. The same thing with the set­ ters, knowing that Tealy [Cross] is going to get next year. Charlotte and Bailey have really kind of been work­ ing her in through practices and stuffthe last few weeks. “We have really just been pushing these younger kids to get to that next level hopefully, and get that comfort and confidence and everything they may have been lacking a little bit” While girls like Ritsema, Tealy Cross and fellow varsity sophomores Hoebeke and Alexa Eden are the future of the program so too are the many fifth and sixth grade volleyball camp participants the Trojans welcomed to the stands for the night. Thomapple Kellogg freshman Reece Ritsema (left) and sophomore McKenna Hoebeke (right) go up to try and slow down an attack from Hopkins’ Lillian Iciek during their non-conference match in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Thornapple Kellogg senior captain Kenna VanElst and Hopkins senior libero Ellie Sebright meet the official for the coin toss before the start of their fifth set on senior night in Middleville Thursday. The visiting Vikings won the toss and went on to win the deciding set. (Photo by Brett Bremer) NOTICE OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS OR PARTIES IN INTEREST IN THE PAYNE LAKE AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 23-4 Following the October 12, 2023, public hearing to consider the special assessment roll, the Township Board confirmed the special assessment roll for the Payne Lake Aquatic Plant Control Special Assessment District No. 23-4. 207621 lffJBLIC\()TICE Please be advised that a portion of the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail (south of Main Street) will be closed from Wednesday, November 1, 2023 through Sunday, December 3, 2023 (reopening on December 4, 2023). The southern portion of the Paul Henry Thomapple Trail that is within the Village limits (the first one-half mile), including the first two bridges and the Mill Pond, will remain open, as well as the northern portion. NO HUNTING IS ALLOWED IN THESE AREAS The remaining southern portion of the trail, from the Village limits to Irving Road, crosses private property and is closed to the public during the November hunting season. Thomapple Kellogg sophomore Alexa Eden hits a serve during her team’s five-set match with visiting Hopkins Thursday night in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 Rhonda Van Polen Village Clerk A property owner or any person having an interest in the real property assessed on the special assess­ ment roll confirmed on October 12, 2023, may file a written appeal of the special assessment with the Michigan Tax Tribunal within 30 days of the confir­ mation of the special assessment roll, if the assess­ ment was protested at the hearing on the confirma­ tion of the special assessment roll. The special assessment amount will appear on your winter tax bill at $172/year for front lots and $84/year for back lots. For additional information about the special assess­ ment, call Mike Cunningham, Township Clerk, at 269-795-9091 Yankee Springs Township 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Ml 49333 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 Couple who lost son to suicide to lead workshop on suicide prevention at Cornerstone Church James Gemmell Contributing Writer A couple who lost their son to suicide in 2013 are now certified teachers when it comes to leading sui­ cide-prevention workshops. Richard TenHoor and Sue Toman will hold a workshop at Cornerstone Church’s main campus in Gaines Charter Township on Nov. 8. The location is 1675 84th St. SE, at Kalamazoo Ave. It will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. No registration is required. More information is avail­ able at comerstonemi.org/ classes. “On May 14, 2013, our son, Eric, died by suicide or as we believe died from depression and ADHD,” the couple said in a Cornerstone news release. “He was 22. On the outside, doing well, newly married, being consid­ ered for a promotion at work, kind and generous. Yet, we did not know that on the inside he was hurting. We did not know his level of pain, his lack of hope, or that he was considering suicide.” So, Richard and Sue want to share their story, but in the context ofhope. They believe that families and the faith community can play a cru­ cial role in helping to prevent suicide. During the work­ shop, they will talk about some ofthe warning signs of suicide and how to ask ques­ tions that can open the door for someone to help. After Eric’s death, his par­ ents became certified in teaching an evidence-based Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com suicide prevention workshop titled, “QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer.” The QPR Institute says on its website that its mission is to “save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by provid­ ing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training.” The Institute became an independent organization in July of 1999. “Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of crisis and how to question, per­ suade and refer someone to help,” they said. The workshop is recom­ mended for adults or older teens who are accompanied by a parent. Cornerstone Church said there will be time for questions and answers at the end of the workshop, as well as a con­ versation about additional resources the church can offer to people struggling with their mental health. Jansma fires hole-in-one for Spring Arbor team Nathan Jansma, a 2020 Thornapple Kellogg High School graduate, digs his ball out of the cup on number 15 at TPC Michigan in Dearborn Oct. 9, after opening his senior season with the Cougars by firing his first hole-in-one. The ace on the 185-yard, par-3 came during his Spring Arbor University team’s The Rupp Tournament. Jansma closed the 36-hole tournament, with 14 teams, tied for 49th individually while the Spring Arbor men took the tournament title thanks in part to individual champion Luke Fisher who fired a 75-73-148. There were four Cougars among the top seven finishers. Scots just a week away from ice hockey tryouts Brett Bremer The Caledonia program Sports Editor currently has between 26 and Hockey season is right 28 players regularly taking around the comer, and the part in the fall hockey sea­ Fighting Scots are gearing son, a season in which (per up. MHSAA rules) high school Tryouts for the Caledonia coaches aren’t allowed to varsity hockey team are set work with the players. for Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 2. A “We have a volunteer run­ dead week will follow try­ ning some practices right outs, followed by the start of now, two days a week, to get the season. The squad’s first them ready and in shape,” scrimmage is set for Nov. 17. Caledonia assistant coach Byron Lippert said. He said the cool thing about the offseason hockey programs is that everyone is getting together. There are seniors and eighth graders playing and working together. The older guys are honing -FULL INTO SOWINGSHigh Efficiency RUUD FURNACE their skills while the younger ones learn the ropes. Tthe Caledonia team, which also includes skaters from Thomapple Kellogg and Lowell once again, has typically had a couple games and two practices a week throughout the season. Lippert said the program is bumping things up to three practices a week this winter. The team will continue to call Kentwood Ice Arena its home bace. Lippert said the program is excited about the direction the it is heading, and that has everyone is ready to bit in a bit more of an investment after just coming up short of its ultimate goals a year ago. He thinks there is a chance the program may add a few guys who have opted to play travel club hockey rather than varsity hockey this winter. “We’re expeting a really, really competitive team this year. The anticipation and the expectations are high too,” according to Lippert The Caledonia Fighting Scots’ 2022-23 season, the first after a switch from being recognized as the Lowell/Caledonia hockey program, ended with a tough regional final loss to Okemos at Munn Ice Arena on the campus of Michigan State University. s200^ OFF * Mustt present this coouuppono. n.\ Expires 10-30-2023 (not valid with other offers) w w HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia d ra;lJ]g:PTiTi Locally owned business. Preparations are underway for the 2023-2024 Caledonia varsity hockey season. Tryouts begin Oct. 30 at Kentwood Ice Arena. �The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21, 2023/ Page 15 Hammock enthusiastsnot deterred by rains A crew of 25 hammock enthusiasts attended a very wet hang last weekend at the Deep Lake Campground in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area. The MiCHILIgan (rhymes with Gilligan) Hang, as the event has come to be called, drew folks that traveled a great distance to enjoy the pleasure ofsleeping outdoors in a hammock. And even with the pouring rain they seemed to enjoy their time together. The weekend participants slept in hammocks, under tarps and joined in activities and learned techniques for improving their “hanging” hammock experience throughout the event that ran from Oct. 12-15. Karla “with a K” Iseler organized the event and made the trip from Wisconsin. Hangers from as far away as Missouri made the trek. This “hang” has a fairly long history with as many as 100 participants at the Deep Lake Organization Campground in the past, but the vent was derailed for a time by Covid and the retire­ ment of the couple who had been the previous organizers. The idea of having the annual gathering lay dormant for three years, but Iseler had fond memories of the time and friends from past hangs and didn’t want to let it die. Iseler reached out to some of the members ofthe Facebook group about having the event in October — not knowing that there would be down­ pours the first three days. Most of the participants stated that they remained dry through the rainy nights, although some admitted to being a bit cold. They were finally able to make a large campfire when the rain stopped late Saturday after­ noon. There are many other sim­ ilar events around the coun­ try, but this hang was special in that they held a large raffle - the only such event in the Midwest. This 2023 raffle included many expensive A typical hammock set-up is displayed, with a tarp in use during a rainy October weekend, at the MiCHILIgan hammock hang at the Deep Lake Campground last weekend. hammocks and tarps (good tarps being in high demand within this group). UGQ Outdoor, a small company located in Jackson specializ­ ing in a variety of quality hammock camping gear, was a strong supporter and donat­ ed many of the items being raffled. One of the benefactors of the gathering was the local Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Country Scenic Trail. The chapter has agreed to store the group’s equip­ ment and provide future sup­ port for the gathering. At the end of the event it was announced that, after expens­ es and setting aside funds for next year’s gathering, the Chief Noonday Chapter received $454. As the hangers dispersed there was strong support for returning in October, 2024 — with the hope that the weath­ er would be a bit more coop­ erative. Hangers that wander away from the campground into the Yankee Springs Recreation Area next October may find some improvements thanks to ChiefNoonday Chapter vol­ unteers who have plans for Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 workdays to help Michigan DNR crews in the area. There are plans to fix up some ero­ sion issues on and near the North Country Trail near Devil’s Soupbowl. Contact Eric Longman by email at ericnct@gmail.com or phone at 269-203-5703 for more information on joining the vohineers. Article provided by Eric Longman of the North Country Trail Association ChiefNoonday Chapter. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO Members of the MiCHILIgan hammock event take part in a raffle during their weekend at the Deep Lake Campground in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area. US S^IOl hltegife MMlillj thodmnlba Mis np®irt utok Mani [®ii» IIm® r* ktW‘k Scots split their games at first Red round-robin Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scot varsity volleyball team went 1-1 at Wednesday night’s OK Red Conference Round-Robin at Grandville High School. The Caledonia girls took their second conference win of the season over West Ottawa and fell for the sec­ ond time in conference play against Rockford. The Scots bested the Panthers 25-14, 25-23, 25-16. Cambria Gaier had nine kills and Aubrey Reynolds eight in the win. Eliza Pehrson added five kills. Pehrson swung well from the service line too firing off six aces. Pehrson was good all around adding a team-high 11 digs. Avery Seif had ten digs for the Scots and Reynolds had nine. Jess Maier put up 15 assists in the win. The Rockford team came into the night ranked eighth in the state in Division 1 and outscored the Fighting Scots 25-18, 25-22, 25-16. Gaier hit seven kills, Josie Noble six and Pehrson five against the Rams, and Noble added a team-high five blocks. Reynolds had a team-high 12 digs for the Scots and Gaier added seven. Maier put up 23 assists. Rockford got 17 kills from liv Hosford and 11 from Mallory Wandel. Ashley Williams had 15 assists and Izzie Delacher 14. The Scots are hosting another round ofthe OK Red Round-Robins today, Sept. 21, and then will go to Grand Haven to close out the con­ ference season Wednesday. Top-ranked Maroons best TK boys in district semi’s Holland Christian entered the 2023 MHSAA Division 2 Boys’ Soccer Tournament as the top ranked team in the state in D2. Nothing has been able to slow down the Maroons yet, not even the Thomapple Kellogg boy who entered Kel on a three-game winning streak. The Maroons took a 5-0 win over the Trojans in the district semifinals hosted by Holland High School Tuesday, and have since gone on to a 3-0 win over Holland in the district final which was The 16-1-2 Maroons will face DeWitt in a regional semifinal match hosted by Gull Lake Tuesday. Plainwell and Edwardsburg face off in the regional tournament’s other semifinal contest. 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HEALTHY KIDS DELTA DENTAL AND HEALTHY KIDS DENTAQUEST YANKEE SPRINGS DENTAL © 12715 W M-179 Hwy • Wayland, Ml 49348 YankeeSpringsDental.com Office Hours (269)792-9723 Scan to request an appointment ana learn more. « M Tu W Th 9am-6pm 7am-3pm 8am-5pm 8am-4pm F 8cim-12pm �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, October 21,2023 TK ladies win first league title since 2015 13th with a time of 20:39.95. Brett Bremer Trojan sophomore Madison Sports Editor It was quite a climb for Kietzman was right ahead of Thomapple Kellogg sopho­ Hagemann in 17th place with more Avery Hagemann, and it a time of20:47.97. Freshman Alaina McCrumb helped the Trojans climb back to the top oftheir conference. set her PR at 21:31.00 to place The Thomapple Kellogg 28th overall for TK and round­ varsity girls’ cross country ing out the top seven was team captured the 2023 OK freshman Carmen Reynolds in Gold Conference title by win­ 37th place with a time of ning the conference champi­ 22:04.61. The TK team won its first onship meet at Riverside Park conference title since 2015 in Grand Rapids Tuesday. Hagemann was 45th with a with 62 points. The fourth­ time a little over 24 minutes at place team was only 15 points her first-ever OK Gold back. South Christian was sec­ Conference varsity race in ond with 67 points ahead of early September. By late Forest Hills Eastern 72, September she shaved nearly Ottawa Hills 77, Cedar Springs two minutes offthat time and 100, Grand Rapids Catholic placed 25th at the second con- Central 118, Kenowa Hills The Thornapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team celebrates winning the 2023 OK Gold Conference ference jamboree. She set her 202 and Wayland 239. A pair of seniors pushed Championship after winning the conference championship meet at Riverside Park in downtown Grand Rapids personal record along the banks of the Grand River each other to new personal Tuesday evening. Tuesday with a 17th-place records at the front of the girls’ Honorable nated by the Forest Hills with a great race, and Kaden time of 20 minutes 49.1 sec­ pack. Ottawa Hills Selma to clinch the win for TK. Sailor Conference Eastern boys. The Hawks Hamming can set his sights on onds. Anderson won the race in senior Riley VanderLaan was Mention. “These girls have their eyes closed the OK Gold breaking the 18-minute mark 17:20.97 and Grand Rapids 18th in 20:54.94 - about five That finish made her the fifth TK girl across the finish Catholic Central’s Emily seconds behind Hagemann. on an even bigger prize,” Championship with 28 points. for the first time. Hamming, on the fast, flat Catholic Central as second Tomes was second in 17:33.60. Sailor senior Brooklyn Wilkinson said. line. They want to earn a spot in with 82 points ahead ofOttawa track at Riverside Park, “We had a long talk the Forest Hills Eastern senior Springvloed placed 19th in night before this race, but the Addison Washier ran her fast­ 21:01.06 - a season best time, the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Hills 105, Cedar Springs 106, improved his personal record point ofthe talk, among other est race ofthe season to place for her. Wilkinson said Division 2 Cross Country South Christian 111, Wayland to 18 minutes 3.97 seconds 128, Thomapple Kellogg 158- to place 27th. He cut more things, was to race for each third in 18:49.93. Anderson Hagemann and Kietzman Finals. Trojans will head to than 15 seconds from his other and that the team has was the runner-up at the con- were especially instrumental South Christian High School and Kenowa Hills 209. Forest Hills Eastern had previous PR. He had a march each other’s backs no matter ference meet her freshman and in the win by passing the right for their regional race Oct. 28 what, and that they know what sophomore seasons and the people at the right time. where they will face stiffcom­ four guys among the top six similar to Hagemann’s in the to do,” Thomapple Kellogg conference champion at the The TK JV girls won their petition from state power­ finishers led by junior Henry OK Gold this fall moving girls’ coach Sam Wilkinson end of her junior and senior competition Tuesday too house East Grand Rapids as Dixon who won the race in from 43rd at the first jambo­ said. “It was the second long campaigns. with the top three runners in well as their own OK Gold 15:43.57. He beat out Ottawa ree, to 37th at the second all talk our team had, but I promSouth Christian was led by that race from TK, led by rivals from South Christian Hills senior Liam Walters who the way up to 27th at the ised them that today I would senior Ellia Agear who was individual champ Ellie and Forest Hills Eastern. was second in 15:51.77. There championship race. only say five words about the fifth in 19:24.66. The one- Harmon, a freshman, who Coach Wilkinson said there were fourth guys who hit the Hamming pulled away race: point difference in the scoring won in 20:49.44. That time are a few other teams looking finish line in less than 16 min­ from the rest of the Trojan You ... know ... what... between Crews and Agar was would have put her right to push for one of the three utes. pack. TK freshman Elijah to... do.’ also the difference between behind Hagemann in the var- state qualifying spots at the Thomapple Kellogg’s lead­ Frazer was 39th in 19:00.29, “The girls did know what to the Trojans and Sailors after sity race. regional. A minimum ofseven er was senior Lucas Van Meter freshman Grady Galaviz 41st do and they really showed the two teams had three run­ Crews, Skidmore and individual state qualifiers will who placed eighth in 16:38.27. in 19:11.43 and junior Hunter up.” ners across the line. Hardy all earned all-confer­ come from the regional as well The pair of TK seniors at Tietz 43rd in 19:16.00. Trojan junior Ava Crews, South Christian had junior ence honors while Kietzman with everyone that finishes in the front of the pack have TK’s six and seven runners already a two-time state quali- Rachel Berkenpas place tenth and Hagemann earned honorthe top 15 individually guaran­ something to push for in the both set their personal records. fier, raced to a fourth-place in a PR of20:19.34 and soph- able mention all-conference teed a spot in the finals. boys’ regional race at South Sophomore Benjamin Postma time of 19:12.08 to lead the omore Lili Zondervan set her for IK. The Thomapple Kellogg Christian too. Van Meter will was 48th in 19:49.60 and TK team. A couple of pairs PR at 20:46.47 in placing In addition to the both teams boys took a seventh place fin­ be trying to qualify for the junior Case Dykhouse 49th in came in behind her. Freshman 15th, 15th,just justahead aheadof ofKietzman Kietzman winning, Ava Crews, Meghan ish Tuesday in a meet domi- state finals for the first time 19:51.73. Peyton Hardy set her PR at and Hagemann. Skidmore, and Peyton Hardy 20:36.67 to place 12th and That Trojan sophomore duo earned All-Conference honfellow freshman Meghan-Jane though raced in just ahead of ors, and Mady Kietzman and Skidmore was right behind in South Christian’s four and five Avery Hagemann earned AllBrett Bremer Rian Resteau, VanHofwegen It was another solid night Sports Editor and Gaylord took a turn in the for the Viking divers. Larissa The Caledonia/Lowell/ 200-yard freestyle relay in the Dudicz won the competition South Christian varsity girls’ final OK Red Conference dual with a score of 207.40 and swimming and diving team ofthe season Thursday at West Elise Miller was second with a wrapped up a 1-6 season of Ottawa, finishing - second in score of201.35 points. OK Red Conference duals in 1:46.35. The West Ottawa team To close the evening, CLS the pools at West Ottawa and of Samantha Bolt, Izzy Steele, had the runner-up team in the Jenison this week. Rogan Mclean and McKinley 400-yard freestyle relay with a The CLS 200-yard freestyle Levendoski took the victory in time of3:47.52. That foursome relay team of Sophie Gaylord, the race with a time of 1:44.98. was made up ofVanderZwaag, Bella Trieb, MyaVanderZwaag Trieb won the 100-yard Van Hofwegen, Gaylord and and Aliya Van Hofwegen met freestyle in 53.06 seconds at Trieb in that race. The Panthers the MHSAA state meet cut in West Ottawa and had a run­ took that one with the team of a runner-up finish at Jenison ner-up time of 2:01.98 in the Bolt, Makenzie Baldwin, Tuesday. The foursome sprint­ 100-yard freestyle. Baylee Davis and Pyk finishing ed to a time of 1 minute 41.33 That 200-yard freestyle was in 3:44.16. seconds to win the race. a fast race for the Vikings as Baldwin was the 100-yard That was one oftwo victo­ they chased West Ottawa butterfly champ for the ries on the night for the CLS junior Baylee Davis who won Panthers in 59.86 with Gaylord girls who ultimately fell 177­ it in 2:00.98. The CLS sopho­ second in that race in 1:03.11. 129 to the Wildcats. more Gaylord was third with a Clara Kerkstra got the run­ The CLS girls also won the time of2:03.33. ner-up points for the Vikings 400-yard freestyle relay with a The Vikings also got a 2-3 in the 100-yard breaststroke the team of Izzy Leason, finish from Van Hofwagen with a time of 1:24.76. West VanderZwaag, Gaylord and and VanderZwaag in the Ottawa’s Monroe Milobinski Trieb finishing in 3:49.78. 50-yard freestyle. Van won that race in 1:11.83 - a West Ottawa bested the Hofwegen touched the ball in season-best time for her. CLS girls 182-128 Thursday 26.70 and VanderZwaag in The OK Red Conference in Holland. 26.72. West Ottawa’s Kalyna Championship Meet will be The foursome of Leason, Pyk was a bit ahead in 25.38. held Nov. 3-4 in Hudsonville. Vikings sprint to OK Red finish � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-11-04.pdf e43cd102a98e3d08ca79b769aba16eb1 PDF Text Text ThsS&n aet&Jews , _ ^<--•L—e=—>. —WX.* —r-^ j— ,- * —• ----- ' —' ■^rf—c- ViS• •— itfvrh5i_ .*—rj— ,- * —• ----' —' r—Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 44/ November 4, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Circle K in Caledonia Township is a haven for semi-trucks, many of which park there, which has led to repeated violations of zoning rules. (File photo) Township: Circle K not following court order on truck parking Greg Chandler The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) shooting range in Barry County opened on Friday. (Photos by Greg Chandler) DNR shooting range on M-179 now open after yearslong wait, anticipation Greg Chandler Staff Writer Four years after the project was first proposed, the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources shooting range in Barry County is now open. The range, located on more than 11 acres within the Barry State Game Area on the south side of Chief Noonday Road (M-179), just east of Peets Road in Rutland Charter Township, officially opened to shooting enthusiasts on Friday. It will offer target shooting for handguns and rifles, as well as sporting clay shooting, said Lori Burford, manager of the DNR’s shooting sports section. “Temporary closures may be necessary in the future to allow the builders to com­ plete some remaining com- ponents, but the range will open to the public on Nov. 3, in time to help hunters pre­ pare for firearms deer sea­ son,” Burford said. “It will offer a safe, accessible shooting opportunity for res- See SHOOTING RANGE, page 2 Shana Spinney named new Caledonia Chamber director Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Area Chamber ofCommerce has a new executive director. Shana (pronounced “Shayna”) Spinney began her new duties this week. She replac- Shana Spinney es Lori Gaier, who is step­ ping down after nearly three years as executive director at the chamber. Gaier has been working with Spinney during the week to get her acclimat­ ed to her new role. “It’s been a busy week. Lori has done a great job of showing me the ropes,” Spinney said. “We’ve been involved in chamber meet­ ings. We wept to a women’s chamber event (Thursday) afternoon. I’ve gotten to meet many of the board members and executive team and various ambassadors.” Last Saturday, Spinney was at the Halloween Hustle 5K run at the Community Green Park that is sponsored by the chamber, shadowing Gaier. “I got to see the event live and that was really fun, so I’ll be looking forward to hosting that (event) next year,” she said. A native of Schaumburg, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, Spinney came to Michigan eight years ago, settling in Kalamazoo with her hus­ band, Jeremy. She owned and operated a gym in the Kalamazoo area, which ini­ tially was a Fit Body Boot Camp franchise before it changed its name to Michigan GRIT Fitness. Spinney ran the gym for nearly five years before she sold it in 2021. Two years ago, Spinney and her family moved to Caledonia. “My husband was working up in Walker, so the com­ mute (from Kalamazoo) was crazy. We fell in love with a house in Caledonia, it was kind oflike our dream house. I didn’t know much about Caledonia ... as soon as we got here, I fell in love (with the community). It’s the per­ fect blend. I love everything about it. It’s the right amount of small-town community, but just close enough to all the fun in Grand Rapids with the downtown (and) the com­ merce,” Spinney said. With her youngest daugh- See SPINNEY, page 2 StaffWriter Less than four months after a judge ordered Circle K to follow Caledonia Township zoning rules lim­ iting how many semi-trucks can park at its gas station and convenience store at 68th Street and Broadmoor Avenue/M-37, officials say the company is continuing to violate the judge’s order and township ordinances. Township Manager Alison Nugent reported to the board Wednesday night that Circle K is violating a consent judgment issued by 63rd District Judge Sara Smolensk! on June 12, which ordered the company to limit the number of trucks allowed at the site to seven, in accordance with special land use the township approved for the company in November 2019. “Often there are 10 to 12 semis parked within and just outside of designated areas when the consent judgment states that seven are allowed,” Nugent wrote in a memo to the board. “Semis are using the gas station to wait for shipments from Amazon. While semis do not park for more than a few hours at a time, the gas station is always full of cabs.” The Circle K station is located one mile east of Amazon’s regional fulfill­ ment center on 68th Street in Gaines Charter Township and distribution facilities are across the street from the fulfillment center. Caledonia Township took Circle K to court after issuing five civil infraction complaints against the company over the last several years. In addition to having more trucks parked than allowed, the township See CIRCLE K, page 3 RELATED NEWS Caledonia Twp. adopts zoning enforcement policy for commercial, industrial See story on page 3 • Township to transfer land to Caledonia schools to expand CalPlex • Dutton Christian student has banner outing at All American Quarter Horse Congress • Gaines Twp. planners approve site plan for new Pine Rest facility • TK’s Crews advances to state CC meet • Assists record set as Cal volleybailers win district match �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4,2023 SPINNEY, continued from page 1 ter, Ellie, now entering school, Spinney was look­ ing to get back into the business world after taking a couple of years off. That’s when she learned that the chamber was looking for a new director. “I thought it was the per­ fect blend of my back­ ground. I love all things small business and com­ munity and to be able to add value to those busi­ nesses. It just seemed right up my alley. I can’t wait to really get into it and get started,” Spinney said. Besides her business ownership experience, Spinney has past experi­ ence in real estate, logistics and accounting. She also was involved with the Downtown Development Authority in Texas Charter Township, where her gym was located. “I understand the highs and the lows and the chal­ lenges that a business owner might face, and I hope that my experiences can help bring value to small busi­ nesses and then help them, by being part of the cham­ ber ... with whatever they need,” Spinney said. Spinney, 38, holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in business admin­ istration from Robert Morris University in Chicago. Your local agent insures your Lake Estate Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com 60" & 90" Minky in colors New Moda® Eyelet - 20 colors Beautiful Fall Cottons Layer Cakes, Charm Packs Hu 1st Cleaners Pick-Up Station < Caledonia Twp. board approves land transfer to expand CalPlex Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Board Wednesday voted unanimously to transfer 20 acres of property to Caledonia Community Schools for expansion of the CalPlex youth sports and recreation complex. The property at 100th Street and Kraft Avenue was purchased by the township in 2008 at a cost of $250,000. The purchase occurred at the same time that the school district acquired the 36 acres on which CalPlex now sits at a cost of $450,000. Wednesday’s action came several months after the school board turned down a proposal by the township for a land swap, in which the township would give CCS its 20 acres for expanding CalPlex in exchange for acquiring property owned by the school district at 84th Street and Whitneyville Avenue. Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison met recently with CCS Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer to discuss the property. The district com­ pared the land acquisition for CalPlex to the township’s stance on land acquisition for park properties in conjunction with Kent County. “In other land acquisition scenarios, the township con­ tributed at a 2-to-l ratio with the county,” Weeldreyer shared in a PowerPoint pre­ sentation when he met with Harrison. “In the case of CalPlex, the ratio is reversed, Caledonia Township will transfer 20 acres of property to Caledonia schools to allow the district to expand its CalPlex sports and recreation complex. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) with the district contributing toward the land acquisition cost at a 2-to-l ratio.” CCS has invested more than $1.8 million in develop­ ing the first phase ofCalPlex, according to Weeldreyer. Harrison agreed with the district’s findings. “I submit that this land was purchased with the intent ofit being the township’s contri­ bution to the development of much-needed recreation facil­ ities,” Harrison wrote in a memo to his board colleagues. “The passage of the (May) bond (issue) allows the next phase of vision to become a reality. It is time to move for­ ward with our vision.” CCS and the Caledonia Youth Sports Association are eager to move ahead with plans to develop the 100th and Kraft site, using funds from the May bond issue. About $3 million of the $61 million bond issue will go toward the CalPlex expan­ sion. “The expansion of the CalPlex will provide substan­ tial benefits to our communi­ ty,” said CYSA President Kyle Clement, a former school board member. “It will create more space for our children to engage in youth sports, thus enabling more families to participate in these programs. It is not merely about promoting athleticism — it’s about providing our community with an excep­ tional facility where families can watch their children engage in sports, socialize with their neighbors and learn valuable life lessons. It could also be host to future sports tournaments which can help local businesses. “Furthermore, this expan- sion addresses safety con­ cerns, especially regarding the current inadequacy ofthe parking lot. A larger and safer parking area will help allevi­ ate congestion and improve traffic flow. It will also make scheduling more efficient for everyone involved, from coaches and parents to our young athletes.” Harrison said the district can’t move ahead with devel­ opment ofthe site without the transfer. “They can’t begin engi­ neering and planning and use of funds until it is their prop­ erty,” he said. The township will work with legal counsel in drawing up the property transfer docu­ ments, Harrison said. No specific plans have been proposed for the second phase of CalPlex’s develop­ ment, Clement said. SHOOTING RANGE, continued from page 1 QUESTIONS: ASK US... 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm idents and visitors in Barry County.” The new range will replace a secluded threeacre site off Yankee Springs WE'RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Road, north of M-179 that shooters have used for decades. At one time, the Moose club in Hastings maintained the site. That site and other informal target shooting areas within the Barry State Game Area will no longer be available for dispersed target shooting. The DNR’s Wildlife Division will continue efforts to close and restore those areas, Burford said. The firing range will meet National Rifle Association and Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and will employ state-ofthe-art sound control mea­ sures and environmental containment features for lead. The $1.4 million shooting range project had the support of the Bany County Board of Commissioners and Yankee Springs Township. In December 2019, the Michigan Natural Resources Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd fa* HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 . ACCREDITED BUSINESS The shooting range, located within the Barry State Game Area on the south side of Chief Noonday Road, will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December and will be closed during the winter months. Trust Fund recommended the range receive $200,000 in grant funding. The state Legislature approved the allocation the following spring. The rest ofthe project was paid for through funds that were collected under the Pittman-Robertson Act, a federal law dating back to 1937 that assesses excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, archery equip­ ment and handguns, with the revenues to be used for proj­ ects that restore and improve wildlife habitat, as well as develop public shooting ranges and hunter education programs. Visitors to the range will need to bring their own tar­ gets, Burford said. The range will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from October through December and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from April through September. It will be closed during the winter months, But ford said. For mor; information on the DNR’s public shooting ranges in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/ ShootingRanges. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4, 2023/ Page 3 CIRCLE K, continued from page 1 cited the company for trucks being parked in areas not designated for truck parking and for trucks idling, zoning enforcement officer Gary Campbell wrote in a letter to Circle K. management in March of this year. Circle K admitted respon­ sibility for one ofthe viola­ tions and agreed to pay the township $1,000 within 30 days as a reimbursement of the township’s costs in the enforcement process, court records show. Smolensk! ordered Circle K to maintain signage pro­ hibiting parking except as allowed under the special land use agreement. She also ordered that striping and cross-hatching be applied to show where no parking is allowed where illegal parking was taking place. In addition, the judge ordered Circle K to hire a third-party security compa­ ny “to regularly monitor the parking outside of the per­ mitted areas ... and follow up with illegally parked trucks,” court records show. “They agreed to hire a security firm that would enforce this, but we haven’t seen that is effective,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. The township zoning administrator and zoning enforcement officer have visited the site over the last two months to document new violations, and letters depicting violations have been sent to the gas station and to Circle K headquar­ ters, Nugent wrote in her memo. Harrison shared a story with the board from Fire Chief Scott Siler about one trucker. “He saw someone in their tighty-whities, scrubbing themselves with a bucket of water next to their truck,” Harrison said. “We are entering into truck stop ter- ritory when people start feeling that’s where they should bathe themselves.” Harrison admitted that there are challenges in get­ ting Circle K to comply. “This is private property, so the sheriff’s department is limited on what they can do to enforce a zoning stan­ dard,” Harrison said. “To expect the poor clerk ... to confront truck drivers on whether they should be parking there, I don’t think that is a reasonable or fair enforcement model. Is there a way to cite and ticket the truck drivers, for someone to do that, rather than the business itself?” Trustee Tim Bradshaw suggested the township go to court again to seek com­ pliance. “I think we should ticket them again, based on non­ compliance, and request a formal hearing, and at that hearing request that the infrastructure on the site is changed to the point that they have to cut off the back of the place where most of the semis are park­ ing,” Bradshaw said. “They can place bollards and other permanent structures within the site and change the site. It’s very friendly for semis. There’s too much room. That’s why they can park all over it.” The board also addressed another semi-truck parking issue Wednesday, this one at the Meijer gas station and convenience store just a few hundred yards across Broadmoor from Circle K. While Circle K’s special land use allows a limited number of semi-trucks to park, Meijer’s special land use agreement does not allow any semis to park there. A letter dated Sept. 25 from the township was sent to Meijer manage­ ment, with photos, show­ ing semis parked at the site. Caledonia Twp. adopts zoning enforcement policy for commercial, industrial Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Township is instituting a formal policy for dealing with zoning violations for commercial and industrial properties in the township. The Township Board Wednesday unanimously adopted the policy, which sets out a three-week pro­ cess for addressing com­ plaints. The policy was developed in light of recent complaints of zon­ ing violations at the Circle K and Meijer gas stations in the area of 68th Street and Broadmoor Avenue/M-37. “In the past, the process has never been formally written down,” Township Manager Alison Nugent said. Under the new policy, when the township receives a complaint, the zoning administrator will log the complaint in the township’s recording sys­ tem with details of the alleged violation from the person making the com­ plaint as well as the rele­ vant ordinance. The zon­ ing administrator will then do an initial inspec­ tion of the site to deter­ mine if a violation does exist. If a violation is found, a letter is sent to the property owner informing that person of the violation as well as the ordinance under which it is being enforced, Nugent said. A second inspection would then take place within two weeks to see if the violation has been corrected. If the violation are doing it in a uniform manner ... so when people ask us ‘what are you doing,’ we can say we’re at this point in the process, Ifs just a formal way to document that when we get these complaints...” — Alison Nugent, Manager, Caledonia Township still hasn’t been fixed, a second letter is sent by the zoning administrator to the property owner. If the violation still exists after two compliance let­ ters have been sent, the zoning administrator will refer the situation to the township manager for review, and could be authorized to write a tick­ et for a civil infraction, Nugent said. “It’s just a formal way to document that when we get these complaints, we (such as) ‘we’ve gotten to the ticket-writing pro­ cess, Nugent said. Nugent said that if a property owner is taking steps to address a viola­ tion, the township will work with that individual. “If you tell us you are working to correct it and you show us proof that you are, we stop the time­ line, to allow you time to fix it,” she said. A complaint form will be available for anyone wanting to submit a com­ plaint to the township. The township is also looking at putting in place a similar policy for deal­ ing with zoning violations in residential areas. However, Trustee Greg Zoller proposed that the township hold off on adopting that policy until the board has had a chance to review its ordinances for possible changes. The board is expected to address those ordinances next month. — 2 LOCATIONS — HASTINGS; 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or marital status, or an intention, to make any such This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451 -2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. ' Insumz SPRAYFOAM Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville ng. BQUAL HOMBM OPPORTUNITY Brace's Frame end Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or status includes children under the age of 18 living occurred around 9:30 a.m., when traffic began to slow on westbound M-6 at East Paris Avenue. There was no reports of any other injuries. Michigan State Police are investigating how the crash happened, and why traffic was slowing down at the time. They ask any witnesses to phone them at their Grand Rapids post: (616)­ 866-4411. MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody ofchildren under 18. James Gemmell Contributing Writer Michigan State Police say a 24-year-old man from East Lansing suf­ fered serious injuries Thursday morning in a three-vehicle crash in Gaines'Charter Township. His name had not been released by the time this story went to press. Troopers from the MSP Post in Grand Rapids say the chain-reaction crash Scott Bloom, O J). OPTOMETRIST on the Meijer lot is a rea­ sonable (restriction),” Harrison said. Township Trustee Tim Bradshaw cited a difference between the two stations. “Meijer doesn’t have a diesel semi truck fueling station like Circle K does,” Bradshaw said. “That’s not to say that (drivers) don’t need snacks or Mountain Dew or coffee or whatever. But it’s a different opera­ tion.” Bradshaw added that when Meijer came before the Township Planning Commission for its special land use in December 2020, it did not want semi-trucks to park at the site. “It was not a requirement of the planning commis­ sion. It was not an ask. They volunteered,” he said. The planning commis­ sion would have to approve any changes to Meijer’s special land use to allow semis to park at the site. Chain-reaction crash causes serious injury on M-6 Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial In response, Meijer has been putting up cones to prevent semis from parking “in certain areas” of its lot to discourage semis from parking, Nugent said. “I’m not sure how long that will last. It’s a tempo­ rary solution,” she said. Harrison is concerned with what he sees as an inconsistency between what’s allowed at Circle K and what’s allowed at Meijer. “We should come up with a standard that says ‘here’s what’s allowed on these types of properties,’ and it should be consistent so that one property owner wasn’t able to get a better deal than the other,” Harrison said. Harrison said he would be open to amending Meijer’s land use agree­ ment to allow some semis to park at the station. ' “We have to allow some level of (semi) parking. I don’t think that prohibition �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4, 2023 Set clocks back tonight Daylight saving time will end Sunday, Nov. 5. The official hour is 2 a.m., but most folks won’t notice the change until daybreak - or later. Some clocks - on smart­ watches, cell phones, com­ puters and other devices - will fall back on their own in the wee hours ofSunday, Nov. 5. Dentist offers free dental care to vets at Nov. 17 event Other, more traditional clocks and watches, will have to be manually moved back an hour to mark the end of daylight saving time. Either way, the morning alarm will sound an hour late, and darkness wi 11 come sooner in the evening. Clocks will again jump ahead March 10, 2024. tact info, and whether graduate. He earned his ed to do something more. degree There are several ways there are specific dental undergraduate StaffWriter from Grand Valley State A local dentist wants to to nominate a veteran for needs to be addressed. honor veterans by offering the dental care. Nomination Nominations may also be University and attended dentistry school at the them free dental care one forms can be filled out at submitted via email at ysdday later this month. the Yankee Springs Dental dental@gmail.com or via University of Minnesota. Dr. Tyler Veneman of offices at 12715 M-179 Facebook Messenger, just He is being assisted on the Yankee Springs Dental is Hwy., which will ask ques­ as long as the pertinent “Veterans In Need Day” by Kayla Larson, a regis­ accepting nominations for tions such as what branch information is included. Veneman is a 2007 tered dental assistant at local veterans who are in of the military the veteran need of dental care. He served in, his or her con- Caledonia High School the practice. will provide free dental services for the “Veterans In Need Day” on Nov. 17. Veneman, who pur­ chased the dental practice from Dr. Frank Kokmeyer two years ago, says this is the first time he has held such an event for veter­ ans. “Wehavebeenlooking We have been looking for opportunities to do some outreach, some com­ munity service,” he said. “We’ve done dental days at (Thornapple Kellogg) Schools, but we’re looking for opportunities to give back to the community. We thought of this idea a cou­ ple ofmonths ago.” Veneman has been offering 10 percent disYankee Springs Dental is offering free dental service to veterans on Nov. 17. counts for veterans receiv- Pictured from left are dental assistant Kayla Larson, office manager and dental ing care through Yankee assistant Liz Ryan and Dr. Tyler Veneman, owner of the practice. (Photo by Greg Springs Dental, but want- Chandler) Greg Chandler Middleville TOPS 546 The Oct. 30 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There are four new fish in the fishbowl. A discussion was held to determ inc ifwe wanted, or were able, to have a weigh-in between Christmas and New Year’s Day as we will not be meeting either ofthose days. It was decided to have a weigh-in on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m. Virginia’s meeting was from the September/October TOPS magazine titled “Deconstruction Before Reconstruction. Moving Through Transformation to a New Life.” Moving is a very stressful transition. There is uncertainty, unknowns and it can be somewhat bittersweet But it is usually an improvement Transformation takes time, effort and patience. Reconstruction starts with deconstruction. It can get ugly before it gets better. Habits are hard and messy. New ways ofthinking are challenging and difficult Start small, let go and refocus on the new. Undo where we are to focus on where we want to be and where we want to go. Transformation com­ pels us to grow and helps us to become better versions of our­ selves. George was the best loser for the month ofOctober. Sue won the football contest. Maryellen lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss support group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908-8036. or Maryellen, 616-318-3545. The first meeting is free. ataska j c hEVc h IPheete’ity cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Our mission is to worship God and disciple committedfollowers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: //goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com III Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY ftPEACE CHURCH CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch Church PEACECHURCH.CC Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool jSi Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church __I Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou TjuCcutjenw cHurcfi Worship Services Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Sunday School... ..9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter- 616-868-0621 WW? our services from our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFelIowship.org Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 wwwjtpaulcaledonia.org 8900 Dully Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet Casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY MW CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass ................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY HURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4, 2023/ Page 5 Dutton Christian student named All-Around Champion at All American Quarter Horse Congress Molly Macleod Copy Editor Dutton Christian student Madison Stuart competed in the All American Quarter Horse Congress last month in Columbus, Ohio, taking home lots of hardware and the title of 2023 All-Around Champion. Madison, 13, is no stranger to the big stage. She has been riding horses since the age of 4, and she has been compet­ ing with them since she was 6. The All American Quarter Horse Congress is an annual competition held in Columbus, Ohio. It is the largest single-breed horse show in the world to date and is a dream destination for any competitor. Madison, who lives with her family in Lake Odessa, was a returning com­ petitor this year, having per­ formed well at last year’s Congress, as well. Though Madison had a tar­ get on her back this year, being last year’s champion as well, she and her horse, Valentinosblazinride, or “Vinny” for short, sailed through several rounds and is willing to do anything and different classes of competi­ is willing to learn it, too, ifit’s tion in Columbus last month. something new,” Madison Madison and Vinny won said. the Level 1 Youth Madison spends much of Horsemanship 13 & Under her time outside ofthe class­ category, along with the Level room working on her craft. 1 Youth Hunt Seat Equitation She trains full-time with 13 & Under category. In addi­ Adam Winter of Winter in tion to this, Madison placed Performance Horses in the top five in several other Zeeland. classes, leading to her crown­ “I really like going out and ing as All-Around Champion. riding by myselfand working “She ended up coming on things Adam (Winter) tells home with six trophies, 18 me to work on. I think it’s medals, two belt buckles and good for me to work on stuff a blue ribbon western sad­ myself and figure it out with­ dle,” said Melissa Stuart, out having someone explain it Madison’s mother. to me all the time,” said Madison and Vinny have Madison. been a team for six years now. “It gives me time with Madison’s family purchased Vinny, and it also gives me Vinny, a quarter horse, when time by myself to work on he was 3 and Madison was 7. things that I want to work on The rest was history. to accomplish what I want to “He is just like the coolest accomplish,” she continued. horse ever,” said Madison. Madison’s passion for “He won’t hurt a fly. He will showing horses is not unprec­ challenge you, for sure.” edented in her family. Though Vinny’s quirks Madison followed in the foot­ may pose a challenge to some steps ofher mother, Melissa. riders, said Madison, she Melissa started showing clicks with Vinny in a way horses at the young age of 3, others don’t. though she took a different “He just does anything and direction than Madison. Melissa competed in the dres­ sage and jumping circuits, while Madison gravitated toward the all-around compe­ titions. Though Melissa sold her horse when she was pregnant with Madison, it was clear that she couldn’t stay away from the sport for long. “When I got married, I had a horse, so I always joke with my husband, ‘You married me with a horse, so you know I’ll have a horse my whole life,”’ said Melissa. When Madison was young, Melissa coached East Kentwood’s equestrian team, with her daughter on the ros­ ter. “Sometimes you go out and you show and it’s not your day, but it was those moments when you go ‘OK, this is what I’m going to work on, and I’m going to do bet­ ter,”’ said Melissa. “It’s just you and your pony out there,” she said. For many weeks out ofthe year, Madison and her family can be found traveling across the United States, competing in different shows. In August, Madison Stuart shows off her most recent tro­ phies and the blue ribbon saddle she was awarded last month in Columbus, Ohio, where she competed in the 2023 All American Quarter Horse Congress. There, she earned All-Around Champion honors. (Photo provided) Madison competed in the Nutrena American Quarter Horse Association World Show in Oklahoma, bringing home medals there as well. Madison turns 14 next month, meaning she will move up in age division to the 14-18 category. Though she is fresh offofvictory, she has no plans to slow down yet. Madison is already setting her sights on winning more tro­ phies in more competitions across the nation. PAVING THE WAY: Crews pave new non-motorized trail along Whitneyville Avenue ^Antenna Men Crews are working to fin­ ish up a non-motorized trail in the Campau-Kettle Lake area of Caledonia Township this week. Thursday saw crews out in full force along Whitneyville Avenue laying down asphalt for the trail. The trail runs along Whitneyville Avenue from Kettle Lake Elementary School to 66th Street. The trail also extends along 66th to McCords Avenue then along McCords past the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boat launch to Channel Drive. The trail is the latest addi­ tion to Caledonia’s network of non-motorized trails and allows for foot traffic along a busy stretch ofroad that cur­ rently does not feature side­ walks. The township was able to get an expanded easement from a couple of property owners along 66th Street, which made it possible for crews to avoid cutting down a handful oftrees, which was a point of concern for resi­ dents in that area. • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Join us for a FREE KID CLOTHING EXCHANGE Bring in your outgrown kids clothes and exchange them for the next size up. Exchanges will start at 9am. Clothing must be unstained with no rips or holes and sizes newborn to 16. Don’t have clothes to exchange? From 12:30-1:00 all remaining clothes will be given away without exchange. ®A7Uroay, NOVEMBER 9 AM -1 pW FIRST BAPTIST Middleville 5215 N. M-37 Hwy, Middleville, 49333 ENTER THROUGH THE M-37 ENTERENCE fbcmldcilevlUe.net I office@fbcmiddlevllle.net I 269-795-9726 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4, 2023 TRQjlANS, continued from page 7— August to place 79th in 19:34.7. The Trojans’ top two freshmen were next with Grady Galaviz 84th in 19: 57.8 and Elijah Frazer 86th in 20:12.3. Ben Postma, a sopho­ more, cut about half a minute off his Under the Lights time to place 92nd in 20:36.0 Saturday and junior Case Dykhouse cut nearly 45 seconds coming in right behind Postma with a 93rd-place time of 20: 42.9. With Forest Hills Eastern, East Grand Rapids and Marshall, the regional’s top three boys’ teams, putting a total of 11 guys among the 15 medal­ ists the list ofstate qualifi­ ers in the boys’ meet stretched all the way down to the 21st-place finisher. Hastings senior Riley Shults happened to be the unfortunate 22nd-place finisher just missing out on a return trip to the finals. FHE, the OK Gold Conference boys’ champs, won Saturday with 36 points ahead of East Grand Rapids 57 and Marshall 72. Harper Creek placed fourth with 153 points and Hastings fifth with 181. The TK boys were 14th with 367 points in the field of 16 full teams. Marshall junior Jack Bidwell was the boys’ individual champ in 15:51.03 and East Grand Rapids junior Drew Muller won the girls’ race in 19:03.76. Community invited to TKHS Veterans Day celebration Thornapple Kellogg High School’s annual Veterans Day celebration is slated for 10 a.m. on Nov. 10. The public is welcome to attend. Veterans are encouraged to attend to be honored for their service. (Photo provided) Thomapple Kellogg High School is honored to wel­ come veterans and the com­ munity to join in the annual Veterans Day celebration at 10 a.m. on Nov. 10 in the high school gymnasium. Veterans are invited to attend and be recognized for their service. This is a special program for all high school students as well as community mem­ bers. It’s a morning filled with honoring and acknowl­ edging veterans and their Thornapple Kellogg sophomore Madison Kietzman works her way down hill a few strides ahead of teammate Peyton Hardy during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional at South Christian High School Oct. 28. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity boys’ tennis team placed fifth at its MHSAALower Peninsula Division 2 High Efficiency FURNACE $200 OFF (not valid with other offers) FRONTIER HEATING 0 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-89 Locally owned business. will offer prepared readings to honor and support veter­ ans. One honored veteran will be the guest speaker. This special event honors and acknowledges contribu­ tions made by men and women who have served in any branch of the armed forces at any time. Veterans who plan to attend should contact Mindy Wert at the high school at 269-795-5441 or mwert@tkschools.org. Veterans are welcome to wear their uniforms and pro- vide a photo (ifthey haven’t already done so in previous years) to be included in a slide show during the event. The program will be fol­ lowed by a luncheon for vet­ erans provided by Thomapple Kellogg Schools. All guests should park in the south parking lot and enter through the athletic lobby, where they will be greeted by TKHS students. Veterans should arrive early to be seated for the pro­ gram. CHS tennis players snag a few wins at regional —Be Winter Ready— Must present this coupon coupon. Expires 11-17-2023 service to the country. The gymnasium, filled with more than 900 students, TK staff, and community members, is expected to grow silent as the American flag is ceremo­ niously brought to the front of the stage. It grows some­ how even quieter for a moment ofsilence to remem­ ber veterans who never made it home. The TKHS band and the honors choir are slated to perform patriotic songs and the U.S. History students furnace Regional Tournament hosted by Mattawan Friday, Oct. 13. The host Wildcats won the regional title with 28 points, beating out Byron Center with 23, Portage Central 19, Battle Creek Lakeview 18, Caledonia 4, Portage Northern 4, Battle Creek Central 2, Ottawa Hills 0 and Wyoming 0. Sophomore second singles player Colin Martin took one of the Scots’ four victories, pulling out a three-set win over Portage northern senior Nathan Gleason in the first round. He won by the scores of3-6, 6-3, 6-2 before falling to top-seeded Jacob Hodgman from Mattawan in the second round. Senior Ryan Walbeck took a fourth singles win for the Scots in the opening round. He defeated Wyoming sophomore Abraaham Cano 6-0, 6-0 before running into top-seed­ ed Dylan Hodgman from Mattawan in round two: Will. VanderWeele and Neal Hargtave took a default win against Battle Creek Central at third doubles and the Caledonia fourth doubles duo ^of Luke Athearn apd . Cody DeVries did the same at fourth doubles. Both teams were bested by the top-seed­ ed teams at their flight in round two. The Scots closed out the OK Red Conference season at the conference tournament Oct. 7 where Wets Ottawa clinched its third consecutive conference championship. The Panthers were unde­ feated during the conference duals and scored 65 points at the conference touma-' ment. Hudsonville was sec­ ond with 59 points, ahead of Rockford 57, Jenison 41, Grand Haven 36, Grandville 35, Caledonia 17 and East Kentwood 16. The Panthers’ Elliot Dozeman took the tourna­ ment’s first singles title with a 6-0, 6-1 win oyer Rockford’s Elijah Johnson in the championship match at their flight. Martin at second singles and Walbeck at fourth sin­ gles for the Scots had their team’s two singles victories. Martin knocked off East Kentwood’s Isaac Drueke 6- 2, 6-2. Walbeck got a 6-3, 7- 6 win oyer Grandville’s .l^iqJijaglJMalinowski, The Caledonia doubles teams pulled out a couple super tiebreakers to earn points for the team. Kaeler Fox and Quinn Stanley at fifth doubles knocked off their foes from East Kentwood pulling out a 6-4, 4-6, (10-4). At fourth doubles, the Caledonia duo of Cody DeVries and Luke Athearn outscored Grandville’s Cameron Regnergus and Nolan Sheriden 6-7, 6-2, (11-9). It didn’t take as long for the Scots’ third doubles team of VanderWeele" and Hargrave to score its win. They knocked off East Kentwood’s Tony Pham and Kyle Hodges 6-0, 6-3. Hudsonville concluded its season with a 15th place fin­ ish at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Boys’ Tennis Finals the weekend of Oct. 20-21 in Midland. Rockford placed 17th at the DI finals and West Ottawa finished 20th. . The Mattawan team that won the Scots’ Division 2 regional placed third at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Finals in Grand Rapids that same weekend. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4, 2023/ Page 9 ARPA-funded state park improvements continue Cooler weather and autumn leaves aren’t the only changes visitors will notice at Michigan state parks this season. A number of planned improvement projects that are transform­ ing amenities and infrastruc­ ture in several parks across the state are now completed, underway or getting ready to start. “Michigan’s beloved, award-winning state parks play host to visitors’ trea­ sured memories year after year: catching your first fish, telling stories around the campfire, connecting with family and friends. Our state parks are here for it all,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “These upgrades and improvements are what the Building Michigan Together Plan is all about, and it is gratifying to see these changes happening in real time. State parks sup­ port tens of thousands of jobs and countless local economies, empowering tourism and recreation small businesses across the state. It is critical that we invest in these destinations for current and future gen­ erations.” Thanks to $250 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and outlined in Gov. Whitmer’s Building Michigan Together Plan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is addressing a decades-long backlog ofrepair and main­ tenance concerns. The funds also will help build a new state park in Flint, Genesee County. “This is an incredibly busy, industrious time for Michigan state parks, and we’re excited for our visi­ tors to experience and enjoy the results of this hard work,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division. “Some projects, like new traffic lanes, paved trails and spruced-up shower buildings, will be obvious. Others, such as upgraded water and electrical systems and improved sanitation systems, may not be as visi­ ble but are critically import­ ant to better visitor experi­ ences.” Michigan state parks wel­ come nearly 35 million peo­ ple every year and are among the most-visited out­ door destinations in the country, making such improvements essential. “Michigan’s beautiful outdoor spaces are a vital part of the fabric of our state. For the sake of our environment, our people and our economy, it’s crucial that we maintain our parks and trails,” said state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Township). “As chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee for the DNR, I’m proud to see available federal funding put to good use preserving and improv­ ing our state parks so they can provide recreation opportunities for genera­ tions to come.” To learn about the status of ARPA-funded projects and to view an interactive map identifying proposed project locations and status of those projects, visit Michigan.gov/ StateParksProgress. Many projects have been completed so far and there are many more underway or soon to be. Among them are: Projects nearing fall com­ pletion The 92-mile Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park (work taking place in Mecosta and Montcalm counties)is set to reopen by the end ofNovember, just in time for snowmobiling sea­ son. Trail users will notice a smoother surface along a 21-mile stretch between Howard City in Montcalm County and Big Rapids in Mecosta County. A small segment may close again in the spring for additional work. A proposed $9.6 mil­ lion in federal relief funding made these renovations and others possible. Enhancements will wrap up at Hoffinaster State Park’s (Muskegon County) modem campground this tinuing this fall and into fall, including upgraded 2024 will ensure this state water and sewer lines, park is helping put our best campground roads and a foot forward to showcase new bike path. A proposed the beauty of western $6.4 million in federal relief Michigan to all who visit, funding made these renova­ and I’m grateful for the tions and others possible. work of all involved.” Fall project starts The toilet and shower Both toilet and shower building in the Hemlock buildings will be replaced loop of Tahquamenon Falls and new electrical conduc­ State Park’s (Chippewa tors, site pedestals and dis­ County) Lower Falls mod­ tribution panels will be em campground will be installed in the west loop of replaced and is anticipated Fort Custer Recreation to reopen June 21, 2024. A Area’s (Kalamazoo County) proposed $4.3 million in modem campground. The federal relief funding made campground is slated to these renovations and others reopen July 31, 2024. A pro-possible. posed $3 million in federal relief funding made these Business Services renovations and others pos­ CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ sible. TIONS,,, REMODELING “The west loop ofthe Fort Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams Custer Recreation Area is a & Decks. Licensed builder 25 beautiful space that will years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ soon become even easier to 5937. enjoy, thanks to the dedica­ tion of these ARPA dollars for updates to the camp­ ground,” said state Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). “Work con­ Scots win reserve title at MIHA Equestrian Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scot varsity equestrian team earned a title at the Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association State Finals for the fourth consecutive fall finishing as the Division A Reserve Champions. Bullock Creek ended the Caledonia team’s there year run as the Division A State Champions, outscoring the The 2023 Caledonia High School equestrian team celebrates its regional title at the Berrien County Fairgrounds Oct. 1. The Fighting Scots went on to finish their season as the MIHA Division A Reserve Champions. Bull Creek’s win at the state finals ended a three-year run of state titles for the Fighting Scots. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN PUBLIC NOTICE The Gaines Charter Township Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed Township budget for fiscal year 2024. The hearing will be held at 7:00 PM during the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting to be held Monday, November 13, 2023, 7:00 PM, at the Township office located at: 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Current CDC COVID-19 Guidelines will be followed *The property tax millage rate, and Public Safety Special Assessment, proposed to be levied to support the proposed budgets will be a sub­ ject of this hearing. A copy of the draft proposed budgets is available for public inspection at the Township office. Any interested persons are invited to attend and participate. Persons with disabilities needing any special accommodations should contact the Township offices one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. Fighting Scots 428-402 at the top ofthe standings. Hopkins placed third with 343 points at the MIHA Finals the week of Oct. 11-15 at the Midland County Fairgrounds. Sand Creek was fourth with 233 points, ahead of Mason 157, South Lyon 124, Elk Rapids 80, Reed City 43, Shepherd 33 and St. Clair 27. The Fighting Scots had two first-place judgings in both the Saddle Seat Bareback competition and the Hunt Seat Equitation, and also drew top marks from a judge in the Western Fitting and Showing, Hunt Seat Fitting and Showing, Saddle Seat Fitting and Showing, Hunt Seat Bareback, Cloverleaf, the Timed race event and and Two-person relay through­ out the course of the com- petition. Oxford won the 2023 Division B state champion­ ship this year, Dansville took the title in Division C and Lakewood in Division D. Division size is determined by the number of RETIRED PAINTER WILL do odd jobs. 616-441-9328 MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. CaU 269-804-7506. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and refer­ ences available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269­ 888-5050. competitors for each team. The Fighting Scots were challenged on their way back to the state finals this Pets season. Hopkins beat out the Fighting Scots for the GOLDEN RETRIEVER victory in the first District PUPPIES- 1st shots and 19 competition of the sea-wormed, playful and friendly son before the Caledonia $300.00. 517-852-4881. team rallied to win the dis­ trict championship by tak­ ing the final two district meet-ups. The Fighting Scots fol­ lowed that up by outscoring Hopkins to win the MIHA Division A Region A Championship at the Berrien County Fairgrounds Sept. 29-Oct. 1. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. Very cute and fluffy. $300. 269-223-9194. DOG GROOMING. QUALITY local groomer at reasonable rates. 269-331-9999. Help Wanted {Insert Image der201130_272517.pdf} WORKSHOPS at cornerstone ■ ■ ■ ■ TOPIC: SUICIDE PREVENTION Wednesday, November 8 | 6:30-8pm I 84th St. Campus Join us for a workshop with guest speakers Richard TenHoor and Sue Toman, where they’ll be sharing with us about the crucial topic of suicide prevention. After their son Eric died by suicide in 2013, Richard and Sue both became certified to teach QPR - Question, Persuade, Refer, an evidence-based suicide prevention workshop. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlech Maneuver help save lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. This event is recommended for adults, or older teens accompanied by a parent. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the workshop, as well as conversation about further resources available to those who struggle with mental health. Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Classes ------ cornerstonechu ‘or- �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4,2023 Maier sets Scot assist record in district win Brett Bremer whole season. It is really cool to make it this far. It is Sports Editor Junior setter Jessica Maier only the first game, but I am is now the Fighting Scots’ hoping for big things in the single-season assist record future. I know we have Byron Center, and they’re holder with 1,198. Junior outside hitter good, so hopefully we can Cambria Gaier surpassed pull out a win in district 1,000 varsity kills and is now finals.” Maier and Gaier hit their up to 1,006 total. Best of all for the milestones during what was Caledonia varsity volleyball the Scots’ third win of the players, they get at least one season over the Falcons. They took a 3-0 win in their more match this season. Caledonia will face Byron first OK Red Conference Center in the MHSAA match-up, at East Kentwood Division 1 District Final at High School, and then were Thomapple Kellogg High stretched to five sets in their second meeting at one ofthe School in Middleville today, Nov. 4, after a five-set win late-season OK Red Round over OK Red Conference foe Robin competitions. East Kentwood clawed out East Kentwood in the district of a 2-1 hole to force a fifth semifinals in Middleville Wednesday. The final is slat­ set in the team’s second meeting ofthe season. It was ed for an 11 a.m. start. “I’m excited. I’m the Fighting Scots’ turn with impressed,” Maier said. “We the season on the line have worked really hard this Wednesday. Fighting Scot junior setter Jessica Maier puts up a pass during her team’s five-set win over East Kentwood in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal hosted by Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville Wednesday. Maier had 53 assists in the match to set a new single-season record at Caledonia High School with a total of 1,198 heading into Saturday’s district final with Byron Center back in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) In the end the Scots won by the scores of25-10,19-25, 21-25,25-20, 15-10. “They have definitely got­ ten better,” Maier said ofthe Falcons, “but so have we. “I think definitely, our blocking has gotten better and also we’re just commu­ nicating more. We have real­ ly connected and I think that is really impressive for our team. Coming in, we have two freshmen that play all the way around, which is hard. It is hard to build trust with that. It is hard, but we’re getting there.” Maier knows all about that, being that shejoined the Caledonia varsity as a fresh­ man. This is her first full season as the team’s full­ time setter. “This is my first year run­ ning the court, which is a challenge,” Maier said. “You are the quarterback of the team. It is a big load on your shoulders, but it has been good. I play with all my best friends. They are all my best friends, so it is really good to play with them and have a blast on the court.” Maier needed 35 assists to match the Scots’ previous single season record and the five sets offered her plenty of time to exceed that number. She finished the night with 53 assists. “[Maier] just led the team tonight,” Caledonia head coach Grace Will said. “I talked to her and Cambria before the game, because we have got two freshmen that start, and this is a game where they are going to be freshmen and get a little nervous. I just asked her to be the one that is kind of letting them know that it is going to be okay. Kind of settling the team down when we needed to and fir­ ing them up when we need­ ed that as well. “She just led by example tonight. She was all over the floor defensively. She was putting up great balls. If I had to pick a player that worked the hardest in the gym tonight, it’d be her.” Will urged her girls that if they were going to go down they should go down swing­ ing. They tried to come into the match with the attitude, but it really started to click late. Will said freshman outside hitter Aubrey Reynolds, one of the two freshmen playing all the way around for the Fighting Scots this fall along with libero Avery Seif, had a two-handed tip attempt get called for a double late in that fourth set. It was a reminder to everyone to swing away. Reynolds bounced back for a couple kills and then a couple aces as the Scots closed out the win in the fourth set. Reynolds’ attacks oh the opposite side were some of the most successful attacks throughout the' night for the Caledonia offense. She finished with a teamhigh 15 kills and a team-high 17 digs. The more experienced big guns really came to life in the fifth set for the Scots. Junior middle Josie Noble slammed two kills on assists from Maier to open the fifth set. Caledonia won the first four points ofthe fifth set and led from start to finish. Gaier had a couple of her most powerful attacks in that fifth set. Gaier had 14 kills on the night and Noble 11. Junior Eliza Pehrson finished with nine. “I am glad that they were confident in themselves. We definitely could see they came out with a lot more energy than in the sets we lost. Again, that connection between me and Josie and me and Cam was definitely there. They really put their Fighting Scot junior Eliza Pehrson passes a bail in the middle of the court during her team’s five-set win over East Kentwood in the MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) all in there.” that was the team’s strategy The Scots’ defense scram­ heading in. They were aim­ bled as needed in that fifth ing for the sides and the cor­ set with Gaier, Pehrson and ners in an effort to avoid the others making a couple key Falcons’ talented libero plays to keep the ball off the Breyona Ikwueme in the floor. Pehrson had 16 digs, middle ofthe back row. Gaier 15 and Seif finished Coach Will said that the with 13. Noble had six total Falcons also blocked better in the district match-up than blocks, with four solos. The Scots had 16 aces as a they had in the previous two team with Gaier firing five , meetings this season. Seif four and Pehrson three. Byron Center earned its Maier and Reynolds had two spot in the district final with aces each. a 25-8, 25-19, 25-13 over The Caledonia attack Ottawa Hills in the second wasn’t perfect Wednesday. district semifinal match in The Scots had a tough time Middleville Wednesday. The putting the ball away at times Bulldogs started their state and had a few more attacks tournament with a 25-12, fly wide of the court than 25-8, 25-16 win over district they would have liked, but host Thomapple Kellogg coach Will said a big part of Monday. 208072 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 G\ledoniA Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 x TOWNSHIP . PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET FOR 2024 FISCAL YEAR PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Township Board ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on November 15, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan, to hear and consider comments regarding the proposed Township budget for the January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024 fiscal year. A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Caledonia Township Office, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue SE, Caledonia, Michigan, during Township business hours. The property tax millage rate(s) proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing. All interested persons may attend the public hearing on November 15,2023, and be heard with respect to the proposed budget and the proposed property tax millage rate(s). This notice is given pursuant to Act 43 ofthe Public Acts ofMichigan of 1963 (Second Extra Session), as amended. Caledonia’s Josie Noble (left) and Cambria Gaier (center) team up to block an attack by East Kentwood’s Allison Cahill during their MHSAA Division 1 District Semifinal at Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4, 2023/ Page 11 in Scots overwhelm Portage in first playoff quarter Brett Bremer Sports Editor Portage Northern gave up a season-high 32 points in its lone loss ofthe regular season against crosstown rival Portage Central. There were still 22 seconds left in the first quarter when Caledonia senior kicker Nathan Maas booted his fifth extra-point kick to put the Fighting Scots up 35-0 over the Huskies in their MHSAA Division 2 Pre-District game inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium Friday night, Oct. 27. The Fighting Scots scored every which way with points coming thanks to the defense, the special teams, and the offense running and throwing it to the end zone. Maas had five more extra points to kick as the Scots eventually more than doubled that first quarter point total in a 72-30 win to earn a spot in next Friday’s District Final against Byron Center back at the “Ralph.” The Huskies and Fighting Scots both saw their record move to 8-2 on the season with the result. Central Michigan bound senior running back Brock Townsend opened the scoring on the second snap of the game with a 74-yard touchdown run hurdling between the blocks ofteammates Blake Herron and Derek Pennington Jr. at the point of attack and then racing up the home side­ line into the south end zone with a little help from one last block by wide receiver Maddox Greenfield. Caledonia head coach Derek Pennington Sr. liked the idea of going heavy up front and powering at the Portage Northern defense, hoping to neutralize a couple talented linebackers. The Fighting Scot offensive front of Cade Tidey, Ian Fedewa, Jackson Olin, Ali Salih and Jaxson Engelberg couldn’t have made things much easier on the Fighting Scot backs. “We really loved our game plan this week,” coach Pennington said. “Offensively, we felt like we had some real­ ly good schemes in. Come out and kind of saw them on defense warming up and we thought we could run right at them so we went into heavy thunder set right out of the gate and started running the ball at them. The defense was playing well. We got a picksix, something we worked on trying to pick-off the boundary hooks. The Scots came out smoking tonight for sure.” Townsend would add a 22-yard TD run and a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown in the first quarter. Those two scores came in the final two Fighting Scot junior linebacker River Swanland arrives just in time to tackle Portage Northern quarterback Brayion Amos for a safety as he scoops up a fumbled snap in his own end zone during their MHSAA Division 2 Pre-District game in Caledonia Friday, Oct. 27. (Photo by Brett Bremer) and a halfminutes ofthe first quarter. He tacked on a 26-yard touchdown run with two min­ that’s why we went out there utes to go in the first halfand a with everything we had.” 34-yard touchdown reception Salih said there was nothing with 33 seconds to go making better Friday than seeing it five touchdowns before the Townsend making his fin­ Caledonia High School ger-tip catch in the closing marching band took the field moments of the first half and for its “Bride ofFrankenstein” turning up field for the touch­ performance. down. It made that final hur­ It was 56-16 at the half. ry-up drive a lot easier on the “We were just really confi­ offensive linemen. dent in our O-line and we The Fighting Scots hit the understood that the way to win Huskies with blow after blow this game was that our O-lihe in the opening minutes of the had to beat their D-line, and game. There was Townsend’s that is exactly what we did in 74-yard touchdown run which my opinion,” the senior tackle was immediately followed by Salih said. “I think that we junior Colin Kowatch wresbrought everything that we tling away a pooch kick that had into this game. We knew the Huskies struggled to han­ the stakes. This is where dle. Caledonia ended a quick champions are made. We drive with a nine-yard touch­ understood the stakes and down run by junior quarter­ back Brody Betser. The next Portage Northern possession ended with Greenfield picking off a pass by Portage Northern quarter­ back Brayion Amos and returning it 25 yards for a touchdown. Caledonia senior offensive lineman Ali Asalih dances on the sideline during the fourth quarter urged on by senior teammate Brock Herron as their team finishes off a 72-30 victory over Portage Northern in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 2 state tournament Oct. 27 inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia seniors Derek Pennington Jr. (32) and Blake Herron (7) are first onto the turf as the Fighting Scot varsity football team emerges to being the 2023 postseason against Portage Northern inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Oct. 27. The Fighting Scots scored a 72-30 win over the visiting Huskies. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Greenfield also scored on a 55-yard touchdown recep­ tion in the second quarter and an 11-yard run on a Caledonia senior corner back Maddox Greenfield intercepts a Portage Northern pass and heads for the end zone during the first quarter of their Pre-District ballgame in Caledonia Friday, Oct. 27. (Photo by Brett Bremer) reverse late in the third quarter. Herron scored the Scots’ first points ofthe sec­ ond half on a 50-yard run three minutes into the third, quarter. See FOOTBALL, page 12 Caledonia senior running back Brock Townsend hurdles through a gap in the line on his way to a 74-yard touchdown on the second snap of the game against Portage Northern Oct. 27 in Caledonia. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 4,2023 Thompson takes last finals spot from regional 15 medalists, as well as a min­ boys’ team title with Forest imum ofthe fastest seven run­ Hills Central in the runner-up ners not from the top three spot. The results were reversed teams, from regionals across in the girls’ race with FHC on the state this weekend earn top and the Maroons in the spots in today’s. Nov. 4, state runner-up position. East finals at Michigan International Kentwood was third in the boys’ meet and Portage Speedway in Brooklyn. The Caledonia boys’ and Central earned the third state girls’ teams both placed sev­ team slot from the regional in enth in a tough field of 13 the girls’ competition. teams. Freshman Olivia The Kalamazoo Central Hawkins led the CHS girls boys closed the meet with 41 with a 21st-place time of points. Forest Hills Central was second with 89 and East 20:27.23. Hawkins was as little over Kentwood edged Portage eight seconds behind the last Central for the last team state of the regional medalists in the spot 107-111. Byron Center was fifth with 127 points girls’ race. Kalamazoo Central won the ahead ofForest Hills Northern 187, Caledonia 216, Loy Norrix 218, Lowell 241, Ottawa Hills 248, Battle Creek Lakeview 259, Mattawan 310 and Portage Northern 313. Battle Creek Lakeview senior Aiden Moore won the race in 15:18.48 with a good­ SATURDAY, NOV. 11 at 11:00 AM sized lead over Kalamazoo at the Yankee Springs Memorial Central senior Jasper Cane 1425 S. Payne Lake Road who placed second in Comer of M-179 and S, Payne Lake Rd. 15:49.26. Ottawa Hills senior Liam Walters was third in 16:02.02. Please join us for Veterans Day Cane was one of four Let’s thank all those who served. Kalamazoo Central guys Hope to see you there! among the medalists and the Maroons’ number five runner Free Hot Dogs placed just outside the medals and Fries in 16th place - less than two Donated by seconds behind Thompson. Curley Cone Thompson was the lone Fighting Scot to finish in less Music by than 17 minutes. There were TOWNSHIP Michael Lane three Scots in with a time less VETERANS Mt MORI AL Annie Van Houten than 18 minutes. Sophomore Eli Velting placed 31st in — Dress Warm — 17:02.27. Senior Micah Nagel was 45th in 17:31.76 and senior Ayden Duffin 56th in 17:44.22. Brett Bremer Sports Editor Fighting Scot junior Kort Thompson qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Cross Country Finals with a 15th-place finish at the regional race at Portage West Middle School Friday, Oct. 27. Thompson hit the finish line in 16 minutes 27.36 seconds exactly 36 seconds faster than he was on the same regional course as a sophomore. That run made him the last ofthe 15 regional medalists earning the final state qualifying spot from the regional. The top three teams and top Yankee Springs Veterans LET medicare OVERWHELM YOU. WE CAN GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS. At Mattson Financial Services, we're passionate about helping you navigate the Medicare maze with clarity and confidence. Contact our licensed agent to discuss your Medical Health plan options, including Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans. MATTSON INSURANCE HEALTH SOLUTIONS 616 514 3831 ■T-UUU I CALL TO SPEAK TO A LICENSED AGENT 3226 28th Street SE, Kentwood, Ml 49512 I info'arnattsonfinancial.com WWW.MATTSONFINANCIAL.COM The Caledonia High School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams gather for the awards presentation at Portage West Middle School Friday, Oct. 27, at the end of their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Regional meet. The Fighting Scot varsity boys’ and girls’ teams both placed seventh. Rounding out the top five for Caledonia. was senior Samuel Pugh 69th in 18:14.21. CHS also hadjunior Joshua Maier 74th in 18:38.16 and junior Andrew Tava 75th in 18:38.55. Forest Hills Central was well ahead in the girls’ stand­ ings with 57 points. Kalamazoo Central was second with 119 points and Portage Central third with 125. Byron Center’s girls werejust four points back of the Mustangs with 129 points. Forest Hills Northern was fifth with 154 points ahead of Portage Northern 161, Caledonia 173, East Kentwood 190, Battle Creek Lakeview 193, Lowell 212, Loy Norrix 241, Ottawa Hills 242 and Mattawan 313. Ottawa Hills senior Selma Anderson was the individual regional champion with a time of 17:47.12. Forest Hills Central senior Clara JamesHeer was the runner-up in 18:40.24. Kalamazoo Central senior Emilee Rudlaff placed third in 19:10.34. James-Heer was one of three medalists for the region­ al champion Rangers, and Caledonia junior Kort Thompson celebrates his state qualifying performance at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Cross Country Regional at Portage West Middle School Friday, Oct. 27. Thompson placed 15th to finish as the last regional medalist. FHC had girls place 16th and 20th too. Senior Alyssa DeFields was the number two for the Fighting Scot girls. She placed 26th in 20:34.60. Fellow senior Kloe Kimbrell was 43rd in 21:24.26. Junior Hannah Dupuis placed 38th overall for Caledonia in 21:07.98 and freshman Akaela Daman was 45th in 21:34.71. Rounding out the group for the Scots, freshman Isla Sheely was 64th in 22:34.62 and junior Adysen Daman placed 74th in 23:03.00. FOOTBALL, continued from page 11 Maas was perfect on his ten extra-point attempts. The Fighting Scot defense added two points midway through the third quarter as a shotgun snap went over the head of Amos. Junior line­ backer River Swanlund smothered the Huskies’ QB as he scooped the ball up back in his end zone. Townsend closed the eve­ ning with 14 rushes for 188 yards. Betser was 6-of-9 pass­ ing for 147 yards and coach Pennington was pretty pleased with the way the ball came out of his hand. Greenfield had a game-high four catches for 86 yards. Townsend had two catches for 61 yards. Salih said he was especially happy with Townsend making a finger-tip grab in the final minute ofthe first half that he took in for a score. The Scots had 432 yards of offense and Portage Northern 368 yards. Portage Northern got a 53-yard touchdown pass from Amos to senior receiver Keegan McIntyre a minute and a half into the second quarter to end the Scots’ 35-0 run to start the game. Junior running back Vaughnzell Tyus had TD runs of one yard, 61 yards and and 40 yards the rest ofthe night. The Huskies were three offour on two-point con­ version attempts. Despite 30 points on the scoreboard, coach Pennington was pretty pleased with his team’s defensive effort. The Huskies added 127 of their yards with the clock running in the fourth quarter, and two of their touchdowns there against the Caledonia reserves. They only had so many yards to go in the fourth quarterr because Maas’s one punt of the night went 70 yards settling at the Huskies’ 13-yardline. “They played great,” coach Pennington said ofhis defenders. “You have got to remem­ ber that team was averaging 40-some points a game. Every film we had they were scoring 50, so they were a scary team to watch on film. I thought our kids for the most part played really well... they had dudes. That wasn’t a bad football team. They had been blowing people out ofthe water.” The Caledonia program was happy not to be facing another Portage school in the District Final. Bryon Center defeated Portage Central 42-23 in their Pre-District bail­ game in Portage Oct. 27. A Central win would have meant the Fighting Scots would have had to go on the road to Portage to face the Mustangs Nov. 3. Instead, the Bulldogs from Byron Center were set to make the short trip across 84th Street to face the Scots on the new “Ralph” turf last night in the district final. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-11-11.pdf ac3395ea9cb97935fb894e873e3fd325 PDF Text Text st TheStia and News' Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 45/ November 11, 2023 Pub|ished by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year KCSO seeks doorbell camera footage after Gaines Township shootout James Gemmell Contributing Writer A large group of tow trucks and their drivers gather in the parking lot of the Fehsenfeld Center in Hastings last Saturday, the same day that local tow truck driver Keagan Spencer was killed in an accident on M-6 Highway. (Photo by Jon Jacobs) Partner at Middleville-based towing company killed in accident; Community rallies around his family Jayson Bussa Editor In late September, Joey Bird shared a moment with his friend Keagan Spencer that stuck with him. The two men, who both work as tow truck drivers and operators, were attend­ ing the funeral of a mutual friend named Dave Phelps, who was also a member of the towing community. Phelps had owned Michigan Center-based Dave Phelps Towing, which once employed Spencer, and the two men were grieving. “Keagan was sitting there crying and hugging Dave’s wife and everything,” Bird recalled. “Me and Keagan walked outside... Keagan looks me dead in my eyes and says ‘I want you to send me off with a big bang if something ever happens to me.’ That was literally a (few) weeks ago. I laughed at him and said ‘I’m the one that will die before you. I’m the one that does all the stu­ pid sh**.”’ Unfortunately, though, Bird would have to make good on that promise much sooner than he ever thought possible after a tragic acci­ dent claimed the life of Spencer, a 25-year-old father who graduated from, and resided in, Hastings. Spencer was on duty for Middleville-based towing service Towzilla Towing and Recovery on Saturday morning, picking up a couple of vehicles. As he traveled westbound on M-6 new Kraft Avenue, he pulled over to the side of the road and entered the median reportedly to assist with a dog he had spotted. When he did, a vehicle traveling along M-6 lost control, entered the median and struck and killed Spencer. See KEAGAN, page 3 Tempers flare as Middleville moves toward lifting off-road vehicle ban Greg Chandler Staff Writer After considerable heated debate, the village of Middleville is moving toward lifting a ban on off-road From left to right, Trustee Makenzi Peters, Trustee Robert Bishop and Village President Mike Cramer dis­ cuss the topic of off-road vehicles being used on local streets in Middleville during Tuesday’s meeting of the committee of the whole. (Photos by Greg Chandler) vehicles on village streets. On a 4-2 vote at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, the village council directed its legal counsel to draw up ordinance language that would allow the use of ORVs on local streets, as long as the operator is at least 16 years of age and holds a driver’s license. The current ordinance, which has been in place since 2001, only allows ORV use on private property. The new language would have to be passed by the council. Council Trustee Kevin Smith, who was part ofan ad hoc committee that recom­ mended a change in the ordi­ nance, made the motion to have the village attorney craft the ordinance language. Smith said the current ordi­ nance is unenforceable. See OFF ROAD page 2 The Kent County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shootout between people in two vehicles Tuesday after­ noon in Gaines Charter Township. No one was injured, and there was no early indication what the motive was for the drive-by. The incident was the latest in a series of drive-by shoot­ ings or shots fired over the past year-and-a-half along 60th Street, between Kalamazoo Avenue and Campus Park Drive. 60th Street is the border between Gaines Township and the City of Kentwood. Tuesday’s drive-by hap­ pened just before 2:30 p.m. near East Kentwood High School. It went on a precau­ tionary lockdown near the end of the school day, just before classes were scheduled to let out for the day. The Sheriff’s Office said it responded after receiving mul­ tiple calls of shots fired. Deputies arrived to find sever­ al bullet casings in the area. “Our initial investigation finds there was an exchange of gunfire between a white Jeep Cherokee and a red Kia SUV while traveling eastbound on 60th St. between Kalamazoo Ave. & Campus Park Dr.,” KCSO said in a news release. It added that the Kia and its owners were located later that day. And on Thursday, detec­ tives announced that they had found the white Jeep aban­ doned at an unspecified loca­ tion in the City of Grand Rapids. The effort to find those involved in the crime contin­ ues. Police asked any neigh­ bors in the area with surveil­ lance camera footage of the incident to contact the KCSO at 616-632-6125, or call Silent Observer at 616-774­ 2345. As mentioned, it was the latest in a string of shooting incidents near 60th Street, Campus Park Drive and Kalamazoo Avenue in the past two years. In May 2022, two innocent bystanders were shot on a campus parking lot at East Kentwood right after a graduation ceremony for Crossroads Alternative High School ended. The bullets were fired from someone inside a car. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the wrist and a 40-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen. They both recovered from their wounds. Multiple sus­ pects were later charged in connection with that incident. In July last year, a woman inside a house at 60th Street and Campus Park Drive was shot when bullets were fired from one of two vehicles that drove by the residence. In November 2022, the KCSO reported up to 50 shots were fired along Campus Park Drive south of 60th Street. Deputies figured three vehicles were involved in that drive-by shooting. A house was hit by bullets, but no one was injured. Police later recovered a stolen vehicle. • Traffic study at busy Middleville intersection to move forward • TKHS holds ceremony for local veterans • Trio of area divers make it through regional to D1 Finals • CLS swim team has its best OK Red Conference finish yet • Last second TD knocks Scots out of D2 football postseason �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11, 2023 Middleville council OKs Main and Bender traffic study Greg Chandler StaffWriter The village ofMiddleville has approved a traffic study to be done in the area of Main Street and Bender Road, near Thomapple Kellogg Schools. The Village Council, on a 6-0 vote at its committee of the whole meeting Tuesday, approved retaining the engi­ neering consulting firm Williams & Works to put together the study at a cost ofno more than $4,000. TK district officials approached the village last month asking for the study out of safety concerns for students who have to cross Bender Road. Superintendent Craig McCarthy proposed that the intersection of Main and Bender be made a four­ way stop. Currently, the inter­ section is a two-way stop with traffic stopping at Bender. Williams & Works con­ ducted a similar traffic study in the Main and Bender area in 2018, and the consultant was willing to discount the cost of a new study, Vi llage Manager Craig Stolsonbuig said. “The village has increased in population by about 400 to 500 people since 2018, and not only that, there’s a lot more parents that are simply driving their kids to school, as opposed to putting them on the bus, especially since COVED,” Stolsonbuig said. Council Trustee Richard Hamilton initially questioned the value of having a new study done. “It seems to me that 2018 isn’t a lot different from where we are right now,” Hamilton said. “We already know the answer to the traf­ fic problem. I don’t see spending a lot of money doing another study ofinfor­ mation we already know.” But upon hearing con­ cerns from other council members, Hamilton voted to approve the study. “I think that the (traffic) volume is so significantly different today than what it was back then. I think the recommendations (for new control measures) will be very different,” Trustee Kevin Smith said, calling the study “a worthwhile spend.” Williams & Works princi­ pal Brandon Mieras told the council that a new study could yield opportunities for the vil­ lage to secure funding for intersection improvements. “You might be able to apply for (transportation) safety funds, things like that,” Mieras said. TK schools are willing to share in the cost for the study, McCarthy wrote in an email to the Sun andNews Thursday. OFFROAD, continued from page 1 “Our police officers have all but told us that they’re just not enforcing it,” Smith said. “With that in mind, I have to ask the bigger ques­ tion: are we making crimi­ nals of our residents by having something like that in place where people who are law-abiding folks are bending the rules ... to go down to the Cone Corral in their ORV, or go to a get-to­ gether at Mr. Parks’ proper­ ty and they drive through town (in their ORV) to get there?” Smith was joined in sup­ port by fellow trustees Richard Hamilton, Makenzi Peters and Ann Williams. Village President Mike Cramer and Trustee Robert Bishop voted against the motion. Cramer lashed out angrily at his colleagues as the vote was taken. “This is elitist govern­ ment. It is disgraceful... It’s sad, and it’s going to be really sad when someone gets hurt and someone’s uninsured and we have to live that life, and it’s going to be on your shoulders,” he said. “I’ve seen communities adopt these ordinances and take them back, all the time. We’ve spent so much money on this and now we have to explain to the 4,000-plus residents (of the village) that it’s better to sell your car so you can drive an ORV down your street with no insur­ ance because that’s the way to go. The insurance is there for a reason. We don’t trust the diligence that was put in by previous committees. We just see an agenda, and go on and make sure their friends are taken care of ... rather than take care of the populace,” Cramer later added in his closing com­ ments before the meeting adjourned. More than 50 business owners signed a petition in February calling for the vil­ lage to legalize the use of ORVs and golf carts on vil­ lage streets. “I’d like to thank council for moving forward (with the proposed change),” said Andrew Beck, who led the petition drive and served on the ad hoc committee. “I know it’s been on the agen­ da for a long time. I am proud to say that as a com­ mittee member, safety was our foremost (concern). I have no doubt that what council will be reviewing will be safety first, specifi­ cally thinking of the chil­ dren that do live within this community.” “The amount (to be contributed) will not require board approval as it does not exceed state or board policy thresholds,” McCarthy wrote. Mieras wrote in a memo to the village that field work for the study could be con­ ducted yet this month. Supporters of the change say the new rules would be consistent with state laws that allow such use and best practices of the Michigan Municipal League. Public Act 491 of 2014 enables municipalities that have a population of 30,000 or less to pass a resolution allowing golf carts to be used on local streets, so long as the driver is at least 16 and has a valid driver’s license. Meanwhile, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act allows local units of government to adopt an ordinance allowing ORVs and all-terrain vehicles to operate on their streets, as long as the driver is wearing a helmet and eye protection unless the ORV has a wind­ shield and a roof or roll bar. The vehicle must have a lighted headlight and tail­ light. At a meeting last month, Sgt. Scott Ware ofthe Barry County Sheriff’s Office Middleville unit told council members that he had received no complaints of ORVs in the village over the prior two months. He spoke of stopping three people who were driving side-by­ sides or golf carts but could do nothing about them because deputies were on their way to handling other complaints. “If there are issues with it, people need to call and report it or notify us so we can look into it. That’s the key to it. If we’re not get­ ting the calls, we’re not going to respond to it,” Ware said at the Oct. 10 council meeting. Smith pointed to Ware’s October comments, saying deputies are doing theirjob. “There are certain ordi­ nances that they will look at and say, ‘ifI have to respond to a fire, a car accident or somebody that is coding out because they’re having a heart attack and they need to get to somebody’s house, they’re going to drive by,’” Smith said. “They would drive by a parade of ORVs [Brace's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted breaking the law to get to Middleville resident Andrew Beck, who led a peti­ tion drive and served on an ad hoc committee that recommended changes to the existing off-road vehi­ cle use ordinance, speaks in front of the Village Council on Tuesday. something that was more important. I feel that’s what Sgt. Ware was really trying to say when he said that we’re not going to go out of our way to enforce these if they interrupt our normal business..” Cramer cited a recent Over 40 years experience example of someone he said was violating the ORV ordi­ brucesframe.com nance, in plain sight of- a deputy. FAIMf BUREAU INSURANCE9 Mtcfopme fuSWoMe Cortpatuf, 121 E. Main Street (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com you can use every street in town. Every single street,” he said. Cramer clashed with Peters and Hamilton during the debate, with Cramer interrupting Peters and Hamilton as they tried to make their points. “They don’t do anything. If they’re not going to do anything, Kevin’s right. If they’re not going to any­ thing ...” Hamilton said. “So ifwe change the law, it’s not going to do any­ thing,” Cramer said. “My view is we have had a petition of over 50 signa­ tures. We’ve had a roomful of people here wanting the ordinance to allow for com­ mon law practice under state law. We have the ability to sunset an ordinance. But to punish a group ofpeople for something they haven’t even done...” Peters said. “How are we punishing anybody?” Cramer inter­ rupted. “Excuse me, Mr. President, I was speaking,” Peters said. “No, because you’re mak­ ing a false statement. I want to know how we’re punish­ ing residents — by requiring them to uphold the law?” Cramer responded. “Let her finish. Your question is argumentative,” Hamilton said to Cramer. “We are punishing them because they came to us saying, we would like to be able to operate our ORVs safely, in accordance with MML best practices for various reasons that they brought to our attention,” Peters said. “We’re not punishing anyone. We’re holding them to the letter ofthe law, and if we muddy this ordinance like we did the first time, it’s going to be harder to enforce,” Cramer said. “Right now, they’re break­ ing it, and they’re going to keep breaking it. But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s illegal. If something “Halloween, I’m driving home from my in-laws house, and a golf cart that lives in Misty Ridge (subdi­ happens, we can hold them vision) ran the stop sign at Stadium (Drive), in full view of a deputy patrol car. Nettleton will draw up the And, Jason Parks 50 yards from my house by someone that ran a stop sign, and it’s a deputy that’s supposed to enforce our ordinances did nothing about it hits a nerve, yeah. So now we want to make this legal?” Cramer went on to say there’s a legal way to get an ORV in compliance with the current village ordinance. “We never said no, you can’t operate your ORV on the roads. We just said you have to get (license) plates and insurance. That’s it, and nothing happened, Cramer said. “To say run­ ning a stop sign touches a nerve with me, when my wife and mv kids were hit to that standard. It is ille­ gal.” Village Attorney Mark ordinance language. It will likely be either December or early next year before the language co Ties back to the council for final approval, Village Manager Craig Stolsonhnrp said �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023/ Page 3 KEAGAN, continued from page 1 His young daughter, Lenora, was along for the ride with him that day. The accident still remains under investigation as Spencer’s family, friends, loved ones and fellow mem­ bers ofthe towing communi­ ty gather to honor him. “I’m not shocked that he stopped to help an animal, which is what they’re say­ ing,” said Bird, who owns and operates T&J Towing, based in Kalamazoo. Bird said he has known Spencer for about a decade. “That kid had a giant heart and that lit­ tle girl that was with him, that was his pride and joy.” On the same day as the accident, word spread throughout the towing com­ munity and its members mobilized to form a proces­ sion that traveled from the Grand Rapids area up to. Hastings, where they congre­ gated in the parking lot of the Fehsenfeld Center at Kellogg Community College. Making good on his prom­ ise to Spencer, Bird, who heads up a Facebook group for the towing community that has garnered nearly 10,000 members, is helping to organize a procession today (Nov. 11), the day of Spencer’s funeral. The procession, which is expected to attract over 100 tow trucks from around the state — and even the country — will gather at Bliss Riverfront Park at 8 a.m. and head to Thomapple Valley Church at 9 a.m. Keagan Spencer (left) of Hastings was tragically killed in an accident last Saturday. The 25-year-old father is seen here with fiance Olivia Kain (right). (Courtesy photo) Matthew Spencer (left), the father of Keagan Spencer, stands on a truck to address the crowd that gathered in Keagan’s memory last Saturday evening. Matthew Spencer is joined by fellow members of the family. (Photo by Jon Jacobs) At the same time, Bird has organized a GoFundMe account online to 'raise money for the children and fiance Spencer has left behind. The account has accumulated over $36,000 in donations as ofthe time this report was written. “I’ve known Keagan for a long time. I promised Keagan that day at the Phelps funeral that, if something ever happened, I would do it. That’s why I’m making this as big as possible.” Spencer, although he was only 25 years old, was already growing, to become somewhat ofa veteran ofthe industry. He was a third-gen­ eration tow truck operator and had hopped around to a variety of businesses during his tenure. After working for Fifelski Towing & Recovery in Dorr, about six months ago he made the leap to become a partner at Towzilla in Middleville, joining AJ Timm, who had established the company at the begin­ ning of2020. “He was shining, man. He was happy and loving what he was doing and it was very short-lived,” said Timm, of Middleville. “It was only six weeks, but we had been friends forever.” Spencer’s tragic accident also underscores one thing that is common knowledge in the towing community: that this is dangerous work. “I can’t explain it unless you go out there yourselfone day and park your car along the highway and just sit there,” Timm said. You know, people just don’t pay enough attention. It can all be curbed if something got enforced a little more. Slow down and move over.” Seeing such a tragic acci­ dent strike, not just a col­ league, but a good friend has understandably rattled Timm. “It plays with your mind — it plays a game with you,” Timm said. “Immediately, out of the hurt and being so upset, I immediately wanted to just sell every last one of them and get rid of(the busi­ ness). But I have to stop and think about what would Keagan want. I know what he’d say and he would come down here and kick my butt ifI didn’t keep going.” Spencer leaves behind his fiance Olivia Kain, children Lenora and Ryker, mother Miko (stepfather Kirk) Garrison, father Matthew Spencer, grandparents Sharon and Ken Langford, Jorja and Ron Kani, grandma Kathy Spencer, sister Maggie Jo (Zack) Wyman, brother Jack Rosenberg, nephew Knox Leet, Aunt Stacey (Uncle Mike) Benson, Aunt Stacey (Uncle Craig) Taylor, Aunt Kym Langford, very special cousins Monique Williams, Ashton and Aiden Benson, step-siblings Carter and Marlow Garrison and Father-in-law Michael Hanrahan. Keagan also shared numerous step-cous­ ins. A visitation service for Spencer was held Friday at the Daniels Funeral Home, located at 1401 N. Broadway in Hastings. The funeral service will be held on today at noon at Thomapple Valley Church, located at 2750 S. M-43 Hwy in Hastings. Guests are invit­ ed to remain at the church immediately following the funeral service for a time of fellowship and luncheon. Middleville committee seeks up to $15,000 for library study Greg Chandler StaffWriter A committee that wants to develop a standalone public library in Middleville is ask­ ing the village for a contribu­ tion ofup to $15,000 to help pay for retaining a consultant to conduct a feasibility study Michelle Frey, one of the citizen members of the nine-member committee that was formed in late summer, submitted the group’s request to the Village Council at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. The committee is expected to retain Keith Hopkins of Hopkins Fundraising Consulting, who played a central role in fundraising efforts to build the Kent District Library Caledonia branch in 2011, for the study. Hopkins had met last spring with another committee that had begun discussions on a standalone public library in Middleville, prior to the Village Council’s appoint­ ment of the current commit­ tee. Hopkins has proposed a $25,000 fee for his services. About $10,000 is available from the Beacon Society, Friends of the Middleville Area Community Library, for the feasibility study. The com- mittee is seeking an additional grant of $15,000 through the Thomapple Area Enrichment Foundation, an affiliate foun­ dation ofthe Barry Community Foundation. “As ofyet, we don’t know ifwe’ve received that grant,” Frey said. So, the committee is ask­ ing the village for a contribu­ tion of $10,000-$ 15,000, depending on how much it receives from TAEF. “The hope is that the vil­ lage can help support this feasibility study, as we do have another round of (American Rescue Plan Act) funds that might be avail­ able, or ifwe can find space in the budget,” said Village President Mike Cramer, who is one oftwo Village Council members on the committee. “This is just to start the dis­ cussion.” Council Trustee Makenzi Peters, who is the other Village Council member on the committee, called the pro­ posed village contribution “a good initial investment.” Trustee Ann Williams asked if the village was going to be the only governmental entity asked to assist with funding the study. She asked if Thomapple Township might make a contribution. “That would be part ofthe discussion, that we reach out to the township and see if they would also be interest­ ed, as this library would also serve township residents,” Cramer said. Trustee Kevin Smith agreed that the township should be considered for support. “It’s a shared resource,” he said. Trustee Richard Hamilton expressed concern about Hopkins’ background. “The one thing I would liked to have seen in this contractor is what this con­ tractor has done at other libraries,” Hamilton said. Peters said Hopkins would be willing to come to a future library committee meeting to talk more about his back­ ground. Besides the KDL Caledonia branch, he has worked on library projects in Ada Township, Grandville, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Saugatuck and Wyoming, according to his business website. The request is expected to come back before the council at a future meeting. THE HOTTEST STARS Craft & Vendor Show SPONSORED BY: TK Softball DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS support your local THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7 crafters and vendors Saturday, November 18th 10:00am to 3:00 pm (HOSTED BY THE BAND BOOSTERS) Free Admission while supporting QUEEN NATION your local athletes. TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF QUEEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 Thornapple-Kellogg High School Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. ViSfiFoN" Bake Sale Concession Stand Come out and 3885 Bender Rd, Middleville, Ml 49333 JJ® J0K.E S 1-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue I Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. (ENTER THRU ALTHLETIC ENTRANCE, SHOW IS IN THE AUX GYM) ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE - TK SOFTBALL PROGRAM �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11, 2023 Rate hikes proposed to address future Middleville utility infrastructure needs Greg Chandler the usage rate would rise from $2.24 to $2.96 per 1,000 gal­ lons, VanDommelen said. A 25 percent funding option for sewer would result in a readiness-to-serve increase from $63.75 to $68.56 per quarter and a usage rate increase from$3.42 to $4.11 per 1,000 gal­ lons, VanDommelen said. “Ultimately, we have to depend on the rates to self-sustain (these utilities),” Department of Public Works Manager Alec Belson told council members. “There’s certain projects ... we’ve had scheduled or (been) wanting to do for quite a few years in water and sewer, but we’ve been moving them down the road for funding reasons or various other reasons. But the majority ofthe time it’s fund­ StaffWriter In an effort to bolster fund­ ing on hand for future water and sewer infrastructure proj­ ects in Middleville, a consul­ tant is recommending the Village Council approve a sizable rate increase to gener­ ate additional revenues for those projects. Joe VanDommelen of the Michigan Rural Water Association Tuesday pro­ posed boosts in both usage and readiness-to-serve rates for water and sewer services in the village. The new rates would have to be adopted by the council as part ofits bud­ get process. VanDommelen outlined several different rate increase scenarios, depending on whether the village wants to fund 10 to 50 percent of ing reasons. “The sewer fund has been future capital improvement very well funded over the projects for water and sewer. A 25 percent funding option years, but we have a lot of capital improvement sewer would result in an overall water rate increase for a typi­ main lining (projects) coming cal residential user with a up in the next several years 3/4-inch main of23.4 percent that we should be doing, that - from $57.33 to $70.77 per we have to do. In the water quarter. The readifund, service line replace­ ness-to-serve charge for water ment, we have to do. We are would increase from $30.45 finishing up inventory right to $35.30 per quarter, while now ... We’re estimating about 360 services we have to replace. That is a have-to. We don’t have a choice. That’s (a requirement from) the state. They must be done by 2040.” Belson said grant funding could help address some of the village’s infrastructure needs, but it cannot fully rely on such funding. “Those grants are maybe, possibly, but they’re not a guarantee,” he said. “So we’ve got to set ourselves up for that guarantee.” The village has had rate increases of around 2 percent for both water and sewer in recent years. While the pro­ posed rates might be shocking to some residents, some coun­ cil members see this as neces­ sary to address the village’s infrastructure challenges. “It’s less expensive now than it will be down the line, for the consumer,’’ Trustee Kevin Smith said. “We’re amortizing an end result by going with this math.” The council is expected to address the proposed rate increase when it considers adopting the village’s 2024 budget later this month. A Nov. 28 public hearing has been scheduled to consider the budget. CHS Players present “A Christmas Carol” Saturday StaffWriter The Caledonia High School Players will present two performances of “A Christmas Carol,” a play writ­ ten by Brian Way based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens, today at CHS’ Peter V. DeLille Fine Arts Center. Shows will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The CHS Players also presented the play Thursday and Friday nights. Tickets are $10 at the door. Landon Fleming portrays the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge. Ayden Taylor plays the role of Bob Cratchit, while Suz Green is in the role of Jacob Marley. Kara DeVault is Bob Cratchit’s wife while Justin Brown por­ trays Tiny Tim. The play also features an appearance by CHS school resource officer Patrick Stewart, who por­ trays Fezziwig. The following is the pro­ duction crew: Stage Manager: Emery Rewa; Assistant Stage Managers: Erin Peckham/ Lily VanDeraa; Sound Board: Morgan Vredevoogd; Light 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Landon Fleming, as Scrooge, is haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past (Meghan Ruthann), Christmas present (Sophia Bartuch) and Christmas future (Riley Collins) as the Caledonia High Players present “A Christmas Carol” today at 2 and 7 p.m. at the CHS Peter V. DeLille Fine Arts Center. .^—Caledonia United Methodist Church church Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00 AM 5.00 PM 6:00 PM Our zn/sston /s to wore/j/p God and disciple committedfollowers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Sunday Service 10:30 AM 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) .9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend OURNEY C H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Church: (269) 795-2391 Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 * CHURCH PEACECHURCH.CC Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc Si Tau an Cfiurci, Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School.............9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship .....10:30 10:30 AM AM Watch ourservices from our website (see above) 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd 8c 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilIeFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................. ;............. Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass ..................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg t^PEACE Board: Vincent Mauriello; Props Masters: Kat Jaquish/ Kaylie Price; Costume Manager: Katelyn Ferris; Student Set Designer: Ren Kosiorowski; Deck Crew: Nola Pearson, Anna Dunlop, Benji Rewa, Lydia Shoesmith, Rebecca Homacek, Tayla Bell, Erica Angell, AJ Rife, Caleb Parlin, Analise Kaminski, Kaylie Price, Jonathan Kellogg, Sarah Huebner, Tyler Ambrose, Sammi McCormick The cast also features: Abigal Wilks; Alexis Saidoo; Allison Malone; Ana Hemst; Audrey Scott; Av Jordan; Barabra Vandermaus; Cerys Smith; Charlie Scott; Circe Langweg; Claudia Rissley; Cody Winters; Danielle Le-Tran; Evie Slomp; Georgia Cummins; Great alask Tjh’tcdfi'ny Betz; Johanna Sproul; Kat Jaquish; Katelyn Ferris; Kayla DeGraaf; Keely Masselink; Maggie Koopman; Meghan Ruthven; Nolan Gross; Phe Anderson; Riley Collins; Sam Temple; Skye Bradley; Sophia Bartuch; Sophia Price. Greg Chandler 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023/ Page 5 Caledonia food science students raise chickens, make meals from them Greg Chandler StaffWriter Some students at Caledonia High School have spent the last few weeks raising their own chickens and then turning them into food. It’s a project in Stacy Bender’s food science class, which is part ofAgri­ Cal, an agriscience career and technical education program at CHS where stu­ dents gain skills and experi­ ence they can use for careers in agriculture or related fields. The project is connected to a contest run by the Michigan chapter of the Future Farmers of America. “The Michigan FFA has a broiler contest that they’ve been running for years,” Bender said. “We’ve had a few (Caledonia) students in the past compete, but they’ve competed on their own, taking the chicks and raising them at home. It’s always been a passion and a dream to have them in the classroom, to let all stu­ dents get involved with raising the chickens and seeing all that goes into it.” So Bender and fellow agriculture science teacher Jessica Seif approached Caledonia Community Schools administrators to pitch their idea of allowing students to grow chickens at the school. “(We) asked ifit was okay that we house them in the greenhouse, because we don’t have a bam or any­ thing,” Bender said. “They were a little bit hesitant at first, but they (eventually) said, ‘yes, this is a good thing for the kids to be able to do. With the broiler contest, the students have five weeks to raise the chickens. As part of the class, they had to weigh the birds weekly and determine the average daily weight gain. They also had to keep records on the cost analysis ofthe project along with the efficiency of the feed they were using. Brody Woodwyk puts in fresh shavings for the chicks in the Caledonia High food science class. Caledonia High School food science class students (from left) Jos Timmermans, Brody Woodwyk, Ali Koussan, May Brown, Gracie Jackman, Chase Terryn show off the chicks they raised for their class project. (Photos by Stacy Bender) “As a class they decided to use their pen of chickens to test if name-brand feed that costs more was a better feed then the local Caledonia Farmers Elevator mix,” Bender said. “It was surpris­ ing to many that in the very early days ofthe experiment that the CFE feed chickens were growing faster.” Three students from the class - Ali Koussan, Brody Woodwyk and Edward Reoch - were selected to represent CHS in the con­ test, which was held at Munsell Farms in Fowlerville, and five birds were selected to be evaluated. All five birds that were evaluated were fed with the CFE feed, Bender said. “After they are processed, they have to pick the three that are most uniform and similar,” Bender said. “The idea is ifyou’re raising meat chickens, you want a good consistent quality for your consumers. If you have all different sizes, then your consumers don’t really feel confident coming back and purchasing from you year after year.” Seifs animal science and agricultural biology classes also raised chickens for the competition, Bender said. Some of the remaining birds that the students raised became food. Bender’s class was divided into four groups, and each one came up with a different way to prepare their chickens. “They each got a bird, and they each got to make what­ ever they wanted out oftheir chicken,” Bender said. One group, consisting of Tabitha Gove, Madison Lieckfield, Gracie Jackman and Mya . Baldwin, made chicken nuggets. Middleville TOPS 546 The Nov. 6 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There is one new fish in the fish­ bowl. Two fish fell out. Maryellen led a discus­ sion on her three tips for making a breakfast sandwich of champions. Prioritize proteins, get the five breakfast staples and vary your veggies. She then went on to find a workout to help members keep their balance. The Nov/Dec TOPS magazine helped the group do that. The group practiced the exercises and promised to do them every day as part of their next contest for the month of November. Linda lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting closed with marching in place as we recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight-loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meet­ ing is free. “We pulled the meat off the bone ... then we just cut them into little pieces and covered them with breading and seasoning and put them in the oven,” Gove said. “It definitely needed a dip to get it to taste good. It was dry.” Lieckfield said she enjoyed the process of get­ ting the chicks to grow. “I loved feeding them,” Lieckfield said. Koussan, Woodwyk, Reoch and Andrew Render made patties out of their chicken. “We cut the chicken breast in half so we could each get a chicken breast (portion). Then we put in some eggwash and we put breading on top, and then “In her coming here, it we tossed it in a deep fryer. opened my eyes to what this whole FFA thing was about. We put oil in the pan, deepfried them ... until it’s nice I thought, ‘whoa, that is and cooked,” Koussan said. totally my passion, and what “The breading from bread I need to be doing is teach­ crumbs, and Edward brought ing ag education,” Bender some seasoning from his said. house.” Besides the food science Tamia Burger, Isabel Fata class, the Agri-Cal program and Tien Nguyen made includes classes in agricul­ chicken Alfredo with their tural biology, animal science bird. Nguyen cut the chick­ and plant science, as well as en, while Burger made the an independent study com­ noodles and Fata the sauce. ponent. Students who com­ “I volunteered (to cut the plete all the program cours­ chicken),” Nguyen said. es can earn six credits at “The chicken turned out Michigan State University. really good,” Fata said. The Agri-Cal program is Bender, a Thomapple currently selling chickens Kellogg High School gradu­ that have been raised ate, has taught food science through the food science at Caledonia High since class. The cost is $20, with 2010. She became aware of all the proceeds from the the FFA program at sales to go back into the Caledonia when her younger program, to go toward labo­ sister decided to go to school ratories, class activities and there. field trips. cornerstonechurch helping people know Jesus and make Him known /cornerstonemi 84th St. Campus 84th Street SE we’re casual, come as you are. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023 Local governments, planners brace for impact of recent green energy legislation Jayson Bussa Editor Despite opposition from municipal groups and their constituents throughout the state, legislation made its way through Lansing that would strip local units of government ofthe power to permit large commercial solar and wind projects. House bills 5120 and 5121 passed through the Democrat-controlled of Michigan House Representatives last week along party lines, 56-52 via a late-night vote. A variety of amendments were made to the bill before it eventu­ ally passed. For instance, one amend­ ment stated that local gov­ ernment could retain permitting power, just as long as their ordinances mirrored those ofthe state. But, even then, utilities can easily override the local govern­ ment and appeal to the state instead. This week, the legislation achieved a similar fate in the State Senate, which is also controlled narrowly by Democrats. It will arrive on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for a signature. The bills, which have drawn significant attention and ire amongst residents in Barry County, would grant the Michigan Public Service which was opposed to the legislation and fierce advo­ cates for local control. The Michigan Association of Townships took a similar stance, but it apparently did not resonate with lawmak­ ers. Republican State Representative Rachelle Smit of Martin, who rep­ resents a slice of southern Barry County and voted no on the legislation, railed against it. “Local governments in rural communities like ours have worked hard at draft­ ing zoning ordinances and master plans based on what their local residents want,” Smit said in a statement. “Establishing the MPSP “The people I represent simply gives Gov. Whitmer cannot afford yet another the tools she needs to work huge household cost around the decisions of increase - where does it local governments so she end?” Smit said. can advance her Big Solar “Democrats aren’t thinking agenda.” through the implications of Smit also pointed to what this plan and the fact is that families and job providers will be footing the bill for Local governments in rural communities like this careless and needlessly ours have worked hard at drafting zoning expedited plan.” ordinances and master plans based on what Jim McManus, planning and zoning administrator their local residents want,” for Barry County, said his Rep. Rachelle Smit, District 43 department continues to monitor the status of the Commissioners signed a she said would be dramatic legislation and its dramatic resolution to throw its supinflation in household costs potential impact. port behind the Michigan if Whitmer’s green energy The planning commis­ Association of Counties, standards are enacted. sion is currently working on Commission (MPSC) per­ mitting authority over sit­ ing of wind projects with generation larger than 100 megawatts, and solar and battery storage projects with generation larger than 50-megawatts. Proponents ofthe legisla­ tion argue that this would streamline the permit pro­ cess for commercial solar and wind projects, which are notoriously held up, and sometimes detailed, by local units of government and their constituents. The state has set lofty green energy goals and these bills are a way of seemingly removing hur­ dles to get there. Senate Bill 271, which was already passed by both the House and the Senate, would require Michigan utilities to meet a 100 percent clean energy standard by 2040. Last month, the Barry Board of County solar and wind ordinances that would set parameters for utilities looking to establish commercial solar and wind projects in Barry County. A Consumers Energy project is already in the works for Johnstown Township in southern Barry County. “If the state does exer­ cise, or use, that bill to move that authority to EGLE or the Public Service Commission or whoever they deem appropriate, I’m not sure we would go for­ ward with an ordinance,” McManus said. “There isn’t necessarily a need for it then and it doesn’t make a lot of difference. If they take it, there is no local review.” But as of now, McManus and his colleagues hope to draft an ordinance and hold a public hearing on it right away in the new year. McManus, like many others, suspects that, due to the lofty green energy goals, the state will com­ mandeer much of the permitting process. “Local planning directors are not politicians but even our planning attorneys are concerned about this — it’s a little challenging to try to plan ahead,” McManus said. Middleville planners recommend rezoning downtown properties for new transitional use zones Greg Chandler Copy Editor The Middleville Planning Commission has forwarded a recommendation to the Village Council to approve the rezoning ofmore than 20 properties on West Main Street and five properties on State Street to newly-added zoning categories as part of the village master plan. Commissioners Tuesday voted to recommend the council pass the rezoning request, which would move the West Main parcels into a new zoning category called —Be Winter neatly— JHhbMri High Efficiency RUUD FURNACE <200 rffx OFF * Mustt present thillis coupon. coupon.. \ Expires 12-1-2023 (not valid with other offers) FRONTIE HEATING & COOLING fpRw ha’WBI WceB pw a ! 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. I■■■■■■■■■■■M ■ M “transitional mixed use” and the State Street properties into another new category called “transitional industri­ al.” The new zoning districts were identified when the vil­ lage updated its master plan in 2021. The village passed an ordinance last year offi­ cially creating the districts. “The Planning Commission initiated this rezoning request at the vil­ lage level so that in the future it wouldn’t cost any resident or developer to have (their property rezoned),” Planning Commission Chairman Jason Holzhausen said. “This would avoid spot-zoning in the future. The general idea with this rezoning request is to open allowable uses, to more uses, in these districts.” The West Main properties had largely been zoned for medium-density residential, but most of the properties were nonconforming because the front-yard setbacks didn’t meet the standards of the zoning, which required front­ yard setbacks be no less than 30 feet. Under the transition­ al mixed use designation, the front yard setback can be no greater than 20 feet. Three other properties are “It would be more consis­ zoned for light industrial use tent with what is actually and two others are zoned for there,” Village Planning and medium-density residential. Zoning Administrator Doug “All the properties that are Powers said. currently there, their uses The side-yard setback would be permitted by right,” requirements will be reduced Powers said. from seven feet to five feet, The property at 36 State while the rear-yard setback St. has been marketed as a requirements are cut from a Redevelopment Ready site, minimum of 25 feet under and prospective developers the medium-density residen­ recently visited the site. tial zoning to a minimum of The rezoning request is 10 feet under the TMU des­ considered voluntary, leav­ ignation. ing open the door that a par­ “We, do have properties cel could be removed from that currently do not conform consideration before the with zoning. This would rezoning is adopted. actually increase the amount “If there are comments, of conforming properties,” questions or concerns per­ Powers said. taining to a specific property, The TMU zoning would that property could be omit­ allow two-family housing, ted from this rezoning,” triplex, quadplex and Powers said. “However, with multi-family housing as a the items before us, there are special land use. It would very few, if any properties, also allow a coffee shop, art that it would make sense for studio or bakery as a special it to be done, unless it was use. just by choice.” The properties that would In a related decision be rezoned for transitional Tuesday, commissioners industrial include the voted to recommend approv­ Thomapple Valley Church al of signage regulations for campus at 20 State St., which the new zoning districts. is currently zoned as Those must also be approved multi-family residential. by council. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023/ Page 7 Michigan House will soon be divided between Dems GOP. Gridlock coming? Lauren Gibbons Bridge Michigan LANSING A year after securing majority con­ trol of the Legislature for the first time in decades, Michigan Democrats are scrambling to pass what pri­ orities they can before they lose it again. With Tuesday’s election wins of Reps. Lori Stone, D-Warren, and Kevin Coleman, D-Westland, for mayor in their respective cities, the House will soon be divided 54-54, a scenario which prevents the caucus from passing bills without some support from Republicans. In what House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, called the “worst-kept secret” in Lansing, House and Senate Democrats are expected to close up shop for the year by the end of the week, avoid­ ing — at least for now — the test of a tied Legislature. “Our focus right now is how we can get our agenda done,” Tate told reporters Wednesday. “We’ll see once those seats are vacated how we move forward in terms of operations.” House Republican Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, wrote on social media that the shift marks “a new era in Lansing.” “House Democrats have a choice to make: Together we can forge compromise and achieve the most pro­ ductive months of the ses­ sion, or...leadership can take their ball and go home until next spring,” Hall wrote. In fact, the tie not only affects the House, but the entire Legislature: While the Senate is secure for Democrats, the lower cham­ ber is required to also approve legislation, creating the possibility of gridlock. The tie will be Michigan’s first since 1994. Democrats in Pennsylvania are facing a similar situation, where Tuesday’s elections brought the Pennsylvania state House to a 101-101 tie. Because both of the soon­ to-be-vacated seats in Wayne and Macomb coun­ ties trend Democratic, the loss of majority could be reversed next year if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer quickly calls special elections. The Secretary of State Office has said it would take about four months to sched­ ule them. House rules stipulate that Tate would retain control of the Legislature in the inter­ im, but the looming tie com­ plicates an already-compli­ cated process of advancing Democratic priorities. Stone and Coleman are expected to make their exits in a few days or weeks at most, prompting Democrats to rush to adopt a slew of priorities, including repeals of abortion restrictions, energy mandates to require clean power by 2040 and legislation granting state officials permitting authori­ ty over big renewable ener­ gy projects. In both the House and Senate, lawmakers were hunkering down in prepara­ tion for a late night Wednesday. As of Thursday, both chambers were still in ses­ sion. Disagreements among Democrats in recent weeks have blocked a change to local property tax rules backed by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, triggered major revisions to the abor­ tion rights bills supported by Whitmer and bogged down a package codifying finan­ cial disclosure rules law­ makers are constitutionally required to implement by the end of the year. Tate said Wednesday he hasn’t written off the pros­ pect of working with Republicans on issues like economic development, lowering prescription drug , costs and other issues that could gamer bipartisan sup­ port. He characterized their relationship as “positive.” But if Democrats can’t make headway with Republicans, a split-majori­ ty House cuts into the time Democrats have to focus on policy issues before atten­ tion shifts to 2024 elections, where many lawmakers in competitive political dis­ tricts will have to fight to defend their seats and their party’s control. MoReno Taylor II, execu­ tive director of the group Fund MI Future and a for­ mer House Democratic staffer, said many of the people who helped catapult the party to majority control likely “expected more” from Democrats who ran on bread-and-butter issues like improving education, addressing environmental issues or investing more in local community needs. “All indications are that when they do return to power, the people want to see some progress made on these progressive issues that they ran on,” he said. “Of course, when they get the majority back, they’re going to be out running again, promising probably to do progressive things that they still haven’t accomplished yet. So I think there’s a lot of cynicism out there.” Elsewhere in Lansing, government officials are preparing for the Legislature to wind down operations for the year. On Wednesday morning, Democrats on the Michigan Legislature’s joint rules committee voted to waive a customary 15-session day wait period for a handful of administrative rules to take effect. The rules would have oth­ erwise taken effect Dec. 1, but affected state depart­ ments requested waivers “not knowing when session was going to end,” an offi­ cial with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said. Local Air Force colonel speaks on women’s role in the military The Caledonia Women’s Club heard from community member Colonel Trisha M. Sexton at its Nov. 4 meeting. Sexton is the vice com­ mander of the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), WrightPatterson AFB, Ohio. NASIC is the Air Force cen­ ter of intelligence for all­ source foreign air, space and cyberspace intelligence and provides a broad range of integrated, tailored intelli­ gence products to the Air Force and joint operational forces, national policymak­ ers and the acquisition com­ munity. The more than 3,000-person center has an annual budget of more than $350 million. Sexton entered the Air Force in 1992 and began her career as a nuclear systems evaluator supporting the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System nuclear treaty moni­ toring mission. She cross­ trained into the intelligence career field group in 1999. Her assignments include detachment, squadron group, wing, combatant command, and Air Staff positions, as well as commanding at the flight, detachment, squadron, and deputy group levels. Sexton also deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sexton spoke on the role women have played in our military since the Revolutionary War. A few names mentioned were Clara Barton, president and found­ er of the American Red -AbS1 Cross, and Dorothea Dix, who served as Superintendent of Army Nurses for the Union Army. Dorothea Dix was known for her even-handed care of both Union and Confederate sol­ diers. She was also a pioneer ofmental health reform. Women often disguised themselves as men and fought in the Union and Confederate armies. This was also true of World War I and World War II when 350,000 women served in all branches. In 1948, President Truman offi­ cially allowed women to serve. Though women were officially serving in the mili­ tary for nearly 50 years, they were unable to fly in combat until 1994. In 2015, the ban was lifted and women could serve in any position. Seventeen percent of mili­ tary members are women. Nineteen percent of the Air Force is comprised of female soldiers. As of 2023, 10 women have been named four-star generals. Prior to her current assign­ ment, Colonel Sexton served as the Chief of Intelligence for the Standing Joint Force Headquarters for Elimination of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction, Fort Belvoir, Va. Working direct­ ly with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, her team supported global efforts to make the world safe from weapons ofmass destruction. Women’s club members said Sexton is an inspiration to all. 1NSUI4?Zq SPRAYFOAM W Closed or Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass Roy Mast • 517 652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville LIGHT TRUCK PARTS | ‘Shoe Year’s Day’ hike planned for Jan. 1 For those who want to start 2024 with a challenge, the annual “Shoe Year’s Day” hike at Yankee Springs Recreation Area is slated for Jan. 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. This hike is a yearly tradition for the Chief Noonday chapter of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA). Beginning as a program through the DNR, the Chief Noonday chapter was asked to help with guided hikes on New Year’s Day at Yankee Springs State Park. After the first year, the “Shoe Year’s Day” hike became estab­ lished as a yearly chapter hike. This January’s hike will be the 12th year of the hike. Hikers come from many of the surrounding communi­ ties, helped in part by DNR publicity. Some families have made the hike a family tradition, hiking every year. For others, the hike is the first time many have been on the North Country Trail. Dogs on leashes are also a part of this yearly tradition. Last year, over 80 people participated in the “Shoe Year’s Day” hike. This year, hikers will meet at the Long Lake Outdoor Center, 10370 Gun Lake Rd. Hikers are asked to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m. The log cabin will have a roaring fire before and after the hikes. USED PARTS • PICK UPS • ONE TONS • VANS • SUV’S • JEEPS • 4MS FULL SERVICES YOU PULL IT 269-381-2300 J USED PARTS fj USED TIRES 1811 LAKE SL KALAMAZOO �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023 Gaines Township planning commission to discuss South Christian High School expansion plan James Gemmell Contributing Writer Just five years after opening the doors at its new location in Gaines Charter Township, South Christian High School is planning an expansion. That will be one of the items on the township plan­ ning commission’s meeting agenda Thursday night, Nov. 16. The meeting will get underway at 7 p.m. in the township hall board room. The planning commission normal­ ly meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. However, the township offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 23, as well as Friday, Nov. 24. So, the meeting was moved up a week. The planning commission will listen to a presentation from a South Christian High School representative, Jim Peterson, who will be seeking an amendment to a site plan that is part of a long-term overall master plan for the 135-acre school campus at 7979 Kalamazoo Ave. According to a township staff memo, the master plan shows conceptual designs for a track, stadium, outdoor learning cen­ ters and additional parking. It is in the township’s agri­ cultural-rural residential zon­ ing district. A public hearing will need to be held before the township can take any action on the request, which is for a 22,000-square-foot education wing, plus 1,800 square feet for storage, as well as some sidewalk and drainage improvements. “They’re basically going to build a whole other wing,” Community Development Director Dan Wells said in a telephone interview. “They’ve got a lot of students interested in going there.” The expansion will be on the northeast side ofthe main building, with the additions proposed for the adjacent lawn and paved areas. The need for additional classroom space reflects the booming popula­ tion in Gaines Township, which is the second-largest township in Kent County and the fastest-growing. And also, the growing interest in the high school’s vocational edu­ cation classes. South Christian broke ground in May 2017 for its new $42 million high school campus. It opened in 2018. The original high school was on 68th Street in the Cutlerville area ofByron Township. That building and property now serves as the headquarters for Special Olympics Michigan and houses several other agen­ cies, as well. Wells said the site-plan review for the expansion at South Christian will be a “oneand-done type deal.” Classroom space for regular and special education will be part ofthe new additions. Peterson will be requesting approval of a Special Land Use permit and site-plan The red box in this aerial view of the South Christian High School campus shows where a proposed build­ ing expansion would be carried out. (Image provided) amendment for those two building additions. The township staff memo notes that traffic will increase as more and more students attend the school, but says that Kalamazoo Avenue has ade­ quate sight lines and approach lanes to safely handle it during the start and end ofthe school day. The memo also mentions that “the current 610 (parking) spaces are requested to serve the new addition, as well as evening events. Future improvements may require parking lot expansions in accordance with the zoning ordinance.” The boundary lines indicate where the Hoffman Meadows subdivision is being built south of 68th Street in Dutton. (Image provided) WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 It calls for retail space, town­ homes, apartments and condo­ subdivision at 2464 68th Street, west of Hanna Lake Avenue in Dutton. The proper­ ty size for Phase 2 is about 15 completed. agreement after the township acknowledged that American residential zoning district. Wells said the overall project will entail four phases of development. -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. XkSAr Meadows, at 2410 68th St. That consisted of 40 sin­ gle-family home lots within a 15-acre area and has been acres and it is in the RL-10 Residential & Commercial1 DeWeerd (68) On a separate matter, the planning commission will dis­ cuss the second phase of the Hoffman Meadows residential The planning commission will conduct a “tentative pre­ liminary plat review” for the ACCREDITED BUSINESS 130 single-family lots when the entire project is complet­ ed. “They’re going through the platting process. It’s pret­ ty much by right, as long as they have all the (house) lot sizes to the correct scale,” project. Chris Vander Hoff of Caledonia-based Bosco Wells said. Regarding another future development, some prelimi­ Construction Inc. is the project applicant. It would be for 55 nary utility infrastructure work has begun for the Prairie Wolf additional single-family homes. Wells said Vander Hoffwon’t necessarily be the LENNOX Vander Hoff said last year that there may be as many as builder of the homes. But he miniums. The lawsuit was later rescinded under a consent Kendall has the right under the zoning ordinance to build there. Wells said American Kendall has begun prelimi­ nary work on a water-line con­ nection at the ground-mounted water tank along Division Avenue near 92nd Street. He said the utility line would have to be extended east along 92nd Street to Kalamazoo Avenue, and then north to the develop­ Station project on 84th Street, ment on 84th Street. American Kendall will pay for that and east of Kalamazoo Avenue. Some site preparation may begin in earnest next spring. any other utilities. “The only thing that the township pays for is oversiz­ ing, so we make sure that the will sell the lots to homebuild­ ers. In July 2022, the township board approved the final plat rejected the proposed mixed- for Phase ground now will accommo­ date future growth,” Wells use town center development. said. 1 of Hoffinan American Kendall Properties sued the township last year after the township board stuff they’re putting in the �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11, 2023/ Page 9 Thornapple Kellogg students honor vets at assembly Greg Chandler StaffWriter Students at Thomapple Kellogg High School paid tribute to local veterans on Friday morning, as the school hosted its 13 th annual Veterans Day program in the TKHS gymnasium. Nearly 40 veterans attend­ ed the program, which included special music and readings by TKHS students. It also featured addresses by American Legion Post 140 Commander Rich Jenkins and fellow veteran Jerry Welsh. TKHS student Emma Reil spoke of the military service ofher father and grandfather, the latter ofwhom was drafted into the Army during World War II before he could graduate from TKHS. “Veterans Day is a remind­ er of the sacrifices our vets have made, leaving their families and homes to pro­ tect the freedoms we hold dear,” Reil said. “It’s a day to express our gratitude, not just through words, but through our actions. Let’s support our veterans, listen to their stories, and ensure they receive the care and respect they deserve.” Jenkins accepted the honor ofMiddleville’s honored vet­ eran on behalf oftwo TKHS graduates who lost their lives in service to their country — Army Spec. Dane Carver, who died Dec. 26, 2005 in Iraq, and Army Cpl. Nick Roush, who was killed Aug. 16, 2009, in Afghanistan. “Those two are the heroes, the latest heroes (from this community), and it is an honor that I will not accept on my own behalf, because I am just a veteran,” Jenkins said. “Ifyou would like to learn about heroism, visit the (veterans) memorial in the center of Middleville, and pick any one or all of the 13 of the names that are on our wall of honor. Take them home and study them and leam what it is to be a hero, or more to the point, what it costs to be a hero,” Jenkins said. It was the deaths ofCarver and Roush that spurred a Middleville American Legion Post 140 Commander Rich Jenkins speaks about TKHS graduates Dane Carver and Nick Roush, who lost their lives in service to their country. Veterans salute the flag as the Thornapple Kellogg High School symphonic band plays the national anthem during a ceremony on Friday morning. (Photos courtesy of Thornapple Kellogg Schools) small but determined group of community volunteers in October 2010 to remember them and other Middleville residents who lost their lives defending their country. “There was a significant concern that we weren’t going to be able to pay the respect that these two young heroes (deserved), were not going to be honored,” Welsh said. They raised about $100,000 — more than half of the donations coming in amounts of $500 or less — over a period of seven years to build the monument near the Sesquicentennial Pavilion. The Friends of the Veterans Memorial continues to sell brick pavers to honor veterans. • “You surrounded the vet­ erans that have served with your love and your money and your support, to create this monument and testimony to how much Middleville supports the people sitting TKHS senior Jaxan Sias (left) thanks a local veteran for his service. <33 YEARS INSURED right here behind me,” Welsh said. Welsh paid tribute to three local leaders who played sig­ nificant roles in the develop­ ment of the veterans memo­ rial who all have died in recent years - former Middleville Village President Charlie Pullen, former Thornapple Township Trustee Walt Eavey and longtime resident Lois Bremer. A small plaque at the veterans memorial honors them and others were involved in its creation. “If (Pullen) was standing here today, (he) would say ‘no veteran should ever die alone,”’ Welsh said. “That’s one ofthe reasons that veter­ ans memorial is there, is that if someone passes on, there is a paver in that veterans memorial representing some­ one who has served their country, someone who has literally taken time out of their life or given their life to give you the opportunity to come here and sit in an audi­ torium without the fear of retribution, attend the church of your choice without the fear of retribution, picket, hold parades or hold demon­ strations. The freedoms that we have in America today lie with the people in that veter­ ans memorial, either in the pavers or on the wall.” TKHS Principal Tony Petersen encouraged stu­ dents to visit the veterans memorial. “Veterans Day is a day that we set aside to honor those who served, but we should not just honor them today,” Petersen said. “The men and women who have served and are currently serving are the backbone of our country. Our freedoms are built on the blood, the sweat and the tears ofour veterans and those who have given the ultimate sacri­ fice to ensure that we remain free.” American Legion Post 140 will host a brief Veterans Day remembrance program at 3 p.m. today at the veter­ ans memorial in Middleville. In Yankee Springs Township, a Veterans Day program will take place at 11 a.m. today at the township veterans memorial, which is next to the fire station at 1425 S. Payne Lake Rd. The program will include music by Mick Lane and Annie VanHouten. Featured speak­ ers are U.S. Navy Sr. Chief Skyler Sypien and Army First Lt. Robert Geyer. Letters from students at Star Elementary School in Hastings will be shared. Hot dogs and fries have been donated by Curley Cone. Business Services METAL ROOFING SALE! MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. RETIRED PAINTER WILL do odd jobs. 616­ Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Pets 441-9328 DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ CONSTRUCTION: ADDITIONS,REMODELING, Roof­ able rates. 269-331-9999. ing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. POMERANIAN PUPPIES: VERY, very cute and playful. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums WESTIE TERRIER JACK RUS­ SELL cross puppies. Very for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. 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Vinyl Windows • Remodeling FREE ESTIMATES ^CB Pennock 269-908-2I73 FRIDAY, NOV. 24-9 AM-5 PM SATURDAY, NOV 25 • 9 AM -2 PM Flyers available at participating businesses or online at ww.lakewoodareacoc.org Questions: Contact Mamie Thomas at 616-374-0766 or director@lakewoodareacoc.org �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023 Kicking Trump off Michigan ballot would wreak havoc,’ his attorneys argue ney Michael Columbo argued Thursday that only Congress—not the Michigan LANSING — A Michigan Secretary of State or state judge promised to “rule courts — has authority to quickly” on a pair oflawsuits enforce the 14th Amendment. seeking to disqualify former Disqualifying Trump from President Donald Trump Michigan ballots could from the state’s 2024 presi­ wreak “havoc in a national dential election ballots federal election,” Columbo because of his role in the said in oral arguments. “We U.S. Capitol uprising on Jan. can’t have one state dictating 6, 2021. who may or may not be pres­ “I fully recognize I am not ident by virtue oftheir inde­ the last word on whatever pendent disqualification of happens in this case,” Judge that candidate.” James Robert Redford said The Michigan lawsuit is Thursday during a highamong a series of similar stakes hearing in Michigan’s legal challenges playing out Court of Claims in Grand across the country. The Rapids, acknowledging that Minnesota Supreme Court any decision he makes will likely be appealed to a higher because she has not, the on Wednesday ruled that courts should, attorney Mark court because of its national Trump can appear on that Brewer, former chairman of state’s GOP primary ballot significance. The clock is ticking the state’s Democratic Party, but did not decide his qualifi­ cations for the general elec­ because Michigan Secretary told Redford on Thursday of State Jocelyn Benson is during oral arguments. tion, should he advance. expected to finalize a list of In prior legal briefs, Michigan law is “vastly presidential primary candi­ Trump’s attorneys have different” than Minnesota’s dates by next week with rec­ argued that the events ofJan. and gives voters “the right to ommendations from both 6 amounted to a “riot,” rather only have eligible candi­ major political parties, than an insurrection, and dates” on the ballot for the including Republicans who denied that the former presistate’s Feb. 27 presidential are siding with Trump in the dent played any direct role in primary, argued Brewer, lawsuit. the violence that damaged whose plaintiffs in this case include former Republican At issue is the 14th the Capitol, alarmed the Amendment of the U.S. nation and killed five people. voters like Bob Labrant, who Constitution, which disqualiAdditionally, Trump attor- now oppose Trump. For instance, Brewer noted, Michigan candidates are “often removed from the pri­ • Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, Forest « mary ballot’ if they do not actually live in the district they & Frolic, Etchings, Honey & said they did in sworn affida­ Lavender, more vits. And, if Michigan • Flannel, Cuddle Republican Party leaders still Jonathan Oosting Bridge Michigan fies from federal office anyone who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the country “or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.” Two Michigan lawsuits contend Trump cannot return to the White House or even appear as a candidate on primary or general elec­ tion ballots — because he encouraged supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol to block certification of Democratic President Joe Biden’s election. Secretary of State Benson “could have and should have” already disqualified Trump from the ballot, but Moda® Collections want to nominate Trump for president, they could do so through a planned caucus or convention, rather than honor the results ofa government-run primary election, he said. Benson, a second-term Democrat, is the named defendant in both lawsuits. She has declined to disquali­ fy him on her own. “Michigan law and the Michigan Legislature has not accorded the secretary the specific authority to make that constitutional determi­ nation,” Assistant Attorney General Heather Meingast said Thursday. “Now to be clear, the secretary stands ready to comply with what­ ever order this court issues in relation to the former presi­ dent’s eligibility to appear on the ballot.” The Trump campaign, which last week filed a coun­ tersuit seeking to guarantee his spot on Michigan ballots, blasted the disqualification lawsuits early Thursday, characterizing them as part of an attempt by Democrats to “steal” the 2024 presiden­ tial election. “Biden’s Democrats and their socialist financiers sim­ ply do not trust the American people with the right to vote, so they have weaponized the American justice system at nearly every level across our great country, to interfere with the election and make the choice for them,” Trump Campaign Spokesperson, Former President Donald Trump is fighting law­ suits that seek to keep him off Michigan’s 2024 pres­ idential primary and general election ballots. (Courtesy photo) Steven Cheung said in a statement. The Michigan case has spurred a flurry oflegal filings from interested parties across the country, including Trump defense briefs filed by the Republican National Committee, the Michigan Republican Party and similar organizations in six other states. Thursday’s hearing includ­ ed historical debate over the origins of the 14th Amendment, which was rati­ fied three years after the Civil War and was a require­ ment for Southern states seeking reentry to the Union. The insurrection clause was designed to prevent former Confederate officials from holding public office, but that prohibition was over­ turned just four years later. The new litigation is based on legal research by scholars like Indiana University Law Professor Gerard Magliocca, who filed a legal brief in the Michigan case this month arguing Trump should be disqualified. “The public use of vio­ lence by a group ofpeople to prevent or hinder the execu­ tion of the Constitution of the United States is an insur­ rection” within the meaning of the 14th Amendment, which applies to “a former President who swore an oath to persevere, uphold, protect and defend the Constitution.” Magliocca’s attorneys wrote in a court filing. Redford, who previously served as chief legal counsel to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, praised attorneys on all sides ofthe case for what he called “very fine lawyer­ ing.” “I haven’t read so many law review articles maybe since I was in law school,” the judge joked before explaining that he expects to issue written rulings in com­ ing days. • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUEST1ONS: ASK US... OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; ‘ST* Saturday 9 am-3 pm Governor Whitmer announces turkey naming contest This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged Michiganders to submit names for the second turkey that she will pardon since taking office. The winning name will be announced Monday, Nov. 20. “My fellow Michiganders, Thanksgiving is just around the corner,” Governor Whitmer said in a state­ special turkey that I will pardon soon. Everyone, especially young Michiganders, are encour­ aged to send in their names. I am so thankful for all of you.” There is no limit to the number of suggestions you can make. Participants are encouraged to get creative and have fun. To submit a name for the turkey, visit forms.leo.state. mi.us/govoffice/turkey-naming/. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 17 at noon. ment. “I know we are look­ ing forward to' spending some time with family and friends, but I need your help. Please submit name suggestions for the very PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Hg EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY One lucky turkey will be pardoned for Thanksgiving later this month. Michiganders have the opportunity to name the pardoned turkey and can submit their ideas until Friday, Nov. 17. (Photo provided) �hTeheSuSnunanadndNeNwesw,s S, aStautrudradya, oNvoevmembebre 1r 1,12,0202233/P/ aPgaege11 ThTeheSuSnunanadndNeNwesw,s S, aStautrudradya, yN, yN, oNvoevmembebre 1r 1,12,0202233/P/ aPgaege11 11 11 Nm । Gator divers finish in top three spots at Tier II meet Brett Bremer Sports Editor They went 1-2-3. The Grand Rapids Gators had the top three divers over the weekend of Nov. 3-4 in Byron Center at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Championship. Lydia Slagel took the conference champion­ ship for the co-op team made up of student athletes from Calvin Christian, West Catholic, Thomapple Kellogg and Hopkins. Slagel won the diving com­ petition with an 11-dive score of 378.70 points. Natalie Wickstrom was second with a score of 346.40 and Abigail Dumond third at 332.70. The trio has rotated places in the top three in the standings throughout the fall season of duals. Dumond and Slagel competed in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Regional at East Kentwood High School Thursday and both earned spots in the Nov. 17-18 state finals that will be held at Eastern Michigan University. Unity Christian’s Karli Velzen was the closest compet­ itor to the Gators in the diving competition at the conference meet with an overall score of 309.45. Velzen was one of four 'aS Crusader divers to score in the meet and their team ran away with the conference champion­ ship thanks to a total of 552 points. Ottawa Hills was sec­ for the Gators. She placed helped the Wildcat team to fourth in the 200-yard individu­ wins in the 200-yard freestyle al medley with a time of relay and the 400-yard freestyle 2:23.05 and then swam to a relay. She was joined by Sybil runner-up time of 1:10.66 in Williamson, Taylor Wolf and ond with 439 points ahead of the 100-yard breaststroke. Abigail Deweerd in winning Wayland 422, the Grand A trio of girls touched the the 200 freestyle relay in Rapids Gators 278 and Grand wall within three quarters of a 1:41.91. Laney, Williamson, Rapids Union 165. second of each other at the Kennedy Jasinski and Elliot Corinne Bierling and Velzen front of the wave in the 100 Antel took the 400 freestyle powered the Unity Christian breaststroke. Ottawa Hills relay in 3:45.36. team in the pool. Bierling had a senior Naia Wainer won the Gator junior Aubrey Hawks winning time of25.02 seconds race in 1:10.03 with Garcia and everyone else was chasing in the 50-yard freestyle and a second and Wayland senior Laney Wolf in those couple runner-up time of 55.56 in the Taylor Wolf eight tenths of a individual freestyle races. 100-yard freestyle. Velzen won second behind Garcia. Hawks placed seventh in the the 100-yard backstroke in 1 Garcia was one of three 200-yard freestyle in 2:13.43. minute 1.12 seconds. Wolf was the only girl to finish Gators to score for the team in Sophomore Aliyah Garcia that 100 breaststroke. Senior that race in under two minutes. had the top finishes in the pool Elizabeth Middleton placed Hawks also placed ninth in the ninth with a time of 1:19.62 100-yard backstroke. and junior Leah Schumacher Unity Christian beat out a was 15 th with a time of1:40.00. Wildcat foursome by a quarter Middleton was also ninth in die ofa second to open Saturday’s 500-yard freestyle. finals in the 200-yard medley The top eight in the prelimi­ relay -1:56.30 to 1:53.87. The nary races Friday earned spots Crusader team of Velzen, in Saturday’s A Final while the Courtney Holtrop, Natalie next eight earned spots in the B Gates andGraceDewaalmalefyt Final. The top 16 in each indi­ took that victory. vidual race scored for their The Gators’ top team was team. fourth in the 400-yard freestyle Wayland’s Laney Wolf had relay, fourth in the the 200-yard an outstanding meet She won medley relay and fifth in the the 200-yard freestyle in 200-yard freestyle relay. 1:56.74, the 100-yard freestyle Leah Schumacher also in 53.74 seconds, and also placed 15th in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:37.71. Fellow Gatorjunior Audrey Groenenboom was tenth in the 200 IM in 2:48.08 while senior teammate Makayla Brown placed 14th in 3:21.69. There were four Gators scor­ ing in the B Final of the 100yard freestyle with GarciaQuilez lift in 1:04.93, Avery Hollebeek 14th in 1:06.44, sophomore Jenna Robinett 15th in 1:15.03 and senior Emilia Van Dellen 16th in 1:20.87. Atrio of Gators placed in the B Final ofa few races. In the 50-yard freestyle senior Berta Garcia-Quilez was 13th in 29.10, junior Malia Hamby 14th in 29.24 andjunior Jolee Schumacher 16th in 30.71. In the 100-yard butterfly, Groenenboom was 11th in 1:19.44,Hamby 14thin 1:25.13 and Robinett 15th in 1:28.46. The 500-yard freestyle B Final featured Middleton ninth in 6:28.84, with Bergman tenth in 6:40.07 and senior Makayla Brown 13th in 7:09.39. The 100-yard backstroke race included Hawks’ ninth­ place time of 1:09.43, a 13th-place time of 1:17.16 by Hollebeek and a 15th-place time of 1:21.86 from Jolee Schumacher. FINANCIAL FOCUS Provided by Andrew McFadden and Jeffrey Westra of Edward Jones What should you know about RMDs? Grand Rapids Gator diver Natalie Wickstrom took a runner-up finish in the diving competition at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Championship in Byron Center over the weekend of Nov. 3-4. Teammates Lydia Slagel and Abigail Dummond placed first and third respectively. (File photo) 208284 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 CTOWNSHIP, aledonia CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECT THEREOF PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 1,2023, the Township Board ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia adopted Ordinance No. 2023-06Z, which is an ordinance amending the zoning ordinance ofthe Charter Township of Caledonia. The ordinance amends Section 4.2, the Zoning Map, to rezone the following described lands, commonly known as 6633 Konkrete Drive SE from the R-R Rural Residential District on the Southern portion, and R-l Low Density Single Family District on the Northern portion, both to the 1-1 Light Industrial District. The rezoning ordinance will become effective on November 18,2023. A copy of the ordinance may be examined or purchased at the Caledonia Charter Township Offices, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, within the Township, during Township office hours. Dated: November 11,2023 TOWNSHIP BOARD OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA You may spend decades contributing to various retire­ ment accounts. But for some accounts, such as a traditional IRA and 401(k), you must start withdrawing funds at a certain point. What should you know about this require­ ment? To begin with, the rules governing these withdrawals — technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs — have changed recently. For many years, individuals had to begin tak­ ing their RMDs (which are based on the account balance and the IRS’ life expectancy factor) when they turned 70%. The original SECURE Act of2019 raised this age to 72, and SECURE 2.0, passed in 2022, raised it again, to 73. (Ifyou turned 73 in 2023, and RMDs, you do need to take them, because if you don’t, you could face tax penalties. Previously, this penalty was 50% ofthe amount you were supposed to have taken, but SECURE 2.0 reduced it to 25%. When you take your RMDs, you need to be aware of a key issue: taxes. RMDs are taxed as ordinary income, and, as such, they could potentially bump you into a higher tax bracket and possi­ bly even increase your Medi­ care premiums, which are determined by your modified adjusted gross income. Are there any ways you could possibly reduce an RMD-related tax hike? You might have some options. Here are two to con­ sider: you were 72 in 2022 when the RMD limit was still 72, you should have taken your first RMD for 2022 by April 1 of this year. You will then need to take your 2023 RMD by Dec. 31. And going for­ • Convert tax-deferred accounts to Roth IRA. You ward, you’ll also need to take your RMDs by the end of every year.) Not all retirement accounts are subject to RMDs. They aren’t required for a Roth IRA, and, starting in 2024, won’t be required for a Roth 401(k) or 403(b) plan. But if your account does call for could convert some, or may­ be all, of your tax-deferred retirement accounts to a Roth IRA. By doing so, you could lower your RMDs in the future — while adding funds to an account you’re never required to touch. So, ifyou don’t really need all the mon­ ey to live on, you could include the remainder of the Roth IRA in your estate plans, providing an initially tax-free inheritance to your loved ones. However, converting a tax-deferred account to a Roth IRA will generate taxes in the year of conversion, so you’d need die money avail­ able to pay this tax bill. • Donate RMDs to chari­ ty. In what’s known as a qualified charitable distribu­ tion, you can move up to $100,000 of your RMDs directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity, avoiding the taxes that might otherwise result if you took the RMDs yourself. After 2023, the $100,000 limit will be indexed to inflation. Ofcourse, before you start either a Roth IRA conversion or a qualified charitable dis­ tribution, you will need to consult with your tax advisor, as both these moves have issues you must consider and may not be appropriate for your situation. But it’s always a good idea to know as much as you can about the various aspects of RMDs — they could play a big part in your retirement income strategy. This article was written by EdwardJonesfor use byyour local Edward Jones Finan­ cialAdvisor. Edward Jones, SIPC Member �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023 Rally comes up just short for young Scots Brett Bremer Sports Editor There will likely come a time in the next year or two where a playoffdefeat is more painful than the one the Fighting Scots suffered Saturday in Middleville. But with a big fourth-set rally falling just short and a roster without a single senior, the mood was mostly hopeful after the Caledonia varsity vol­ leyball team was bested 25-15, 17-25, 25-19, 25-21 by the Byron Center Bulldogs in the MHSAA Division 1 District Final hosted by Thomapple Kellogg High School Nov. 4. Byron Center controlled the first set, the Fighting Scots took it to the Bulldogs in the second set, and the third set was a back and forth affair until a run that took the score from a 14-14 tie to a 19-14 Bulldog advantage ending on an ace by senior Brianna Whitfield. Another ace by senior Kate Wisniewski fin- ished offthat third set win for her team. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the fourth set and were up as many as 11 points at 16-5 before the Fighting Scots finally steadied themselves. Junior Eliza Pehrson finally sparked the Fighting Scot offense with three kills on a service run by freshman team­ mate Aubrey Reynolds that took the Scots from 16-6 down to within 16-11. Three consecutive kills by junior Cambria Gaier not long after had the Scots within 19-15. The Scots would even­ tually get as close as two points at 23-21 before the Bulldogs closed things out. It was struggles on the serve receive for the Scots that really allowed Byron Center to build its big fourth-set lead initially. The Bulldogs served well, but the Scots also had the opportu­ nity to pass better than they did. Caledonia made much ofits comeback happen with the Bulldogs’ Reese Lowe waiting her turn to get back on the floor. She had a few big swings late that were key for the Bulldogs. She had a kill from the left side to answer a block from CHS junior Josie Noble in the middle. Gaier had a big dig of a Lowe attack and freshman libero Avery Seifan ace late in that fourth set to help the Scots get the lead down close in on the Bulldogs. “That’s impressive,” Caledonia head coach Grace Will said ofher girls’ fourth set fight. “I think thatjust proved to them that they can do something like that. That experience is going to be hugely beneficial for us next year. Obviously, we would have liked to have had the trophy this year, but it is over now and so now we have to look towards next year. I really do think that loss, and the way that we lost that game, is going to drive them to trust themselves a little bit more next year. Fighting Scot freshman libero Avery Seif settles in to receive a Byron Center serve during the MHSAA Division 1 District Final at Thornapple Kellogg High School Saturday, Nov. 4. (Photo by Brett Bremer) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING W Caledonia junior setter Jessica Maier puts a pass up as teammate Josie Noble (6) and Byron Center’s Reese lowe look on during their MHSAA Division 1 District Final at Thornapple Kellogg High School Saturday, Nov. 4. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “We have two freshmen playing really big roles. Really, the only two starters from last year are starters this year. They graduated pretty much everyone else. We’ve got a pretty new group in terms of their experi­ ence in big games like this. After starting that first set really ner­ vous, which I knew was going to happen, they were able to get comfortable and work back into it At the end ofthe day, that is what matters most: how you feel finishing. I think they were still proud of themselves. “I really thought we were going to take that fourth set.” Pehrson had a huge offen­ sive affair for the Fighting Scots. She led the Scots with 16 kills. Noble, one ofthe two returning starters along with Gaier for the Scots this season, had nine kills while hitting .500. Gaier finished with 12 kills and Reynolds had six. Reynolds and Noble both had two blocks. Seif and Reynolds, the Scots’ two freshmen who saw the floor regularly all season, led their team 26 and 28 digs respectively and they both had two aces. “I think we just saw growth from individual players between set one to set four, especially Avery [Seif], the libero,” coach Will said. “She was nervous set one and was kind ofoffher game. I thought she was comfortable by set four and making some really great digs and just settled down on the court.” The Scots had a new varsity freshman, Kayleigh Miersen, get some time on the court in fire district final too. Miersen spent the fall as the Caledonia JV libero andjoined the varsi­ ty for the postseason with a couple other JV players. She stepped up to fill a role serving and coach Will liked the cou­ ple passes she saw from her as well. “She is one of those playas thatjust kind ofdoes hajob and does it well. She has been serving well in practice and she reads the court well. We were kind of struggling with the middle serv­ ing and I felt she was the best one to go out there,” Will said. The Fighting Scot coach also liked the way Pehrson shook offsome early struggles to be one ofthe leaders on the attack for the team. “She came alive at the net,” Wills said. “She is not the big­ gest hitter, but she’ll find the shot and [Pehrson’s] energy is something you can’t really replicate.” Gaier chipped in 14 digs and junior setter Jess Maier and Pehrson had ten digs each. Maier put up 47 assists in the match. “I think this is a good game to just show us what we need to work on next year to get that trophy, ‘cause we’re coming for it,” Will said. thornapple township ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS will hold a Public Hearing on November 27, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Thornapple Township Hall, 200 Main Street, Middleville, Ml 49333 ZBA File #116 Thornapple Township has received a variance request from the Zoning Ordinance Section 5.5 (b) (1) pertaining to the front yard setback requirement for all structures in the Rural Residential (RE) Zoning District. The applicants, Edward Cisler & Janice Arizola, are seeking the variance to allow for the construction of an accessory building within the required front yard setback (40). The location ofthis variance request is generally known as 8370 Garbow Rd, Middleville, Michigan / Parcel #08-14-011-038-00. THE VARIANCE APPLICATION MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWNSHIP HALL Mon. - Thurs. 9am - 4pm Written comments or questions regarding this application will be received until close of the public hearing and may be addressed to: Secretary, Thornapple Township Zoning Board ofAppeals, P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333. 269-795-7202. Americans with Disabilities Notice The Township will provide necessary and reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at this public meeting upon 6 days’ notice to the Township Clerk. Cindy Ordway, Thornapple Township Clerk Caledonia junior Eliza Pehrson tries to get an attack by Byron Center’s Madison Sandholm (11) and Caroline Baker (5) during their MHSAA Division 1 District Final at Thornapple Kellogg High School Saturday, Nov. 4. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023/ Page 13 Thompson runs one of his fastest races yet at Finals Brett Bremer the Division 1 boys’ state championship with 128 points. Caledonia junior Kort Brighton was second with 141 Thompson bested the 17-minahead of Grand Haven 187, ute mark in the second race of Kalamazoo Central 193, the season this fall and kept Canton 253, Ann Arbor i nching towards that 16-m inute Pioneer 265, Jenison 281, mark over the next two months. Clarkstone 294, White Lake Thompson ran his third Lakeland 301 and Highland­ fastest high school cross coun­ Milford 317 in the top ten. Northville also had junior try race every to place 77th at the MHS AA Lower Peninsula Ethan Powell among the medDivision 1 Cross Country alists. He was 13® in 15:28. Sports Editor Finals at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Saturday, Nov. 4. He was only about six seconds off his personal record with a time of 16 minutes 19.7 seconds. It was a fast paced race in and out and back into the NASCAR stadium in the Irish Hills. Thompson had a time of5:05.9 for the first mile. He was 103® in the field of more than 260 runners at that point. While he didn’t quite keep up that pace, he was picking off opponents for the rest ofthe run. He was in 1OO^1 place after two miles and 79® after three miles. He moved up two more spots with a great kick to the finish. That still left him about 34 seconds behind the last of the 30 state medalists in the boys’ Division 1 race. Oxford junior Alexander McArthur beat out Brighton junior Elijah Forbord at the line for that 30th-place spot. McArthur finished at 15:45.8 and Forbord at 15:45.8. There were 47 guys who fin­ ished in less than 16 minutes. Grand Haven senior Seth Norder was one oftwo to fin­ ish in less than 15 minutes. After back-to-back seasons as the state runner-up, Norder won Saturday’s race in 14:54.3. He hit the finish line in less than 15 minutes in each ofhis final four races this fall including the OK Red Conference Championship, and was a about 25 seconds faster on the MIS course than he had been in either of his two previous runs at the finals. New Baltimore Anchor Bay senior Thomas Westphal chased Norder to a new PR of 14: 57.9 to finish in the run­ ner-up spot. Northville senior Brendan Heiger was third in 15: 05.6, a new PR for him. Heiger and Northville won Sophomore teammate Benjamin Hartigan medaled in 24® place with a time of 15:37.7. Norder was one oftwo OK Red Conference guys to earn all-state honors. Jenison junior Seth Conner placed fifth in 15:12.2. They both had a team­ mate just behind the last ofthe medalists. Jenisonjunior Mason Lucas was 33® in 15:50.7 and Grand Havenjunior Ben Eisnor 35® in 15:53.3. OK Gold Conference run­ ner-up Liam Walters from Ottawa Hills was right there with those guys in 39® place with a time of 15:55.2. With four runners among the 30 medalists in the DI girls’ race Saturday Romeo ran away with the state title. Freshman Annie Harabovsky led Romeo with a fourth-place time of 17:28.7. Her team fin­ ished with 65 points. Ann Arbor Pioneer was sec­ ond with 126 points ahead of West Ottawa 186, Brighton 189, Saline 202, Northville 237, Grand Haven 267, Okemos 292, Oxford 297 and Traverse City West 324 in the top ten. Pioneer senior Rachel Forsyth, who fell back to 621® at the DI finals in 2022 after finishing as the state runner-up in 2020 and the state champion in 2021, took her second state title with a time of 16:28.5. Ottawa Hills senior Selma Anderson ran her fastest race ever, but it was not nearly enough to keep up with Forsyth. Anderson was the runner-up in 17:13.6. Junior Helen Sachs led West Ottawa to its third place finish with an llth-place time of 17:17.8. Grand Haven junior Valerie Beeck wasn’t far behind with a 14th-placetime of 18:23.7. They were the lone medalists in DI from the OK Red Conference. CLS girls race to sixth at OK Red Championship Brett Bremer ley, the 100-yard back­ stroke and the 100-yard The Caledonia/Lowell/ butterfly too. South Christian varsity VanderZwaag has quali­ girls’ swimming and div­ fied for the finals in the ing team had its best ever 100-yard breaststroke. OK Red Conference finish The CLS team has also over the weekend in the qualified for the state finals pool at Hudsonville High in all three relay races. School. The CLS foursome of The Vikings placed sixth Treib, Clara Kerkstra, in the final standings at the Aliya Van Hofwegen and conference championship Gaylord was one of five meet. 200-yard freestyle relay Jenison took the confer­ teams that were better ence meet championship than the DI state qualify­ with 451 points, winning ing mark during the OK seven of the 12 events. Red Conference Grand Haven was second Championship Finals with 410 points ahead of Saturday, Nov. 4. They Rockford 363, West Ottawa were fourth in the race 292, Grandville 176, CLS with a time of 1 minute 153, Hudsonville 144 and 41.29 seconds, beating East Kentwood 92. out the top West Ottawa CLS teammates Sophie foursome by three hun­ Gaylord and Bella Treib dredths of a second. both earned all-conference Gaylord had a couple honors. of the top individual fin­ Treib, Gaylord, Maya ishes for the Vikings. She VanderZwaag and Izzy was the runner-up in the Leason teamed up to meet 100-yard butterfly with a the MHSAA Lower time of 58.68 seconds Peninsula Division 1 state trailing only Rockford cut in the preliminary races junior Campbell Quijano of the 400-yard freestyle who won in 57.03. Later; relay Friday, Nov. 3. Gaylord scored a sixth­ Both Gaylord and place time of 59.96 in the Treib have qualified for 100-yard backstroke. the state finals in the Treib was sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and the 50-yard freestyle with a 100-yard freestyle this time of 24.71 seconds and season, and Gaylord has fifth in the 100-yard free­ met the state mark in the style in 53.84. 200-yard individual medVanderZwaag, a freshSports Editor man, placed seventh in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:11.25. CLS junior diver Elise Miller was sixth with a score of 318 points in her competition and sopho­ more teammate Larissa Dudicz placed 11® with a score of 275.65. Both girls qualified for this week’s diving regionals at East Kentwood High School where Miller earned a spot in the DI State Finals. The CLS team of VanderZwaag, Van Hofwegen, Anneka Schuurmans and Leason opened the conference meet finals by placing sev­ enth in the 200-yard med­ ley relay with a time of 1:59.92. Jenison senior Grace Albrecht and junior Sophia Umstead won two individ­ ual events each. Albrecht took the 100-yard back­ stroke in 55.02 seconds and the 100-yard freestyle in 51.11. Umstead won the 200-yard individual med­ ley in 2:01.25 and the 100yard breaststroke in 1:02.40. Those two also teamed with Emma Albrecht and Layla Umstead to win the 200-yard medley relay in 1:42.71. That same four­ some won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:33.79. 208668 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Caledonia junior Kort Thompson nears the finish line at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn at the end of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Cross Country Finals Saturday, Nov. 4. Thompson placed 77th with a time of 16 minutes 19.7 seconds. (J-Ad Graphics photo by Will Kowalski) Please be advised the Village of Middleville Council will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on November 28,2023, at 7 pm or as soon thereafter as possible, to consider rezoning properties indicated in the master plan for the future land use as Transitional Mixeduse or Transitional Industrial for REZONING. This consideration effects the following properties: TRANSITIONAL MIXED USE (TMU) 100 Arlington St.; 205, 211 W Main; 218 - 321 W Main St.; 115 Water St.; 107 Larkin St.; 611 Grand Rapids St.; Parcel ID: 41-048-004-00, 41-049-001-00, 41-045-010-00, 41-048-004-00, 41-048-002-00. TRANSITIONAL INDUSTRIAL (Tl) 20, 36, 38, 39 State Street. The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Council meeting, which any interested person can attend, at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, Ml 49333, and via ZOOM. Visit our website at www.villageofmiddleville.org to find login information. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain information about the rezoning request or provide comments to the Council. Additional information is available via email request to the Village Clerk at rvanpolen@villageofmiddleville.org. Emails received prior to 4:00 pm on November 28,2023, at the above-listed address, will be distributed to the Council members. A copy of the future land use map can be found in the Middleville Master Plan located at: https://www.villageofmiddleville.org/ master-plans/. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day of the hearing and may be delivered to Village Hall or by email at rvanpolen@villageofmiddleville.org . Fighting Scot junior Kort Thompson (with bib 1757) is joined by his Caledonia crosscounry cross country teammates eammaesa at Michigan c gan International nernaona Speedway peeway inn Brooklyn r during the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Cross Country Finals Saturday, Nov. 4. Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Van Polen Village Clerk 11/09/2023 �Page age 14/The e Sun un an and News, ews, Saturday, aur ay, November ovem er 11,2023 , Byron Center stuns Scots in D2 District Final Brett Bremmer Sports Editor If the Fighting Scots could choose anyone in the history ofthe Caledonia High School football program to try and break up that pass it’d be the young man that was there nearly getting his fingers on the football. Byron Center junior quarterback Landon Tungate took the snap, looked left and fired a pass as time expired tojunior split end Isaac Lee coming towards the middle on a slant. “I pictured he was going to run a slant. I read it good and came over the top and just missed the ball I guess,” Caledonia senior safety Brock Townsend said. “It was a great play by him.” Lee had a step on Townsend, but the ball got across his body. Townsend reached over Lee’s left shoulder with his right hand while stretching his left arm out to tug at Lee’s arm as the ball settled into his left hand. Lee managed to cradle the ball into his body as they crashed down and the rubber infill from the new turf in “The Ralph” sprayed up around them. Touchdown. 0:00. The Bulldogs celebrated. Senior defenders Maddox Greenfield and Blake Herron and juniors Ryan Vogeler and Evan DeYoung eventually helped Townsend up off the end zone turf. Lee’s seven-yard touch­ down reception gave the Byron Center Bulldogs a 31-28 victory over the Caledonia varsity football team in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final inside Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Friday night. Townsend, who has been a member ofthe Caledonia var­ sity since he was a freshman, said it was training that got himself and his teammates to the point where they could take the field every week expecting to win no matter the opponent. Caledonia was 4-5 in 2020 when Townsend and his fellow seniors were fresh­ men. “I feel horrible for our kids,” Caledonia head coach Derek Pennington said. “That senior class, some of them have played since they were sophomores. They have won 30 football games. They went to Ford Field as juniors. We thought we had a team that could get back this year, and it is just disappointing. “We won the game last year on the last play of the game, and we lost the one this year on the last play ofthe game in the district final. That’s playoff football. I am certainly disap­ pointed, but blessed to have coached those kids. A wonder­ ful group. You don’t get Brock and Derek Townsends, Pennington Jr.s and Jaxson Engelbergs and Blake Herrons and Maddox Greenfields. You don’t get those types of kids every year and they have nothing to hang their head about. They gave the community some amazing football for three years. “I am proud ofall ofthem.” If anything bodes well for the Byron Bulldogs it is how things have turned out for the teams that were able to defeat the Fighting Scots in the playoffs each of the past three seasons. Mona Shores bested the Scots in the district finals in 2020 and went on to win the Division 2 State Championship. Traverse City Central defeated a 10-2 Caledonia team in the regional semifinals in 2021 and went on to finish as the state run­ ner-up in D2. Of course last season, Belleville ended a 12-2 campaign by beating the Scots in the Division 1 State Final. “I worked my you know what off, every day,” Townsend said. “We were lift­ ing three times a day, doing Caledonia teammates Brock Townsend (center) Ian Fedewa (right) and Jaxson Engelberg (left) head towards the sideline after a last-second touchdown pass gave Byron Center a 31 -28 win over the Fighting Scots in the MHSAA Division 2 District Final at Ralph E. Myers Stadium in Caledonia Friday, Nov. 3. (Photo by Brett Bremer) speed days the other two days. I was doing everything in my power to be the best athlete here ever, you know what I mean. [Caledonia] did every­ thing for me. They gave us this community. These fans, you see these stands are packed out. All I can say is thank you.” While Townsend was a var­ sity football player as a fresh­ man at Caledonia, senior H-back Derek Pennington Jr. was a freshman on the varsity at Zeeland West before his family made the move to Caledonia schools. “It is hard when maybe the worst loss you’ve experienced is with your son on his last game,” coach Pennington said. “I would be not honest if I said it wasn’t very difficult [Friday night after the bail­ game.]” Caledonia ends the 2023 season at 8-3. Byron Center, 208669 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please be advised the Village of Middleville Council will hold a PUBLIC HEARING on November 28, 2023, at 7 pm or as soon thereafter as possible, to consider Modifications to the Sign Ordinance 78-627(h), 78-629, 78-630, 78-631, 78-633, 78-635, 78-638 AND 78-639 OF CHAPTER 78 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. now 10-1, was set to play a regional final at East Lansing last night, Nov. 10. It wasn’t one single play or even one single drive Friday that ended the Scots’ bid for a return trip to MHSAA State Finals at Ford Field in Detroit, but it was an impressive final play at the end of an impres­ sive final drive for the Bulldog offense. The Fighting Scots turned the ball over on downs at the Bulldog 13-yard-line with 57 seconds left on the clock lead­ ing 28-25. Tungate completed eight consecutive passes for a total of 92 yards once an ille­ gal procedure penalty was fac­ tored into the drive. The final snap came with three seconds remaining and was almost cer­ tainly going to be the final play of the game barring a penalty. With Caledonia having smothered a Bulldog extra­ point and a field goal attempt, there wasn’t much thought of trying to kick a field goal to tie thingsup. Turnovers earlier . in the bailgame helped the Bulldogs be in position to win the ball­ game in the end. Fighting Caledonia junior quarterback Brody Betser looks for an opening in the line on a rush during the second half of the Scots’ MHSAA Division 2 District Final against Byron Center Nov. 3 at Ralph E. Myers Stadium. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Scot junior quarterback Brody Betser was 8-of-12 for 161 yards passing and three touchdowns, but was inter- cepted twice in the first half. The Scots also lost a fumble See SCOTS, next page The public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers during the regular Council meeting, which any interested person can attend, at 100 E. Main St. Middleville, Ml 49333, and via Zoom. Visit our website www.villaqeofmiddleville.org to find login information. Any interested person may attend the public hearing to obtain information about the sign ordinance or provide comments to the Council. Additional information is available via email request to the Village Clerk at rvanpolen@villaqeofmiddleville. org. Emails received prior to 4:00 pm on November 28, 2023, at the above-listed address, will be distributed to the Council members. Persons with special needs who wish to attend should contact the Village Clerk no less than 72 hours prior to the public hearings. Written comments will be received up to and until the day of the hearing and may be delivered to Village Hall or by email at rvanpolen@ villageofmiddleville.org. Respectfully submitted, Rhonda Van Polen Village Clerk 11/09/2023 Caledonia junior defensive lineman Nick Sarver gets ahold of Byron Center quarterback Landon Tungate as teammates Jaxson Engelberg and Brent Deyoung close in to help finish off the tackle during the second half of their MHSAA Division 2 District Final at “The Ralph” in Caledonia Friday, Nov. 3. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11, 2023/ Page 15 SCOTS, continued from previous pa at the start ofthe second half, which put the Bulldogs in position for a quick one-yard TD run by Tungate which pulled his team within 21-19 at the time. Caledonia punter Nathan Maas boomed a well-placed punt at the end of the Scots’ next possession that put the Bulldogs back at their own four-yard-line midway through the third quarter. But four plays later the Bulldogs’ Blake Ottow got behind the Fighting Scot defense on a play-action pass and raced 80 yards for a touchdown that put his team in front 25-21. It was the first deficit ofthe postseason for the Fighting Scots and they quickly answered with a 21-yard TD pass from Betser to Townsend on a fourth-and-four pass with 9:46 to go in the fourth quarter. Maas’ extra-point had the Scots in front 28-25. The Caledonia defense didn’t let the Bulldogs across midfield on their ensuing pos­ session, and the Bulldogs had to punt the ball back to the Scots. Townsend had a 45-yard touchdown run called back because of a holding penalty that coach Pennington said was hard to find on film. Runs by Townsend and Herron chewed up most of the final minutes for the Scots, but they couldn’t finish the drive. “We made some mistakes too. We blew a couple cover­ ages, didn’t finish a couple drives and even after the mys­ tery holding call we felt like we were in a really good play, we were going to throw a slant on fourth down ... but we got called for motion. That put us back and we still had Brock open in the end zone on the fourth down. Our mindset was to score there. We didn’t want to leave it to chance.” While coach Pennington was displeased with the hold­ ing call that took away what the Scots had momentarily thought was a district champi­ onship clinching TD run, he wouldn’t have minded seeing a flag or two for holding on the Bulldogs’ final drive in the other direction. Townsend was a workhorse again, rushing 34 times for 222 yards and a touchdowns in his final football game before joining the Central Michigan University Chippewas next season. He also had two receptions for 26 yards. Greenfield got the Scots on the scoreboard first with a 38-yard TD reception from Betser. The Bulldogs answered with a 53-yard TD pass from Tungate to Lee. The score was 7-7 at the end ofthe first quarter. Caledonia upped its lead as large as 21-7 in the second quarter with a nine-yard Townsend TD run and a tenyard TD pass from Betser to junior Parker Little. Little had a team-high three catch­ es for 62 yards. Logan Senti had two catches for 35 yards. A nine-yard TD pass from Tungate to Ottow before the half pulled their team within 21- 13. Tungate’s right arm pow­ ered the Bulldog offense, with more than a quarter of his passing yards coming on that final drive. He was 22- of-30 for 373 yards and four touchdowns. He had one pass picked offby Herron in the first half. Ottow had four receptions for 118 yards. Ryan Vogeler had a teamhigh eight tackles for the Caledonia defense. Greenfield had five tackles, including two for a loss. Derek Pennington Jr. had three tackles. Crews finishes in top quarter of D2 Finals field Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews inched back closer to the medals in her third try at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals Saturday. Crews placed 59th Saturday at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, hitting the finish line in 19 minutes 27.0 seconds. That time was about 11 seconds faster than her regional run the previous Saturday at South Christian High School where she earned one of the individual state qualifying positions. Crews will have one more shot at chasing a state medal, in her senior season. As a freshman in 2021, Crews placed 34th with a time of 19:26.2 at MIS,just behind the state medalists. Under differ­ ent conditions last fall she completed the course at MIS in 19:55.7 placing 58th. Her finish combined with her GPA which is over 3.9 earn Crews Academic All­ State honors this fall. She went out strong Saturday, starting in a box with the fellow individual qualifiers from her region. It was a crew that included Forest Hills Eastern senior Addison Washier, Hastings freshman Caroline Randall and Marshall senior Camille DeCola who all went on to earn state medals for their top 30 finishes and others. “[Crews] went into the race with a solid plan, good fitness and with her sights on per­ forming well enough to earn All-State honors,” Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country coach Sam Wilkinson said. “I asked Ava to share with me her vision for how the race would go and she had an ambitious, well thought out plan. I knew everything would have to go her way to nail what she had in mind, but I believed her plan to be appro­ priately aggressive to try to achieve what she wanted.” She shot out strong in the crowd of 250 runners at the start and hit the mile mark in a little less than six minutes, but couldn’t quite hold that pace. Randall and DeCola were right on her heels at that mile mark and then eventually pulled ahead during that second mile to finish as a couple ofthe last medalists in the race. “Ava carried out her first five girls to hit the finish line mile to plan, but started to feel in less than 18 minutes. the effects of her efforts not Grand Rapids Catholic long after, but she powered on Central senior Emily Tomes giving the maximum effort she won the girls’ race in a person­ had on the day,” coach al record time of 17:31.4, Wilkinson said. pushed by St. Joseph senior Washier finished as the top Gail Vaikutis who set her per­ racer from the OK Gold sonal record with a runner-up Conference with a 26th-place time of 17:33.6. Vaikutis’ time of 18:43.9. DeCola junior teammate elena closed her senior season with a Figuerosa was third in 17:46.6. 25th-place time of 18:43.1. St. Johns freshman Ava Randall placed 29th with a Schafer was fourth in 17:53.8. time of 18:45.8. Grand Rapids Christian had A pair of Grand Rapids three girls among the top 30 Christian girls hit the finish line medalists with sophomore behind Randall, sophomore Lilah Poel 20th in 18:36.1. Wilkinson noted that the first Ellie Scholma in 30th place five girls hit the finish line in with a time of 18:45.8 and senior Payton Holtz 31st in less than 19 minutes and then 18:49.1. Scholma earned the next 30 came in with times less last ofthe 30 all-state medals. than 19 minutes, compared to Those two Grand Rapids the 2022 finals when there Christian girls helped their wasn’t a D2 girl to finish in less team to the state championship than 18 minutes and the last of with a total score of 112 points. the 30 state medalists came across the finish line in just Otsego was. second with 131 over 19 minutes. points ahead ofGoodrich 139, Spring Lake 202, Zeeland East “Ava had a fantastic season 222, East Grand Rapids 224, and should be proud of what Ludington 245, Frankenmuth she has accomplished and put together this year,” Wilkinson 255, St. Joseph 277 and St. added. “As much as she Johns 282 in the top ten. Senior Natalie VanOtteren enjoyed being a part of the led the Grand Rapids Christian state finals, her bigger goal is girls with a fifth-place time of for the entire team to be on the 17:58.2. She was the. last of starting line with her next year. Her team and coach are proud today and in general.” Forest Hills Eastern won the MHSAA L.P. Division 2 Boys’ Championship with 134 points, beating out Pickney 156, East Grand Rapids 175, Allendale 176, Gladwin 211, Grand Rapids Christian 218, Adrian 221, Alma 250, Marshall 262 and Otsego 303 in the top ten Saturday. The 1-8 also had the Parma Western boys finish in 19th place. Freeland junior TJ Hansen ran to a state championship time of 14:52.8 with Cranbrook Kingswood senior Solomon Kwartowitz second in 15:03.3. It was a blistering pace. Forest Hills Eastern seniors Liam Himan and Brendan Hoving were the last ofthe 30 state medalists. Hinman placed 29th in 15:53.0 and Hoving 30th in 15:54.3. There were four guys who finished in less than 16 minutes who were behind the 30 state medalists. Forest Hills Eastern was led by junior Henry Dixon who placed sixth in 15:16.0-anew PR for him. Marshall junior Jack Bidwell was fourth in the boys’ race in a personal record time of 15:13.0. 208670 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Middleville Village Council will hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the proposed 2024 Fiscal Year Village Budget and Water/Sewer Rates at 7 pm on November 28, 2023, at the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, MI 49333. This Public Hearing will also be held electronically. Visit our website www.villageofiniddleville.org to find login information. THE PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE RATE AND WATER/SEWER RATES PROPOSED TO BE LEVIED TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BUDGET WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF THIS HEARING. Public comments, either oral or written, are welcome at the Public Hearing. Handicapped persons needing assistance or aid should contact the Village Clerk during regular hours, forty-eight hours prior to the meeting. Thomapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews works through the pack during the first few thousand meters of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals, between Croswell-Lexington’s Morgan Newton (left) and St. Joseph’s Jade Murdoch (right), at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn Saturday. Crews placed 59th in the field of 250 runners earninq Academic All-State honors in the nmness. The proposed budget will be available for public inspection at the Village Office, 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, MI, and on the Village website beginning on November 16, 2023. Questions or comments may be directed to the Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg at 269-795-3385. Rhonda Van Polen Village Clerk �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 11,2023 Gator duo and one Viking earn Brett Bremer Sports Editor They’ve all taken very dif­ ferent paths, but it is mostly the same journey now from East Kentwood High School to the diving well at Eastern Michigan University. Grand Rapids Gator divers Lydia Slagel and Abby Dumdnd and Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian Viking Elise Miller all qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals, which will be held in Ypsilanti Nov. 17-18, with top 11 finishes at the Division 1 Regional Diving Meet hosted by East Kentwood Thursday. Slagel placed fourth, Miller seventh and Dumond eighth in a field that started with 27 div­ ers. Miller’s CLS teammate Larissa Dudicz had a strong evening as well making it through each round of cuts to eventually finish in 13th place. Slagel is a freshman who has been diving for two years, and has been successful enough on the club level that she entered high school with earning a spot in the state finals as one ofher goals. Dumond, a junior, was a state qualifier a year ago with the Delton Kellogg/ Thomapple Kellogg/Hastings Co-op and has been diving since she was ten years old. Miller was a gymnast who chose to join the CLS team as a sophomore for fun last fall and took to diving right away. All three girls have spent time working with the Hastings Community Diving Club. Slagel put up a score of 345.85 points, Miller 317.25 and Dumond 316.85. Dudicz finished her day with a total of 296.95 points, less than five points back ofthe last ofthe 11 guaranteed state qualifiers “I am very excited. I was hoping to go to states this year,” Miller said. It started to feel like a real possibility for her when she started surpassing the 200point total during her six-dive routine in the middle of this season. Miller said with some experience she has been able to take a big step up in her degree of difficulty this fall, adding more 1 l/2s in every direction. Miller was really happy with her reverse 1 54 Thursday night, a dive she has been working really hard on to be able to get at least 30 points with. She Grand Rapids Gators freshman Lydia Slagel (center) looks out from the diving board during the awards ceremony at East Kentwood High School Thursday where she placed fifth. The top 11 divers at the MHSAA Division 1 Regional qual­ ified for the Nov. 17-18 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals. (Photo by Brett Bremer) FRIDAY, NOV. 24* GATES OPEN AT 5 PM AT CHIEF NOONDAY CAR PARK 11899 W.M-179 Activities planned: [COME Learlyi Tree ~ Lighting to be held at 6 p.m. j ■ Tree Lighting at 6 pm ■ Music by "NASHVILLE 5” ■ Rides in Antique Cars ■ Food Vendors... Maddie’s Cookies & Cream, and Cheezy Duz-lt Christmas Trees For Sale Coffee, Hot Chocolate by Curley Cone Popcorn! Pictures with Santa LIVE Remote with WBCH Make this a great family tradition! There is a large gift basket on display at Gabby’s just waiting for bids. Support our local businesses throughout the season! F SANTA ' has promised l to be here! Wear your ugly sweater! Snow has been ordered. in di Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian junior Elise Miller reaches back towards the water during her round six dive at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Regional hosted by East Kentwood High School Thursday. Miller earned a spot in the state finals with a seventh-place finish. (Photo by Brett Bremer) opened the finals with the dive in round nine and managed a score of 30.45 that finally wiped out the last ofthe nerves she had been feeling through­ out the evening. Slagel said she feels like her reverse dives are the ones where she had made the biggest strides over her two years in the sport. They were “scary” she said, but now she doesn’t seem to have any fear on the diving board. “I know all my dives. I know them by heart. I do them every day over, and over, and over again,” Slagel said. “It is kind ofmuscle memory now.” That memory wasn’t quite on point during warm-ups of her 5132, afront 1 ’Awithafull twist, but she was pretty pleased that it all came together for her during the competition. Slagel said she was most excited and proud to see how her teammate Dummond per­ formed her reverse 1 54 Thursday. Dumond has the most expe­ rience of the group. She has been diving for about six years. She was 19th at the 2022 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Finals, making it through the prelimi­ nary round which started with 36 divers and into the semifi­ nals. The top 16 at the end of the semifinals earned spots in the final round ofdiving. Dumond was especially happy with how her inward 1 54 pike dive went Thursday night. It’s a dive that is fairly new to her. With another year of experience, she is looking forward to pushing for a top 16 spot at Eastern Michigan. If Dumond has any advice for the state newcomers it would be, “just go out there and try to have the best day that you can have. If a dive doesn’t go well, just brush it off. How I like to look at it is you’re doing the best dive that you can do in that moment. If it doesn’t go well, it was just that moment and it is okay. You’ll always have another one.” She said she took her own advice on that at the regional when her back somersault with a 2 54 twist didn’t go per­ fectly. Jenison diver Sophia Clack was the regional champion with an 11-dive score of 420.45. Grandville’s Olivia Kutsche Grand Rapids Gator junior Abigail Dummond twists above the pool during her round four dive at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Regional hosted by East Kentwood High School Thursday. Dumond earned a spot in the state finals with an eighth-place finish. (Photo by Brett Bremer) CLS Viking sophomore Larissa Dudicz holder her pike position on her final dive at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Regional hosted by East Kentwood High School Thursday. Dudicz placed 13th in a field of 27 divers. (Photo by Brett Bremer) was the runner-up with a score of 374.85. Rockford had Lucy Verwys place third and Emma Shutich fourth. The other mem­ bers of the top 11 included Kalamazoo Central’s Madison Jones in sixth, Jenison’s Sara Jean Postle in ninth, Zeeland’s Emmerson Meyering in tenth and Bridgman’s Parker Keim in 11th. After the first five dives on the night, the field of 27 was trimmed down to the top 19. Those 19 performed three more times, with the top 15 scorers advancing for three more dives in the final round. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-11-18.pdf d57256d236581927fb50c9802487b3ab PDF Text Text '• " ■_ ■ -■ ""W W > W Hastings Public Library ..aar^StateStreet < Heptings Ml 49058 we^abn(asen/s Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 46/ November 18, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Steve Baldry appointed to vacant seat on Middleville council Greg Chandler StaffWriter A longtime Middleville resident who ran unsuccess­ fully for the Village Council in last November’s election has been appointed to fill a council vacancy. Steve Baldry was appoint- ed Tuesday night on a 5-1 year. Vote of the sitting council A 24-year resident of members to fill an opening Middleville and Thomapple created last month by the Kellogg High School gradu­ resignation of Johnny ate, Baldry finished fourth DeMaagd. Baldly will serve among five candidates who out the remainder of ran for three four-year seats DeMaagd’s term, which on the Village Council last expires in November ofnext year, receiving 519 votes. He Steve Baldry interviews in front of the Middleville Village Council on Tuesday night, vying for a vacant spot on the council. The council voted later that night, appointing Baldry to the position on a 5-1 vote. (Photos by Greg Chandler) is in his seventh year as a member of the Thomapple Township Board of Review and has served one year on the township Zoning Board ofAppeals. He also was part of a team that developed the Crane Road ballfields about 30 years ago. “He’s got experience. He is mild-mannered, he is very professional. He is thought­ ful and thorough and analyti­ cal,” said Council Trustee Makenzi Peters, who moved for Baldry’s appointment. - “He’s a really knowledgable, experienced guy, and ... a heart to serve this commu­ nity,” President Pro Tempore Kevin Smith added. “All in all, it’s very difficult (to decide), given the candidates ... but I think Steve would probably add the most value to where we are and where we’re headed in terms of serving the community.” An automation technician by trade, Baldry was selected from among four candidates who interviewed for the posi­ tion earlier in the evening. The other candidates were former Village President Amanda Fisk, DeAnne Mosey and Tracy Gillhespy. engineer, Fleis & VandenBrink, in connection with the project. “I don’t really expect one from Fleis on this project, but I would be inclined to refuse to pay it,” Cunningham said. Fleis & VandenBrink had estimated engineering costs for the project at $15,000. As oflast Thursday, that number had grown to more than twice that estimate, to $31,175, according to town­ ship documents. “We ought to ask them for an explanation ... They should have to explain why they went from $15,300 to $31,000,” Township Trustee Larry Knowles said. “They should have looked at that and said this is getting A project to re-do the parking lot at Yankee Springs Township Park has sailed over original estimates, causing concerns amongst the township’s board. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) out of hand. They should have exercised some restraint,” Cunningham said. The actual construction cost for the parking lot, which was started last fall and was not completed until this past spring, is now at $122,512 - 46 percent above the $77,400 budgeted for the New Caledonia real estate office helps vets navigate home buying process Greg Chandler Staff Writer A newly-owned real estate office in Caledonia is making it its mission to help military veterans in the process of buying a new home. EXP Realty opened its doors to the community last week. Realtors Kim Quist-Vandermei, Elizabeth Krueger and Andrea Zoet are based out ofthe new offices. Quist-Vandermei, a real­ tor with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, comes from a military background. She served briefly in the mili­ tary herself, and her daugh­ ter and son-in-law, Jamie and T.J. Weiss, have served in the Army reserves for 18 and 13 years, respectively. “The other companies I’ve worked with, never had anything like this (for veterans) ... I came to EXP two years ago and there’s so much that they’re offering,” Quist-Vandermei said. “It’s not just selling a house, but what can we do to help somebody in the community and work with them? I really like that, because being a military family, you don’t have that with a lot of other (real estate) agencies.” Quist-Vandermei works closely with two Marine veterans, Ken Murillo and Brad Stinson, in helping veterans navigate the home buying process. Murillo is a Michigan squad leader for the EXP Military Network. “We provide screening to agents, to better service the veterans, to talk to them See REAL ESTATE, page 3 See BALDRY, page 2 Yankee Springs board irked by parking lot cost overruns; some Bant answers Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township officials want to avoid the type of cost overruns that plagued its parking lot proj­ ect at the township park in the future, such as when new pickleball courts are built there next year. The bill for the parking lot project, which had an initial estimated cost of $100,400, is now at $153,687 - 53 per­ cent over the estimate according to the latest project update shared by Township Clerk Mike Cunningham at the last township board meet­ ing. And that led Cunningham to ask questions like whether the township should refuse to pay any more bills to its 145th year project, according to town­ ship documents. B&R Excavating of Shelbyville was the contrac­ tor for the project. One ofthe issues that con­ tributed to the cost overrun came when B&R went to tear See COST OVERRUNS, page 3 Realtor Kim Quist-Vandermei of EXP Realty in Caledonia, center, is joined by mortgage loan offi­ cer Brad Stinson of Ross Mortgage, left, and Ken Murillo of the EXP Military Network, right, in helping veterans navigate the home-buying process. (Photo by Greg Chandler) • Middleville Village trustees get raise after 16 years • Village council in Caledonia OKs residential solar ordinance • Thornapple Township Fire names lieutenant • Christmas on the Corridor slated for Yankee Springs • CHS brings on experienced coaches for wrestling, basketball �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023 BALDRY, continued from page 1 Middleville council trustees to get first raise in 16 years Greg Chandler StaffWriter Middleville Village Council members will be getting a significant pay raise next year. For council trustees, it will be their first pay hike since 2007. The council as part of its consent agenda on Tuesday approved a $60 monthly increase in pay for the village president and trustees. This will raise the annual salary for Village President Mike Cramer from $3,280 to $4,000, and for trust­ ees from $2,680 to $3,400. The village president’s salary had not been changed since 2018, when the council approved a raise for then-President Charlie Pullen but declined raises for the rest of the coun­ cil. The salary increases came out of recent dis­ cussions by the council where it initially consid­ ered paying council members for attending meetings of village boards and commissions ofwhich they are liaisons to, such as the Downtown Development Authority, Local Development Finance Authority and Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. The council considered instituting a $45 per meeting stipend for those boards, match­ ing the current stipend paid to the council liai­ son to the village Planning Commission. However, that idea ran into a roadblock because of state regulations. So in place ofnot being able to institute per-meeting stipends for all boards, Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg rec­ ommended a straight pay increase and eliminating the Planning Commission liaison stipend. “It (brings) us in line with other communities. We reviewed all the com­ parables (with communi­ ties of similar size and tax base),” Stolsonburg said at the Nov. 7 meet­ ing. “You’re definitely not on the high end, not on the low end, but right where I think you should be.” Middleville’s popula­ tion in the 2020 census was 4,295, and the vil- lage’s taxable value was nearly $151 million. By comparison, the city of Wayland in Allegan County is slightly larger in population with 4,435 residents and has a tax base of nearly $147 mil­ lion. Wayland’s council salaries range from $2,320 to $3,280 per member, and council members also are paid $80 per meeting attend­ ed, according to village documents. The city of Lowell is slightly smaller than Middleville with 4,142 residents as of the 2020 census, but has a tax base of more than $168 mil­ lion. Council members there receive an annual salary of$ 1,440 to $2,160 plus $60 per meeting attended. The city of Gaylord in northern lower Michigan is almost identical to Middleville in population with 4,286 residents but has a tax­ able value of more than $205 million. Council members there receive an annual salary of $3,100, according to village doc­ uments. The increases go into effect Jan. 1. CORRECTION The Nov. 11, 2023 issue ofthe Sun and News featured a story titled “Thomapple Kellogg students honor vets at assembly.” In the story, we incorrectly stated that TKHS Student Emma Reil spoke of the military service of her father and grandfather. Reil’s father did not serve, rather, it was her grandfather and three great-grandfathers. We regret the error. J L WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 B “I’d like to serve on the council because I’m very interested in where our vil­ lage is headed, and where it’s not headed,” Baldry said at the start ofhis inter­ view. “Some things I think we do very well, and other things, no.” Baldry said he would lis­ ten to residents in helping him make decisions on matters facing the village. He supports better enforce­ ment of ordinances and would like to see improved communications with resi­ dents on what is happening in the village. He also sup­ ports the village taking another shot at developing a vacant site downtown. “I’d like to see the hole filled between here and Champs (Bar & Grill),” Baldry said. The grassy area at 112 E. Main St., east ofthe Village Hall, has been vacant since a 1981 fire that destroyed the former Middleville Hotel, the Copper Door Restaurant, an auto repair shop and a barber shop. Developer A.J. Veneklasen brought forth a proposal in 2019 for a $2.84 million mixed-use project that would have included com­ mercial space on the main floor and apartments on the upper floors. However, that project died in March 2022 when the developer couldn’t retain financing to make construction possi­ ble. Baldry said partisan pol­ itics has no place in village government. “I believe you have to put your political affilia­ tion aside, and (decide based) on the facts that you have on the issue that you’re faced with,” he said. Mosey, a village resident for the past five years, is a senior business analyst at Steelcase Inc. in Grand Rapids with a background in accounting. She serves as a member of the NextGen board at Wedgwood Christian Services. “I am a numbers person, so every year when I pay our taxes, I look at that piece ofpaper and think, ‘I wish I understood this,’ and I think this would give me ... the opportunity, to be able to help support and be an ally to (a particular project), if I can under­ stand the reasoning behind it,” Mosey said. “I’m unwilling to pursue something that I will not put everything that I am into. Middleville is where I live. It’s where I want to serve. It’s where I want to be involved,” she added. Gillhespy has been a res­ ident of the community for the last 30 years and ran for the Village Council a year ago. A former restau­ rant owner and manager, ch a S1 f, vntpc in Former Middleville Village President Amanda Fisk was one of four to interview for a vacant seat on the village council. Citing a critical need for affordable housing, Fisk garnered a vote but lost out to Steve Baldry. the election. She volun­ teers at a local food pantry. “I love this town. I just want to serve on the coun­ cil, to understand more of the workings of the vil­ lage,” Gillhespy said. “I would like to see more happening at the parks (within the village), for the kids ... We never seem to have any events there ... You can take the kids to play on the equipment but that’s about it,” she added. Fisk served on the Village Council from November 2018 to October 2021. She was appointed village president by' the council in January 2021, following the death of for­ mer Village President Charlie Pullen two months earlier. She also served on the boards of the Downtown under considerable com­ munity criticism over a social media post she had made about the death of radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Trustee Ann Williams cast her vote for Fisk, cit­ ing her experience in serv­ ing the community. “She’s the one I see around all the meetings, not even just this meeting of. Village Council, but TAPRC - she’s there. She’s out at events. She’s always around,” Williams said. While eventually casting his vote for Baldry, Village President Mike Cramer praised Fisk for her will­ ingness to want to serve again. “I have had the privilege ofworking with her on this board. She comes prepared. Development Authority, She comes with her own Local Development opinion — she doesn’t much Finance Authority and care ifyou have your opin­ Thomapple Area Parks and ion, she has hers because Recreation Commission. she’s researched it,” “There’s probably no Cramer said. “Diversity is bad choice, but I think that what brings the best deci­ just having a little bit of sions to this board, and it’s experience and being able important to have it.” to hit the ground running, Smith presided over not having to start from most of the interviews, as scratch (is what I offer),” Cramer was on the east Fisk said. side ofthe state responding During her interview, to an emergency call for Fisk spoke out on the need his business. Cramer lis­ for affordable housing in tened to the first three Middleville. interviews via Zoom as he “I think that we’re in was driving back to desperate need of places Middleville and arrived in for people that aren’t nec­ time for Fisk’s interview. essarily two-income house­ DeMaagd resigned Oct. holds or high-income 9, six days after an incident households,” she said. “It’s where he struck a parked hard to find rentals. There’s car in the parking lot of a long, long waitlist. A lot Village Hall as he was ofpeople, myselfincluded, arriving for a committee of have jumped around to find the whole meeting. He is a place to live here. We facing misdemeanor like living here, but it’s charges of operating while really hard to find some­ intoxicated and leaving the where.” scene of an accident in Fisk resigned as village connection with the incinrp.cidAnt in Ortnhpr 7691 dpnt I H 1 O I Uffl �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18,2023/ Page 3 REAL ESTATE, continued from page 1 about the benefit of(Veterans Administration) home loans, knowing the ins and outs of the VA home Ioan process - it’ll allow us as agents to assist veterans in the right way,” Murillo said. “Sometimes you have lenders that say they know the VA home loan process, but really don’t ... We can actually teach lenders the process,” he added. Murillo is also the presi­ dent of 92 for 22, a West Michigan-based organiza- tion that formed in 2017 that organized a 92-mile walk by veterans on the White Pine Trail from Grand Rapids to Cadillac to raise awareness of post-traumatic stress dis­ order and suicide among veterans. It’s commonly thought that an average of 22 U.S. veterans die by sui­ cide every day. “We as veterans, we’re stubborn. We don’t like to ask for help, so we figure if we educate the community on the signs to look for in a veteran in need, then the community can ask for assistance,” Murillo said. “We’re different from a lot of organizations where somebody can be nominat­ ed for assistance, but it doesn’t have to be the vet­ eran that asks for assis­ tance. You can nominate somebody you’re seeing in the community that might need help. They can let us know to contact them or not to contact them. Ifwe don’t contact them, we have to find out whoever nominat­ ed him and find out what the story is,” said Murillo, who retired from the Marine Corps with the rank ofmas­ ter sergeant after 22 years in the service. EXP held a raffle at last week’s open house to raise funds for 92 for 22, with a prize of tickets to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at Van Andel Arena next month. Stinson is a mortgage loan officer with Ross Mortgage who served two tours of duty in the Marines as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a VA home loan specialist and certified senior instructor at the Veteran Lending Council. “It’s more thanjust (help­ ing someone get) a mort­ gage,” Stinson said. “It’s all-encompassing. Vets don’t know what they don’t know. I make it a point to tell them what they’ve earned or what is available to them, because I know that when I got out, it was overwhelming. There’s so many people (in the indus­ try), you don’t know who’s good and who’s bad. “I want to protect them from the shortfalls that I had to deal with (when I was buying a house after getting out ofthe military). That’s why I do what I do,” he added. Stinson is also an officer for the 92 for 22 organiza­ tion. For more information about the organization, visit 92for22.org online. EXP Realty is located at 9866 Cherry Valley Ave. SE., next 4o Butcher Block Social. Middleville council reallocates ARPA funding for security camera purchase Greg Chandler StaffWriter The village of Middleville is changing how it plans to spend its first allocation of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to upgrade the village’s security. The village council, on a 6-0 vote Tuesday, approved reallocating the $181,862 from the first round of ARPA funding from replacing lead service water lines toward installing security cameras at Village Hall, local parks and other vil­ lage-owned buildings. On a separate 6-0 vote, the council approved a quote from its information technology vendor, K-Group, to provide the new security system, using no more than $162,000 of the ARPA funding. Any unspent funds from that first round of funding will go back into lead line replacement and other vil­ lage priorities. The council also approved allocating the village’s second round of ARPA funding, in the amount of $182,590, for replacing lead service water lines by the end of 2026. The council had last year approved spending the first round ofARPA funding on replacement by the end of lead line replacement. next year. However, what led to the “It would take a lot of change is uncertainty over staff time to be able to do whether the village will be that, to (expend) all those able to spend that money funds in a year, to do that. on lead line replacement I’m not saying it’s unfeasi­ by a deadline of Dec. 31, ble,” Belson said. 2024, after which any Village President Pro unspent funds would be Tempore Kevin Smith forfeited. In a memo to the expressed strong reserva­ council, Village Manager tions about moving the Craig Stolsonburg funding from lead line expressed concern about replacement to the security whether the village would system. He says both are be able to meet that dead­ needed, but that the priori­ line. ty should be on replacing “We are still awaiting the lead lines. the results of the lead line “I do not agree with real­ inventory project to acculocating ARPA funds to go rately determine which away from removing lead lines will be required to be lines to our residents’ replaced, which has pushed homes, and expediting that our timeline to begin particular process for the replacing lines into 2024 sake of a camera system,” and 2025,” Stolsonburg Smith said. “I feel like the wrote in his memo. “By two are very different pri­ orities, and I personally approving the recommended reallocation of the would much rather have ARPA funds, the village those ARPA funds acceler­ ating that (lead line remov­ will be able to spend the al) process rather than first round in the appropriate time period and remain accelerating a camera sys­ in compliance with federal tem that we’ve been on hold with for three years.” law.” Stolsonburg said he is Department of Public Alec continuing to look into Works Director Belson didn’t rule out the grant opportunities at the village being able to spend federal and state levels for down the first round of replacing affected water ARPA funding for lead line lines. COST OVERRUNS, continued from page 1 up the old pavement. B&R determined the material underneath would not sup­ port a new asphalt surface. That led to a change order for a sand base that added $9,900 to the project cost, according to township documents. The township initially allocated $100,000 out of its $468,000 funding allocation through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for the parking lot. Then in July, the board voted to spend the remaining $11,563 of its allocation - leftover funds from road improvement proj­ ects and also a study on whether the township water system could be expanded to serve the Yankee Springs Meadows manufactured home park - on the project to make up a portion ofthe cost overrun. Cunningham suggested the board address the engi­ neering estimate issue with Fleis & VandenBrink next spring as the firm develops estimates for the pickleball court project. “We need to somehow make sure that we’re serious about it, and it’s gotta be a good estimate,” he said. “They’ve been our engi­ neer for a long time. We cer­ tainly shouldn’t be afraid (to hold them accountable),” Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said. Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED “I’m not saying that it’s 100 percent or anything like that, but there’s a real­ ly solid chance that we won’t have to use any of these ARPA funds for lead line replacement,” he said. The new campus securi­ ty system will include 16 cameras, situated around various locations around the village. They include: — Five cameras to be installed inside Village Hall — Three cameras on the DPW building — Two cameras on the Calvin Hill Park restroom building — Two cameras on the township light pole near the train depot — One camera in the Calvin Hill Park pavilion -— One camera on the DDA amphitheater — One camera on the train depot — One camera light pole south of the wastewater treatment plant Currently, the village only has a security camera at Village Hall, and only one of the four cameras there is operational, Stolsonburg wrote in an email to the Sun and News. The system also includes wireless technology that will be installed at Calvin Hill Park and between the DPW building and the light pole south of the wastewa­ ter treatment plant. Each of the cameras will be able to record video footage, and that footage can be retained using Cloud technology for up to 30 days, according to a memo from K-Group rep­ resentative Jake Kuncaitis to the council. Kuncaitis was asked about the level of detail that could be picked up by the security cameras. “We can actually show anticipated facial features and vehicle features, based on proximity from the camera,” he said. “In par­ ticular, ifthere is an explic­ it concern, we could locate the camera in different areas and then show you guys what we anticipate capturing, not only during the day but at night as well.” The contract will also include the installation of a new access control system at Village Hall, the DPW building and the wastewa­ ter treatment plant, as well as system monitoring and remote support, according to the K-Group memo. Stolsonburg said he would approach the DDA board to see if it would be willing to contribute $35,000 to $40,000 out of its reserves toward the security improvements. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: AH real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. EOUAL HOUSING �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18,2023 Carolyn MacGregor Getty In loving memory of Carolyn MacGregor Getty October 24,1948-November 12, 2023. On November 12, 2023 Carolyn MacGregor Getty, a beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, was gently embraced by her Savior after more than a yearlong coura­ geous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, William, her infant daughter, Renee Louise, her loving par­ ents, James D. and Louise MacGregor, her sister, Debbie Kroes, and her nephew, Greg Williamson. Carolyn leaves behind a legacy oflove and strength in her three precious daughters, Kelly Schondelmayer, Kary and her husband Michael Henning, and Tracy and her husband Chip George. Her spirit will continue to guide her cherished grandchildren, Harper Phillips, Milan George, Daniel George HI, and Ashely Andree, who will forever cany her memory in their hearts. She is also survived by her siblings and their spouses, Eley and Ken Kollar, Barbie and Chris Auten, Jane and David Peet, Bruce and Julie MacGregor, Scott and Beth MacGregor, and Sandy and Jim Ahrens. Each of them will remember Carolyn for her unwavering love, support, and the joy she brought into their lives. Carolyn graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and then went on to Hope College, where she received her teach­ ing certificate. She taught middle school for 32 years at Thomapple Kellogg Middle school. She was a long-time member of Gun Lake Community Church. A private graveside service will be held to honor Carolyn’s life and her stead­ fast faith. Her strength, love, and faith will forever be remembered and cherished. As we say goodbye, we cele­ brate the life ofa woman who was a beacon of love and resilience, and whose spirit will continue to inspire all who knew her. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service for the family is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Faith Hospice. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Carolyn’s family. Donald Lee Montgomery Donald Lee Montgomery, age 85, ofHastings, MI, passed away November 13,2023. Donald was bom on July 12, 1938, in East Grand Rapids, MI, the son ofHerbert Vernon and Ruth Margaret (VanAartsen) Montgomery. Donald graduated from Creston High School and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Michigan University. Donald taught middle school history and English in the Hastings Area School System. He loved to work on the farm and enjoyed garden­ ing. He lived on Lake Algonquin for 60 years and took pride in his beautiful flower beds and vegetable gar­ dens. Even into his 80s, he lovingly took care ofhis lawn and the park around the dam with a push mower. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Ruth Montgomery. He is survived by his broth­ er, Thomas James Montgomery, and his nieces and nephews, Carrie Lin (Troy) Carr, Erin Joy (John) MacRitchie, and Justin Thomas Montgomery, and three great-nephews, Ian, Ben and Max. Memorial contributions in memory of Donald can be made to the Algonquin Lake Community Association, P.O. Box 556 Hastings MI 49058. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home. To leave an online condolence visit www. girrbachfuneralhome.net. Caledonia village council OKs solar ordinance mission spent three months Greg Chandler crafting the ordinance and StaffWriter Residents of the village of held a public hearing before Caledonia now have a way recommending its approval to forward for installing solar the council. No objections to the ordinance were raised energy units in their homes. The Village Council Monday during the hearing. unanimously approved an ordi­ “They put a lot ofwork into nance allow small-scale solar this. They spent a lot of time systems as an accessory use, on it,” Village President directing Village Manager Jeff Jennifer Lindsey said. Thornton to prepare the appro­ Under the new ordinance, priate documentation for imple­ anyone wanting to install a menting the ordinance. residential-size solar energy The village planning com­ system must obtain a zoning compliance permit from the zoning administrator, along with associated required per­ mits for building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical. The zoning administrator will review all applications and may refer certain appli­ cations to the planning com­ mission. Ground-mounted solar units may be no more than 12 feet in height and may not take up more than 1,500 square feet of collector panels. Systems may not exceed 10 percent of systems may be located on the area of the lot or 1,500 the front roof but cannot be square feet, according to the on the front of the home, according to the ordinance ordinance language. Meanwhile, solar systems language. “Mainly, we’re concerned that are mounted on a home may not exceed the maximum about what kind ofsmall solar height in each zoning district systems we’re going to allow by more than three feet, and in the village,” Village may not project more than Attorney Kathryn Zoller said. three feet from the peak ofthe “We want to make sure that roof. Wall-mounted units can­ it’s in the backyard and they’re not exceed the height of the just for home (use) purposes building wall to which it is and not for selling power back attached. Building-mounted to the grid.” Caledonia United w Methodist Church Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68lfc Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed Mowers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST BAPTIST Sunday Service Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com . Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY c H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch fAPEACE * CHURCH PEACECHURCH.CC Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music .LfeadSr Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. JUi Whitneyville 616.891.8661 www.wljitneyvillebible.org Pastorjonathan DeCou Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto Sunday School------- 9:30 9:30AM AM Sunday Worship...... 10:30 0:30AM AM Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc / Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowshlp.org Council members briefly discussed recently-passed leg­ islation that addresses largescale solar farms. The legisla­ tion removed approval of these commercial-size farms from local governments and gives that authority now to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Because the new Caledonia ordinance addressed small systems for residential use, Zoller said it should not be affected by the state legislation. 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMelhodist Serving *> Strengthening ~ Connecting \ HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ®CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / ww.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023/ Page 5 Thornapple Fire names new lieutenant and adds chaplain Greg Chandler “Collin is one of two people Staff Writer that pretty much kept the The Thomapple Township ambulance service running Fire Department has promot­ here before I started (last ed a firefighter to an officer’s year). We were down to two position and added a chap­ full-time people at one point, lain to its ranks. and they were working Fire ChiefBill Richardson almost every other day to try announced at Monday’s to maintain the operational Township Board meeting integrity of this organiza­ that Collin Chrenka has been tion.” promoted to the rank of lieu­ Chrenka has completed tenant. Chrenka received the Fire Officer I and II courses badge that goes with his new and is a certified instructor rank, with one bugle on the with the state of Michigan, badge. Richardson said. “He’s going to be a com­ Chrenka is also in charge pany officer, bringing fire­ of community CPR and first fighters in behind him in a aid for the department. As a fire. He’s going to be in shift officer, he is also charge of those people,” charged with assisting with Richardson said. “He’s going medical billing duties, duties, to be making, decisions on “assuring all the correct fires. Being that he is one of information in the report our full-time people, he’s paired with all the insurance going to be first on scene to information is correct and make these decisions.” sent to the billing company,” Chrenka has been with the Richardson said. Thomapple department for The board Monday also nearly five years, and he’s in approved adding on the Rev. his third year as a full-time Robert Van Zanen, pastor of firefighter and paramedic, Restoration Christian Richardson said. Reformed Church Church in “It’s a heavy weight to Middleville, as department have to cany, but he’s been chaplain. Van Zanen has carrying this weight for a been the pastor at Restoration long time. He just hasn’t had CRC for the past five years. the badge,” the chief said. “We have a lot of very hard calls that we go out on. These calls not only affect the people we are serving, but also affect our people in our organization,” Richardson said. “Mental health issues build up over time, and not having some­ one to talk to can sometimes be a challenge. “Where I worked before (Meridian Township), we had a department chaplain. It was for people who normally wouldn’t seek (help) would open up to the chaplain. I think it’s a valuable tool for us, not only for the members of our organization, but for the people we serve ... in the community.” Van Zanen Zanen initially approached the department about joining as a firefighter, but found the time commit­ ment required didn’t work with his schedule as a pastor. “This gives him an opportunity to still serve, in a slightly different capacity,” Richardson said. Van Zanen will not be paid for the position, but Richardson asked the board to hire Van Zanen so he could be covered by the township’s workers’ compensation insurance. Middleville council moving toward major rate hikes for water, sewer Greg Chandler worse for (residents),” StaffWriter Smith said. Middleville is moving The new rates will have closer to instituting large- to be approved as part of scale rate increases for the new village budget. A water and sewer services public hearing on the as the village seeks to budget is set for Nov. 28. generate revenue for The fixed readineeded infrastructure ness-to-serve charge improvements. would increase from On a 5-1 vote Tuesday, $30.45 to $42.38 per the Village Council quarter for water and agreed to a proposal to from $63.75 to $81.27 per fund 75 percent of the quarter for sewer, for a village’s capital improve­ total increase that would ment projects in water jump from $94.20 to $123.65 every three and sewer for next year. Doing that means sign­ months, according to ing off on perhaps the Department of Public largest utility rate increase Works Director Alec in the village’s history. Belson. The village has proposed Usage rates for water a 43.8 percent hike in would increase from combined utility rates for $2.24 to $3.87 per 1,000 a typical residential gallons, and from $3.42 household that uses to $5.06 per 1,000 gallons 15,000 gallons of water for sewer, according to per quarter, from $179.10 Belson. to $257.60 every three “It is incumbent upon months. The rate jump the users to pay for the includes increases in system,” Village Manager fixed readiness-to-serve Craig Stolsonburg said. charges as well as rates “Currently, our system is based on usage. behind in paying for Village President Pro (upcoming) improveTempore Kevin Smith ments. This is a really a said that the increases are catchup.” necessary to address the If approved, the new village’s utility capital rates would generate improvement needs. He $875,260 for the water said delaying such utility and $1,215,445 for increases would make the the sewer utility, Belson wrote in an email to the situation even worse. “There are very few Sun and News. At a committee of the tough decisions that this board has to make, and I whole meeting last week, think this is one ofthem, Belson told council mem­ of the utility where we’re just going bers projects to have to rip the Band­ improvement Aid off and accept that were coming down responsibility today the road. because tomorrow is just “The sewer fund has going to end up being been very well funded over the years, but we have a lot of capital improvement sewer main lining (projects) coming up in the next several years that we have to do,” he said at that meeting. “In the water fund, ser­ vice line replacement, we have to do. We are finish­ ing up inventory right now ... We’re estimating about 360 services we have to replace. That is a have-to. We don’t have a choice. That’s (a require­ ment from) the state. They must be done by 2040.” Belson also presented the council with options for funding capital improvements at 25 and 50 percent levels. Trustee Makenzi Peters expressed concern about the 75 per­ cent option and how that might affect families and small businesses. She favored the 50 percent option. “I’m looking at the families that have five kids, that need water, that try to conserve water — almost a hundred bucks a quarter. That’s less than 10 items at a grocery store. You’re looking at a thousand dollars for a business,” said Peters, who voted against the motion. The rate proposal fol­ lowed a study of the vil­ lage’s rates by the Michigan Rural Water Association, a statewide nonprofit organization that advises small com­ munities across the state in water and wastewater operations. Alyssa Chrenka pins the lieutenant badge on her husband Collin, marking his promotion on the Thornapple Township Fire Department Monday night. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Middleville TOPS 546 The November 13 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There is one new fish in the fishbowl. One fish fell out. Maryellen led a discussion from the Nov./Dec. TOPS magazine on the “The Cranky Cucumber.” The cucumber is a little hero that doesn’t get much respect. It is technically a fruit that is nourishing, healthy and delicious. It is 90 percent water and has antiox- idants which counteract free radicals. This can lower the risk for heart disease and some cancers. They are an easy, crunchy addition to a meal or a glass of water. A cucumber is a free exchange with only 10-15 calories and may be used as an eye mask. Cucumbers are indeed a hero! George won the first week ofthe five keys contest. Virginia lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616-318­ 3545. The first meeting is free we’re casual, come as you are. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023 Christmas on the Corridor set in Yankee Springs CHS Students of the Week Greg Chandler StaffWriter It’s a first-of-its-kind event along the M-179 corridor in Yankee Springs Township. It’s called Christmas on the Corridor, and it will take place on Black Friday at Chief Noonday Car Park. “We’re trying to get all the businesses up and down the cor­ ridor to light up for Christmas promote the business, promote the community,” ChiefNoonday Car Park co-owner Terry Cole said at a recent Township Board meeting. “Everything is coming together great.” Gates will open at 5 p.m., with the highlight ofthe night being the lighting ofa 65-foottall Christmas tree at the car park at 6 p.m. “I can’t wait for this. I think this is the first tree-lighting Yankee Springs has ever had,” Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said. “It’s going to be a Hallmark moment,” Township Trustee Dave VanHouten added. Santa Claus is expected to be hand for kids to have their pictures taken with. There will also be food vendors, popcorn, coffee and hot chocolate, the latter ofwhich will be provid­ ed by the Curley Cone. Live music will be per­ formed by Nashville 5, and radio station WBCH will have a live broadcast from the car park. Christmas trees will also be available for sale. ChiefNoonday Car Park is located at 11899 W. M-179 Hwy., across from the Yankee Springs Fire Station. Caledonia High School honors the achievements of its students each month. In October, school staff turned its attention to those who embody the core value of “Accountability” within the school. Handpicked by their teachers, these individuals included (back row, left to right) Alivia Neubauer-Keyes, Carter Born, Noah Kaplan, Isabel Fata, (front row, left to right) Connor Sebel, Madison Lockwood, Aidan Cousineau and Kasen Savoy. Not Pictured: Bennen Peters Library committee to seek funding from TK, townships for study Greg Chandler StaffWriter Acommittee that is look­ ing to bring a standalone public libraiy to Middleville will. ask Thornapple Kellogg Schools and two townships to contribute funding toward a feasibility study. The Middleville Library Committee Wednesday decided to approach the TK school district, as well as the 4b cards of Thomapple and Yankee Springs town­ ships, to ask for contribu­ tions toward having consul­ tant Keith Hopkins put together a study to deter- mine whether a new public library is feasible in Middleville. .. The committee earlier this month asked the Middleville Village Council for a contribution of $10,000 to $15,000 toward the expected $25,000 cost of the feasibility study. “It was met favorably, but they would like some­ one to reach out to the townships and the school to see if they’d be willing to also support it,” Village President Mike Cramer said. “If they don’t, it’s not a big deal. I feel like I could push (a village con- tribution) through, with (Trustee) Makenzi (Peters’) hglp. «4-It’d be nice, because i they have a vested interest in this, having constituents that are going to be serviced by this library... If all four of us contribute, it’d be $2,500 a municipality.” The Friends of the Middleville Library have proposed contributing $10,000 from its Beacon Society fund toward the study, and are seeking a grant of $15,000 from the Thornapple Area Enrichment Fund as well. Chairman Committee Josh Mosey said he would visit Thomapple Township to make a funding request, while committee member Chris Boysen, a Yankee Springs resident, will visit that township to make a similar request. Brenda Hess, the TK board repre­ sentative on the committee, will request her school board colleagues. In other business Wednesday, Hopkins gave a presentation to the board regarding how to proceed with a feasibility study. Hopkins has worked on past Bruce's Frame and Alignment] Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted • Digital TV Antennas • Stariink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! SureCafl 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com November Sale 20% Off Fabrics Over 40 years experience . brucesframe.com (Excludes Sale Items) I Moda® Collections K • Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, Forest & Frolic, Etchings, Honey & Lavender, more < * Flannel, Cuddle > • Hu 1st Cleaners Pick-Up Station k QUESTIONS: ASK US ■ 218 E. Stgje St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEhUMbnday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; TST Saturday 9 am-3 pm. library development proj­ ects in Caledonia, Ada, Wyoming and Grand Haven. “All of them did (feasi­ bility) studies, all of them decided we need to deter­ mine whether or not the donor community wants this, and if so, to what degree,” Hopkins said. Hopkins recommended that the committee have a proposed site in mind for a new library, rather than have several different potential locations. “The problem with that is, usually the donors are going to say let’s just go to the cheapest site, which one’s the least expensive, which may not be the best or most accessible,” he said. An existing residential on four-plex property owned by the village had been identified earlier as a potential site, but concerns have been raised about flooding because of its proximity to the Thomapple River. Several other vil­ lage-owned properties could be looked at as poten­ tial sites, including the 112 E. Main property east of Village Hall, which had been proposed for a mixeduse development project several years ago. Boysen voiced concern about whether voters would support a millage to pay for library operations if dona­ tions for building a library could be collected. “We can make a case for actually getting a space, but will the people support it operationally?” Boysen asked. Hopkins shared that Caledonia library support­ ers contacted him after a failed millage attempt in 2005. “They said, ‘Hey, we can’t get all this through taxes. We need to separate the building from the oper­ ation, so we can bring the operational millage down,”’ Hopkins said. “We raised the money. They hadn’t yet built the build­ ing but they had the money to build it. Then they went back to the voters (in 2009) and said ‘Okay, we raised the money for the building’ - that means the operation­ al millage is skinnier - and it passed 3-to-l ... Because they had listened to the voters and went out and raised the money for the building, they were able to pass the operational mill­ age.” “The way they sold that millage ... They basically said, ‘Hey, it’s 100 bucks per home. For 100 bucks you can have five books, which you can buy on Amazon, or you can have all the books (in a library) ... and programming and computers,” Hopkins added. The current Middleville library is in Thomapple Kellogg High School. However, the library is only open to the public 12 hours a week during the school year - two evenings a week and a Saturday. The library committee is not scheduled to meet again until January 2024. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18,2823/ Page 7 Thornapple Players bring Christmas to life on stage in ‘A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas’ “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” is the second performance in the Players’ 25th season. The group presented “The Importance of Being Earnest” in October and will perform “Cinderella” 6-10. “I am very excited to bring as the spring musical in the community this light May. comedy performed by a The show’s cast includes firn-loving, fantastic cast of Michael Moray, Jordan people,” said Audrey Burton, Moray, Angela Seeber, Adam who is directing the produc­ Knapp, Kirsten Nottingham, tion with assistance from her Tyler Richmond, Cassie daughter Lis Burton-Haas. Moyer, Michael Cox, “We hope the community Michelle Pappas, Dick will enjoy the show and start Curtis, Anna Spindler, Ellie their holiday season with the Burton, Avery Walsh and Thomapple Players.” Ainsley Haas. Crew memThe Thomapple Players are doing their part to prepare for the holiday season by presenting this year’s Christmas show, “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” in Hastings Dec. bers include Angeela , Seeber Seeber Amy Young, Audrey Burton, Lis Burton-Haas, Carol Svihl, Dan Burton, Corey Seeber, Bruce Young, Erin Merritt, Terry Van Dien, Steve Hoke, Joni Rudesill, Terri Schray, Kimmy Beck and Matt Sink. The group will host an open dress rehearsal Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. with all tickets costing $10. Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. All tickets for these performances are $12. Tickets can be purchased onne onliin nee aatt nmnpw formsbcf. normg//ivnipeww. php?id=74897 or with cash or check at Gilmore Jewelers. Those interested can also reserve tickets by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. Performances will be located in the Dennison Performing Arts Center at 231 S. Broadway St. in Hastings. Questions can be answered by emailing thomappleplayers@gmail.com, visiting the Thornapple Players Facebook page or by leaving a message with the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. The cast of “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas.” The Thornapple Players will perform the Christmas comedy next month, Dec. 6-10. (Photo provided) Yankee Springs seeks feedback on short-term rentals Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township zoning officials want to hear from residents on what they think about short-term rentals in the township, particularly near Gun Lake. They’re seeking public input as they decide whether to make any changes to the current ordinance that was passed in March 2021. The Township Board last month approved a six-month moratorium on new registra­ tions for STR permits while an eight-member subcommittee reviews the ordinance. The moratorium only affects new applications for permits and does not affect those properties that already have such a permit. The issue of short-term rentals became a hot one over the summer as the township fielded calls from unhappy residents and cottage owners about drunk and disorderly conduct, loud music and noise late in the evening, illegal parking and littering. “It was directed toward the parties that are going oil here, on the lake, and is there some­ thing the township can do about the STRs or these rental (properties)?” Township Code Enforcement Officer Brad Williams said. “Every time I would go out to deal with something, main­ ly on the lake, there’d be a conversation ... (someone would say) ‘hey, is there some­ thing we can do about this?’ or ‘hey, this guy has got all these people coming over, they keep parking on my yard,’ or ‘we’ve got kids, we can’t even get our kids out to school.’” And the problem kept growing over the summer, Williams said. “I started talking to Joe (Shea, township zoning administrator), I started talking to the supervisor (Rob Heethuis), bridging it up more and mere, and then (Shea) started getting more and more people (raising concerns). They’re not filing formal com­ plaints - they’re asking ques- tions, they have concerns £ what’s this doing to our com­ munity?” Shea says Yankee Springs isn’t the only community in the state dealing with these type ofchallenges. “It’s a hot-button issue in communities across the state, and really, across the country,” he said. “There’s a lot of municipalities that are chang­ ing their ordinances now. Some of them are restricting STRs to certain (zoning dis­ tricts, such as) not in the single-family residential zones. Some communities are ban­ ning them outright.” Park Township, along Lake Michigan in the Holland area, has banned short-term rentals entirely, while the village of Spring Lake, about 20 miles further north, does not allow STRs in single-family residen­ tial zone districts, Shea said. Meanwhile, Grand Haven, South Haven and New Buffalo have passed moratoriums on new STRs, Shea wrote in a recent memo to the Township Board. Despite a difference in year-round population between those communities and Yankee Springs, Williams says you can still draw comparisons between the two. “From May until Labor Day, this is a municipality. It’s like a large city ... we fit right into that category, especially during that season,” Williams said. The current Yankee Springs short-term rental ordinance was passed two years ago in response to the increased popularity of cottage rentals among vacationers, driven by the growth of such online ser- vices as Airbnb and Vrbo. “I did a briefsearch on Vrbo and Airbnb, and I found, between those two, well over 100 sites on Gun Lake,” Shea said. The township issued 32 STR permits-this year,’a slight increase from 27 the year before, according to the memo from Shea to the board. “That’s what’s triggering our subcommittee to relook at our ordinance and try to decide, do we need to put some limits on these things ... we don’t have any limits right now,” he said. The STR ordinance lan­ guage states that Yankee Springs “wishes to preserve and retain the residential com­ munity character of the town­ ship” and says the intent ofthe measure is to “make the STR activity permitted by this ordi­ nance resemble the existing and traditional residential uses made by resident owners and lessees.” The ordinance outlines three stages of violations. A first violation results in a ver­ bal warning. A second viola­ tion within the same calendar year is a civil infraction that carries a $250 fine. A third violation within the year would result in a $500 fine and the permit being revoked, Shea said. “That might be something that we have to change too,” Shea said. The subcommittee consists of Shea, Williams, Heethuis, Township Trustee Larry Knowles, planning commis­ sioners Frank Fiala and Lee Kooistra, Zoning Board of Appeals member Ron Heilman and zoning assistant Sandy Marcukaitis. The subcommittee is expect­ ed to have a couple of more meetings before making a rec­ ommendation on any changes early next year to the Planning Commission, which will hold a public hearing before deciding whether to forward changes to the Township Board. Shea is hoping people will make their voices known - whether they support STRs or oppose them - now while the subcommittee is still at work “We’re hoping people will email the township. They can email me at my address, and let us know their opinions early in the game, so that we can talk about them in the sub­ committee, rather than just at the public hearing before the Planning Commission,” he said. “It would be good to have people’s opinions early in the process, right now, so that we can incorporate them into our discussions.” “We want to make sure that we bring this out, so that everybody is heard, everybody that wants to voice something is heard on this, so that when we make this decision ... everybody had a chance,” Williams added. “We want to get going on it, now. We want to get some feed­ back, now. We want to know what’s going on out there.” Shea can be emailed at joeshea@yankeespringstwp. org. 31st Annual FRI. & SAT. NOV 24 & 25 FRI. 9 - 5 • SAT. 9 - 2 28 stops this year offering unique, affordable crafts, art, gifts & more. Throughout the Lakewood Area 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Empty Pocket Crafts Steward Creations* Woodland Food Co-operative Country Roots Greenhouse Lake Crafts Lakewood Project Graduation* Jordan Lake Florals & Gifts Buddy's on the Beach May’s Macs* Whosits & Whatsits* Cappon’s Crafts/Catt’s Corner/ Eagle Point Crafter/Hastings Pewter & Candle Co.* The Rusted Poppy Friends Quilting Basket Central Church 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Dirty Piece of Glass Simple Truth Chiropractic Bonanza Antiques Rustic Love VFW Post 4461* Rusty Buckets & Other Vendors* Lake Odessa Historical Society Living Gospel Church Pleasant Valley Church Kauffman Family Farm Clarksville Bible Church Wilcox Farm Schrock Farm Etched Glass Flyers available at participating businesses or on our website: www.lakewoodareacoc.org Questions: Contact Marnie Thomas at 616-374-0766 or director@lakewoodareacoc.org jfcFgpebook: Lakewood Area Christmajf ■" Bt 'Round the Town Craft Show �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023 Gaines Township Board raises public safety special assessment, staff salaries James Gemmell Contributing Writer The average homeowner in Gaines Charter Township will pay $125 in 2024 for the township-wide public safety special assessment. That is based on the average residential home value in Gaines being about $250,000. The town­ ship board on Monday night voted 7-0 on a reso­ lution to set the special assessment levy for fiscal year 2024 at 1.0 mills. Trustees had previously agreed to that amount. That is an increase from the 0.75 mills that was levied for 2023. The new fiscal year begins Jan. 1, 2024. In October 2021, the board approved the annual 15-year dedicated levy starting at 0.6 mills. It was designed so that it could be adjusted each year up to a maximum of 1.5 mills if public safety expenses continued to escalate which they have. The millage helps pay for police, fire and rescue services in the township, which has seen a significant increase in service calls in recent years as its population increases quickly. “These bills will be in mailboxes the first week of December. The winter tax due date is Feb. 14, 2024,” Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke said, noting that the special assessment increase will be reflected on that bill. “We are adding another 12-hour, 7-days-a-week (Kent County Sheriff’s Office) patrol car in 2024.” Township Manager Rod Weersing said after the meeting that the township’s general fund budget is $5.8 million. The total of all five township budgets is ; slightly more than $18 mil­ lion. About $2.5 million of that amount is from trans­ fers between funds. Besides the general fund, the other budgets are for public safe­ ty, water, sewer and build­ ing. The township is transfer­ ring from its general fund $2,125 million toward the cost of public safety, with the special-assessment paying the rest of that expense. “It was really a smooth budget process,” Weersing said. “I had a few ques­ tions along the way from board members. But over­ all, I think it went very well.” The township board voted 7-0 to raise the part­ time supervisor’s annual salary by $1,000 to $53,500. The supervisor works 24 hours per week. The full-time township manager’s salary was increased to $125,000 annually, retroactive to August 27, per the terms of his contract. The salary for that position was $110,000 at the time former manager Jonathan Seyferth left the township in Nov. 2022 to become the city manager in Muskegon. The township board also unanimously approved increased compensation for part-time and paid on-call firefighters in Cutlerville. A fully trained (black helmet) firefighter will receive $28.14 per hour, an increase from the current $25 hourly rate which went into effect May 1, 2022. It had been $23.50 per hour before that. Some pay­ scale increases also were approved for the part-time, paid on-call and training for Dutton firefighters to The Gaines Township Board discusses budget matters during its meeting Monday night at the township hall. (Photo by James Gemmell) bring them in alignment with the Cutlerville pay scale. “So, basically, we would be paying them the same rate if they’re training for firefighting-type activities or if they’re performing firefighting activities,” Weersing said. The board acted on the recommendations of its Personnel Committee. It set some priorities for Weersing heading into next year. One is to conduct a website assessment and redesign process to increase the board’s trans­ parency to township resi­ dents. Another priority is to enhance the township’s parks and trails with a more visionary process. The committee also recom­ mended that staff conduct research to gain a clearer —Be Winter Ready— High Efficiency RUUD FURNACE <200 OFF * Must: present this coupoonn. coupoonn. .X Expires 12-1-2023 S7O ft (not valid with other offers) FRONTIER HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. vision for providing a “more robust” Finance Department. Last year, the Gaines Township Board approved funding to add five full­ time firefighters to the Dutton Fire Department, which switched to a 24/7 staffing model in January 2023. Dutton/Cutlerville Fire Chief Ken Van Hall had requested in July that the township board consid­ er adding three firefighters to the Cutlerville Fire Department. But that was before the Byron Township Board vote to discontinue its 73-year partnership with Gaines Township in fund­ ing Cutlerville Fire. It pro­ vided Gaines with one year’s advance notice as part of an inter-govern­ mental contract. The Byron board said it wants to establish its own fire department in Cutlerville in the near future to focus on that township’s growing number of service calls. The 1950-signed Joint Operating Agreement between the townships will dissolve next July. Still to be determined is whether Gaines Township will exercise an option to Byron representatives and pay offthe remaining equi­ bring the best offer that I ty in the fire station at 11 can come up with back to 68th St. SW, in order to the board here,” Weersing take ownership of it. The said. building is in Byron The Gaines Township Township, just west of the Board established a Division Avenue boundary Cutlerville Fire Committee between the two town­ in October to provide rec­ ships. If Gaines take own­ ommendations on how the ership of the fire station, township should handle the Byron will own it. split from Byron Township Over the years, each in running the Cutlerville township has paid 50 per- Fire Department. cent of the Cutlerville Fire The township board had Department’s capital voted 6-1 on Oct. 23 to go expenditures. Gaines has ahead with the previously paid for 60 percent of its planned purchase of a $1.7 wages and Byron has paid -million platform fire truck 40 percent. Gaines has for Cutlerville. The two handled the department’s townships agreed last year administration. to evenly split the cost of The Gaines Township that purchase, but that was Board went into closed before Byron voted to session for 20 minutes break off the partnership. Monday night to discuss Weersing was asked the Cutlerville Fire Station. after Monday’s board It returned to open session meeting whether Byron and roll call voted 6-1 to Township will still pay authorize Weersing to for half the cost of the negotiate financial aspects new 100-foot aerial lad­ of the separation between der truck. It is due to be the two townships with delivered in August 2025 regard to the fire station from Pierce building and the major Manufacturing. pieces of equipment inside “Delivery of that truck it. Lemke cast the only no will take place after the vote. separation is complete. The “So, I’ll be working with inter-governmental agree­ ment will be done. So, Gaines will be (fully) pur­ Your your chasing that truck for its own piece of equipment,” Weersing said. He added that Gaines Township may offer fire Ask about our annuities and IRAs service to Byron Township J on an ongoing basis, after the Cutlerville Fire Department partnership ends. “We have to offer them a service agreement. There’s nothing in the intergovern­ Jason Parks mental agreement that says (269)795-8827 they have to take our offer 121 E. Main Stree,t jparks@fbinsmi.com Downtown Middleville FarmBureaulnsurance.com for service,” Weersing said. local agent insures Retirement �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023/ Page 9 Caledonia village to use ARPA funds for Glen Valley roadwork Greg Chandler StaffWriter The village of Caledonia will use funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to serve as a local match to a recently approved Michigan Department of Transportation grant for fixing roads and side­ walk ramps in the Glen Valley business district. The Village Council Monday voted to allocate $171,928 in ARPA funding to the project, which will involve improve­ ments to Glengarry Drive, North Rodgers Court, Dobber Wenger Manorial Drive, Higley Street and Kaechele Street The council also voted to accept the $184,000 grant through MDOT’s Community Service Infrastructure Fund (CSEF) Category B program that was awarded late last month and to enter into an agreement with Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering to put together design and engi­ neering plans for the road improvements for $42,800. “The timing was perfect for finally getting the grant,” Village Manager JeffThornton said. The rest of the funding for the 50 percent local match — more than $12,000 — will come from the village budget. Planned repairs to the Glen Valley streets include the fol­ lowing, according to village documents: — On Glengarry Drive from Alanada Drive to M-37: Spot patch failing areas of asphalt, repair deteriorating valley gut­ ter, apply ultra-thin hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay to pre­ serve areas that are in fair condi­ tion, upgrade sidewalk ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) require­ ments atAlanada Drive, Costner Drive, Lenter Drive, Glengarry Court, North Rodgers Court and South Rodgers Court — On Higley Street, from Dobber Wenger Drive to M-37: Skip and spot patch area offail­ ing pavement, apply ultra-thin HMA overlay to preserve areas that are in fair condition, adjust and repair catch basin in the center ofDobber Wenger inter­ section because of inverted crown configuration, upgrade sidewalk ramps to ADA stan­ dards at Dobber Wenger. — Kaechele Street from Dobber Wenger Drive to M-37: Skip and spot patch area of failing pavement, apply ultra-thin HMA overlay to preserve areas that are in fair condition. There are no — On North Rodgers Court from Glengarry Drive to M-37: Skip and spot patch area of failing pavement, apply ultra-thin HMA overlay to preserve areas that are in fair condition, upgrade side­ walk ramps to ADA standards at Glengarry Drive and the curve west ofM-37. — On Dobber Wenger Memorial Drive from Higley Street to 92nd Street: Repair the failing centerline joint, apply ultra-thin HMA overlay to preserve areas that are in fair condition, upgrade side­ walk ramps to ADA standards at 92nd and Higley. sidewalks along Kaechele. Established by the state Legislature in 2018, the CSIF is administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation and serves as a stop-gap program to help fund road projects in small commu­ nities. Caledonia was one of 47 municipalities across the state with a population of less than 10,000 residents to receive Category B funding. The village of Middleville received the maximum possi­ ble grant of $250,000 to be used to rebuild High Street from Main Street to Washington Street next year. TK to tap into new state grant program to buy new buses Greg Chandler Staff Writer Thomapple Kellogg Schools will take advantage of a new state program to help bolster its bus fleet. The TK Board of Education Monday unanimously approved the purchase offive buses from Holland Bus Co. at a cost not to exceed $445,947. The district will buy three 77-passenger buses, a 30-passenger bus and a 15-passenger wheelchair lift bus, Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. The district will use funding from a new state categorical grant that, for the first time 9yer, .allows rural school dis­ tricts to access funding to help offset the cost of general edu­ cation transportation. The Section 221 grant program was added as part ofthe state edu­ cation budget that was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July. “We receive 70 percent of our special ed transportation costs each year, but we’ve never received any dollars for general ed transportation,” LaHaie said. TK is expected to receive about $450,000 in Section 221 funding this year, LaHaie said. “The 221 funds are unre- stricted, as they do not need to tie to new purchases,” he wrote in a followup email to the Sun and News. “We are certainly using them toward these purchases, but they will also blend into our overall general fund revenue stream to offset rising costs of fuel, maintenance, and the 6.85 per­ cent pay increase bus drivers received on base this school year.” Two ofthe three 77-passenger buses are new, while a third is coming off a lease and has about 30,000 miles on it. “They’re the exact same Bluebird gas buses that we already have in our fleet, and it’s very difficult to get offlease buses anymore,” LaHaie said. “Just like with cars, the prices have shot up. Most dis­ tricts that had leases (for their buses) are not returning them. They’re buying out the leases.” The 77-passenger buses will replace a 2005 bus that has 252,633 miles on it, and two 2007 buses that have 275,515 and 207,674 miles on them, respectively. “They’re well beyond repair. One had a cracked frame, (and was) rusted out... It’s not worth pumping money into anymore,” LaHaie said. The new 77-passenger buses cost $126,721 each while the bus with. 30,000 miles on it will cost $71,012. The 30-passenger bus, a 2019 unit with 32,000 miles on it, will cost $32,864. The 15-passenger wheelchair lift bus, a 2019 model that has 90,000 miles on it, will cost $89,076, according to a graphic LaHaie shared with the school board. The district will sell its cur­ rent 15-passenger wheelchair lift bus, which has had its problems. “That bus has lifts that will not lift our special education students’ wheel­ chairs ... it’s ofno use to us,” LaHaie said. A 30-passenger bus that the district has used for special education students is a 2011 model with 244,210 miles on it. The district will keep that bus as a spare, LaHaie said. LaHaie has worked closely with TK Transportation Director Chuck Walker for the past year on a plan to upgrade the district’s bus fleet. The district has been looking to add two to three new buses every year, but the addition of the 221 grant program made it possible to increase the num­ ber ofnew buses. “(The grant can be used) to offset the full gamut (oftrans­ portation expenses) - drivers’ wages, fuel costs, maintenance for our fleet,” LaHaie said. “It’s not something we have to spend on new buses, but we’re choosing to use this, at least partially, to help out our fleet every more.” The district has 35 buses in its fleet, of which 16 are die­ sel, 10 are gas-powered and nine are powered by propane. Together, the buses have a combined odometer reading of nearly 5.3 million miles. TK bus drivers put on about 57,000 miles per month trans­ porting students to and from school, LaHaie said. In other business Monday, the board: — Approved the purchase of the new Wonders English language arts textbooks and online resources for kindergar­ ten through fifth-grade stu­ dents from McGraw-Hill Publishers. The new textbooks and online resources will be implemented for the 2024-25 school year. -— Approved the purchase of student technology devices for students in kindergarten through third grade who come from economically disadvan­ taged backgrounds at a cost FAMILY IS EVERYTHING TO US We treat our patients like family and offer comfortable, customized dentistry for everyone. Business Services Pets NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ AGE Sale: Please notice Red Dot Storage 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Cale­ donia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction ofthe storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storagetreasures. com on 12/4/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #344. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and condi­ tions apply. See manager for details. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. For Sale RETIRED PAINTER WILL do odd jobs. 616-441-9328 For Sale- Four mud and snow tires, size 255/65R17, low mileage. (269) 7959647 METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. Irving Township 3425 Wing Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058 269-298-0633 Synopsis of October 17,2023, Board Meeting Called to order at 6:30pm. All members present. Items Approved 1. agenda with additions. 2. September minutes. 3. upstairs repairs. 4. election specialist. 5. purchase rain barrel for cemetery. 6. Resolution 2023-11 approving early voting. 7. pay bills in the amount of $7,810.81. 8. election equipment not to exceed $1,000. Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 PM Full minutes are available at lrvingtownship.org or at 3425 Wing Rd, Hastings, Mi 49058. Prepared by Clerk, Sharon Olson Attested to by Supervisor, Jamie Knight Same Day Dentistry Implants catered to your treatment needs to return your teeth to good health Pediatric Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry with kid-friendly options 120% OFF I Auctions not to exceed $122,096. The funding will come from Section lit, which is part of the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund that was estab­ lished in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Approved the purchase of new dishwashing equip­ ment for the high school from Middleville-based HPS at a cost ofno more than $78,420. The current garbage disposal and dishwashing area at the high school dates back to the 1970s. Funding for the new equipment will come out of the district’s food service fund. ' for ideal results \ your first visit Mention this offer when you call or bring i this card with you About Yankee SpringsDental Come experience the welcoming atmosphere of our rural, local office, where our patients know each other. Tyler Veneman, DDS is a native of Caledonia who keeps up on the latest technology within dentistry and enjoys getting to know the patients' unique needs. NOW ACCEPTING HEALTHY KIDS DELTA DENTAL AND HEALTHY KIDS DENTAQUEST YANKEE SPRINGS DENTAL 12715 W M-l 79 Hwy • Wayland, Ml 49348 YankeeSpringsDental.com Office Hours M (269)792-9723 Scan to request an appointment and learn more. https://ya 9am-6pm sTpu n7gomsd-3epnmta W Th F 8am-5pm 8am-4pm 8am-12pm i I �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023 Gaines Planners approve permits for South Christian building additions James Gemmell Contributing Writer When it is ready, South Christian High School can go ahead with construction of two additions to its main building in Gaines Charter Township. At its meeting Thursday night, the township Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve a special land use permit and site plan amend­ ment for the school at 7979 Kalamazoo Ave. The 135acre campus is between 76th and 84th streets, which is in the township’s agricultur­ al-rural residential zoning district. It is a few blocks north ofthe township offices. The high school opened at its current location in 2019 after being situated on 68th Street in Byron Township for decades. 208827 South Christian head of school Aaron Meckes told the planning commission there were about 600 stu­ dents when the new school opened four years ago. “We built the school with classroom space for 700 stu­ dents, but core facilities like a gym and food service and those types of things, for 1,200 students,” Meckes said. “Today, we have 690 students, so we’re quickly approaching that 700 num­ ber. By fall of 2025, we anticipate enrollment of over 760. And by the fall of2032, we expect enrollment over 900.” To accommodate the growth, South Christian is planning construction of a 22,000-square-foot educa­ tion wing on the northeast side of the building that will be primarily for classroom space. There will be eight general education classrooms and three special education classrooms. On the west side of the existing building, an 1,800-square foot dry-stor­ age facility will be built. The project also envisions some minor sidewalk and drainage improvements near Kalamazoo Avenue. In their long range master plan, school officials have drawn up conceptual designs for a track, a stadium, out­ door learning centers and additional parking. There will also be classroom space for regular and special edu­ cation in one of the build­ ings. Project Manager Jeff Van Laar with Exxel Engineering Inc. said there are 610 exist- VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 13, 2023, the Caledonia Village Council adopted Ordinance No. 09-23, which amended the Village of Caledonia Zoning Ordinance, by adding provisions for solar energy systems (the “Ordinance”). The principal provisions ofthe Ordinance are summarized as follows: 1. Small-Scale Solar Energy Systems. Section 3.43 was added to the Village ofCaledonia Zoning Ordinance (the “Zoning Ordinance”) to provide regulations for solar energy systems within the Village. 2. Purpose and Intent. Section 3.43(a) provides that the intent of the solar energy regulations is to balance the need for renewable energy with the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the Village, and to preserve the integrity, character, property values, and aesthetic quality ofthe community. 3. Definitions. Section 3.43(b) provides definitions applicable to solar energy systems. 4. Applicability. Section 3.43(c) provides that the Ordinance applies to small-scale solar energy systems, and that utility-scale solar energy systems are not permitted within the Village. 5. Application. Section 3.43(d) provides requirements for applications for small-scale solar energy systems, including compliance with the site plan requirements ofChapter 14 ofthe Zoning Ordinance, equipment and unit rendering, elevation drawings, and site plans which depict the location and distances from lot lines and adjacent structures. 6. Review and Approval Procedures. Section 3.43(e) provides that a zoning compliance permit and any other applicable permits must be obtained prior to the installation of any solar system equipment. It provides the form for application be provided by the Village and the fees established by Village Council. It provides review and approval procedures for solar energy systems by the Zoning Administrator. It also provides that the Zoning Administrator may refer requests for approval to the Planning Commission. 7. General Requirements. Section 3.43(f) provides general requirements for small-scale solar energy systems within the Village, including regulations oflocation, extension, glare and reflection, screening, lighting, installation, power lines, fire risk, building codes and maintenance, and abandonment of solar energy systems. 8. Building-mounted Solar Energy Systems. Section 3.43(g) provides regulations specific to building-mounted solar energy systems, including the maximum height, location, and safety requirements. It also prohibits the obstruction ofsolar access to adjacent properties. 9. Ground-mounted Solar Energy Systems. Section 3.43(h) provides regulations specific to ground-mounted solar energy systems, including, the maximum height, maximum number, maximum size, and maximum lot coverage. It also prohibits the obstruction ofsolar access to adjacent properties. 10. Permitted Use in AU Zoning Districts. Sections 2 through 8 ofthe Ordinance amended the Zoning Ordinance to add small-scale solar energy systems as a permitted accessory use in each zoning district. 11. Publication/Effective Date. Section 9 ofthe Ordinance provides that the Ordinance shall become effective seven days after publication. A complete copy ofthe ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office ofthe Village Clerk, Village of Caledonia, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, during Village office hours. Dated: November 14,2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA ing parking spaces on site that could accommodate the new addition and evening events, so long as the school gymnasium and auditorium are not being used for large events at the same time. “Together, ifthose are full, it would lead to a higher parking requirement than 610 spaces. However, South does not have any anticipa­ tion that those would be con­ curring uses. They’re not programmed for it. Practically, it’s not feasible and so that’s not something we’re going to be forced to deal with in terms of park­ ing,” Van Laar said. Gaines Community Development Director Dan Wells recently said high school officials almost could have gone ahead with some of their plan by legal right, THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 200 E. MAIN ST. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MIN­ UTES Monday, November 13,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Seven members present. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as amended with a change to the meeting minutes to add to the Poll of Members, “Bouchard and Ordway absent due to attending a work con­ ference.” 3. Approved motion to adopt Resolution 13-2023, “Resolution En­ dorsing of Barry County Trails Master Plan.” 4. Motion to approve the follow­ ing special assessments for the 2023 Winter Tax Bill: Hilltop Light­ ing - $89.32 each to 37 parcels, Moe Road Dust Abatement - $26.86 each to 67 parcels, Delinquent Duncan Lake Sewer Fees - 2 parcels, Various Drains as directed by Barry County Drain Commissioner, Duncan Lake Weed Control - $78.82 each to 159 parcels, and Noffke Road as directed by Thornapple Township Supervisor to 161 parcels (less prepaid parcels.) 5. Approved motion to increase the Deputy Clerk’s hourly wage by $1.50. 6. Approved motion to appoint Robert VanZanen as the Fire Depart­ ment Chaplin as a volunteer and to have him covered under our works compensation insurance. 7. Approved motion to apply to the state of Michigan for licensure to use an 800mHz paging system at a cost NTE $2,000.00. 8. Approved motion to enter into a 1 -year HVAC service agreement with Trane and for a thermostat repair for a total cost of $3,800,00. 9. Tabled a motion to alter the fire department’s pay periods from a 28­ day period to a 14-day period until the January board meeting. 10. Approved motion to have sec­ tion maps created and printed at a cost of $600.00. 11. Approved motion to expend OSHA grant dollars as follows: 12 SCBA masks, 40 pairs rescue gloves, 12 pairs firefighting gloves, 40 carcinogens resistant Nomex hoods, and 6 pairs of fire boots for a cost of $6,625.00 after reimburse­ ment. 12. Approve motion to repair light­ ing at the Emergency Services build­ ing at a cost of $2,098.00. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township Supervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Town­ ship Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thomapple-twp.org/meetinq-minutes/ Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. anyway. “The only issue there might be in the long term ... is traffic coming in and out of the school. I think they have adequate length of driveways, in case there are backups,” Wells told the planning commission. “And I’m comfortable with the amount ofparking they have there.” Commissioner Tim Haagsma, who also is a township board trustee and a traffic-safety director for the Kent County Road Commission, said he was pleased that South Christian presented details of its site plan early on. “It seems a little odd to me, since this is a private school, that they would come to us for this approval,” Haagsma said. “Ifthis were a public school, we (commis­ sioners) would get no crack at this. We would get no bite at it... a public school can do whatever they want without any regard to zoning. It’s really strange.” Haagsma continued, “So, it’s really good that we can look at this and we can ask the questions about traffic. The first time they came in, we looked at traffic and made sure that there was enough driveway length so that we don’t back up traffic on down the road. That there’s enough storage, that there’s enough parking, enough driveway access, that kind ofthing.” Gaines Planners approve next step for Hoffman Meadows development In other business Thursday night, the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend township board approval for a tentative pre­ liminary plat for the second phase of the Hoffman Meadows residential subdi­ vision. That would entail 55 single-family detached home lots being built on 47 acres at 2410 68th St, west ofHanna Lake Avenue. The entire property is in the township’s RL-10 residential zoning district. The zoning is intended to estab­ lish single-family neighbor­ hoods at slightly higher den­ sities than the township’s RL-14 zoning district. The project applicant is Chris VanderHoff of Caledonia-based Bosco Construction Inc. “So, (VanderHoff) has a year to go get all the other agency approvals,” Township Planner Dan Wells said. Those must come from the local fire department, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the Kent County Road Commission and the Kent County Drain Commission. “And then, they come back once they get all those. And then it goes to the (township) board for approv­ al of the final preliminary plat,” Wells said. VanderHofTs group would then have two years to com­ plete the project infrastruc­ ture before they could sell lots to developers. Final plat approval would be the last step before Phase 2 construc­ tion could begin. First-phase construction of Hoffman Meadows got underway earlier this year for 40 single-family home lots on 15 acres. The final preliminary plat for that had been approved by the town­ ship board in March 2021. VanderHoff has said in the past that as many as 130 single-family lots may be built when the fourth and final phase ofthe project is completed several years down the road. The next connection for the subdivision would be on the east side of the properly at Crystal Meadows Street. Aaron Meckes, head of South Christian High School, tells commissioners that the growing student population necessitates more classroom space. (Photo by James Gemmell) �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 'XtiHl Page 11 YMCA set for 15th TUrkey Trot Vikings hit the water in Ypsi The YMCA of Barry County invites everyone to wobble before they gobble Thursday at the 15th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot at Algonquin Lake. The event includes a 5K run/walk as well as a 1-mile run run. The top male and female runners at the race win an Ott’s Turkey Farm’s turkey. Organizers are excited to announce that there will be offi­ cial bibs and a chip timing sys­ tem to record results this year. The registration deadline to receive a T-shirt passed this week, but registration contin­ ues online Nov. 16-19. The cost is $25 for youth 17-and-under and $35 for adults 18-and-up. Race day registration can be done between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving. The 1-mile fun run is free and participants must register for that online or on race day. Registration links can be found online at ymcaofbarrycoimty.org. Race check-in and packet Members of the Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian girls’ swimming and diving team warm-up in the pool at Eastern Michigan University prior to the start of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals Friday. The Vikings contingent includes swimmers Sophie Gaylord, Macy Keegstra, Izzy Leason, Rian Restau, Bella Treib, Aliya Van Hofwegen, Mya VanderZwaag and diver Elise Miller. See next weekend’s edition of the Sun and News for a rundown of how the Vikings, and the two Grand Rapids Gator divers from Thornapple Kellogg, fared at the finals. pick up can be done Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the YMCA Lodge at Camp Algonquin between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Race day pick-up runs from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. Racing begins with the Fun Run at the comer of Buehler Road and Iroquois Trail at 8:30 a.m. The 5K stats at the same place beginning at 8:45 am. The race route takes runners from Buehler Road right onto Woodruff Road, right onto Hammond Road, right onto Iroquois Trail and then through the parking lot at the YMCA ending on the front lawn at Camp Algonquin. There will be hot cocoa, giveaways and water available at the finish. Along with the racing priz­ es, there will be a best dressed prize for the runner deemed to have the most festive fall gear and a school challenge with a turkey trophy presented to the local school district with the highest percentage of its enrollment participating in the day’s race. o(j COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the October 23, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on Novmeber 14, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. tky^ nil hit telgk CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES t!U tostngi Maim j •fa fem W'ks taib Delta College sophomore goalkeeper Tristen Cross holds onto the NJCAA Dill National Runner-up trophy as she celebrates with her teammates, including former TKHS teammates Peyton Pratt and Kiah Nichols, following a 1 -0 loss to Dallas College Brookhaven in the National Championship Nov. 12 in Gastonia, N.C. It was the first loss of the season for the 23-1 Pioneers. (NJCAA photo by Orlando Corry) liiiiik Ikitte Mil zsiik plh i»W 1 lUMIS •DK&X -­ wiki tsM Trojan trio helps lead Delta to national runner-up finish She started all 24 games in net Brett Bremer for the Pioneers this fall and Sports Editor Peyton Pratt, a freshman, recorded 18 shut outs while scored three goals in the first giving up just five goals and five minutes of the season saving 93.2 percent of the opener for the Delta College shots that came her way. Women’s Soccer team against Nichols was named honorable Marian University Ancilla in mention all-conference. The Pioneers wrapped up Plymouth, Ind., back in their season at the NJCAA August Here high school teammate Din Women’s Soccer National Tristen Cross, a sophomore Championships in Gastonia, goalkeeper, made one save at N.C., this month falling 1-0 to the other end of the field in Dallas College Brookhaven in their team’s 7-0 shut out win the championship match. That was the only goal the Pioneers over the Chargers. Things got better from there allowed in the three games at for Pratt, Cross and the other the championships - and the former Trojan in the Delta first they’d allowed to anyone Pioneer program, sophomore since mid-September. midfielder Kiah Nichols. Delta College took an 9-0 The Pioneers closed the win over Ocean County 2023 fall season as the NJCAA College in the first round with Division III National Runner- Nichols tallying two assists, up with an overall record of Pratt scoring once and Cross 23-1 on the season and a earning the shut out without Michigan Community College being forced to make a save Athletic Association Nov. 7. The Pioneers defeated Championship. Suffolk Community College Cross earned second team 3-0 in the National Semifinal all-conference honors in the Nov. 10, with Cross making Michigan Community College two saves in the shut out. saves in the National Championship match against Dallas College Brookhaven. While Delta College went into the National Championship as the top seed, it is the third-straight NJCAA Dill National Championship for the Dallas College Brookhaven Bears who end their season at 15-2-1. The Bears now have a record five NJCAA Division ID Women’s Soccer Championships. . Sayer Taylor scored the only goal of the game for the Bears in the 32nd minute of play. Cross had shut out the Pioneers’ previous 12 oppo­ nents, a streak dating back to an 8-1 win over Grand Rapids Community College Sept. 20. There were three times where Cross made eight saves in a match this fall, including in a pair of shut. outs of Schoolcraft College. Nichols started 21 games this season and had five goals and 19 assists. Pratt started 19 games scoring 16 goals and Athletic Accnniatinn this fall naccina nfF 1 Crncc mad a thrPA mnm accictc Meeting Minutes The minutes for the November 1, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on November 15, 2023, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. 208728 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following is a summary ofOrdinance No. 11-09-2023 which was adopted by the Yankee Springs Township Board at a regular meeting held on 11/9/2023. ORDINANCE NO. 11-09-2023 - ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS SECTION I AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 4.2 and 4.3 This section amends Zoning Ordinance provisions regarding special exception use approvals and reviews. SECTION II SEVERABILITY. The provisions ofthis Ordinance are severable. SECTION III repealed. REPEAL. All ordinances or parts ofordinances in conflict herewith are hereby SECTION IV EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall take effect eight days after publica­ tion after adoption. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text of the Ordinance has been posted in the Office ofthe Township Clerk at the address set forth below and that a copy ofthe Ordinance may be purchased or inspected at the office ofthe Township Clerk during regular business hours ofreg­ ular working days following the date ofthis publication. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP Michael Cunningham, Clerk 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, MI 49333 �Page 12/Tbe Sun and News, Saturday, November 18, 2023 CHS wrestling, hoops add experienced leaders Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are a couple Veitches in the wrestling room now at Caledonia High School and a few more on the way. Shawn Veitch, the Dutton Elementary principal, has returned to lead the Caledonia varsity wrestling team this season after a decade away from the program. Veitch formerly coached the Fighting Scot program from the 2007-2008 season through the 2011-2012 sea­ son. Now that he is settled in as an elementary school princi­ pal and has couple of sons working their way through the youth ranks in Caledonia he was ready to return and try to lift the program to championship form. Shawn Veitch coaches the Caledonia varsity wres­ tling team during a dual in December of 2008. Veitch is returning to lead the Caledonia program after 11 years away from the corner. (File photo) New Caledoina varsity wrestling coach Shawn Veitch. New Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball coach Lamar Chapman. His son Evan is in fourth grade and his son Ian is a second-grader. “I am excited,” Veitch said with his usual enthusiasm. “I want to build a championship program notjust forthem, but for our community.” The wrestling community in the high school is already a little bigger than he’d antic­ ipated. Veitch said there were 40 wrestlers taking part in conditioning the first week of-the season, with a few football players getting a lit­ tle time off to rest their bod­ ies and minds. He had 48 wrestlers in the room for Stony Brook University and Central Connecticut State. Prior to working on the collegiate level, he coached Muskegon Heights to a state runner-up finish in 2003 and a state semifinal appearance in 2004. The Tigers were 42-9 during his two years at the lead. Chapman takes over for Phil Visser who led the Fighting Scot program for the past eight seasons. Roger Singleton took oyer head coaching duties when Veitch left the CHS wrestilng program after the 2011-2012 season and guided the Scots through their transition into the OK Red Conference. The “new” Fighting Scot head coach said coach Singleton has been very helpful in his transition back into the cor­ ner. Singleton isn’t the only helpful coach around. Veitch said he is able to get out of his duties as principal early on Monday afternoons in time for the high school practice, but he has been get­ ting help getting things roll­ ing the other days of the week from his father, Bob Veitch. YANKEE SPRINGS FIRST ANNUAL FRIDAY, NOV. 24- GATES OPEN AT 5 PM AT CHIEF NOONDAY CAR PARK 11899 W. M-179 r COME L EARLY! Tree Lighting to be held at 6 p.m. . ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Activities planned: Tree Lighting at 6 pm Music by "NASHVILLE 5" Rides in Antique Cars Food Vendors... Maddie’s Cookies & Cream, and Cheezy Duz-lt Christmas Trees For Sale Coffee, Hot Chocolate by Curley Cone Popcorn! Pictures with Santa LIVE Remote with WBCH Make this a great family tradition! There is a large gift basket on display at Gabby’s just waiting for bids. Support our local businesses throughout the season! F SANTA has promised l to be here! Wear your ugly sweater! Snow has been S ordered. * practice Monday and was expecting to hit the 50 mark by the end ofthe week. Veitch said 50 is die mark he would like the program to set as a minimum for num­ bers, with enough wrestlers for a JV, Varsity ‘B’ and Varsity squad. His goal was to have 25-30 wrestlers ready to go this winter. Veitch was as part of a slew of head coaching addi­ tions made by the Caledonia High School athletic depart­ ment last spring including Grace Will whose varsity volleyball team just reached the district finals ofthe state tournament in Division 1 and Amber Pearson who is at Eastern Michigan University this weekend with the state qualifying swimmers and divers from the Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian girls’ co-op. Lamar Chapman is the new lead man for the Caledonia varsity boys’ bas­ ketball team which opened practice Monday too. Chapman has served as an assistant coach at various Division 1 schools including Northern Illinois University, Toledo, Central Michigan, “He has been able to come over and volunteer every day at practice with that common voice and that common sys­ tem I’ll be teaching,” Shawn said of his dad who is third all-time in dual meet victo­ ries by a coach in MHSAA history and a member of the Michigan and National Wrestling Hall ofFames. Shawn took the program over last spring and ran a three-day summer camp for all levels ofthe program from kindergarten to high school. “That was awesome to see the verticality of Caledonia wrestling which I am trying to instill. We’re all a family - not youth, middle school and high school. It is Cal wrestling, all ofus.” “It was fun to see the high school kids interacting with the youth. It was a really cool three days. We had a couple other summer camps there and a couple other open mat nights that our club ran here in the fall.” The Fighting Scots have a scrimmage at Lakewood on the schedule for early December and will open the season with a quad at home Dec. 6. Join us for Smail Business Saturday Nov 25th 10-3 PM SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN YOUR COMMUNITY! CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS EVENT! SCAN HERE ® WWW.PROPEREU.COM 9809 CHERRY VALLEY AVE SE. SUITE C, CALEDONIA Ml 9 L 616.327.5155 � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-11-25.pdf 6ddc7ca85f1ad3c972c4db57a6cb13ee PDF Text Text Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 47/ November 25,2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. * 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia Twp. board approves 2024 budget Caledonia High School resource officer Patrick Stewart (left) joined the CHS Players for its recent production of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.” Also pictured is Nolan Gross (center) as Dick and Sam Temple (right) as Young Scrooge. (Photos provided) School resource officer turns actor for CHS “A Christmas Carol” production Greg Chandler StaffWriter Despite sharing the same name as the actor who por­ trayed Capt. Jean-Luc Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Caledonia High School resource officer Patrick Stewart had never acted in a play. That is, up until earlier this month. Stewart took part in the CHS Players’ recent produc­ tion of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” which had four performances from Nov. 9 through 11 at the Peter V. DeLille Fine Arts Center. He portrayed Mr. Fezziwig, who was a mentor of young Ebenezer Scrooge — appear- ing in the scenes where Scrooge is escorted by the Ghost of Christmas Past through scenes from his youth. “It was honestly an experi­ ence, in every aspect,” Stewart said of his acting debut. “I knew a lot went into these (plays), but I didn’t know how much hard work and talent these kids put into it. It’s incredible to see.” How did Stewart become part ofthe play? It all started back in August, even before the first day of classes at the high school. During fresh­ man orientation, the CHS See CHRISTMAS CAROL, page 2 TK grad, dance teacher killed in crash near Caledonia Greg Chandler Staff Writer Kayla Watson loved to dance. For 12 years, she took classes at Expressions Dance Centre in Hastings. Her favorite style of dance was ballet. She was part of the school’s Dance Trilogy com­ petitive dance team and served as an assistant teacher there. “She was kind, loving, funny and loved pizza,” EDC owner Amy Gillett said. “She was a beautiful dancer, full of grace and danced with her heart. She was a great team­ mate and friend to others.” Watson, a 2021 graduate of Thomapple Kellogg High School, was killed Saturday in a two-vehicle crash at the Barry/Allegan County line. She was 21, living in Caledonia and working as a MIG welder at Bradford White Corporation in Middleville. The crash occurred at the intersection of 140th Avenue and Patterson Road in Allegan County’s Leighton Township. Michigan State Police did not release the name ofthe victim, but mul­ tiple sources confirmed Watson as the victim. According to State Police at the Wayland Post, Watson was passenger in an Audi driven by a 19-year-old that was traveling westbound on 140th and stopped at the stop Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Caledonia Township Board last week passed a $5.1 million general fund budget for next year. The new budget will use nearly $2.3 million of the township’s reserves, pri­ marily for various parks and recreation projects. Overall, the budget calls for capital outlay in parks ofmore than $3.21 million, with funding going toward trail improvements, the purchase of additional parkland and construction of the maintenance build­ ing at the Community Green park. Some of the funding for the new budget is actually a carryover from the current year budget, as some proj­ ects that were budgeted for did not take place. “The ’23 budget included purchasing the Andronaco property south of the dam, it included the maintenance building, which we didn’t do,” Township Treasurer Richard Robertson said. The township’s fund reserves are expected to drop to $1.54 million by the end of next year, according to the budget document. The budget proposal also includes $1,471,900 for the fire department and $400,000 for law enforce­ ment, both of which are funded separately from the general fund. The township will levy 0.666 mills for township operations, 1.9236 mills for law enforcement and the town­ ship fire department and 0.1646 mills to support the Kent District Library Caledonia branch. Trustee Dale Hennenet expressed concerns about possible salary increases for both the clerk and trea­ surer. The budget includes wages of $32,410 each for the clerk and treasurer, up from $17,291 this year. However, the board has not yet approved salaries for those positions yet. “I don’t know if I’m ready to authorize that big of a jump on (the salaries) of the treasurer and the clerk,” Hermenet said, add­ ing that the current salaries levels put the township about in the middle of sim­ ilar townships in Kent County. “There’s five (town­ ships) that are lower and six that are higher. It seems like it lines up to me,” Hermenet added. “I want to understand what the raise request is coming from.” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said approving the budget did not mean approving the specific dollar amount for the salary line items. “We’ll have a better chance to better digest where these pay levels should be at one ofour next two meetings, because they have to be adopted by the end ofthe year ... It is not an endorsement of any increases in any of the line items, but specific to pay, See BUDGET, page 3 • Action-filled Christmas in Caledonia slated for next weekend • Caledonia Elementary honored at Blue Ribbon Award ceremony A photo of Kayla Watson from her senior year. (Photo courtesy of Expressions Dance Centre) sign at Patterson Road. The See WATSON, peg? 2 • Thornapple Twp., Freeport first responders honored for saving life • Fighting Scot hockey opens year with shut out of East Kentwood • CLS Vikings score a dozen medals at D1 Swim/Dive Finals �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25, 2023 CHRISTMAS CAROL, continued from page 1 Players had a table set up, much like other organiza­ tions and clubs at CHS. Stewart saw a poster that said auditions would soon be held for “A Christmas Carol.” “I made the comment that, growing up, I always watched ‘A Christmas Carol’ with my parents and my fam­ ily. It was a Christmas Eve tradition, for us to this day, since1 I was a little guy,” he said? Then someone suggested Stewart be part of the cast. He said yes. “I thought, this is an opportunity and I’m taking it because it looks like fun,” Stewart said. “All the kids (said), ‘Really? CHS Players Director Kate Bauer said. “I The complete cast of the CHS Players’ recent production of Charles Dickens’s said, ‘I don’t see why not.’ We need more boys all the male staffmembers who step session with fellow Kent my armpits and (I’m asking time (for our plays). It’s a up for these roles.” County sheriff’s deputies. myself), ‘Why am I sweating Stewart recalled his first “It was a breeze, no prob­ right now?’ The anxiety was common thing in other the­ atre departments, especially day ofrehearsals. He hadjust lem,” Stewart said of the through the roof,” Stewart in high schools where there’s spent 10 hours at a training training session. said. But when he arrived at the But Stewart found himself school and stepped up on the bonding with fellow cast stage to practice his lines for members. Of course, it the first time, it was a much helped that he often brought different experience. gummy bears to rehearsals to “I remember looking at hand out to the students. Brace's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Patrick Stewart went so far as renting a costume, complete with a wig, to get into character for the pro­ duction. N,OW fcN! wr Barry County’s On/y%% Alpaca ■ Apparel Store driver then pulled into the path of a Jeep that traveling southbound on Patterson. A 31-year-old woman who was driving the Jeep was unable to avoid the Audi, resulting in the crash, police said. Watson was taken to Metro Health Hospital in Byron Center for advanced medical care, but later died of her injuries at the hospital, Hand Spun Yarn The largest y7 Sock DUNCAN CREEK FARM Open Fridays, yf Saturdays & Sundays 10AM to 4PM Other times by appointment w 5510 North M-37, Middleville, Ml 269-795-1275 not have worked out my nerves — it would not have worked without their help, 100 percent, in every way,” he said. One of the challenges Stewart encountered was try­ ing to figure out a costume to wear for his role. He looked through the costumes that were at the school and couldn’t find anything that worked. “I had no idea what to wear,” he said. So Stewart went to a theat­ rical store in Grand Rapids and rented a costume, com­ plete with a wig. “He goes above and beyond and shows up (with this costume), having spent his own money to rent this,” Bauer said. “I was all in. We’re doing this,” Stewart said. When showtime came, Stewart had supporters from all over. His parents came one night, while on another night, fellow deputies from the sheriff’s department came and cheered him on. Then before the final show on Saturday, Stewart was encouraged by fellow cast members to join them for breakfast at an IHOP on 28th Street in Grand Rapids. “The kids put that together because they wanted to go out as a cast for breakfast,” Bauer said. But when it came time to foot the bill, Stewart paid for everyone. Bauer learned about Stewart’s generosity later that day as students were arriving to get ready for the performance. “The parents were just in tears,” Bauer said. “(They were saying) ‘he’s such a great person. I’m so thankful that he’s (around) for our kids.’ It was a big deal.” In between shows, the cast had their own awards show. The cast named Stewart “Show MVP,” and presented him with a teddy bear that has now been named Teddy Fezziwig. “They really adopted him,” Bauer said. Stewart’s performance even got the attention of the Caledonia Board of Education at Monday’s meet­ ing. “It was fabulous,” Board President Marcy White said. “I can tell you that the stu­ dents and the parents and the staffwere so impressed with your willingness to jump right in with the kiddos there. They were just thrilled. You did a fabulous job and the whole performance was great.” “That was, by far, one of the coolest things I’ve ever done,” Stewart told board members. “I had the time of my life.” And Stewart’s acting days may not yet be over. He plans to be part ofthe CHS Players’ spring production of “Cinderella” next March. “I’m now open to a lot of opportunities (at the school),” he said. WATSON, continued from page 1 Alpaca Apparel & Gifts Hats, Scarves, Socks & More! 1 Hand Made Items and selection around! “It was very much like a big brother relationship,” Bauer1‘said ofthe connection Stewart had with the stu­ dents. “They all really gravi­ tated toward him.” Stewart welcomed the family-like feel ofthe cast. “Everybody’s so close, helping each other. I could “A Christmas Carol,” which held four performances. J W Like us on FB police said. The intersection of Patterson and 140th was closed for about two hours remains under investigation by Michigan State Police. Seatbelts were used by all occupants of the two vehi­ cles, and alcohol or drug use has been ruled out as a factor in the crash, police said. Troopers were assisted at the crash scene by Leighton Township Fire Department and Wayland Area EMS. Watson is survived by her parents, Mickey and Theresa Jordan; siblings, Davin Jordan and Alexis Watson; grandparents, Alice Jordan after and the erach which Rmrp Jordan* anntc Crystal Geddie and Tammy Watson; uncles, Lance Watson, Tony Watson and Robert Watson; and boy­ friend, Ryan McLain. Funeral services for Watson will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Beeler-Gores Funeral Home, 914 W. Main St., Middleville, with Pastor Tony Shumaker officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Beeler-Gores Funeral Heme. Memorial contributions may be made to the Barry County Humane �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25, 2023/ Page 3 Middleville DDA OKs spending $30K for village security upgrade Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Downtown Development Authority will contribute $30,000 toward the cost ofa new village security system. The DDA board Tuesday night approved the expendi­ ture out of its reserves, one week after the Village Council approved a quote from its technology vendor, K-Group, for the project, for no more than $ 162,000. “The DDA’s portion of the funds will be going toward security surrounding a lot of the buildings and infrastructure that the DDA has funded ... like the amphitheater, the train depot,” DDA Director Gretchen James said. The DDA funding share will also be used for security cameras near the Sesquicentennial Pavilion and the newly installed sculptures, James said. The Village Council on Nov. 14 voted to allocate money from the first round of funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) toward the security upgrades. The village has received $181,862 under the first round of ARPA fund­ ing. Unspent money from the security system project will be reinvested into replacing lead service water lines and other village prior­ ities. Overall, the new security system will include 16 cam­ eras situated around the vil­ lage. They include: — Five cameras to be installed inside Village Hall. — Three cameras on the Department ofPublic Works building. — Two cameras on the Calvin Hill Park restroom building. — Two cameras on the township light pole near the train depot. — One camera in the Calvin Hill Park pavilion. — One camera on the DDA amphitheater. — One camera on the train depot. — One camera light pole south of the wastewater treatment plant. Currently, the village only has a security camera at Village Hall, and only one ofthe four cameras there is operational, Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said. The system also includes wireless technology that will be installed at Calvin Hill Park and between the DPW building and the light pole south ofthe wastewater treatment plant. Each of the cameras will be able to record video footage, and that footage can be retained using Cloud technology for up to 30 days, according to a memo from K-Group to vil­ lage officials. The DDA has a fund bal­ ance of about $263,000, according to a memo from Stolsonburg to the DDA. In other business Tuesday, the DDA board agreed to set up a joint meeting with the Village Council shortly, most likely in January. The meeting comes as the tax increment financing that supports the DDA is set to expire at the end of next year, and would need to be renewed for the organization to continue. “It is vital that the DDA and council ... share dia­ logue about what the pur­ pose and the vision of the DDA is moving forward,” James wrote in a memo to the DDA board. “This joint meeting would serve as a space to share new ideas, highlight the impact the DDA has had over the last 25 years, and what the DDA can newly implement or improve in our next TIF.” Organizers add new attractions to this year’s Christmas in Caledonia Greg Chandler StaffWriter This year’s Christmas in Caledonia celebration has several new features and activities. The celebration takes place next Saturday along Main Street, beginning at 4 p.m. and going well into the evening. The village has planted a new live tree at the south­ east comer of Main and Lake streets, in front of the Al-Anon building, that will be lit up in a tree-lighting ceremony' that will take place after the parade, said Village President Jennifer Lindsey, who will light the tree with Santa. “We have planted a tree that we can watch grow for the next couple ofdecades,” Lindsey said. “Not only is it fiscally responsible, but it’s also better for the environ­ ment. We are a Tree City USA and have been since 1994, so it goes hand-in­ hand.” The little ones will be able to get pictures with Santa both before and after the parade, Lindsey said. “We will have Santa in the tent, starting at 4 p.m. for pictures until 5:30 p.m., when he’ll go join the parade, and then after the parade and after the tree-lighting, he’ll be back in the tent for more pic­ tures,” she said. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. along Main Street. Lineup for the parade begins at 5 p.m. at Ralph E. Myers Football Stadium. Anyone can join in the parade, Lindsey said. One major issue that both Lindsey and Village Manager Jeff Thornton are urging from those partici­ pating in the parade is refraining from throwing candy from their vehicles or floats for kids lined up along the parade route. “If you have people walking alongside your float, they may hand it (out). But you c’an’t throw it from the vehicle,” Lindsey said. The reason for the request is simple — safety for everyone involved. “Typically, the parade has been done, in the past, in the afternoon. It switched to an evening parade where it (will be) dark. It just comes down to safety and the kids being safe,” Lindsey said. The Caledonia High School marching band is expected to march in the parade, and members ofthe high school choir will sing carols along Main Street throughout the evening, Lindsey said. Christmas in Caledonia has gone through quite a few changes in recent years. The Chamber of Commerce ran the celebration up until 2019 when it decided to discontinue hosting the event to focus on promoting business development. Then in 2020, the COVID19 pandemic resulted in a “drive-through” parade. This year, though, with the village organizing the event, it’s expected the largest event in recent his­ tory, Lindsey said. Food trucks will be on hand for the celebration and a couple of local churches will be offering treats, as well. Caledonia Christian Reformed Church will have s’mores and Holy Family Catholic Church will have cookies and cocoa. There will also be activities for kids through­ out the evening as well, Lindsey said. The Village of Caledonia has planted a new live tree at the southeast comer of Main and Lake streets. It will be lit up as part of a tree-lighting ceremony during the upcom­ ing Christmas in Caledonia. (Photo by Greg Chandler) Misplaced BUDGET, continued from page 1 until we have a better oppor­ tunity to discuss it,” Harrison said. In other business during its recent meeting, the board voted to adopt an increase for renting the community room at the library, from $10 for a three-hour period to $20 for the first hour and $ 10 for each succeeding hour. “This price makes sense for a Brownie troop or Boy Scouts, but what we’re find­ ing is that (homeowners associations) are using the space. Sometimes they’re not from here, or we have people using it for training purposes for their businesses. We had a harp society come and use it. We feel that the price for $10 for three hours isn’t enough,” Township Manager Alison Nugent said. By comparison, the library in Cascade Township charges $50 to $70 for a three-hour period for the use ofits com­ munity room, Nugent said. Trustee Greg Zoller pro­ posed keeping the $10 fee for three hours for Scout troops in the Caledonia area and raising it for everyone else. “We should keep it afford­ able for our local groups, for kids,” Nugent said. The board also approved funding $6,000 for the sum­ mer concert series at Community Green next year. That contribution will sup­ port six concerts. A Dinner Theater presentation Friday, December 1st Saturday, December 2nd (+) Holiday Craft Market at Restoration । Stop in on Saturday, December 2nd from 9:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. at 708 W. Main Street, Middleville, Ml 49333 at Restoration for our 4th annual market. Pick up Christmas gifts, stocking staffers, or something special just for you! Middleville United Methodist Church 111 Church St., Middleville Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Call 269-795-9266 for reservations $10.00 per person Payable at the door 100% oftheproceeds go to benefit the Middleville Area | �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25, 2023 Bids for concrete, masonry OK’d for new Dutton school Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education approved the awarding of two major contracts for the con­ struction of the new Dutton Elementary School on Monday night The school board autho­ rized its general contractor, the Christman Company, to enter into contracts with Comstock Park-based JK Masonry for masonry work and Choice Concrete Construction, based in Clarksville, for structural concrete work on the new Dutton building. The school, which is bang built at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue, is scheduled to open in time for the 2025-26 school year. Both companies were the low bidders in their respective categories. JK Masonry sub­ mitted a bid of$2,464,342 and Choice Concrete submitted a bid of $819,580, with both bids coming in lower than what had initially been bud­ geted, CCS Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess said. The two contracts were the first portion of what the dis­ trict describes as “Bid Pack 2” of the Dutton project. The board had earlier approved contracts for earthwork and temporary fencing at the site. The district opened bids on Nov. 9 for 25 work categories tied to the project "This is the remains of the construction to get it up and running, with students in class­ rooms and desks and chairs and driveways and everything run­ ning,” Hess said. The district will bond out both the structural concrete and masonry work to guard against any potential prob­ lems, Hess said. “We have a tradition and a longstanding policy of bond­ ing the critical components of a building construction,” he said. “Obviously, masonry and structural concrete are pretty critical, that they are done and done well and done on time.” The Dutton project was made possible by voters’ approval ofa $61 million bond issue in May ofthis year. The district has allocated $40 mil­ lion from the bond issue for the new school. Additional contracts are expected to come before the school board at its December and January meetings, Hess said. Cal El educators attend National Blue Ribbon Award ceremony Ribbon School is an incredible honor,” Huck said. “This achievement reflects the commitment of our teachers, staff, students and parents to creating an environment ofexcellence. We wish all of our staff, students and families could have been there to join in the celebration. To be one of 353 schools recognized for exemplary high perfor­ mance was a deeply hum­ bling experience.” Upon returning from the award ceremony, Huck was greeted by an abun­ dance of blue ribbons adorning the exterior ofhis office, a surprise organized by the school’s Parent­ Teacher Organization as a “thank you” to Huck for the impact he has had on the Caledonia Elementary community. The PTO dis­ tributed blue ribbons to each student, encouraging them to write one word that best describes Huck. This activity allowed stu­ dents to • express their admiration and gratitude while symbolizing the school’s collective pride in this remarkable achieve­ ment. Caledonia Elementary School teachers Becky Foster and Jennifer Harmens, along with Principal Brent Huck, recently represented their school at the National Blue Ribbon award ceremony in Washington, D.C. Their attendance at this prestigious event was a result of Caledonia Elementary’s achievement as one ofthe select schools nationwide recognized for exemplary high perfor­ mance. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program acknowledges public and private elementary, middle and high schools for overall academic excellence or progress in closing achieve­ ment gaps among student subgroups. Caledonia Elementary’s inclusion in this exclusive cohort as an Exemplary High Performing School points to the school’s dedication to providing a top-tier educa­ tion and creating an envi­ ronment conducive to aca­ demic success. “For Caledonia Elementary to be recog­ nized as a National Blue Church t'irrjt'i alaska Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am Worship Service 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God end disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School 11: 00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study6: 00 PM Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 10:30 AM 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 GURNEY Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 MPEACE ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch Church: w JL S rcfi (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. PEACECHURCH. CC Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyvilie Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyvilie Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday School Sunday Worship 9:30 AM .10:30 10:30 AM Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm .U&dgf Watch our services from our website (see above) i>—Caledonia United IL Methodist Church Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilieFellowship.org "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship...................... Community Group................................. Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com CHURCH 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg cornerstonemi.org/weekend devotion of our talented and caring staff, and the exceptional leadership and dedication of Principal Huck,” Weeldreyer said. “This prestigious honor not only validates the great work happening within the walls of Caledonia Elementary but also reflects the many wonder­ ful things happening across the district.” Rev. Christine Beaudoin Sunday's Ministries 7240 68" Street SE Caledonia. Ml 49316 FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer, who accompanied Caledonia Elementary to the ceremo­ ny in Washington D.C., expressed his pride in the school’s accomplishment. “Caledonia Elementary’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School is a direct product of the tre­ mendous efforts of our outstanding students, the cSIfr'ch who will reach the world with the Gospel cornerstonechurch From left to right, Caledonia Elementary School Principal Brent Huck, teachers Becky Foster and Jennifer Harmens and Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer accepted the National Blue Ribbon Award in Washington D.C. (Photo provided) 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25, 2023/ Page 5 Jeanette May Heimbecker Jeanette May (Pierce) (Hoskins) Heimbecker, age 106, ofCaledonia, went to rest peacefully with her Lord in her heavenly home on November 12, 2023, surrounded by her loving family, and in the arms ofher grand­ daughter. Jeanette was bom March 19, 1917, the third child of Frank and Mildred (Harris) Pierce of Pierson, MI. She attended the one room Crandall Country School, then graduated from Sand Lake High School in 1935. After completing a course of study at the Alba Academy for Beauty Culture in Grand Rapids, she worked at salons in Lakeview, Big Rapids, Howard City, Lowell and Belding. She also operated her own beauty shop in rural Belding for 30 years. She was a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher, sang in her church choir, and was a charter mem­ ber of the Belding Art Club. She was also a member ofthe Green Comers Baptist Church in Belding, and later the Faith Baptist Church in Greenville. Jeanette Pierce married Richard T. Hoskins of Cedar Springs on October 30, 1937. Soon after, they moved to Belding where they purchased the King Farm on Ostrum Road. On that farm, they raised three children and lived peacefully, and happily togeth- er for 56 years. Following Richard’s passing, she married Albert Heimbecker of Greenville in March of 1995 and embraced three step-children and their families. Jeanette and Albert lived together in Greenville for 17 years until his passing. In September of2017, she moved to Station Creek apartments in Caledonia where she could be close to her son, Vance, and many family members. She loved her home at Station Creek and truly enjoyed her years spent there surrounded by loved ones. As a child, she began a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and followed Him with true devotion all her life. Her strength and dedication through this worship was remarkable, and she demonstrated true love and faith throughout each moment on this earth. She was a thrifty homemaker, outstanding cook and baker, and each year grew and canned fruits and vegetables from her lovingly tended gardens and orchards. Jeanette enjoyed crochet, knitting, sewing, gardening, cooking, cutting hair, bird watching, refinishing furni­ ture, writing letters, complet­ ing puzzles, and oil painting. She created dozens of gor­ geous paintings, which will be forever loved and enjoyed by all who she gifted them to. She was a captivating storyteller and loved to share memories of her life and stories from long ago. Her deep caring for others and mischievous sense of humor filled a room with laughter and love when she spoke. She was preceded by her parents; her husband, Richard Hoskins; her second husband, Albert Heimbecker; son, Randall Jay Hoskins; daughte, Janet Lynn Hoskins; sisters, Catherine, Emma, and Harriet; brothers, Warren and Jay; step-daughter and husband, Faith and Bill Wise, and many other dear friends and extend­ ed family. Her arrival to heav­ en was certainly met with countless joyful reunions. Jeanette will be deeply, and dearly missed by her beloved family and dear friends who will treasure her memory always. She is survived by her lov­ ing son, Vance Hoskins and daughter-in-law, Diane Parrott-Hoskins; daughter-in­ law, Carol Hoskins; grandchil­ dren, Mark (Rebecca) Hoskins, Amy (Billy) Donaldson, Danielle Hoskins, Michael Hoskins, Andy (Linda) Hoskins, Rodney (Roxie) Hoskins, Christa (Brandon) Cook, Jeremy Strotheide;, 14 great grand­ children and two great-great grandchildren. With her Heimbecker family, she will be greatly missed by her step­ children, John (Kimberly) Heimbecker, Jim (Rhonda) Heimbecker; four grandchil­ dren; 11 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchil­ dren. She had many more dear relatives and friends who filled her life withjoy, and will miss her every day. The memorial service will be held at the Middleville United Methodist Church at 111 Church Street in Middleville at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. The family will be available for visitation at 1 p.m., and light refreshments will follow the service. Officiating will be Pastor Tony Shumaker. Private interment will be in Orleans Township Cemetery, Orleans. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choosing. Envelopes will be available at the church and at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding where funeral care has been entrust­ ed. To share a message of condolence for Jeanette, order flowers, or light a candle in his memory, please visit the web­ site of the funeral home at www.jffh.com. Such a long and fulfilled life as Jeanette lived is worth endless rejoice and celebra­ tion. Her time on this earth was truly special, and she shared a brilliant light with the world each day until returning to the waiting arms of the Lord. Kayla was a beautiful force of nature, her energy and enthu­ will continue to inspire all who knew her. Kayla’s family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 at the Beeler-Gores Funeral Home, Middleville from 3 to 7 p.m., where her funeral service will be con­ ducted on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at 1 p.m. Pastor Tony Shumaker will officiate. Memorial contributions to the Barry County Humane Society will be appreciated. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memo­ ry or leave a condolence mes­ sage for Kayla’s family. Kayla R. Watson Kayla R. Watson, of Middleville, MI, a spirited and courageous soul, passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2023. Bom on July 13, 2002, in Hastings, MI, she was a beacon of kindness and determination that touched the lives of all who knew her. Kayla was the beloved daughter of Mickey and Theresa (Jordan) Watson. She was a cherished sister to Davin Jordan and Alexis Watson, and a treasured granddaughter to Alice Jordan and Bruce (Tobi) Jordan. She was also a dear niece to her aunts, Crystal (Benjamin) Geddie and Tammy Watson, and her uncles, Lance Watson, Tony Watson, and Robert Watson, a beloved cousin to Khoury Baird, and caring companion to boyfriend Ryan McLain. Kayla was preceded in death by her grandmother, Barb Case, in 2015, She leaves behind many close lifelong friends who will remember her fondly. Kayla' was a proud graduate of Thomapple-Kellogg High School, class of2021. She was a diligent student who bal­ anced her academic pursuits with her passion for dance. She was an award-winning competitive dancer for many years, her grace and discipline evident in every performance. Her love for dance was only matched by her love for her cats and guinea pigs, who brought her immense joy and companionship. In June 2023, Kayla began working at Bradford White as a Mig Welder. She cherished the moments she spent with her dad at work, sharing a Twix and a drink during their breaks. This was a testament to her strong bond with her family and her ability to find happiness in the simplest 6f moments. siasm infectious. She was very outgoing, always ready with a laugh or a smile, and had a knack for making people feel special. She was passionate about staying healthy and loved working out and gymnastics. Her determination was so strong, it could have built coun­ tries. She was a beacon ofpos­ itivity, her spirit unyielding even in the face ofadversity. In remembering Kayla, we celebrate a life lived with courage, kindness, and an unwavering spirit. Her memo­ ry will live on in the hearts of those she touched with her radiant smile and her bound­ less love. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy oflove, laughter, and determination Ttappy ^Thanksgiving November Sale Cal school board agrees to acquire land to expand CalPlex for $1 Greg Chandler StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools will soon take posses­ sion of 20 acres of land to expand the CalPlex youth sports and recreation complex. The district’s Board of Education on Monday voted to authorize Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer to execute the agreement to acquire the prop­ erty at 5151 100th St SE from Caledonia Township for $1. The board’s action comes nearly three weeks after the township board agreed to the transfer. “It certainly has been a long time coming, but we’re excit­ ed to see that moving for­ ward,” school board President Marcy White said. The township purchased the land in 2008 for $250,000, with the idea that it would be developed for recreation. The township bought the land at the same time that CCS bought 36 acres at 5401 100th St. SE, on which CalPlex now sits, for $450,000. “As long as this property were to be used for public recreation purposes, that is a municipal transfer. Otherwise, the township would have to get actual value for their prop­ erty, so we would have to pay them actual value,” Weeldreyer told the board. “Because it’s for recreation purposes, they are allowed to give it to us for the nominal price of $1.” Board Trustee Jason Saidoo asked Weeldreyer ifthere was a deadline by which the dis­ trict had to use the property for recreation. Weeldreyer said he did not recall there being a clause where the land would revert to the township. “What we did tell them all along was that we are anxious to get moving on this because when you build fields like that, there’s a whole period not only of constructing the fields themselves but to get the turf to grow to the point where it can be played on and hot ripped up immediately,” he said. “There’s going to be a time lag here. The sooner we can get going on this, the bet­ ter.” The school board had over the summer turned down a proposal by the township for a land swap where the township would give CCS the land to expand CalPlex in exchange for property owned by the district at 84th Street and Whitneyville Avenue. About $3 million of fund­ ing from the bond issue that voters approved in May will be used for developing the second phase ofCalPlex. Pictured is the sign at the entrance of CalPlex, which will soon expand after Caledonia Community Schools purchased 20 acres of land from the town­ ship. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) cornerstonechurch helping people know Jesus and make Him known /cornerstonemi 20% Off Fabrics (Excludes Sale Items) @cornerstonemi loda® Collections Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, Forest & Frolic, Etchings, Honey & Lavender, more Flannel, Cuddle Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US... 84th St. Campus 218 E. State St., Hastings • 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; WM Saturday 9 am-3 pm 84th Street SE we’re casual, come as you are. �Pag* 6/Tbe Sun and News, Saturday, November 25,2023 Area organizations, businesses send Township planners Caledonia students to leadership conference approve 63-unit The Caledonia Women’s housing project, Club joined together with the Caledonia Farmers Elevator, Caledonia Kiwanis Club, The pending sewer Derm Institute of West Michigan, Glen Valley Dentistry, Highpoint extension Community Bank, Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy, Kelly Lloyd Homes and Max Effort Performance to pro­ vide 10 sophomores the opportunity to represent Caledonia High School at Michigan’s Youth Leadership Conference (MYLead). This year’s recipients — Alivia Baareman, Peter Calhoun, Peyton DeHom, Gillian Guzman, Landry Hammond, Alyssa Jemigan, Ian Kimbrell, Derick Prichard, Ethan Snapper and Maya White — will join students from across the state for three days next spring, learning tools (Back row, left to right) T.J. Platschorre, Cameron Weibel, Derick Prichard, Ethan Snapper, Peyton DeHorn, Gillian Guzman, Ian Kimbrell, Peter Calhoun; (Front row, left to right): Hanna Dupuis, Alyssa Jemigan, Landry Hammond, Maya White, Alivia Baareman, Nirdhvaitha Kumar, Olivia LaHaie. (Photo provided) and building confidence that Will help them return as stron­ ger leaders in the community. Following a brunch with their families last month, the nomi­ nees had the opportunity to hear a presentation from last year’s recipients, Hannah Dupuis, Nirdhvaitha Kumar, Olivia LaHaie, TJ. Platschorre, and Cameron Weibel on their experi­ ence at last year’s conference. Caledonia Twp. planners approve new PFCU branch Greg Chandler StaffWriter After several months of debate and changes to the original plan, a local credit union has gotten the go-ahead to build a new drive-through branch in the Cherry Meadow Business Park in Caledonia Township. The township planning commission Monday unani­ mously approved a site plan and special land use-request for Portland Federal Credit Union to build the 2,250-square-foot branch at 6451 Cherry Meadow Dr. SE, just north of the Taco Bell off M-37. The property is owned by Shurlow Family Enterprises Company. Novi­ based Case Group is the project developer. The PFCU project had / Complete Collision been the subject of consider­ able debate between com­ missioners and the developer since it was first brought to the planning commission over the summer, with issues ranging from the orientation of the building to landscap­ ing. However, the two sides were able to come to an agreement to make the proj­ ect happen. The new branch will have three drive-through win­ dows, Township Planner Lynee Wells wrote in a memo to the planning commission. Commissioners agreed to reduce by two-thirds a requirement under the town­ ship zoning ordinance of 75 shrubs along Broadmoor Avenue/M-37 because the developer will have a 3-foothigh berm erected along the ''PFCU Credit Union west edge of the property. They did require that Case Group meet the shrub requirement for the east edge of the property, and provide more evergreen trees than was presented on their plan — 20 trees instead ofthe 13 that was proposed. “Evergreens last all year. They’re part of what helps make Michigan look like Michigan,” Commissioner Jodie Masefield said. Commissioners also put in as a condition having the developer brick in an area on ED’S BODY SHOP Service ✓, F _ rame nRepai. rs CALEDONIA. MICHIGAN the west facade ofthe build­ ing where an interactive teller machine will be located for security reasons. Stop signs will need to be installed at Cherry Meadow Drive and the service road to PFCU. The developer will also have to submit a lighting plan for Wells and Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis to review. -The project had raised concerns from residents of the Meadows at Jasonville Farms Condominium Association that an access drive would connect Clover Court, a private road that serves the 212-unit condo­ minium complex, to the PFCU site and four other properties along Cherry Meadow Drive. Township planners say the access drive is part ofthe overall develop­ ment ofthe business park but is not part ofthe PFCU con­ struction. Greg Chandler StaffWriter A 63-lot single-family housing development near Kettle and Campau lakes will move forward, pending the extension of a nearby sewer system to accommo­ date most ofthe new homes. The Caledonia Township Commission Planning Monday night approved the proposal from Whitneyville Investors for the 78-acre Kettle Preserve development at 7153 Whitneyville Ave. SE. The project had been approved as a planned unit development in July 2022, but issues over soil conditions and water quality delayed the start ofconstruction. “What has happened is that after extensive soil bor­ ings and analysis of the site conditions and the earthwork out there, they’ve recognized the need to provide munici­ pal services in a portion of the project,” Township Planner Lynee Wells said. “They are asking the town­ ship to .modify the utility district that we have so that a portion ofthis project can be served by sanitary sewer.” The township board will have to approve the expansion ofthe Kettle Lake sani­ tary sewer system, Wells said. Because ofthe issues with soil conditions and water Whitneyville quality, Investors dropped its PUD proposal and came back to the township seeking to have the project approved as a site condominium wider the cur­ rent zoning designation of medium-density residential. In a memo to the planning commission, Whitneyville investors representative Howie Hehrer wrote that a Kent County Health Department policy that requires separation distance from private septic system drain fields to wells for drink­ ing water complicated devel­ oping the site as a PUD. Thornapple Kellogg Schools TAPRC Board Member: , K Nr IB Open p Mondayy thru Fridayy 7:30 a.m. .. - 5:00 p.. p.m. 616.891.0150 S3 Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner YnmQ 110 Johnson St, Caledonia • www.edsbody.com Thomapple Kellogg Schools in Middleville has one open position on the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission Board. This is a vol­ unteer board position, with a 4-year term. For more information, and to submit your letter of interest, please visit www.tkschools.org. Click on Departments and select the Human Resources page. Please contact Erica at 269-795-5521 with any questions. “This means that even though soils throughout the site support individual septic systems oh every lot, and good water is available on each lot, there is not enough vertical separation between the bottoms ofthe drain fields and the intakes of the wells for the best available water to be utilized at the same time,” Hehrer wrote in his memo. Hehrer went on to say in his memo that deeper wells were dug to accommodate the KCHD policy. While the wells had adequate flow rates, one well was high in arsenic content and another was high in chlorides. “Pursuing this route would mean that future homeown­ ers would have to install and maintain treatment systems for arsenic or chlorides,” Hehrer wrote. “This is not ideal of the usual preference ofa typical homeowner.” So the alternative was to pursue an extension of the Kettle Lake sanitary sewer system to service the project, which is supported by the health department^ Township Engineer Todd Boerman and the township’s utility committee. Under the new development plan, 48 of the 63 lots would be served by the sanitary sewer system with the remaining 15 lots having individual septic systems, Hehrer wrote. Despite the departure from the planned unit development designatio designation*Wells noted that Whitneyville Investors will keep many of Kettle Preserve’S: original features. “They ■' ’are providing perimeter open space, which isn’t something that we require,”' she said. “They’re doing tree preservation around that perimeter. They’re providing a playground, a pavilion, an open space along Whitneyville, and a wood chip loop path. All of those are included. Many of those were in the original PUD, and they’ve opted to retain those, even though they’re not required.” Homesites for the Kettle Preserve will be on average 15 percent larger than what they would have been under the original PUD, Hehrer wrote in his memo. Under the township’s medium-density residential zoning requirements, lots in­ areas that will serviced by sanitary sewer must be at least one-halfacre and have a minimum width of 100 feet, while lots in areas that will have septic systems must be at least one acre and have a minimum width of 150 feet. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25, 2023/ Page 7 Leighton Church ships gifts off to hundreds of children in poverty Members of Leighton Church in Leighton Township did their part to ensure that underprivileged children across the world would have something spe­ cial to open this Christmas season. Participating in Operation Christmas Child, a ministry initiative through the non-profit Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, members ofthe church put together shoe boxes ofgifts that would be shipped across the globe. Samaritan’s Purse, which is based in North Carolina, is run by President and CEO Franklin Graham, the oldest son offamed evange­ list Billy Graham. In total, members from the church assembled over 500 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse, filled with small toys and person­ al items to send to children in poverty or war at Christmas time. In many cases, this shoebox of gifts will be the only gift that the children will receive. The youth group at Leighton Church invited the adult congregation to join them for the last 400 boxes. Last Sunday, the entire church congregation formed a line and passed the boxes from the front ofthe church to an enclosed trailer in the parking lot. Samaritan’s Purse will see that the boxes are distributed. Local first responders honored for role in saving a life This Thanksgiving seasori, first responders from Thornapple Township Emergency Services and the Freeport Fire Department had extra reasons to be thankful. Tuesday night at the Irving Township Board’s meeting, CPR Lifesaver awards were presented to the team that responded in late summer to a patient’s home, who was in full cardiac arrest. The patient’s wife had started CPR when first responders arrived. Freeport first responders arrived as well as paramedics from Thomapple Township Emergency Services. With the work of the team, pulses were regained after 25 min­ utes and the patient was trans­ ported to the hospital, where he made a full recovery. Receiving awards were Barry County Central Dispatchers Erica Krouse, Jill Jackson and Emily Hampton; TI ES paramedics Joe Johnson and Collin Chrenka; Freeport medical first responders Katie Bunday, Adam Bunday, Tobi DeGroote, JD Forbes, Lani Forbes, Michelle Hobday and Tony Stein. “For every minute CPR is not being performed, there is a 7 to 10 percent less chance of survival/’ said Lani Forbes, a lieutenant with the Freeport Fire Department. “The patient’s wife starting CPR immediately made a significant difference in the outcome for this person.” Anyone interested in learn­ ing CPR can contact Stacey Youngs at Corewell Health Pennock Hospital’s education department at stacey. youngs@corewellhealth.org. This week’s Irving Township Board meeting featured the presentation of Lifesaving Awards, which were given to (left to right) Joe Johnson, Collin Chrenka, Layn Welker, Tony Stein, Adam Bunday, Lani Forbes, Katie Bunday, Michelle Hobday and JD Forbes. (Photo provided) Luminary walk at Cornerstone shines li ght heading i ntoholidJKay season i j' ■ James Gemmell jru ^Contributing Writer More than 1,200 lights and 400 paper bags filled with gravel and electric candles lined the path­ way for a self-guided walk outside Cornerstone Church’s main campus in Gaines Township on Nov. 15. The annual Luminary Prayer Walk is intended to provide peace and inspiration for those who take the stroll through a grassy area on the 26-acre campus at 1675 84th St. SW. That is adjacent to Kalamazoo Avenue. The walk had been scheduled for the week before, but “We had over 75 mid­ rain pushed it back a dle school students attend week, according to the event arid it was a Cornerstone spokeswom­ nice opportunity to intro­ an Cindy Bouma. duce them to a new way “It was a beautiful night to pause and reflect,” of reflection, community Director of Student and peace. Participants Ministry Amber Barr were invited to walk the said. path with a friend, in sol­ The paper bags that itude, or with family,” were set up by volunteers said Rhoni Kaastra, and church staff along Cornerstone’s director of the tour path each consupport groups and coun­ tained an LED candle seling. that was illuminated. The The path is open to the bags were weighted down public year-round and with stone to prevent winds through the grounds them from blowing away. behind the church in a variety of settings, from prairie to trees, to a pond and gardens. At this par­ ticular event, candles were lit and there was also a campfire at the end of the Closed or path. Church leaders said they wanted people to be refreshed by the luminary walk and inspired by the lights. As one church lead­ er said, “We want people to reflect on the light of God or Christ in their life and how that shines into the darkness.” “The path encourages mindfulness and medita­ tion,” Barr said. “For our youth, it’s a way for them to catch their breath, slow things down and can help them regulate emotion and behavior.” ^!»v SPRAY FOAM People gather at a wooden cross and a concrete bonfire pit during Nov. 15’s Luminary Walk, held at Cornerstone Church in Gaines Township. Auctions Business Services NOTICE OF SELF-STOR­ AGE Sale: Please notice Red Dot Storage 195- Caledonia located at 5590 68th Street SE., Cale­ donia, MI 49316 intends to hold an auction of the storage unit in default of payment. This sale will occur online via www.storagetreasures. com on 12/4/2023 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise, the contents are household goods, furnishings, boxes, and general equipment. Unit numbers are as follows: #344. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and condi­ tions apply. See manager for details. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Pop­ lar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing in­ stallation! Licensed and In­ sured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Open Cell or Blown-In Fiberglass MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc Call 269-804-7506. GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUP­ PIES- 1st shots and wormed, playful and friendly. $300.00. 517-852-4881. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. Very cute and fluffy, will stay small. $300. 269-223-9194. Roy Mast • 517-652-9119 2501 N. Ionia Rd., Vermontville Your local agent insures your Business s! O FARM BUREAU tA, INSURANCE* fneu/VLttce. RETIRED PAINTER WILL do odd jobs. 616-441-9328 CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. W Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25,2023 Zoning change for Division Avenue, 68th Street gets approval from Gaines trustees James Gemmell Contributing Writer On a 6-1 vote at its Nov. 13 meeting, Gaines Township trustees approved the rezon­ ing of some properties along stretches of 68th Street in Dutton and the east side of Division Avenue in Cutlerville. Trustee Dan Fryling cast the lone no vote. The properties are being General rezoned from Commercial (C-2) to Neighborhood Commercial Community (C-l). Development Director Dan Wells said the changes would take effect seven days after the township’s public notice is published in the Sun and News. Business owners in the impacted areas were given the option this fall to opt out of having their properties rezoned. That option still exists. “They’re always welcome to come in for a rezoning on their property ifthey want to,” Wells said. One ofthe properties being rezoned into the Neighborhood Commercial designation is the site of the former J.A. Post Family Farm on Hammond Avenue in Dutton. It is imme­ diately north of Dutton Shadyside Park, with another parcel of the former Post property at 3316 68th Street A portion ofthat property in the Office-Service (O-S) zoning district is being placed into the Neighborhood Commercial category. Earlier this year, Green Development Ventures and Allen Edwin Homes presented a residential development pro­ posal to the Gaines Planning Commission for a residential subdivision to be built there called Thomapple Farms. It calls for 171 single-family detached homes to be con­ structedjust north ofthe park. That project was recently approved by the township. Most of the property was zoned as single-family resi­ dential (RL-14) and the devel­ opment was to cover 96 acres along Hammond Avenue. Steve Tjapkes, a senior attor­ ney with the law firm Foster Swift, spoke to the township board on behalf of the owners ofthe former J.A. Post parcel. He mentioned that the vision of the township plan­ ning staff is to create a town center with retail space and apartments lining a central street. It would be accessed by pedestrians from the planned development to the south, and existing subdivision to the east and west. Tjapkes asked the town- ship board, “If the J.A. Post The shaded areas show where properties will be rezoned to Neighborhood Commercial along 68th Street in Dutton. (Image provided) parcel is a, quote, ‘unique parcel and the only one large enough to create a village center,’ why were so many other parcels originally included in this zoning dis­ trict? And then, in between the first reading and the public hearing, excluded from the (new) zoning district?” “In talking about the Post parcel specifically, it’s the only area that’s adjacent to the corri­ dor in Dutton where you could pull something like this off,” Wells said. “There’s a single landowner. It’s also a large enough area where you could put in retail along the street” Tjapkes asked the board why no builder, developer or resident of the township has shown any interest in devel­ oping or creating a Neighborhood Commercial district. “I believe the economic fact is that, when the J.A. par­ cel came up for sale, the only interest expressed in that parcel was for an entire single-family development,” he said. Tjapkes said the only peo- ple who spoke at a recent public hearing were against the rezoning. He said the township staff’s vision for the Post parcel looks more like a site plan than a zoning district. “There is a street, there are shops lining the street. There is a pedestrian walkway on that street. A zoning district is a zoning area where different permitted uses are specified. It is not something where you specify exactly what your vision for that plan to look like is,” Tjapkes said. But Wells pointed out that township planners are follow­ ing the wishes expressed by residents who gave their input during a year-long process that was used to formulate a new township master plan and a future land use plan. In a survey, several resi­ dents listed increased neigh­ borhood shopping opportuni­ ties as one type of develop­ ment they would like to see. That would be smaller-scale shopping venues close to neighborhoods. —Be Wimer Ready— ; High Efficiency RUUD FURNACE *200 OFF ’70 Mustt present this couppoonn. .x Expires 12-8-2023 (not valid with other offers) ml. FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING Wells said the future land “But I think that the core use plan for Dutton included concept of a village center in the concept ofa village center this area is still a good one. We and some industry/business have a couple ofplaces in the on the east side ofthe village. township where the master The master plan was pre­ plan identified good locations pared by consulting firm for this sort of thing; Dutton MCSA Group Inc. in conjunc­ being one of them,” Wells said. tion with township planning He added that establishing staff. a village center could create “The township has always retail development close to had the interest in creating a Dutton’s population center place that was really going to and thereby reduce some of reinforce the historic nature of the traffic that travels to exist­ Dutton as a town center. It ing commercial centers out­ was laid out in the late 1800s side the immediate area. as a rail siding and has been “That will help enable cre­ an area of business and truly ating local retail so that people mixed-use over the last centu­ don’t have to drive miles ry,” Wells said. away to get to where they The vision was to create a need to do their shopping,” center for higher-density Wells said. housing arranged around Planners point out that some public spaces as part of township staffhas envisioned a neighborhood concept. the area adjacent to 68th Street Wells conceded that 68th as a walkable main street Street in Dutton may not be an since 2008, when the previous appropriate place for a walk­ master plan update was done. able corridor because there is It foresaw it becoming a a lot oftruck traffic there. And pedestrian-scale corridor. the wide lanes don’t make it Hundreds ofpeople will be easy for pedestrians to cross moving into the Thomapple the road. Farms subdivision over the Dinner theater production set to benefit Middleville Area Food Pantry A fundraiser benefit for the Middleville Area Food Pantry will be held on Dec. 1 and 2 at the Middleville United Methodist Church, located at 111 Church Street in Middleville. All proceeds of a dinner theater produc­ tion of “A Misplaced Christmas” will go to the area food pantry. j UGHTTRUCKPARTS « USED HURTS •HCKHPS* ONE TONS • VANS ’SWTS’ JEEPS ’4MS Fill service a yoipuiiet 269-381-2300 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. next several years. That will create a lot more traffic. Wells said building more Neighborhood Commercial areas in a village center will reduce traffic flow out of the neighborhood. Division Avenue in Cutlerville has historically had a lot of commercial busi­ nesses and some occasional conflict with residents who live behind them in the neigh­ borhoods. “But that has generally worked pretty well along Division Avenue, and it really does reflect this historical development of having com­ mercial uses adjacent to resi­ dential uses,” Wells said. Several properties will be impacted by the rezoning along the Gaines Township (east) side of Division, between 76th Street and M-6. In a memo sent to the Board of Trustees, he wrote that Neighborhood Commercial is identified in the master plan as compatible with adjacent resi­ dential uses, while General Commercial is not. |1811 LAKE ST, KALAMAZOO Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall with the stage pro­ duction to follow at 7 p.m. Those interested in reserving a seat are asked to call 269-795-9266. Ticket price for the dinner and theater production is $10 per person, payable at the door. This holiday tradition supports the Middleville Area Food Pantry. Cast includes Beth Bauer, Morgan Boersma, John Bremer, Katherine Griswold, Lily Griswold, Anne Hamming, Suzanne McIntyre, Matt Powers, Shannon Powers and Darlene Schellinger. The production is directed by Cheryl Cravero with Todd Coe as technical advisor. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25, 2023/ Page 9 Barry County judge signals change in philosophy when sentencing deadbeat parents Jayson Bussa Editor Jeremy Lee Allerding appeared in front of Judge Michael Schipper in a Barry County courtroom early this month for what seemed like a run-of-the-mill sen­ tencing hearing. The 35-year-old Barry County resident owed around $50,000 in child support paired with a check­ ered legal past that consist­ ed of misdemeanors and felonies that included breaking and entering and home invasion. Allerding was in front of Schipper after pleading guilty to a charge of failing to pay child support. Schipper handed down his sentence — a minimum of four years in prison — along with a message: Parents who perpetually make no effort to uphold their child support obligations will find themselves behind bars. It’s a shift in philosophy from the judge of 12 years that could potentially impact delinquent parents around the county, which most often are fathers. Schipper noted that, upon changing his philosophy on how to punish deadbeat parents, he spoke with Barry County Prosecutor Julie Nakfoor Pratt and Chief Public Defender Kerri Selleck, and contin­ ues to put the word out in his courtroom so that attor­ neys and their clients get the message. “I’ve thought about it for a while,” Schipper said in a one-on-one interview with the Banner. “You evolve as ajudge and I have evolved.” “I wanted to address it with the attorneys because I always respected when I was an attorney and ajudge would tell me where he was going to go so I had that information ahead of time so I didn’t look stupid in front of my client,” Schipper added. His evolving philosophy cracks down on fathers who have a legal obligation to provide support to a custo­ dial parent for their chil­ dren but refuse to even though they can. “I just told (Pratt and Selleck), I’m seeing too many of these dads here that aren’t paying,” Schipper said. “They’re not paying, not because they can’t work but they’re working under the table — they’re logging or working construction, they’re doing work, they’re just not pay­ ing. That’s just not acceptable.” Schipper was careful to lay out several scenarios where he can sympathize with a father or parent who has fallen behind on pay­ ments. This includes men who have run into economic or financial hardship or are disabled and can’t work. Schipper said he simply wants to see the effort that they’re trying to issue, at the very least, the monthly payment and then they can go back and make arrange­ ments to address any arrear­ age that may have accumu­ lated. “Some (people) are ‘I’m just not going to do it. I can’t work. I’m not going to work.’ There is always an excuse. I’m just not going to tolerate it anymore,” Schipper said. “If you cre­ ate a kid, you’re responsi­ ble for that kid. You need to feed and clothe them.” “This isn’t going to hap­ pen the first time you don’t pay,” he added, noting that the State Attorney General’s office doesn’t typically pursue these cases until a parent has fallen several thousands of dollars behind. “This is going to be those who have not paid for a while and clearly demonstrated no interest or effort in paying. Yeah, I’m probably going to send you to prison. Go sit for a year.’/ Schipper also noted sce­ narios in which fathers pay a child’s mother, but those funds are mismanaged and don’t end up benefitting the child. He relies on his col- the bank and rob it, only give me jail time, I’m going to rob the bank,” Schipper said. “There has to be a deterrent. I don’t want peo­ ple to go to prison. I don’t want deadbeat dads to go to prison. Just pay.” GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Gaines Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the following request: Summary of Request: Special Land Use request to allow a 1,000 square-foot addition to an existing 1,600 SF accessory building, for a total of 2,600 square feet of residential accessory buildings on the property, located in the Agricultural/Agri-Business zoning district. Property Address: 9625 East Paris Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Parcel Number: 41-22-26-400-094 Applicant: Jeremy Vander Vennen Date and Time of Hearing: December 14th, 2023, at 7:00 PM Location of Hearing: Gaines Charter Township Offices, Board Room 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 Any interested party may appear and be heard on said proposal. Information related to this request may be inspected, purchased, or reviewed by appt., during regular business hours at the Planning Department window located in the Gaines Charter Township Offices at 8555 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. For more information related to this request, contact Dan Wells at (616) 980-6188 or dan.wells@gainestownship.org. In order to be entered into the public record, written comments must be received by 5:00 PM on October 26th, 2023. Persons with disabilities needing special accommodations should contact Kim Triplett at 616-698-6640 one week prior to the meeting to request mobility, visual or any other assistance. All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report What should you do with 'side gig' money? discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451 -2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. NOTICE OF POSTING AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES REGARDING THE REZONING OF TWENTY-THREE (23) PARCELS FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-2) TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (C-1) IN THEIR ENTIRETY, REZONING THE C-2, OFFICE-SERVICE (0-S) AND RESIDENTAL (RL-10) PORTIONS OF ONE (1) MULTI-ZONED PARCEL TO C-1, AND REZONING THE C-2 PORTION OF ONE (1) DUAL-ZONED PARCEL TO C-1. The Gaines Charter Township Board of Trustees held a public hearing Monday, November 13, 2023, and approved an ordinance amending the Gaines Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as provided for in Chapter 27 thereof by amending Section 1.6 and the Township Zoning Map. The Zoning Ordinance of the Charter Township of Gaines was amended by rezon­ ing the following described property: • TWENTY-THREE (23) PARCELS FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C-2) TO NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (C-1) IN THEIR ENTIRETY. REZONING THE C-2, OFFICE-SERVICE (0-S) AND RESIDENTAL (RL-10) • PORTIONS OF ONE (1) MULTI-ZONED PARCEL TO C-1. REZONING THE C-2 PORTION OF ONE (1) DUAL-ZONED PARCEL TO C-1. A complete copy of the approved zoning ordinance can be viewed at the Charter Township of Gaines office, located at 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316. The Zoning Ordinance Amendment will be effective Seven (7) days following post­ ing. GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP 8555 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Caledonia, Mi 4916 Michael A. Brew, Clerk criminal activity, Schipper said that his approach to sentencing deadbeat dads traces back to the concept of setting an appropriate deterrent. “If I know the judge in Barry County will, ifI go to PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GAINES KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN • league, Circuit Court Judge Vicki Alspaugh, to address and sort out legal concerns that stem from court-or­ dered child support pay­ ments. At the end ofthe day, like with any other flavor of As you know, the gig economy has been booming over the past several years. If you’re thinking of using your skills to take on a side gig, what should you do with the money you’ll make? There’s no one right answer for everyone, and the decisions you make should be based on your individual situation. And ofcourse, you may simply need the extra income to support your life­ style and pay the bills. But if you already have your cash flow in good shape, and you have some freedom with your gig money, consider these suggestions: • Contribute more to your IRA. If you couldn’t afford to contribute the maximum amount to your IRA, you may find it easier to do so when you have additional money coming in from a side gig. For the 2023 tax year, you can put in up to $6,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA, or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older. (Starting in 2024, this extra $1,000 “catch-up” contribution amount may be indexed for inflation.) The amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA is reduced, and eventually eliminated, at certain income levels. • Lookfor new investment opportunities. already maxing out your IRA, you might be able to find other investment possi­ bilities for your side gig money. For example, ifyou have young children, per­ haps you could use some of the money to invest in a 529 education savings plan. A 529 plan offers potential tax advantages and can be used for college, qualified trade school programs, and possi­ bly some K-12 expenses. Please keep in mind that potential tax advantages will vary from state to state. • Build an emergency fund. Life is full of unex­ pected events — and some can be quite expensive. What ifyou needed a major car repair or required a med­ ical procedure that wasn’t totally covered by your health insurance? Would you have the cash available to pay these bills? If not, would you be forced to dip into your IRA or 401(k)? This might not be a good move, as it could incur taxes and penalties, and deprive you of resources you might eventually need for retire­ ment. That’s why you might want to use your gig earnings to help fund an emergency fund containing sev­ eral months’ worth of living expenses, with the money If you’re kept in a liquid, low-risk account. To avoid being tempted to dip into your emergency fund, you may want to keep it separate from your daily spending accounts. • Pay down debts. Most of us will always carry some debts, but we can usually find ways to include the big­ ger ones — mortgage, car payments and so on — into our monthly budgets. It’s often the smaller debt pay­ ments, frequently associated with high-interest-rate credit cards, that cause us the most trouble, in terms ofaffecting our cash flow. Ifyou can use some ofyour side gig money to pay down these types of debts, you could possibly ease some of the financial stress you might be feeling. And instead of directing money to pay for things you purchased in the past, you could use the funds to invest for your future. As we’ve seen, your side gig money could open several promising windows of opportunity — so take a look through all ofthem. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones FinancialAdvisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25,2023 Fighting Scots win opener over East Kentwood Brett Bremer Sports Editor The new season was all of seven seconds old when East Kentwood goalkeeper Will Hammonds had to turn aside the first shot from the Fighting Scots. He got plenty more chances over the course ofthe next 35 minutes. The Caledonia varsity hockey team scored an 8-0 win over the “visiting” Falcons inside Kentwood Ice Arena Wednesday. “This is awesome,” Caledonia junior defender Caleb Summerhays, alternate captain, said. “I was laying in bed last night. I was hoping for a goal. I was hoping [Henry] Simon would get a goal. I was hoping everyone would get a goal. It is the best!” “Being from TK and not really knowing any of these guys, and having them all embrace me, [TK junior defender] Luke McNabnay and [Lowell sophomore forward] Harmon [Esch], it is awesome. I look forward to coming here every day.” Summerhays is in his sec­ ond year in the Caledonia, Lowell, Thomapple Kellogg program. He loves the camaraderie between the guys from the three schools and how head coach Jeremy Bultema helps encourage that. The East Kentwood goalie, Hammonds, only managed to hold the shut out on his end Wednesday through the first nine and a half minutes, but the Fighting Scots had to find the edges to get the scoring started. Caledonia sophomore forward Rylan Bultema notched the first goal of the season on a power play 9:35 into the game clanging a shot off"the cross bar from a step inside of the blue line straight out from the net. Caledonia had eight differ­ ent players score its eight goals. “It is fantastic. This is a good group of kids. They work hard for each other. I am excited. I am excited for what’s to come,” Fighting Scot head Caledonia senior Aidan Wilson rips a shot for a goal during the first period of his team’s 8-0 win over East Kentwood at Kentwood Ice Arena Wednesday evening. (Photo by Brett Bremer) coach Jeremy Bultema. “They’ve been doing sys­ tems work. They have really been putting the time in and it is paying off. They are going to where they need to be. They’re creating offense offof turnovers. They’re putting hard work into our systems.” The Fight Scots upped their lead to 3-0 by the end of the first period with the Falcons rarely possessing die puck on the Scots’ side ofcenter ice. McNabnay and sophomore defender Austin Osbom assist­ ed on Bultema’s goal, and the Scots would finish the night a perfect 2-for-2 on the power play. Caledonia scored two times in the final minute and a half of the first period, both even­ strength goals. Senior forward Aidan Wilson drilled a shot by Hammonds and offthe iron at the 15:23 mark of the first period to make it 2-0. It was the junior forward Simon who tallied the Fighting Scots’ third goal ofthe period at the 16:07 mark. Hammonds denied one chance as Simon streaked in from the right boards, but Simon collected the puck for a wrap-around attempt that was eventually poked across the line. Simon, Wilson and senior forward Andrew Sova each finished with a goal and an assist. Caledonia added four more goals in the second period. Sophomore forward Ty Lewandowski and Summerhays scored in the first six and a half minutes with Wilson notching an assist on Summerhays’ goal. Esch scored on the power play 10:30 into the second period with an assist from junior center Tony Kauflman. Freshman forward Drew Nichols made it 7-0 two and a halfminutes before the end of the second period with a goal assisted by Simon and Sova. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Fighting Scot sophomore forward Rylan Bultema (right) celebrates scoring the first goal of the 2023-24 varsity hockey season for Caledonia with teammate Lucas McNabnay Wednesday at Kentwood Ice Arena. The Fighting Scots went on to an 8-0 win over East Kentwood. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Fighting Scot senior defender Griffin Wolverton (left) works to try and get the puck off the stuck of East Kentwood’s Brennan Zevalking (21) during the second period of the Scots’ season opener against the Falcons Wednesday at Kentwood Ice Arena. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Sova finished off the scor­ ing, and the game, taking a Falcon turnover and rushing in for a short-handed goal 1:48 into the third period. “Our depth is really good this year,” coach Bultema said. “It is the hard work that these kids put in during the offsea­ son. They played all in the offseason andjust got better.” Christmas in Caledonia December 2nd Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 Summerhays is really excit­ ed for this season to be getting underway. “We’re going all the way,” Summerhays said. “You can see it. We’re already best friends two weeks in. We have people coming from every­ where. We’re already bonded. We’re going all the way. This is our year.” festivities start at 4pm Join family, friends & neighbors for an evening of celebration on Main Sfreef in flic... 6 Selfies with Santa d Parade starting at 6pm © Annual Tree Lighting (68 d Food Trucks 6 Kids Games & Activities While all the goal-scoring was great, a big hit by McNabnay that knocked the helmet off a Falcon player along the boards was one of the highlights of the night according to Summerhays. “That hit, that was some­ thing else, that helmet coming off and everyone going crazy. All the boys just cheering, all of the sticks clapping against the boards. This is heaven for me man. This is heaven for all ofus,” Summerhays said. Caledonia won both match­ ups with the Falcons a year ago, shutting the Falcons out in both match-ups last year too. The two teams both call the Kentwood Ice Arena home and coach Bultema is a former Falcon player. The Caledonia co-op program has now won five in a row in the regular sea­ son against the Falcons dating back to the 2018-19 season. The East Kentwood boys fall to 0-2 in the OK Conference Fischer Division with the loss and 0-2 overall. The Fighting Scots return to action Wednesday at Sparta and then will host the Spartans Saturday afternoon back at Kentwood Ice Arena. �The Sun and News, Saturday, November 25,2023/ Page 11 Vikings score a dozen medals at DI Swim Finals Brett Bremer Sports Editor Primary on the list ofgoals for the season wasjust getting a win. One win. The Vikings managed that in October and then beat a pair of OK Red Conference foes at the conference cham­ pionship meet to open November. They beat a lot more than two teams at the state finals this weekend. The Caledonia/Lowell/ South Christian varsity girls’ swimming and diving team placed 22nd at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals Saturday inside Eastern Michigan University’s Michael H. Jones Natatorium. In all, the Vikings were handed 12 state medals on the final day of the finals thanks to two top-16 relay finishes and individual medal-win­ ning swims by sophomore Sophie Gaylord and junior Bella Treib. Gaylord earned all-state honors in the 50-yard freestyle thanks to a sev­ enth-place finish in the event. She had a time of 23.96 sec­ onds in the finals Saturday. “You have to focus on so much detail on it,” Gaylord said of the 50 free being her favorite race. “You need to swim perfectly every time if you want to cut time. I really think it is a really technical race. I like it a lot, just getting up and going and seeing what you can do. “I was really trying to work on my start, and I think I can still get some more power in my start. I think that is some­ thing I could work on more, my reaction time and getting more power off the blocks, but I thought my underwaters went really well today.” Treib, the only returning state qualifier for the Vikings this fall, placed 16th in that event in 24.86. Gaylord was also 15th in the 1 OO-yard but­ terfly and Treib 14th in the 1 OO-yard freestyle. That duo teamed with freshman Mya VanderZwaag and sophomore Aliya Van Hoiwegen to open the meet with a 15th-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay. Junior Izzy Leason, VanderZwaag, Van Hofwegen and Gaylord also placed 16th in the 200yard freestyle relay. “I think with the new schools that came in, because like two new schools bumped up to DI, I think the competi­ tion got heavier,” Treib said. “It definitely helped to be here [before] because it is a big meet. “Seeing how it works with so many people and where the breaks are and stuff [is help­ ful],” she added. “Everyone is so fun. I like big meets because I like how the energy is. I like everybody here.” She said her swims weren’t her finest, and the CLS girls as a whole were a little off a PR pace in part due to a wonky week leading up to the finals. The CLS girls had to spend a couple days of their taper period in the pool at East Kentwood practicing Monday and Tuesday as their home pool at the Mary Free Bed YMCA in Grand Rapids was drained, repaired and refilled. They were back in the water Tuesday - but it was a teeth-chattering and mus­ cle-shaking experience in water barely over 70-degrees which is a tad colder than ideal. The Vikings then spent time during Wednesday’s practice in the hot tub trying to work out some muscle kinks. Treib said the water in Ypsilanti was about ideal. While they weren’t her best swims ever, Treib was happy to cut about two seconds from her finals time in the 100 yard freestyle from the 2022 Finals where she didn’t make it out ofthe prelim’s. Treib said she aspires to be like her sophomore teammate Gaylord someday. She was able to share some ofher pre­ vious finals experience with the Viking teammates. “[Treib said] to just have fun, because if you’re in a bad mindset, because then you’re not going to perform your best, and try your hardest, because you don’t know when you swim next year ifyou’ll be back for this event,” Gaylord said. Gaylord shared the sev­ enth-place step on the medal stand with Grand Haven junior Claudia Busse as they both touched the wall in 23.96 at the end ofthe 50-yard free­ style. Gaylord had a time of Grand Rapids Gator junior Abigail Dumond, Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian 23.91 in the prelim’s, which junior Elise Miller, and Gator freshman Lydia Slagel hang out poolside inside had her in seventh place at Eastern Michigan University’s Michael H. Jones Natatorium during the MHSAA that point too. Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals Friday. Dumond “I was really hoping to go and Miller reached the semifinal round of the diving competition before bowing to state’s [coming into the out, while Slagel came up just short of earning a spot in the semi’s. year,]” Gaylord said. “I am really surprised that I made it back for the 100 fly. 1 am sur­ prised.” While her freestyle races were great, it was the butter­ fly race that really took some work Gaylord said. She had to up her strength training for her upper body and it wasn’t until late in the season that she earned her state cut in the race. CLS had a pair of other strong state finals perfor­ mances that landed a little shy of the medal stand. Junior diver Elise Miller made it into Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian sophomore Aliya Van Hofwegen swims the Friday’s semifinals before butterfly leg of the 200-yard medley relay at athe start of the MHSAA Lower finishing 18th overall, only Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals at Eastern Michigan about three points back ofthe University Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) last of the 16 finalists who advanced to Saturday. CLS head coach Amber veiy good all-around race for 50-split in her 100 fly. Just VanderZwaag bested a couple Pearson was really pleased her. Mya’s breaststroke was knowing that is there if we girls who had better previous with all her girls. georgous. Sophie’s butterfly can work on developing, I times than her in the 100-yard “[Treib’s] 100 free today, makes it look easy. We have really anticipate the team breaststroke and matched her she went out exactly like that this solid team, and Aliya Van doing big things next year.” own 27th-place seeding in the 52.92 [from earlier this sea­ Hofwegen in that medley A pair of Grand Rapids prelim’s ofthat event Friday. son] and just that second 50 [relay], I think her 50-split “Mya’s 100-breast was hurt, but it was still a very, was right on with Sophie’s See FINALS, page 12 amazing,” Gaylord said. “Her technique was so VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE good and she looked power­ COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN ful. Her tempo was amazing. Her breaststroke is just really gorgeous to watch.” NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECTS THEREOF ‘tfOLQ'DAY YUMWfy'RY Wf/LL'K Saturday, December 9th • 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Please join us once again for our 4th Annual Holiday Luminary walk! Come enjoy a walk down the Caledonia Trail, located near the Community Green Park and the Caledonia Library. The trail will again be lit with over 1000 luminaries. Grab a donut and a cup ofhot chocolate at the Pavilion, then visit Santa at the Amphitheater before you start your walk. The Dickens Carolers will again be joining us. We will have a Toys for Tots box ifyou would like to donate an unwrapped toy. In case ofinclement weather, the walk will be moved to December 10th at the same time. Any questions, feel free to contact the Caledonia Township office. 616-891-0070 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Village Council of the Village of Middleville (the “Village”) adopted Village Ordinance No. 2134 (the “Ordinance”) on November 14, 2023. The principal provisions ofthe Ordinance are summarized as follows: Section 1 of the Ordinance amends Section 2-161 of Division 4 of Article III of Chapter 2 of the Village’s Code of Ordinances (the “Code”) regarding the amount of the village president’s compensation. Section 2 of the Ordinance amends Section 2-162 of Division 4 of Article III of Chapter 2 of the Village Code regarding the amount of each village trustee’s compensation. Section 3 of the Ordinance provides for the severability of the Ordinance in the event a portion of the Ordinance is determined to be unenforceable. Section 4 of the Ordinance provides for the publication of the Ordinance. Section 5 of the Ordinance provides for the effective date of the Ordinance. Village Ordinance No. 2134 will become effective on January 1, 2024. A copy of the foregoing Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2134, may be examined or purchased at the Village offices, 100 East Main Street, within the Village, during Village office hours. Dated: November 14, 2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE �Pag* 12/The Sun and Nawa, Saftwttey, Novambar 25, 2023 FINALS, continued from page 11 Caledonia/Lowell/South Christian sophomore Sophie Gaylord checks the clock at the conclusion of the 50-yard freestyle Saturday at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals at Eastern Michigan University. Gaylord earned all-state honors in the race with a seventh-place fin­ ish. (Photo by Brett Bremer) CLS junior Bella Treib leads off the 200-yard medley relay for the Vikings to open the final day of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals at Eastern Michigan University Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) about dozen other divers took Champion, finished in 22nd turns after her. Verwys dove her way into Kelloggjoined their Hastings place at the end of Friday’s Community Diving Club preliminary round. The top 20 the finals in the semi’s jump­ partner Miller in the state in the prelim’s earned spots in ing Miller, Dumond and two finals’ diving competition, the semifinals. Dumond was others in the standings with junior Abigail Dumond and in 18th place heading into the her three dives. Miller closed freshman Lydia Slagel. The semifinals. the semifinals with a score of Gator divers didn’t quite have Dumond completed her 227.35. Verwys came in at the finish they were hoping eight dives with a score of 230.40. In between the pair, for on the big stage. 222.40 points after a five-dive West Bloomfieldjunior Jamie Dumond, in her second preliminary total of 150.85. Vincent had a score of228.00 appearance in the state finals, Slagel had a score of 145.35 to finish in 17th. finished the semifinal round through her first five dives. Novi senior Lorelai Friday in 20th place. The top Miller, in just her second Maisano and Oxford senior 16 divers through the semifi­ year of diving, finished just Ellie Seiter were 1-2 in the nals guaranteed themselves over three points behind standings at the end of the state medals and a spot in Rockford senior Lucy Verwys prelim’s, the semifinals and Saturday afternoon’s final who was the last of the 16 the finals. Maisano won the round of competition. She finalists. Miller was ranked diving state championship was four points better than 22n^ heading into the finals with an 11-dive score of she was at the finals as a and climbed a handful of 417.60. Seiter was second sophomore. spots and had a fun run Friday with a total score of 413.45 Slagel, this season’s OK with her name at the top of and her junior teammate Rainbow Tier II Conference the scoreboard while about Tristan Krajcarski was third Gatorsffrom Thomapple with a score of 392.05. Jenison junior Sophia Clack, who won the DI regional at East Kentwood High School where Dumond, Slagel and Miller qualified for the state finals, placed fourth with an overall score of388.40. Also finishing on the state medal stand from that diving regional were Grandville senior Olivia Kutsche (fifth), Rockford junior Emma Schutich (seventh), Verwys (13th) and Zeeland senior Emmerson Meyering (16th). The Ann Arbor Pioneer girls won their fourth consec­ utive MHSAA L.P. Division 1 State Championship by more than 60 points over the run­ ner-up Grand Haven girls. Pioneer won the title with 301 points ahead of Grand Haven 237.5, Jenison 228.50, Saline 171,Canton 143; 50, Rockford 123, Northville 119, Forest Hills Northem/Easterh 117, Milford 97.50 and Zeeland 96 in the top ten. The OK Red Conference had those three teams (Grand Haven, Jenison and Rockford) in the top ten and not far back was West Ottawa in 11th place with 86.50 points and the CLS Vikings in 22nd place with 23.50 points. The Grandville girls were 25th with 14 points. “I went into this season hoping for one win,” Pearson said. “One. A singular team win. That was all I was hop­ ing, and expecting and fight­ ing for. One ofmy big things I wanted to push was just consistency for the girls, having something they can come back to that is normal that is not every single sea­ son we’re shifting we’re hav­ ing something totally differ­ ent. “I did a lot of research when I got the head coaching job and I yvas like let’s find two meets we can be compet­ itive in and let’s get them one win. Eveiything else on top of that is just a bonus, just a cherry oi^ top.” CLS teammates (clockwise from bottom right) Izzy Leason, Mya VanderZwaag, Sophie Gaylord and Aliya Van Hofwegen smile from the medal stand after a 16th-place swim in the finals of the 200-yard freestyle relay Saturday at EMU. (Photo by Brett Bremer) LOOK FORYOUR Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser Help us support veterans and community functions. Saturday, December 2, 2023 and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. directory IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER E#gs,, bacon,, sausage links or patties,, potatoes,, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. * Menu subject to change Adults $13.00 • Children 10 S under$5.00 For more information call the Post at 616-891-1882 coffee 1 _ Donated by Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 Middleville Rotary Club 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, MI LUNCH M-TH 11 AM-8 PM: FRI 11 AM-2PM • FRI BUILD A BURGER 4-8 PM Local Governments / � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-12-02.pdf b4012ad83c40ea2f53c9dd8bc74a98e8 PDF Text Text No. 48/ December 2, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49 First Christmas on the Corridor event a success, organizers say Greg Chandler StaffWriter Organizers of the first-ev­ er Christmas on the Corridor event in Yankee Springs Township are calling the cel­ ebration a success. More than 1,500 people turned out on Black Friday at Chief Noonday Car Park on M-179 to watch the lighting of a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, enjoy food from local food trucks, watch Santa drive an antique car, listen to Christmas music by the band Nashville 5, and just enjoy the start of the holi­ day season. One older woman who attended the event said “it feels just like a Hallmark movie.”. “We had the tree-lighting at 6 p.m., and there were peo­ ple still there at 8:30, 9 o’clock, just hanging out by the fire,” said ChiefNoonday Car Park co-owner Terry Cole, who was one of the main organizers of Christmas on the Corridor. “It was a good, wholesome, family fun time.” It’s the first event of its kind that’s been held along the M-179 corridor, and Cole and other organizers are now turning their attention to put- Freeport woman hones her skills in the sport of falconry Hunter McLaren Staff Writer When asked what people might not know about her, Freeport resident Angel Green is the first to admit she has a fairly unusual lifestyle. “I’m just kind of far from normal,” Green said. Bom in the state ofAlaska, Green has spent time all over the U.S. thanks to her mom being in the Air Force. Her father was local to the Elsie area, so she’s been familiar with Michigan. After spending time in Mississippi, Colorado and several stops in Michigan, Green and her partner decided to establish their homestead in Freeport. In her professional life, Green works as a massage therapist. At home, she explores her interest in ani­ mals. Alongside livestock like chickens and goats, Green lives with dogs, cats, snakes, lizards and spiders. One partic­ ularly interesting companion lives outside — a female red­ tailed hawk named Murphy. Santa Claus tools around the Chief Noonday Car Park in a 1914 Ford Model T, Murphy lives in a mews, a owned by David Blossom, at the Christmas on the Corridor celebration on Black special type ofbirdhouse built Friday. (Photo by Cheryl Cook Johnson) ting together another event next year. “Monday, we’re going to sit down and have our (wrapup) meeting (for this year), and our start-up meeting for 145th year specifically for birds of prey. Although she’s been interested in falconry her whole life, Green said she’s only recently taken her first steps as an apprentice falconer in September. ‘Talconry is one ofthe old­ est sports known to mankind, it’s about 4,000 years old. It was originally used to actually provide food for people during the winter months, when it’s obviously kind ofhard to find good food, but the raptors all have an easy time. Now, it’s just done for people who really want to interact with these rap­ tors.” Because raptors like Murphy are federally protected animals, there are some steps required before one can become a falconer. To receive her license, Green underwent several rounds ofwritten tests to demonstrate her knowledge ofraptor species, biology and care as well as rules and regu­ lations. Once she passed those, Green was sponsored and trained by an experienced fal- See FALCONRY, page 2 next year,” Cole said. See additional photos on page 2 Cal schools seek internal candidates for superintendent job Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Caledonia Community Schools will start their search for a new superintendent by looking within the district for qualified candidates. At a special meeting Tuesday night, the district’s Board of Education voted 6-1 to start the search with an internal posting of the super­ intendent’s job opening. “The board decided to begin the search for a new Dirk Weeldreyer superintendent from within our own pool of dedicated educators,” Board President Marcy White said. “This will provide qualified candidates from within the district, who understand our unique needs and values, the opportunity to apply for the position first.” Dirk Weeldreyer has served as interim superinten­ dent at CCS since July 1 and is scheduled to continue in that capacity through the end of June 2024. The school board appointed Weeldreyer to the position after the resig­ nation of former Superintendent Dedrick Martin, who resigned to accept the superintendent’s job at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA). The three senior members of the school board - White, Vice President Brittany Barber Garcia and Tim Morris - met recently to dis­ cuss various options of what the search process would look like. They agreed that the criteria for choosing a new superintendent won’t be much different from the pre­ vious search process in 2018 that led to Martin’s hiring. “We’re still looking for somebody that does have proven successful superin­ tendent experience or has served in a large district or for a period of time as an assistant-type role within the central office staff,” White told her board colleagues during Tuesday’s meeting. Board Treasurer Jason Saidoo expressed concerns about starting with an inter­ nal search. “I’d rather have all of the information possible, which is internal and external can­ didates, to see what the whole pool might look like, rather than start with inter­ nal,” Saidoo said. “Maybe education is a bit different, but in the public sector, I Freeport resident Angel Green seen here with her know I’ve been through red-tailed hawk Murphy. (Photo provided) cases when there are high­ er-level postings - manage­ ment, director, etc. - and internal people then apply, and don’t get (hired), right • Middleville council eases back on now, they’re essentially utility rate hikes after outcry (thinking), ‘I tried for this position, and somebody else • Holiday luminary walk scheduled in is going to be my boss;’ and Caledonia they leave because there’s a • Cal schools picks new vendor for bad taste (in their mouths).” Saidoo was the lone no transportation technology vote on the motion. • Barry County creates fund for In supporting moving construction of new jail ahead with the internal search, Morris spoke ofhis past expe­ • TK winter sports preview rience with the hiring process, See SUPERINTENDENT, page 3 �FALCONRY, continued from page 1 coner for two years. Once she had learned the ropes and built a mews, Green was able to work with Murphy. Together, Green and Murphy go hunting. Green finds good hunting grounds for her bird, where Green will work to kick up prey, like rab­ bits, for Murphy to take down. After a successful hunt, Green trades Murphy a yummy piece of venison for her prey. The prey then goes into Green’s freezer, where she can save it for days when their hunts aren’t so successfill or for the summer when the rabbit hunt­ ing season ends. It’s all part of a delicate balance, ensuring Murphy gets the right amount ofnutrition and activity. “In practice, weight management is basically trying to find that perfect weight where they’re hungry enough to be interested in working for their food, but not so hungry, obvi­ ously, that it’s bad for them,” Green said. “If they’re too heavy, it’s like ifyou get done eating Thanksgiving dinner and I say, ‘Hey, go make a sandwich.’ You’re going to tell me to kick rocks.” A falconer’s relationship to their bird is a unique one unlike any other, Green said. The two are equals, working as a pair to hunt together. “With falconry, youjust get to be a part ofthat bird’s life. It’s not a pet. It’s not like I own her,” Green said. “I just have shown her that if she’s with me, and she allows me to participate, then she gets more food a lot more easily than she would havejust on her own.” So far, Green said the expe­ rience has been amazing. Working with Murphy has been similar to working with other animals, but there have been some big learning curves, too. Like any other animal, each raptor is unique and has its own personality quirks. Falconry, being a very old sport steeped in tradition, has some well-established techniques and practices. Green said it’s been interesting work­ ing with Murphy and finding out what specifically will work for her. “Every single bird is differ­ ent, they’re just like people. I’ve noticed that with this one, some ofthe techniques that are considered ‘correct’ weren’t working for her and I had to do something different,” Green said. “It was just a matter of communicating on their level, finding out how they under­ stand, instead ofjust going, ‘Oh, I’m going to keep doing it the way that everyone else has always done it until you get it’” Although she’s just starting as a falconer, Green hopes to continue working with Murphy and eventually work with other birds. Apprentices are required to work with red-tailed hawks or kestrels, but Green is interested in working with a Harris’s Hawk next. Eventually, she’d like to work with owls. There are many, many species falcon­ ers can work with, each with a unique hunting style. The longwing birds traditionally used in the sport take a very different approach from birds like Murphy. “It’s a very different style of hunting. With Murphy, we’re out in the field. I can see her at all times, she’s sitting in a tree. I’ll move up, she’ll fly up to the next tree and wait for me. She’s just watching for me to flush that rabbit,” Green said. “With the longwing birds, they’re sometimes soaring so high that you can’t even see them. Then you kick some­ thing up and it’s awesome — this bullet comes flying out of the sky and nails it.” The falconry community, with its long-standing tradi­ tions and high bar for entry, has its fair share of gatekeep­ ers, Green said. While not everyone is fit to be a falconer because of the high level of care required by the birds, Green said anyone who feels passionately about the birds and the sport is welcome to try. Although some might see the hobby as elitist, Green said the newest generation of fal­ coners hopes to dispel that perception. “We don’t want just any­ body to be a falconer, only because the safety and well-be­ ing ofthe bird is paramount,” Green said. “Ifyou’re not the kind ofperson that’s going to put the bird first, then we don’t The band Nashville 5 provided holiday music for the Christmas on the Corridor want you in the sport. But we definitely want everybody to celebration. (Photo by Deb Mousseau) be as passionate about it as we are.” Green hopes to share her passion with those who are outside of the sport, as well. In addition to hunting on public land, Green has had some luck getting permission to hunt on private property, too. Not only do farmer’s fields work as a great hunting ground for Murphy, but it also creates an educational opportunity. Green knows what it’s like to lose livestock to predators, having lost several chickens to foxes and some wild birds of prey — she even once had to save one ofher chickens after Murphy had snagged it. It’s something she doesn’t hold against predators (or Murphy), Chief Noonday Car Park was all lit up for the first Christmas on the Corridor she said, as they are just natu­ ral predators doing what they celebration. (Photo by Mike Cunningham) are meant to do. Although it can be frustrating losing live­ stock, it’s herjob to ensure her animals are protected. She hopes others can come to the same understanding, and come to respect wild predators for their role in nature. “Those (predator) animals are supposed to be out there. It’s my job to protect my live­ stock, and ifI fail that’s on me. Greg Chandler his first year as manager - a Richard Hamilton said. It’s not on the predators,” StaffWriter $250,000 Michigan Trustee Makenzi Peters Green said. “We’re just trying The Middleville Village Department of Transportation praised Stolsonburg for doing to change people’s minds a lit­ Council Tuesday approved a Category B grant which will “an excellent job of research­ tle bit about how they view pay raise for Village Manager be used toward next year’s ing items, making sure we’re native predators. I think falcon- Craig Stolsonburg, based on reconstruction of High Street, well (informed),” but suggest­ ry is a good way to do that. an evaluation of his perfor­ and a $165,000 drinking water ed improvement in communi­ Walking around, seeing an mance during his first year on assessment grant from the cations in addressing questions amazing bird, they’re not going the job. Michigan Department of that are brought up by council to be like, ‘Oh, I hate that The council voted 6-0 to Environment, Great Lakes and members. thing.’ No, they’re going to increase Stolsonburg’s salary Energy to be used to locate Stolsonburg started his ten­ want to come and talk about it, from $93,956 to $98,231. and identify water lead service ure with the village at a salary look at it and be awe-inspired.” Stolsonburg, who took over lines in the village. of $78,000 and then received a as village manager on Nov. 1, “For someone in their first raise to $79,560 after a 90-day 2022, received an average year in this role, to bring in performance review. He then score of 4.11 on a 5-point $415,000 to our taxpayer base, received a significant pay scale in the evaluation from I think that’s an amazingjob,” boost in May after the Village Village Council members. Cramer said. “It’s money we Council adopted a step salary “Thank you for your dili­ don’t have to charge in (local system for all village employ­ gence, thank you for coming property) taxes, and I hope ees that had been recommend­ in and filling a role when we that streak continues. Sixty-six ed by Colorado-based consul­ needed it and keep up the good percent on grants is pretty tant Municipal Consulting work,” Village President Mike good, in my opinion.” Services. MCS had conducted Cramer said. The one grant Stolsonburg a study of employee salaries, Cramer praised Stolsonburg applied for and did not receive comparing Middleville with for securing two of the three was a Michigan Natural similar jobs in 13 similar-size grants he applied for during Resources Trust Fund grant to communities, primarily in replace two bridges on the West Michigan. Paul Henry Thomapple Trail Stolsonburg’s new salary just south of Village Hall. ranks slightly higher than the “I wanted 100 percent,” village manager in Sparta in Stolsonburg said. Kent County ($95,000), which There were suggestions by has a population of4,244 com­ council members on how pared to Middleville’s 4,485, Stolsonburg can improve his and the city manager in Saturday, December 9th • 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm performance. Wayland in Allegan County Pleasejoin us once again for our 4th Annual Holiday Luminary walk! “I’d like you to be more ($94,750), which has a popu­ Come enjoy a walk down the Caledonia Trail, located near the Community Green Park and the Caledonia Library. assertive, be convinced of lation of 4,435. But it’s lower The trail will again be lit with over 1000 luminaries. Grab a donut and a cup ofhot chocolate at the Pavilion, then visit Santa at the Amphitheater before you start your walk. what you’re saying what you than the rity managers in The Dickens Carolers will again be joining us. Middleville Village really want to say... The other Allegan (population 5,222, We will have a Toys for Tots box ifyou would like to donate an unwrapped toy. Manager Craig Stolsonburg thing is to consider an open salary $107,154) and Lowell In case ofinclement weather, the walk will be moved to December 10th at the same time. Any questions, feel free outlines the proposed 2024 door time where anybody (population 4,142, salary to contact the Caledonia Township office. 616-891-0070 village budget to council liOiu uic public Coil COiiic ill $1111,000), according to the TbW'l/S'rfl'P 4tfi A^rfUAT OfO-YWAY LVAW'JSA'RY W?LL‘K Middleville council OKs village manager pay raise after performance review �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 3 Middleville council eases back on utility rate hikes after resident objections Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council is scaling back on rate increases to pay for capital improvements to its water and sewer service in the wake of objections from some resi­ dents. The council Tuesday, on a 6-0 vote, decided to fund 25 percent of water and sewer capital improvements next year, and directed Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg to put together a new chart that would detail how much of a rate increase would be needed to pay for that investment. The decision came two weeks after the council had initially agreed to pay for 75 percent of capital improvements in water and sewer next year. That would have resulted in a 43.8 percent increase in combined utility rates for a typical residential household that uses 15,000 gallons of water per quarter, from $179.10 to $257.60 every three months. The rate hike would have covered increases in fixed readiness-to-serve charges as well as rates based on usage. Six residents raised their objections to the rate increase during a public hearing on next year’s village budget. Billie Blackwood, who lives on Cardinal Court, ripped the initial rate increase proposal as “unjust” “The water is subpar, to start with,” Blackwood said. “The sewer system — as a homeowner, I have to have a snake to clean the sewer out once a month. I have to soften my own water, so the rate increase that you guys want I already pay it in salt water, and treat my own water, because the water is subpar. Iff don’t then I’ve gotta replace all my faucets, all my stems in the shower valves and everything, once every two months.” Randall Bass, who has lived in the village since 1987, said he uses about 20,000 gallons of water every quarter and would have been paying about $100 more per quarter in water and sewer under the original 75 percent investment proposal. “We’re going to pay the maximum - for what reason?” Bass asked. “That’s what I want to know. Can anybody here afford the extra (costs)... for water (and) sewer? When I first moved into this community, it was $45 a quarter.” Council Trustee Makenzi Peters, who opposed the 75 percent investment at the Nov. 14 meeting, agreed with the residents’ concerns. “I think the 75 percent investment is too high, especially with the economy the way it is now/’ Peters said. “Speaking with staff after that meeting, I was told the 25 percent (investment) was adequate, even though we may need to increase (it) down the road.” “I think listening to our staff is the best bet, listening to our citizens is the best bet. The economy’s hurting everyone right now. Scaring them out of their homes with higher rates is not going to solve our prob­ lem,” Peters added. Village President Mike Cramer spoke about the need for the village to invest in its infrastructure. He said the vil­ lage was presented a similar rate proposal in 2018 and chose not to accept it. “Had we jumped our rates in 2018 and made that invest­ ment then, we probably wouldn’t need to be looking at this right now. But we didn’t,” Cramer said. “We kicked it down the road because we didn’t want to make the populace unhappy. You’re our neighbors. We live here. We have to hear it.” Cramer added that it will cost about $1.3 million to replace water lead service lines in the village, and the cost will only increase if the replacement is delayed. “Contractors get more expensive, they become less available, the equipment gets more expensive, the materials get more expensive,” Cramer said. “The longer we wait to buy this and move forward with this, the more it’s going to cost us (in the future). The lead service lines must be replaced by 2040, Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson said at the Nov. 14 council meeting. Council Trustee Robert Bishop expressed concern about reducing the investment level, but eventually went with the 25 percent investment “I’ve lived in this village showed that a typical residen­ tial household that used 15,000 gallons in a quarter would see their combined water and sewer rates increase from $179.10 to $209.91. Under Middleville’s capital improvement plan, the village is expected to spend $500,000 next year on new well con- way, and then follow the pro­ cess and let it play out that way,” she said. The application process officially opened on Thursday. The district has set a deadline of noon next Friday, Dec. 8 for internal candidates to submit their applications. The board will then review all of the candi­ dates’ application materials at its regular meeting the following Monday, Dec. 11, after which it will make a decision on next steps, Assistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury said. The state grant funding then led the Village Council Nov. 14 to switch its ARPA funding to covering the cost ofsecurity cameras at the Village Hall, the DPW building and other village-owned sites. Bass questioned the necessity of the lead service replacement proj­ ect, saying the village’s lead levels are far below federal safe drinking water standards. actors get more expensive, they become C Belson agreed, saying the vil­ less available, the equipment gets more expensive, lage has had six periods of testing over the past four years the materials get more expensive. The longer we on water quality. wait to buy this and move forward with this, the “All ofour levels have been more it’s going to cost us (in the future).” below two parts per billion ... The state doesn’t care. Even — Mike Cramer, though we’re down below (the President, Village ofMiddleville level of what’s considered safe drinking water), we’re still most ofmy life ... and I see a struction, $400,000 for sewer mandated. (We) have to lot of times when the village main lining replacement, replace those lines,” Belson just kicks the can, and they do $350,000 for water main said. “There’s been several it until it’s so expensive that it replacement on High Street, lawsuits brought to the state of can’t be addressed without $80,000 for sewer replace­ Michigan by much larger having to spend a ton of ment on High and $150,000 municipalities than us (to chal­ money,” Bishop said. “If the for lead service location and lenge the state requirements), citizens are okay with it, I’m identification, according to and every lawsuit has lost.” fine with a lower rate.” village documents. The village plans to spend Village President Pro The lead service location $1,246,727 in the new year on Tempore Kevin Smith, who and identification was origi­ sewer projects and $1,093,906 urged council members to nally planned to be covered by on water projects. The vil­ adopt the 75 percent capital funding through the village’s lage’s general fund budget, improvement investment ear- first allocation under the which is most directly impact­ lier this month, was absent American Rescue Plan Act ed by property taxes, will actu­ from Tuesday’s meeting. (ARPA), but the village has ally have less spending next While the updated rate chart since received a drinking year — $2,078,513 in 2024 must still be computed, the 25 water assessment grant from versus $2,369,748 this year. percent capital improvement the Michigan Department of The general fund budget pro­ investment will likely result in Environment, Great Lakes and poses a surplus of $434,871 a utility rate increase of 17 Energy, Village Manager next year, according to village percent. An earlier chart Craig Stolsonburg said. documents. SUPERINTENDENT, continued from page 1 both as a business owner and as a board member hiring a superintendent. “I’ve hired probably 70-80 people in my 10 years as a business owner, and (hiring a superintendent) is one of the most intense, hard experienc­ es (I’ve had),” he said. “I’m sure it made all of us better, but it is intense. If we’re happy with the candidate that comes internally, we can forgo that burden.” Board member Jennifer Nichols suggested the idea of giving Weeldreyer an oppor­ tunity to be considered for the job. Weeldreyer has pre­ vious superintendent experi­ ence with Fennville Public Schools in Allegan County, as well as several interim appointments. “It would be an asset to this board to have a leader who already understands where we are, in the middle of some ofthese big (issues), and not have to divert a bunch of time and energy to an external pool (of candi­ dates),” Nichols said. “I’ve done a bit of hiring myself (as a small business owner), and you can definitely come across some great candi­ dates, but what are the odds we’re going to find someone who checks all those boxes as far as the candidate crite­ ria, and then also interpersonally is going to mesh well with not only this board but our (administration) and the staff we value so greatly.” White said as an existing internal staff member, Weeldreyer can certainly apply for the job if he so desires. “I think it would be best served if we take a vote on the motion and follow it that Holiday luminary walk set in Caledonia Twp. Greg Chandler Staff Writer Caledonia Township will hold its fourth annual holi­ day luminary walk next Saturday night. The walk will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. along the Caledonia Trail, near the Community Green Park and the Kent District Library Caledonia branch. The trail will be lit with more than 1,000 luminar­ ies. Donuts and hot choco­ late will be served at the Community Green pavil­ ion, and Santa Claus will welcome walkers at the amphitheater prior to the walk. The Dickens Carolers will provide holi­ day music. A Toys for Tots box will be made available for any­ one wishing to bring an unwrapped toy for the walk­ in case of inclement weather, the walk will be rescheduled for the follow­ ing night, Dec. 10. For more information on the luminary walk, call the Caledonia Township offic­ es at 616-891-0070. “The board acknowledges the profound impact that the selection of a new superin­ tendent has on the entire community and is committed to maintaining a fair and transparent process through­ out the search for our next leader,” White said. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023 Christmas on the River coming to Middleville Dolores Sylvia VanderMark — Dolores Sylvia VanderMark, age 93, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hany VanderMark; daughter, Linda Dawn Chufar; and sister, Matjorie Kalstine. Dolores is survived by her daughter, Darlene G. VanderMark; several nieces and nephews including her special niece, Bonnie VanderMark. Dolores loved to sing in church choirs, was part ofthe Mel Trotter Choir and Metropolitan Choir ofPraise. She played hand bells with the Salvation Army, worked as a reception hostess at Big Boy, and decorated houses built by her husband. She valued family most of all, raising two beautiful daughters and being a lov­ ing wife. Interment Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. This Middleville home owned by Nate and Tabitha Freeman won the Christmas Lights Decorating Contest during last year’s Christmas on the River event. (Photo provided) Greg Chandler StaffWriter Holiday activities in Middleville take center stage next week as the vil­ lage’s Downtown Development Authority holds its annual Christmas on the River celebration. The festival will be held over two nights — Thursday night being Business Night, where about 20 local busi­ nesses will offer activities for kids, and Saturday night, which will be the tree-lighting ceremony and Christmas parade down­ town. “I’m excited to see it come together,” DDA Director Gretchen James said. Business Night will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, with many ofthe activities taking place at the Sesquicentennial Pavilion. A list of the participating businesses and organiza­ tions that will offer activi­ ties at the pavilion include: — Bradford White Corporation — craft The Grinch joins the Thornapple Township Emergency Services group in singing Christmas car­ ols at the pavilion in downtown Middleville on Dec. 9, 2022 as part of Christmas on the River activities. (Photo by James Gemmell) — Carveth Village - hot cocoa and baked goods — Community West Credit Union - craft and stickers — Lions Club - hot dogs, chips and drinks — Middleville United Methodist Church - coffee and popcorn — Thomapple Valley Church - craft, popcorn and photo booth Another Business Night tradition is Reindeer Night, which will be hosted at the McKeown Kraai Professionals public accounting firm, 500 Edward St. The event, now in its eighth year, will include live reindeer, a hot cocoa bar, gift bags for the kids, and a Christmas camp­ er photo station, said Ashley Lantinga, MKP’s director of culture and relations. There will also be an opportunity for visitors to contribute to Thomapple Kellogg Schools’ Classmates Care program, which provides winter clothing to TK students in need. “People can drop off monetary donations or (clothing) donations,” Lantinga said. A hot dog stand will be set up at Highpoint Community Bank next to MKP, Lantinga said. The Holly Trolley, anoth­ er major part of Business Night, will offer free rides with stops at Thomapple Township and MKP, James said. Other businesses taking part in Business Night include: — GIL Concrete and Balance Counseling - Santa and Mrs. Claus at the pavil­ ion in Stagecoach Park — Thomapple Credit Union - making ornaments — The Hive Mercantile - popcorn, hot cocoa and coffee — Apothecary on Main - a visit from The Grinch and hot cocoa — Kindred - letters to Santa Claus — The Sandbar Airbrush and Tanning - decorating cookies On Saturday night, the Christmas tree near the Sesquicentennial Pavilion will be lit at 5 p.m., to be followed at 6 p.m. by the annual Christmas parade down Main Street, spon­ sored by the Lions Club. Anyone wishing to be part of the parade is asked to line up at Thomapple Valley Church at 5:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to host a float for the parade can send an email to the Lions Club at lionsclubmiddleville@ gmail.com. 4—Caledonia United alasS §8‘rch w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68* Street SE Caledonia. MI 49316 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST sugjee g BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship.. 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: //goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmidclleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY c H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch MIDDLEVILLE: 4APEACE ^CHURCH PEACECHURCH.CC Km Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Sunday School 9:30 AM .10:30 10:30 AM Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto Sunday Worship Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc / Pastorjonathan DeCou Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledoiiia.org 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 am. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. ©CHURCH THORNAPPLE VALLEY MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 5 Cal school board approves student transportation technology package Greg Chandler StaffWriter Starting next fall, parents of students in the Caledonia Community Schools will be able to track where their kids are on bus rides to and from school in real time. The district’s Board of Education recently approved the purchase of Tyler Technologies’ TRAVERSA student trans­ portation software and GPS hardware package that includes an advanced bus routing system, fleet main­ tenance scheduling, field trip planning, and an app known as My Ride K-12 Q MMJbtJMHThuFH Tyler Middle PM 1 Zebra Run CJ shakerroao Jake Henry Shaker High AM g SA Whale Run A look at the interface for the My Ride K-12 app. Parents in the Caledonia Community Schools district will be able to download the app and track the loca­ tion of their child’s school bus. (Photo by Tyler Technologies) that parents will be able to download that will track the location of their child’s school bus. The cost for the system is $101,852. The district will use $75,000 of funding through a state grant known as Section 31aa that is offered to schools for enhancing safety and secu­ rity, as well as student men­ tal health, CCS Assistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury said. “We’d be able to use this grant to pay for the hard­ ware portion and the app associated with the first­ time installation of it,” Kingsbury told the school board at its Nov. 20 meet­ ing. The remaining costs for would come out of the district’s general fund, Kingsbury said. TRAVERSA is being used in many school dis­ tricts across West Michigan. CCS Transportation Director Michaellita Fortier used the system in her pre­ vious job as transportation director at Comstock Park Public Schools. The Caledonia district will contract with Tyler Technologies for an initial three-year period for the TRAVERSA package, CCS Executive Director of Operations and Transportation Matt Hess said. The cost breakdown for the TRAVERSA package is $45,958 for software licens­ ing fees, as well as fees associated with the My Ride K-12 app; $35,304 for one-time purchase, pro­ gramming and installation of the TRAVERSA soft­ ware; and $20,590 for one­ time GPS hardware and installation costs associated with the My Ride K-12 app, according to a memo from district officials to the school board. The TRAVERSA system will replace the current PolyPlot routing system that has been used to create bus routes in the Caledonia district. The creator of PolyPlot, Oakland Intermediate School District in metropolitan Detroit, is no longer going to service the system, Kingsbury told the school board in October. OPINION: Lansing steals local control with new“green” energy laws You may have read about it. On the thinnest of majori­ ties, Democrats ramrodded so-called “green” energy laws (House Bills 5120-5121 and Senate Bills 271, 273, 502, and 519) through the legislature. The laws are a complete con — they’re billed as saving the environment and merely substituting one type of energy source for another. In reality, these laws irresponsibly incentivize energy sources which wreck the environment in other parts of the globe, not to mention gobbling up useful farmland across our state. Just as bad, the new laws also centralize all decision making on the implementa­ tion of these energy sources in Lansing by unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats, rather than leaving the deci­ sion to local communities and the free market. Advocates of these laws lie to the public and claim that local communities still have “some say” in whether wind­ mills and solar farms will demolish generational family farms. The truth is that unelected bureaucrats can override any local decision to prevent this. The new laws give Michigan Public Service Commission the sole authority to permit large solar and wind construction. The three-member unelected board is appointed by the governor, and the governor is publicly supporting a plan to add thousands of square miles of new wind and solar farms in rural communities like Allegan, Barry, Ottawa and Eaton counties. These bills force Michigan to close existing power plants and build out expensive and experimental technologies to replace them. Solar and wind energy are often referred to as “alter­ nate” energy sources. And it’s true, they are an alterna­ tive — to energy sources that are cost-effective and reli­ able means of meeting Michigan’s energy needs; that is, energy that is afford­ able and works. Democrats in Lansing apparently don’t realize that when the sun doesn’t shine - some may recognize this as a daily phe­ nomenon - solar panels don’t absorb energy. Similarly, when the wind doesn’t blow, windmills don’t turn. This is no laughing matter, though. This latter event caused a major energy crisis in Texas three years ago that left 10 million people without heat (many for several weeks) during a bitterly cold winter; 150 people froze to death. These new laws are not merely irresponsible, they’re reckless and they’re playing with people’s lives. Alternative energy has not advanced enough to replace cheap and efficient energy sources that perform day and night, in good weather and bad. It imposes a heavy cost in public funds and the ener­ gy is not cost-effective. Those increased costs will be passed on to Michigan fami­ lies in the form of higher rates they cannot afford. The bills even go so far as to eliminate existing caps on rate increases, allowing utili­ ty companies to charge unlimited amounts and raise monthly electric bills as much as they want. All of this amounts to a hidden tax upon Michigan families. This, combined with the new energy laws’ centralization of power to an unelected board and the inherent unre­ liability of alternative ener­ gy, will wreck Michigan’s energy sector ultimately leaving us all freezing in the dark. I voted against this insani­ ty because it’s manifestly against the energy and eco­ nomic interests of every Michigan family. I also voted against these laws because they are an obvious power grab by Lansing. Local com­ munities should have the right to determine what’s best for their community. The more we permit unac­ countable unelected bureau­ crats to dictate policy to local communities, the less we resemble a republic, and the more we resemble China. Middleville to negotiate trash contract renewal with Republic Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council has directed Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg to begin negotiations with Republic Services on its next waste hauling contract. The council Tuesday, on a 5-1 vote, passed a motion to have Stolsonburg work with Republic representative Jack Brown on a new fiveyear contract for the com­ pany to continue to pro­ vide trash pickup and recycling services in the village. Republic has been the village’s sole waste hauler since 2014. The village’s current contract with Republic expires in April 2024. “The partnership is meaningful to us, and we would appreciate the dis­ cussion (on) a renewal,” Brown told council mem­ bers. Council Trustee Richard Hamilton supports extend­ ing Republic’s contract. “They are a partner. They take care of the vil- lage. You don’t have a lot of complaints,” Hamilton said. “I remember in the past when Middleville had more than one operator in here. It’s not good. I think we’ve got a quality opera­ tor at a competitive price, and a long-term relation­ ship.” One of the issues to be discussed in the new con­ tract is expected to be recycling - whether the village will ask for a sec­ ond pickup per month. Currently, Republic pro­ vides a monthly recycling service in Middleville. Council Trustee Makenzi Peters was the lone no vote on the motion. She proposed the village take bids from interested companies for the contract, in hopes of getting a better price for the service. “I think it would be worth the time to see what we can get,” Peters said. The new contract with Republic is expected to be presented to the council at its Feb. 6, 2024 committee of the whole meeting. Moda® Collections • Linen Cupboard, Eyelet, Forest & Frolic, Etchings, Honey & Lavender, more • Flannel, Cuddle • Hulst Cleaners Pick-Up Station QUESTIONS: ASK US Rep. Rachelle Smit 218 E. State St., Hastings * Michigan Representative District State 43rd Saturday 9 am-3 pm YOU'RE INVITED! - AT CORNERSTONE - ' 84th St. Campus Service Times: December 23:6PM | December 24:9:30AM, 11:15AM & 1PM Childcare Available for Infants through Young 5’s During All Services Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Christmas ornerstone church Rep. Rachelle Smit 945-9673 OPEN: Monday-Friday 8 am-5:30 pm; M �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023 Middleville council approves rezoning for new zoning districts Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council Tuesday approved the rezoning ofmore than 20 properties on West Main Street and five parcels on State Street to two new zon­ ing categories. The West Main properties are now in a category called “transitional mixed-use” while the properties on State are now zoned as “transition­ al industrial.” The new zoning categories were identified in the last vil­ lage master plan update two years ago. The village approved an ordinance last year creating the districts. “The Planning Commission felt it was time ... to rezone those properties in one big sweep so that any current owners or new owners of those properties would not have to incur the time and cost to rezone these proper­ ties in the future,” Planning Commission Chairman Jason Holzhausen said. “It would increase the allowable uses. Any use that is currently being used in these two districts is still allowed.” The West Main properties had largely been zoned for medium-density residential, but most of them were non­ conforming because the front-yard setbacks didn’t meet the zoning standards, which required front-yard set­ backs of at least 30 feet. Under the new TMU designa­ tion, the front yard setback can be no more than 20 feet. Side-yard setbacks in the TMU will be reduced from seven feet to five feet while the rear-yard setback require­ ment has been cut from 25 feet to 10 feet. The TMU zoning will allow for two-family housing, triplex, quadplex and multi-family housing as a special land use. Coffee shops, art studios and bakeries would also be allowed as a special use. “By rezoning these proper­ ties, we will actually decrease the number ofnonconforming parcels,” Holzhausen said. One of the properties that is now transitional industrial is the Thomapple Valley Church campus at 20 State St., which had been zoned as multi-family residential. Three other properties had been zoned for light industrial and two others for medi­ um-density residential. Village President Mike Cramer thanked Holzhausen and the rest of the Planning Commission for their work on the rezoning. “You look around the com­ munity, and the number of houses that we had that were nonconforming because we made sweeping changes to our zoning ordinance without thinking about the conse­ quences and the impact that it had on the residents - we’re fixing it,” Cramer said. “I want to applaud you for get­ ting that done because it was kind ofa mess.” In a separate action Tuesday, the Village Council approved signage regulations for the two new zoning dis­ tricts. When the council passed the ordinance to estab­ lish transitional mixed-use and transitional industrial zoning in March of last year, it forgot to include ordinance language regulating signage. The signage rules for the transitional mixed-use zone would be similar to existing language in the central busi­ ness district zone, while the rules for transitional industri­ al are similar to that for prop­ erties zoned light industrial, Holzhausen said. TKHS senior qualifies for national fishing tournament For the second time in status by earning points three years, Thomapple throughout the competition Kellogg High School senior year. “I’m constantly learning Dylan Welton has qualified for, and will compete in, the every time I go to different Bassmaster Team National tournaments,” said Welton. He started fishing when he Tournament. He and his grandfather, who is also his was young but only in the teammate, will be heading to past seven years has he Florida this week for the turned to competing in tour­ four-day national competi­ naments. tion. “I love fishing. There are “I’m excited. I really want two main reasons really. One to do well this year,” said is that every time you go out Welton. it’s always a little different. He hopes having the expe­ Things are always changing. rience from two years ago And the second thing is the will help him and his grand­ hunt. I like trying to figure father, Kevin Farris, do much out where the fish are and better this year. what they are eating and how “It was pretty rough two I can catch them,” Welton years ago,” Welton admitted. said. “We placed pretty far back What makes fishing even but I learned a lot about how a little more special for to fish down south. So this Welton is that he gets to do it year I think we’ll do better. with his grandfather. “It’s We’ll be up against the best really nice to go fishing with of the best. If we do well it him,” Welton said. “He’s will give me a lot of confi­ been with me every step. dence for the future.” When we decided to start That future, he hopes, will competing, we pretty much include a lot more fishing just jumped in and went for after high school graduation it. He’s always been there for and moving up into the pro me all my life and he always series. To do that, he must wants me to do well and qualify through national con­ encourages me to keep try­ tests and maintain his pro ing.” Bruce's Frame ond Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com Dylan Welton and his grandfather, Kevin Farris, will take part in the upcoming Bassmaster Team National Tournament held in Florida on Dec. 6-9. Welton’s younger brother, Cole (a freshman at TKHS), also often joins him in the boat or teams up with him for competitions. “I like having my brother in the boat, too,” Welton said. “It’s just a lot of fun fishing together and we make a pretty good team.” This year’s national com­ petition takes place Dec. 6-9. Every two-person team will compete for the first two days. Each day, each team brings in their top five fish. The top three teams in a twoday total weight advance to the final two days. During these final days, the teams split up and each person is fishing against. each other. There are no more teams. Dylan and his grandfather qualified for the tournament by winning the West Michigan Division title, and then placing in the top 10 in the Classic Tournament. Top teams from the classic tour­ nament qualify for the nationals where they’ll meet nearly 200 other top teams from across the country. “My grandpa pretty much got me hooked on fishing,” said Welton. “I love to fish and I’ve just been learning a lot on my own to get better and better in the tourna­ ments.” Welton has been fishing all over the state this year, competing in at least 50 tour­ naments and reeling in win­ ning catches. He’s won at least 10 tournaments this year and placed for prize money in about 90 percent of them. His winnings have earned him sponsorship deals to help with travel and entry fee costs of future events. While he’s had a lot of success in Michigan, Welton said fishing is much different in southern states. “The fish patterns are different in dif­ ferent parts of the country and they have different eat­ ing habits,” he said. Welton said he realizes he still has a lot more to learn before he can make it into the pro series but he’s also optimistic he can one day achieve that goal. “Even if I don’t make it the first year, I’ll keep trying. I really want to do this,” he said. Dylan Welton, a senior at Thomapple Kellogg High School, has been fishing since he was young but only got into competing in tournaments in the past seven years. (Photos provided) �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 7 Local YMCA draws record crowd for Turkey Trot, looks to keep momentum going Jayson Bussa Editor The YMCA of Barry County did its part to help hundreds of local residents bum off some serious calories before diving into Thanksgiving dinner last week The organization’s 15th Annual Turkey Trot event set a new high water mark by welcoming in 468 partici­ pants this year for its 5K walk/run and 1-mile run. It stood easily as the largest turnout the YMCA has seen for this long-running event. “We are very excited; very glad to grow it. It’s a great event,” said Melissa Fletke, marketing and communica­ tions director for the local YMCA. This year marked the first time that the Turkey Trot operated as a timed, compet­ itive race, where registrants were given numbered bibs with a time chip to monitor This year’s YMCA of Barry County’s Turkey Trot attracted a record 468 participants. It was also the first year where runners were equipped with race bibs that monitored their time. their time and crown win­ ners. Instead of shiny medal or trophy, winners ofthe turkey trot walked away with some­ thing a bit more delicious — a turkey from Middleville’s Otto’s Turkey Farm. Nathan Alford was victorious in the men’s division, finishing the 5K run in 16:29. Sarah Gray was the women’s winner, Rebecca Joyner embraces the spirit of the Turkey Trot with her pilgrim costume as she runs along the course during the Turkey Troy on Thanksgiving Day. finishing with her time of 20:20. But, even though this year’s event developed a competitive Wrinkle, the spir­ it of the Turkey Trot remained intact. This event, and the many others that are held around the state, is typically utilized by families that opt to get in a workout and spend quality time with each other before gathering around the Thanksgiving table. “I think the vibe felt like it always does — very much a family atmosphere,” Fletke said. “It’s just a big group and everyone gets together and brings their family and friends. It’s not super competitive.” The fact that many runners dress up in turkey- and Thanksgiving-themed garb and costumes also helps to keep the mood light. Kelsey Gray was the winner of the Best Dressed Award this year, dressing up like a stick ofbutter while her dog went as a half stick ofbutter. The prize for the best dressed was a free pumpkin pie with a customized fork. Organizers like Fletke and Gina McMahon, who works at the YMCA as the outreach and recreation director, cred­ ited the surge in interest for this year’s Turkey Trot, not This year’s Best Dressed Award winner Kelsey Gray, who dressed like a stick of butter, poses with her dog, which was outfitted as a half-stick of butter. only to the introduction of race bibs but also because of a more robust and compre­ hensive marketing plan, spearheaded by Fletke. “I think there was a huge interest and I think a lot of it had to do with Mel for all the marketing she marketing did,” McMahon explained. And while the droves of hungry trotters were certain­ ly a welcome sight for the YMCA crew, it came with a logistical issue or two. “I do think there were minor hiccups that are all easily fixed,” McMahon said. “I think one thing we’ll have to look at is parking. We have two parking lots available, but with a big increase in numbers, we’ll have to find something different with parking.” And, as they digest the trials and successes of this year’s event, Fletke and McMahon said they hope to keep the momentum going next year. “We are definitely trying to keep going it and making it a good event for our com­ munity,” Fletke said. DNR reminds hunters of legal firearms for muzzleloader season The 2023 muzzleloader season began Friday and ends at the close of shoot­ ing hours on Sunday, Dec. 10. Hunters who are head­ ing out to enjoy their sea­ son must remember that legal equipment and other regulations vary based on where you are hunting. “As the goals of deer management have changed, so do regula­ tions around muzzle­ loader season,” said Chad Stewart, Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biol­ ogist. “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognizes the abundant deer popu­ lation in the southern part of the Lower Peninsula and is focus­ ing on ways to increase antler-less harvest. The DNR wants hunters to have every opportunity to maximize success and help manage the deer population in southern Michigan.” Due to low hunter suc­ cess during muzzleloader season, the DNR extend­ ed the late antler-less sea­ son in 2020, while reduc­ ing the muzzleloader sea­ son in the southern Lower Peninsula. Additionally, in the southern Lower Peninsula, any firearm legal during the traditional firearm season (Nov. 15-30) can be used during the muz­ zleloader season. legal firearms. If you are hunting in the limited firearm deer zone, you must follow equipment requirements for that zone, which includes: —Shotguns may have a smooth or rifled barrel and may be of any gauge. —A muzzleloading rifle or black powder handgun must be loaded with black powder or a commercially manufac­ tured black powder sub­ stitute. — Conventional (smokeless powder) hand­ guns must be .35-caliber or larger and loaded with straight-walled cartridges and may be single- or multiple-shot but cannot exceed a maximum capac­ ity of nine rounds in the barrel and magazine com­ bined. —A .35-caliber or larg­ er rifle must be loaded with straight-walled car­ tridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches. —A .35-caliber or larg­ er air rifle or pistol must be charged only from an external, high-compres­ sion power source. Hunter orange require­ ments apply for anyone utilizing a muzzleloader or firearm during the muzzleloader season. Hunter orange does not apply for individuals using a crossbow or archery equipment to take Zone 3 and portions deer during the muzzle­ of southern Zone 2 loader season. In Zone 3, which Hunters should also includes southern Kent report their deer within 72 County, you can use all hours ofharvest. The Holidays are here and so are our DECEMBER SPECIALS 25% OFF CHEMICAL PEELS A group of youngsters take off for the fun run during the YMCA of Barry County’s Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. (Photos provided) Business Services MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing in­ stallation! Licensed and In­ sured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. RETIRED PAINTER WILL do odd jobs. 616-441-9328 BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. CONSTRUCTION: ADDITIONS,REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. BUY 3 SKINPEN TREATMENTS, GETTHE4TH FREE BUY 1 SYRINGE OF FILLER GET IT $150 OFF PURCHASE ANOTHER? GET IT $200 OFF BUY $300 WORTH OF PRODUCT, GET A FREE FACIAL BUY A $400 GIFT CARD, GET A FREE MASSAGE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR STOP IN TO BOOK YOUR CONSULT TODAYI SCANhttps://pr HERE (jg) WWW.PROPEREU.COM 9809 CHERRY VALLEY AVE. SE. SUITE C. CALEDONIA Ml 9 16l6.327.5i55 WRINKLE RELAXER • FILLERS • FACIALS • MASSAGE • MICRONEEDLING • IV THERAPY • HORMONE REPLACMENT THERAPY • PDO THREAD LIFTS • AND MORE! �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023 Budget amendment leverages remaining ARPA dollars to create fund for jail construction All counties are provided with the option to calculate their revenue loss and use ARPA funds to cover them or take a flat $10 million in recognized revenue losses ifit’s available. The latter is most often a more lucrative option for small counties. However, Barry County did not have $10 million of available ARPA funding available. The county was originally provided with $11.9 million in ARPA funds. To date, county leaders have committed $6.8 million of those funds to various projects across the county. The county has actually spent $3.5 million. Per federal guidelines, all ARPA funds must be com­ mitted by the end of 2024 and must be spent by 2026. Barry County is on track to spend all $6.8 million of its PUBLISHER’S committed ARPA dollars by NOTICE: the end of 2026. All real estate advertising in this newspaper is But, this leaves a remain­ subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan ing $5.1 njillion in ARPA Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or Barry County Administrator Michael Brown speaks in front of the Barry County Board of Commissioners funds that have not been discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or committed for use and must during Tuesday morning’s meeting. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) marital status, or an intention, to make any such be by the end ofnext year. preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living .Uj)der the recent budget its ARPA funds going $500,000 from the Divert are not yet concrete plans the construction. with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women The COA will be adding Felons Fund, totaling $5.6 for building a jail to replace and people securing custody of children under 18. amendment, the county unspent. This newspaper will not knowingly accept its current, aging facility. some of its own money and Furthermore, the county million. would recognize it as reve ­ any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed “We identified that the mounting a capital cam­ nue loss, allowing it to that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are sheriff’s department — paign to fund the rest ofthe deposit the money into its available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at office and jail — is a facili­ build. general fund at the end of 616451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ toe identified that the sheriff’s department — ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. ■ the year.,.This would mean ty that’s aged and is beyond The funds for the COA that the $5.1 million is both office and jail — is a facility that’s aged and is its useful life,” Brown said project included $1 million committed and spent and in front of the county board from the county’s account beyond its useful life. We continue to keep it the county would no longer this week. “We continue to with the Michigan operational, but (recognize) that something have to worry about any of keep it operational, but Municipal Risk needs to be done.” (recognize) that something Management Authority needs to be done.” (MMRMA) and $1.25 mil­ — Michael Brown, Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 lion from the county’s Administrator, Barry County AMENDMENT Umbrella Tax Fund. Scott Bloom, O.D. FULFILLS COUNTY’S The $1 million from OPTOMETRIST PROMISE TO MMRMA had accumulated will create a hew construc­ The money is earmarked COMMISSION ON in an account that is used to 2 LOCATIONS— tion fund called the. Public for the construction of a AGING cover self-insured reten­ Safety Complex new office and jail com­ The recent budget tion. The county will N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 Construction Fund, where plex, but the board does amendment also provides request those funds from 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 the $5.1 million in ARPA retain the power to transfer the county’s Commission MMRMA. funds would then be trans­ money out for other uses, on Aging with the $3 mil­ The $1.25 million from MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED ferred in addition to This could be a plausible lion it promised to kick in the Umbrella. Tax Fund scenario in the event that for the construction of its comes from the accumula­ the county embarks on a new facility. tion ofthings like penalties, project that doesn’t require The county provided land fees and interest on delin­ the full $5.6 million or is — located adjacent to quent taxes. County policy able to secure significant Thornapple Manor’s states that those funds can grants to help fund a proj­ Harvest Pointe assisted liv­ not be used for operational ect. ing facility in the southern costs, but rather, one-time This money seeds a fund portion of Hastings Charter capital items, which applies to shove a long-needed Township — in addition to to the COA’s building proj­ project forward, but there the money to help spur on ect. Jayson Bussa Editor A recent budget amend­ ment passed by the Barry of County Board Commissioners has ear­ marked $5.6 million to con­ struct a new jail if county leaders opt to build one. Administrator Michael Brown appeared in front of the county’s Committee of the Whole last week and the Board of Commissioners this week to untangle the financial logistics of Amendment 23-B. One of the primary com­ ponents of the amendment is that the county would take its remaining $5.1 mil­ lion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and recognize them as revenue loss, transferring them into the county’s general fund. c FOR YOUR COOLING NEEDS Residential & -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd HEATING ATING & AIR CONDITIONING, CONDITIONING INC. INC DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-2234 Middleville TOPS 546 The Nov. 27 meeting opened with the secretary’s report and roll call. There are two new fish in the fishbowl. Virginia led a discussion titled “Why You’re Not Losing Weight: Five possible methods that often fail.” Counting calories is effective for the short term but fails in the long run. You concentrate on calories and forget portion size! and nutrition. Exercise helps depending on type, intensity and length ofwork­ out. Some feel it becomes more of a punishment. Eliminating carbs, fat, or other food categories only works for a short time. It can trigger the brain to crave the foods we are avoiding. Looking at whole foods and minimizing processed foods works best for the long-term. Sue, Alice and Maryellen all won a prize this week in the five keys contest. Maryellen was the overall winner. Sue lost the Ha-Ha Box. The meeting closed with marching in place as the group recited the TOPS pledge. TOPS, a weight loss sup­ port group, meets every Monday at Lincoln Meadows in Middleville. Weigh-in is from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., followed immediately by the meeting. Press the white buzzer for entry. Anyone with questions may call Virginia, 269-908­ 8036, or Maryellen, 616­ 318-3545. The first meeting is free. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 9 Whitmer signs energy Kent County releases bills to make Michigan cold weather pet tips use clean energy by 2040 Janelie D. James Bridge Michigan DETROIT — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed cli­ mate bills Tuesday afternoon that will require Michigan util­ ity companies to get 100 per­ cent oftheir energy from clean energy sources by 2040. “Today’s package will help us make more clean energy right here in Michigan, reduc­ ing our reliance on foreign oil,” Whitmer said before signing the bills during a ceremony in Detroit’s Eastern Market attended by Democratic law­ makers and student climate activists. “Getting this done will reduce air, water and land pollution. It will balance reli­ ability and affordability so peo­ ple can keep their power on during storms and floods.” The new laws also give the state the authority to override local decisions to allow farm­ ers and property owners to house wind and solar projects on their land. “It’s your land, you should have the freedom to use it how­ ever you want,” Whitmer said, adding that the state’s control over wind and solar projects will allow energy companies to avoid the bitter local zoning battles that have doomed such projects in the past. That will streamline the process “and ensure we can meet our 100 percent clean energy standard and put more money in the pockets of Michigan farmers and land­ owners,” she said. Under the new legislation, utility companies have until 2027 to draw 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources including wind, solar, manure and landfill methane. The law also allows some energy to be derived from incinerated waste. DTE Energy has already met that goal and currently generates 15 percent ofenergy delivered to customers from renewable sources. The requirement would gradually increase to 60 per- cent by 2035. In addition to the renewable energy goal, companies will have to meet clean energy tar­ gets. Starting in 2035, they’ll have to generate 80 percent of their power from clean sources such as nuclear and natural gas with carbon capture technolo­ gy that removes carbon diox­ ide emissions from industrial plants. They’ll need to reach 100 percent clean energy by 2040. Utilities struggling to meet these expectations may be granted “good cause” exemp­ tions from the Michigan Public Service Commission for up to two years. The 2040 deadline aligns with the governor’s goal, set in 2020, that the state would become carbon neutral by 2050, making Michigan the ninth state to make the pledge. Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, the state’s two largest utilities, say they’re making progress toward that goal. Consumers previously said it will emit zero carbon emissions by 2040, while DTE said it will meet the goal by midcentury. The legislation passed the House while Democrats still had a two-seat majority. Since then, Democratic Reps. Kevin Coleman and Lori Stone stepped down after winning mayoral races in Westland and Warren earlier this month, leaving two seats open in the House and — at least until early next year — an equal number of Democrats and Republicans in the chamber. Opponents of the new law raised concerns about the timeline and reliability ofwind reliability and affordability — the two main concerns people are grappling with when it comes to their electricity — and will make our problems even worse.” The measure giving the Michigan Public Service Commission authority oyer the location ofwind and solar projects, provided they meet criteria regarding how far they have to be from neighbor­ hoods, how much light and noise they produce, also drew barbs from Republicans. “These bills use bureaucracy to bully our communities, and that’s not the right approach,” Rep.Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville) said in a statement after the bills passed. “If the state is hyper-focused on this type of energy push, it should lead by example and put renewable projects on state property and not force it onto communities, residents and agricultural lands.” The bills Whitmer signed were: — Senate Bill 273, which requires utilities to boost their energy-efficiency savings from 1 percent to 1.5 percent; — Senate Bill 502, which expands the authority of the Michigan Public Service Commission and requires commissioners to prioritize new goals including service quality, affordability, cost-effectiveness and equitable access; — Senate Bill 519, which establishes an office in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity that would help assist and retrain automotive and energy work­ ers whosejobs will be replaced and solar energy. as industries shift from “Michigan is already bur-gas-powered vehicles and coal dened by high energy costs plants to EVs and renewable and an unreliable grid that eneigy; leaves families in the dark far — Senate Bill 277, which too frequently,” Rep. Jamie codifies an existing state rule Greene, R-Richmond, said in that allows fanners to rent a statement shortly after the their land for solar arrays bills passed earlier this month. while staying enrolled in the “This plan is a recipe for state’s farmland preservation disaster. It shamefully ignores program. The Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS), in collab­ oration with the Kent County Sheriffs Office (KCSO) Animal Control Unit, is reminding residents about the special care their pet needs during the cold weather as many pets are not equipped to handle the effects of cold temperatures during our winter months. While Michigan law does not prohibit dogs from being left outside in the cold, state law requires that all dogs who spend time outside have access to adequate shelter, fresh water and dry bedding. Specifically, the cold weather requirements in state statute include: ' — Maintain adequate shelter, which can be one or more of the following: - Inside the owners’ home. — An enclosure or shelter with at least three sides and a roofthat is appropriate for the size and breed of the dog. A structure, including a garage, bam or shed, that is sufficiently insulated and ventilated to protect the dog from exposure to extreme temperatures, or if not suf­ ficiently insulated and ven­ tilated, contains a doghouse inside the structure. — Provide dry bedding, such as straw, when the temperature is or predicated to be below freezing. Avoid using blankets or cloth bed­ ding as these materials will likely get wet and freeze. — Provide water that is safe to drink and suitable for the age and species of the animal. Owners are encouraged to check every few hours to ensure the water is not frozen. Although Michigan law does not address free-roam­ ing cats, the KCAS encour­ ages residents to also be mindful of their needs. Cats are typically well-adapted for living in colder climates but they benefit from having access to a shelter. Simple cat shelters made from a storage tote lined with foam and stuffed with straw make great places for cats to escape from the cold. All reports of animals being kept outside for an extended period without adequate shelter, water and bedding can be reported to Animal Control at 616­ 632-7310. '10 BE. a? not To BE A GOOD RM THAT VMP6 THE ovEsnoN"? 209487 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 Caledonia tcwnship. CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the Charter Township of Caledonia will hold a public hearing on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Avenue, SE, Caledonia Michigan, 49316. The purpose of the hearing is to consider amendment to the Township Master Plan, including the future land use plan. A copy of the draft plan is available on the Township’s website: www.caledoniatownship.org. All interested persons may attend the public hearing and comment on the proposed rezoning. Written comments concerning the request may be submitted to the Township office, at the above-stated address, up to the time of the public hearing. Dated: November 30, 2023 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed clean energy bills Tuesday giving utility companies until 2040 to generate 100 percent of their energy from clean sources. (Bridge photo by Janelie D. James) PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA �Trojans start season with pair of November victories Brett Bremer Kyle VanHaitsma and Ethan Sports Editor Bonnema. It has been a great start VanHaitsma uses his skill and size at both ends ofthe for the Trojans already. With wins over Allendale floor and was the team’s and Lakewood in the open­ top scorer a year ago aver­ aging ten points and five ing week of the 2023-24 season, the Thornapple rebounds per game. Gavette Kellogg varsity boys’ bas­ is a good floor leader who ketball team, under new averaged eight points a head coach Phil Garber, is contest. Bonnema is an out­ 2-0 and has matched its win standing defender. The senior class also total from the 2022-23 cam­ brings back forward Hayden paign. Garber spent the past Chapman. Sophomore forward two seasons leading the TK JV boys’ team, so he is Lucas Ploeg and junior pretty familiar with this guard Brody Wiersma also group of varsity guys even saw varsity minutes a year though a number of them ago and will have even big­ have been up on the varsity ger roles this season. Leading the list of new­ level the past couple sea­ comers for the Trojans are sons. That group ofkey return­ junior guard Jude Webster, ees for the Trojans includes junior center Jake Kelley and sophomore guard Trey senior guards Tyler Gavette, Hilton. With a lack of size over­ all, the Trojans will look to push the pace when they can on offense and hope to frustrate opponents by throwing a variety of full­ court and half-court defen­ sive sets at them. The Trojans took home­ court conference wins over Kenowa Hills and Cedar Springs in the middle of January last winter, and will be looking to improve on their 2-12 conference mark this season if they can. Wins are never easy to come by in the OK Gold. South Christian and Grand Rapids Catholic Central were both 13-1 atop the conference standings a year ago and the Sailors won their way to a state runner-up finish in Division 2. Ottawa Hills, Forest Hills Eastern and Wayland never make things easy on oppo­ nents either. The conference season kicks off after the holiday break. TK plays host to Forest Hills Eastern Jan. 5. It is a busy early season schedule for the Trojans as they play eight ballgames before heading off on break at the end ofDecember. The next two are at home as TK plays host to Plainwell Tuesday and Forest Hills Central Friday in the week ahead. Plainwell opened its sea­ son with a 53-47 win over the Lakewood team that the Trojans edged Thursday night. Forest Hills Central is set to open its season today, Dec. 2, at Traverse City Central. Brody Wiersma TKHS cheer working to be even better, sooner Brett Bremer on the mat in rounds one and Sports Editor, three much of last season. Maxing out is the plan for She is upping that number to the Thomapple Kellogg var­ the max of 16 this year look­ sity competitive cheer team ing to run four stunt groups this winter. in round three instead of the The Trojans won the OK three they rolled out a year Gold Conference ago. With 22 cheerleaders on Championship a year ago the roster she is sure they’ll and returned to the MHSAA find a way to make it suc­ Division 2 State Finals under cessful. head coach Adrian Nichols. “No if, ands or buts about Madelynn Lula was in her it we’re running 16 and we’re second season as an assistant going to figure out how to do coach with the team last win­ that,” Lula said. “I have a ter, and now takes over as veteran base who is flying head coach of the program this year and major changes which has been one of the in terms ofroles on the team most successful in recent in order to best benefit the seasons of any TKHS pro­ group as a whole.” gram. The new TK head coach Lula is hoping to push the said she has also worked Trojans to new heights i.e. with her girls to open the getting into that top half of season with a maxed out the standings at the state round two, meaning they are finals. putting the highest level The Trojans put 15 girls skills out on the mat from the Kennady Smith start. “The girls would like to break the 750-point thresh­ old before postseason,” Lula said. “We hit our peak really late in the season, which isn’t a bad thing, but they want their highest number to be even higher than last year.” She is hoping getting all the big things squared away early will give the team time to really fine time the edges, which is key when pushing for a regional championship and a top state finals finish. Kaylee Clark, a sopho­ more, was a front spot a year ago and is moving into the role ofthe team’s fourth flyer this season. The Trojans have three pretty great ones back in sophomores Mia Hilton, Claira Kovich and senior Ava Jahnke. See CHEER, page 12 THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS ADVANCED CttKy STONE FABRICATIONS Ph (269) 948-8281 Fax (269) 948-8590 269-795-0002 925 Grand Rapids St. Middleville, Ml 49333 Advancedstonefab.com MIDDLEVILLE’S HOMETOWN BODYSHOP FPAME a. ALIGNMENT Phone: 269-795-9596 221 W. Apple St. Hastings, MI 49058 415 2nd St, Middle B'SBODY8B0P Caledonia, Ml highpoint COMMUNITY BANK 1-888-422-2280 hiqhpointcommunitybank.com BRADFORD WHITE WATER HEATERS 200 Lafayette St. Middleville Ml 49333 800-523-2931 Member FDIC CALEDONIA RENT ALL Skag Mowers Husqvarna Outdoor Products 500 Edward St., P.O. Box 277 Middleville, MI 49333-0277 Phone: 616-891-0150 Phone: 616-891-0050 PH; 269.795.7927 www.mkpcpa.com 110 Johnson St., Caledonia 9800 Cherry Valley, Caledonia brokA' WOKER Southern E>E>Ci &• Catering 120 E. Main St. Middleville, MI 49333 269-241-1050 brokensmoker.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 11 Winter Sports Previews Group of 20 freshmen looks to keep TK mat team rolling Brett Bremer Sports Editor Juniors Christien Miller and Emma Gibson are the two returning individual state qualifiers for the Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity wrestling team this winter a year after the team won an OK Gold Conference title and sent six to the state finals in all. Miller wrestled his way to a 33-12 mark last win­ ter and placed eighth in Division 2’s 106-pound weight class at , the MHSAA Individual State Finals at Ford Field. Gibson was a state qualifier in the girls’ 120pound weight class. It was a senior-heavy team that finished 17-6 in duals overall last winter. The list of returning wrestlers for the TK team this winter also includes regional qualifier Dylan Pauline, now a sopho­ more, and seniors Garrett Post, Noah Quintard, Brenen Simon and Caleb De Leon. Head coach Dayne Fletke is also excited to work in the younger group. He has 20 fresh­ men in the wrestling room this preseason. The Trojan coach said he has a group that is ready to learn and have fun at practice. “The team really seems to bond well with each other,” Fletke said. “We look forward to getting new guys and girls into the varsity line-up. It will be a fun year of see­ ing where everyone ends up and how far they can push themselves.” They’ll start the pro­ cess oftesting themselves against competition at a quad hosted by Caledonia Wednesday and then head to the Grandville Bulldog Invitational Saturday, Dec. 9. The OK Gold Conference season starts with a quad Dec. 20 in Middleville. That is the first home meet of the season for the Trojans. They will also host their own TK Invitational Dec. 28. Christien Miller TK head coach calls her girls’ squad ‘young and hungry’ Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg var­ sity girls’ basketball coach Brandi James said she thinks her current group might have had the hardest working offseason ofany of her team’s yet. That has her excited for the start of the upcoming season. She’s got a fairly young group, but a lot of the youngsters got some great varsity experience a year ago as the TK ladies a 6-18 mark overall and a sixth-place finish in the OK Gold Conference. The Trojans will look to move up from there if they can. Wayland finished atop the conference a year ago with South Christian and Catholic Central hot on the Wildcats’ heels. James said she expects the Sailors and Cougars to be pretty tough again and sees some experi­ ence in the Forest Hills Eastern and Kenowa Hills teams that will have them pushing for a spot in the top half of the conference standings this year along with the Trojans. The Trojan team brings back sophomore guards Tealy Cross and Jordan Pranger, junior Emma Geukes and seniors Brittany Roodvoets, Eva Corson and Katie Comeau. Pranger opened last season on the varsity and is the team’s top returning scorer averaging a little over eight points a game. Coach James is also looking for really good things from another fresh­ man this winter in Reece Rietsema, and expects key contributions from sopho- Emma Geukes mores Marlee Shuford and McKenna Hoebeke too./ “The vibe of this team is really, really positive,” coach James said. “They have really high energy, and probably worked harder this offseason than prior years which is really excit­ ing. We’re small, we’re going to have to play more small ball. We don’t really have a true center like we have in the past.” Roodvoets and Corson will be key in the paint for TK. Coach James said she is looking forward to seeing how her guard heavy squad performs in transition. She is excited to try and get this group to push the pace in ballgames. She sees Geukes and others with great court vision and thinks that this group has more confidence playing in transition than the team has had in a while. The TK coach said Pranger and Geukes did a lot of work on their games in the offseason, and have especially improved theirs shooting touch, and she sees Pranger as a much See BASKETBALL, page 12 THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS Good Luck Athletes Andrew R. Cove, AAMS® Financial Advisor 421 W. Woodlawn Hastings, Ml 49058 269-945-3553 MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING Ph 795-7911 FRONTIER HEATING Middleville • 269-795-3550 500 Arlington St. Caledonia * 616-891-3550 9820 Cherry Valley Rd. TIRES2000.NET Oornapm-® CHSN RESTAURANT 9028 N. Rodgers Ct. S.E., Caledonia 616-891-1233 117 W. MAIN MIDDLEVILLE, Ml Fax 795-1677 COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR INSVEMCE MlcAgoiur (ugaramb Coixpojuf Jason Parks MIDDLEVILLE'S FINEST Edwardjones FARM BUREAU 4650 M-37, Middleville (269)-795-7019 7am - 9pm Mon-Sat; 8am - 8pm Sun ^Seefer-^ores 8 COOLING 210 E. Main St., Caledonia Call Frontier Now! 616-891-8900 914 W. Main Street Middleville Phone (269) 795-3694 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Sun & News 269.945.9554 1351 N. M-43 Hwy., Hastings, Ml 49058 4525 M-37 Hwy Ste J Middleville, Ml 49333 269.795.3672 SEPTIC SERVICE Joe Lyons & John Curtis, Owner/Operators 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 49058 269.S45.4240 �Page 12/The Sun and New*, Saturday, December 2,2023 Young TKHS bowling teams working to learn the game whole group contributed as the TK ladies placed fifth at It is a season with a bit of the OK Gold Conference rebuilding in the works for postseason tournament a the Thomapple Kellogg var­ year ago. The TK boys’ side did add sity boys’ and girls’ bowling a pair of seniors new to the teams. The TK boys’ team has sport this season in Matt lore just two returnees to the and Dylan Lawrence. In all there are eight guys program in sophomores Landen England and Travis and six girls in the program and head coach Cheryl Sholty. The girls’ team has a few Cooper would happily add more returnees, but they’re any late comers who would mostly youngsters too like to leant the sport and behind senior Ashleigh contribute. With such a Norman. The Trojan girls’ young group there has been a team brings back sopho­ lot of learning going on already. mores Kenzie Chapin-Dyer, “The whole learning Jenna Robinett and Sidney curve for them is big,” Ripley as well. Chapin-Dyer and Robinett Cooper said. “We’re teach­ were the only two who were ing them the different things among the Trojans’ regional we want and what we kind rollers a year ago, but that of expect for the season. Brett Bremer Sports Editor High school bowling, a lot of them have no idea what the format is for that. It is just a big learning curve for a lot ofthem.” She said she has seen some pretty big improve­ ments in the first couple weeks of practice already. A few ofthe Trojans got a leg up performing in the pro­ gram’s first summer camp this offseason. Cooper and the team met at Hastings Bowl, the team’s home alley, a. couple times a week for a couple weeks. “We offered it from sixth grade on up through the high school and that was actually pretty fun,” Cooper said. “We had some younger kids that came out and tried and learned some things. One of the freshmen that is on the team, he attended the bowl­ ing camp. That was kind of nice.” The TK teams will learn more when they play host to Cedar Springs to open the season Tuesday at Hastings Bowl. That’s a tough way for a young team to start out. Cedar Springs has been one ofthe top pro­ grams in the OK Gold Conference in recent years. Coach Cooper expects Kenowa Hills to be pretty tough in the conference this season too. “We will see how that plays out or where we go from there,” Cooper said. “I am excited about what we do have so it’ll be good to see how they develop.” The Trojans go to the Grand Rapids Christian Kenzie Chapin-Dyer Invitational Saturday, Dec. 9, and will host another conference dual at Hastings Bowl against Grand Rapids Catholic Central Monday, Dec. 11. Sparta pulls out win over Scots in third period Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Caledonia varsity hockey team had its record evened at 1-1 with a 7-5 loss at Griff’s Icehouse against host Sparta Wednesday. The Spartans scored the only two goals of the third period to snap a 5-5 tie. The two teams were back and forth throughout the evening. The Spartans led 3-2 after one period and Caledonia rallied to even things in the second period. Trevor Serba had a big night for the Spartans tally­ ing a hat-trick while adding three sasis ts too. Tanner Guerra had a goal and three assists in the win as well. The Fighting Scots get another crack at the Spartans today, Dec. 2, as they host them at Kentwood Ice Arena. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. Caledonia will be at West Ottawa Wednesday and then next weekend will play host to Grand Haven Friday at 8 p.m. and then Hudsonivlle Saturday at 8 p.m. BASKETBALL, continued from Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Planning Commission of Yankee Springs Township will conduct a public hearing concerning the following matters on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Road, in the Township. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Section 3 to add the keeping ofchickens as a special use in the following districts: SR, RMF, RSF, RLF, GLRLF. Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Section 4.5 regarding rules and regulations for the keeping ofchickens. Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Section 2.1 to add definitions for Solar Fann and Solar Panel. Zoning Ordinance text amendments to Section 12.16 to modify and add rules and regulations for freestanding accessory use or building-mounted solar panels. Such other and further business as may properly come before the Planning Commission at said hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the proposed zoning ordinance amendments can be reviewed at the office of the Township Clerk during regular business hours of regular business days and will also be available at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that written comments will be taken from any interested person concerning the proposed text amendments at the office ofthe Township Clerk at the address set forth below, at any time during regular business hours up to 4:00 p.m. on the date of the hearing and will further be received by the Planning Commission at the hearing. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission and Township Board reserve the right to make changes to the proposed zoning ordinance amendments at or following the public hearing. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable services to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days’ notice to the Township Clerk Individuals requiring services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Mike Cunningham, Township Clerk Yankee Springs Township 284 N. Briggs Road Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 more versatile ball-handler too. Not only that, but Pranger is a team captain as a sopho­ more this season. James really likes the ener­ gy Rietsema has added to the team, and while she has some size and is one of the team’s Irving Township 3425 Wing Rd Hastings, Ml 49058 269-298-0633 Synopsis of November 21,2023, Board Meeting Called to order at 6:30pm. Three members present. Two absent. Items Approved 1. Agenda with additions. 2. October minutes. 3. Township hall cleaner. 4. Pest control services. 5. Resolution 2023-12 opposi­ tion for solar, wind and large-scale battery storage facilities. 6. Resolution 2023-12 sup­ port of second amendment rights through Barry County. 7. Resolution 2023-13 declaring Irving Township a second amend­ ment township. 8. Approve $1,500 for lay out and labor of German cemetery. 9. Approve prepayment of $9,750 for materials of upstairs flooring. 10. Approve December payment of $11,771 to Thomapple Township Emergency Services. 11. Approve KCI to print and mail tax bills in the amount of $1,583.69. 12. Approve KCI postage in the amount of $719.16. 13. Approve new computer for clerk up to $500. 14. Pay bills in the amount of $3,725.35. top leapers the TK coach said she’s going to help her transi­ tion to a guard spot. “I am asking a lot ofthem as far as working outside of their comfort zone in a free flowing offense, and playing' a different style of defense than they’re used to,” James said. TK will open the season on~ the road at Plainwell -Tuesday and then got to Forest Hills Central Friday night. The TK ladies will be home for its next five ball­ games after that starting with a Dec. 12 date against the Hastings Saxons. The OK Gold Conference season starts for TK at home Jan. 5 against Forest Hills Eastern. CHEER, continued from page 10 — Sophomore Payton Gater is another one of the girls mak­ ing a move on the mat for TK as she is moving from a spot as a base to a back spot as the Trojans add a stunt group. Coach Lula said all her girls are willing to do whatever it takes to get the team where it wants to be, and both Clark and Gater are flourishing in their new roles. It is a pretty great group back overall for TK. The returning senior crew includes Kennady Smith, Mali Holland and Anna Smith who all earned all-state honors as juniors. Holland was first team all-state in Division 2 and both Kennady and Anna were both second team all-state. The returning group also includes junior back spots 15. Meeting Adjourned at 7:35 Lilly McKeown and Olivia PM Full minutes are available at Ir- Bouchard and sophomore vingtpwnship.org or at 3425 Wing Keiryn Merrill. Rd, Hastings, Ml 49058. The Trojan should face Prepared by Supervisor, tough competition from Cedar Jamie Knight 209587 Springs once again in the run for an OK Gold Conference championship this winter. The conference season starts with a jamboree in Middleville Jan. 17. TK opens the season at the CCCAM Scholarship Invitational hosted by West Catholic Saturday, Dec. 9, and will go to the West Catholic Falcon Invite Dec. 15. Those are the only two contests on the slate before the holiday break. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 13 Trojans fill many spots on fall all-county teams Brett Bremer Sports Editor GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY It was an outstanding fall season for the Barry County girls on the cross country courses across the state this fell. A trio of girls ended their season at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Hastings freshman Caroline Randall earned her first state medal in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals that first Saturday in November while TKjunior Ava Crews ran in the finals for a third time and Maple Valley senior Lilly Faurot competed in the state finals for a second time. Crews led the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ cross country team to a n OK Gold Conference Championship this fall with a Trojan team that got a huge boost from its freshman class. TK had ten girls earn All-Barry County honors this fall with half of that group freshmen. Add Randall to the group and six of the 14 all-county honorees this fall are fresh­ men. There were three sopho­ mores in the county medalists too at the Barry County Championship which Delton Kellogg hosted this fall at Gilmore Car Museum. The top seven runners at the Barry County Meet earn first team All-Bany County honors while the eighth through 14™ runners make up the All-Bany County second team. Best ofall a the county meet this season, all five of the county’s varsity programs had enough runners to earn a team score. The Thomapple Kellogg girls kept their decades long string of county championships rolling by taking the championship at the county meet the Tuesday before regionals. Here are the 2023 All-Barry Cojmty Girls’ Cross Country teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY FIRST TEAM Ava Crews, Thomapple Kellogg: Ajunior, Crews qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Finals for the third time this fall. She placed 59th at the state finals with a time of 19 minutes 27.0 seconds. Crews improved her personal record time of 18:48.3 at the Calvary Christian Chargers Autumn Sunrise Invitational and finished as the runner-up at the Barry County Meet. TK girls’ team, Hardy earned Christian with a time of21:56.2. the final spot on the all-county Ellie Harmon, Thomapple first team with a seventh-place Kellogg: Hannon placed ninth time of 23:41.5 at the Barry at the first OK Gold County Meet. Conference jamboree of her Hardy was the second freshman season, but then Trojan across the finish line at missed some time before the OK Gold Conference returning to win the JV girls’ Championship placing 12th in race at the OK Gold a personal record time of Conference Championship 20: 36.7 on the course at with a time of 20:49.5 which Riverside Park in Grand would have been good for a Rapids. She went on to place top-20 finish in the varsity 29th at regionals. race that day. Carmen Reynolds, Harmon set her personal Thomapple Kellogg: A fresh- record at 20:24.2 at the Coach man, Reynolds set her person­ B Invitational at Gun Lake al record at the Sparta early in the season. She placed Invitational in mid-September ninth at the Barry County with a time of21:55.2. Meet in 23:48.7, and then Reynolds placed 37th at the closed the year with a time of OK Gold Conference 21:19.7 that put her 25th at the Championship and then raced Trojans’ D2 regional hosted by to a sixth-place finish at the South Christian. Barry County Meet with a Madison Kietzman, time of23:40.7. Thomapple Kellogg: A sopho­ Megan Schuurmans, more, Kietzman finished in Thomapple Kellogg: A sopho- less than 21 minutes a handful more, Schuurmans improved of times this fall. She set her her personal record from her PR at 20:31.7 at the Calvary freshman year by more than a Christian Chargers Autumn minute. Her new PR sits at Sunrise Invitational. 21: 43.9, a time she ran in the Kietzman was 16th at the JV race at the OK Gold OK Gold Conference Conference Championship a Championship in 20:48.0 and week before the Barry County then placed tenth at the Barry Meet. County Meet in 23:49.1. She Schuurmans was fifth at the closed her season placing 28th Barry County Meet with a at regionals. time of23:32.4. Alaina McCrumb, Holly Velting, Thomapple Thomapple Kellogg: A freshKellogg: The fastest senior at man, she cut her time through­ the Barry County Meet, out the fall and broke out a Velting placed third at Gilmore personal record time of Car Museum with a time of 21:31.1 at the OK Gold 23:11.6 to close out her season Conference Championship while helping the Trojans to where she placed 28th. the championship. McCrumb placed 11th at Velting was the runner-up the Barry County Meet in in the JV girls’ race at the OK 23:49.5 and then followed that Gold Conference up with a time of 21:51.4 at Championship and ran her the Trojans’ MHSAA Division fastest time of the season at the 2 Regional race. Meghan-Jane Skidmore, Calvary Christian Chargers Autumn Sunrise Invitational Thomapple Kellogg: A fresh­ where she hit the finish line man, Skidmore broke the 27th in 20:40.9. 21-minute mark in the first Other members ofthe 2023 week of September for the All-Barry County Girls’ Cross first time and pushed her PR Country First Team are Delton down to 20:29.4 at the Sparta Kellogg’s Summer Ritchie Invitational in mid-September. Skidmore was just off that Caroline and Hastings’ PR p[ace at the OK Gold Randall. Conference Championship 2023 ALL-BARRY where she placed 13™ in COUNTY GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY 20:40.0. She was eighth at the Barry County Meet in 23:48.3. SECOND TEAM Other members of the 2023 Avery Hagemann, Thomapple Kellogg: A sopho- All-Barry County Girls’ Cross more in her first varsity cross Country Second Team are country season, she was sev- Maple Valley’s Lilly Faurot and enth in the scoring group of Delton Kellogg’s Kylie Main. BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY the Trojans at her first race to The Hastings Saxons fill start the season. Hagemann went on to set her personal halfthe spots on the 2023 All­ record at the OK Gold Barry County Boys’ Cross Conference Championship where she placed 17th overall in 20:49.1. Peyton Hardy, Thomapple Schuurmans was 12th at the Barry County Meet in 23:49.9 and then placed 40th at the Kellogg: Part of an outstanding group of freshmen for the Trojans’ MHSAA Division 2 Regional hosted by South Country First and Second teams. The group helped their pro­ Museum. The two leaders at the coun­ ty meet, Thomapple Kellogg senior Lucas Van Meter and Hastings senior Riley Shults both completed outstanding varsity cross country careers running at the county meet and then their MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Regional hosted by South Christian at the end ofthe season. The two both finished top four in at the county meet during all four of their varsity seasons with Shults winning the 2021 and 2022 races. The top seven at the Barry County Meet earned first team all-county honors this fall with the next seven across the finish line earning second team all-county. The race had a bit of a dif­ ferent feel this season with it being contested the Tuesday prior to Saturday regionals, rather than the Monday after regionals. That had runners pushing for success, but also hoping to save energy for the regional. Hastings, TK, Lakewood, Delton Kellogg and Maple Valley all faced tough compe- tition throughout the fall in their respective conferences. Thomapple Kellogg looked up in the standings in the OK Gold Conference all fall at the eventual MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 State Champions from Forest Hills Eastern, who captured the state championship the first Saturday in November at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. The Saxons’ rivals from the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference, Marshall, ran to a top ten finish as a team (ninth) at the state finals too with fel­ low league foe Parma Western 19*. Delton Kellogg’s league­ mates from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Hackett Catholic Prep, placed third in the D4 competition at the See TROJANS, page 14 COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the November 14, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on November 28, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a special public hearing will be held on December 21, 2023, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, members of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission's consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea (ioeshea@yankeespringstwp.org). Letters and emails are due one week before the hearing date; or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795-9091. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. ZOC 23-11-02, Parcel ID: 16-030-006-00,2671 Russell Drive, Wayland Ml 49348. A. A request by Andrew Wyman, the property owner, to re-zone this property from RLF to RSF pursuant to Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Article XIXAmendments to Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map. 2. ZOC 23-11-03, Common Element Parcel of Bay Meadow Condominium Association, 12460 Bay Meadow Drive, Wayland, Ml 49348. A. A request by the Condominium Association to amend its Planned Unit Development (PUD) Plan by separating two proposed parcels from the common area of the PUD pursuant to Yankee Springs Zoning Ordinance Article IX Planned Unit Development. B. 3. A request by the Condominium Association to re-zone a portion of the common area (the two proposed parcels) from PUD to RLF pursuant to the Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Article XIXAmendments to Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Shana Bush, Chairperson gram make it eight county championships in the past ten Yankee Springs Township Hall years as the Hastings varsity team won the Oct. 24 Barry Middleville, Michigan 49333 County Meet at Gilmore Car Finals and the Saugatuck team that won the SAC was tenth. The Lion team got a late boost from a couple ofOctober additions to the roster that allowed the shot-handed squad to earn a team score at the county meet and its regional at the end ofthe season. There is more talent coming up behind the county’s top runners from 2023. There were only six seniors among the top 25 finishers at county meet. Here are the 2023 All-Bany County Boys’ Cross Country First and Second Teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY FIRST TEAM Kaden Hamming, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior 284 N. Briggs Rd. (269)795-9091 �Page 14/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023 TROJANS, continued from page 13 leader for the TK team, Hamming raced to a sev­ enth-place time of 19 minutes 22.66 seconds at the Barry County Meet Hamming pushed his was down from times around 19:30 at the start ofthe season to set his PR in a 27th-place finish at the OK Gold Conference Championship where he hit the finish line in 18:04.0. He was under 19 minutes for the first time in his high school career at the Coach B Invitational in early September. Lucas VanMeter, Thomapple Kellogg: The Trojans’ senior front-runner won the Bany County Meet in 17:49.18. In four seasons he never finished worse than fourth at the county meet Van Meter was under 17 minutes throughout most of the season and set a PR at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational where he came in 11th at 16:29.8 in the D2 boys’ race. Van Meter placed eighth at the OK Gold Conference Championship in 16:38.3 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids late in the season. Other members of the 2023 All-Bany County Boys’ Cross Country First Team are Delton Kellogg’s Ethan Rimmer, Hastings’ Micah Johnson, Riley Shults and Brandon Simmons and Lakewood’s Riley Johnson. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY SECOND TEAM Elijah Frazer, Thomapple Kellogg: A freshman who was in the Trojans’ scoring group from the get-go, Frazer earned the final all-county slot at the county meet with a time of 20:31.8 that had him in 14th-place. Fraser passed the 19-minute mark for the first time at the Calvary Christian Chargers Autumn Sunrise Invitational in September where he placed 38th in 18:33.3. He broke that 19-minute mark again a week later while finishing in 18:44.6 at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational. Hunter Tietz, Thomapple Kellogg: TK junior Hunter Tietz earned all-county honors for the first time this fall with a 12th-place time of20:08.0 at Gilmore Car Museum. Tietz earned a personal record time of 19:11.9 at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational and was right on that pace with a 43rd-place time of 18:16.0 at the OK Gold Conference Championship race at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. Other members of the AllBany County Boys’ Cross Country Second Team include Delton Kellogg’s Nick Muday, and Hastings’ Maxson Eichorst, Caleb LaBoe, Reuben Solmes and Jonah Teed. GIRLS’GOLF It was a challenging fall on the local links. Lakewood made the move back to the Capital Area Activities Conference White Division where it got to see its long-time conference rival Lansing Catholic win a conference title and eventually the MHSAA Lower Peninsula 4 Division State Championship. Thomapple Kellogg had the MHSAA L.P.. Division 3 State Champions from Grand Rapids Catholic Central to face offagainst all fall, as well as a pair of other teams that finished in the top five a that state finals at the end of the season (South Christian in Division 3 and Forest Hills Eastern in Division 4). The Trojans took their turn finishing fourth a few times behind those state powerhouses in the conference, and Trojan junior Ailana Leos made her first trip to the state final s a year after coming up short in a regional playofffor a state spot. Inexperience was the toughest foe the Saxons had to face throughout the season, but the Hastings girls handled themselves well and managed to climb their way all the way up to fourth at the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship at the end of tiie season. Here are the 2023 All-Bany County Girls’ Golf First and Second Teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY GIRLS’GOLF FIRST TEAM Rae Borrink, Thomapple Kellogg: Ajunior, Borrink had a nine-hole scoring average of Public Notice To the residents of THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP Thornapple Township will be appointing an individ­ ual to fill a vacancy on the Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission (TAPRC). The appoint­ ment to the TAPRC would be to fill the term that expires December of 2027 as one of the three (3) Township’s representatives to that organization. Those interested in being considered as a candi­ date for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to: Thornapple Township, 200 E. Main St., P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333 or e-mail to supervisor@thornapple-twp.org by Thursday December 13th, 2023. 47.1. The Trojans’number two at the OK Gold Conference Championship, she fired a 98 at L.E. Kaufman Golf Course in Grand Rapids. “She had a very good sea­ son,”” said said coach Bob son, Kaminski. “She was very close to making the all-confer­ ence honorable mention team in a very difficult conference.” Kendra Coe, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior, Coe played in every match this fall for the TK varsity and coach Kaminski called her one ofhis team’s most reliable golfers this year. Coe had a nine-hole aver­ age of48.4 on the season. She was her team’s number two at regionals to close out her final campaign. She tied for the team lead with a 43 at the OK Gold Conferencejamboree the Trojans hosted at Yankee Springs GolfCourse. Ailana Leos, Thomapple Kellogg: The lone state qualifier in Barry County this fall, Leos shot an 82 on day one and a 76 on day two to finish 12th at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ Golf Finals at Forest Akers East GolfCourse at the end of the season. A junior, Leos had a ninehole average of 37.1 on the year and was named all-conference in the OK Gold. “She had an all around great season,” coach Kaminski said. “She was the leader ofour team.” Emma Schut, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior, Schut fired an average nine-hole score of 47.7 this fall, and just missed making honorable mention all-conference in the OK Gold by a couple ofstrokes. Schut was the number three scorer at the OK Gold Conference Championship and her team’s MHSAA L.P. Division 2 Regional to close out the season. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Bany County Girls’ Golf First Team are Lakewood’s Audrey Hillard and Makenzie Vasquez. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY GIRLS’ GOLF SECOND TEAM JoselynDeBoer, Thomapple Kellogg: DeBoer, a senior, was in the Trojans’ line-up throughout the fall and closed the campaign with a nine-hole average of 53.3. “She was a consistent golfer for us,” coach Kaminski said. DeBoer shot a 103 to finish as the Trojans’ number four scorer at the OK Gold Conference Championship and then was a top four scorer for the team as its finished off its season at regionals. Sydney Robertson, Thomapple Kellogg: Robertson played a majority of the events for the Trojan team this fal 1 and finished with a nine-hole average of51.1. She earned a spot in the Trojans’ conference champi­ onship varsity six a the end of the year. She had a great start too firing a 96 to finish second among the Trojans at their own TK Invitational at Yankee Springs GolfCourse. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Bany County Girls’ Golf Second Team are Lakewood’s Ellie Benham and Hastings’ Addey Nickels. BOYS’TENNIS Everybody had a little something to be pleased about at the end ofthe season. The Saxons and Vikings both closed out the regular season winning one of their final duals with the Saxons besting non-conference foe Battle Creek Central and the Vikings outscoring Charlotte for their second Capital Area Activities Conference White Division win ofthe season. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team had a lot to celebrate as two of its four singles players won indi­ vidual regional championships at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 3 Regional in Holland in October. That came on the heels of a tough battle through the OK Gold Conference season for the Trojans where the Trojans’ top two singles players won conference titles in a field that included the Forest Hills Eastern team that placed 14^ at the MHSAA L.P. Division 3 Finals as well as tough sides from Grand Rapids Catholic Central and South Christian. Lakewood and Thomapple Kellogg will return a few of their top players next season, and the Hastings and Lakewood programs will look to continue to grow their ranks. Here are the 2023 All-Bany County Boys’ Tennis First and Second Teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY BOYS’TENNIS FIRST TEAM SINGLES Raphael DeMonval, Your local agent insures your C^ops J FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Mietyotie (nsurojice- Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparKstonbinsmt.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Thomapple Kellogg: A for­ eign exchange student who settled nicely into the top of the Trojans’ singles line-up, DeMonval played second sin­ gles throughout the fall and was the regional runner-up at his flight DeMonval opened his cam­ paign with the Trojans falling to Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s first singles player in August and then at second singles didn’t drop a match until regionals. He closed the season with an 11-2 mark and an OK Gold Conference championship at his flight. Jacob Draaisma, Thomapple Kellogg: A region­ al champion at third singles this fall, Draaisma bested Zeeland East’s Charlie Reese in the regional finals to close his junior campaign. Draaisma won seven matches at third singles as a sophomore and upped that total to 22 during his junior season in which he was 22-4. He was also the runner-up at third singles in the OK Gold Conference this season. Kameron Nichols, Thomapple Kellogg: Ajunior, Nichols was 10-0 in OK Gold Conference matches this fall and won the conference title at first singles on the conference tournament in early October. Nichols compiled a record of 18-5 this season, his third varsity season with double digit victories. He won ten matches as a sophomore in his first season at first singles. Franklin Wilkinson, Thomapple Kellogg: Wilkinson improved from winning five matches at fourth singles as a sophomore for TK to winning 15 as ajunior this fall. He finished as the regional runner-up at fourth singles at the Trojans’ MHSAA L.P. Regional in Holland at the end ofthe season. DOUBLES Dylan Bailey & Andrew Beckering, Thomapple Kellogg: Teamed up at second doubles the senior duo put together a record of 11-8. The two finished third at their flight at the OK Gold Conference Championship. Overall Beckering had 12 vic­ tories and Bailey 13 on the season as they opened the year with different doubles part­ ners. Aidan Dudik & Anson Verlinde, Thomapple Kellogg: The pair ofjuniors went 8-10 together after teaming up a couple weeks into the season at first doubles. They won three oftheir final four match­ es ofthe regular season and Dudik opened the year with three wins as the Trojans’ third singles player before TK shuf­ fled its line-up. Other members of the 2023 All-Bany County Boys’ Tennis First Team are Hastings’ T-ang Haines, Heath Hays and Keegan Lindsey, and Lakewood’s Reily Teigeler. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY BOYS’ TENNIS SECOND TEAM DOUBLES Daniel Beckering & Tom Lorach, Thomapple Kellogg: The two seniors teamed up at third doubles at the end ofthe season with go 4-2 together. That run included a pair of wins at the OK Gold Conference Tournament. Lorach as 8-4 overall on the season. Beckering had a 13-9 overall record in a consistent role at third doubles. Kyan Haywood & Landon Conroy, Thomapple Kellogg: The pair went 4-2 finish off their senior season as fourth doubles teammates for TK. Overall on the season Conroy had 13 wins and Haywood 11 as they shifted through the Trojan doubles line-up. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Bany County Boys’ Tennis Second Team are Hastings’ Caleb Borton and Ivan Rojo Hernandez, and Lakewood’s James Mackenzie. FOOTBALL There were highs and lows for the Barry County varsity football teams in the fall of 2023. The highest of the highs were once again accomplished by the Hastings Saxons who won their fourth consecutive Interstate-8 Athletic Conference Championship. The Saxons defeated all six of their 1-8 foes tins fall in a per­ fect run through the conference slate and then knocked off Charlotte in the opening round of the MHSAA Division 4 Playofls. Portland ended the Saxon season in the district finals at the end of the season. Hastings closed the season with an 8-3 record. Maple Valley was the only other team in the county to finish with a winning record. The Lions had a 7-2 perfor­ mance, their best record since starting to play 8-player foot­ ball and their best record with any number ofplayers on the field since 2004. Delton Kellogg was 3-6 on the season, winning two ofits final three ballgames of the season. Thomapple Kellogg and Lakewood both finished the season with one victory pulling out homecoming night wins along the way. Here are the 2023 All-Bany County Football First and Second Teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM OFFENSE RUNNING BACK Drake Snyder, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior, Snyder was a top performer for the Trojans at running back and linebacker. He earned all-conference honors this season in the OK Gold. He rushed 146 times for 772 yards and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, Snyder had 48 tackles including three tackles for a loss. WIDE RECEIVER Jaxan Sias, Thomapple Kellogg: On the end ofthe line See TROJANS, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023/ Page 15 TROJANS, continued from previous page itsaulfe® fewki iltityi mm Sitdatt ijrnk nsJii art iiW IUW M ft* U* It * ftft55 us ft ' jd* UtCv and splitting out wide, Sias used in the OK Gold while record­ his big frame to make eight ing 36 tackles, one tackle for a catches for 332 yards and also loss, a forced fumble and a recorded 25 pancake blocks. fumble recovery. Sias finished the year with Bonnema was also a big four touchdowns and aver­ part of the Trojan offense at aged 18.44 yards per recep­ running back finishing with 538 yards rushing, seven tion. OFFENSIVE LINE receptions for 146 yards and Andrew Hanson, nine touchdowns. Thomapple Kellogg: A senior, Other members ofthe 2023 Hanson was named honorable All-Barry County Football mention all-conference in the First Team Defense are Delton OK Gold. Kellogg’s Mitchell Swift, Hanson had 11 pancake Luke Vanderwal, Chad blocks and head coach Jeff Stopher and Dylan Fichtner, Dock said he “owned a lot of Hastings’ Diego Coipel, Isaac kids and we ran behind him a Friddle, and Aiden SaintAmour, Lakewood’s lot,” Other members ofthe 2023 Seth Willette, and Maple All-Barry County Football Valley’s Callan Hoefler, Nic First Team Offense are Delton Martin and Hunter Redmond. Kellogg’s Luke Watson, 2023 ALL-BARRY Hastings’ Owen Carroll, COUNTY Haiden Simmet, Jett Barnum, FOOTBALL Mason Bailey, Devin Smith SECOND TEAM DEFENSE and Landon Steward, Brody Wiersma, Lakewood’s Brennan Lehman, Thomapple Kellogg: Wiersma and Maple Valley’s Andrew stepped up as a junior for the Shepard, Cam Carpenter and Trojans this fall in the defenOwen McGlocklin. sive backfield. 2023 ALL-BARRY He also traded time at quar­ COUNTY terback with the senior FOOTBALL Middleton throughout the seaSECOND TEAM OFFENSE son and provided a spark run­ QUARTERBACK ning the ball too. Grant Middleton, Other members ofthe 2023 Thomapple Kellogg: A senior All-Barry County Football who worked to keep the Second Team Defense are Trojans’ option attack moving Delton Kellogg’s Cooper this fall. Sandusky, Hastings’ Isaiah Middleton had a 46-yard Wilson, Jayce Peterson, touchdown run during the Brennan Sensiba and Gerald Trojans’ homecoming victory Miller, Lakewood’s Bryan over Ottawa Hills. Aguilera and Sam Mazurek Other members ofthe 2023 and Maple Valley’s Evan All-Barry County Football Brandenburg and Ayden Second Team Offense are Wilkes. Delton Kellogg’s, Wyatt BOYS’SOCCER Colwell, Hastings’ Andrew It was another solid season Haines, and Lakewood’s on the pitch for the area varsity Jaden Manhart. boys’ soccer teams in 2023. RUNNING BACK The Lakewood varsity Tyler Gavette, Thomapple boys’ soccer team had double Kellogg: One of the top offen- digit victories for the fourth sive threats from his running season in a row, finishing secback spot for the Trojan offense ond in its first season back in before seeing his senior season the Capital Area Activities cut short by an injury. Conference White Division. He rushed for 107 yards on Eaton Rapids once again five carries in the Trojans’ proved the Vikings’ nemesis, season opener against the handing them their lone conSaxons in Hastings. ference defeat and then pulling OFFENSIVE LINE out a 1-0 overtime victory in Dombkowski, the MHSAA Division 3 Connor Thornapple Kellogg: District Finals at the end ofthe Dombkowski had a greatjunior year. The other four MHSAA season at left tackle for TK. Other members ofthe 2023 varsity boys’ soccer squads in All-Barry County Football the county continued to settle Second Team Offense are in under first or second year Delton Kellogg’s Wyatt head coaches. One of the highColwell, Hastings’ Andrew lights of the Delton Kellogg Haines, and Lakewood’s season was a 1-1 draw they Jaden Manhart. earned with the Lakewood boys a bit before scoring their 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY first win of the season over FOOTBALL Watervliet in late September. FIRST TEAM DEFENSE Thomapple Hastings, Kellogg and Maple Valley all LINEBACKERS Chad Lennert, Thomapple had a handful ofnice victories Kellogg: Despite only playing this season. Thomapple Kellogg was about seven and a halfgames due to an injury, Lennert led the only team other than the Trojans with 53 tackles. Lakewood to get a postseason A junior, Lennert had three victory, opening the Division tackles for a loss, one sack and 2 state tournament with a 3-0 win over Zeeland East. one fumble recovery this fall. DEFENSIVE BACKS Here are the 2023 All-Barry Ethan Bonnema, County Boys’ Soccer Teams. Thomapple Kellogg: A senior 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY Dvia leader on the rojan defense, Simeon Biltawi, Thomapple Kellogg: An outstanding dis­ tributor of the ball for the Trojans in hisjunior season. Biltawi had five goals and six assists. Jayce Curtis, Thomapple Kellogg: A physical contribu­ tor through the middle of the field for TK as a junior this fall. Curtis had nine goals and three assists on the season. Reece Hoeksma, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior playmaker and scorer for the Trojans he was involved in 42 percent of his team’s goals this season. Hoeksma scored 15 goals and had nine assists. Nathan Shoemaker, Thomapple Kellogg: A sopho­ more defender that kept foes from getting through the mid­ dle ofthe Trojans’ end. He also finished the season with five goals and an assist including both of his team’s goals in an OK Gold Conference Tournament match with Cedar Springs. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Soccer First Team are Delton Kellogg’s Tanner Mellen, Hastings’ Serg Arias, Troy Hokanson and Dan Jensen, and Lakewood’s Troy Acker, Bruno Cano Fernandez Vegue, Garrett Feighan and Jackson Mackenzie. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY BOYS’ SOCCER SECOND TEAM Fernando De Santiago, Thomapple Kellogg: De Santiago had a strong senior season for TK. He closed the year with six goals and an assist. Blake Dykstra, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior defender for TK, coach Andrew Kiel said he hardly got beat or let opportunities come from his side. Dykstra did notch one assist this fall. AshtonNichols, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior who scored three goals this season. If the guy that set up the primary assist was credited with an assist, like in hockey, coach Kiel guessed he’d have had at least ten. Coach Kiel called Nichols his surprise player ofthe year and a steady performer when needed. Braden Sharrar, Thomapple Kellogg: Sharrar as solid in his senior season for the Trojans notching a goal and an assist. Sharrar also kicked this fall for the TK varsity football team. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Barry County Boys’ Soccer Second Team are Delton Kellogg’s Austyn Lipscomb, Francesco Monni and John Sinclair, Hastings’ McKinney Jiles and Charlie Nickels, Lakewood’s Landon Makley and Weston Potter, and Maple Valley’s Bradley Cushing and Robert Schilz. VOLLEYBALL The 2023 varsity volleyball season in Barry County was as bit sliorter than usuai, with hie nine-year run ofdistrict cham­ pionships (filled with trips to the state final four) brought to an end by second ranked Grand Rapids Christian in the MHSAA Division 2 District Finals in early November. It was another great season for the Vikings though who spent die fall ranked among the top five teams in fire state in Division 2. The rest of the county’s teams had their ups and downs. Hastings had one ofits top seasons yet in the Interstate-8 Athletic Conference, while Thomapple Kellogg, Delton Kellogg and Maple Valley worked to improve their skills through­ out the season. A trio of Lakewood girls closed out their season as all­ state performers once again. Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Volleyball Teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY VOLLEYBALL FIRST TEAM Brooklyn Harmon, Thomapple Kellogg: Harmon was a key component of the Trojan offense and defense in the middle ofthe net. She had one ofthe Trojans’ most powerful attacks and good-size and timing on the block. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Barry County Volleyball First Team are Hastings’ Abby Beemer and Audrey Vertalka and Lakewood’s Alivia Everitt, Abby Pickard, Carley Piercefield and Cadence Poll. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY VOLLEYBALL SECOND TEAM Jessie Drenten, Thomapple Kellogg: The Trojans’ senior libero. She kept points alive for the Trojans all season long. Bailey Eden, Thomapple Kellogg: A senior in her first season with the TK varsity, Eden did a little bit ofeverything from the setter spot for TK Eden was a solid passer and attacker for the Trojans. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Barry County Volleyball Second Team are Lakewood’s Emma Dully, Maple Valley’s Madison Koons, Hastings’ Olivia Friddle and Jordan Milanowski, and Delton Kellogg’s Claire Wesolowski and Maysse Wiessner. GIRLS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING Barry County had two teams to sort through to create the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Swimming and Diving Teams for the first time this fall. The two teams cover six different school districts (not all of which are in Barry County). The Delton Kellogg/ Hastings girls worked throughout the fall season to improve their times and to get the feel for the new pools in the Southwestern and Central Michigan Swim Conference. The Grand Rapids Gators were made up of girls from Thomapple Kellogg as well as Calvin Christian, West Catholic and Hopkins this fall, School pool their home. TK girls on the Gator team continued on in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference with their new teammates and a pair ofTrojans on the Gator team earned spots in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Swimming and Diving Finals at the end of flie year. Here are the 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Swimming and Diving Teams. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY GIRLS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING FIRST TEAM Mia Bergman, Grand Rapids Gators: A strong dis­ tance swimmer for the Gator team. Bergman was tenth at the OK Rainbow Tier II Championship in the 500-yard freestyle and also scored for her team with a 13th-place time in the 200-yard freestyle. Abigail Dumond, Grand Rapids Gators: A junior, Dumond qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Diving Finals for the second year in a row after a third-place diving finish in her conference. Dumond reached the semi­ final round at the state meet and closed her weekend at EMU in 20th place. Aliyah Garcia, Grand Rapids Gators: One ofthe top performers all around for the Gators this fall, Garcia was the runner-up in the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet in the 100-yard breaststroke. She was a key relay anchor throughout the season and placed fourth at the conference meet in the 200-yard individu­ al medley. Berta Garcia-Quilez, Grand Rapids Gators: A strong sprinter for the Gators, GarciaQuilez raced to a 13th-place time in the 50-yard freestyle for the Gators at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet. She also contributed to the Gators’ 200-yard freestyle relay team and 200-yard med­ ley relay team at the confer­ ence meet. Audrey Groenenboom, Grand Rapids Gators: Groenenboom raced to a tenth-place time in the 200yard individual medley at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet. Her 200 IM was boosted by solid performances in the butterfly. She was 11™ at the conference meet in the 100-yard butterfly on the day too and also contributed to the Gators’ 400-yard freestyle relay team at the conference meet. Malia Hamby, Grand Rapids Gators: Hamby had a 14th-place finish at the conference meet in the 100-yard but­ terfly to score for her team. She also contributed for the Gators in the freestyle sprints at the conference meet with a 14th-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle. Aubrey Hawks, Grand Rapids Gators. Hawks had a OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet this season highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle. Hawks also raced to a ninth­ place time in the 100-yard backstroke at the conference meet Avery Hollebeek, Grand Rapids Gators: Hollebeek scored for the Gators at the conference meet in the 100yard freestyle and the 100yard backstroke. She placed 14th in the free­ style and 13th in the back­ stroke. Elizabeth Middleton, Grand Rapids Gators: One ofthe top races for the Gators in the breaststroke she scored a ninth­ place finish in the race at the conference meet this season. Middleton also placed ninth in the 500-yard freestyle at the conference meet to score points for her team. Jolee Schumacher, Grand Rapids Gators: Schumacher raced her way into the finals of the 50-yard freestyle at the conference meet and scored a 16th-place finish. She also scored with a 15th-place finish in the 100yard backstroke for the Gators at the conference meet. Lydia Slagel, Grand Rapids Gators: A freshman, Slagel was the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference champion in the diving competition this season. Slagel qualified for the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Diving Finals for the first time and finished 22nd among the 36 divers at the state finals. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Swimming and Diving First Team are Delton Kellogg/ Hastings’ Petra Foster, Saga Jones and Bella Morey. 2023 ALL-BARRY COUNTY GIRLS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING SECOND TEAM Jenna Robinett, Grand Rapids Gators: Robinett scored for the Gators in the 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke at the conference meet this season. She placed 15th in both races. Leah Schumacher, Grand Rapids Gators: Schumacher had a pair of 15 -place finish­ es at the OK Rainbow Tier II Conference Meet this season. She scored for the Gators in both the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard freestyle. Natalie Wickstrom, Grand Rapids Gators: One of the best divers around, she was the runner-up in between her two teammates at the conference meet at the end ofthe season. Wickstrom missed out on competing at regionals this season, meaning she couldn’t qualify for the state meet with her teammates. A junior, she has the chance to take another shot at it next fall. Other members ofthe 2023 All-Barry County Girls’ Swimming and Diving Second Team are Delton Kellogg/ Hastings’ Morgan Cross, Naomi Grummet, Muclea �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 2, 2023 Trojan basketball opens year with two wins Brett Bremer Sports Editor The go-ahead and game winning free throws came with six tenths of a second on the clock from Thomapple Kellogg senior guard Tyler Gavette Tuesday against Allendale and there were more heroics for the Trojans Thursday in Middleville as they clawed out of an eight­ point fourth quarter hole to score a 54-49 win over visit­ ing Lakewood. Sophomore forward Lucas Ploeg found senior guard Kyle VanHaitsma streaking down the lane and fired a pass in from the left side that led to a lay-up and an and-one oppor­ tunity with 5:23 to go in the ballgame. VanHaitsma’s free throw was no good, but his bucket put TK in front 40-39 giving the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball team its first lead since the first half ofthe first quarter against the visiting Vikings. TK’s lead swelled to as many as eight points in the fourth quarter before back to-back three’s by the Vikings’ Logan Faulkner and Landon Makley evened the score at 47-47 with 1:35 to play. Gavette answered with a drive and scoop around Makley in the paint to put TK in front for good. The Trojans were 5-of-6 at the free throw line in the final minute to seal the win. A heavily contested three-point attempt by Makley, with Ploeg all over him, in the left comer with three seconds to play was the Vikings’ last gasp effort to try and tie the ballgame in the end. The Trojans, under new head coach Phil Garber, are 2-0 to start a season for the first time since December of 2016, and with the win over Lakewood have now matched their 2022-23 season win total. Lakewood falls to 0-2 under its new head coach Jason Solgat. Plainwell knocked off the visiting Vikings to open their season Tuesday night. Junior guard Jude Webster had a big night for TK leading all scorers with 18 points. He had 14 in the second half including a pair of threes. Gavette finished with eight points and Brice Lloyd, Brody Wiersma, VanHaitsma and Ploeg had six apiece for TK. Lakewood was led by the senior forward Makley’s 15 points, with two coming on a breakaway dunk in the sec­ ond quarter. Senior guard Troy Acker had 13 points and senior guard Blake Price 12 for Lakewood. Price handled the basketball for much ofthe night for the Vikings and scored his 12 points, on four three-pointers, injust a little over three quarters. He picked up his fifth foul just over a minute into the fourth quarter. Lakewood had a 37-33 lead at the time, but only for a moment. TK worked an inbound play with Webster getting the ball into Wiersma and then getting it back in the left corner for a three that pulled TK to within one 37-36. The whistles were tough on the Vikings who felt like they were hit with a body foul a few times while playing sound defense. There were a few free throws late for TK with Lakewood pressing, but the Trojans were 14-of-19 at the free throw line for the night. Lakewood shot well at the line, but finishedjust 6-of8. The Trojans threw a bit more full-court pressure at the Vikings as they worked to dig out of their early hole, and it was a move out of a zone to man-to-man that really start­ ed giving the Vikings some fits. Lakewood was able to extend the Trojans’ zone at times and find some space in building its lead. TK led 4-2 five and a half minutes into the game, but the Vikings’ responded with a three from Acker and then two from Price that suddenly had them in front 11-4 with 3:13 to play in that first quarter. They led the rest of the first half and had a 24-20 edge at the intermission. Thomapple Kellogg built a seven-point halftime lead, led by as many as nine points in the second half and then ral­ lied from a four-point hole in the final minutes ofits season opener Tuesday. TK took a 50-49 non-conference win over Allendale in Middleville. Gavette knocked down two free throws with six tenths of a second on the clock to give the Trojans the winning margin. A Trojan trap turned into a steal near mid-court with a little less than halfa minute to go in the ballgame and the Falcons up 49-48. A quick Allendale foul led into a TK time-out with 21.9 seconds to go. Gavette attacked the bas­ ket, but had a shot bound off. Ploeg won a battle for the offensive board as the ball went out of bounds off the Falcons with 1.2 seconds to play. Bonnema inbounded the ball from under the TK on the right side ofthe lane. Gavette shook his defender with a quick cut at the free throw line and broke back down the left side of the lane where Bonnema found him. The Falcon foul sent the Trojan Thomapple Kellogg junior guard Jude Webster is bumped by Lakewood’s senior guard to the line. Garrett Feighan as he attacks the basket during the secondhalf of the Trojans’ A half-court heave by the win over the visiting Vikings Thursday. Webster had a game-high 18 points for TK. Falcons was well offthe mark (Photo by Brett Bremer) as the buzzer sounded. Garber said it was a huge even for the first time at 39-39 by Ploeg cut that lead in half the clock after beating his win for the program. with 6:40 to play after TK with 3:18 to go and the defender to the hoop from the TK had a 25-18 lead at the opened the fourth quarter Trojans’ were patient in their left wing. half. The Falcons opened the leading 39-35. zone for a bit. Ploeg hit the With the new foul rules, third quarter on a little 4-0 run Allendale eventually front end of a trip to the free TK had to foul the Falcons a to get within three, but the manged to pull in front 49-45. throw line to halve the Falcon handfill of times in the final Trojans responded to push the A quick bucket in the paint lead to 49-48 with 1:19 left on minute and a half to try and lead back to nine points. force free throws or take the The Falcons pulled back to basketball away. Teams now —Be Winter Ready— High Efficiency FURNACE s200 OFF S7O Must present this coupon coupon.X ' mr W Extended thru 12-22-23 (not valid with other offers) |Bt| |B!| ""“tsC tsaC 4 FRONTIE HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 LoKScallKy? owHnedB biusi■ness■. J® Thornapple Kellogg varsity boys’ basketball coach Phil Garber directs his guys during the second half of their non-conference ballgame with visiting Lakewood in Middleville Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) enter the free throw bonus after five fouls in a quarter, and that number resets each quarter. There are no more one-and-one attempts. All common fouls once a team is in the bonus result in two free throws. TK picked up its first foul ofthe fourth quarter with 43.8 to play. Eventually the Trojan pres­ sure turned into the turnover they needed. VanHaitsma had a teamhigh 13 points for the Trojans. Gavette finished with 11 points. He was 4-of-5 at the free throw line. Gavette and Wiersma had big three-point­ ers in the fourth quarter to help the Trojans keep pace. Wiersma closed the night with eight points. Ploeg had six. Allendale got a game-high 15 points from Alex Genuise who hit three three-pointers in the second half. Jackson Fitton added 12 points for the Falcons and Jacob DeVito finished with nine points. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-12-09.pdf 3cd4a2e572f7813c320adb76639a9810 PDF Text Text ihe Sun and Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas Bp. 49/ December 9, 2023 PublishedbyJ-AdGraphics,Inc.•1351N.M-43Highway,Hastings,Ml49058 145thyear Yankee Springs secures $131,200 Former Middleville state grant for park improvements council member pleads guilty to impaired driving Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township has received approval of a $131,200 state Recreation Passport grant that will be used for improvements to its township park. Yankee Springs was one of 15 communities across the state that received approval for the grant that was announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office Wednesday morning. “Holy mackerel!” Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis exclaimed when he learned of the grant being approved. “This is such great news.” The grant will be used to build four new pickleball courts at the township park, east of the current pickleball courts, which will be con­ verted to a full-court basketball court. The grant will also be used for building a wheel­ chair-accessible pathway between the pickleball courts and basketball court. “We wanted to make sure (the courts) are accessible for everyone,” said township Parks Committee member Chuck Schira, who wrote the grant to the state. The township will have to provide a 25 percent local match, in the amount of $43,800, for the grant, Schira said. Even with the recent con- Jayson Bussa Editor This map shows the site plan for Yankee Springs Township Park, which will be bolstered by a $131,200 state Recreation Passport grant. The township found out it received the funding on Wednesday morning. (Rendering provided) struction of privately-owned pickleball courts next to the Curley Cone restaurant and ice cream shop, the two pickleball courts at the townhip park have still seen “a signif­ icant increase” in activity, Schira wrote in the township’s grant application. “The private courts draw in more competitive players who like round-robin tournaments. The township courts appeal to more families and groups of friends who want to play a few games togeth­ er,” Schira wrote in the appli­ cation narrative. The current pickleball and basketball courts were installed in 2009 with the help of the Department of Natural Resources grant, Schira wrote in the applica­ tion. The township’s applica­ tion received a score of 195, tied for the second-highest among the 47 communities that sought the grants. Criteria that were used in evaluating applications included scarcity of local parks and recreation services, having a project designed that meets standards and guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and having gone more than 10 years without receiving a state recreation development grant, according to a criteria document supplied to the Sun and News. Funding for the grants come from sales of Michigan’s Recreation Passport, which gives yearround vehicle access to more than 100 state parks and rec­ reation areas, more than 1,000 state-managed boat launch sites, more than 140 state forest campgrounds and parking at thousands ofmiles See STATE GRANT, page 2 Former Vault building in Caledonia under new ownership; bakery planned to open in ’24 Greg Chandler StaffWriter About a year and a half after the Vault Bakery closed its doors in the village of Caledonia, the building the bakery once occupied has new owners. Paxington Investments, consisting of Haley McNeil- Momma’s Bakery & Cafe in Cascade Township, and plans to open a second Sugar Momma’s location in the for- I’m hoping that the bakery side is kind of a draw for people to come in (the downtown Caledonia area).” — Haley McNeil-Chapman, Owner, Sugar Mommas Bakery & Cafe Chapman, Mike Chapman, Kimberly Flier and Andrew Flier, acquired the 10,260-square-foot building at 203 E. Mair. St. from Bosco Properties in late October. mer Vault location early next year, she said in an interview with the Sun and News Haley McNeil-Chapman the owner of Sugar Thursday. “I’m hoping to open in the is springtime, maybe around Easter,” said McNeilChapman, who opened Sugar Momma’s on 28th Street SE in 2011. McNeil-Chapman and her husband Michael live about five minutes away from the downtown area and have two boys attending Caledonia Community Schools, one in kindergarten at Caledonia Elementary and the other in preschool in the YMCA pro­ gram at the Duncan Lake building. “We pass by (the building) all the time,” McNeilChapman said. “When I saw the bakery initially go out, I kind of had a thought about putting a sister store in there, but the more I thought about it, the more I went, ‘I don’t know if I really want to rent another place.’ I rent where See BAKERY, page 3 A former member ofthe Middleville Village Council pled guilty to impaired driving on Wednesday morning, charges that stemmed from an early October incident that eventually led to him resigning from his post. The 27-year-old DeMaagd, who served as President Pro-Tempore of the village council, was originally charged with misdemeanor counts of operating while intoxicat­ ed and failure to stop after a collision. At a Wednesday settlement hearing in a Barry County district courtroom, DeMaagd pled guilty to a lesser charge — impaired driving — and the two original charges were dis­ missed. The impaired driving charge carries a maximum of 93 days in jail. DeMaagd will be sen­ tenced on Jan. 23. “Make sure between now and then — the holi­ days are difficult times for both celebrations and can be difficult times. No drinking at all,” Judge Michael Schipper instructed DeMaagd at the brief hearing. DeMaagd was represented by Steven Storrs of Hastings-based Storrs Tripp, Tagg, Attorneys at Law. DeMaagd’s charges originated from an Oct. 3 incident where he piloted a Left Field Coffee Johnny DeMaagd Company van — the busi­ ness he owns while under the influence of alcohol. In a police report obtained by the Banner through a Freedom of Information Act request, an officer with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a vehicle identified as the Left Field Coffee Company van had done a burnout into the parking lot ofvillage hall, losing a hubcap in the process. Another witness, per the report, said he saw the van crash into the vehicle it parked next to before the driver exited the vehicle and went into the village hall. DeMaagd was late arriving but did partici­ pate in the meeting that night. The responding officer noticed that there was a village council meeting going on and waited in the hallway to not disrupt See DEMAAGD, page 2 • Caledonia township staff, elected officials get pay raise • Middleville council approaches vote on utility rate hikes • TK ladies win their hoops opener by one at Plainwell • Caledonia Fighting Scot winter sports previewed • TKHS wrestling starts its year 2-0 at Caledonia High School �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023 STATE GRANT, continued from page 1 of trails and other outdoor spaces. The grants are fund­ ed from 10 percent of Recreation Passport reve­ nues, with the remaining funds going toward opera­ tions, infrastructure and his­ toric and cultural assets in the state parks and recreation system. “When we invest in our state parks and public lands, we all benefit,” Whitmer said in a news release. “The Recreation Passport helps us improve parks, trails, play­ grounds, campgrounds and so much more across Michigan, improving quality oflife and growing our econ­ omy. I am proud that we made the largest investments ever into our state and local parks over the last few friends at a beach court, hav­ years. A total of $1,977,300 in ing outdoor spaces available grants were approved state­ and nearby are important to wide in the current Recreation our mental and physical Passport cycle, out ofnearly wellbeing.” About 27 percent of state $5.5 million in funding parks funding for operations requests. “The Recreation Passport and maintenance is generat­ secures critical funding for ed from Recreation Passport both state and local commu­ sales. Another 50 percent of nity parks,” DNR Director funding comes from camp­ Scott Bowen said in a news ing and lodging registration release. “Because 10 percent fees, while 11 percent comes of Recreation Passport sales from state-owned oil, gas go to communities through and mineral royalty revenues these grants, even more of and 9 percent from conces­ Michigan’s residents and vis­ sions, shelter reservations and miscellaneous sources. itors can enjoy the outdoors. Whether strolling through a Only 3 percent ofstate parks comes from neighborhood park during funding your lunch hour, enjoying Michigan general fund tax time with your grandkids at dollars, according to state an accessible playground, or records. playing volleyball with A grant will be used to build four new pickleball courts at the township park, east of the current pickleball courts, which will be converted into a full-court bas­ ketball court. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) DEMAAGD, continued from page 1 it. Afterward, the officer spoke with DeMaagd, not­ ing that they could smell intoxicants on him. DeMaagd initially denied both driving or having any­ thing to drink but later admitted to both, according to the report. Police issued a standard field sobriety test that con­ firmed his impairment. The police report did not make note of a measured or recorded blood alcohol con­ tent level, though. Returning When DeMaagd parked the van, his vehicle rested on a silver Honda Civic, causing minor damage. An officer observed a flat tire on the van and noted that the van appeared to be resting on the Civic. Officers tracked down the owner ofthe other vehicle a day later and confirmed the Civic did sustain minor damage. A week later, with the investigation still ongo­ ing, DeMaagd submitted w LIVE NATIVITY t Sat., Dec. 9th • 6 to 8 pm Bowne Center United Methodist Church Get into the true spirit of Christmas. See the Nativity and pet the animals. Cookies and hot chocolate will be *0 , provided in the fellowship hall where you can warm up jB ‘ and chat with your neighbors. ®J Bowne Center Historical Society will also host an < OPEN HOUSE at the Museum and the one-room IB Schoolhouse. |i This wonderful event takes place at the comer of 84th St and Alden Nash Rd. (M-50). || I his resignation to the vil­ lage council, writing to Village President Mike Cramer: “To better serve our neighbors — and espe­ cially to better advocate for the LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized groups -lam stepping down from my position. My resigna­ tion is effective immedi­ ately.” “I believe Middleville is one of the most beautiful communities this state has to offer, and I wish the vil­ lage the best in the coming years of growth,” the letter continued. The village council accepted DeMaagd’s resig­ nation. Gaines Township trustees prepare to put bow on 2023, brace for a busy ’24 James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Board of Trustees is holding its final regular meeting of 2023 this Monday night, Dec. 11, and getting ready to tackle what promises to be a histo­ ry-making 2024. Last July, the trustees were surprised to learn that .the Byron Township Board had voted to discontinue a 73-year partnership with Gaines in jointly running the Cutlerville Fire Department. One year’s advance notice was required under the terms of an inter-gov­ ernmental agreement, so the separation officially takes effect in July 2024. The Gaines Township ■Board must decide whether it will exercise an option to pay the remaining equity in the Cutlerville Fire Station at 11 68th St. SW, if it decides to take ownership of the build­ ing. Or whether it will allow Byron Township to own the fire station, which is on the Byron side ofDivision Avenue — the boundary between the two townships. If Gaines trustees decide they want to build a new fire station on Gaines property, they will have to figure out how to pay for the construction costs. The township board established a Cutlerville Fire Committee recently to gamer advisory input and recommendations on how to proceed, one way of the other. The Dutton Fire Department also underwent big changes in 2023, with five full-time fire­ fighters added to the staff. Dutton switched to a 24/7 staffing model in January. The township board will consider a request to extend the 48-hour/96-hour work schedule for the respective fire departments, and a request to sell Engine 67, winch was put into “retirement.” Township Manager Rod Weersing sent the Board of Trustees a memo on Dec. 6 saying he anticipates 2024 will even busier than this year. He cited growing development in the township and additional days ofelection voting. The Gaines Township Board discussing business at a recent meeting. (Photo by James Gemmell) He noted that many of the items on Monday’s board agenda will be routine yearend items. “You will be taking into consideration the poverty-ex­ emption guidelines, 2024 water and sewer rates ... 2023 budget amendments, committee appointments and the meeting schedule for 2024,” Weersing mentioned in the memo. One election process done, another one on tap Township Clerk Michael Brew said the post-election canvass has been completed in Gaines. That is the official tally ofvotes from the Nov. 7 election. The votes have been formally set by Kent County. Results posted on the accesskent.com website indi­ cate that voter turnout in Gaines Township was 15.62 percent, with 3,447 out of 22,071 registered voters casting ballots. The data compiled by ElectionReporting.com show that 2,634 voted in favor of the Kent District Library millage renewal proposal, and 809 voted against Countywide, voters passed the 15-year renewal by a 77-percent to 23-percent mar­ gin. Nearly 100,000 voters submitted ballots in the special election. Approved was a lower rate of 1.1 mills, a reduction from KDL’s current rate of The township’s Personnel Committee provided several recommendations to the town­ ship board recently as part of its six-month review of Township Manager Rod Weersing. In the area ofrela­ tionships, it said that he scores in the mid-to-high range in his ability to work effectively with department heads. On a scale of-1 to 5, he scored in the 4-to5 range in the area ofcommu­ nication with trustees and resi­ dents. The report said Weering is “proactive, communicative and improves morale ... but one outlier recommends a more aggressive style in order to create faster change in the township.” The committee recommended that the township board direct him to establish an order of priorities that would include conducting a website assessment and redesign process “as a highest priority. This priority is intended to increase the board’s trans­ parency to the township resi­ dents.” A second priority recom­ mendation is to move forward with enhancing the township’s parks and trails, and public works. The board of trustees approved a new parks and trails master plan earlier this year. The Personnel Committee also recommended that staff 1.2355 mills. The new rate begin to conduct research into takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, even how a more robust Finance though the current millage was Department can be developed. not scheduled to expire until Dec. 31, 2024. The new mill­ Gaines to hire new depu­ age will expire Dec. 31,2039. ty treasurer Meanwhile, the Gaines The township was on the clerk’s office is now preparing verge ofhiring a new Deputy for the Michigan presidential Treasurer at the time this story primary election on Feb. 27. went to press. Jenna Along with the candidates list- Pilkington had served in that ed on the ballot, voters also capacity for nearly a dozen may choose “uncommitted” as years but recently decided to an option. The deadline for leave the position. primary election ballots to be “I hope by the end of this sent to military and overseas week to have a decision. I’m voters is Jan. 13, 2024, and interviewing (job candidates) absent voter ballots must be this week,” Treasurer Laurie printed by Jan. 18,2024. Lemke said. “We had well Beginning in February, over a hundred applications. there will be nine days ofearly I’ve narrowed it down to eight voting. All nine precincts in candidates, all from this area.” the township will do their Among other things, the early voting at the township deputy treasurer receives and hall. The hours will be 8:30 processes tax payments. a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those are posted to residents’ parcels. The deputy treasurer Personnel Committee also processes the township recommendations to the mail. This past week, Lemke �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023/ Page 3 VAULT BAKERY, continued from page 1 I’m at now in Cascade.” McNeil-Chapman said. wouldn’t have had a clue But things changed when The larger main floor how to do,” she said. “They the “For Sale” sign went up space needs some electrical put a big beam in it, they on the building. work done before it can be did a lot of electrical and “I thought, that would be leased to a prospective plumbing work. All the a game changer ifwe actu­ tenant, but the former Vault ducts are good in it. It’s ally owned the whole build­ location appears more ready just a lot of cosmetic stuff ing,” McNeil-Chapman to be occupied. that now needs to get said. “It really seemed out “It just needs to be fixed.” of reach. It was probably cleaned up and kind of A West Michigan native, mid-summer. I said to my redone a little bit, so that’s McNeil-Chapman and her husband, ‘let’s just go look what we’re doing right now, husband have lived in at it.’ One thing led to working little by little as we Caledonia for more than 10 another, and we ended up can, because we all have years. They are excited buying it. It was much more ■full-time jobs,” McNeil- about the possibilities in the appealing to pay myself Chapman said. “When we village. rent to go in there.” get somebody serious “I’m hoping that the bak­ The Fliers came on as enough, we’re going to start ery side is kind of a draw partners in purchasing the paying somebody else to do for people to come in (the building. “We own 70 per­ the work, to get it done-do­ downtown area),” she said. cent and they own 30,” ne.” “We’ve had some talks McNeil-Chapman said. McNeil-Chapman about maybe a furniture Right now, the new own­ praised Bosco Properties (store), a gift store kind of ers are rehabilitating the partners Chris and Ryan mix place (in the larger inside of the building. VanderHoff for work they main floor space), which There’s already a built-in put in before they sold the would be fun, something revenue stream because the building. that people would want to upper floor has four apart­ “They did a lot of the go into and shop, versus an ments that are rented out, hard stuff inside that we office.” Paxington Investment partners (left to right) Mike Chapman, Haley McNeilChapman, Kimberly Flier and Andrew Flier have purchased the building at 203 E. Main St. in the village of Caledonia that once housed the Vault Bakery. McNeilChapman plans to open a second location of her business, Sugar Momma’s Bakery & Cafe, in the former Vault location next spring. (Photo courtesy Haley McNeil-Chapman) Middleville council approaches final vote on utility rate hikes Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council is expected next Tuesday to give final approval to passing water and sewer rate hikes that will pay 25 percent of capi­ tal improvements in those utilities next year. However, one council member continued to push for a greater investment in those capital improvements at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. Village President Pro Tempore Kevin Smith was absent at the Nov. 28 meet­ ing when the council decid­ ed to scale back rate increas­ es for next year, two weeks after the body had agreed to pay for 75 percent of capital improvements for water and sewer. At Tuesday’s meet­ ing, Smith urged the council to reconsider a greater investment - at least 50 per­ cent ifnot 75 percent. “We are paying for some­ thing that we use every sin­ gle day,” Smith said. “We use water like we use our cars, like we use our houses, like we use our internet, our electricity and everything else ... It would be silly for us to not look inward and say ‘how can we be respon- PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Ail real estate advertising in this newspaper is sible as an entity that serves the public and make tough decisions?’ We have to make them. That’s why we sit on this board.” The 75 percent invest­ ment would have resulted in a 43.8 percent combined water and sewer rate increase for a typical resi­ dential household that uses 15,000 gallons of water reason it made me look twice at that. It sucks. We’re going to have to look at it again next year. This is not going to go away, but ifwe stagger the approach, at least this year we’re doing something. We’re doing a lot more than (a) 2 percent (increase) and kicking it down the road. It’s gonna hurt, and it’s gonna hurt every quarter, from $179.10 everyone.” to $257.60 every three Six residents spoke out months. That hike would against the rate hikes at a have covered both increases council public hearing on in fixed readiness-to-serve Nov. 28. In addition, several charges as well as usage council members reported rates. getting feedback from resi­ Village President Mike dents who opposed the level Cramer said he got a lot of of increase through phone phone calls after the initial calls or email. Nov. 14 decision. He Council Trustee Makenzi expressed concern about Peters, who opposed the 75 how that large ofan increase percent investment all along, would affect businesses as spoke of how that level of well as residents. investment and resulting “When you’ve got a lot rate hike would affect oper­ of employees and you have ations at the Carveth Village to pay costs for utilities that assisted living facility, were not in your line item where she is the business budget, cuts have to be administrator. made somewhere,” Cramer “Taking myselfout ofthis said. “That’s the biggest role (as a council member) Public Notice To the residents of THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Civil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. Thornapple Township will be appointing an individ­ ual to fill a vacancy on the Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission (TAPRC). The appoint­ ment to the TAPRC would be to fill the term that expires December of 2027 as one of the three (3) Township’s representatives to that organization. Those interested in being considered as a candi­ date for this position should send a letter of interest and resume to: Thornapple Township, 200 E. Main St., P.O. Box 459, Middleville, Ml 49333 or e-mail to supervisor@thornaDPle-twp.org by Thursday December 13th, 2023, and also looking at a job where I’m responsible for 73 souls and 55 employees and trying to provide a home for people that don’t have other options — they’re also on limited incomes I can’t justify pushing (ah increase) that much onto them,” Peters said. “It’s hard enough to get people that need assisted living to actu­ ally be in assisted living because their finances are (such that they) can’t afford it.” Trustee Richard Hamilton said that a 25 percent invest­ ment would give the village time to communicate the need for future increases to address water and sewer infrastructure needs. “It gives us time to pre­ pare thq people if we need to bump it from 25 to 35 per­ cent,” Hamilton said. Smith said he appreciated 0 taking a gradual approach three months. on increases, but said that Under the village capital the village cannot go back to improvement plan, the vil­ the 2 percent rate increases lage is expected to spend that had been commonplace $500,000 next year on new in recent years. well construction, $400,000 for sewer main lining “Those 2 percent increas­ es are a thing ofthe past. We replacement, $350,000 for need to digest that as a board water main replacement on today, but also every board High Street, $80,000 for in the future and I think sewer replacement on High, even to the council and to and $150,000 for water lead the staff. We can’t go back service location and identifi­ to that,” Smith said. “Those cation. The latter item is increases were certainly being paid for through a good for the public and for drinking water assessment sentiment, but I think it was grant from the Michigan bad for us to fund really Department ofEnvironment, important projects leading Great Lakes and Energy. into the future.” The rate proposal fol­ If adopted, the 25 percent lowed a study of the vil­ capital improvement invest­ lage’s rates by the Michigan ment will result in a com­ Rural Water Association, a bined utility rate increase of statewide nonprofit organi­ about 17 percent for a zation that advises small household that uses 15,000 communities across the state gallons in a quarter from in water and wastewater $179.10 to $209.91 every operations. Holy Light A Christmas cantata performed by the combined Chancel Choirs of Caledonia UMC and Grand Rapids South UMC. Come celebrate the birth of our Savior, through song and word, as we reflect on God’s gift of the holy light of Jesus, sent to a world in darkness. •A Sunday, December 17,2023 Jeantata during our 9:00 AM worship Caledonia aled United Methodist Church fig 250 Vine Street, Caledonia �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9,2023 Data breach affects a million Corewell Health patients; Local care facilities unaffected Jayson Bussa Editor Late last week, Corewell Health announced a cyberse­ curity breach with one of its vendors had made the person­ al information of one million patients vulnerable. This included the patient’s name, date of birth, email address, phone number, diagno­ sis, health insurance informa­ tion and social security number. However, patients at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, which is part ofthe Corewell Health System, need not worry. Nor do patients at other area Corewell Health care centers, like those located at Gun Lake and in Caledonia. “Only patients that received care on the east side ofthe state were affected,” a Corewell Health spokesperson told the Sun and News in an email. The ordeal stemmed from an instance where a Denver­ based healthcare information technology firm called Welltok, was subjected to a breach that affected several health organizations and exposed the personal informa­ tion of roughly 8.5 million patients across the country. The breach happened when hackers broke into file transfer software called MOVEit to gain access to the information. A similar instance played out earlier this year when hackers attacked MOVEit and it affected thousands of orga­ nizations and 77 million peo­ ple. A security patch was issued for MOVEit and imple­ mented by Welltok but did not seem to stop cyber criminals. Welltok officials announced its system and security con­ cerns are resolved and it is not aware of any instances of fraud or identity theft arising from the event. A representative from Corewell Health noted that patients treated at the Corewell facilities in the southeast portion of the state do come from all over, so it is possible that a West Michigan resident who sought care there could be affected. As a precaution, Welltok representatives are reaching out to all patients who were affected and offering free credit monitoring. Corewell Health issued the following statement to the Sun and News'. “The privacy ofour patients, health plan members and team members is a top concern. We recently learned our vendor, Welltok, Inc., was affected by the MOVEit cyberattack that involved more than 2,000 organizations earlier this year. Welltok is communicating directly with the individuals whose data was affected by the attack, and credit monitoring is available to all impacted people.” Patients at Pennock Hospital, which is now part of Corewell Health, have not been affected by a massive data breach that made vulnerable the personal informa­ tion of roughly one million Corewell patients. (File photo) Police arrest man in Gaines Township after standoff James Gemmell Contributing Writer A 34-year-old Grand Rapids man is facing multiple charges after a car-ramming incident Wednesday evening in the City of Wyoming — and a subsequent standoff in Gaines Charter Township. It began around 6:30 p.m. along Eastern Avenue near 32nd Street. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office said its narcot­ ics team was assisting the Metro Pattern Crimes Task Force (MPACT) with arrest­ ing a wanted suspect who was sitting in a parked car. “The driver did not comply with any commands and start­ ed to move his vehicle in an aggressive manner, and then started to crash into several parked vehicles. One ofthose vehicles then struck our detec­ tive lieutenant, who fell to the ground as a result,” Sgt. Eric Brunner said. The 21-year veteran officer was taken to a hospital for observation and then released overnight. Ch n'tth The Sheriff’s Office said the suspect was able to flee in a BMW after striking several cars. It was later found aban­ doned in Grand Rapids. Detectives from the KCSO and MPACT received a tip that the suspect was at an apartment in the 1000 block of Woodfield East, near 60th Street, in Gaines Township. The KCSO Tactical Team arrived on the scene to execute a search warrant at the apart­ ment. They said he was holed up in an attic and refused to come out for about an hour, before eventually surrendering peacefully. Deputies said officers found two handguns in the attic, plus a Glock switch - which can be used for converting a Glock handgun from a semi-auto­ matic pistol into a pistol capa­ ble offully automatic firing. Detectives said they also found marijuana inside the i>—Caledonia United IL Methodist Church alaska 7240 68'*'Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 616^98-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org church Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service Fellowship Time Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study 9: 30 AM 10: 45 AM 11: 00 AM 5: 00 PM 6: 00 PM Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor cornerstonechurch Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am [FIRST iunday Service BAPTIST Middleville 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http: // goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET- 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY CHURCH ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: 1664 M-37 LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 @thejchurch 4APEACE * CHURCH PEACECHURCH.CC Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc JHl Whitneyville Fellowship Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School-- .. 9:30 AM Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpauicaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 "Shining Forth God's Tight" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 1:QO a.m. 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Watch our services from our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowshlp.org www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Sunday Worship Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting Good Shepherd JA HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH Lutheran Church 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend residence. The man was booked into the Kent County Jail. The KCSO said he would be for­ mally charged in Wyoming 62A District Court for fleeing police, and also charged in 63rd District Court in Grand Rapids with firearms and drugs charges. The Michigan State Police are conducting the crash investi­ gation itself, because it involved an officer being injured. Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass...................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9,2023/ Page 5 Thornapple Players’ ‘A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas’ opens tonight The Thornapple Players’ performance run of “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas” opened this week. Here, cast members rehearse a scene from the show. Pictured are (from left) Michelle Pappas, Dick Curtis, Cassie Moyer and Michael Cox. (Photo provided) Locals have two more opportunities to enjoy the Thomapple Players’ annual Christmas show, “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas.” The final two per­ formances are Saturday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. “I am very excited to bring the community this light come­ dy performed by a fun-loving, fantastic cast of people,” said Audrey Burton, who is directing the production with assistance from her daughter, Lis BurtonHaas. “We hope the community will enjoy the show and start their holiday season with the Thomapple Players.” The second production of Thomapple Players’ 25th sea­ son, “A Good Old-Fashioned Big Family Christmas,” by Pat Cook, is a light comedy based on the dynamics of one family at Christmastime? “This family is made up of characters like the family members many of us have in our own lives. It’s akin to a Midwestern salad that might have fruit and nuts mixed together to create an unusual blend ofpersonalities,” Burton said. “Each cast member has developed and evolved their character into the embodiment of what I believe was Pat Cook’s vision.” The show’s cast includes Michael Moray, Jordan Moray, Angela Seeber, Adam Knapp, Kirsten, Nottingham, Tyler Richmond, Cassie Moyer, Michael Cox, Michelle Pappas, Dick Curtis, Anna Spindler, Ellie Burton, Avery Walsh and Ainsley Burton. The crew for the production includes Angela Seeber, Amy Young, Audrey Burton, Lis Burton-Haas, Carol Svihl, Dan Burton, Danielle Current, Corey Seeber, Bruce Young, Erin Merritt, Steve Hoke, Terry Van Dien, Grace, Vollmer, Joni Rudesill, Terri Schray, Kimmy Beck and Matt Sink. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday’s performances can be purchased at formsbcf.org/ view.php?id=74897, at Gilmore Jewelers or reserved by calling the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. The performances will be held at the Dennison Performing Arts Center, 231 S. Broadway St., Hastings. All tickets for these perfor­ mances are $12. For more information about this show, email thomappleplayers@gmail.com, visit the Thomapple Players Facebook page or leave a message with the Thomapple Arts Council at 269-945-2002. Middleville council seeks additional wording on 9-1-1 lease agreement Greg Chandler StaffWriter Middleville Village Council members are asking for the addition of one word to the village’s lease agree­ ment with Barry County Central Dispatch for the con­ struction of an emergency communications tower near the village’s wastewater treatment plant. County Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman brought the lease agreement to the council at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting. Trustee Richard Hamilton praised the language in the agreement, calling it “very comprehensive.” “There’s no stone unturned. This thing covers about everything imagin­ able,” Hamilton said. However, Hamilton noticed there wasn’t a reference to any removal of the tower in the agreement, or who would be responsible for the cost of the removal should it ever occur. He asked that the word “remov­ al” be added to the indemni- fication section ofthe agree­ towers that are being built as ment —just in case. Barry County works to Lehman said the county move all of its police, fire 9-1-1 authority would cover and emergency response the costs of any removal communications to a single should it occur. system. The other one is in “We would need to handle the city of Hastings at Bliss that. It’s essentially our Riverfront Park at 1037 E. tower,” she said. “But to be State St. totally transparent, I can’t Currently, all law enforce­ think of a single reason why ment communications in the that tower is going to come county are transmitted off a down or would need to come 700/800 MHz tower in down, in my lifetime.” Castleton Township near the Because of the additional village of Nashville, while wording, the council is not fire and EMS rely on an anti­ expected to approve the lease quated VHF radio system. agreement until January. That means there is no “It’ll have to go back to cross-communication my attorney, which is Doug between police and fire in Van Essen, and then it’ll emergency situations, have to go back to yours, Lehman told the ZBA at the Mark Nettleton,” Lehman August hearing. said. The new towers in The village’s Zoning Middleville and Hastings Board ofAppeals in August have an estimated cost of approved a variance allow­ $5.8 million, which will be ing BCCD to build the paid for out of an American 300-foot-high tower at 607 Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Sheridan St. The village grant and a $3 million allocaordinance normally limits tion from the state’s budget the height of a communica­ surplus that was awarded to tions tower to 120 feet. BCCD earlier this year, The new tower is one of Lehman said at the August two new 700/800-megahertz hearing. Caledonia Women’s Club donates to Green Gables Haven , hosts Christmas luncheon The GFWC Caledonia Women’s Club recently held its annual Christmas luncheon at Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille in Caledonia. Guests at the celebration were GFWC Southwest District President Linda Roughand Christy Durham from Green Gables Haven in Hastings. Christy spoke to the club about the work that Green Gables Haven is doing in our communities to assist women in difficult sit­ uations. The members of the club brought items to donate to Green Gables to stock its pantry including paper products, detergents, cleaners, personal hygiene items and food staples. A quilt was made by club member Lenora Black and donated to the shelter. (Photo provided) YOU'RE INVITED! - AT CORNERSTONE - * 84th St. Campus Service Times: December 23:6PM I December 24:9:30AM, 11:15AM & 1PM Childcare Available for Infants through Young 5’s During All Services Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Christmas ornerstone church �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9,2023 Middleville council approves Grand Rapids St. lift station repairs Greg Chandler StaffWriter A lift station along Grand Rapids Street in the village ofMiddleville will soon get some repair work done. The Village Council at its committee ofthe whole meeting Tuesday approved repairs to the No. 2 pump at the lift station that serves the north end of Grand Rapids Street, Crane Road and the Bryanwood Estates devel­ opment at a cost of no more than $8,600. The station, which has been in operation for more than 20 years, pumps about 60,000 to 100,000 gallons of sewage daily, Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson said. In 2019, the No. 1 pump at the lift station failed and had to be replaced, at a cost of $32,000. In mid-November, the No. 2 pump triggered an alarm and was brought in for inspection and repair. It was determined that the bearings, seals, impeller and wear rings needed to be replaced, Belson said. The village received a quote from Grand Rapidsbased Fixall Electric Motor Service in the amount of $7,910 for the repairs. Belson said he did j not get a quote for what it would cost to replace the pump, but estimated the price tag for replacement could hit $40,000 or more based on inflation. Belson compared the repair work to maintain­ ing one’s automobile. “That’s like replacing the brakes on your car and changing your oil. These are wear items ... There’s nothing wrong with the pump per se. It’s still functioning,” he said. Belson said it will take about four weeks for the replacement parts for the pump to arrive. He urged the council to act at the COW meeting so that the repair work can get done quicker. “This is a two-pump lift station. We are down to one pump and we’re still waiting ... to just get the parts in. Time is of the essence,” Belson said. Even the quote from Fixall came in at $7,910, Belson asked for up to $8,600 for the repair work, just in case. “Once you get (in) those repairs, sometimes they find other things (that need to be said. fixed),” he The motion passed on a 6-0 vote with Council Trustee Steve Baldry absent. FULL SERVICE & YOU PULL IT ! m _ Jayson Bussa Editor The YMCA of Barry County is embarking on a capital campaign that aims to raise north of $3 million to renovate and equip a newly acquired facility that will expand capacity for a num­ ber of the nonprofit’s ser­ vices. And it already got a head start in the effort. Jon Sporer, executive director and CEO of the YMCA ofBany County said that his organization is start­ ing to put the word out about an effort to raise a total of $3.25 million, which will be used to make interior and exterior renovations to a for­ mer Bany County Mental Health Services building, located at 2350 Iroquois Trail directly across the street from the YMCA’s home base of Camp Algonquin. The $3-plus million would allow the YMCA to come out on the other side ofthe proj­ ect debt-free, as well. The effort has kicked off in a positive fashion for the organization as a donor provided a half million dollars early in the process. In fact, it was this early gift that allowed Sporer and his staff to modify its original plan. After closing on the 7,500 square-foot building situated on 22 acres ofwooded, hilly property at the end of May, the organization originally planned to clean up the facil­ ity and immediately move in the church a little longer while it made more profound renovations to the building, which they purchased from the county. The facility is not yet equipped with high-speed internet, but should be soon as WOW! Internet service is installed around Lake Algonquin. “We delayed moving any­ thing in there office-wise and program-wise, not just because (we didn’t have bathrooms, classrooms and hallways along with adding a fire and security system that aligns with child care licensing requirements. Sporer said that construction on this remodeling work is expected to start in January of2024. The expansion is designed to increase capacity for in-demand programs that tend to have a waiting list tethered to them. Sporer said that child care capacity will We are very optimistic. We always have had a great amount of support from core businesses and families over the years. The Y has a long­ standing history in this community.... The longevity and the confidence are there.” — Jon Sporer, CEO and executive director, YMCA ofBarry County internet) but we ended up getting an early capital cam­ paign gift which allowed us to make a few more renova­ tions than we thought we might,” Sporer said. “It kind of changed our timeline and thinking now we are going to do a pretty significant interi­ or renovation.” This renovation includes a full remodel of a kitchen, increase from 50 families to 80 families through the new facility. The facility would also double the number of day camp participants — from 20 to 40 a week — and allow 60 more kids to partic­ ipate in overnight camp. “I think the next phase in a couple of years will be to really evaluate the property — the 22 acres — and deter­ mine if it would be worth­ while to expand camp or expand recreation,” Sporer said. “But this is phase one — getting the building where we wanted it to be to serve our families and raise the money so we were debtfree.” The YMCA of Barry County is still left to raise $2.75 million. With the ini­ tial gift giving it a chance to make renovations to the inside ofthe building, Sporer said his organization is giv­ ing itself three to five years to raise the full amount, which will fund the totality ofthe project. “We are very optimistic,” Sporer said. “We always have had a great amount of support from core businesses and families over the years. The Y has a long-standing history in this community. We were founded in 1916 and the camp was founded in 1946. The longevity and the confidence are there.” The YMCA also recently secured a $10,000 grant from the Barry Community Foundation to install an interpretive nature trail between the new facility and Camp Algonquin. Sporer said the trail should be com­ pleted during the current off­ season. its child care services, which are currently operating out of Hastings Church of the Nazarene. Instead of utilizing the building immediately, USED PARTS •HCKSPS ONE TONS VANS-SUVS-JEEPS-4MS I 269-381-2300 YMCA of Barry County looking to raise over $3 million to fully leverage its new facility YMCA leadership decided to keep its child care services at Kids participate in activities as part of the YMCA of Barry County’s Y on the Fly program. (Photo provided) USED PARTS .. 1811 LAKE ST., KALAMAZOO Your local agent Insures your F^rm J B *. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* 6tsurai<ce Compaq Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com Z “ X oZr Zr“sX U. voun yUScosea7o5n00purchasing th fis pilfrtoperty, located ind Rdutland Township at 2350 USe 7■500■square■,oo, 7■500■square■,oo, facilft facilfty y,or ,or and day camp serves among �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9,2023/ Page 7 Caledonia Twp. approves raises for elected officials, office staff Greg Chandler able,” Harrison said. StaffWriter Township Clerk Joni Elected officials and office Henry’s salary will increase staff in Caledonia Township from $18,911 to $19,856, will get a 5 percent pay raise, while Township Treasurer starting on Jan. 1. Richard Robertson’s pay will However, not everyone is rise from $17,291 to $18,155. happy about the level of their Township trustees Richard increase. Snoeyink, Greg Zoller, Tim The Township Board Bradshaw and Dale Hermenet Wednesday approved raises will have their salaries increase for all ofits seven members, as from $4,942 to $5,189. They well for all employees in the will also receive an increase in office except for new pay for each meeting they Township Manager Alison attend, from $113.11 to Nugent. $118.77. Township Supervisor Robertson, who served as Bryan Harrison will see his the administrator for the town­ salary rise from $32,329 to ship in addition to his elected $34,031 with the increase. His treasurer role until Nugent raise was unanimously came on board as township approved. Harrison declined manager in late August, to take a pay hike a year ago, objected to his pay.' He while other board members believes the supervisor, trea­ received a raise. surer and clerk salaries should “Last time around, it was a be equal. sizeable number (for the “We, as the clerk and trea­ increase). I passed on it. I did surer and supervisor as well, not ask for any increase. This we really hold two positions time, I believe that the cost of ... We are members of the living (increase) is reason­ Board of Trustees and in that capacity, we function as trust­ ees,” Robertson said. “We have to come to meetings, we have to vote on stuff that has nothing to do with being the treasurer. We have to vote on was about 30 minutes,” he said. “There was actually 19-and-a-half hours ... spent in township meetings, and for that, the average trustee would make about $6,500. I’m not Last time around, it was a sizeable number (for me increase). I passed on it. I did not ask for any increase. This time, I believe that the cost ofliving (increase) is reasonable.” — Bryan Harrison, Supervisor, Caledonia Township zoning, we have to vote on enforcement, we have to vote on a lot of things that have nothing to do with our elected responsibilities and duties.” Robertson then spoke about the trustees’ salaries and com­ pared them to his own. “There were 18 (board) meetings in the last year. The average length of the meeting was about an hour, the longest meeting was about two (hours), the shortest meeting saying that’s good or bad, but that comes out to about $350 an hour for the time spent in meetings.” Robertson went on to say that ifyou subtract that typical trustee pay, his work as a trea­ surer would pay himjust over $10,000. He said that he puts in about 10 hours a week at the office for those duties, result­ ing in about 500 hours a year. “Ifyou do the math on that, that means for my work as treasurer, I’m paid $21.58 an hour, making me the low­ est-paid employee in the township, for my work as trea­ surer,” he said. Robertson oversees more than $16 million of township funds as treasurer, and he pointed out that this year the township has generated nearly $200,000 in interest based on investments he made. “That’s real money. I pay my own pay, and I pay the way for a lot ofother people as well. I think $21.58 an hour is not adequate,” he said. In a conversation with the Sun andNews Thursday, Zoller pushed back on Robertson’s statement, saying trustees engage in township business beyond showing up at meet­ ings. Zoller and Snoeyink serve on the Public Safety Advisory Committee. Zoller also serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Hermenet has played an active role in the develop­ ment of the township’s trail network, and Bradshaw serves as the board’s liaison to the Planning Commission. Robertson was the lone no vote on the 6-1 vote that approved his 5 percent salary increase. Henry had sought a larger increase because of the addi­ tional duties as clerk tied to changes in state election law that have gone into effect in the last several years. Harrison acknowledged those concerns. “The state has expanded the number of days available for voting, they’ve expanded when and who can apply for absentee (ballots), how those ballots must be processed and received, so there are addition­ al duties from the time that she agreed to come to work here,” Harrison said. Henry voted no on her increase, along with Robertson and • Bradshaw. Harrison, Snoeyink, Zoller and Hermenet voted in favor. The trustee pay motion passed 6-1, with Robertson voting no. Township approves changes to Water rates to rise in Caledonia Twp.; sewer rates stay stable Cal-Plex purchase agreement Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Caledonia Township Board Wednesday approved changes to the purchase agreement for the transfer of property to Caledonia Community Schools for expansion of the Cal-Plex youth sports and recreation complex. The board unanimously approved a change in the agreement for the 20-acre property at 100th Street and Kraft Avenue, adjacent to the current 36-acre CalPlex property, that would shift all responsibility for paying closing costs and attorney fees to the school district. CCS would pay the township one dollar for the land on the condition that the district use it to expand Cal-Plex. The agreement originally called for the district and township to split closing costs and for the township to pay its portion of attor­ ney fees and any transfer taxes. But Township Trustee Greg Zoller, a realtor who proposed the changes, says the new language is more in line with most real estate transactions. “Typically on these (agreements) ... the buyer pays all of the closing fees, including the attorney fees,” Zoller said. “We didn’t discuss that prior to (the meeting), but I know we’re going to have some decent attorney fees, for something we’re getting a dollar for. I think the schools should pay our attorney fees also.” The school board approved the resolution to execute the purchase agree­ ment Nov. 20. The township had purchased the property in 2008 at a cost of$250,000, at the same time the district acquired the current CalPlex property for $450,000. “We are receiving value, but it also puts in some con­ ditions as far as how the property will be used ... reflecting that which was intended,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said. CCS and the Caledonia Youth Sports Association will develop the 100th and Kraft site, using funds from the bond issue that voters passed in May. About $3 million of the $61 .million bond issue will be used for expanding Caledonia Community Schools will expand its Cal-Plex youth sports complex after purchasing 20 acres of land from the township. (Photo by Jayson Bussa) > * Cal-Plex. Business Services BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premi­ ums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy sin­ gle Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. DOG Pets GROOMING. QUALITY local groomer at reasonable rates. 269­ 331-9999. Greg Chandler StaffWriter Water rates in Caledonia Township will increase next year while sewer rates will remain stable. The Township Board Wednesday night ■ unani­ mously approved increases in water rates, both in fixed readiness-to-serve charges as well as for usage, totaling 14.87 percent, while keeping sewer rates at their 2023 lev­ els. Combining the two utili­ ties, the rate hikes will trans­ late into a nearly $10 per quarter increase for a typical single-family home that uses about 14,000 gallons of water every three months, from $158.95 to $168.54, Township -Manager Alison Nugent said. “We have a big project coming down the pipeline from Grand Rapids. To pre­ pare for thatj we are adjust­ ing the water rates,” Nugent said. “That’s just to get us ready for the costs we’re going to be (incurring) when we build the pump station to bring the water line down.” For the water utility, the readiness-to-serve charge will rise from $29.37 to $33.78 per quarter, while the usage rate, based on 14,000 gallons of use, will increase from $35.14 to $40.32 per quarter, according to a docu­ ment Nugent shared with the Sun and News. In the district that includes the village of Caledonia, the sewer rate will remain at $94.44 - $81 for the readiness-to-serve charge and $13.44 based on usage per quarter. In the northwest district, the quarterly sewer bill for a typical household will remain at $123.70 $106 for the readiness-to-serve charge and $17.70 based on usage, according to the document. WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial igy -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd (68) HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. DEWEERDHTG.COM 269-792-223* ACCREDITED BUSINESS �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023 A CALEDONIA CHRISTMAS Holiday event takes over village last weekend Greg Chandler StaffWriter Hundreds of people gath­ ered last Saturday in down- town Caledonia for the vil­ lage’s annual Christmas in Caledonia celebration. Local residents and visi- tors packed Main Street for the holiday festivities, including the annual Christmas parade and the Main Street in Caledonia came alive with Christmas lights and other ddcor during last weekend's Christmas in Caledonia event. (Photos provided) lighting of the new live tree in front of the Al-Anon building at the comer of Main and Lake Street. Village President Jennifer Lindsey joined Santa in lighting the tree. “We had a great turnout,” Lindsey wrote in a text to the Sun and News. “We have already confirmed Santa to attend next year’s event. The village is looking forward to making next year’s event even better.” Lindsey estimated the crowd downtown at about 500. Caledonia Christian Reformed Church had 275 kids come through their s’mores station, she said. Kids got their pictures taken with Santa both before and after the parade, and carolers from the Caledonia High School choirs strolled down Main Street through­ out the evening to sing Christmas songs. Santa Claus, as he is with just about any Christmas parade, was the guest of honor during last weekend’s Christmas in Caledonia. This classic car was decked out in Christmas dec­ orations. Humane Society joins AG Nessel Provided by Andrew McFadden to warn consumers of online and Jeffrey We^traof Edward Jones puppy scams ahead of holidays Can life insurance help provide FINANCIAL FOCUS retirement income? If your children are grown and your mortgage is paid off, S still need to cany life ce? It depends on your n, but for many people, a cash-value life insurance policy, such as whole life or universal life, can be a valuable, tax-efficient source of retire­ ment income. And by drawing on the cash value of your policy, you might be able to temporarily reduce the amount you take out from your retirement accounts, such as your IRA and 4010c). This ability could be especially important when the financial markets are down — you’d probably like to avoid liquidat­ ing your assets when their pric­ es have dropped. Basically, you can use the cash in your policy in these ways: • Withdrawals - You can typ­ ically withdraw part of the cash value of your life insurance without losing coverage. You generally won’t incur income taxes on these withdrawals, up to the amount you’ve put into the policy — that is, the premi­ ums you’ve paid. Once your withdrawals exceed this amount, you would generally owe taxes. Also, keep in mind that any withdrawals will reduce your policy’s death ben­ efit and the available cash sur­ render value. • Policy loans - Rather than taking a withdrawal from your policy, you could take out a loan. You won’t have to go through an approval process or cations of the above options, income verification, and policy you may want to consult with loans typically have lower your tax advisor before making interest rates than bank loans any moves. Also, be sure you and don’t assess closing costs. are comfortable with a reduced Phis, because your insurer will or eliminated death benefit be lending you the money and Specifically, you’ll want to be using the cash in your policy as confident that your spouse or collateral, your policy’s cash other family members don’t value can remain intact and still need the proceeds' ofyour poli­ potentially grow. However, pol­ cy. This may require some dis­ icy loans do cany some issues cussions about your loved ones’ ofwhich you should be aware. plans and needs. And don’t For one thing, while a loan forget that life insurance can usually isn’t taxable, you could help your family pay for final end up owing taxes on any expenses, such as funeral costs unpaid loan balance, including and unpaid medical bills. interest And if this balance Whether it’s providing you exceeds the policy’s cash value, with needed retirement income it could cause your policy to or helping your family meet lapse. Also, outstanding loans future needs, your cash value can reduce your death benefit. life insurance policy is a valu­ • Cashing out-Ifyou cash able asset — so try to put it to out or “surrender,” your policy, the best use possible. you can receive the entire cash words value, plus any accrued interest This article was written by You will have to subtract any Edward Jonesfor use by your money needed to pay policy local Edward Jones Financial loans, along with unpaid premi­ Advisor. ums and surrender fees, which Edward Jones, Member can be significant Also, any S1PC amount you receive over the Edward Jones is a licensed policy’s cash basis — the total insurance producer in all states of premiums you’ve paid — and Washington, D.C., through will be taxed as regular income. Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. • 1035 Exchange - Through and in California, New Mexico what’s known as a Section and Massachusetts through 1035 Exchange, you can trans­ Edward Jones Insurance Agen­ fer your life insurance policy to cy of California, L.L.C.; an annuity, which can be struc­ Edward Jones Insurance Agen­ tured to pay you a lifetime cy ofNew Mexico, L.L.C.; and income stream. The exchange Edward Jones Insurance Agen­ won’t be taxable but surrender cy of Massachusetts, charges may still apply. L.L.C. California Insurance Given the potential tax impli- License OC24309 Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Humane Society of the United States are urging con­ sumers to be wary of puppy scams as many people seek to purchase or adopt dogs during the holiday season. Many people enjoy gifting kittens, puppies and other pets to loved ones during the holidays, which creates an atmosphere ripe for scam­ mers to exploit. Michigan residents in recent years have been tricked into paying for pets that do not exist or have adopted pets with undis­ closed health or behavioral complications. And because these thieves are often out­ side the country or selling independently, the prospects of getting money back are extremely low. “Scammers are looking for any way to take advan­ tage of consumers during the holidays and puppies are unfortunately not exempt,” Nessel said. “While many people may be eager to gift a furry friend during this time, I urge residents to be vigilant in their search to avoid being scammed. My office contin­ ues to prioritize protecting residents from predatory and deceptive business practices, and these puppy scams will ultimately result in heart­ break and financial loss. Always do your homework before making any purchase online to avoid being taken advantage of.” In addition to the decep­ tive practices of advertising puppies that do not exist or charging exorbitant fees, scammers are taking advan­ tage of the holiday season as they use it as a reason to avoid in-person visits and demand additional fees. “Taking advantage of the holiday season by exploiting Michiganders’ love of ani­ mals is as cruel to people as it is to the dogs. For families looking to confidently adopt a happy, healthy pet, we encourage folks to skip pet stores and online sellers and visit one of our state’s many shelters or rescues, which are Antenna Men Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers • Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com www.cellsignaipros.conf full of animals looking for their forever homes,” said Blake Goodman, Michigan State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. “HSUS is happy to partner with Attorney General Nessel to warn residents about pet scams to keep families and pets safe.” Attorney General Nessel released a public service announcement with tips to help consumers spot and avoid puppy scams. Consumers should remain hyper-vigilant and use these best practices: — Make sure the person you’re gifting the pet to wants the pet and is ready for ownership. — Research the breed and breeder. — If the breeder claims to have registered the puppy, research the pet. — Do not purchase a puppy sight-unseen. — Arrange for safe trans­ port of the pet. — Use a credit card to make the purchase. — Retain all documents and communications from the breeder. — Consider contacting your local shelter for adop­ tion. Each year, consumers in the U.S. spend more than $1 billion buying puppies with­ out realizing they may be See PUPPY, page 9 �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023/ Page 9 MHSAA Council discusses changes The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association began examin­ ing several topics during its Fall Meeting, Dec, 1 in East Lansing - including start and end dates ofthe winter calen­ dar, possible new transfer rule exceptions and emerg­ ing sports - that will shape its work during the winter and spring meetings of this 2023-24 school year. Generally, the Council takes only a few actions during its Fall Meeting, with topics often introduced for additional consideration and action during its meetings in March and May. The Council did take three actions this time as part oflarger conver­ sations expected to continue over the next six months. The Council joined staff discussion on the start and end dates of winter seasons and the possibility ofmoving up both, which was among schools that more clearly topics surveyed as part ofthe defined where students at Update Meeting poll com­ those schools have immedi­ pleted by administrators ate eligibility. during the MHSAA’s annual The Council also dis­ presentations across the state cussed possible new and this fall. Staff will prepare a emerging sports, including recommendation for Council proposals for MHSAA spon­ to review at a future meeting sorship received by the water regarding the 2025-26 school polo and field hockey gov­ year and beyond. erning bodies and an antici­ MHSAA staff also pro­ pated proposal to add boys vided a variety of transfer volleyball to the MHSAA rule issues encountered over Tournament lineup. the last year, and Council Several more conversa­ discussed the possibility of tions regarded MHSAA adding transfer rule excep­ postseasons. tions related to military The Council reviewed the transfer families, fulltime work of the Football Task school employee transfers Force and considered a staff and students returning from recommendation to have the a sports academy or prep Football Committee in school and seeking immedi­ January discuss possibly ate eligibility. The Council capping enrollment of did adopt a change for Divisions 11-player schools multi-high school districts at 250 students to incentivize (with at least three high schools within that group to schools) that include both play 11-player instead of boundary and non-boundary switching to 8-player. TKHS boys get to 3-0 with win over Plainwell Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thornapple Kellogg scored a 53-37 win over vis­ iting Plainwell Tuesday night to improve to 3-0 on the season heading into last night’s contest with visiting Forest Hills Central in Middleville. New TK head coach Phil Garber said he has liked his guys’ toughness so far this season. TK ran out to a 21-12 lead in the opening quarter against the blue and white Trojans. Kyle VanHaitsma hit a pair of three’s and had ten points in that opening quarter for TK. They were his only ten of the night. He led a balanced TK attack that also got eight points apiece from Jude Webster, Brody Wiersma and Trey Hilton. “I love how we distribute the ball and on any given night, anyone can score if need be,” Garber said after the win. “We don’t rely on one person. We are a team.” Chibueze Amaezechi led Plainwell with nine points. TK ladies win opener two in that final minute. Thomapple Kellogg had a The Thomapple Kellogg 14-13 lead at the half varsity girls’ basketball team Plainwell had some chanc­ opened the 2023-24 season es once TK moved in front, with a 29-27 win at Plainwell but was 0-4 from the floor Tuesday night. down the stretch mostly try­ A couple of’ offensive ing to get some tough shots boards eventually led to a up in the paint including one bucket that put the host as time ran out. Plainwell Trojans ahead “It was a battle for us,” TK 27-26 with two and a half head coach Brandi James minutes to go, but after some said. “We came out with a lot of game one jitters, and our hectic back and forth TK’s Jordan Pranger found Emma shot percentage was not Dykhouse in the paint for a where we are used to it being. That being said, we let our bucket that nudged them defense create easier offen­ back in front by one 28-27 sive possessions for us, which with a little over a minute to helped a lot. We did a good Play. A free throw by Tealy job in the second halfgetting ourselves to the lien by Cross bumped the TK lead to Brett Bremer Sports Editor attacking the basket more.” Pranger led the TK team with ten points. Lydia Schilthroat had seven points. She shot 75 percent from the free throw line. Coach James said Eva Corson did a great job of rebounding, which helped extend some possessions and offset some of the shooting struggles. The Thomapple Kellogg girls were scheduled to visit Forest Hills Central Friday night, Dec. 8. They will be back in action on their home court for the first time this winter when they host Hastings Tuesday, Dec. 12. Sparta comes to TK next Friday, Dec. 15. PUPPY, continued from page 8 many are not regulated or doing business with scam­ inspected. Breeders hide mers, puppy mill operators, or both. Puppy mills their poor conditions by are inhumane dog breed-meeting buyers at offsite locations or selling ing operations that keep believe they have been a dogs in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions and, depending on location, online at secure.ag.state. mi.usi/complaints/consum- through pet stores or online. Michigan consumers who victim of a puppy scam can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team er.aspx. Sen. Debbie Stabenow receives Friend of Farm Credit Award EAST LANSING - America’s rural commu­ keep rural communities During a ceremony at the nities, GreenStone part­ strong. Farm Credit is GreenStone Farm Credit nered with a number of about all of that. The role Services headquarters, agricultural organizaof Farm Credit cannot be the AgriBank District tions to donate $5,000 to replaced, and it’s incredi­ Farm Credit Council both the Michigan FFA bly important,” Senator (ADFCC) presented its and Michigan 4-H in Stabenow remarked. “I’ve 2023 Friend of Farm Senator Stabenow’s said it a thousand times: Credit Award to U.S. Sen. name. You don’t have an econo­ Debbie Stabenow of “Senator Stabenow has my unless someone grows Michigan. Stabenow, been a fierce supporter of something and unless Chairwoman of the agriculture in the senate somebody makes some­ Senate Committee on for years and has been thing, and that’s what we Agriculture, Nutrition instrumental in making do in Michigan.” and Forestry, received the sure Michigan is a central GreenStone Farm award for her distin­ focus in the Farm Bill,” Credit Services is one of guished leadership in said GreenStone President the local Farm Credit Congress in helping to and CEO Travis Jones. Associations that com­ ensure that agriculture “We are proud to present prise the AgriBank and rural communities not only this award to her, District along with across the country can but also these donations in AgriBank. The ADFCC continue to thrive. her name to help equip the represents Farm Credit “It goes without saying next generation of farmers farmers and ranchers in a that Chairwoman with the tools they need to 15-state area from Stabenow has been a thrive.” Wyoming to Ohio and leading voice for farmers, “I’ve always had three Minnesota to Arkansas._ ranchers, and rural goals for the Farm Bill: About half the nation’s America, and for that we keep farmers farming, cropland is located within owe a debt of gratitude,” keep families fed, and the AgriBank District. said Jed Welder, a farmer from Montcalm County, Mich., and GreenStone Farm Credit Services board representative on the ADFCC. “We also are grateful for the strong, steadfast support she has demonstrated for the Farm Credit mission. She is leaving a legacy that agriculture and rural America will benefit from well into the future. We are honored to celebrate her as an AgriBank District Farm Credit Council Friend of Farm Credit and a friend of agriculture and rural America.” Senator Stabenow accepts award from To honor the senator’s long dedication to advo- GreenStone board representative Jed Welder. cating for agriculture and (Photo provided) —Be Winter Ready— High Efficiency RUUD FURNACE $200 OFF * Most present this coupon coupon/ Extended thru 12-22-23 (not valid with other offers) M furnace FRONTIER HEATING 8 COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023 Small roster mostly new for CHS boys’ basketball Brett Bremer Sports Editor There are four guys back and four freshman among a total of 11 guys on the first Caledonia varsity boys' bas­ ketball roster for new head coach Lamar Chapman. The Fighting Scots are off to a 1-1 start. The Caledonia boys knocked off Wayland in their home opener at CHS 65-45 Tuesday evening after a 71-38 loss at Byron Center to start the season last Friday. After 20 years assisting at colleges across the country, Chapman was ready to be a head coach again and happy to get a shot at lifting the Fighting Scot program. Senior guard Ky VanderWoude and senior for­ ward Jaiden Googins led the list of returnees for the Fighting Scots. The two were among the top scorers for the Fighting Scots last season and form a solid base as they look to improve on their 3-11 OK Red Conference record from a year ago. Also back from the 2022-23 squad are senior guards Corbin Rattier and Christopher Paoletti. Ky VanderWoude The Caledonia team has also added, senior guards Ardrace Morris and Lual Abiel this season. Junior forward Aryn Taylor is the lone guy up from last winter’s JV team for the Scots. The group of four freshmen includes guards Benjamin Geerdes and Jarell Jefferson and forwards Bryce Backus and Dallas Thomas-Moody. “It’s good [to have them on the varsity now],”. Chapman said. “I get to see their growth. I think they all are basketball guys, although they play other sports. They are committed to getting better.” Coach Chapman said the handful of returnees and the couple transfers onto the team have shown good leadership so far. He said guys do a great job ofleading by example and is pushing guys to be vocal leaders too. “We have to be able to sus­ tain high energy practices. That is one thing we have to continue to work on,” Chapman said. Chapman is happy to have gotten some time to mesh the freshmen in with the little group ofreturnees. He said the guys let him know they had their sights set on being a part of the varsity program from the first meetings over the summer. It was a busy summer for the Fighting Scots. Chapman said guys have told him that they’ve never worked so hard. The Scots have had open gyms since adding Chapman to the program and participated in camps all over the west side of the state — visiting Western Michigan University, Davenport, Grand Valley State University and Ferris State. All that goes along with conditioning and weight lifting sessions. Having so many youngsters contributing could make things rough at times in the OK Red Conference, and the Scots know that. Nobody is going to take things easy- on young varsity ballplayers. “We’re just trying to win games,” Chapman said. “It’ll be tough. This is a physical league. It’s kind of a ground and pound league. It’s a below the rim league. It’s teams with culture and grit. There are good systems in this league and good coaches in this league.” East Kentwood might be the most high-paced squad in the conference and the Falcons took the conference title a year ago going 11-3. There were five teams with at least nine wins in conference play a year ago, and all those teams had at least 15 wins overall. The last time Chapman coached a high school basket­ ball game before this season his Muskegon Heights squad was bested by the South Christian squad led by Kirk Walters, David Kool and Derek VanSolkema and others in the 2023 MHSAA Class B State Final. Getting back to the finals and washing that taste out of his mouth is his ultimate goal at Caledonia, but Chapman knows that’ll take time. “It’s league stuff first. It’s a district first, work your way to a quarterfinal and then see what you can do,” Chapman said. “It’s a process. I think there are some pieces here.” For starters he’s looking forward to his guys taking care to win on their home court and to be playing meaningful OK Red Conference games come mid to late February. The conference season starts for the Scots when they host Rockford Jan. 5. There are a handful of non-conference match-ups still on the schedule before that. Caledonia will host Forest Hills Central today, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. In the week ahead, the Scots take on Covenant Christian Tuesday and Portage Central Friday on the road. THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS £CFE MULLERS CALEDONIA FARMERS ELEVATOR FROM YOUR CALEDONIA FARMERS PAINT S DESIGN CO. ELEVATOR FAMILY 146 E. Main, Caledonia (616) 891-8108 www.cfeco.com CALEDONIA RENT ALL Skag Mowers Husqvarna Outdoor Products Hours: 12pm-8pm Tues.-Sat. 12pm-4pm Sun. 9175 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia 616.710.0796 SEIF “Innovation ^01*016^' is a deliberate focus” 1900 Patterson Rd. Middleville, Ml 49333 269-241-1040 mtd-inc.com Corner of 92nd & East Paris (616)891-8447 227 E. 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TIRES2000.NET �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023/ Page 11 Scots taking their talents to Crystal Mountain Brett Bremer Vicky Brousse. Also adding to the high Nearly all of the Caledonia school team’s talent this win­ girls are back, a handful of ter are senior Liz Honhart, guys who were regular scor­ juniors Ada Peterson and ers on the slopes and head Leah VanHall, sophomore coach Duane Petrosky for Katie Honhart and freshmen the Fighting Scot varsity Madison Reynolds and Ada girls’ and boys’ ski teams. Decker. Other than the goals of “Our girls are hard work­ winning conference titles ers, who are constantly push­ and chasing spots in the ing themselves to be better,” MHSAA State Finals, nearly coach Petrosky said. “They everything else is different put a lot oftime in the weight this winter for the Caledonia room and the added strength teams. is going to help as we work For starters, the Scots are to improve upon the positive in a new conference and will aspects of our last season. be racing down a new hill. This group has a great atti­ The Fighting Scots will tude and is extremely fun to train and race at Crystal coach.” Mountain Ski Resort in There is some learning to The 2023-24 Caledonia High School Boys’ Ski team. Team members are (front from left) DJ Potgeter, Ben Thompsonville after some do even with all the seniors Diegel, James Diegel, Max Doll, Derick Pritchard, James Harper, Mason Langeland, Luke Smith, Aidan Brown, changes at their long time on the roster. Only those top James Pritchard, (back) coach Craig Hamp, coach Matt Hilton, Brennan Donnelly, Peter Calhoun, Rydik home of Bittersweet had two, Baldwin and Thompson, Wrubel, Gavin Dean, Brayden Smith, Brayion Walma, Jack Pugh and head coach Duane Petrosky. Missing them looking for other have been with the CHS from photo is Cohen Broomfield. (Photo by Geskus Photography Inc.) options. team all four years. “After a lot of discussion The Fighting Scots did get with parents, skiers and other some training in at Crystal stake holders Caledonia Mountain, the boys and the decided to move all of its girls, on the weekends last training to Crystal Mountain. year. We also switched to the Lake “So, the kids had great Michigan Conference, which exposure to racing bigger races at Crystal Mountain on hills and with our move to Wednesday nights,” coach Crystal Mountain as our Petrosky said. home hill, we believe that “We are excited about the the gained experience will move north, he added. help us to improve how we “Better snow, better terrain do at Regionals this year,” and better conditions. When Petrosky said. we announced the move and The Caledonia boys were change of conference, I the runners-up in the expected our team’s numbers Southwest Michigan Ski to drop a little due to the dis­ Conference a year ago and tance, but we are actually up then had a strong final run at especially on the girls’ team their own invitational where and everyone seems excited they finished as the run­ about the changes.” ners-up in a field that includ­ He said his teams have ed some state qualifiers. raced with Lake Michigan “We are building on the Ski Conference schools like momentum from last year,” Benzie Central, Onekama Petrosky said ofhis guys. and Glenn Lake at invitation“Our goal for the season is The 2023-24 als throughout the season, to win the LMSC this winter Caledonia High School and that it should be a good and place in the top three at Girls’ Ski team. Team fit. The first conference race all of the invitational races members are (front from ofthe season is Jan. 3. that we compete in. We have left) Kyleigh Thompson, “The teams are very simi­ the depth and skilljo achieve Ada Decker, Zosia lar to the caliber to what we these goals. The LMSC starts Skrzypek, Liz Hilton, faced in the [Southwest eight skiers and scores four Tamara Sarkoeziova, Michigan Ski Conference],” in its conference races and I (middle row) Madison Petrosky said. think that I have 12 to 14 Reynolds, Kayli Price, He expects his girls to be guys that realistically could Erin Peckham, Katie CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN in contention for a confer­ be in one ofthe eight starting Honhart, Liz Honhart, slots.” Adia Whisler, and Vicky ence title right away. That group is led by senior Brousse, (back) coach The list of CHS girls back Mya captain Brayden Smith who Craig Hamp, coach Matt includes captains Hilton, Leah Vanhall, Kyleigh is a three-time all-conference Baldwin and State & I-CAR Baldwin, Ada skier. DJ Potgeter, a junior, Mya Thompson, a pair of cap­ Peterson, and coach TOUCH Petrosky returns after an all-confer­ tains. Coach ence season in the SWMSC Duane Petrosky. (Photo expects them to fill the Scots’ Repair by Geskus Photography second and third flights this Sports Editor v '^»i Maj nfas MOtji WCsti 11 ED’S BODY SHOP STATE OF THE ART SYSTEMS Certified Technicians Computerized Electronic Measuring System Frame season. Also back is senior Adia Whisler andjuniors Liz Hilton, Erin Peckham and Kaylie Price. The team is also getting a big boost from overseas as it adds Polish exchange stu­ dent Zosia Skrzypek, Slovakian exchange student Tamara Sarkoeziova and French exchange student See SKI, page 13 Inc.) CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES WMBAI Meeting Minutes The minutes for the November 15, 2023 Township Board of Trustees Meeting which were approved on December 6, 2023,, are posted at the Township Offices at 8196 Broadmoor Ave., and on the website at www.caledoniatownship.org. 616.891.0150 www.edsbody.com Lesonal Water Bourne System Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia GOLD CLASS bZNFIH OPEN: M thru F 7:30 am - 5 00 pm �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9,2023 Key varsity ballplayers back for Fighting Scots Brett Bremer Sports Editor Bring back five players including a handful of start­ ers should help the Caledonia varsity girls’ basketball team settle into the new season quickly. The Fighting Scots are already off to a 1 -0 start hav­ ing scored a 59-57 win at Wayland Tuesday night. The group ofreturnees for the Caledonia team include senior guard Mackenzie Devries and senior forward Teresa Abraham who are three-year varsity starters. Also back from last year’s squad is junior forward/center Lakely Bottum andjunior guard Lily Gortmaker who saw key minutes last season and started a number of games. The Scots bring back senior forward Addie Roe too, Addie Rapa and Sarah Kirk round out the senior group this season. Caledonia head coach Todd Bloemers expects sophomores Baylee Devries and Jolie King to see a lot of minutes and be very involved for the Scots in their first varsity season, and is look­ ing forward to junior guards Kathryn Langenburg and Brecken Bloemers adding their talents in their first sea­ son up from the JV. “I think we have got the See GIRLS, page 13 CHS cheer looks to keep lifting up its point total Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Fighting Scots hit a peak of 665.8 points at the MHSAA Division 1 Competitive Cheer District Tournament a year ago. Caledonia head coach Lauren Herment is looking forward to her girls pushing towards hitting the 700 mark this winter and ideally improving on their sev­ enth-place finish from a year ago in the OK Red Conference. “Our numbers are growing with each season which gives us more opportunity to grow as a whole, work with new talent, and gradually build a program that is respected and supported by our community,” Hermenet said. “We have lots of veterans on the team this year, and are equally see­ ing some new faces. We have a few girls who took last sea­ son off, but have returned for their senior year. It just feels right to have them back in our gym - it’s where they belong. “We are elated to watch our leaders help shape their team­ mates into strong student ath- letes, and guide their team to new victories - big and small. We feel confident that this year will be a huge stepping stone toward what we envi­ sion for the success of this program.” Senior back spot Katherine Eardley and sophomore flyer Alyssa Jemigan are a couple of the key returnees for the Fighting Scot squad. The Caledonia roster this winter also includes seniors Brooke Bundschuh, Sydnie Greene and Sierra Tague. The list of returnees also includes juniors Madison Bernal, Zoey McLeod, Ella Rounds and Isabella Wierzbicki, and sophomores Sydney Calrke, Eliana Grinstead, Alysse Harper, Jocelyn Martinez and Madelynn Pittman. Coach Hermenet said she is looking forward to Bernal having a key role as a base this season and freshman flyer Mariah Peterson being a big contributor too. “The potential in this group ofgirls truly has us so hopeful and grateful as coaches,” Hermenet said. “Since the Mckenzie Devries VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 8.21 REGARDING PARADES AND MOTORCADES PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on August 14, 2023, the Caledonia Village Council adopted Ordinance No. 23-08 a regulatory ordinance to amend the regulation of parades within the Village. The principal provisions of the ordinance are summarized as follows: Section 1 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 8.21(3) ofthe Ordinance Code ofthe Village of Caledonia (“Ordinance Code”) to allow the distribution of items or candy from hand-to-hand or dropped at the feet of observers of parades or motorcades. It also provides that throwing items or candy is prohibited and that items may not be distributed from hand-to-hand from vehicles, floats or trailers. Section 2 provides that the Ordinance shall become effective upon publication of a summary of its provisions. A complete copy of the ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Caledonia, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, during Village office hours. Dated: December 7,2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA Bella Wierzbicki start ofmy coaching career at Caledonia, this team is prov­ ing to be one ofthe most tal­ ented, purpose driven teams I have coached. It helps that our upperclassmen are such strong role models/leaders for our team.” She is looking forward to her girls working out the but­ terflies in the early part ofthe season. She thinks the first competition, set for Dec. 12 at West Catholic, will help her new cheerleaders work the jitters out. The Scots have a number they’d like to hit in the score tally and moving up in the conference is a goal, but they are focused on themselves more than their oppo­ nents. “While we want to be win­ ners, I believe it’s less import­ ant to focus so much on win­ ning - but more important to hone in on team culture, char­ acter building, and monitor­ ing self/team growth,m” Hermenet said. “I try to instill in my teams that we can’t win and be proud of it without mastering our moral values See CHEER, page 13 �°~»"«»r sSaid.' “lvP have have ,“? ?« with od^ SX »< £ -="£ r-~ »•? g strength. Tdh he e ■ <>• ?Ze e and done a go ?lrs have aigghot oroJ■° g 8 p sPeed, h8 etlcism 81F1S ^loaorkdi,n gt tXto c °onnttrr° ,thSetS brtac°ku-t k^«abradH, tXa^°nTtr°^,thhea baac-k- grade. P ay defense. tent We in e wthaen t wtoo b e Blowers sai said "A Co“b trvin.„ ,d, JUst really trvin„ We’re pIayer lexers devel°P excited and and re ho are control attdy '° Psihtua tiodn as we weF F^8 What W^h8 at the Phy and contin^ contin^8^ 8^ 8ame relationships hPt, an°ther non Canfd tnheexnt hweeaedk C,fy n Wext Ceabal al Saturd turdl^ TC- re®ulation ^enxieoljhtoe ilh ie lj toe b by ^ZZZ^in ’ T ,he" Caledom'; Caledom; to those the new year^ ifgllr "h6.5 ?! Chome ey’K to’Hy havin in a "s sand n g S a s m ydseet feigh't ^n S^^8riowstb ^min is division State F" 1 ago mid reZRm^Sayear re®ams strong against aainst W'1 be be. at nc ge fo Conference 2? Fed big first test fnS ^at iis a The Ram s are th the ScotsS^ on T hampions. Th Ze* tough in the co nf espec,ally Choach CHherm rm erence too. to hav have oe p^AS happy dO* o1r8tm Pa°kienrt sl eadn d De„ h'd* 18 SC°tS had IL AbrahZ ?evn ne* Wdhsi* *pointTT pointT /lnished and King both tnirBottuni ni oPPgigioo''vvininitit ththssf.f. ooBBXXaa®®y y'l'l"e"e'™'™ee - Sv6 'four Points. Points. BottueS had utstaning an ° m was °ne or distant ocnovaachrd aa“ o o 38 J’toktoB fonvard o o rea"J' ^baRck asweU1!?'J00_^.B^e”' meXthe attend season,” HerX * rc each Poolis Poolissmdl Snet-. “^e hePing :he ’Ping ^rlS grow. ” 8 «t t o ^ nentZZohZ boheve th their e i r c orn Z L^1- 1 i kno w that t guys has thrabifH thrab 8r p of 8r°Up o °n the three fy tO focus f0r a chance m s^®^ ^dumping tthSandwinby ^hSandwinby dumping^ SVIaVresistyk iithnrgou.Sghh; f°r 0166 ^con ^trosky 8^^ times, mes, ” otsroyllin t SIVeskiing.S;tl0 l01ei aggresi contro hg whitge h^^111 ls really evidentj-^^oness Leading sspots. Kluni°or o' rJeams^e5 s ?lrp S<m ^aPKlu ££ss"o "o■ p■ phh""omore omosre T^_ . HajPer T_.HajPerand Seas°n lalt y^ t,endofthe t, gron^Xp .U kf ^hg S°P',0“" psreov^ernagl Zh^0^ sZh 0 h^0^ OthesahZT hZ tZey ^Wedre D°nnellyto an„_., d Brennan v,O^oikinnge too4 °ntnbute ^tOru b01l6e snu staying fast.” ste u into stern step “T uph insto ye^ st ready to 8^ r see long g-t^0’1^ 1 too. “One of the< team is< their' rr ____team is is t“hleet“iihrlreeiicompe -ti- „? ^ '“toerskiers.pJs a ““P'e and Gavin n Soulherton - ^"'“'"aHsceoamacRhes^c^^H™am"5-® B^“HeamdRyX^^Ha 8mp, B«“-andX^ 8>eve make ke imstakes v^ StS and 209782 BAIi,tycOvNTY’_Mcbigan Notice ofArt S “X^ to-’yHan^d :ao;o'h’0n-. 0n- °° the lanes vam tf °F back Caledonia mv?ahm t, °F8irlthe bowlingtea ts> IC a pea-rut norf.pthl» ^ate ’"gj63 an an^tmBiSterf m BiSterf e itman new coachess 11 the thetwo Fighting Sc0 nIeadin8 in8 the hitman na w,a samreg’onal tampion a Divisi°n I, roih^ ag° in «^to^ °fover 200 in t?^ &aines H W I| I J 1 Six iixn trheeg iorennaill attem^^ oWnisnb itph eb r in “efflPts champtio. ip byS1 1 cha Bister 30 fPP^s. or st.heBi sstateterffeM? efM-Ziq for the iqUalified f°b f°artb-piace r S with a lsh- She was h87nal fn’ back aol. f Whlit f 50 pins regional. tman a* the Sa»^v vethe se l 10 the st team. finals as a is *baTchkeftOorr t„u.In beaniile t0°* The op hr\CHS grs •nclude C■ n,e8«u'fe. ^68 for boy s team1 sCeannio, rs sE'„’l .aNk’toal>1 Cnam n aanndd R°Ckf°rd an toughest team th6 girls ’s1d® ence *n*um ^ber Znf f nere are a sb0W,ers ■” ’ZZCZ*l°nds »i«hin fcVffi fi88 °f °fU"* U"* SeX? SeX?8;^^ 8;^^Sr* Sr* '^1 '^1 1 !° be t°he tObeat n ’ taal Mixed ed Um G^laPatoUy Disc'S clV"™” ” duat S-ftrSt S-ftrSt confer- Laagnaeinss tTJhene isqon Sa S^°^ay 2L L^aanneds. HTh Thaev eq wat bdPSec thniSmt holiday break. S^s,1'1' li'^o li'^-ooe-ixi 'an^^Sl' Pl2 2°s "sK wwM. xS xS^s a an S| tA ,W‘ Main St. I 'P"KMa"f- l ^oe-oo 218w.m -WM05.00 I Un Main St222 Thos asrceh ethdeu le h ? efore the !heyjast Season ond ,can <he g^eed.s„”'e,™e e to COAm ecros upilne ofth e - 4d -BdS.007.,0 300 K Main st a '^4S-0I,-(l0 303 Ma“ st l -^-moo / 33(M 30(M7 'W WV-mMain MSain sSt' S t'' aa! a !'’?? 49 459-’’»tl08-00 tl‘038--0000 307 'V-mSs ' a '?5-»‘3-00 308 W. Main M a T9-°°7-00 sionnhrts e n PneW‘ include son pr°gram Cawsor,fX f “ re fr° ''beb”ys’toam 8A'Hddsissoidne rez»"ea rez»"ea cer cer R'ley Section2^ Section2 ? °more f„ rd on the Main St nLW,MainSt. 1115 Water St. l l?7Larkinst. ^ ^".^andR apeSt Spnngst. / W. Main St. ' W Main St. W Main St. W Main St. W- Main St lge from---------------- “"OO Th Elmore, lament ule for tnd «3>0=0 Zin (brekseaRs°e»d vk Red the sched- G™ a ” SWtah,"io°» ^u"' ^4014-094-90-00034--0iS0 049-003-iS ^-045-004-00 ^49-002-00 ^^'045-009-00 ^-048-001-00 ^-021^-021-00 din45'010'00 ^l'045-OOl ^l'045-OOl-oo 41-°45-002-00 41ZO48-OO2-OO 1ZO48-OO2-OO ^41-00480-001 4-00^ ^00 Brst look at tb 1001-00) tiv >,and and 39 DnScSSS eceeececcmtct“iob“iooneonnrn33333. i. 9n^Effectt.V e D*te> St ^ ^' ^'H»^'cHel »No.- 4411--0n206 . ^cel No. fel ,keir heence«x-pCeoctasch0^1, u/u “"conferco “saM ^ ^son^X’'‘le a ne top com- Oa a "1 Street, Middleville lle ^et the offices „f,v ’ K l “"OO- The parcels R‘eb,,nB Junior •tnhceluCdael edo onia "n GGrraanndd viHliaP enC°w dS° h°St Kalacanic ic and^ nd sea‘or season ^S as their z hes- taMin,ba“ feSe tcil,l1a°gne 1 ZZ^ C’Pa' '’2t«otyoi8i8a a MMt t“ ott“^“^,,'N'NK-002m1i3K5 “ “K- 2m1i3K(fcf 5 (fcf n ntS, o tS, ™Ce„nWXcgil said t™SrS S,ryS° far- and b^,< oZsnk:BS,O Pro8ram this winter November 8 20h”ereof November 28 20 J were a T °f ,b°” ^aHineCHS James Whh^year ag0’-• ^Luhhor ZZ and1 Q20u2a3lifier S’i"ngj^61 SWi0terh Ib Sefc tthioen V7ill8la.0g4e tof hfe tKo fdZiUe ^PGI™VE NO rrhd i^ ™>°'s _ >°'sfor ™ forthe7 the to X w-3 ea ^not dddo ■reatolly' oennjopyedraw'oXrn^; 8'k^'ds e. ^esZ^eyear’nhe ■toon a'X^8'^ tostepuPanf1 fadsare ready jtmior tmior N^onau u7P^y to add "^’ta^butT;" , “toaehHe d dcom Pc te.” a ,t ehout h8t the g'lroSm, !?h?"l “cih ted ffresh fr^eshBBmen menrie^ Band K‘Zn^ ™ to to8o'lSjfhel|,etohe e^. Brown, - ofV Nosn»cme ma^fhe R^of» lViUa aiUtoargye EOrfd fJ-“Th * '* « sa ^UevX ^UevX^'eoach 8tate rum r4'um ft^H u.a,ers eyr°,ein i confidence p«tohy heRainswere ten rebounds. h^10111« h^ our firstt meet "’8a,'V«« Catholic regular varsitv IegeI Was a te™l«XooWerfWtb' te l« t o“IlJi^ °^neo olr i^^m^eaXt thWe aettesndt s^, continued f'ni Page ii DJoioeR-P f.S,enniiOorr captaJinsB'n>m ”n "-''’ oth^^^f "to ss heVer 016 and be ha in.a tGr,a^2mewiI1 wiI1 fourth a t T eplaced °ntnbute ^'o-'evetop^"^-'evetop^"^- pia?^ pia?^ a?^ nft to Rne?!ke Scots FandbIossom 5P- hnTyhehof f sirt as well.l.” 5- The first th kgfa°mrde sJaon-f ^'<ia 'he last 7braham bham hit B Bottom^o”16’ ZZad ad Xa X T^^ FriJ .ei8ht-Point expired to for h°St ,T0aVferse t0face O?peinedr i?tofic,ered i8htPit W11dt i d W11dcat iead ^minu es. Cn01/ teanis h hl n ha'rc do yneearas ,lot l oatnd 0131 anc rtthrJerahstanOff'balance had nia Jhe Scots awn r Cove enan t Christia n W . ht0ha1ev6 e(°K Washlngton S WT-uIa eIasdZatyb, et tZhesea.Zs o?n vWi”ayin,Zg 0 t0Z?u^Z°?“,' and fourth‘ Lboawilgeallm oe n at C°nf^erience Lowell, L T ^in inst lt ih,t last night. schedule fOr T-C. together as a tO lo^ng fOrwared^ *e’Te d There hweleredfiani l °tO0’w hich led i W?rkouts 8°fthe odf fiTcial M^dH8sAlA! SSetaar't 8on handd Tue^d8AA W Wayn CdeZS S Win in cons»s- 'contain Gabby V Cnaivyerasiotye Cniv rSIty \ ?nCS as wasithth irtdh e\ young as solid f°cus antt d tht y tbat We to tte t b,e?°n « V■ reall y helpful helful :: ee tbat js j team chemi mistry H^08 are e tryine tn a °PP°ne °PP°nents The sL\ CC°mP,ish- ^T^haa- Coaacchn Bloemeesreea son. ^'Kientdweo”®b “ '“Peehts asaif» and dibe '“ugh asai» '^foXdiX^'y Wes1t J^mg to West has been a f a,d h S0 1d s. Ottawato’s S0 d continue buildS f°Cus to . ^rouX?^ ouX?^008PPlaa'gyna btoefeore bh e^??°r t camgramy UUnking itnhk intgh etthetbe he pr°' Plaatoe oSofflo its ownw ghaamtevernoSD e ni m *° adjUst disruptwh at ever rnoSDanda,SO k«baH Ogeth CoachBlo ers rs tth h J J’aad is an perj' hlnks that anT”g *° and more . He thinks od 8,ze and his gO oteda will allow his s 10 the dorm *?rking the weigt become str explosive. COntinued fii College t eam camne H°Pe �Sun and News. December 9. 2023 Scots working on bi and smallones campaign chasing another ships will be on our hori­ zon.” state championship. It’d be something ofa sur­ “She has dreams. She “We are modeling, affirm­ ing and rewarding what we really wants to be an prise if anyone other than want to see,” Caledonia var­ Olympian,” Veitch said. Rockford won an OK Red sity wrestling coach Shawn “She is just working hard not Conference wrestling cham­ only in our practices, but she pionship this fall, but Veitch Veitch said. The Fighting Scots are got invited out to the said he expects Grandville to working to model the kind of Olympic training center out push the Rams for the con­ behavior, effort and enthusi­ there in January. She has a ference title and he expects asm their new head coach lot of goals and a lot of Hudsonville to likely be just a smidgen behind those two wants throughout practices, dreams.” While Hayden is certainly teams in terms oftalent. and coach Veitch said that The returning talent for his guys, and girls, end every looking to improve at every along with practice affirming one anoth­ opportunity, that is the big Caledonia er on something good that goal for most of the rest of Hayden includes 170-pounder Kiersten DeHaan on the the Fighting Scots. they did at practice. The rewards, ideally, will “This is not a sprint,” girls’ side and leading the come more and more often Veitch said. “This is a mara­ list of guys back in the pro­ as wrestlers get their arms thon. I’m not looking to win gram are 138-pounder James raised. championships here on day Carrow, 115-pounder Will Sophomore Maddie one and to be honest .we’re Sheely and 190-pounder Hayden was one of the last not ready yet to win champi­ Connor Sebel. Coach Veitch to get her hand raised last onship, but what we are said those three guys put in season, finishing as the ready for is to win every a lot of work in the offsea­ MHSAA Girls 155-pound minute of every day. As long son. Also back are light­ State Championship at the as we win every minute of end of the 2022-23 season. every day, we’re going to get weights Ethan Berends and She is back for a second better and then champion- Carter Berends wrestling Brett Bremer Sports Editor 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE The MIDDLEVILLE VILLAGE COUNCIL meets regularly on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Jan. 9 & 23 Feb. 13 & 28 (Wed) May 14 & 28 Sept. 10 & 24 June 11 & 25 Oct. 8 & 22 March 12 & 26 July 9 & 23 April 9 & 23 August 13 & 27 Nov. 12 & 26 Dec. 17 (3rd Tuesday) The VILLAGE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE meets regularly on the first Tuesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Jan. 2 May 7 Sept. 3 Feb. 6 June 4 Oct.1 March 5 July 2 Nov. 6 (Wed) April 2 August 7 (Wed) Dec. 3 The MIDDLEVILLEPLANNING COMMISSION meets regularly on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Jan. 2 May 7 Sept. 3 Feb. 6 June 4 Oct.1 March 5 July 2 Nov. 6 (Wed) April 2 August 7 (Wed) Dec. 3 The MIDDLEVILLEDOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY meets regularly on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Jan. 16 Feb. 20 May 21 June 18 Sept.17 Oct. 15 March 19 July 16 Nov. 19 April 16 August 20 Dec. (Nomeeting) The LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE AUTHORITY meets quarterly on the third Thursday of that month at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Jan. 18 July 18 April 18 Oct. 17 The ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS meets twice a year on the third Thursday of that month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Jan. 18 July 18 The WELLHEAD PROTECTION GROUP does not have regularly scheduled meeting dates but meets as business requires in the Village Offices. Notices of all special meetings and meeting changes will be posted at the Village Hall and on the Village Website: www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. Minutes will be available for public inspection at the Village Office during regular business hours for each of these bodies in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and other applicable law, and on the Village’s website. The public is welcome to attend and participate in any open session of these bodies. The Middleville Village Hall is located at 100 E. Main Street, Middleville, Ml 49333. Maddie Hayden between 120 pounds and 132 pounds. Ethan is a senior who is returning to the program after wrestling as a freshman and Carter is a sophomore who coach Veitch said is picking things up quickly. Coach Veitch is looking forward to seeing freshman 106-pounder Josh Grace and sophomore Braden Rogers maturing as their high school careers progress. The Scots expect to be close to filling every weight class this season, with good depth, but not outstanding depth throughout the lineup. Part of that depth is a group of 19 freshmen and some juniors and seniors who have never wrestled before. Coach Veitch said fellow coaches Joel Reeder and Matt Erb have done an out­ standing job of recruiting new wrestlers into the high school program. “I am so impressed with our overall team chemistry and just how hard kids are working, but also how hard they’re encouraging one another,” Veitch said. “That is something we have really tried to make sure it is part of our culture.” The CHS varsity team is 0-2 so far this season after falling to Loy Norrix and Thomapple Kellogg in a home tri Wednesday night. The Fighting Scots are at the Greenville Duals today, Dec. 9, and will be back in action Dec. 16 at the Kent County Championships hosted by East Kentwood High School. The Scots open OK Red Conference duals at home against Jenison Dec. 20. Roster up to 20 guys for growing CLS swim team Brett Bremer Sports Editor There was a lot of turn­ over on the Caledonia/ Lowell/South Christian var­ sity boys’ swimming and diving team in the offsea­ son, but in the end the CLS program has upped its num­ bers for the upcoming win­ ter season. Second-year head coach Todd DeJong is pleased to have 20 guys out for the team after having a total of 13 last season and losing five to graduation. Leading the small retum- ing group are Luke De Jager, Austin Tufts, Sam Jones, Anders Foerch, Coen Crocker, Sam Lusaya and Ruben Baker. DeJager was an OK Red Conference medalist in the 100-yard butterfly a year ago racing to a seventh place finish at the confer­ ence meet. That was the lone individual medal win­ ning performance for the Vikings in the tough OK Red last season. The Vikings were held without a win in the conference duals. With a short list ofreturn­ ees there will be a learning curve of sorts. “Every addition will be key to our success,” coach DeJong said. The CLS coach said that this group ofguys has “grit, which is defined by passion and purpose.” Coach De Jong said he expects his team to keep trying to build success this season, and hopes the team really takes a jump when the Fighting Scots’ pool is See VIKINGS, page 15 �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023/ Page 15 VIKINGS, continued from previous page ready for racing next sea­ son. “Although this is a swim and dive team, we are not only here to make them bet­ ter swimmers and better divers,” coach DeJong said. “Instead, we aim to build a team of individuals who learn the value of hard work, discipline, values and friendship with the intent of mapping these characteris­ tics into real life outside of the pool and into their future.” He’ll have help in that this winter from assistant coach Amber Pearson and strength coach Mitch DeJong. . The CLS team is at Ottawa Hills today, Dec. 9. It will head to Wayland Thursday, Dec. 14, for a non-conference dual. The OK Red Conference season begins with a trip to Rockford Jan. 4. Powerhouse West Ottawa won the conference meet a year ago, beating out foes Rockford and Jenison by about 70 points. West Ottawas went on to finish as the state runner-up in Division 1. The West Ottawa team lost one of the state’s top sprinters to graduation last spring, but overall it was a junior heavy squad for the Panthers at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 State Finals last winter, so there is no reason to expect the West Ottawa boys to miss a beat. Anders Foerch 192125 Scots excited to see experience on ice VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE COUNTY OF BARRY, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULATORY EFFECTS THEREOF Brett Bremer cent of the shots that came The Sparta team that has his way as a freshman. two wins over the Scots is A group of 15 skaters and White, now a senior, had a currently leading the OK two goalkeepers return to the pair ofshut outs last winter. Conference Fischer Division ice for the Caledonia varsity White is joined by fellow with a 5-0 mark in confer­ hockey team, made up ofplay­ returning seniors Aidan ence games already. ers from Caledonia, Lowell Wilson, Andrew Sova, The Scots won their open­ and Thomapple Kellogg this Charlie Hoag and Emersen ing round playoff match-up season looking to improve on Lippert. in East Lansing a year ago an exciting finish to their pre­ Other returnees include before being bumped from vious season. junior forward Andrew the state tournament in the The Fighting Scots got off Moore, junior defenders regional semifinals. to a good start'to the season Logan Himes and Caleb It should be a competitive with a shutout of East Summerhays, sophomore postseason again for the Kentwood, but were bested defender Austin Osborn, and Scots, although they’ll be a in their last two games by sophomore forwards Rylan little closer to home in a Fischer Division foe Sparta. Bultema and Ty regional hosted by West The Spartans took a 6-2 win Lewandowski. Ottawa that also includes over the Scots at Kentwood There is a group of three Forest Hills Eastern, East Ice Arena last Saturday. freshmen among the new­ Kentwood, Forest Hills The hockey season starts comers this season. Central and Jenison.' and doesn’t slow down. The Fighting Scots will have played nearly a dozen games before the calendar turns and they head to the Walker Cup in Muskegon Jan. 5-6. They are in the midst of a busy weekend hosting Grand Haven Friday, Dec. 8, and Hudsonville Saturday, Dec. 9. • Wheel Alignments Caledonia head coach Jeremy Bultema likes that he • Auto Glass Installation has a hard-working group of • Insurance Work Welcome guys this season. • Visa & MasterCard Accepted The team lost last year’s leading point scorer Alex Over 40 years experience Skibinski who had 14 goals and 15 assists during the brucesframe.com 2022-23 regular season, but senior forward Griffin Wolverton and junior for­ ward Henry Simon both had 11 goals a year ago. Also back up front is senior for­ ward Jack VanEss who had eight goals and seven asssists last season. Sam Hoag and Finn White shared time in net a year ago. Hoag, now a sophomore, had Sports Editor Brace's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on November 28,2023, the Village Council of the Village of Middleville (the “Village”) adopted Village Ordinance No. 2133 (the “Ordinance”), which amends Sections 78-627(h), 78-629, 78-630, 78-631, 78-633, 78-635, 78-638 and 78-639 of Chapter 78 of the Village’s Code of Ordinances (the “ Village Code”) relating to sign regulation. The principal provisions ofthe Ordinance are summarized as follows: Section 1 of the Ordinance amends Section 78-627(h) of the Village Code to specify: (1) districts in which temporary signs may be located (namely the C-l central business, C-2 highway commercial, TMU transitional mixed use, 1-1 light industrial, 1-2 heavy industrial and TI transitional industrial districts) and (2) provisions relating to the use and display ofsuch temporary signs in those districts. Section 2 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 78-629 ofthe Village Code to revise Schedule A in its entirety, which is included within that section. Section 3 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 78-630 ofthe Village Code (including Schedule B) to set forth applicable regulations for signs located in the C-l central business district and the TMU transitional mixed use district. Section 4 ofthe Ordinance amends Section 78-631 ofthe Village Code to revise Schedule C in its entirety, which is included within that section. Section 5 of the Ordinance amends Section 78-633 ofthe Village Code (including Schedule D) to set forth applicable regulations for signs located in the 1-1 light industrial district and the 1-2 heavy industrial district. Section 6 of the Ordinance amends Section 78-635 of the Village Code in its entirety to set forth applicable regulations for signs related to special land uses. Section 7 of the Ordinance amends Section 78-638 of the Village Code in its entirety to set forth applicable regulations for signs located in the TI transitional industrial district. Section 8 of the Ordinance amends Section 78-639 of the Village Code in its entirety to provide that sections 78-639 through 78-660 of the Village Code are “Reserved” for future use. Section 9 ofthe Ordinance provides that the Village Clerk is authorized to make changes as deemed necessary to conform the amendments set forth in the Ordinance to provisions in the Village Code including, but not limited to, renumbering or re­ lettering divisions, sections, and subsections, amount other matters. Section 10 ofthe Ordinance provides for the severability ofthe Ordinance in the event a portion ofthe Ordinance is determined to be unenforceable. Section 11 of the Ordinance provides that the Ordinance is effective seven days after its publication or publication of a summary of its provisions in a local newspaper of general circulation in the Village. A copy of Ordinance No. 2133 may be examined or purchased at the Village offices, 100 East Main Street, within the Village, during Village office hours. Dated: November 28,2023 VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF MIDDLEVILLE �Page 16/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 9, 2023 TK opens with two victories at CHS Caledonia’s Ben Moss (top) works to turn over Loy Norrix’s Andrew Shear for a pin during their 150-pound match Wednesday night at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Maddie Hayden took her turns in the varsity line-up for OK Red Conference duals as a freshman at Caledonia High School last season. She went on to win a state championship in the girls’ individual state tournament. She wasjoined at the MHSAA Individual State Finals by Thomapple Kellogg’s Emma Gibson. Gibson, in her third season with the TK wrestling program, earned her way into a spot in the varsity line-up on the first night of her junior season. Gibson went 2-0 and so did the Thomapple Kellogg team as it bested Loy Norrix 57-10 and then Caledonia 56-21. The Caledonia team was 0-2 on the day, falling to the Loy Norrix squad 56-22. “Coming away with two wins in the varsity line-up is awesome. She made a little cut down to 120 to fill a spot for ys. Pretty excited to have her in ..there,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said; She scored a quick pin of the Fighting Scots’ Jaden Grace in their dual after a back-and-forth battle with Loy Norrix’s Jessica White in what was ultimately a 3-1 win for Gibson in that one. She was one of six TK var­ sity wrestlers to go 2-0 on the night. Returning 113-pound state medalists Christien Miller took a technical fall in the dual with Loy Norrix and won by default in the dual with the Scots. Griffin Grummet at 138 pounds, Hunter Smith at 126, Noah Quintard at 150, Jayce Curtis at 175 and Blake Bossenberger at 165 were all 2-0 on the day for TK too. Bossenberger had two pins on the day. Collin Mann, Dylan Thomaple Kellogg’s Collin Mann holds Loy Norrix’s Robert Pounds on his back during the Trojans’ major decision at 106 pounds Wednesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Pauline, Camden Peter, Jimmy Manne, Brenan Simon, Tanner Buxton and Jackson Smith had one win each on the night for the TK varsity. “I am excited,” Fletke said. “They’re young. They want it. There is a lot of change-up in the line-up, but I feel like they’re ready to go.” “I’ve seen them wrestle in practice, and I have seen them wrestle in middle school. I know they have been waiting their turn to get in the varsity line-up. The freshmen did awesome. A lot of them got their first varsity wins today.” Hayden kept her action to the JV mat on the night for the Scots. The varsity had a dual going on while she took on TK’s Kayleigh Brown in a match late in the evening, a bout that ended in a pin for the state champ. Caledonia head coach Shawn Veitch was pretty pleased with what went on at the JV mat at the end of the night. Caledonia’s Sergio Munoz works to break away from Loy Norrix’s Julius Boza during the second peri­ od of their 132-pound bout in which Munoz scored a 20-12 major decision Wednesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “I am proud ofmy guys ... at the end when our varsity was done, everybody, went over Thornapple Kellogg 120-pounder Emma Gibson holds down Loy Norrix’s Jessica White after a second-period take down Wednesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) “I am proud of my guys. They battled tonight. They’re there to our JV mat and was cheering each other on. It was everything we’ve been talking about. This isn’t a sprint. We’re not ready to win champion­ ships right now. Stick with me. It’s a journey. One day at a time. Let’s continue to win each day, get a little bit better by putting forth the best effort that we possibly can. not where they need to be, but it is December. We don’t need to peak until February. We’re going to keep getting better and I guarantee we’re going to be a better team in February than we were today. The bottom line is, my guys have fight, they love each other and we’re going to THE HOTTEST STARS keep getting better each and every day.” Caledonia’s Will Sheely Was 2-0 on the day for the varsity team at 157 pound's. He pinned his foe from Loy Norrix and then pulled out an 8-4 win oyer TK’s Smith in their bout. “I thought he wrestled very smart, very technically sound and really did a great job of listening as well,” Veitch said of Sheely. “I was really proud ofhim.” Ben Moss and Carter Berends stood out for Veitch for the way they battled. Moss got a pin in the dual with Loy Norrix at 150 pounds and tried to fight off Quintard in what was a 9-5 win for the TK 150-pounder in their match-up. QUEEN NATIO Moss was bumped up a weight class or two from where he expects to be as TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF QUEEN FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 the season goes on. Berends BRET MICHAELS was wrestling a littler higher than the Scot coach would PARTI-GRAS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 ultimately like to have him Tickets available now at the FireKeepers Box Office or FireKeepersCasino.com. GET YOUR V| V^lF j J| ■* ™ BATTLE CREEK too. J I-94 to Exit 104 | 11177 Michigan Avenue | Battle Creek, Ml 49014 Must be 21 or older. Tickets based on availability. Schedule subject to change. Sergio Munoz and Connor Sebel had the other varsity wins for the Scots. Sebel pinned TK’s Buxton in their 215-pound match. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-12-16.pdf 5ffd5f8f51f687cdca0e2edc2aae65b4 PDF Text Text ffassiakind&iem —--=—w- .'W ■>/s7i'- Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 50/ December 16, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. * 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Caledonia school board to interview Weeldreyer for superintendent post A flyover rendering of the Dutton Christian Elementary School after a future expansion project is completed. (Source: Gaines Township) Dutton Christian gets go-ahead from Gaines Twp. for elementary school expansion James Gemmell Contributing Writer The Gaines Township Planning Commission has approved a site plan amend­ ment for a 12,400-square-foot expansion to the Dutton Christian Elementary School. The vote Thursday night was 6-0. Commission Chairwoman Connie Giarmo was absent. The project will accommo­ date six additional classrooms on the southwest comer ofthe existing building and a new driveway access off 68th Street. The address is 6729 Hanna Lake Ave. SE. It is just the latest school expansion approved in Gaines, which reflects the township’s rapidly rising population. “We’re approving more res­ idential (development) in the township, so the schools are responding,” Community Development Director Dan Wells said. Construction of a six-class­ room, 11,600-square-foot addition and related site improvements potentially could be completed in time for the start ofthe next school year in the fall of2024. “I think it’s great They’re expanding and doing it thoughtfully. We’re trying to avoid any traffic snarls in that area,” Wells said after the meeting. New driveway access from 68th Street was also approved by planning commissioners, plus a parking area on a newly acquired parcel to the west of the existing school site. Township staff said the new parking area and driveway access also will accommodate future school expansion proj­ ects. Dutton Christian School Administrator Mark Witvliet told the planning commission they have been experiencing a growth in student population over the past several years. It was as recent as 2010 that the township approved an expan­ sion on the site ofthe elemen­ tary school. “Since that time, we’ve been able to obtain some adja­ cent property. We are continu­ ing to grow, and so we have developed a site plan that should serve us well into the future. We are looking at add­ ing six classrooms ... but we also know that there’s some site work that has to be done in order for that to happen,” Witvliet said. Civil Engineer Shawn Bates with Dan Vos Construction then addressed the planning See SCHOOL, page 2 YS board votes down Second Amendment sanctuary township resolution Greg Chandler Staff Writer The Yankee Springs Township board voted unani­ mously Thursday night against adopting a resolution to make the municipality a Second Amendment sanctu­ ary township and calling for the Barry County Board of Commissioners to pass a similar resolution to make Barry a Second Amendment sanctuary county. The resolution, which had been presented to the town­ ship board at its November meeting, has been champi­ oned by the Barry County Republican Party Executive Committee. The committee in March ofthis year unani­ mously adopted a resolution opposing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s efforts toward gun control legislation, which recently passed the k » 1 ' ’ V ' < »• Democratic-control led Legislature and was signed into law. The committee first asked the Board of Commissioners to pass a resolution to have Barry County declared a Second Amendment sanctu­ ary county, but no such action has been taken. So the committee is now turning its attention to individual town­ ships within the county in hopes of generating support for the resolution. While touting their sup­ port for the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms, board members in Yankee Springs had issues with some ofthe language in the resolution. “(The resolution) says we take an oath ofoffice to sup­ port and defend the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of ».• lit I i S I ) t this state,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said, ref­ erencing the third paragraph in the resolution. “The oath that we take (as township officials) says we will sup- See RESOLUTION, page 3 Greg Chandler StaffWriter The interim superinten­ dent of Caledonia Community Schools will interview with the district’s Board of Education next week, which could lead to the board removing the word “interim” from his title. After a closed-door ses­ sion that lasted a little more than 20 minutes Monday night, the school board voted 5-0 to set up an inter­ view with Dirk Weeldreyer at a special board meeting next Wednesday in the board room ofthe district’s admin­ istrative offices, 8948 Kraft Ave. SE. The meeting will start at 6 p.m. and the interview with Weeldreyer will take place at 6:30 p.m. “The board acknowledg­ es the profound impact that the selection of a new Superintendent has on the entire community and is committed to finding a superintendent who aligns with Caledonia’s values and fosters academic success for all students,” Board President Marcy White said in a press release. Weeldreyer, who has served as interim superin­ tendent at CCS since July 1, was the only candidate to submit an application in response to an internal post­ ing of the superintendent’s position by the deadline of Dec. 8, Assistant Superintendent Darrell Kingsbury said. The school board had decided at a late November Dirk Weeldreyer board meeting to seek candi­ dates from within the district before undertaking an exter­ nal search for a permanent replacement for former Superintendent Dedrick Martin, who stepped down at the end ofJune after near­ ly five years with CCS to become superintendent of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA). At that Nov. 28 meeting, board member Jennifer Nichols proposed the board consider allowing Weeldreyer to be considered for the superintendent’s job. Nichols missed Monday’s meeting as she was attend­ ing a school concert for one of her children, but spoke out in support ofWeeldreyer, saying he has “demonstrated compassionate and strong leadership, which is needed in a time of growth and change.” “He’s familiar with the projects that we have had going on over the last fiveplus years, and by hiring him in a more permanent position he will be able to see those projects through,” Nichols wrote in an email to See WEELDREYER, page 2 • North Country Trail granted National Park status • Village of Caledonia amends golf cart ordinance • Even with some issues, TK cheer wins CCCAM tourney • CHS boys nearly complete 20-point comeback versus FHC Barry County Republican Party precinct delegate Dave Laansma responds to the Yankee Springs Township Board vote not to adopt the Second Amendment sanctuary township resolution on Thursday night. (Photos by Greg Chandler) • Caledonia girls slow down Chargers in second half of win » • --- �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16,2023 SCHOOL, continued from page 1 — TK Middle School teacher, Freeport council member picked for TAPRC board Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Kellogg Board ofEducation Monday approved an appointment to the Thomapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. And once again, the appointment came with a touch of controversy, as board members disagreed on whether to consider a candi­ date who submitted her appli­ cation after the deadline. The board appointed Damon Cove, a social studies teacher at Thomapple Kellogg Middle School and a member of the Freeport Village Council, to a threeyear term on TAPRC. He will replace his mother, former TK board President Kristen Cove, whose term expires at the end ofthe year. “(He) checks all the boxes,” said board member Anne Hamming, who also is on the TAPRC board. “I believe we benefit greatly as a district by making our first choice be staff members because it’s really paid off. They bring a lot of energy, a lot of skills and talents to the table.” At issue for some of the board was the application of TKMS Principal Kelli Wegner, who turned in her application on Dec. 6, two days after the Dec. 4 dead­ line. Some members felt Wegner should not have been considered at all because she missed the deadline. “I hire people. Ifthey don’t apply by the deadline, they can tell me they want to have the job, but if they don’t apply, I don’t consider them,” said Board Vice President Krissy Hooson, who presided over the meeting in the absence of President Matt Powers. “I wish she had because I think she’d be great on this board. It’s very unfortunate,” Hooson added. But David Smith, a former board president, felt differ­ ently, noting that Wegner had expressed verbal interest in the position when it was first posted within the district before it was opened to out­ side candidates. “When the person expressed verbally their inter­ est, even though the paper­ work didn’t show up until ... two days late, I think that expressing it verbally is suffi­ cient for me,” Smith said. Damon Cove received support from, Hooson, Hamming, Brenda Hess and Tyler Wenger. Two other board members favored Dan Ploeg, who coached football at both the high school and middle school levels in the TK district for more than 25 years and has also coached in the TAPRC youth baseball program. “He coached (me) in foot­ ball and has been a servant to this community for a long time ... I think that wealth of experience would be very insightful on this board,” said board member Derrick Brock, who was joined by Smith in supporting Ploeg. In his application, Damon Cove wrote of how he felt his experience serving on the Freeport council could be valuable in serving on TAPRC. Damon Cove “I have learned how to work with community mem­ bers, conduct meetings and communicate with various stakeholders,” he wrote in the application. “I believe these skills will help me be an effective member of the Thomapple Area Paries and Rec (Commission). I also believe that being a younger teacher in the district will allow me to connect with students and bring this per­ spective to the board and all it serves.” The TAPRC board con­ sists of nine members, three each from TK schools, the village of Middleville and Thomapple Township. The Township Board is expected next month to appoint some­ one to a three-year term on the board, as Keara Hilton’s term is expiring. TK sets May vote on non-homestead tax renewal Greg Chandler StaffWriter Voters in the Thomapple Kellogg school district will be asked in May to approve a renewal of the district’s non-homestead millage. The TK Board ofEducation Monday passed a resolution setting May 7, 2024, as the date when the district will ask voters to approve a renewal of the 18-mill levy, which gener- ates about $3.8 million in rev­ enue for the schools. The tax does not affect pri­ mary residences in the TK dis­ trict, Assistant Superintendent Chris LaHaie said. “These are (for) businesses, investment properties, vaca­ tion homes and rental proper­ ties,” LaHaie said. Under state law, public school districts must levy the 18 mills on non-homestead properties to receive the full per-pupil foundation allowance from the state, LaHaie said. While the district entered the 2023-24 school year with general fund reserves of $7.8 million, a defeat of the non-homestead levy would represent a major hit to the district. “We really can’t function without this tax revenue,” LaHaie said. “It would be a matter ofthree years before ... our general fund went into fiscal stress and then was a deficit district” LaHaie and Superintendent Craig McCarthy plan to hold several community forums in advance of the election to explain the proposal. “I think it’s really important we educate our community on this,” board Vice President Krissy Hooson said. commission. He said the site fic backing up onto main plan is in preparation for future roads. “They’re hoping that, by development and will entail a lot of site preparation and adding the secondary access onto 68th Street, they will help infrastructure work. “So, we’re really trying to diffuse that situation. In the be proactive with this phase of future, they will have two construction by looping the drop-off points. As those water main that exists on the buildings expand on the west site today. A fairly large scope side, this will enable another place to do that pickup and ofwork,” Bates said. Dutton Christian plans to drop-off,” Wells said. Dutton Christian is propos roos ­ construct some ofthe parking lot for a hard-surface play area ing a new sign along 68th in the interim, while it’s not Street. Presently, Gaines being used for parking. The Township’s ordinance only six-classroom addition won’t allows one monument sign per require all of the parking parcel. It cannot be allowed by space. right. However, planning staff It will create outdoor educa­ has been working on develop­ tion spaces with this phase of ing a new township-wide zon­ construction. ing ordinance that might allow Dutton Christian owns 63 monument signs to be installed acres on the site, so the build­ on separate street frontages. ing addition will be relatively Dutton Christian has two small in perspective to the parcels. Wells said it potential­ overall property size. ly could move the lot line so it “But it is an incremental can put the monument sign on step towards the eventual that parcel and move the set­ build-out. If you look at that backs. “We’re looking at updating site layout, you will see that they do have future buildings our zoning ordinance where that they’re planning to we may be a little bit more expand,” Wells said. permissive with monument “Obviously, we’re seeing a lot signs on single parcels if ofresidential growth, especial­ they’re on separate roadways,” ly in Dutton with Thomapple Wells said. Farms (residential subdivi­ The school has worked to sion) coming online.” ensure safe pedestrian circula­ Dutton Christian is trying to tion on an internal sidewalk avoid a situation that many within the development. other schools have with a lot Township staffwill be review­ ofcars coming in for pickup or ing the final landscaping plan drop-off of students, and traf- this month. weeldreyer, continued from page i the Sun andNews. Weeldreyer is in his second stint as interim superintendent at Caledonia. He served in a similar capacity prior from February 2018 to July 2018, before Martin was hired for the position. He was superin­ tendent of Fennville Public Schools in Allegan County from 2008 to 2017 and has also served as interim superintendent ofGodfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming. invites you to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sunday, December 24 5:00 p.m. 4935 Whitneyville Ave. between 52nd and 48th Streets White asked each of the board members to submit two questions for the interview process to Kingsbury by the end ofthe week, “just to make sure that we are all in line and we’re following policy and nothing is being asked that we can’t or shouldn’t ask” Board member Tim Morris asked if there would be an opportunity for the public to ask questions. Board Treasurer Jason Saidoo, who was not on the board when Martin was hired as superintendent, said that there was an opportunity for public comment tied to the search, but not necessarily to ask questions. “As a community member taking part, I didn’t get to ask direct questions, but I did get to make comments and sug­ gestions ... so I had my three minutes of public comment toward the superintendent search,” Saidoo said. During his tenure as interim superintendent, Weeldreyer has overseen the start of con­ struction for the new Dutton Elementary School, which is slated to open in time for the 2025-26 school year. The proj­ ect was made possible by voter approval of a $61 mil­ lion bond issue. He has also worked with Caledonia Township on an agreement for the schools to acquire 20 acres of land from the township for the expansion of the CalPlex youth sports and recreation comnlex. it * > �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16, 2023/ Page 3 RESOLUTION, continued from page 1 port the Constitution. It doesn’t say anything about defending.” Trustee Dave VanHouten said he was bothered by the use ofthe word “sanctuary” in the resolution, making refer­ ence to some large U.S. cities that are 'calling themselves “sanctuary cities.” “I’m a firm supporter ofthe Second Amendhient, but I think the way that we need to support it, being it’s a state and federal issue, is to make sure we elect the right people, the right representatives, that will the support Second Amendment,” VanHouten said. Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis spoke of his longstanding support for the Second Amendment, having grown up in a family ofhunt­ ers and currently teaching two of his young grandchildren how to shoot “I do think that it’s something that... would be symbol­ ic, and as for a political opin­ ion, I don’t think that we should do that in Yankee Springs,” Heethuis said. The township’s legal coun­ sel, the law firm ofBauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, cautioned the board about adopting the resolution. While acknowledging that the Second Amendment does apply in the township, it wrote in an opinion that declaring Yankee Springs to be a Second Amendment sanctuary township “would be largely symbolic.” “The township has nojuris- diction regarding gun legisla­ tion ... The township should be hesitant to be seen as attempting to interfere with lawful actions carried out by state and federal authorities with regards to gun legisla­ tion,” foe attorneys added in their opinion. Three precinct delegates from foe county Republican Parly spoke in support of foe resolution during public com­ ment prior to foe vote. Precinct delegate and township resi­ dent Dave Laansma thanked foe board for considering foe resolution and individual members for being public with their support of foe Second Amendment. “I think the effort here was to make a clear statement that we would only abide by foe state and federal constitution. Castleton and Prairieville have We would not abide by uncon­ all voted to adopt foe resolu­ stitutional laws passed (by foe tion. Legislature), like what’s cur­ The Irving Township Board rently happening,” Laansma voted on foe resolution during said. “I appreciate your con­ its November meeting and it sideration ofthis question.” passed 3-0 with one trustee Another precinct delegate (Dean Bass) and clerk Sharon and township resident, Jim Olson absent for foe vote. Hooker, voiced disappoint“I think it was important to ment with foe vote. our boardjust so our residents ‘It’s about reaffirming what know our stance on it,’’ said we have all lived under for the Jamie Knight, supervisor of last 200 years,” Hooker said of Irving Township. “We also the resolution. had a few other members of Members of the Barry foe public speak about it at the County Republican Party are October meeting, as well..... I making an effort to visit each do wish our whole board was township throughout foe coun­ there to discuss it but we also ty to provide a similar presen­ felt it was important to pass it tation and to request a similar and not keep holding it over vote, as they did in Thomapple until we had our full board.” Township this week. “I would like to see foe The townships of Irving, county pass it,” Knight added. Township Trustee Dave VanHouten voices concern over the use of the word “sanctuary” in the proposed resolution entertained by the Yankee Springs Township Board on Thursday. “This is a personal (opinion), but I believe it is an important topic and that the county should really look into and pass for all ofBarry County.” Middleville council passes Fire chief calls for parking 2024 budget, utility rate hikes restrictions on Middleville subdivision streets Greg Chandler '•Unit, Wiik; sbKf tait tibii igslaiE irifs gtf: lifai irijifl |IF (Ir F Ih*l StaffWriter The Middleville Village Council Tuesday approved utility rate increases and adopted foe village budget for 2024. The council unanimously approved rate increases that would fund 25 percent of the village’s water and sewer cap­ ital improvements next year. For a typical residential household, foe increase will be 17.2 percent, from a combined bill of $179.10 to $209.91 per quarter, based on the use of 15,000 gallons ofwater every three months. The increase affects both fixed readiness-to-serve charges as well rates based on usage. “(The actual increase each household will pay) depends on your usage,” Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said. The council had last month agreed to fund 75 percent of capital improvements in the water and sewer utilities next year. That would have result­ ed in a 43.8 percent rate spike for a typical residential household, based on the 15,000-gallon-per-quarter usage model, from $179.1-0 to $257.60. That proposal led to objec­ tions from some residents at a Nov. 28 council, meeting as well as complaints that were brought to individual council members via email or phone. In light ofthat opposition, the council decided to scale back on the increase. The village is in the process of locating and identifying lead service lines, which must eventually be replaced by the year 2040 under a state order. Under Middleville’s capital improvement plan, the village is expected to spend $500,000 next year on new well construc­ tion; $400,000 for sewer main lining replacement; $350,000 for water main replacement on High Street; $80,000 for sewer replacement on High; and $150,000 for lead service loca­ tion and1 identification, accord- ing to village documents. The lead service location and identification was origi­ nally planned to be covered by funding through foe village’s first allocation under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), but foe village has since received a drinking water assessment grant from foe Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to cover those costs. The council also unani­ mously adopted an overall 2024 village budget that calls for expenditures of$7,355,345; up from this year’s budget of $7,211,542. “It is a balanced budget, with the exception offunds for a couple of projects coming out of fund balances that we have,” Stolsonburg said. The general fund portion of the budget, foe portion most affected by property taxes, has a reduction in spending, from $2,369,748 this year to $2,078,513. The village is expected to take in $2,513,384 in general fund revenues, rais­ ing foe reserves in that fund to $1,828,324, according to foe budget document. The general fund budget includes $507,750 in spending for law enforcement — foe vil­ lage contracts with foe Barry County Sheriff’s Office for police services — $270,426 for public works, $245,731 forparks and recreation and $167,882 for planning and zoning, according to the budget document The village sewer fund bud­ get for next year is $1,246,727, down from $1,754,585 this year, while the budget for foe water fund is $1,093,906, a slight increase from this year’s figure of $1,051,843, accord­ ing to the budget document. The village plans to spend $1,157,923 on major streets next year, up from $625,390 this year, while reducing its spending for local streets from $822,727 this year to $470,066. The village has 12 full-time employees. Greg Chandler StaffWriter Middleville village resi­ dents who live in subdivi­ sions could soon face new rules on where they can park on foe street. Thomapple Township Fire Chief Bill Richardson Tuesday called for foe village to adopt an ordinance that would only allow omstreet parking on one side ofsubdivision streets that are narrower than Barry County standards allow. Richardson proposed that no parking be allowed on foe side of foe street that has a fire hydrant “I think it makes sense to have the non-hydranted side be the side where people can park, and have the hydranted side be open,” Richardson told foe Village Council. “Eventually, we’re going to have a situation ... where foe minutes do count Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • • • • Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience hnmacfrnma ram 0 and we’re not going to be able to get through.” Richardson says his department has had several challenges navigating around parked vehicles in respond­ ing to emergency calls in foe Misty Ridge subdivision since he became Thomapple fire chiefin July oflast year. “In August of(2022), I had my first fire run in Misty Ridge. We barely got foe fire truck through because of how people were parked,” Richardson said. That call prompted conver­ sations between the chief and Department of Public Works Director Alec Belson on how to try to mitigate foe situation. About a month ago, foe fire department had another chal­ lenging call in Misty Ridge. “Two cars were parked in a manner that we couldn’t get our ambulance through. So we had to hoofour cot about a block down foe road, which isn’t ideal,” Richardson said. “When the call is that (urgent), we need to get there in a timely manner,” the chief added. Village Manager Craig Stolsonburg said he would speak to Belson about getting pricing for signage to address foe potential change, and to Planning and Zoning Administrator Doug Powers about drawing up ordinance language. Any new ordinance would have to go through a public hearing process with foe village Planning Commission. Village President Mike Cramer suggested that foe ordinance address all narrow streets in the village. “I know it’ll be a learning curve for people and it won’t happen overnight,” Richardson said. Holy* Light A Christmas cantata performed by the combined Chancel Choirs of Caledonia UMC and Grand Rapids South UMC. Come celebrate the birth of our Savior, through song and word, as we reflect on God’s gift of the holy light of Jesus, sent to a world in darkness. Sunday, December 17, 2023 glntata during our9:00 AM worship C^l^UBnia United^ethodist Church Mg 250 Vine Street, Caledonia �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16, 2023 Contracts awarded for remaining work categories for Dutton school Greg Chandler service equipment, using funds from the $61 million StaffWriter The Caledonia Community bond issue that voters Schools Board of Education approved in May. “This represents all of the Monday authorized its gener­ al contractor to enter into con­ remaining work categories tracts for nearly two dozen (for the project),” CCS Director of work categories, totaling Executive Operations and more than $14.6 million, linked to the construction of Transportation Matt Hess the new Dutton Elementary said. “We’re ready to go, to School. build the rest of the new The school board gave the Dutton Elementary.” Christman Company the The district had opened go-ahead to enter into the bids on what it called “Bid contracts with various com­ Pack 2” ofthe Dutton project panies on work line items that in early November and had range from paving to play­ already authorized Christman ground equipment to food to enter into contracts for structural concrete and masonry work. Following is the list of each of the work categories, with the recommended con­ tractor and the company’s bid price: — Site Concrete: Choice Concrete Construction, $347,770. — Asphalt Paving: RiethRiley, $547,600. — Fencing: Straight Line Fencing, $57,720. — Landscaping: Procare Landscape Management, $122,105. — Playground Equipment: Sinclair Recreation LLC, $819,000. — Precast Concrete: Fabcon Precast, $854,460. — Structural & Miscellaneous Steel: FCC Construction Inc., $465,583. — Roofing & Sheet Metal: Versatile Roofing Systems Inc., $1,114,700. — Metal Panel Systems: Lansing Glass Company, $259,434. — Glass, Glazing & Aluminum Entrances: Vos Glass Inc., $525,500. — General Trades: Nugent Builders Inc., $1,545,555. — Walls & Ceilings: Phoenix Interiors, $746,200. — Flooring & Hard Tile: Ritsema Associates, $466,035. & —Painting Wallcoverings: Eckhoff & Devries Painting & Wallcovering Inc., $124,825. — Signage: Universal Sign Inc., $31,501. — Athletic Equipment: Bareman and Associates Inc., $139,580. — Fire Protection: Triad Fire Suppression, $175,630. —Mechanical & Plumbing Systems: Alternative Mechanical Inc., $3,379,271. — Electrical & Fire Alarm Systems: Circuit Electric Inc., Thornapple board delays fire department hiring policy change Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thomapple Township Board is pumping the brakes on approving a policy change that would allow the township fire chiefto hire new members without having to come to the board for approval every time an opening comes up. The board Monday held off on approving the change, pro­ posed by Chief Bill Richardson. It would allow the chiefto hire members up to a maximum of 48 people, which is the depart­ ment’s desired staffing level, without having to seek approv­ al from tire board for each hire. Richardson said because ofthe nature ofthe department, staff­ ing tends to fluctuate. “Paid on-call members are transient-type staffing. People have full-time jobs and they move, and it’s in flux pretty regularly,” he said. Trustee Ross DeMaagd favored giving the chief the flexibility to fill openings, not­ ing that waiting for a board vote could result in the department missing out on a candidate. “It’s not like he’s going to suddenly blindside us with somebody we didn’t vet prop­ erly, ifhe can get that ball roll­ ing,” DeMaagd said. “When he has an opportunity to hire somebody, it’s possible that person that is looking mayjust find anotherjob before we go through the process ofapprov­ ing his hiring. That can take six weeks. We can’t leave a poten­ tial employee hanging.” Trustee Kim Selleck expressed some reservations about the change. “I just want to make sure that (human resources) proce- dures are followed,” Selleck said. Clerk Cindy Ordway said she wants to make sure all of the onboarding documenta­ tion, such as payroll informa­ tion, is completed before a new member starts responding to calls. Richardson said that he is fine with the current policy of bringing hiring requests to the board. “This (change) might streamline the process,” he said. The proposal will come back to the board at its January meeting. YS offices open Dec. 28-29 for winter tax bill payments Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Yankee Springs Township office will be open Dec. 28 and 29 to allow taxpayers who wish to pay their winter tax bills before the end ofthe year. The office will be open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 28 and until noon on Dec. 29 to assist those wish­ ing to pay their bills in Rev. Christine Beaudoin 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Sunday’s Ministries Worship Service 9:30 AM Fellowship Time 10:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Youth Gathering 5:00 PM Our mission is to worship God and discip/e Adult Bible Study 6:00 PM axwnrfted fofowws ol Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Michael L Myers, Senior Pastor 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am FIRST MayS«r»ice BAPTIST Middleville Good Shepherd IhSJz Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE cornerstonemi.org/weekend 9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com . Caledonia, Ml 49316 Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 URNEY H U R H C ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Pastor Jonathan DeCou Sunday School........... : 9:30 AM Sunday Worship........ 10:30 10:30AM AM Watch our services from our website (see above) WjdZ MAPEACE * CHURCH rtAvtLnUKCn.ee Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc ‘ ft S;t. TautZutfufan Cnurdi _Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Whitneyville Yankee Springs Bible Church Fellowship Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org 2023, Township Treasurer Deb Mousseau said. The township winter tax bills were mailed on Dec. 1. However, those bills were printed with an error stating the office would be open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2024, Mousseau said. Winter tax bills in Yankee Springs are due Feb. 29, 2024. —Caledonia United Methodist Church £0241/ Chuteh cornerstonechurch $1,960,435. — Communication Systems: Parkway Electric & Communications Inc., $203,900. — Multi-Media Systems: Digital Age Technologies Inc., $203,670. — Security Systems: Knight Watch Inc., $96,245. — Food Service Equipment: Stafford-Smith Inc., $450,214. The new Dutton building is scheduled to open in time for the 2025-26 school year, at the southeast comer of 76th Street and Patterson Avenue. Shining Forth God’s Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group................................ 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vi nc Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaIedoniallnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting holy family THOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass.................... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses........... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY 1©CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16,2023/ Page 5 North Country National Scenic frail granted National Park status The North Country reason, from wording in the National Scenic Trail is now law for the remaining three: an official unit of the the North Country Trail, Ice National Park Service. Age Trail, and New England Unit status provides the Trail. This means they were North Country National not recognized as units ofthe Scenic Trail with official National Park Service, and recognition within the thus, not promoted to the National Park Service and American public. access to additional resourc­ “Now, when the National es and funding opportunities. Park Service tells the story of It also provides equal legal the amazing scenic and rec­ standing with the other trails reational opportunities pro­ and parks that the National vided by the National Park Park Service administers. System, it will tell our stories The Chief Noonday too — the stories of all the Chapter ofthe North Country National Scenic Trails it Trail Association (NCTA) is administers in cooperation responsible for maintaining with other units of govern­ the 120 miles that run ment, nonprofit organizathrough Barry, Kalamazoo tions, volunteers and private and Calhoun counties. landowners, landowners,”” said said Tom The North Country Trail is Gilbert, former National the longest ofthe 11 National Park Service Superintendent Scenic Trails in the United of the North Country States, stretching 4,800 miles National Scenic Trail. from North Dakota to “The stewards of these Vermont. Six of these 11 three trails have called for The North Country National Scenic Trail was officially designated this week as a unit of the National Parks trails are administered by the equality for 30 years, so Service. Here, hikers are seen on a stretch of the trail that runs through Barry County. (File photo) National Park Service but at we’re thrilled by Director the time of their official Sams’ decision,” said Andrea trail.” (D-Wisc.), and the leader­ pioned this issue for three because it gives us more National Scenic Trail desig­ Ketchmark, executive direcThe North Country Trail ship, volunteers and support­ decades. opportunities in the future,” nation, only three were iden­ tor of the North Country Association thanked the U.S. ers of the North Country Local proponents of the said NCTA Chief Noonday tified as units: the Trail Association. “This is Department of Interior Trail Association, Ice Age trail look forward to the Chapter President Jane Appalachian Trail, Natchez such a win for us, our part-Secretary Deb Haaland, Trail Alliance, Appalachian opportunities a National Park Norton. “Maybe it could be Trace Trail, and Potomac ners, and our volunteers, National Club and Service unit designation educational Park Service Mountain programs, Heritage Trail. Unit status who work so hard to build, Director Chuck Sams, U.S. Connecticut Forest and Park could bring. maybe it could be more was missing, for no clear maintain and protect theSenator Tammy Baldwin Association, who have cham“I think that it’s important funding.” Village Council passes golf cart ordinance amendment Greg Chandler knowledge and consent of the owner if the operator is StaffWriter an immediate family mem­ After months of debate, the Caledonia Village ber. “For this provision, the Council Monday night approved a change in a vil­ owner is not allowed to per­ lage ordinance that will mit someone to drive the now hold owners of golf golf cart if they’re not carts in the village respon­ licensed or under 16,” sible for violations commit­ Township Attorney Kathryn ted by others who drive Stegink said. “So this cre­ ates the presumption that their vehicles. The council unanimously someone who’s related to approved a resolution the driver and the driver’s amending the village’s golf immediate family, like their cart ordinance, which has spouse, father, mother, etc. been in place since - that the driver knows, the November 2018, making driver is presumed to know the owner of the golf cart that (the other person) is responsible for any viola­ driving it.” “If it’s the neighbor tions of the ordinance as (who’s driving the cart), well as its operator. The village had already you can still prove the required anyone owning a owner knew, but we’re not golf cart to register their creating that presumption vehicle with the village. because it’s less likely that However, only 16 golf carts a neighbor is operating the are registered at Village golf cart than a member of the immediate family, Hall at this time. The change followed Stegink added. Complaints had been extensive discussion at both the Planning Commission made about the ordinance unenforceable. and Village Council, as well being as an open house at Village However, with the way the Hall last summer that village went about chang­ Village Manager Jeff ing the ordinance, the Kent Thornton called to address County Sheriff’s Office concerns about unsafe use would be able to enforce ofgolf carts on local streets most violations as it generthat included reckless driv-ally reflects the Michigan ing and carts being driven Motor Vehicle Code. “Ifwe do see a violation, by those under age 16. The change includes a we would always want to presumption that the golf write the state code first,” cart is being driven with the said Lt. Randy Kieft, administrative lieutenant for the sheriff’s office South Precinct that includes Caledonia. “It would take the burden off (the village attorney), it would take the work off her desk, it would send it up to the county prosecutor’s office. By adopting this, you’re just enacting this portion of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code, which our officers can enforce quite easily. It’s already preloaded (into our reporting system).” The council had origi­ nally instituted a $10 regis­ tration fee when it passed the ordinance in 2018 but had not collected the fee in the last year or so. On Monday, the council eliminated the fee for good. The ordinance requires a photo of the golf cart, and the cart must carry liability coverage, which can be included on a homeowners’ insurance policy. “You don’t have to add your golf cart on (your insurance) as an automo­ bile. It just says you have to have the liability cover­ age,” Thornton said. “That’s what a lot of marinas require, ifyou have a slip at many ofthe marinas around the state. You have to pro­ vide proof of liability. It does not. say that your boat has insurance.” _ Other provisions in the ordinance ban golf carts from being operated in bad weather. Carts can only be operated from a half-hour after sunrise to a half-hour before sunset, and the speed limit for carts is 15 miles per hour. Kieft said the village reg­ istration requirement is one provision that cannot be enforced by law enforce­ ment because it’s not part ofthe vehicle code. “You’d have to write that under your village ordi­ nance,” Kieft said. The ordinance does not cover off-road vehicles or all-terrain vehicles. The vil­ lage of Middleville has been debating changing its ordinances to allow ORVs on village streets. “Ifyou want to allow the use of ORVs or ATVs on our streets, you have to have a separate ordinance,” Stegink told council mem­ bers. “It’s a different law. It’s actually in the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. There are different requirements.” Anyone violating the ordinance would be charged with a civil infraction, with a $100 fine for a first offense and $250 for a sec­ ond offense, according to the ordinance language. PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act and the Michigan Gvil Rights Act which collectively make it ille­ gal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age or marital status, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women and people securing custody ofchildren under 18. — AT CORNERSTONE — This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in viola­ tion of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To report discrimination call the Fair Housing Center at 616-451-2980. The HUD toll-free telephone num­ ber for the hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275. 84th St. Campus Service Times: December 23:6PM | December 24:9:30AM, 11:15AM & 1PM Childcare Available for Infants through Young 5’s During All Services Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Christmas comerstonechurch �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16, 2023 Middleville council to replace Zoom with YouTUbe for meetings Greg Chandler Pictured from left to right is Katie Tyner-Green, Lieutenant Pattrick Jansens, Brad Bender, Lieutenant Jason Preslar, Joe Johnson, Steve Sage, and Chief Bill Richardson of the Thornapple Township Fire Department. (Photo provided) Thornapple Fire Department presents service awards Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 Scott Bloom, O.D. OPTOMETRIST — 2 LOCATIONS — • HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 • WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED FULLTIME BODYSHOP TECHNICIAN WANTED! Harvey All Car Collision - a local, family owned & operated Grand Rapids collision repair facility for Harvey Cadillac, Harvey Lexus & Harvey Auto Outlet is looking to hire a full time body shop technician to repair client's vehicles of all makes & models at our busy body shop! Up to $3,000 signing bonus based upon experience - ask for details in your interview! Benefits: ♦Competitive wages ♦Continued training ♦Health insurance ♦Vacation time ♦ Available 401k with matching contributions, dental and other insurance options Body Shop Technician Requirements: ♦State Certification ♦Body shop/collision experience ♦ICAR experience preferred ♦Ability to multi-task in a busy work environment ♦Detail oriented outlook ♦Valid driver's license Interested in this great opportunity? e-mail your resume or work history to jhoekstra@harveyautomotive.com or call 616-954-1164 Greg Chandler StaffWriter The Thornapple Township Fire Department presented longevity service awards to longtime mem­ bers, representing more than a century of service, at Monday’s Township Board meeting. Katie Tyner-Green, who has been with the depart­ ment since October 2000, received a 20-year pin, while Pattrick Jansens, who marked his 20th anni­ versary with the depart­ ment in September, also received a 20-year pin from Chief Bill Richardson. Brad Bender, who has been with the department since 2005, received a 15-year pin. Jason Preslar and Nate Otto each were presented 10-year pins. Joe Johnson, Steve Sage and Royal Shilton received pins marking five years of service to the department. Overall, the Thomapple Department has a total of 277 years of experience from its members, Richardson said. Staff Writer An online platform that was added in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to allow Middleville residents to watch Village Council meetings remotely will be discontinued at the end of the year. The Village Council Tuesday voted 6-1 to end having its meetings be seen on Zoom, and instead will replace it by having all future village meetings including the council, com­ mittee of the whole, plan­ ning commission, zoning board of appeals and local development finance authority - be seen on a YouTube channel the vil­ lage has already created, effective Jan. 1. Tuesday’s council meet­ ing was the village’s last meeting using Zoom. The village began using the platform to allow residents to observe council meet­ ings in April 2020, one month after the pandemic began. In its first few months, council members attended meetings remotely via Zoom as well as there were restrictions’on public gatherings. Village Clerk Rhonda VanPolen recommended the change in platform. She said that she has already done a couple of test runs for the YouTube channel and doesn’t foresee any issues as the village transi­ tions to a different plat­ form. “Basically, all I have to do is go in and set it up and click ‘live’ right before we (start a meeting),” VanPolen told council members. “It’d WE’RE HERE FOR ALL YOUR HEATING AND COOLING NEEDS Residential & Commercial -Gas Furnaces -Gas Boilers -Air Conditioners -Heat Pumps -Water Heaters -Humidifiers DeWeerd be very helpful from a standpoint of whoever sits in this chair. There’s no monitoring, we set it up and it’s done. We don’t have to O”55 ’ ' worry (about losing a con­ nection) ... I’ve already let people in this meeting (on Zoom) while trying to pay attention to this, take notes, do the things (that the clerk usually does).” VanPolen said that she looked into other commu­ nities that are using YouTube to televise local meetings, such as Lowell and the Barry County Board ofCommissioners. “We’re not required to have anything interactive anymore. We don’t have to do that. Additionally, it would save our stuff on YouTube for free. It’s just there,” VanPolen said. Village President Pro Tempore Kevin Smith sup­ ported having the village meetings on YouTube, but not at the expense ofZoom. He called Zoom “an adjust­ er ofgoodwill.” “The reality is that we already have a hard enough time meeting people where They are, and that means that people that cdh’t come here and interact with us the way that folks that do come here,” Smith said. “I think there’s more from a communications perspec­ tive, it makes us accessible, and it makes it available for people that may not necessarily travel into the vil­ lage, into Village Hall, for these meetings.” “I think closing this down puts us at a disadvantage from the public view, simply because I think it’s a method by which we can meet people where they are, as a gov­ ernment body,” added Smith, who was the lone no vote on the switch. A February 2021 council meeting had 346 Zoom par­ ticipants, largely respond­ ing to social media com­ ments then-Village President Amanda Fisk had made after the death of radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. About 20 people joined a council meeting in June. But more recently, resident participa­ tion on Zoom calls was quite low, Van Polen said. “We have been taking attendance on (Zoom) since August. It’s mostly us (staff members). It’s.very seldom anything different,” she said. 1' VanPoleil Said she has encountered technical issues that have prevented residents from being able to offer comments over Zoom during public comment periods, and recently, Zoom links to past council meetings have been dumped. “I published and posted, ‘hey, you can see our meet­ ing here,’ and they can’t (access it) anyway,” VanPolen said. “That con­ cerns me.” Smith asked if it was possible to continue to record council meetings on Zoom and have them uploaded to YouTube. VanPolen said the village’s current Owl video confer­ ence technology cannot support both platforms at the same time. Village President Mike Cramer says having the meetings on YouTube will give residents more flexibility of when they can watch. “Switching jo this venue allows us to leave (content) out there. They can watch it Sunday morning, they can watch it Wednesday at lunch break, and they can always email us,” Cramer said. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16, 2023/ Page 7 Christmas comes to Main Street in Middleville TKHS student expelled for remainder of school year Greg Chandler Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd along Main Street in Middleville during the annual Middleville Lions Club Christmas Parade Saturday evening. Valentine Ogle (left) and Camryn Koval (right) wave their light up batons along the side of the parade route along Main Street in downtown Middleville Saturday during the annual Christmas Parade. StaffWriter A 15-year-old freshman at Thomapple Kellogg High School has been expelled for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year. The student was expelled on a unanimous vote of the Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education after a disci­ plinary hearing Monday night. The high school administration recom­ mended the expulsion in a report to the school board, and also set forth condi­ tions that the student must meet before being allowed to return to TKHS, Superintendent Craig McCarthy said. “That’s the worst part of thisjob, having to do some­ thing like that,” McCarthy said after the vote. Details ofthe incident that led to the student’s expulsion were not disclosed. In an email to the Sun and News, McCarthy wrote that “the issue was serious enough to warrant the student’s expul­ sion for die remainder ofthe school year.” McCarthy included in a packet to board members the student handbook and board policies that the stu­ dent violated, as well as “numerous attempts” to contact the student’s par­ ents. He said the district does not take expulsion of a student lightly. “Neither the parents nor the student were in atten­ dance, nor did they ask for the hearing to be held in closed session,” McCarthy wrote in his email. “The board members received a confidential packet with the information required to make the expulsion decision. All the personal­ ly identifiable information was redacted in the packet to protect the student’s identity.” Local students named to Kalamazoo College dean’s list Several area students were named to the dean’s list at Kalamazoo College for the Fall 2023 semester. To qualify, students earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better. Local students on the list, by hometown, included: Caledonia — Raven Medina Middleville Cecilia Gray, Kaleb Sydloski, Lucy Vandemark Shelbyville Gabriel Meyers DNR shooting ranges in Barry County and across state to close for season The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will close several of its shooting ranges for the winter season. The following ranges will close Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4:45 p.m. and are expected to remain closed until April 14,2024: • Barry Shooting Range on Chief Noonday Road/M-179, within the Barry State Game Area in Barry County. Over the winter, construction work will continue at the range site, including the installa­ tion of shooting benches. • Dansville Shooting Range on Kelly Road in Mason, with­ in the Dansville State Game Area in Ingham County. • Echo Point Shooting Range on Monroe Road in Allegan, within the Allegan State Game Area in Allegan County. • Skoglund Erickson Range on the Goose Lake Access Road in Marquette County. Lapeer Shooting Range on Roods Lake Road in Lapeer, within the Lapeer State Game Area in Lapeer County, will close Friday, Dec. 15, at 5 p.m. and is expected to remain closed until May 1,2024. More information on the DNR’s public shooting ranges in Michigan can be found at Michigan.gov/ShootingRanges. The Thornapple Kellogg High School Marching Band performs ‘Santa Baby,’ by the light of head lamps and book lights, as it makes its was through downtown Middleville during the annual Christmas Parade Saturday evening. ®OWI1 ™ ®QUT ©IF a YOUTH §1?©^? REGISTRATION holiday season! Emergency service vehicles with their flash­ ing lights lead the Middleville Christmas Parade over the Main Street bridge over the Thornapple River on Saturday evening. (Photos by Brett Bremer) https://qrco.de �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16,2023 Gaines Township Board considers adjustments to new zoning ordinance being crafted “It’ll regulate townhouse more windows you have on developments, where you the sides of houses, the less have single-family but they’re privacy there is in areas where in a multiple-unit configura­ you have smaller setbacks. tion. In what people typically That would be an issue,” Wells call row houses,” Community said. “One other point that was Development Director Dan brought up was that the houses have to meet energy efficiency Wells said. Chapter 7 also will regulate standards. So, having more apartment buildings and windows actually makes it mobile home parks in Gaines harder to achieve those.” Mike McGraw, an execu­ Township. The planning com­ mission, township board and tive with Eastbrook Homes, zoning board of appeals have sent the township staff a letter applied some longer setback on Oct. 27 expressing “serious requirements for three-story concerns” about the proposed apartment buildings to keep Chapter 7 changes to the zon­ them further away from the ing ordinance. He said some road instead of looming large of the proposed requirements would work against afford­ at the street side. “So, you won’t see really ability and practicality from a big apartment buildings right construction standpoint. “I still think the 10-percent up on the property lines. It’ll be more of a stepped appear­ transparency requirement is a problem if you are requiring ance,” Wells explained. The township board will that on all four sides,” McGraw continue discussing how to wrote. “I don’t think it’s neces­ deal with medium-density sarily a problem for the front or rear, but the sides will be an housing, as well. The township has introissue. In high-density settings, duced some proposed archi­ especially with detached hous­ tectural standards for new ing types, you often will see an townhouses and single-family ‘inactive side’ of one of the homes in what it calls “village two units. That unit typically neighborhood” areas. doesn’t have any windows on Township planners had sug- the ground level because it is gested some standards for adjacent to the patio/outdoor window placements and trans­ living space for the other unit.” parencies but got some blow“I think that it’s fine if the board would like to reduce back from local developers. “The development commu­ some of those transparency nity has pointed out that the percentages,” Wells told the board of trustees, noting that requiring the higher percentage of glass might be a difficult standard for builders to meet. He added, “We also have in this (draft) ordinance the idea ofputting percentages ofglass on all sides of a building, not just the front. So, ifthe board thinks that it’s more reason­ able to lower that percentage The Gaines Township Board met Dec. 11. In view or to make it less on certain from left, clerk Michael Brew, supervisor Rob DeWard, sides — maybe do 5 percent treasurer Laurie Lemke, trustee Tim Haagsma, town­ on the sides and rear. And ... ship manager Rod Weersing and township planner maybe 8 percent on the front, Dan Wells. (Photo by James Gemmell) that might be a way to mainJames Gemmell Contributing Writer Some local homebuilders have recently suggested Gaines Township officials tweak preliminary proposals for a section ofthe new town­ ship zoning ordinance that is being formulated. The township board took no action on the matter at its meeting Monday night at the township hall. The zoning ordinance is the legal document governing development in the township. Planners have been working on various chapters of the ordinance to craft changes that will reflect what the township master plan envisions for longterm growth. The master plan and a future land use plan were approved by the town­ ship board earlier this year. The proposed ordinance would allow for the development of housing in the “village residential” model laid out in the master plan. Recently, the township board has begun examining a text amendment for Chapter 7 of the ordinance concerning the medium- and high-density residential zoning district. It would regulate single-family detached homes on small lots. Unlike apartments that have shared entryways, the single-family units will all have one entrance. ED’S BODY SHOP CALEDONIA, MICHIGAN STATE OF THE ART SYSTEMS State & I-CAR Certified Technicians TOUCH Computerized Electronic Measuring System 616.891.0150 www.edsbody.com Lesonal WaterBourne System Ed Pawloski Jr., Owner 110 Johnson St., Caledonia tain the affordability.” to be built behind homes “Typically, windows are would apply to detached energy losers,” trustee Dan homes. Fryling said. “So, ifwe require “So, if you have a sin­ the 10-percent transparency, gle-family detached you could what does that transparency do still have a garage door or two to our value (on the homes)?” in front ofthose houses. They Wells said one way to mod­ just have to be recessed. So ify the standards might be to your front porch is further for­ require that a certain number ward and the garage is further of standards be applied, but back,” Wells said. The requirement for garag­ not all. In other words, an a la carte approach. es to be built behind the homes “We could say, if we have would apply to units where six standards, the builder there are attached single-fami­ would have to choose three or ly homes. four of those, depending on “Going through Eastbrook’s the house they’re building or comments, I think they have a the development they’re lot of merit,” Township doing,” he explained. “They Supervisor Rob DeWard said. might want to have something “For instance, when you talk consistent across the board about garages need to be in the with all the houses. But then, rear (oflots). There are lots of, pick and choose different maybe, walk-out lots that it models for other things. doesn’t fit to have the garage “I think that approach fc in the rear. So, we have to be good in that you’d still main­ able to respond to that.” tain a lot ofvariety in the indi­ “I’m always leery of the vidual houses that are present government getting into in the development. We don’t architectural and design-built want to have cookie-cutter homes,” Bosco Construction housing developments coming Inc. co-owner Chris in like you get in other town­ VanderHoff told the town­ ships,” Wells said. ship board. “I am for stricter McGraw also pointed out architectural requirements, that a proposed requirement to a point. All of our devel­ for stone or brick for the first opments require stone over­ floor would drive up the hangs. We caution you on the price of every house built. A transparency of 10 percent. requirement that garages It’s a tough one to make. And must be built in the rear yard I would really reconsider of a property is not appropri­ that.” ate in all cases. McGraw De Ward said the township mentioned that topography has strived to provide afford­ often dictates that the garag­ able housing and does not es be built at the front of the want to drive up costs. He said building when you have day­ developers would rather con­ light or walkout building trol the cost. sites.. “I like the idea of the a la Wells noted that the pro­ carte approach, where they posed requirement for garages have to maybe not meet eveiy Business Services Frame Repair IWMBAI Eastbrook Development provided Gaines Township planners with an image of a front-loaded home, with the garages in front. Eastbrook reps said the township should not require garages to be built in the back yard of homes in all cases. (Source: GainesTownship.org) [GOLD CLASS ^NFIB OPEN: M thru F 7:30 am - 5:oo pm BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. Insured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. MATT ENDSLEY FABRICA­ TION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roof­ ing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888­ 5050. single requirement, but a per­ centage of those,” Treasurer Laurie Lemke said. “I think that would give the builders some leeway on an affordable product.” In other unrelated action, the township board roll-call voted 6-1 to approve a tenta­ tive preliminary plat for the second phase ofthe Hoffman Meadows residential subdivi­ sion. Fryling cast the lone no vote. There are three steps to winning final township approval in the platting pro­ cess. The first step is the tenta­ tive preliminary plat, then there is a preliminary plat, and then there is the final plat approval. “They just got the tentative preliminary, which gives them the ability to go out to get all of the other agency approvals that they need to then come in and get approval for the pre­ liminary plat. Then they’ll be able to lay out lots and sell lots. They’ve already done the north half of that develop­ ment, so now they’re going to start working on the south half,” Wells said. That will be for 55 sin­ gle-family detached home lots on 47 acres at 2410 68th St., west of Hanna Lake Avenue. The property is in the town­ ship’s RL-10 residential zon­ ing district. First-phase construction of Hoffman Meadows began earlier this year for 40 sin­ gle-family home lots on 15 acres. Up to 130 single-fami­ ly lots may be built in future years, once the fourth and final phase of the project is completed. Pets MINI GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES. 1st shots & wormed. Very cute and fluffy. Will stay small. $200. 269-223-9194. DOG GROOMING. QUALITY local groomer at reasonable rates. 269-331­ 9999. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16,2023/ Page 9 Scots slow Chargers in second half of victory TK grapplers fourth at Grandville Challenge Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team placed fourth at the Grandville Bulldog Challenge Saturday, Dec. 9. Whitehall took the tour­ nament title with 227.5 points. Grandville was sec­ ond with a score of 192 ahead of Portage Northern 118.5, Thomapple Kellogg 116, Lapeer 99 and Mt. Pleasant 93. TK got runner-up finish­ es from Christien Miller at 113 pounds, Dylan Pauline at 132 and Tanner Buxton at 190 pounds. Pauline and Miller are both now 6-1 overall this Caledonia junior Lakely Bottum (34) elevates in the paint over Chargers’ senior Carli VanDerSchaaf (14) and junior Avery DeVries (32) for a layup in the first half Tuesday night at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) The Fighting Scots shut down the Chargers in the second halfTuesday night. The Caledonia varsity girls’ basketball team moved its season record to 2-1 with a 52-43 win over Covenant Christian at Caledonia High School. The Scots held the Chargers to just 12 points in the second half after going into halftime with the Chargers holding a 31-30 lead. Junior guard Lily Gortmaker had 16 points and ten rebounds for the Fighting Scots. She was one of three Scots in double figures. Fighting Scot sophomore guard Baylee Devries (11) fires a three-point shot from deep in the corner during the first half of the contest with Covenant Christian Tuesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Lakely Bottum had 14 points slow-paced game in the first and Mackenzie Devries fin­ half with his girls holding a ished with 13. Devries 15-12 lead, but the two teams knocked down three found their rhythm ■ and and also picked up the pace signifithree-pointers dished out four assists in the cantly in the second half. contests. The Scots were still in The Scots took advantage front 28-24 after three quaroftheir time at the free throw ters and quickly pushed line, going 11-of-14. their lead to 11 points in the It was the first ballgame of first half of that fourth the season that ended after quarter with the help of an four quarters. The Scots 8-0 run. Lowell responded played their second straight to tie the game and force overtime contest to start the overtime. season Friday against Caledonia had an apparent Lowell, falling 51-49 to the game-tying shot at the end of visiting Red Arrows. overtime waved off as offiCaledonia head coach cials ruled it was after the Todd Bloemers said it was a honor. Kathryn Langenburg had a team-high 12 points for the Scots. Devries added nine points, Teresa Abraham had eight points and Gortmaker seven. Addie Roe and Bottum had six points apiece. Abraham added a team-high ten rebounds. The Fighting Scots are in Traverse City this weekend. They were scheduled to take on Traverse City West Friday night and will be in action this afternoon, Dec. 16, tak­ ing on Traverse City Central. Caledonia closes out the pre-holiday schedule taking on Thomapple Kellogg in Middleville Thursday. TK girls pick up first Gold win over Cougars A 28-2 victory over Grand Rapids Catholic Central at Hastings Bowl Monday moves the Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ bowling team record to 1-1 in OK Gold Conference matches this season. The TK ladies won both Baker games and both regular games on the day to tally 20 of their 28 points. Jenna Robinett, Casey Phillips, Kenzie Chapin-Dyer and Sidney Ripley won two individual points each, and teammate Aubrie Hooten rolled well for the Trojans too. Robinett had games of 151 and 131 to lead the way for TK Phillips scored a 132 and a 106. Chapin-Dyer tallied a 104 and a 90. Ripley scored a 1010 and a 91. Hooten had scores of 116 and 85 in her two games. The TK boys fell to 0-2 in the conference Monday with a 27-3 loss to the Cougars. Landen England won two of the Trojans’ three points with games of 138 and 135. Matthew Jore took a point for TK too with a 113. The Cougar boys won both Baker and both regular games. Dylan Lawrence was solid for TK with games of 161 and 135. Travis Grabemeyer rolled a 121 and Colten Wiest scored a 121 and a 102. TK also had Anthony Sager Wissner and Jore combined for an 81. Last Saturday, the TK girls finished tied for fifth and the TK boys eighth at the Grand Rapids Christian Invitational. The Trojan girls had high Baker games of 131 and 130 among their four Baker tries. Robinett had a top individual game of 146. Ripley’s high game was a 131, Ashleigh Norman rolled a 128 and Chapin-Dyer had a high game of97. Aubrie Hooten tallied an 89 and Casey Phillips an 87 for her best game ofthe day. The TK boys had top Baker games of 150 and 149. Lawrence had the top indi­ vidual game for the TK boys at 149. Myles Chambers scored a 132 for his high game of the day, Landen England had a 123, Jore a 110, Colten Wiest a 108 and Grabemeyer a top game of 108 too. AntennaMer • Digital TV Antennas • Starlink Installs • Towers Cellular Enhancement Systems season. Miller had three pins on the day and a forfeit victory in the dual with Mt. Pleasant. He suffered his first defeat of the season when he was outscored 12-6 by Lapeer’s Jaylen Gosciniak. Pauline had a pin, a major decision and a forfeit win on the day to go along with a 4-2 sudden victory overtime win over Portage Northern’s Caleb Bryant. Pauline’s lone loss came against Whitehall’s Nolan Taranko. TK’s Jayce Curtis at 175 pounds, Camden Peter at 144 and Jackson Smith at 157 all placed third. Scots battle tough foes at Greenville team tourney Brett Bremer with three pins. The Fighting Scots were The Caledonia varsity wres­ bested 51-27 by Belding, tling team was held without a 60-24 by Fruitport, 74-6 by win Saturday at the Greenville Greenville and 51-24 by Team Tournament. Hastings on the day. The Scots tightest dual of Greenville won it dual with the day was against a Petoskey the Hastings Saxons by the team which ultimately scored score of 57-9. The Yellow a 42-37 win. Jackets entered the season Josh Grace at 106 pounds, ranked seventh in the state in Ethan Berrends at 126 and Division 2, and also defeated James Carrow at 138 had vic­ Fruitport 63-12, Belding 55-10 tories for Caledonia in that and Petoskey 66-9 Saturday. dual with the Northmen. Caledonia wrestlers are a CHS also got points thanks part of today’s Kent County to a major decision by Will Championship at East Sheely at 157 pounds and a Kentwood High School. The win by Sam DeVries at 190. Scots return to action at home Josh Grace had two pins on taking on Jenison in the first the day and finished 4-1 with a OK Red Conference dual of pair of forfeit victories too. the season Wednesday at 6:30 Carrow was 3-2 on the day pjn. . Sports Editor —Be Winter Ready— High Efficiency RUUD FURNACE s200e OFF s7fl Mus1t present this coupon coupon..X Extended thru 12-22-23 (not valid with other offers) No to; FRONTIER HEATING & COOLING 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Give us a call! 269-967-8241 www.theantennamen.com antennamen@gmail.com www.cellsignalpros.com 616-891-8900 Locally owned business. �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16,2023 Scots nearly wipe out 20-point Ranger lead Brett Bremer Sports Editor Playing a second game in 18 hours, trying to slow down and milk a lead, and Ky Caledonia senior VanderWoude finally finding his stroke didn’t suit the Rangers well. The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team wiped 19 points off a 20-point Forest Hills Central lead in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter, but finally ran out of time as the Rangers held on for a 63-61 win. The Fighting Scots went on a 21-2 run over a span of five and a half minutes that had what was a 59-39 Ranger lead down to 61-60 with 33 play. seconds to VanderWoude had an open three from a step behind the arc at the top ofthe key, that could have tied it, miss its mark, but teammate Jaiden Googins helped force the rebound off the Rangers’ Brendan Cargill and out of bounds, eventually leading to a bucket by Googins in the paint that had the Scots within one there with just over a halfminite to go. Caledonia was whistled for its first foul ofthe fourth quarter with 14.4 seconds to play, and the Rangers got a lay-up from Cargill that extended the lead to three soon after. The Scots inbounded the ball from in front of their own bench with 4.3 seconds to go, but an inadvertent horn from the scoreboard caused a bit of a disruption. On the restart, the best the Scots could get was an underhand­ ed heave from Googins for three that never had much of a chance. New Caledonia head New coach Lamar Chapman Caledonia senior guard Corbin Raffler, with help from senior teammate Lual Abiel (1) takes the ball away wasn’t happy with the hole his guys found themselves from Forest Hills Central guard Brady Miller during the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia senior Jaiden Googins puts a shot up over Forest Hills Central’s Jonas VanderWoude in the paint during the second half Saturday afternoon at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The minutes of the November 28, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, which were approved on December 12, 2023, are posted at the Village Hall at 100 E Main Street and on the website at www.villaqeofmiddleville.org. FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* Zugu/VM CotKfXMUf, in, but was pleased that his guys didn’t quit. “Obviously it’s better if you win it. We dug oursevles a hole,” Chapman said. “You get down 19 points against them, Forest Hills is a good team. They have got some players. They have some shot-makers on that team. They do a good job. You’d like to get that one, because it is home. You can’t dig yourselfan 18-19-point hole. You expend so much energy getting out ofit. “Pat on the back to my guys for fighting and not giving up. It was a good game, a good competitive game where you see what you’re made of.” Googins finished with a game-high 23 points, taking advantage ofhis strength and skill around the basket. VanderWoude had 13 points. Senior guard Lual Abiel fin­ ished with nine for the Scots and freshman guard Jarell Jefferson sparked the offense a bit with a pair ofthree’s off the bench. The Rangers’ Jonas VanderWoude led his team with 20 points. He drilled five three’s. Cargill finished with 16 points, senior point guard Brady Miller had 11 and Hudkins had eight. Jonas VanderWoude and Miller drove from the top to the rim for lay-ups on back-to-back possessions for the Rangers as they upped their lead to 20 points with a little over six min­ utes to go in the game. coMtt® COOH suu The Caledonia rally start­ ed with a bucket from Googins inside. Googins got a steal and fired a pass ahead to freshman point guard Ardrace Morris for a lay-up and then a Jefferson three had the FHC lead down to 13 points in about a minute and a half. Coach Chapman said he’s not one for extending pres­ sure, and it is certainly not something the Scots have worked on much so far in the early season, but he sent his guys after the Rangers in the final minutes and it paid off. A double team by Abiel and Googins led to a Ky VanderWoude bucket. A FHC travel gave the Scots another possession that Googins took advantage of. The FHC lead was down to 59-50 with 2:38 left. A quick three-point attempt at the other end of the floor by the Rangers’ VanderWoude, one of his few misses from behind the arc all night, bounded well offthe rim to where Hudkins tried to get a handle on it. Abiel hit the floor for the Scots and was fouled by Hudkins as he tumbled over him trying to get back to the ball. Ky VanderWoude found space for a three-pointer going the other way that found its mark and moved the FHC lead down to 59-53. Hudkins managed a buck­ et for the Rangers, but Abiel answered that at the other end. Another missed three by the Rangers’ VanderWoude led to a possession where the Scots’ VanderWoude knocked down his second of the quarter right in front of his bench to make it a one possession game at 61-58 with 1:03 to go. That got Ranger head coach Jordan George calling for a time-out. The Scots’ roll didn’t slow though. Abiel and senior guard Corbin Raffler trapped Miller at half-court and forced an over-and-back with 51.1 sec­ onds to play. That turnover eventually led to the Googins bucket that got the Scots within one. Caledonia is now 2-2 overall this season. The Rangers improved to 4-1 with that win. They took their third win of the season the previous night, blowing out Thomapple Kellogg 72-39 in Middleville. Jonas VanderWoude got his Rangers to a 6-0 lead with a pair ofthrees in the opening minute Saturday. The Scots had their first lead of the game at 18-16 late in the first quarter after a couple put­ backs by Abiel and Googins. They led 18-17 at the start of the second quarter and a quick triple by Raffler offthe bench had the Scots up four. That lead lastedjust over a minute as the Rangers went on a 10-2 run. They would eventually lead 35-25 at the half and 52-37 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Scots bounced back to score an 80-76 win at Covenant Christian Tuesday night, Dec. 12. The Scots were slated to visit Portage Central last night, Dec. 14, and will be back in action next week taking on Grand Ledge Tuesday and Thornapple Kellogg Thursday, Dec. 21, at home. -Thornapple EYECARE “Building Community Through Excellent Care Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middleville (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com 4624 N. M-37 Hwy. Ste E, Middleville, Ml thornappleeyecare.com • 269-213-8108 Fighting Scot senior guard Ky VanderWoude puts up a three-pointer in front of his bench' during the Scots’ fourth quarter comeback bid against visiting Forest Hills Central Saturday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16,2023/ Page 11 Even with some issues, TK wins OCCAM title Brett Bremer a score of 700.44 points. Sports Editor The Trojans were almost There is both room for 14 points behind the Red improvement and a little less Hawks going into round room in the trophy case. three, but mostly blew away The Thomapple Kellogg the field in round three even varsity competitive cheer team with an eight-point deduc­ opened the 2023-24 season by tion. The Trojans also had an winning the Division 2 com­ eight-point deduction in petition at the Competitive round two Saturday. Cheer Coaches Association of There were mixed feelings Michigan Invitational hosted for new TK head coach by West Catholic High School Madelynn Lula. Saturday. “When we went out The TK ladies earned an Saturday we had made some overall score of 710 points major changes late week that bested the final score of which shook up some nerves OK Gold Conference rival for many,” Lula said. “I kept Cedar Springs for the top telling them, it is important spot. The Red Hawks earned for each of your to worry about do your job and it will all fall into place (this is why we have alternates who are ready tojump in at any time). For halfofour team, this was their first time ever on a competitive cheer mat, so while we have a lot ofroom to grow and for improvement -1 feel fortune to have ‘shook the dust ofF and gotten the first-timers nerves out. “As a coach, I have high expectations for these girls and their performance - I know what they are capable of and when they come up short ofthat, it is hard to be super excited, even about a win, and to be frank that is how I feel about Saturdays win. I am proud of them, absolutely, but I know how good they can be and will be, and Saturday wasn’t that.” Even having to make lateweek changes to Saturday’s line-up, Lula made sure her team got four stunt groups out on the mat in round three like has been the plan this preseason. She wasn’t going to take things easy on her team or its opponents just because it is December. “Our round three is chal­ lenging,” Lula said. “I opened the gates with a hard round, because I knew they could handle it and it would only continue to build their confidence and with time we could add on and make it more impressive. I feel like we proved that on Saturday.” In the end TK had a score of 228.5 in round one, 202.8 in round two and 278.7 in round three. The next best round three score of the day was a 256.4 from Zeeland West. Cedar Springs had scores of227.7 in round one, 217.34 in round two and 255.4 in round three. Zeeland West finished third in the standings with an overall score of674.72 ahead of Kenowa Hills 655.38, Sparta 595.9, Coopersville 587.9, Hamilton 585.42 and Allendale 513.5. Lula said her team took some hard penalties and made some major technical errors it has to learn from, but the Trojans were back at it this week working to improve their issues. “Bust most ofall we need to build the excitement, and the wow factor, and the fireworks which will all come with con­ fidence and repetition,” Lula said. “It’s a long season. It’s gotta start somewhere, and I am proud ofour start.” TK was scheduled to be a part of West Catholic Falcon Invitational last night, Dec. 15. Pair of TK ladies in top three at East Jackson Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg’s Rylee Alberts and Emma Gibson had top four finishes at the East Jackson Girls Varsity Wrestling Invitational Friday, Dec. 8. Alberts reached the finals of the 130-pound weight class before falling to Hastings’ Bella Friddle in the championship match to fin­ ish as the runner-up. Gibson placed third in the 125-pound weight class, bouncing back with two wins after a semifi­ nal defeat. TK sent six girls to com­ pete Friday and all six had at least one victory. Alberts got to the champi­ onship match with a 5-2 semifinal win over East Kentwood’s Anari Roberts. The Trojan 130-pounder started her tournament run with pins of Allendale’s Gracen DeBoer and Montague’s Abigail Thommen. Gibson pinned her first two foes too, taking down Marcellus’ Layna Cardella and East Kentwood’s Tressa Saldivar. Allen Park’s Adeline Tuccini pinned Gibson in the third period of their semifinal match. Gibson closed her day with a pin in the consolation semifinals of Ovid-Elsie’s Haley McClung and then fol­ lowed that up with a pin of East Jackson’s Kayla Winger in the match for third. Adelaide Holdeman had an opening round bye in the 155pound weight class for TK and then took a 13-3 major decision over Plymouth’s Marissa Richmond before being bumped from the cham­ pionship bracket in the semi­ finals by Allendale’s MacKenzie Maka. Briella Dykstra had a pair of pins on the day wrestling at 110 pounds for TK, and the Trojan team also got wins from Raini Braska at 115 pounds and Kayleigh Brown at 145. Hastings had 15 girls com­ peting and finished the day with 132 points at the top of the standings which included wrestlers from 39 different schools. The Saxon team got indi­ vidual championships from Dezarae Mathis at 125 pounds, Katherine Bercier in the 125-pound ‘B’ bracket, Friddle at 130. Montague, with seven wrestlers, was second as a team with 116 points. The TK team was sixth on the day with 58 points. Montague got champion­ ships from Savannah Winkleblack at 110 pounds, Emma Pendell at 145 pounds and Trisha Beckman at 235. TK ends bailgame on 12-0 run to beat Saxons Brett Bremer Sports Editor It tends to happen in the varsity girls’ basketball games between Thomapple Kellogg and Hastings - a five-point lead feels like ten and back-toback buckets feel like a mas­ sive momentum shift. Things were no different in Middleville Tuesday as the host Trojans took a 40-30 vic­ tory over the visiting Saxons. Thomapple Kellogg closed the ballgame on a 12-0 run to earn the double-digit victory, improving its season record to 3-0 in the process. It was the biggest win ofthe three for the Trojans, who took a four-point win at Forest Hills Central Friday after a twopoint win over Plainwell to open the season. Saxon sophomore Olivia Friddle attacked the hoop from the top of the key to put the Saxons in front 30-28 early in the fourth quarter. The Trojans beat the Saxon press the other way not long after for a bucket by senior center Eva Corson that tied the ballgame at 30-30, and even­ tually took a 32-30 lead on a bucket by junior Lydia Schilthroat with four and a half minutes to play. A steal by Schilthroat led to a lay-up and a 34-30 TK lead soon after and had Saxon head coach Chase Youngs calling for a time-out. Tealy Cross upped TK’s lead to 36-30 with less than two and a halfminutes to play, and the Trojans went 4-of-8 from the free throw line the rest of the way to close out the win. Officials let the girls play around the basket throughout the night, making getting buckets tough in the paint all the way around. The Saxons had a tough night putting the ball in from outside too, and their shooting struggles were the biggest difference in the ballgame. The Saxons’ Rachael Hewitt was able to battle through the contact in the paint to score or get to the line throughout the night. She had a game-high 17 points going 8-of-10 at the free throw line. “Rachael is doing well,” Hastings head coach Chase Youngs said. “She has hit a three in every game. She hit her free throws last night That has been a focus. She was 8-of-10 at the free throw line. She has been working hard at that.” Cross led TK with 12 points. She had ten in the sec­ ond half. Schilthroat finished with eight, Corson had six and freshman Reece Ritsema fin­ ished with five points. Youngs said Cross’ athleti­ cism made her a problem on both ends ofthe court. “She is just a good athlete,” Youngs said. “She is long. She is fast. She is head strong in that she knows what she is doing. I don’t think she took a bad shot. She didn’t make all of them, but I don’t think she took a bad one.” He said Cross’ athleticism and size was disruptive at the top of the Trojans’ zone defense too. Hastings got six points each from Friddle and junior guard Brianna Darling. Neither team had a lead big­ ger than four points in the first half. TK led 19-16 at the half, and did quickly push that lead to 22-16 at the start ofthe third quarter. The Saxons battled back to eventually tie things at 26-26 with 2:14 to go in the third on Darling’s second three-pointer ofthe bailgame. A pair of free throws with halfa second to go in the third quarter by Friddle had the Saxons up 28-26 at the start of the fourth quarter. The Trojans outscored Forest Hills Central 28-24 on the road in Grand Rapids last THORNAPPLE KELLOGG SCHOOLS Yankee Springs Township BOARD MEMBER VACANCY 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 The Thomapple Kellogg Board of Education is seeking applicants for the current vacant Please Note: position on the board of education. An individual will be appointed to fill the vacant position until the November 5, 2024, elections have been held and certified and a newly elected individual has been sworn-in to fill the remainder of this position's term. The Yankee Springs Township Office will be open on Thursday, Dec, 28, 2023 from 9 am to 5 pm for end of the year tax payments. Interested persons must submit a letter expressing interest in the board position to the district office no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 29,2023. Applicants should include a resume, their qualifications for the position, a statement regarding the reasons they desire consideration, and their philosophy concerning public education. Please send the above-mentioned information to Erica Dudik at edudik(a)tkschools.org. Tax bills were incorrectly printed stating the office as being opened on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2024. Following a review of the submitted materials, the board will schedule interviews with selected candidates the week of January 8,2024. If you have any questions concerning the role of the board of education and the responsibilities of a board member, please contact Matt Powers at mattnowers@tkschools.org. Friday, Dec. 8. The TK girls were scheduled to host Sparta last night, Dec. 15, and will return to action at home twice in the week ahead taking on Coopersville Monday, Dec. 18, and Caledonia Thursday, Dec. 21. THORNAPPLE TOWNSHIP BOARD 128 High St. MIDDLEVILLE, Ml 49333 SYNOPSIS OF MEETING MINUTES Monday, December 11,2023 Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. with seven members pres­ ent. Items approved: 1. Printed Agenda approved as presented. 2. Consent Agenda approved as presented. 3. Approved motion to contin­ ue the calculation of overtime pay the same as always, which per FLSA, qualifying firefighters are allowed to work up to 212 hours in a 28-day work period, before overtime is required. 4. Approved motion to maintain our existing method of calculating overtime wages on the basis of actual hours worked. 5. Approved motion to adopt the 2024 Holiday Schedule as presented. 6. Approved motion to appoint Katie Stanton to the Board of Re­ view. 7. Tabled motion regarding the approval of hiring new Emergen­ cy Services staff members. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Prepared by Deputy Clerk Amy Brown. Approved by Township S upervisor, Eric Schaefer. Copies of the meeting minutes are available upon request from the Township Clerk or by visiting our website at https://thornapple-twp.org/meeting-minutes/ Of­ fice hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday tnrougn i nursaay. �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 16, 2023 Rangers ruin Trojans’ perfect start Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was bound to happen at some point. The Trojans’ undefeated run to start the season is over. Forest Hills Central scored a 72-39 non-conference vic­ tory in Middleville Friday night, but the Trojans did manage to bounce back to score a win at Lowell Tuesday when they returned to action. The Rangers fired a bar­ rage of three-pointers over the Trojan zone defense in the first half Friday and led 36-17 at the break. The Trojans switched to man to open the second half, and things went from bad to worse as FHC senior point guard Brady Miller beat his defender from the top of the key to the rim time and again. “I think we can just pull off of [Miller] a little bit more [when playing man],” TK head coach Phil Garber said. “We just have to make adjustments. If you know you’re playing someone like Catholic Central, or a guy TK senior forward Hayden Chapman looks to get around Forest Hills Central’s Matt Sexton during the second half of their non-conference bailgame in Middleville Friday, Dec. 8. (Photo by Brett Bremer) who is going to Michigan, you can’t play up on him. You can still play him, but do it back here and make him shoot. If he shoots it, then you live with that, but you can’t just let him drive to the hoop. We’ve got to make that adjustment and play off that person a little bit. “But even in the 2-3 [zone] I didn’t feel like we were moving as well as we should have. Normally we look pret­ ty good, and there were a lot of open three’s ... they hit them and we didn’t.” Miller had 15 points in the third quarter alone and fin­ ished with a game-high 22 points. Jonas VanderWoude added 13 for the Rangers and Brendan Cargill finished with nine. As soon as Garber said he’d seen enough of Miller getting to the basket and swapped the Trojans back out into a 2-3 zone, Miller buried a three over the zone to push his team’s lead to 50-26 with 3:10 to go in that third quarter. “Defensively, we have to help out more,” Garber. “They drove in at will. We talked to them at halftime, make an adjustment. Make someone else beat you. Don’t let them drive. And, right to the basket every time. You can’t give up lay-ups and you can’t give up open threes. Tonight, that team did both.” While the Rangers shot well from outside the arc, the Trojans did not after senior Kyle VanHaitsma nailed his Thornapple Kellogg junior point guard Brody Wiersma looks to get away from the pressure provided by Forest Hills Central’s Brady Miller and Ty Hudkins during the first half Friday night, Dec. 8, in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) first one to give TK a quick 3-0 lead. An alley-oop dunk by the Rangers Owen Godley soon gave his team a 4-3 lead and the Rangers were in front the rest ofthe way. Senior guard Tyler Gavette had a team-high 11 points for TK and junior Jude Webster finished with ten. Sophomore Trey Hilton chipped in seven points and VanHaitsma fin­ ished with five. “I told them, I don’t care if to all the businesses of Yankee Springs that supported our first annual ■ Chief Noonday Car Park It was a 29-16 TK lead at the half. Lowell trimmed that TK lead down to eight heading into the fourth quarter and eventually to within four with a little over a minute to play. The Trojans got to the bucket a couple times in transition easily to close out the Red Arrows in the end. Lucas Ploeg closed the night with 11 points for TK. Hilton and junior . Brice Lloyd had eight points apiece. Webster put in five. Lowell was led by 20 points from Ben Gaskin. Jackson Liley finished with 12 points. The Trojans were 4-1 overall this season heading into a road match-up at Sparta last night, Dec. 15. TK goes to Coopersville Monday and Caledonia Thursday in the week ahead. Insurance Service Agency ■ ■ Window World of West Ml North Point Car Wash ■ Gabby’s Unique Decor Russo’s at Gun Lake M Mike and Barb Cunningham A Sportsman’s Attic < Yankee Springs Dental ■ Tom’s Market ■ Gun Lake Business Association ■ VanHouten and Solomon Farms ■ Capitol Motors ■ Custom Impressions Woodworking ■ Curley Cone you win by 50 or ifyou lose by 50,” coach Garber said, “you’re not going to be dis­ respectful. You’re still going to be respectful. You’re still going to have that passion and be positive. They are going to take some of these this year. We’re rebuilding. I told them, we’re not going to win every game, but we’re going to battle.” Assistant coach Bobby Roush led the TK team on Tuesday at Lowell, and the Trojans got offto a great start in what turned into a 57-51 win. A 14-2 run to start the game capped by a VanHaitsma triple got TK going. VanHaitsma had seven ofthose first 14 points for TK and finished with a game-high 21 points. TK led 17-6 after one quarter and the lead would grow to as many as 19 points. *p> ■ Willow Tree Soapery ■ Sand Bar and Grill ■ Dan Miller ■ Deb TimmermanAess Stress in Life ■ Alice Jansma ■ Water’s Edge ■ Dave and Aileen VanHouten ■ Elite Auto ■ Barry County Posse ■ Rob and Vai Heethuis We’d also like to thank our vendors - Cheezy Duz It, Curley Cone Food Truck and Maddie’s Cookies and Cream, as well as the Christmas Committee made up of Terry Cole, Donna Archer, Deb Mousseau, Alice Jansma, and Dave VanHouten Forest Hills Central point guard Brady Miller gets to the basket between TK’s Lucas Ploeg (22) and Brody Wiersma (10) Friday night, Dec. 8, in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-12-23.pdf 5aee923241097d18740d15d34ec0dcec PDF Text Text ifo. 51/ December 23, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 145th year Yankee Springs board eyes short* term rental ordinance changes Caledonia Community Schools board members interviewed Interim Superintendent Dirk Weeldreyer before choosing to hire him permanently. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) Caledonia interim superintendent selected to fill full-time position Hunter McLaren StaffWriter Caledonia Community Schools board members have chosen to hire Dirk Weeldreyer as the district’s permanent superintendent. Currently serving as the district’s interim superinten­ dent since July 1, Weeldreyer also previously served as the district’s interim superinten­ dent for a five-month period in 2018. Weeldreyer returned to the district this year fol­ lowing the departure of Superintendent Dedrick opportunities for public Martin, who stepped down in schools. While in that role, June to become superinten­ Weeldreyer has served as an dent of the Kalamazoo interim superintendent in Regional Educational Muskegon Public Schools Service Agency. and Godfrey-Lee. Weeldreyer previously Board members inter­ served as superintendent of viewed Weeldreyer for the Fennville Public Schools in position at a special meeting Allegan County from 2008 to Wednesday night. While he’s 2017 before taking on his enjoyed the work he’s done current role as executive with the School Equity director ofthe School Equity Caucus, Weeldreyer said he’s Caucus, a Lansing-based felt a pull to move back into lobby group advocating for a full-time superintendent more equitable state funding role. “The interim jobs are great. They suit me well, because I think I’m able to come in and lend a sense of calm to districts and help people refocus on where they need to be,” he said. “But at the same time, the other thing is the long range kind of vision setting and moving the district forward over time — that’s not something you get to do as an interim.” Each board member asked Brody Woodwyk ence. We got to see aBlackhawk (helicopter), walk around, meet veterans,” the CHS senior said. “We sat down with three veter­ ans and got to know them, (and found out) what branch they were in.” At that event, Woodwyk learned of a West Michigan school that had recently put in a memorial honoring veterans who had graduated from the school. An idea took shape. Now, Woodwyk is leading an effort to establish a veterans memorial at the high school. “Seeing what they did, and other schools are doing that, it just prompted an idea in my head — Caledonia needs to have this, to honor their veter- ans,” he said. Woodwyk launched a cam­ paign to raise funds for the project through the sale ofcom­ memorative T-shirts that he has designed. On Jan. 9, CHS will host Hudsonville High School for what has been dubbed the “Honoring Our Heroes” bas­ ketball games, including a var­ sity doubleheader with a boys game at 6 pjn., followed by the girls game at 7:30 p.m. Any student who has bought the T-shirt will receive free admis­ sion to the games when accom­ panied by a valid CHS student identification. The CHS Student Council and the school’s Parent Student Teacher Organization (PSTO) in single-family residential neighborhoods,” Shea told the board. “It appears that nobody wants to live next door to an Airbnb that is a full-time short-term rental property, with large groups of s^ulgers roaming in and x out" every weekend throughout the summer and disrupting the neigh­ borhood in aJL kinds of ways.” The Township Board in October approved a sixmonth moratorium on new registrations for STR permits while an eight-member subcommittee reviews the ordinance, which went into effect in March 2021. The moratorium only affects new applications for permits and does not affect those properties that already have such a per­ mit. Several changes to the See RENTAL, page 2 See SUPERINTENDENT, page 2 CHS senior leads effort to create veterans memorial at school Greg Chandler StaffWriter Brody Wbodwyk and some of his classmates from Caledonia High School attend­ ed a luncheon last May at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids that honored local vet­ erans. “It was a really cool experi- Greg Chandler StaffWriter Yankee Springs Township officials are look­ ing at potential changes to the township’s ordinance on short-term rental properties in the wake ofresident com­ plaints from over the sum­ mer about noise late at night, drunk and disorderly conduct, illegal parking and littering, particularly near Gun Lake. Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea told the Township Board at its Dec. 14 meeting that he and Code Enforcement Officer Brad Williams have received considerable feedback from residents since they asked for public feedback on the short-term ordinance in a November Sun and News story. “The one thing every­ one seems to agree on is that commercial short­ term rentals don’t belong have joined Woodwyk in the veterans memorial campaign. The PSTO will have a dona­ tion table at the basketball games on Jan. 9 and is also looking to organize a fundrais­ er at Caledonia restaurant Butcher Block Social to help with the campaign. While Woodwyk developed the idea for the memorial after meeting veterans at the lun­ cheon, he took a while to pon­ der it. Finally, over the sum­ mer, he pitched the proposal to CHS social studies teacher Heather Tomes. “Brody sent me an email this summer and said, ‘I have See WOODWYK, page 2 Yankee Springs Township Zoning Administrator Joe Shea outlines proposed changes to the township short-term rental ordinance in a presen­ tation to the Township Board at a Dec. 14 meet­ ing. (Photo by Greg Chandler) • Business expansion in Caledonia Twp. to create 75 jobs • TK Schools seeks new board member after recent resignation • Townhouse development proposed for northern edge of Caledonia Twp. • Cal freshman propels Scots to hoops win over TK • TK grapplers secure two titles at Kent County meet �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23,2023 SUPERINTENDENT, continued from page 1 Weeldreyer two questions, after which written com­ ments from district staff, and members of the public in attendance were collected and reviewed. Board mem­ bers deliberated briefly, not­ ing that public input and feedback from CCS staffwas overwhelmingly supportive ofWeeldreyer. Board members commended Weeldreyer’s perfor- mance during both periods as an interim superintendent, praising his effective com­ munication style, his pres­ ence in the community as well as his willingness to collaborate with board mem­ bers and staff. Jason Saidoo, board trea­ surer, said he enjoyed work­ ing with Weeldreyer and was confident in-his abilities but was apprehensive about hir- ing a candidate for a position that had no other applicants. The permanent superinten­ dent position was opened to internal applications first, with an external search for candidates being performed only ifthe board chose not to hire Weeldreyer Wednesday night. Weeldreyer was the only applicant. “Are we getting somebody who is going to be really WOODWYK, continued from pagel an idea.’ That’s where it start­ Hopefully, we can get it to wouldn’t have been able to do ed,” said Tomes, a 25-year show'any awards (and) medals this without Ms. Tomes and Mr. Martin and everyone else veteran teacher who teaches they earned.” Caledonia High School in the administration.” an America at War class as Wbodwyk’s father, Troy, well as other government Principal Bill Martin lauded served in the U.S. Army in the classes at CHS. Her husband Wbodwyk’s efforts, “This collaborative effort early 1990s, around the time is a military veteran. exemplifies the spirit of unity ofOperation Desert Storm. He “This (idea) is all Brody.” our community, served with the Kent County Wbodwyk roughed out a within design of what the memorial demonstrating that when we Sheriff’s Office for more than could look like. He shared it come together, we can create 25 years, retiring as chiefdep­ with school administrators. something truly meaningful uty for the department. Brody Details ofwhat the final design and enduring,” Martin said. is interested in following in his father’s footsteps of pursuing will be, and where it will be “Brody Wbodwyk’s leaderlocated, are still being devel­ ship in this effort is inspiring, law enforcement as a career and we’re excited to see where option. oped. Woodwyk plans to attend “The plaques will honor all this collective endeavor takes six branches of the military,” us. We encourage the commu­ Michigan State University after Wbodwyk said. “The shadow nity to join us in honoring the graduation, going through the box is really to honor those sacrifices of our veterans university’s Air Force Reserve who have fallen, who were through this lasting tribute at Officers’ Training Corps killed in action ... and an CHS.” . (ROTC) program, and then (interactive, touch screen) TV Tomes has estimated the joining the Air Force as a com­ will show all students from cost of creating the memorial missioned officer after earning Cal who have graduated and at around $10,000. She is his degree from MSU. went to a branch of service. hopeful that enough funds can “I hope to go into security be raised to get the memorial forces, which is like military installed by the end of the police,” he said. “I’ve always school year. been interested in being a “The goal is to get it police officer, mostly (because installed before Brody leaves of) my dad.” ... There are a lot of moving Woodwyk is hopeful that pieces that have to happen,” his efforts will galvanize sup­ Tomes said. port from the school and Tomes said that she has also Caledonia community. reached out to American “I just hope it brings the Legion Post 305 and local community closer, that it businesses to see ifthey might reminds people every day, contribute to the memorial especially the students at CHS Brody Woodwyk project. and the students coming up launched a campaign to Woodwyk is thankful for into the high school —; I hope raise funds for a veterans the support his efforts have they see this and remember memorial project through received. those who have served and try the sale of commemora­ “I’ve been really proud of to find the meaning of their tive T-shirts that he has what’s happening. I think it’s a uniform and what they have designed. great thing,” he said. “I done for our country,” he said. good, and good enough, or are we getting the superstar that could really elevate us much, much further,” Saidoo said. “Again, Dirk may be that guy, but I have nothing else to compare him to right now.” Brittany Barber Garcia, board vice president, said she was confident Weeldreyer was the right candidate for the role. The overwhelming amount of positive feedback from CCS staff as well as board members and adminis­ trators from other districts Weeldreyer had worked in was proof enough, she said. “To me, that is a superstar of a leader,” she said. “Though I haven’t worked with a whole bunch ofsuper­ intendents, I’ve worked with a lot ofother leaders and that is something that is not it’s Expansion at Aspen Surgical Products expected to create 75 new jobs The headquarters for Aspen Surgical Products in Caledonia Township. (Photo provided) Michigan Governor the state. Together, we will Gretchen Whitmer keep growing our economy, announced three business helping businesses expand, expansion projects expected and building a bright future to create 179 new jobs and for Michigan.” generate a total capital Aspen Surgical Products, investment of $40.7 million a manufacturer of surgical have received support from essentials and infection con­ the Michigan Strategic Fund. trol products is expanding at The projects include an its headquarters in Caledonia expansion at Aspen Surgical Township. The company Products in Caledonia in recently joined Symmetry addition to expansions at Surgical to offer an expand­ Navico Group in nearby ed portfolio oftrusted prodLowell and Koops ucts essential to surgery, Automation Systems in with enhanced efficiency Holland. and convenience from prep “Today’s investments will to close. create 179 good-paying jobs The company employs and invest more than $40 more than 225 Michiganders million into communities in at its headquarters facility. West Michigan, building on In October 2022, Aspen our economic momentum,” acquired Symmetry Surgical, Governor Whitmer said in an a leading healthcare technol­ announcement. “I applaud ogy and solutions supplier of these three companies for surgical instruments based in their decision to invest here Nashville, Tenn. With this in Michigan. Let’s keep acquisition, the company working together to win plans to consolidate its ware­ projects that bring good-pay­ housing and distribution cen­ ing jobs to every region of ters into a leased space adja- Your local agent insures your Lake Estate FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. 212 W. SUPERIOR ST. WAYLAND, MI 269-792-2234 Since 1955 Since 1955 not a guarantee, that you’re going to have somebody who’s going to listen.” The board unanimously moved to enter contract negotiations with Weeldreyer for the superintendent posi­ tion, with audience members providing a round ofapplause as the motion passed. “This is a good day for Caledonia,” Board President Marcy White said. Jason Parks 121 E. Main Street Downtown Middieviiie (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com i aiiiiuUieauiiiauianCu.COiii cent to its headquarters in Caledonia Township, where it will make upgrades to the building as well as add equipment and machinery. The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $5 million and create 75 jobs with the support of a $600,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant. Michigan was chosen for the project over Symmetiy Surgical’s existing operations in Nashville due to the company’s strong existing employee base and worldclass headquarters facility. “We are excited to partner with the state ofMichigan to announce the growth of our headquarters and the upcoming opening of our new expanded distribution center in Caledonia,” said Aspen Surgical Products CEO Steve Blazejewski. “This expan­ sion is a testament to Aspen Surgical’s growth and suc­ cess, as well as our commit­ ment to providing exception­ al service to our customers across the healthcare contin­ uum. With over 131,000 square feet of storage space and improved technology, the new distribution center will allow us to better meet our customers’ needs and provide a streamlined experi­ ence across the Aspen and Symmetry market-leading brands.” West Michigan economic development firm The Right Place plans to assist the com­ pany in finding candidates for the newly-created nosi- �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023/ Page 3 RENTAL, continued from page 1 ordinance have been pro­ posed, most notably prohibit­ ing so-called “commercial short-term rentals” from areas ofthe township that are zoned for single-family resi­ dential use. “The main change would be to make that distinction between commercial short­ term rentals and owner-occu­ pied short-term rentals, which we would refer to as a traditional short-term rent­ al,” Shea said. “That’s how Airbnb first started, back in 2008 ... it was just a way to rent out a room in your house. You would still live there, and you would rent out one part ofyour house to a renter, but it was still your primary resi- dence.” Traditional short-term rentals would remain allowed in all zoning districts, includ­ ing the single-family resi­ dential, residential lakefront and suburban residential zones, Shea said. “The owner (of the prop­ erty) has to be present in the dwelling during the rental period, and it must be his primary legal residence,” Shea said. Commercial short-term rentals would be allowed in all non-residential zone dis­ tricts, Shea said. Any changes to the ordi­ nance would have to go through a public hearing pro­ cess with the township Planning Commission, which could take place in January. Also being looked at is a boost in the fee to register a property as a short-term rent­ al, from $100 to $500. “That (current $100 fee) doesn’t even cover the cost of... sending out all the let­ ters to neighbors, my time, (zoning assistant) Sandy (Marcukaitis’) time, Brad’s time speaking to people about these things. It needed to go up,” Shea said. Some of the increased funding could go toward bringing on a private compa­ ny known as Granicus that could assist the township with enforcing the ordinance. The company tracks about 60 to 70 vacation rental web­ sites to find out what proper­ ties are being made available for rent, Shea said. “We know that we have a lot of unlicensed short-term rentals in the township right now. This would be a way for us to find them,” Shea said. One of the services Granicus offers is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week hotline for neighbors to call ifthey spot a problem at a neighboring property. “They can call this num­ ber, somebody will always pick it up,” Shea said. “That company would try to resolve the problem by contacting the owner ofthe place, and if necessary, (contact) emer­ gency services, police, sher­ iff, whoever.” The short-term rental ordi­ nance was passed in response to the increased popularity of cottage rentals among vaca­ tioners, driven by the growth of such online services as Airbnb and Vrbo. Shea said he found more than 100 rent­ al properties in the township that were advertising on just those two services alone. The ordinance language states that Yankee Springs “wishes to preserve and retain the residential commu­ nity character of the town­ ship” and says the intent of the measure is to “make the STR activity permitted by this ordinance resemble the existing and traditional resi­ dential uses made by resident owners and lessees.” The township currently has 32 properties that are registered as short-term rent­ als. Permits are to expire at the end of the year, but cur­ rent permit holders are being allowed to renew for non-conforming uses, with the idea those permits would expire after two years as a sunset provision. No new applications are being con­ sidered during the moratori­ um period, which expires April 12. The subcommittee is to meet in early January, and the Township Board is expected to vote on whether to raise the registration fee and to hire Granicus for enforcement purposes at its next meeting on Jan. 11. Barry County board concludes 2023 business, looks to new year Jayson Bussa Editor The Barry County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday morning to con­ clude its business for 2023. The brief meeting — which lasted only about 30 minutes — was spent clean­ ing up the 2023 budget with one final budget amendment and turning the board’s focus to the upcoming year. County Administrator Michael Brown presented budget amendment 23-C, which accounted for some final, minor shifts in the bud­ get before the year expired. The amendment increased revenue to the general fund by $51,954 and expenditures for the general fund by $53,403. The adjustment was nec­ essary because ofa variety of small corrections. The county saw a net increase of $9,454 in state and federal revenues and an increase of $32,500 in charges for service due to an increase in circuit court costs. The ‘other revenue’ category also saw an increase of$10,000 due to an increase in Sheriffrefunds. Expenditures took a slight increase, too. Part of this increase was tied to the sub­ stance abuse appropriation line item after the county received more revenue in 2023 than was originally budgeted. The budget also saw a $30,000 increase in expenditures in the public works line item to offset state revenue from a brownfield grant. “It’s what we do every year. End of the year budget amendment — clean things up, balance things out,” Chairman Dave Jackson said before the board voted the amendment through. The meeting concluded the county board’s 2023 cal­ endar year, which was the first year of service for four different commissioners — David Hatfield, Mike Callton, Mark Doster and Bob Teunessen. “We had four new com­ missioners come in this year,” Jackson said. “You guys have done an outstand­ ing job. You’ve been involved in your communi­ ty. Your service has been above and beyond what we expected. That’s part of what we need — we need ambassadors from this board reaching out and knowing what they need in the com­ munity.” “To see how we’ve taken a brand new board and blend­ ed it into a working unit to do good things for the county, I’m just very impressed with all of you so thank you for your service,” Jackson added. The board will be guaran­ teed the same roster of com­ missioners for at least one more year as it turns its focus to 2024. Jackson instructed commissioners to get with their constituents and be ready to hit the ground run­ ning with addressing the most pressing issues of each ofthe county’s districts. “As we start formulating a plan for next year, I’d appreciate it ifyou all took a minute to think about your area and the people you rep­ resent and the things that are coming before you,” Jackson said. “Let’s formulate a vision for what next year should look like. Let’s talk about those things. You can reach out with a phone call or email and certainly, we can have a workshop or talk about some planning for next year.” Hamming resigns from Thornapple Kellogg school board Greg Chandler StaffWriter Thornapple Kellogg Schools are looking for a new member for its school board, after longtime board member Anne Hamming submitted her letter of resig­ nation Dec. 13. Hamming, who had served on the TK school board since 2013 and was most recently re-elected to the board in November 2020, wrote in her letter that it has been an honor to serve the students of the district during her tenure. She was the second-longest tenured member ofthe board behind David Smith. “I am at peace leaving now. Our three newest board members had a year to learn the role and get to know our superintendent,” Hamming wrote in her letter. “Most important, I am confident in the direction Craig (McCarthy, TK superinten­ dent) and Kim (Chausow, TK curriculum director) are providing to improve student learning. Updates at the November meeting showed me that the necessary steps are being taken to put us in the top tier within the (Kent Intermediate School District). I am confident that, with their leadership and drive, we will become the Anne Hamming hidden gem I always believed we could be.” Hamming, the mother of two Thornapple Kellogg High School graduates, served as president of the TK board from January 2019 to September 2020. She also has served on the board of directors for the Kent Intermediate School District for the past three years, and was a TK repre­ sentative on the Thornapple Area Parks and Recreation Commission. “Anne is an intelligent and thoughtful decision-maker as well as a tremendous advo­ cate for Thornapple Kellogg students at the municipal, state and national level,” for­ mer TK Board President Kristen Cove wrote in a text to the Sun and News. “I learned a lot from Anne during our six years of ser­ vice together. Anne was never afraid to ask the tough questions or to engage in meaningful debate USED PARTS* PICK UPS ’ONE TONS* VANS * SUITS«JEEPS * 4MS FUll SERVICE & YOM POU IT M. gfe" 269-381-2300 V V H. ’SH*"" USED PARTS h USED TIRES I nAKauuiAMi | in order to achieve consen­ sus.” The board is seeking applicants for the opening created by Hamming’s resig­ nation. The new member will serve until the Nov. 5, 2024 election. Anyone interested in the position must submit a letter expressing interest in the position by 4 p.m. Friday. Applicants should include a resume, their qualifications for the position, a statement regarding the reasons they should be considered and their philosophy concerning public education. After a review of appli­ cants’ submitted materials, the board will schedule interviews with selected candidates the week of Jan. 8, 2024. Any questions about the role of the board of education and responsi­ bilities of a board member can contact Board President Matt Powers at mattpowers@tkschools.org. �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23,2023 Gun Lake Area Women’s Club announces 2023 Woman of Achievement Jane E. Robertson Jane E. Robertson of Middleville, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Morriston, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Maxine Robertson, and by her life partner, Howard Hartley. Jane is survived by her favorite aunt, Janet Schondelmayer; her son, Travis John Tumes (Holly); her daughter, Sarah Jane Fox (Corey Crouch); and her stepson, Jordon Hartley (Shawna). She is also sur­ vived by her brothers, Charles M. Robertson (Robin), Marc W. Robertson (Brenda), and Walter “Jay” Robertson (Rene), and her many grandchildren, includ­ ing Dultin Ryder, Lane Allen, Teight R.D. Tumes, Tiemhey Robertson-Tumes, Thaylan Tumes, Andrea Crouch, Cole Crouch (Emma), Beau Crouch, Ariela Crouch, Indi Crouch, Aurelia Hartley, Valencia Hartley, Vienna Hartley, and Octavian Hartley. She was expecting a great-grandchild in April. Jane leaves behind many nieces and nephews and countless friends who became like family. Jane was a force to be reckoned with. Her family lovingly nicknamed her “The Ramrod” as she had the uncanny ability to make things happen and get things done. Jane had a long and fulfilling career at Hastings City Bank, taking after her father. She enjoyed farming with her family and had a passion for horses. She was an avid trail rider, accruing 1,300 miles in the saddle over the past year. A loyal friend, she was loved by the community and all who knew her. She will leave a very large hole in all our lives. Jane’s celebration service will be conducted 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at the Barry Expo Center, 1350 M-37 Hwy, Hastings, MI 49058, with a luncheon and visitation to follow until 4 p.m.. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or to leave a condo­ lence message for Jane’s family. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Gun Lake Area Women’s Club, Inc. has announced Donna “DJ” Madden as its 2023 Woman of Achievement. Madden joined the club in 2016 and immediately immersed herself in club activities while balancing her involvement with her family and church. Madden is the daughter of a Welsh mother and an Irish American father who was Director of U.S. Schools in Europe and Africa. Madden spent her first 20 years oflife overseas. She spent her high school years in Africa and Germany, where she honed her acting skills, eventually winning a New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. Upon returning to the States, Madden first com­ pleted an associate’s degree in theater at Lansing Community College before completing studies in philos­ ophy, history and religion at Western Michigan and Donna “DJ” Madden was named the 2023 Woman of Achievement by the Gun Lake Area Women’s Club. (Photo provided) Sienna Heights universities. Madden is married with seven children and 15 grand­ children. To say she keeps busy is an understatement. Madden worked at Lansing Community College for over Watson Vipond Joyce, age 90, formerly of Middleville, MI, died peace­ fully at his Ruskin, FL home on December 10, 2023. The only son of Cleo and Clara Joyce, he was bom and raised in Grand Rapids, MI. Watson served in the US Air Force as B-36 Crew chief, retired from General Motors after 30 years as a tool and die maker and then owned his own small busi- Jennifer (Ken) Pedley, Patricia Joyce; nine grand­ children and 11 great grand­ children. He was preceded in death by his grandson Isaac Pedley. No services planned. Sunday's Ministries 616-698-8104 www.alaskabaptist.org Our mission is to worship God and disciple committed followers ofJesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. FIRST Sunday Service BAPTIST Middleville December 23: 6PM December 24: 9:30AM, 11:15AM & 1PM Worship Service 9: 30 AM Fellowship Time 10: 45 AM Sunday School 11: 00 AM Youth Gathering 5: 00 PM Adult Bible Study6: 00 PM Michael L Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 908 W. Main Street, Middleville (Missouri Synod) Sunday Worship .9:30 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg http.71 goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com cornerstonemi.org/Christmas 1675 84th St. SE, Caledonia, Ml 49316 ness, Joyce Drilling in Caledonia. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sandra; his five daughters, Beth (Dennis) Melczarczyk, Kristine (Kim) Selleck, Gayle (Rick) Harig, curc church 7240 68® Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Join us Christmas Eve! monthly meetings at her church. Madden’s deep abiding faith endears her to everyone in the club. Her church activ­ ities include 20 year’s involvement with the Rite of Christian Initiation ofAdults (RCIA) and another 15 years facilitating weekly scripture studies. She presently serves as Coordinator of Spiritual Development Ministries, is a lector, sacristan, speaker, historian and leads both .a welcome committee and the church library. Madden has taught seventh- and eighth­ grade catechism, has served as an Altar Society president and often assists her pastor with special events and proj­ ects. The Gun Lake Area Women’s Club’s Woman of Achievement rarely says “no” when asked and is always thoughtful and kind. She is said to be a perfect representative of a “Woman of Achievement,” and the club is proud to honor her this way. Watson VipondJoyce alaska cornerstonechurch 30 years, managed a travel agency, was a civil servant on an Indo-Chinese project in the 1970s, volunteered for the United Way on the bud­ get council, worked evenings on-air at WCER and WLNZ radio stations and recorded educational videos for a cou­ ple of colleges. Madden never does any­ thing halfway. Her GFWC involvement includes serv­ ing as recording secretary for several years, along with public relations chair. She’s served and/or chaired several committees. Madden heads up the annual Thanksgiving baskets and Yellow Book ad sales and is a volunteer coor­ dinator for the Barry Roubaix. Madden also leads senior chair yoga exercises twice a week. Madden is described as always willing to help and often has with the scholar­ ship committee, the Adopt-aHighway program, book and bake sales for the club’s Free Lending Library, and is cru­ cial to setting up the club’s Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: (269) 795-2391 Caledonia United Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH ?669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass: 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 am. & 11:00 a.m. Considering becoming Catholic? Call or see our website for information. FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET-5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 OURNEY c H U R C H ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE MIDDLEVILLE: LEARN MORE! thejchurch.com 616-217-2161 1664 M-37 @thejchurch t^PEACE CHURCH PEACECHURCH.CC Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc r . A. ' 51 Td wf Cft u rc/i ‘pTtscfioof Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, Ml 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 Church 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Praising God through Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music PastorJonathan DeCou Sunday School — 9:30 AM Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm .10:30 10:30 AM Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 Watch ourservices from our website (see above) Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org Sunday Worship 'Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship....................... Community Group.................................... 10: 00 a.m. 11: 00 a.m. James L. Collison, Pastor www.yankeespringsbiblechurch.org THORNAPPLE VALLEY CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023/ Page 5 Townhouse development proposed on 60th Street Greg Chandler StaffWriter A Caledonia Township developer has proposed a 48-unit townhouse complex on the northern edge of the township. Lovely Development LLC presented its site plan proposal for the Skyline Townhomes project, planned for 6.15 acres at 5362 60th St. SE, to the township Planning Commission on Monday night. The site is east of the Port View Townhomes and west of Panther Ridge Apartments. The site is zoned for high density residential develop­ ment and is consistent with the township master plan, Township Planner Lynee Wells said. “This part of our township has been designated for this higher-density, attached resi­ dential development,” Wells said. “There might only be one or two additional parcels for this type of development in this area.” Skyline Townhomes would consist ofeight buildings, each with six units, with each unit having a two-stall garage. The township’s zoning ordinance allows a maximum of eight units per acre. While the townhomes will be rented out — the develop­ ers refer them as “luxury mar­ ket rate rentals”—the intent is for the development to more closely resemble an upscale single-family project in both look and feel. Jack Hoedeman, the principal behind Lovely Development, has brought in Eastbrook Homes to design the townhomes. “They built my home for me. We had an amazing expe­ rience,” Hoedeman said. “I’ve always been veiy impressed with the way they develop communities. This is meant to be a rental community, but I wanted it to feel like a sin­ gle-family home community.” An early concern raised by commissioners deals with the proposed exterior building materials for the townhomes. The initial proposal calls for the use of vinyl siding as the primary material. “Our ordinance states that 75 percent of all four sides shall be masonry, but it allows the Planning Commission to consider other materials,” Wells said. Michael McGraw of Eastbrook Homes said that elements of what’s in the township architectural stan­ dards are included in the plan. “The siding material is vinyl, but there’s hardboard trim in the gables, all the shut­ ters are wood shutters, there’s masonry detail at the bottom of these buildings,” McGraw said. The townhomes are expect­ ed to be three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The interior of each unit will include quartz or granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors, McGraw and Hoedeman said. Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis said the initial site plan application had “a lot of items that are deficient,” telling the develop­ er about the township’s insis­ tence on adhering to the archi­ tectural standards that were passed last year. “There’s applicants that have been in here three to five A rendering of the proposed Skyline Townhomes project, planned for Caledonia Township. (Rendering provided) times, because they don’t want to comply with it,” Curtis said. The Kent County Road Commission must review the proposed entrance from the townhomes onto 60th Street. In a report to the Planning Commission, Township Engineer Todd Boerman wrote that it’s likely the Road Commission will require a right-turn lane and a left-turn lane on 60th Street, similar to what was required for both Port View Townhomes and Panther Ridge Apartments. An 8-foot-wide pathway is proposed along the proper­ ty’s 60th Street frontage. A pathway to the east would be built when the next building of Panther Ridge, which is student housing for Davenport University, is built, Boerman wrote in his report. The Planning Commission tabled any action on the site plan proposal from Lovely Development. It’s expected the plan will come back to commissioners when they meet next on Jan. 15,2024.. Updated master plan heads to Caledonia Twp. board Greg Chandler Staff Writer A document designed to plan future development and land use in Caledonia Township is headed to the township’s board for final action. The township planning commission Monday night voted to recommend the board adopt the updated township master plan and future land use map. The plan was last updated in 2018. Commissioners did not receive any comment during the pub­ lic hearing before the vote. The updated document includes a reference to what is called “the M-37 subarea” — a large area of farmland on the east side of the highway between Cherry Meadow Business Park and 100th Avenue. An initial concept that was proposed last spring called for the 790-acre area to eventually be redeveloped into a mix of land uses that included single-family and multi-family residential, commercial and green space. However, that concept ran into considerable resistance at a community open house, leading planning commissioners to scale back the plan to preserve the land south of 92nd Street as farmland. Township Planner Lynee Wells spoke to one of the major, landowners in that area, who asked the township to reconsider the plan, at that open house. “They said they had no intention to even pursue com- mercial, and it was their pref­ erence to see it remain farm­ land preservation,” Wells said. Some ofthe guiding princi­ ples for the subarea, accord­ ing to the master plan docu­ ment, include: — The township recogniz­ es the importance ofthe rural character along the east side of M-37, south of Cherry Meadows Drive. — As the Grand Rapids metro area continues to grow, growth along the M-37 corri­ dor is inevitable. — The township wishes to be proactive instead of reactive to development proposals along the corridor. — The township prefers to guide growth where there are public water and sanitary sewer systems in place. “You don’t want to see development outpace or be located outside of where we have the ability to serve them with municipal services,” Wells said. Commissioner Diane Cutler said she appreciated that the document has at the beginning of the land use updated language addressing farmland and open space preservation. “Listening to community members for many years now, I think they’re very concerned about excessive development. I don’t think they fully grasp how committed this group is, and I hope the township board is, to our more rural areas,” Cutler said. “They see development going on off of Kraft (Avenue), between 84th and 92nd (streets), and they’re fearful they’re going to lose everything. I think this will be a very good document to share with people as ques­ tions come up.” Commissioner Tim Bradshaw, who also is a township board trustee, expressed concern about what he saw as a lack of consisten­ cy between language in the document referring to devel­ opment in the subarea that didn’t match up with the accompanying future land use map, which shows the area south of 92nd as farmland preservation. “In my opinion, as a master plan, I think it’s a mistake,” Bradshaw said. “I think it should be corridor commercial/office (as) a future land use. The owner doesn’t have to rezone it, but I do think it’s the best long-term use of that property.” Planning Commission Chairman Doug Curtis said he appreciated the fact the plan has “more definition” around neighborhood com­ mercial zoning, and that there might be areas of the town­ ship that could be developed for that kind of land Use. “That would be nice to have pockets of it around the township in the future,” Curtis said. Commissioner Jodie Masefield was satisfied with the final product. “I just think we were very thoughtful... We not only try to future plan but also learn from what has come before us so far,” Masefield said. The document also removes references to light industrial uses, such as equip­ ment rentals and storage units, along the area designed as “corridor commercial” along M-37 which also includes Kraft Avenue and 84th Street. The master plan update went through a 42-day public comment period where the document was sent to neigh­ boring municipalities, utility companies and Gerald R. Ford International Airport. That public comment period is required under the Michigan Planning Enabling Act. No comments were received during that period, Wells said. invites you to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Sunday, December 24 5:00 p.m. 4935 Whitneyville Ave. between 52nd and 48th Streets YOU'RE INVITED! 84th St. Campus Service Times: December 23:6PM I December 24:9:30AM, 11:15AM & 1PM Childcare Available for Infants through Young 5’s During All Services Learn More: cornerstonemi.org/Christmas --- cornerstonechu �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023 For Sale TWO DOG HOUSES weD-buil t and insulated. $50 each. Dog crate- large $30. (269)795-0673 Business Services METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing in­ stallation! Licensed and In­ sured! Financing and references available. Free estimates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roof­ ing, Siding, Pole Bams & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838-5937. MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc Call 269-804-7506. TKHS student wins senior leadership award In recognition ofher work and leading the Students for Life chapter at Thomapple Kellogg High School, and for actively participating in promoting and supporting pro-life initiatives within the local community and across the country, the Caledonia/ Middleville Area Right to Life chapter recently award­ ed Erin Chinavare its 2023 Senior Leadership Award. Chinavare is a graduating senior from TKHS. Chinavare also received a check for $250 and words of praise from the local RTL affiliate president Pete Murray, who noted that Chinav.are has served on the TKHS Students for Life chapter since in high school at TKHS and led the group the past couple of years as president. Murray noted that Chinavare had some chal­ lenges as the group did not have a school staff sponsor. Murray said Chinavare and the student group stayed vigilant in promoting life and participating in many events around the communi­ ty and country. Chinavare is planning on staying active in her support of life by par­ ticipating in the local chap­ ter at Ferris State, where she is attending her freshman year. Caledonia/Middleville Area Right to Life is an affil­ iate ofthe Michigan Right to Life and supports, educates, and promotes the respect of human life from conception to natural death. The group meets monthly and it always seeking others to join its affiliate. More information is available at the affiliate’s website, calmidrtl.com. Erin Chinavare (left) and Pete Murray (right). Chinavare was honored by the Caledonia/Middleville Area Right to Life chapter. (Photo provided) BUYINGALLHARDWOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. 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Mom on-site. $75 (517)726-0706 Yankee Springs board declines contributing to Middleville library study Middleville ad-hoc library Greg Chandler committee for a $2,500 con­ Staff Writer i Yankee Springs Township tribution to help defray the will not contribute funding cost of the study, wmcn'is toward a study to look into being put together by consul­ the feasibility ofa standalone tant Keith Hopkins to deter­ public library in Middleville. mine whether there’s enough The five-member interest in building a new Township Board voted unan- public library, separate from imously last Thursday night Thomapple Kellogg Schools, against a request by the in Middleville. Avoid tapping into retirement savings early Ifyou want to make a big purchase, such as a new car or a piece of property, or you were faced with a large, unexpected expense, such as a major home or auto repair, would you have the funds readily available? If not, you might look at what may be your biggest pool of money — your 401(k) or IRA. But should you tap into these accounts well before you retire? Maybe not — and here’s why: • Less money in retire­ ment - The more money you invest in your retire­ ment accounts, and the lon­ ger you keep it invested, the more you’ll probably have when you need it most — when you’re retired. Conse­ quently, taking out sizable amounts from these accounts before you retire could be costly, as it would disrupt the benefits of com­ pounding that can be achieved by holding invest­ ments for the long term. • Possible bump into higher tax bracket — The money you take out from your traditional IRA and 401(k) is taxable in the year of withdrawal. So, if you withdraw a significant amount of money at once from your traditional IRA or 401(k), you could be pushed into a higher tax bracket, at least for one year. • Tax penalties - If you take money out of a 401(k) or traditional IRA before you turn 5916, you could face a 10% tax penalty, although some exceptions exist. Penalty-free withdrawals can be made for several reasons, including for education and medical expenses, first-time pur­ chase of a home (up to $10,000), after the birth or adoption of a child (up to $5,000) and more (see irs. gov/taxtopics/tc557). With a Roth IRA, which is fund­ ed with after-tax dollars, you can withdraw contribu­ tions — but not earnings — at any time, for any pur­ pose, without incurring penalties. Given these issues, how can you avoid dipping into your retirement accounts when you’re faced with a financial need? One possibility is to take out a loan from your 401(k). Unlike a 401(k) withdraw­ al, a loan is neither taxable nor subject to tax penalties. Also, the interest you pay on a 401(k) loan goes back into your account. Still, a 401(k) loan has its draw- backs. If you leave your job, you’ll likely have to repay the loan in a short period of time and if you don’t have all the money to repay it, the loan will be considered in default, so you’ll owe taxes and the 10% penalty if you’re younger than 5956. But even if you don’t leave your job and you do repay the loan, you’ll still have taken away money that could have potentially kept growing within your tax-deferred account. As mentioned above, as your money com­ pounds, you’ll want to min­ imize disruptions. Building an emergency fund is another way to gain ’access to cash. Such a fund should contain at least six months’ worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account. It can take time to build a fund of this size, so it’s never too soon to start putting away money for it. To avoid, the temptation of dipping into your emergen­ cy fund, you’d ideally keep this fund separate from your daily spending accounts. Explore all your options before tapping into your IRA or 401(k) early. Keep­ ing these accounts intact as long as possible is one of the best moves you can make to help build your future retirement income. This article was written by Edward Jonesfor use by your . local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC Board members expressed concern that a financial contribution to the study might be seen as an endorsement of the new library. “In essence, we would be spending (taxpayer) money on the ‘yes’ side ofany ballot issue,” Township Clerk Mike Cunningham said. The board sought an opin­ ion from the township attor­ ney on how to handle the library committee request. “Our attorney said perhaps we shouldjust wait until they figure out what they want to do, and more than likely, we’re going to have to stay neutral,” Township Supervisor Rob Heethuis said. The library committee in November decided to reach out to Yankee Springs, Thomapple Township and TK schools, to ask for contri­ butions toward the feasibility study. “Our current library has faithfully served our commu­ nity from the Thomapple Kellogg High School since 1934,” committee member and Yankee Springs resident Chris Boysen wrote in a Nov. 21 letter to Heethuis. “However, growing popula­ tions and shifting trends make the high school a less desirable host for the public library. We believe it is essential to conduct a com­ prehensive needs assessment survey. “This survey will help us gather valuable insights from our community members to ensure that the design and services of the new library align with their preferences and requirements.” The committee had already asked the Middleville Village Council for a contri­ bution of$10,000 to $15,000 toward the cost ofthe study, which is expected to be around $25,000. The Friends of the Middleville Library has pledged a $10,000 contri­ bution from its Beacon Society Fund toward the study and applied for a $15,000 grant from the Thornapple Area Enrichment Fund as well. It’s the second time a library proposal has been addressed by the township board in as many years. In the summer of 2022,- the board put on the ballot a request by some residents who live in the portion of Yankee Springs that is part of Wayland Union Schools to become part of Henika District Library in Wayland. However, voters in that area soundly rejected the 1.3511mill levy that would have been assessed to become part of the library district, on a vote of483-183. “We didn’t support them in any way,” Heethuis said of the Henika proposal. “We were told that we had to be neutral.” Four of the five members of the Township Board live in the TK district. Heethuis is the only board member to live outside the school dis­ trict, Cunningham said. The current library is only open to the community 12 hours a week during the school year — 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023/ Page 7 Frosh’s triples allow Scots to put away TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Trojans weren’t going away, but they couldn’t take the lead away either. The Caledonia varsity boys’ basketball team heads into the holiday break after a 73-67 win over visiting Thomapple Kellogg Thursday night at Caledonia High School. The Fighting Scots had the lead from start to finish after an initial three-pointer from seniorguard Ky VanderWoude, but that lead yo-yo’d up to six points and back to one in the first quarter. It was as big as 11 points in the second quarter, down to five and then at seven at the half. TK got within two in the third quarter, but went into the fourth down eight points, 51-43. Every Trojan run had an answer and the last big answers for the Fighting Scots were provided by freshman guard Jarell Jefferson who hit three three-pointers from the left wing in the final three and a halfminutes. In one flurry the two teams combined to trade five straight threes. Junior guard Brody Wiersma started the run for TK with a triple off an assist from teammate Tyler Gavette that had the Trojans within 56-54 with 4:36 to go. A TK timeout followed and the Scots went to work on the offensive end, moving the ball around for more than a minute before Jefferson got a spot-up look from the left wing that he buried. The Trojans had been on a 7-1 run until that shot “You can wake Jarell up at three o’clock in the morning, and win threes he can make,” Caledonia head coach Lamar Chapman said. “That is why I keep him in the game. They were in a zone. He is to the point now, he played all summer and all fall league with the varsity as a ninth grader, he doesn’t get phased. Off the dribble, he is still working on that kind of stuff, but as a freshman catch and shoot, he is the best shooter on my team. And I trust him.” Wiersma hit one at the other end for TK and then Jefferson answered with a second three from the same spot. This time the answer for TK came from junior guard Jude Webster. Caledonia freshman Jarell Jefferson fires up one of his three fourth-quarter three-pointers that helped the Fighting Scots hold onto their lead in a victory over visiting guard Tyler Gavette and the Thomapple Kellogg Trojans Thursday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) moves their record to 5-2, and he was impressed with the Trojans’ grit. TK is now 4-4 overall. “Ain’t no such thing as an easy win,” Chapman said.“Everybody plays. They’re scrappy. They can shoot the ball. They’ve got good depth and a lot of interchangeable parts. They play hard. You want to beat them. I told our guys that from watching that on film, they aren’t going to roll over. They have some crazy match-ups, because they’re going to go small with one big. “I don’t know how [Tyler Gavette] does it, a kid his size and his body type. He is strong. H e’s in there getting offensive rebounds. He is the smallest guy in there getting offensive rebounds and they made you pay when they got offensive rebounds. VanderWoude and Jefferson both finished with nine points for the Scots and senior guard Lual Abiel had ten. Senior guard Christopher Paoletti arid senior guard Ardrace Morris chipped in five points each. Webster hit four three-point­ ers on the night and finished with a team-high 14 points for TK. Wiersma hit three threes and had ten points. Kyle VanHaitsma aded 12 points for TK and junior guard Brice Lloyd had eight. Gavette and sophomore Trey Hilton had six points apiece. Some foul trouble for soph­ omore Lucas Ploeg andjunior Jake Kelley in the post made things tough in the paint at times for TK, but it was Googins who made it tough forcing contact going at the basket Caledonia has now won four in a row. The Scots knocked off Grand Ledge guys 71-42 Monday night. That was on the heels of a 72-64 loss at Sparta last Friday, Dec. 15. FULLTIME BODYSHOP TECHNICIAN WANTED! 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TK didn’t have an answer for Googins’ strength and skill in the paint. He finished with a $200 OFF * Must present this coupon coupon? Extended thru 12-30-23 (not valid with other offers) game-high 30 points. Jefferson hit another three from the left wing with 1:18 to go to put the Scots in front 68-62. Caledonia lead by at least five points the rest ofthe HEATING 8 COOLING way as it went 5-of-6 at the free throw line in the final Coach Chapman was happy for or hissguysto guys to head ea into ntote the holiday break with a win that 67-50 Tuesday night and scored a 74-71 win at Portage Central last Friday, Dec. 15. “It was a battle,” TK head coach Phil Garber said. “Not a bad way to lose here. I said [to die team], you’ve got to come back here and beat them in districts. There is still some doubt but I said, you did this and played this well at their place. Let’s come back for dis­ tricts and you can do some­ thing. I was proud ofthem.” He was encouraged by the performance after a couple tough losses against Sparta and Coopersville in the past week. Garber said he expects that ifhis guys play like they did Thursday night when the get back on the court to open the OK Gold Conference sea­ son, at home against Forest Hills Eastern Jan. 5, they’ll have some success. Coopersville beat the TK Merry Christmas! The next three came the old-fashioned way, with Scot minute. Caledonia senior guard Ardrace Morris looks to beat pressure from TK’s Lucas Ploeg in the back-court during the first half Thursday night at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 210 East Main Street, Caledonia Thomapple Kellogg’s Brice Uoyd flips a shot over Caledonia’s Jarell Jefferson .in the lane as the Scots’ Ky VanderWoude looks on from behind during the first half Thursday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) IWPTBrP TiTi Locally owned business. ’7fl �Trojans and Scots in the middle of OK Conference shake-up Brett Bremer Apr/rfi Editor There is a new plan for the Scots' and Trojans' futures m the OK Conference The OK Conference will have separate conferences for football and for all other sports beginning with the 2024-25 school year the con­ ference announced Monday. The Thomapple Kellogg High School athletic teams wi 11 cont inue on in the OK Gold Conference in all sports other than football, joined current league-mates South Christian and Wayland while being joined by Grand Rapids Union, Wyoming, Northview and West Catholic. In football the Trojans will be included in the OK Black Conference with current OK Gold Conference members Ottawa Hills and Grand Rapids Catholic Central Northview; along with HollandChristian and East Grand Rapids. Al least one competrtioa will remain intact in the OK Conference. The OK Red will continue as is in football with Rockford. Caledonia, Grand Haven. Jenison, East Kentwood, West Ottawa, Hudsonville and Grandville rolling on as an eight-team conference. In all other sports. Jenison and Caledonia arc making the move into the OK Green Confcrcnce joined by Byron Center, Mona Shores, Reeths-Puffer and Muskegon. “It works out fine,” Thomapple Kellogg athletic director Brian Hammer said. “It is not a big change from what we currently have. 1 think the football fives us more flexibility. When you're focused on playoff pouts and such, that make* a big difference.” “In this current playoff alignment that we have from the MHSAA. essentially if you arc a Division 3 team. Iike we arc. you want to try and schedule as many Division 3 or higher as you can, while still holding on to the rivalries we have,” he added highlighting the chance to keep playing teams like Wayland and Hastings in non-conference contest*. “We gain a few Division 3 teams in that new league for football [East Grand Rapids and Northview). That is a good thing. When you flip back to the OK Gold, as you will in all the other sports. I don’t think it is too big of a change for us." Caledonia High School athletic director Fred Townsend said he and the Scots are taking a wait and see approach to how they feel about the changes. “The new conference realignment was very diffi­ cult to navigate through.” Townsend said. “I'm truly uncertain on how I feel about both conferences for our teams. They both have bene­ fits and difficulties because of our size. If the new con­ ference stays in existence for next fall, we'll communicate our feelings on how things are different and how they are for our student athletes. At this point, we are truly unsure what we prefer.” The OK plan for 2024-25 realignment was thrown into chaos this fall when Allendale, Cedar Springs, Coopersville, Greenville, Kenowa Hills, Lowell and Sparta announced they'd be leaving the OK Conference to form the River Cities Alliance. Those schools had issues with travel, the con­ sistent realignments limiting rivalries and issues with OK Conference set-ups placing school* with different sports offerings at the different lev­ els causing scheduling head­ aches. The original plan for 2024-25 realignment, before the seven schools announced their official departure from the conference in October had the Trojans a part of the OK Gold Conference along with Holland, Forest Hills Eastern, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Unity Christian, South Christian and Wayland in all sports. “I'm excited to get sched­ uling and to get things done.” Hammer said. “Obviously, we're behind. I would almost have next year’s fall and winter completed. We're always working a year ahead.” Hammer said one of the benefits of the larger OK Conference is the opportuni­ ties it can provide in sports like swimming, hockey and others where teams have the ability to co-op and shuffle conferences into Rainbow or tiered divisions as needed. “We're all better together than we are apart, and that's why I think we need to con­ tinue to be a part of a larger league. It think it offers a lot of good opportunities for our kids," Hammer said. Jenison bests Scots in first conference dual Caledonia freshman 106-pounder Josh Grace looks for an opening on top of The Fighting Scots’ Sean Sorrell nears a pin of Jenison’s Cameron Pike during their conference dual atCaledonia High School Wednesday. (Photo by Perry Hardin) Brett Bremer Sports' Editor Jenison managed to beat out Caledonia by a score of 41-30 in the first OK Red Conference dual ofthe season Wednesday at Caledonia High School. Caledonia got pins from Josh Grace at 106 pounds, Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop Wheel Alignments Auto Glass Installation Insurance Work Welcome Visa & MasterCard Accepted Over 40 years experience brucesframe.com James Carrow at 138, Will Sheely at 150 and Sean Norrell at 165 in the dual. The Scots also got six points from Halle Stout thanks to a forfeit win at 113 pounds. The teams were back and forth throughout the dual, but the Wildcat’s heavyweights clinched it winning the 175pound, 190, 215 and 285 weight classes with a pair of pins in that run. Caledonia headed into the dual off a solid day at the Kent County Championships at East Kentwood last Saturday, Dec. 16, where a handfill of the most experi­ enced Scots competed. Maddie Hayden pinned Allendale’s Mackenzie Maka in the finals to win the girls’ 155-pound championship and Caledonia 150-pounder Will Sheely works to pin Jenison’s Gabriel Woodworth during their OK Red Conference dual Wednesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Perry Hardin) all three Caledonia girls com­ peting finished in the top five in their weight class. Hayden was named the most outstand­ ing female wrestler at the tournament. Antenna Men Digital TV Antennas • Starlink installs • Towers Cellular Enhancement Systems Give us a call! 269-967-8241 415 2nd • Middleville www.theantennamen.com www.cellsignalprot.com “She looked solid there. She took care of business pretty doggone quick,” Caledonia head coach Shawn Veitch said. The Scots’ Kiersten DeHaan was the runner-up in the girls’ 170-pound contest. She had a pair ofpins before being pinned herself by Kelloggsville’s Alondra Preciado in the finals. Halle Stout was fifth in the girls’ 110-pound weight class with two wins. Carrow had the top finish among the guys for the Scots. He placed fourth at 138 pounds. He took two quick pins before falling to Byron Center’s Harper Cheng in the 138-pound semifinals. Veitch said it was great to see Carrow in the semifinals, noting that he has taken some nice steps in working a cradle ■series that-paid off on the mat. Grace placed sixth at 106 pounds with a pair of victo­ ries in consolation. He started his consolation run by pulling out a 14-12 win over East Kentwood’s Gregory Patrick. “For a freshman there to come out and get a medal, I was really pleased with him,” Veitch said ofGrace. “What I See JENISON, page 10 �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023/ Page 9 TK ladies keep undefeated start rolling iXjC iXjC i Brett Bremer Spera Rlaor Thomapple Kellogg varsi­ ty girls’ basketball head coach Brandi James wouldn’t mind her girls putting the pedal to the metal and saving her some stress. But there isn’t much else i to complain about as her TK varsity girls’ basketball team improved to 5-0 44-35 win over visiting visitin Coopersville Cooersville Monday evening in Middleville, and are now 6-0 after a win over Caledonia Thursday night. The Trojans won by an average ofabout seven points in their first five ballgames this season. “That full-court press almost got us. We kind offell into some complacency, which I didn’t love, but we held on,” James said after Monday night’s win over the jvvi vv I Broncos. “Ever,one our wins has been a battle so far and we’re 5-0, so I can’t be super mid at them, but I don’t love the complacent offense that we can lull our­ selves into.” There is a bit of a fine line between being patient and just being comfortable with the lead. The Trojans executed the former part to perfection coming out in the second half and work­ ing the ball around, in and out ofthe Broncos’ zone for most of a minute before getting a great look at three that junior guard Emma Geukes buried to boost her team’s lead to double fig­ ures at 26-16. TK did push its lead up to 19 points midway through the third quarter before the Bulldogs started creeping back in. Coopersville did Mttta •Mr Thomapple Kellogg sophomore guard Tealy Cross puts up a shot in the paint during her team’s win over the visiting Coopersville Broncos Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) jodrf iScto* ■jiiife TK junior guard Emma Geukes fires a pass ahead against pressure in the back-court from the Coopersville Broncos Monday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) anka dge to t i thait tle bad abcack odwownno ton nienepoponinsts yby the middle of the fourth quarter. “All of our games have been close, because we get to this double digit mark and get comfortable and don’t look to blow it open. A blow open win would be veiy nice to have,” James said with a chuckle. She said the difference between being patient and being content shows when the offense starts to settle for passing the ball around the perimeter at the top rather than working the ball for paint touches and reversing through the paint. “That was a big focus for us in the second half. They play that 2-3 zone so we were looking to play three of our people high with the high post and then attack the back side with a strong scorer in our baseline run­ ner. Jordan Pranger was our baseline runner looking for gaps to score out of those. She was getting good opportunities when we found her.” Pranger had another stellar night scoring the basketball. She led TK with 14 points. Geukes found her stroke to finish with 13 points. Lydia Schilthroat and Tealy Cross had four points apiece. The ballgame with Caledonia was the last ofthe 2023 slate for the TK ladies. They open OK OK Gold Conference play play in Middleville Jan. 5 against Forest Hills Eastern. “The-vibe of this team is one of the best I have had in a long time. They are very supportive of one another,” James said. “Our bench energy is great. I don’t know that 5-0 has changed that. They came in knowing that we have good chances at every game that we’re in as long as we keep our mentality and stay focused and stay in the games. “For being as young as they are they’re very com­ posed, but they’re veiy hun­ gry. They want it really bad. We have different scorers who step up every game. It has been Jordan in most every game that we have had, but Geukes, and Tealy and Lydia have all had their hand at that too. It is nice to have wide, balanced scoring, and they have worked togeth­ er long enough and they know they are talented, so they trust each other.” TK led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter. Geukes hit the first oftwo three’s in that opening period and Marlee Shuford knocked one down for TK too. Cross and Pranger both had two buck­ ets in that first quarter. Coopersville got 13 points from senior Hunter Near and eight from senior Dannyka Johnson. The TK ladies got their Thornapple Kellogg junior Emma Dykhouse looks to get a shot over Coopersville’s Sylvia Sanford in the post during their non-conference ballgame in Middleville Monday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) fourth win last Friday, best­ ing visiting Sparta 39-28. The Spartans had a 15-12 lead at the half, but the 210412 Trojans took off with a 15-2 third quarter run, holding Sparta without a field goal in that third quarter. Cross had 15 points and Geukes finished with 13. Geukes made four three’s in that win. VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA COUNTY OF KENT, MICHIGAN NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 5.8 REGARDING GOLF CARTS PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 11, 2023, the Caledonia Village Council adopted Ordinance No. 23-10 a regulatory ordinance to amend the regulation of golf carts within the Village. The principal provisions of the ordinance are summarized as follows: Section 1 of the Ordinance amends Section 5.8 of the Ordinance Code of the Village ofCaledonia (“Ordinance Code”) regarding the use ofgolfcarts within the Village. Section 5.8(m) was amended to clarify that a golf cart operated on Village streets is not required to be registered as a “motor vehicle” under Section 3101 of the Insurance Code of 1956. Section 5.8(3)(q) was added to prohibit the owner of a golf cart from knowingly permitting the golf cart to be operated by a person under the age of 16 or a person who is not licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Section 5.8(3)(q) also provides that it shall be presumed that the golf cart is driven with the knowledge and consent ofthe owner ifit is driven by his or her spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other immediate member ofthe family. Section 5.8(5)(b) was added to remove the requirement that a fee be paid to register a golf cart. Section 5.8(6)(b) was added to provide that an owner of a golf cart is responsible for any violations of Section 5.8 by an operator of a golf cart if the owner granted permission for the operator to operate the golfcart or knowingly permitted the operator to operate the golf cart. It also provides that it shall be presumed that the golf cart is driven with the knowledge and consent of the owner if it is driven by his or her spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter, or other immediate member ofthe family. Section 2 provides that the Ordinance shall become effective upon publication of a summary of its provisions. A complete copy ofthe ordinance is on file and may be inspected or purchased at the office of the Village Clerk, Village of Caledonia, 250 S. Maple Street, Caledonia, Michigan, during Village office hours. Dated: December 21,2023, VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF CALEDONIA �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023 Scots bested by undefeated Itojans at TK Brett Bremer Sports Editor Everyone has their own measuring sticks. The Trojans were looking for­ ward to testing themselves against Caledonia Thursday night Now, the Caledonia girls will test what kind of improve­ ments they are able to make over the holiday break when they start the OK Red Conference season against the defending Division 1 State Champions from Rockford Jan. 5. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity girls’ basketball team improved its record to 6-0 with a 37-30 win over visiting Caledonia in a non-conference contest that TK head coach Brandi James knew would be the toughest test her undefeat­ ed girls had faced to date. “That was kind of our gut check game to see where we really stood,” James said. “Defensively, we played awesome. We really studied their film and kind of knew what they were going to do coming in. They locked it down on defense. They really bly scrappy and gritty team,” Caledonia head coach Todd played really well.” Senior Eva Corson, sopho­ Bloemers said. “They play more McKenna Hoebeke and very hard. I thought their abili­ junior Lydia Schilthroat led ty to challenge the offensive the defensive charge accord­ backboard, their hustle to make ing to their coach. Corson and an effort to win the 50/50 plays Schilthroat also tied for the and their overall strength around the basket really caused team lead with 11 points each. Hoebeke chipped in six points. us some problems. It was a Hoebeke had some extra game that was probably played work to do on offense with in the style that TK wanted it to sophomore guard Jordan be. It was not die cleanest” Caledonia managed to put Pranger, who has been one of the team’s top scorers over the together a bit of a run in the fourth quarter to get within first few games of the season, limited with an injury that kept 31-28 before TK managed a her out for most of the final couple quick baskets on Caledonia turnovers. Coach three quarters. The Trojans led the ball­ James was proud of how her game by ten points heading girls “weathered the storm.” Her team put a big emphasis into the fourth quarter after the Fighting Scots scoredjust eight on breaking team’s full-court points in the second and third pressure in practice this week, quarters combined. The Scots and thought the drilling on led 11-9 after one quarter and beating the press with the pass then were scoreless through rather than the dribble and about the first seven minutes of moving the ball through the the second quarter before even­ middle of the floor paid off. tually going into the halfdown That made one coach who was happier with how their team 16-15 to their host. “Middleville has an incredi­ took care ofthe basketball. “We’re trying, to use a ten­ lect those fouls.” Caledonia spent last week­ nis term, we’re trying td elim­ inate unforced errors, taking end in Traverse City, playing ballgames better care of the basketball,” back-to-back Bloemers said. “I had us for against Traverse City West 19 turnovers last night. Credit and Traverse City Central. The to Middleville for some of Scots bested West 33-19 them, but we had some self-in­ Friday but were bested Saturday afternoon by Central flicted wounds that prevented us from getting into a flow on 56-50 in overtime. “It is a great trip to be able to the offensive end.” Lily Gortmaker finished with go up there. We had all of our a team-high nine points for players staying together, all Caledonia. Kathryn Langenburg three levels in the hotel,” and Mackenzie Myers had six Bloemers said. “We took a bus points apiece. Lakely Bottum, together up there and had a lot the focus ofthe Trojans’ defen­ of fun just doing that and spending time together and eat­ sive efforts, had four points. Coach Bloemers would ing a bunch ofmeals together.” The Scots got offto a bit of love for his team to use its offense make more free throws a sluggish start Saturday after than opponents attempt. That the night in the hotel following stat went the other way their victory. TC Central built Thursday. TK was 12-of-17 at a 14-point halftime lead. The the free throw line while his Scots met their goal of trim­ ming that lead to six in the Scots werejust 4-of-11. “That is kind ofone ofthose third quarter and then eventu­ ally got a bucket from Baylee telling stats,” Bloemers said. “We lacked aggressiveness Devries at the end of regula­ attacking the basket and kind of tion to force overtime. Gortmaker had a team-high avoided contact at times when 13 points to go with seven it would have been nice to col­ rebounds. Bottum added seven rebounds too. Langenburg had 12 points and three rebounds. Teresa Abraham chipped in seven points and Mackenzie Devries and Jolie King had five points apiece. Mackenzie Devries also had a team-high five assists. In the win Friday, Mackenzie Devries had ten points, Bottum seven and Langenburg and Gortmaker added five each. The Scots are 3-3 going into the holidays. They start the new year at home with tough conference contests against Rockford Jan. 5 and then Hudsonville Jan. 9. Jenison comes to Caledonia Jan. 12. “The girls have a little time off,” Bloemers said. “We’re going to get going the middle of next week with some prac­ tices focused on energy and being focused every time we take the floor, and that we’re encouraging each other to do our best, and just trying to cre­ ate that competitive environ­ ment we need in the OK Red.” TK improves on scoreboard if not in standings Brett Bremer Sports Editor Sophomore flyer Kaylee Clark went up to coach Madelynn Lula on Tuesday and asked her what she needed to do to be ready to go on Saturday. Clark injured an arm during the sideline cheer season and was cleared to perform walk­ overs, a key skill in round two for the Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team, by doctors Tuesday. Yankee Springs Township 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-90911 FAX 269-795-2388 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE All meetings will be held at the Yankee Springs Township Hall unless indicated differently. The Yankee Springs Township Board ofTrustees meets regularly on the second Thursday ofevery month at 6 PM in the Township Hall, except as may otherwise be posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Meetings scheduled for 2024 are on the following dates: January 11 February 8 March 14 April 11 May 9 June 13 July 11 August 8 September 12 October 10 November 14 December 12 The Yankee Springs Township Board ofTrustees, Planning Commission and Zoning Board ofAppeals will meet in work sessions if needed on the first Thursday ofevery month at 6 PM in the Township Hall, except as may otherwise be posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. The Yankee Springs Township Planning Commission meets regularly on the third Thursday of every month at 7 PM in the Township Hall, except as may otherwise be posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Meetings scheduled for 2024 are on the following dates: January 18 February 15 March 21 April 18 May 16 June 20 July 18 August 15 September 19 October 17 November 21 December 19 The Yankee Springs Township Zoning Board ofAppeals will meet on the Second Tuesday ofthe month at 6 PM in the Township Hall as requested. Applications for variances must be completed 30 days prior to meeting. Notices ofall special meetings and meeting changes for each ofthese bodies will also be posted at the Town­ ship Hall in accordance with applicable laws. The Public is welcome to attend and participate/comment iin any open session ofany ofthese bodies. PUBLIC NOTICE: Please take notice that at all scheduled and special meetings ofthe TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES, there may be a quorum ofthe Yankee Springs Planning Commission and/or Zoning Board of Appeals members present in the audience. Please take notice that at all scheduled and special meetings ofthe PLANNING COMMISSION of Yankee Springs Township, there may be a quorum ofthe Yankee Springs Township Board of Trustees and/or Zoning Board ofAppeals present in the audience. Please take notice that at all scheduled and special meetings ofthe ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS ofYankee Springs Township, there may be a quorum ofthe Board ofTrustees and/or the Planning Commission present in the audience. This notice is posted in compliance with PA 267 of 1976 as amended (Open Meetings Act), MCLA 41.72a (2) (3) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Yankee Springs Township Board will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes ofprinted materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at the meeting or Public Hearing upon 7 business days’ notice to the Yankee Springs Township Supervisor. Michael Cunningham, Clerk Yankee Springs Township “[At first] she was fearful to put the weight on that arm in general and she was like I just need to do it. I just need to get over it,” Lula said. Clark had Wednesday to practice and coach Lula said that she spent Thursday in the old gym at the high school working with fellow sopho­ more flyers Payton Gater, Mia Hilton and Claira Kovich while the TK varsity team was helping host a middle school meet at the high school. “They sat in warm-up room all day Thursday and worked on those skills with her,” Lula said. ‘“Try this, try this and try this instead.’ They didn’t have to do that. They took the time out of their own day because those were the improvements their team needed. Those are skills they have already.” Lula likes the way those sophomores are working to be leaders acknowledging that her team has great senior lead­ ers too, but there are times where it could be easier for an underclassman to be led by a fellow underclassman. The Trojans added front walkovers to their round two routine quickly to go along with back walkovers and back tucks. Lula said by the time the Trojans were on the mat at the West Catholic Falcon Invitational Saturday it was like Clark hadn’t missed a beat. “Clark is just insane to me. She has never flown before and she is a flyer in round three, our newest one and the only one who hasn’t been fly­ ing since coming out of the womb,” Lula said. The Trojans took eight-point deductions during their round two and round three perfor­ mances a the CCCAM Invitational hosted by West Catholic to start the season, but cleaned up those issues Saturday to finish 17 points better than they did at that first meet. The Trojans took the Division 2 championship at that opening meet, which was something that eluded them Saturday though. Plainwell won the competition Saturday with an overall score of728.18. TK was second at 727.08 ahead ofCedar Springs 705.28, Forest Hills Northern-Eastern 690.22, Gull Lake 685.66, Northview 677.64, Kenowa Hills 638.54 and Sparta 626,85. The TK team had the top round three score ofthe day at 287.1, pulling away from OK Gold Conference rival Cedar Springs which it led by a tenth of a point heading into that final round. Plainwell had the top score of the day in round one at 230.2, added a 215.98 in round two and then finished its win with a score of 282 in round three. TK scored a 225 in round one and a 214.98 in round two. Cedar Springs scored a 221.6 in round one and then had the top round two score of the day in D2 at 218.28. The Red Hawks finished off their day with a score of 265.4 in round three. We definitely saw improve­ ment,” Lula said. “We had no penalties and we made some changes to even who was in the round, and so we saw some improvement for sure ,and I think we gained clarity on some areas. The athletes gained clarity on the fact that they can see the errors that they’re mak­ ing are consistent” That makes coming up with a plan to fix those errors easier. Lula said she thought Cedar Springs had its big round two in part because of its confi­ dence, which was evident to the judges. She thinks having that conference foe so close behind, and a team like Plainwell ahead of them, will help her team focus in on some of the small things it needs to clean up. JENISON, continued from page 8 love about him is that heart. He has that fight and heart to never give up.” Grace trailed Patrick in that second round of consola­ tion but eventually rallied for the win in the final minute. Patrick led 4-2 after two peri­ ods and quickly upped his lead to 10-3 with a minute to go. An escape, a take down and three nearfall points got Grace suddenly within 10-9. The two reversed back and forth as the clock ticked down, and Grace suddenly secured a headlock that put Patrick on his back and earned him the three nearfall points he needed to win the match. Veitch said he’s really going to continue working with Grace to get the effort of that last minute scramble going through the full six minutes of a match. Veitch said Grace moves and wres­ tles pretty well when he’s trailing, and out of despera­ tion starts making things hap­ pen instead of just doing moves to see if they’ll work. Overall, Veitch was happy with the way his team com­ peted and happy to have a good not goo contingent conngen of o guys guysno competing there to cheer on their teammates. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23,2023/ Page 11 TK grapplers win two titles at Kent Co. tourney Brett Bremer Sports Editor Thomapple Kellogg sent nine guys and six girls to the Kent County Wrestling Championships at East Kentwood High School Saturday and Christien Miller and Emma Gibson came away with championships. Miller wrestled his way to victory in the 113-pound weight class with four pins. The only guy to get into the second period with him was Forest Hills Eastern’s Kestin Mayer in the championship match, but Miller stuck him 39 seconds into that second period to earn the top spot on the medal stand. Gibson knocked off Rockford’s Madelynn Portko 4-0 in the 120-125-pound girls’ championship match after scoring a pin in the sem­ ifinals. Raini Braska in the girls’ 115-pound weight class and Jayce Curtis at 175 on the boys’ side both earned run­ ner-up finishes. Braska scored a pin and a technical fall to get to the championship round where she was beat out by East Kentwood’s Amelia Diaz 4-2. Curtis pinned his first two foes and then pulled out a 7-5 win over Rockford’s Logan Hammingh in the semifinals. Byron Center’s Blake Ottow took the 175-pound championship outscoring Curtis 17-4 for a major decision. Blake Bossenberger added a fifth-place finish for TK at 165 pounds. On the girls’ side, Kayleigh Brown at 155 pounds and Adelaide Holderman at 170 both placed fifth and 110-pounder Briella Dykstra placed sixth. Rockford won the tourna­ ment championship with 236 points. Cedar Springss was second with 204.5 ahead of Byron Center 173.5, Lowell 144, Sparta 141.5 in the top five. The TK varsity team was seventh with 90 points just ahead of conference foe Forest Hills Eastern who fin­ ished with 90. TK returned to action Wednesday hosting its first conference quad of thee sea­ son. The Trojans capped off the night with a 52-30 win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central, following up on a 62-9 win over Kelloggsville in a non-conference dual in Middleville. Forest Hills Eastern was also a part ofthe night’s wrestling. The Hawks were bested by both the Cougars and Rockets. “They’re starting to put the basics together and are build­ ing that base we’re looking for,” TK head coach Dayne Fletke said of his young wrestlers Wednesday. “Some of the freshmen, Thornapple Kellogg 157-pounder Jack Smith closes in on a pin against Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s John Wilson during the Trojans’ win over the visiting Cougars in the first OK Gold Conference dual of the season Wednesday in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) like Jack [Smith] and Cam [Peter] and [Caleb] Miller at 26, I feel like are slightly more aggressive, which I like to see. They’re starting to get confidence in wrestling in the varsity line-up. They’re getting some of the stuff they can take advantage of as opposed to being scared of that. I am looking forward to seeing them grow throughout the season.” Christien Miller, Gibson, Caleb Miller, Noah Quintard, Smith, Curtis and Abram Dutcher all scored pins in the dual with Kelloggsville. Heavyweight Jimmy Manne closed out the dual with a 3-2 win over Zacarias DomingoPablo for TK. Peter also took a 5-3 win for the Trojans at 144 pounds against Andy Cruz LopezCastro. His win followed major decisions by team­ mates Dylan Pauline at 132 pounds and Griffin Grummet at 138 forTK. There were just seven con­ tested bouts in the dual between the Trojans and Catholic Central Cougars. With a late reversal and a couple back points, Peter upped his victory to a 14-5 major decision in the 144pound bout with Catholic Central’s Matiss McNally. Smith scored a pin at 157 pounds for the Trojans. Those were TK’s only two wins on the mat while the team took seven weight classes by forfeit. ttyrainu i'iiKiJIl! niibit: ilEllft. k UlB iilifi nlxat PHiiE iltll; iUj thru Thornapple Kellogg 215-pounder AJ Dykstra works to turn Catholic Central’s Kyle Killebrew during their teams’ OK Gold Conference dual in. Middleville Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 210268 Trojan 190-pounder Tanner Buxton hauls Grand Rapids Catholic Central’s Cole Ford down to the mat during their match Wednesday in TK’s OK Gold Conference win over the visiting Cougars. (Photo by Brett Bremer) 210267 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP 8196 Broadmoor Ave. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CALEDONIA BOARD OF TRUSTEES rS*4* Phone: 616.891.0070 Fax: 616.891.0430 TOWNSHIP PUBLIC NOTICE Caledonia Township 2024 MEETING SCHEDULE A draft copy of the Village of Caledonia & Charter Township of Caledonia fa’’ Regularly scheduled meeting dates of the Charter Township of Caledonia Board of Trustees for 2024 are indicated below. All meetings will be held beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Caledonia Township Hall, 8196 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, 2024-2028 Five Year Park & Recreation Plan is available for review and public comment for a period of 30 days at the Charter Township of Caledonia Township Hall located at 8196 Broadmoor Ave SE, Caledonia, Ml Michigan. NOTE: Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and services for the meeting by contacting the Township Clerk at 616.891.0070. 49316 during regular office hours. Feedback will used to finalize the 5 Year Park & Recreation plan which will Meeting Dates be presented at a Public Hearing of the Charter Township of Caledonia January 3, 2024, January 17, 2024, February 7, 2024, March 6, 2024, March 20, 2024, April 3, 2024, April 17, 2024, May 1, 2024, May 15, 2024, June 5, 2024, June 19, 2024, July 17, 2024, August 7, 2024, August 21, 2024, September 4, 2024, September 18, 2024, October 2, 2024, October 16, 2024, November 6, 2024, November 20, 2024, .U”1 December 4, 2024, Dated: December 23 2023 December 18, 2024 Joni Henry, Clerk Board of Trustees on Wednesday, January 17 ,2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Charter Township of Caledonia Township Hall. Interested persons may attend the public hearing. Written comments prior to this meeting may be addressed to Alison Nugent, Township Manger, at the address as noted above. Joni Henry, Clerk �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 23, 2023 All-state Fighting Scots set to be MAC rivals ddidas Caledonia senior linebacker Derek Pennington Jr. signs his National Letter of Intent to join the Western Michigan University football team next year in between his mother Katie Pennington and sister Georgia Pennington during the first day of the early signing period for football players Wednesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer Sports Editor Ifall goes right, in a year or two or three the lights will be beaming down on the Waldo Stadium turf in Kalamazoo on an early November eve­ ning. The Central Michigan quarterback, on third-andone, will turn and put the batt into the belly ofrunning back Brock Townsend who will see a seam in the line open just long enough to lock eyes with the Western Michigan middle linebacker,, his former Caledonia teammate, Derek Conference football next sea­ Pennington Jr. son on Wednesday afternoon Their maroon and gold and at Caledonia High School. brown will meet and one of The Fighting Scots’ all-state them will get up off the turf running back Townsend is happy as their team’s fight headed to Mount Pleasant to song blares: join the Central Michigan “Fight Central down the University Chippewas. field...” Pennington, the Scots’ all­ Or state linebacker is headed in “Push ‘em back, push ‘em the other direction to join the back ...” Chippewas’ rival Western The two Caledonia varsity Michigan University Broncos. football teammates both “It is going to be something signed their NCAA National special,” Pennington said of Letter of Intent (NLI) to play the rivalry. Division 1 Mid-American “It has been great spending Dr. Joshua Koenig, Primary Care Primary care appointments available in Caledonia Trinity Health Medical Group Good health starts with the right relationship. When it's time to plan your annual physical, or when there's a health issue you didn't plan for, Trinity Health primary care providers are here for you with convenient care close to home. https://www.trini SCHEDULE ONLINE We See All of You Caledonia senior running back Brock Townsend signs his National Letter of Intent to join the Central Michigan University football team next year in between his parents Fred and Shelly Townsend during the first day of the early signing period for football players Wednesday at Caledonia High School. (Photo by Brett Bremer) time with him all the day, working out all the time and it is great that we have been able to have this experience together and now we’re offto the next level,” Townsend said. Townsend came to Caledonia as an eighth grader when his father Fred Townsend, a former CMU football player himself, took over as the Caledonia High School athletic director. Pennington joined the Caledonia program as a soph­ omore when his father, Derek Pennington Sr., took over as the Caledonia varsity football coach. “First time I met Derek was at a gym, we were lifting together and I was like this kid can move some weight,” Brock said. “He was squat­ ting way more than me. He always gave me that edge to just keep going. We pushed each other all the time. It was great that they came here.” The two spent countless hours in the weight room together from then on. Brock added that the gap between the two in the squat has shrank significantly since then. “Summer training changed drastically,” Derek said of when his family first arrived in the program, “and I think that really turned our program around and I am grateful for that.” Combined with the talents of their CHS teammates, the Fighting Scots put together a record of 30-7 over the past three seasons. Together the pair were a part oftwo district championships, a regional title and of course the 2022 team that finished its season being handed the MHSAA Division 1 State Finalist tro­ phy at Ford Field in down­ town Detroit. Both guys were two-way players for the Fighting Scots, helping the program break team scoring records and set a new mark for defensive shut outs in a season in 2022. Townsend twice earned first team all-state honors, among his many accolades. Coach Pennington was most impressed by his four-year varsity total of 4,103 rushing yards. “It goes to show you, I had one play. I ran Brock up the middle behind Derek for three years. A lack of creative play-calling,” coach Pennington said. Pennington Jr. spent time as the Scots’ H-back on the offensive side of the ball where he was as skilled offen­ sively as Townsend was as a safety in the Scots’ defensive backfield. Pennington Jr. was also a two-time first team all-state honoree among his many accolades. Both guys were two time all-conference performers in the OK Red Conference and two time all-region perform­ ers, and had numerous honors from the state’s largest news­ papers with spots on state dream teams. Townsend was named the MLive Offensive Player ofthe Year this fall and Pennington was named the MLive Defensive Player of the Year. . “And this one, he probably didn’t get from me: academic all-state,” coach Pennington said as he rattled off Derek Jr.’s list ofhonors. They are the first Caledonia football players to sign their NIL for NCAA Division 1 scholarships since 2003. Brock’s not the first Townsend to play football at Central Michigan. Fred was a member of the 1991 Chippewa football team, but some injuries made it that he was much more successful in the classroom than on the football field. “Growing up, he kind of taught me all the in’s and out’s of the game,” Brock said ofhis father. “He watch­ es film like crazy. You’d be surprised. We were playing Grandville and he already watched film on them and is telling me different things about the other team - what this comer back is going to do on third down or whatever. He was a big impact on my career and I really appreciate it.” Brock said his number one football goal has always been to be better than his dad. Fred wasn’t really joking when he said Brock has to get his Master’s and his Doctorate degree before he can be in a category with him. “It’s not a conversation until you reach that level,” he said during the signing day ceremony seated next to Brock and his wife Shelly. Derek was joined at the table as he signed his NIL, after the removal of Brock’s CMU flag, by his dad Derek Sr., his mother Katie Pennington and his sister Georgia Pennington. “Coming into Caledonia we always had these shirts that said, ‘leave a legacy,’ on the back,” Townsend said. “I think me and Derek did that here. I think it will encourage the next kids coming up to work even harder. � https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/25/839/TheSunAndNews_2023-12-30.pdf 40dfafdd14415d37bd145dcb34e736c0 PDF Text Text '227f''QtU0ilc'L'bra,y ine Sun and News Your Hometown Newspaper Serving Middleville and Caledonia Areas No. 52/ December 30, 2023 Published by J-Ad Graphics, Inc. • 1351 N. M-43 Highway, Hastings, Ml 49058 Turnover in local government, development projects moving forward define 2023 in Middleville Greg Chandler Staff Writer The revival of a project planned for the site of the former Middle Villa Inn, the departure of two Village Council members, including one who was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, the creation of a committee to study the feasi­ bility of a standalone public library and a first-ever gay pride festival were some of the top stories of the year in the Middleville community. In the spring, the Village Council unanimously approved rezoning the for­ mer Middle Villa property along M-37 on the northern outskirts ofthe village. Dutch Developers LLC, owned by Nate Heyboer, has planned a 144-unit apartment complex on the site, consisting of six 24-unit buildings, to be built in two phases. Also planned are a self-storage facility that may have up to 134 units, as well as three commercial out lots along M-37. Some of the project amenities include pickleball courts, a couple of gazebos and a gravel path­ way connection from the apartment complex to Wildwood Trails Park to the west. Dutch Developers had ini­ tially brought die Flats of Mid-Villa plan to the village in November 2021. In early January 2022, the Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the plan to the Village Council. However, a little over a 145th year 2023 in Caledonia saw plenty of school news and the groundwork laid for an M-37 transformation Greg Chandler Staff Writer The departure of a school superintendent, a narrow passage of a school bond proposal, groundbreaking on a new elementary school and the unveiling of plans for a rebuilt M-37 were some of the top news stories in the Caledonia area for 2023. On May 1, Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin was offered the superintendent’s job of the See CALEDONIA, page 3 On Sept. 27, current Dutton students and teachers joined the board and administration for a groundbreak­ ing ceremony for the new Dutton Elementary School building. (Photos by Greg Chandler) In April of this year, Village of Middleville council members interviewed four people for a trustee seat formerly occupied by Mike Lytle, who resigned due to health issues. (Photo by James Gemmell) month ’ later, the council voted 6-0 to send the propos­ al back to the Planning Commission’s Site Plan Committee, and Heyboer later pulled the project from consideration. The site has been vacant since 2015, when the former Middle Villa Inn was tom On June 10, a first-ever Pride Festival was held at the village’s Sesquicentennial Pavilion to celebrate the LGBTQ community in Barry County. (Photo by Hunter McLaren) down. The inn had closed a year earlier after 52 years in business. Longtime Council Trustee Mike Lytle resigned in March after 25. years on the council, citing health reasons for stepping down. Five months later, President Pro Tempore Johnny DeMaagd stepped down from the coun­ cil. DeMaagd’s Oct. 9 resig­ nation came less than a week after he struck a parked car in the parking lot of Village Hall, driving a van from his business, Left Field Cafe, as he arrived late for a commit­ tee of the whole meeting. He was initially charged with misdemeanor counts of oper­ ating while intoxicated and failure to stop at a collision, but pled guilty to a lesser charge of impaired driving Dec. 6. He could receive up to 93 days in jail when he is sentenced Jan. 23. The council appointed Robert Bishop to replace Lytle and Stephen Baldry to fill DeMaagd’s seat. On June 10, a first-ever Pride Festival was held at the village’s Sesquicentennial Pavilion to celebrate the LGBTQ community in Barry County. Rainbow-colored flags, stickers, tattoos and other swag were available. The event included a drag performance, which some community members spoke out against in advance of the festival. At a committee of the whole meeting the Tuesday that preceded the festival, DeMaagd tried to get a reso­ lution added to the following week’s council agenda mark­ ing the month of June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Middleville. However, DeMaagd’s motion died for lack of a second. “This resolution, not hav­ ing support this evening, doesn’t impact me,” DeMaagd said after the vote. “Thankfully, I am secure enough in my relationship with my higher power. I am See MIDDLEVILLE, page 2 In early June, kids flocked to the Community Green Park for the opening of the park’s long-await­ ed splash pad. oko um® imujC • Gaines Township spends 2023 managing its rapid growth • TK grapplers face stiff competition at home invitational • Caledonia hockey heads into . break with late-game loss • A look back at all the 2023 high school sports highlights �Page 2/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023 MIDDLEVILLE, continued from page 1 secure enough in my own identity with my friends and my family and my communi­ ty. I love Middleville. It is extremely disheartening ... hearing the division, that Scripture is being used against (certain) populations. Historically, Scripture has been used to justify slavery; it’s been used tojustify white nationalism, to justify segre­ gation ... and to justify the less than 100 percent accep­ tance and celebration of peo­ ple in who they are.” Council member Kevin Smith,, who was later appointed president pro tempore after DeMaagd resigned, said it wasn’t the council’s place to address the issue. “This board is a non-par­ tisan board who vote on non-partisan issues. When we run for this office, we do not run as a Republican or a Democrat, but as a citizen of the Village of Middleville,” Smith said. “With that, I do not support this board to participate in a partisan, divisive and destructive topic that only divides our community ... just as reli­ gion and guns, abortion or other highly volatile topics. That is not our place; that is not our role.” In July, the Village Council approved the appointment of a nine-member ad hoc committee to look into the possibility of a standalone public library in Middleville, separate from Thornapple Kellogg Schools. The council charged the committee to study options for both loca­ tion of the new library as well .as how it would be funded. The committee is to report back to the council on options for the project by Aug. 1, 2025. The committee was established after a commu­ nity group calling itself Middleville Needs a New Library had met for more than a year to look into the project. “I have visited numerous libraries around the state, have talked to several Barry County librarians as well as other Michigan librarians, and believe that a new pub­ lic library would provide an essential service for our community, and I would love to see it in our commu- In July, the Village Council approved the appointment of a nine-member ad hoc committee to look into the possibility of a standalone public library in Middleville, separate from Thornapple Kellogg Schools. (Photo by Greg Chandler) nity, in the downtown petition drive and served on area,” said Chris Boysen, an ad hoc committee that one of the leaders of the recommended the change. effort. “I think it would be a “I know it’s been on the agenda for a long time. I am jewel down here.” The current library, proud to say that as a com­ located within Thomapple mittee member, safety was Kellogg High School, has our foremost (concern). I been in existence since have no doubt that what 1934. However, it is only council will be reviewing open to the community 12 will be safety first, specifi­ hours a week during the cally thinking of the chil­ school year — 3:30-7:30 dren that do live within this p.m. Tuesday and Thursday community.” Village President Mike nights, and 9:30 a.m.-l:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Cramer vehemently Village President Mike opposed the change. Cramer and Council Trustee “I’ve seen communities Makenzi Peters represent adopt these ordinances and the village on the commit­ take them back, all the time. tee, while Brenda Hess rep- We’ve spent so much resents the TK school board money on this and now we on the group. The group has have to explain to the retained library fundraising 4,000-plus residents (of the consultant Keith Hopkins to village) that it’s better to put together a feasibility sell your car so you can study. drive on ORV down your The Village Council street with no insurance spent the year wrestling because that’s the way to with a village ordinance go. The insurance is there that bans .the use of off-road for a reason. We don’t trust vehicles on local streets. the diligence that was put in More than 50 businesses by previous committees. signed a petition in February We just see an agenda, and calling for the council to go on and make sure their legalize the use of ORVs friends are taken care of ... and golf carts on village rather than take care of the streets. Some residents populace,” Cramer . said complained that the ordi­ after the vote. nance, which has been in The ordinance language place for more than 20 change must still be years, is unenforceable. approved by the council. In early November, the In August, the village’s council on a 4-2 vote direct­ Zoning Board of Appeals in ed its legal counsel to draw August approved a variance up ordinance language that allowing Barry County would allow ORVs on vil- Central Dispatch to build a lage streets, as long as the 300-foot-high emergency operator is at least 16 years communications tower near old and holds a driver’s the village’s wastewater license. treatment plant at 607 “I’d like to thank council Sheridan St. The village for moving forward (with ordinance normally limits the proposed change),” said the height of a communica­ Andrew Beck, who led the tions tower to 120 feet. The new tower is one of two new 700/800-megahertz towers that are being built as Barry County works to move all of its police, fire and emergency response communications to a single system. The other one is in the city of Hastings at Bliss Riverfront Park at 1037 E. State St. The new towers in Middleville arid Hastings have an estimated cost of $5.8 million, which will be paid for out of an American Rescue Plan Act grant and a $3 million allocation from the state’s budget surplus that was awarded to BCCD earlier this year, Lehman said at the August hearing. The village is finalizing language in the lease agree­ ment with BCCD that will allow the 911 tower project to proceed. Demolition work is mov­ ing ahead on the long-va­ cant Baby Bliss factory and surrounding buildings. The Barry County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received $200,000 to be used for brownfield cleanup and remediation. The board chose to use the full fund­ ing specifically for demoli­ tion and cleanup of the site at 120 W. Main St. A redevelopment pro­ posal for Baby Bliss was ^presented to the village in February, and the village has been in communica- Demolition work is moving ahead on the long-va­ cant Baby Bliss factory and surrounding buildings. The Barry County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received $200,000 to be used for brownfield cleanup and remediation. (Courtesy photo) tions with additional that we really need.” James is the niece of potential developers who may be interested in the DDA board Chairwoman Kim Jachim. Jachim did not site. The village’s Downtown participate in the interviews Development Authority and was recused from the went through two changes vote to hire James because in leadership during the of her family relationship. year. In early January, The board hired James on a Katherine Bussard resigned 5-0 vote. The village office also after nearly two years as DDA director, taking a went through several changposition as executive direc­ es during the year. tor of a Christian organiza­ Alexandra Longstreet tion based in Jackson. In stepped down as village her resignation letter, treasurer and finance direc­ Bussard wrote of what she tor at the end of March. termed “a hostile, unprofes­ Clerk Glorimar Ayala sional” working enviroji- stepped into Longstreet’s ment at DDA. former role, and Deputy In March, the DDA board Clerk Rhonda Van Polen hired Emily Lee to replace was promoted to replace Bussard, but three weeks Ayala as clerk. Not long into her tenure, she resigned afterward, Ayala was for personal reasons. Then named Village Clerk of the in late May, the board Year by the Michigan tapped Gretchen James, a Association of Municipal recent Grand Valley State Clerks at the association’s University graduate, for the convention in Detroit. director’s position. James “All ofyou guys believed had been working in mar­ in me, believed in my expe­ keting at the Barry riences and my qualities Community Foundation and everything I have in before her appointment. me,” Ayala said at a council “I was very excited at meeting shortly after her both of her interviews,” award was announced, said DDA board member thanking village officials Justine King, who sat in on for supporting her. “You both of James’ interviews. always pushed me out of “I’m excited to see what my comfort zone.” she does for the village. I’m The Thomapple Township excited for her background, Board saw two major chang­ being fresh out of school. I es during the year, as longthink it’s going to bring a fresh energy around here See MIDDLEVILLE, next page Thankgoufor trusting as with gour automotive needs! Happy Holidays MIDDLEVILLE 500 Arlington Court 269.795.3550 IlKfcbZUUU.Ntzl CALEDONIA 9860 Cherry Valley Road 616.891.3550 This fall, the Middleville Downtown Development Authority board approved awarding the contract for interior restoration of the old Michigan Central Railroad depot to Vintage Building and Restoration Inc., at a cost of $64,400. Vintage Building and Restoration is owned by Rob Pohl. The Hastings-based company, which performed exterior restoration of Middleville’s historic train deool last w ...;n u u.. ' �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023/ Page 3 MIDDLEVILLE, continued from previous page time Treasurer Deb Buckowing and Clerk Cindy Wilshire resigned. Wilshire stepped down from her role after six years in her office while Buckowing departed after 20 years, first as a trustee and later as treasurer. Both resignations took effect March 31. “These 20 years of serving my community have been some of the most rewarding of my life, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity,” Buckowing wrote in her resignation let­ Wilshire’s replacement. ter. “I have worked with The village hired Doug some extraordinary individu­ Powers as planning and als while at the township, zoning administrator in late and consider myself blessed January, seven months after for each resident I have had the departure of former the honor to meet and serve Assistant Village Manager/ over the years.” Planning and Zoning Brian The board appointed Administration Laura Bouchard, who had Urquhart. Powers came to been deputy treasurer under Middleville from East Buckowing, to be the new Chicago, Ind., where he had township treasurer, and been planning director the chose former Thomapple past two years. Village Kellogg school board trust-Manager Craig Stolsonburg ee Cindy Ordway to be said that Powers “was head and shoulders above every­ body else we interviewed.” Thomapple Kellogg High School underwent a make­ over during the year that included a cafeteria expan­ sion, the addition of air conditioning to the school’s main gymnasium, and removal of asbestos and reconstruction of the roof at its pool. A little over $7 million was spent on the renovation project as well as the asbestos abatement. Work on the pool recon- struction is expected to conclude early next year. Funding for the improve­ ments came from the November 2019 bond issue that TK voters passed. The village began work on identifying all of the lead service water line con­ nections in the village after it received a $165,375 Drinking Water Assessment Management grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). The village must replace 370 lead and galvanized service lines in residential units within the next 20 years to comply with the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act of 2018. The EGLE grant allowed the village to reallocate its first round of funding under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to purchase security cameras for Village Hall, the wastewater treat­ ment plant and other vil­ lage-owned facilities. CALEDONIA, continued from page 1 Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), a regional body serving schools throughout Kalamazoo County. Martin, who had served as CCS superintendent since July 2018, accepted the KRESA offer and resigned his posi­ tion, finishing his tenure in Caledonia in June. “We have done some remarkable things, when I look back and think of what we’ve accomplished in five years,” Martin said in his final remarks to the school board. “But no one person does that alone. It is the work of the board acting as one, in unison with the superinten­ dent, who has the challenge and the awesome responsi­ bility of leading a very capa­ ble staff, supporting them and challenging them. Every step of the way, our staff has stepped up to the challenge.” Dirk Weeldreyer, who had served as interim superinten­ dent at CCS for five months before Martin was hired in 2018, was chosen by the dis­ trict’s Board of Education to serve a second term as inter­ im. Then in late November, when the school board decid­ ed to pursue candidates from within the district before moving ahead with a nation­ al search for a superinten­ dent, Weeldreyer was the only internal candidate to apply. On Dec. 20, Weeldreyer interviewed with the board and was offered the superin­ tendent job on a permanent basis. Details of the contract are still to be worked out. Weeldreyer had been serving as executive director of the School Equity Caucus, a lob­ bying group that has advocated for more equitable funding opportunities for public education. Weeldreyer had also served in interim superintendent roles at Muskegon Public Schools and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools in Wyoming. “The interim jobs are great. They suit me well because I think I’m able to come in and lend a sense of calm to districts and help people refocus on where they need to be,” Weeldreyer said during his interview. “But at the same time, the other thing is the long-range kind of vision setting and moving the district forward over time - that’s not something you competitive and enable our get to do as an interim.” students to receive real­ On May 2 - one day after world, hands-on experiences Martin was offered the in upgraded facilities so they KRESA superintendent jobcan better compete in the — voters in the Caledonia global marketplace.” district went to the polls to The bond issue also decide on a $61 million bond included $3 million in fund­ proposal, which was dubbed ing for expansion of the “Complete the Vision.” This CalPlex sports and recreation Caledonia was three years after passage complex. of an $88.1 million bond Township will transfer 20 acres of property it owns on issue in May 2020. 100th Street next to the cur­ At that time, the 2020 bond was to have covered rent CalPlex property to the the costs of a new Caledonia school district for $1 to make Community Center, now the expansion possible. The under construction, and con­ township has owned the land struction of a new Dutton since 2008. On Sept. 27, a groundElementary School at the southeast comer of 76th breaking ceremony for the new Dutton building took Street and Patterson. However, a spike in con­ place. Current Dutton stu­ struction labor and materials dents and teachers joined the costs connected to the board and administration to COVID-19 pandemic result­ turn over the ceremonial first ed in cost estimates for the shovelfuls of dirt on the projDutton project coming in $9 ect. million higher than the origi­ “We’re excited to have a nal $21 million estimate. The brand new building, a brand board decided to seek a sup­ new building that we have plemental bond issue rather been able to specifically than make any cuts in the design to meet our students’ Dutton proposal. That led to needs — from a barrier-free complaints from some in the playground to a school build­ community who felt CCS ing where all students can should have put the Dutton access the entire building project ahead of the commu­ and the entire playground, nity center project. where we can all come But on the day of the elec­ together as one,” Dutton tion, there was enough sup- Principal Shawn Veitch said port for getting the Dutton at the ceremony. The new 60,000-squareproject to the finish line. The bond issue passed by just 64 foot Dutton building will the current votes - 3,019 to 2,955. About replace $40 million out of the bond 46,000-square-foot school issue was assigned to be used on 68th Street, which has for the Dutton project. been in existence since the 1950s. It is scheduled to be “We want to thank the voters in our community for completed in time for the supporting this bond propos­ 2025-26 school year. al,” Martin said after the Another construction projelection. “Our continued ect is taking shape along investment in our schools M-37, the main road that will help Caledonia stay goes through the Caledonia ^INER 707 THANK YOU for a great year... ... looking forward to seeing you in 2024! New Years Eve “The Still Wonder” 5-8pm Hours: 12pm-8pm Tues.-Sat. 12pm-4pm Sun. 175 Cherry Valley Ave SE, Caledonia 616.710.0796 O community. Michigan DepartmentofTransportation officials in March unveiled plans to transform the high­ way from its current twolane configuration to a fourlane boulevard from north of 76th Street to south of 92nd Street, beginning in 2026. More than 100 local resi­ dents turned out for two open house sessions at the Caledonia Township Hall to get their first look at the plans and offer their thoughts. “It showed that people are paying attention, that they care about this project,” Township Supervisor Bryan Harrison said the day of the open houses. “I think most of the comments I heard were constructive. I think that’s the point of holding these public hearings. I think it’s encouraging that the state has chosen to fund the proj­ ect. I want to see it go for­ ward. I think it’s important that as we grow, we have the infrastructure that softens the effect of growth on the com­ munity.” The project was made pos­ sible when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law a $4.8 billion infrastructure package in 2022 that includ­ ed $40 million in funding for the M-37 project. Current state Sen. Thomas Albert, who at the time chaired the House Appropriations On May 1, Caledonia Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin was offered the superintendent’s job of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), a position he accepted. In mid-June, Caledonia Township hired Alison Nugent to be its township manager. Committee, was influential in getting the project includ­ ed in the infrastructure pack­ age. The M-37 project includes median crossovers for left turns at 76th, 84th and 92nd streets. Some residents felt See CALEDONIA, page 5 �Page 4/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023 Barry County Earth Day group collecting used sneakers Mark Steven Schad Mark Steven Schad, age 63, passed away on December 18, 2023, at his home in Chicago, IL. He was born on January 10, 1960, at Pennock Hospital in Hastings, ML He graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School, and Michigan State University. Mark was an extremely loyal, loving, and giving man. He was known for his great sense of humor, quick wit, and hardy laugh. He loved musical theater, movies, Mackinac Island, and playing cards and dominoes. Mark also had a passion for cele­ brating the holidays with his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Frances Schad. He is remembered and missed by his brother, Fred Schad; his sister, Cindy Schad; his best friend, Robert Vandal; his stepmother, Christine Schad-Hinklin and her husband, Robert Hinklin. Mark is also fondly remembered by his aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A visitation to cele- The Barry County Earth Day Group is leading an initia­ tive to recycle old, worn-out athletic shoes. Many folks around the county probably received new shoes for Christmas. Now what to do with the old ones? The Barry County Earth Day Group says not to throw them out. Shoes in landfills can take 30 to 40 years to decompose. And while they are decompos­ ing, they release harmful chemicals into the air and soil, dumping large amounts Ofcar­ bon dioxide into the atmo­ sphere. At least 200 million pairs of shoes and sneakers end up in landfills in the United States each year The Barry County Earth Day group has partnered with GotSneakers to recycle and repurpose pre-loved sneak­ ers. Old athletic shoes will be cleaned up and shipped to brate Mark’s life will be on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Beeler- Gores Funeral Home, 914 W Main Street, Middleville, MI. Services will be Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the BeelerGores Funeral Home. Reverend Robert Hinklin officiating, Interment in Mount Hope Cemetery, with a reception follow­ ing. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Please visit www.beelergoresfuneral.com to share a memory or leave a con­ dolence message for Mark’s family. micro-enterprises in develop­ ing countries where they gen­ erate income for families and employees. Shoes can be sold or recycled into new items. For instance, the outsole’s ground rubber can be used for baseball, football and soc­ cer fields. The midsole’s ground foam can be used to resurface basketball and ten­ nis courts as well as play­ grounds. Locals can donate their well-loved athletic shoes and help make a difference. Drop­ offboxes can be found at the Hastings Public Library (227 E. State St.) and TriFit (303 E. Center St). This effort is part of Barry County Earth Day’s 2024 focus on the “5 R’s” strategy to dispose of our trash and reduce the number of items sent to local landfills: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle. More informa- Belmont University Mystique Niles, of Caledonia, and Claire VanElderen, of Caledonia, have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester at Belmont University in Tennessee. To be named to the dean’s list, students must take at least 12 letter-graded credits and have a GPA of at least 3.5 during the semester. Dean’s list students must not Several members of the Barry County Earth Day group are seen here at the Hastings Public Library shoe collection box. Locals can donate their old, wornout sneakers to be recycled and used in developing countries. Pictured are (front row, from left) Marcia Szumowski, John Howarth, Ed Szumowski, (back row) Rachel Frantz, Barbara Haywood, Julie Howarth and Bob Schirmer. Missing from the photo are Carol Foster, Kathy Forsyth, Jan Lydy, Jessica Phillips, Michelle Skedgell and Sara Syswerda. (Photo provided) www.alaskabaptist.org Our mcsston is to worship God and disciple committed followers of Jesus Christ, who will reach the world with the Gospel. Sunday Service BAPTIST McPherson College Isaac Miller of Middleville was named on the dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester at Sunday's Ministries 616-698-8104 FIRST have a grade below C during the semester. c 8fch 7240 68th Street SE Caledonia, MI 49316 Join us in person or online Sundays 9:30 & 11am 9:30 AM 10:45 AM 11:00AM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM Worship Service Fellowship Tune Sunday School Youth Gathering Adult Bible Study Michael L. Myers. Senior Pastor Good Shepherd ’ Lutheran Church 908 W Main Streetj Middleville (Missouri Synod) 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 1675 84th St. SE Caledonia, Ml 49316 cornerstonemi.org/weekend http://goodshepherdlcms.googlepages.com . Livestream: facebook.com/firstbaptistmiddleville Church: A^PEACE CHURCH church ONE CHURCH - TWO LOCATIONS CALEDONIA: LEARN MORE! 9185 Cherry Valley Ave SE thejchurch.com MIDDLEVILLE: 616-217-2161 1664M-37 @thejchurch PEACECHURCH. CC Sundays at 8:00,9:30, and 11:00 AM Lead Pastor: Pastor Ryan Kimmel 616.891.8119 6950 Cherry Valley Rd., Middleville, MI 49333 peacechurch.cc (269) 795-2391 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. Fellowship 9:45 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10 to 10:45 a.m. @ St. Paul Lutheran Church & Preschool 8436 Kraft Ave., Caledonia, MI 49316 Office 616-891-8688 • Preschool (616) 891-8688 www.stpaulcaledonia.org Yankee Springs Bible Church 8900 Duffy Road Middleville, MI 49333 8655 Whitneyville Avenue, Alto 4935 Whitneyville Ave, between 52nd & 48th 616.891.8661 www.whitneyvillebible.org Hymns • Reading God’s Word • Special Music Pastorjonathan DeCou .9:30 9:30 AM Try'kgY Sunday Worship ......... .10:30 10:30 AM AM ftSSaEa" Sunday School Watch our services from our website (see above) Praising God through Worship Services Sunday 10 am & 6 pm Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wednesday 6:30 pm & 7 pm "Shining Forth God's Light" Sunday Morning Worship..................... Community Group............................... McPherson College in cen­ tral Kansas. Students must be enrolled full-time and earn a grade point average of 3.55 or higher during the last term to qualify for the honor roll. ^—Caledonia United w Methodist Church Rev. Christine Beaudoin Join us for our traditional yet casual worship service, in person or online, at 9:00 am. 250 Vine Street 616-891-8669 CaledoniaUMC.org Livestream: Facebook.com/CaledoniaUnitedMethodist Serving ~ Strengthening ~ Connecting HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 9669 Kraft Ave., Caledonia Phone: 616-891-9259 www.holyfamilycaledonia.org Saturday Evening Mass............'..... 5:00 p.m. Sunday Masses.......... 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Pastor: Rev. Peter Berg FBCMIDDLEVILLE.NET - 5215 M37 - 269-795-9726 GURNEY County Earth Day Facebook page. Local students earn dean’s list honors alad3F cornerstonechurch tion on how to help with the 5 R’s can be found on the Barry 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Pastor Ed Carpenter - 616-868-0621 James L. Collison, Pastor Sermons online: WhitneyvilleFellowship.org www.yankeespringsbibfechurch.org Considering becoming. Catholic? Call or see our website for information. THORNAPPLE VALLEY ®CHURCH MIDDLEVILLE SERVICE TIMES: Sunday at 9:30am & 11:00am 20 State Street, Middleville, Ml / www.tvcweb.com �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023/ Page 5 CALEDONIA, continued from page 3 the project will only serve In mid-June, Caledonia pickleball courts was built to push the problem of traf- Township hired Alison on the site originally fic backups and congestion •Nugent to be its township planned for the splash pad, further south to 100th manager. A native of and the township opted to Street. An environmental Lowell and graduate of move the splash pad to the impact study is in progress Michigan State University, northwest side of the park, on the project. Nugent came back to West near the Caledonia branch As plans for M-37 con­ Michigan from Denton of Kent District Library. tinue to be refined, town­ County, Texas,, where she The splash pad was built ship planners wrestled with has been general manager in late 2022 at a cost of the question of future for the Frisco West Water about $370,000, slightly development along the Control and Improvement higher than the $350,000 highway strip, particularly District for the past two the township had budgeted on the east side of the high­ years. for the project. way between the Cherry “I applied for this posi­ Community Green is Meadow Business Park and tion because I thought it owned by the township but 100th Street, which is pri­ was a great opportunity to is located within the village marily farmland. come back home and serve limits of Caledonia. The township took com­ my community, which is Construction is underments on a conceptual plan what I’m passionate about, way on the new Tractor for a 790-acre area dubbed in a setting that I’m very Supply Company store “the M-37 subarea,” which familiar with,” Nugent said along M-37 in the southern proposed eventual redevel- during her interview. “I feel portion of the township. In opment of the land into a I understand (it) deeply July, the township Planning mix ofland uses that includ­ because I was raised in this Commission approved ed both single-family and. environment. I love it. I plans for the project after a multi-family residential, don’t think there’s any­ seven-month process that commercial and green where that’s better to raise saw commissioners chal­ space. your family or to be able to lenge initial plans for the However, that concept ’serve your community.” store. received considerable push­ The Township Board Project developer DMK back from residents, who interviewed three candi­ Development originally are concerned about the dates for the job, and proposed a 21,930-squarepotential loss of the com­ Nugent emerged as its foot store with additional munity’s rural character. In unanimous choice. She open-air business space response to that feedback, began her duties with the when it first presented the planners shrunk the area for township in August. project to the planning In early June, kids commission in December, potential redevelopment and decided to preserve the flocked to the Community of last year. land south of 92nd Street as Green Park for the opening However, that plan farmland. That change was of the park’s long-awaited clashed with a township adopted and has been added splash pad. ordinance that bans to the township’s master “It’s awesome. I think so-called “big-box” stores plan update, which has been adding an amenity like this under the property.’ s zoning ,, forwarded to the Township that, kids can enjoy just classification of C-2 gener­ Board for final action. makes this space even al business. The ordinance “We know Caledonia’s greater,” Harrison said the specifically defines a “big­ going to continue to grow, day of the event. box” store as “a very large so we continue to,try to be The splash pad was orig­ retail or other store, usually smarter and better of how inally planned to be part of with a physical layout that we prepare for that growth. the first phase of. resembles a large square or I think M-37 is a response Community Green’s devel- box when viewed from to that growth, I think the opment when it was built in above, and including more subarea plan is trying to be 2019. However, the splash than 20,000 square feet of proactive and give us some pad was put on hold when gross floor area.” options so that as we grow, costs for the project came So Tractor Supply came the effects are more bene­ in higher than expected. back to the township with a fits than burdens,” Harrison Later, a second set of store proposal with a footsaid. In September, Caledonia Elementary School was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, the second time a CCS school had been named to receive the honor in the last three years. Dutton Elementary was honored in 2021. Cross Creek Charter Academy in Gaines Township also received National Blue Ribbon School recognition. The two local schools were among 11 Michigan schools to be recognized with the honor. “I’m really excited for our staff and students and families. We have an amaz­ ing staff here that cares very much for every student who. walks through the door, and to have the ability Michigan Department of Transportation officials in to recognize them on a large scale is just really March unveiled plans to transform M-37 highway exciting,” Caledonia from its current two-lane configuration to a four-lane Elementary Principal Brent boulevard from north of 76th Street to south of 92nd Huck said in an interview Street, beginning in 2026, More than 100 local resi­ with the Sun and News dents turned out for two open house sessions at the shortly after the award was Caledonia Township Hall to get their first look at the plans and offer their thoughts. announced. print of slightly more than to streets and sidewalk system with the remaining 19,000 square feet of floor ramps in the Glen Valley 15 lots having individual area that met the ordinance. retail area of the village. septic systems. But commissioners weren’t The Michigan Department Another project in that done making changes to the of Transportation approved same area that gained, project. the awarding of a $184,000 approval this year was a Commissioners removed grant through its non-motorized trail around from the site plan a drive-th­ Community Service Campau Lake. The ru canopy that was to be Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) Township Board approved part of a garden supply Category B program toward a $1.92 million contract for area. They also put in a the project, and the council construction of the trail, condition banning outdoor voted to allocate $171,928 which will begin at Kettle sales areas, while the devel­ in funding from the Lake Elementary School, oper agreed to put up an American Rescue Plan Act then head north along 8-foot-high fence around- (ARPA) to the project. Whitneyville Avenue, then the outdoor display area. Improvements are planned turn east on 66th Street, The new Tractor Supply for Glengarry Drive, North then south on McCords store is expected to open Rodgers Court, Dobber Avenue to the public access next year. Wenger Memorial Drive, boat launch. In the village of Higley Street and Kaechele As of Dec. 15, Caledonia, the Village Street. Riverworks Construction is Council earlier this month The township Planning continuing to construct the approved a change in a vil­ Commission approved remaining sections of lage ordinance that will development of a 63-lot boardwalk along 66th and now hold owners of golf single-family housing McCords. As weather per­ carts responsible for viola­ development near Kettle mits, they anticipate that tions committed by others and Campau lakes, pending they will be finished with who drive their vehicles. the extension of a nearby the boardwalks along 66th The council unanimously sewer system to accommo­ by the end of the year. approved amending the golf date most ofthe new homes. Following a short twocart ordinance, which has Commissioners had week break in January, the been in place since approved the 78-acre Kettle contractor will continue November 2018, making Preserve project on working on the McCords the owner of the golf cart Whitneyville Avenue near boardwalk and anticipate responsible for any viola­ 72nd Street in July 2022, completion of the board­ tions of the ordinance as but issues over soil condi­ walks by the end of well as its operator. tions and water quality February. The work is The village had already delayed the start of con­ weather-dependent and will required anyone owning a struction. be delayed with heavy golf cart to register their Under the new develop­ snowfall or extreme cold vehicle with the village. ment plan,'48 of the 63 lots weather, according to the However, only 16 golf carts would be served by the engineering firm Prein & are registered at Village expanded sanitary sewer Newhof. Hall at this time. The change includes a presumption that' the golf cart is being driven with the knowledge and consent Of the owner if the operator is an immediate family mem­ ber. Complaints had been made about the ordinance being unenforceable. However, with the way the village went about chang­ ing the ordinance, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office 11 i would be able to enforce most violations as it gener­ ally reflects the Michigan BUILDING CONTBACTOBS, LLC Motor Vehicle Code, Lt. Randy Kieft of the (KCSO South Precinct office tqld the council at its Dec. 12 meeting. ClarkBrothersConstruction.com The Village Council also moved ahead with repairs THANK YOU to all customers, suppliers and sub-contractors. ^EHiTk HCiOTkNmm ST iiR Urrarnm CaTIrOnN 269.623.4870 cornerstonechurch helping people know Jesus and make Him known onemi @cornerstonemi 84th St. Campus 84th Street SE we’re casual, come as you are. �Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30,2023 Growth in development, public safety topped list of concerns in Gaines Township in 2023 James Gemmell Contributing Writer Gaines Charter Township officials scrambled in 2023 to stay one step ahead of grow­ ing development and poten­ tial long-range public safety issues stemming largely from the township’s population growth. The continued growth in Kent County’s second-largest township was reflected in the 2020 U.S. Census, which showed that Gaines’ popula­ tion rose 14.6 percent over a decade — from 25,146 resi­ dents in 2010 to 28,812 in 2020. Compounding the pub­ lic safety problem is the fact that the county’s second-fast­ est-growing township — Byron — shares a boundary with Gaines Township. For 73 years, the two town­ ships have shared in the oper­ ation of the Cutlerville Fire Station, 11 — 68th St. SW. However the rapid rise in population and development in Byron Township prompted the Byron board to vote 6-1 on July 24 to discontinue the partnership with Gaines, effective in July 2024. That means that one ofthe two townships will continue running Cutlerville fire ser­ vices in the future out of the existing fire station, which is in Byron Township. The other township will need to build its own fire station in Cutlerville, probably within a decade or less. Gaines has the option to decide whether it will pay off the remaining equity in the fire station to take ownership ofit or let Byron Township be the owner. The move by the Byron Township board to sever the long-term partnership stunned Gaines Township officials, some of whom said they felt blindsided by it. “I know they feel that we should have had some type of joint meeting before we even set up the committee,” Byron Township Supervisor Amos Tillema wrote in an email to the Sun and News. “I .do not think that would have changed anything. The Byron Board feels that we have grown enough over the years; we think we would be better served with our own station in the Cutlerville area.” Tillema continued, “It seems like at this point, rumors have it that we are going to close the Cutlerville station and respond from Byron and have no service for Cutlerville and everyone’s taxes will skyrocket to sup­ port this move. First off, either Byron or Gaines will This photo shows the early stages of a $1.25 mil­ lion roundabout construction project by the Kent Country Road Commission at the corner of Kalamazoo Avenue and 84th Street over the summer. (Photo by James Gemmell) build a new station in Cutlerville and with the mutu­ al aid program, the people will have six firemen to respond to calls in the Cutlerville area rather than three. We expect the service to improve, not get worse.” Gaines Township could end up billing Byron Township for some, fire res­ cue services in the future. The decision to end the partnership left officials in both townships scurrying to cement plans ahead of the intra-govemmental partner­ ship’s dissolution in July 2024. The Gaines Township Board formed an advisory committee, this past fall to The Kent County Sheriff’s Office hosted the annual South Kent Night Out in August and brought along its mounted unit. (Photo by James Gemmell) NEW YEAR, NEW Ell! THANK YOU TO OUR PATIENTS AND PEOPLE WHO MADE 2023 A GREAT YEAR, VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR STOP IN TO BOOK YOUR CONSULT TODAY! SCAN https://propere HERE WWW.PROPEREU.COM WRINKLE RELAXER • FILLERS • FACIALS • MASSAGE • MICRONEEDLING • IV THERAPY • HORMONE REPLACMENT THERAPY • PDO THREAD LIFTS • AND MORE! ■ 9809 CHERRY VALLEY AVE SE, SUITE C, CALEDONIA Ml 616.327.5155 provide recommendations and examine the pros and cons of staying in the current ■fire building in Byron Township or building its own .fire station on the Gaines Township side of Division Avenue. That will be a high-priority decision to make in 2024. The township board went into a couple of closed sessions in the fall. After one session, the board voted to authorize Gaines Township Manager Rod Weersing to negotiate the financial aspects of the sepa­ ration between the two town­ ships concerning the fire sta­ tion and' major pieces of equipment inside ofit. The growing pressure of providing adequate public safety services — which include police, fire and rescue/ paramedic — has necessitated other major decisions in Gaines Township in recent years. In Oct. 2021, the township board approved for the first time a township-wide public safely special assessment. The 15-year dedicated levy started at 0.6 mills at that time but has since edged up to an annual rate of 1.0 mills to help cover the growing costs associated with the increasing number of service calls to fight fires and crimes. At a March 2023 meeting, Kent County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason VanderMolen told the township board that Gaines Township now fields more calls for service than any other township in the county. “We also, unfortunately, hold the position for highest call volume for Priority 1 and 2 calls,” he said. “All those 1 and 2 calls are going to be your homicides, your robber­ ies, your domestic in prog­ ress, your stolen vehicle in Members of the Byron and Gaines township boards held a joint meeting in October to discuss the Cutlerville Fire Department budget. (Photo by James Gemmell) progress. One increasing problem in the township has been juve­ nile crime. In particular, police have had to pursue and arrest several people who have stolen cars. The vehicles are often used to help juve­ niles carry out other crimes. “We are making some headway there but, literally, you lock two ofthem up and two more come back and we’re at it again,” Vandermolen said. However, police made some headway in curtailing some of those crimes as the year progressed. To address the increase in calls for fire/rescue service in the eastern portion of the township, the board approved funding to add five full-time firefighters to the Dutton Fire Department, which switched to a 24/7 staffing model in January 2023. Previously, there had only been one full­ time staffer on duty during the day at the Dutton fire sta­ tion, plus two part-timers and 12 paid on-call firefighters. At a township board meet- • ing last June, Cutlerville/ Dutton Fire Chief Ken VanHall told trustees that the Cutlerville Fire Department had seen a 35 percent increase in call volume since 2015. “Our average time on scene has gone from 11 minutes, 34 seconds to 22 minutes, 11 seconds,” he said. At that board meeting, Van Hall requested that three fire­ fighters be added to the Cutlerville Fire Department. But that discussion was put on hold a few weeks later when the Byron Township Board voted to end its part­ nership with Gaines in the' Cutlerville Fire Department. A lack of ambulance avail­ ability was cited by Van Hall as a prime reason for the increase in time firefighters and paramedics spend on a given scene after a service call. That has spread thin the number of available firefight­ ers at any particular time. This past fall, the township transferred from its general fund $2,125 million toward the cost ofpublic safety, with the special assessment paying the rest of that expense. In December, home and busi­ ness owners received in the mail a winter tax bill reflect­ ing the increase in the special assessment levy for 2024. Township Treasurer Laurie Lemke said the average homeowner in Gaines will pay $125 to cover the assess­ ment cost. The bill must be paid by Feb. 14, 2024. With the township’s grow­ ing population, there has been increasing crime and more public safety calls. To address that, the township is adding another Kent County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit. Deputies will now be operating the cruiser 12 hours a day, seven days a week. But public safety is just one of the growth issues that Gaines Township officials will be tackling in 2024. Planning staff, led by Community Development Director Dan Wells, are working to imple­ ment a new township-wide zoning ordinance that will be adopted later this winter. Some large housing devel­ opments and expansions are about to get underway this year, and township planners want to make sure the township ordinance carefully governs where and how that growth will develop. The ordi­ nance is the legal document that directs growth. It mirrors the guidelines specified in the new township master plan that was adopted in March. So far, the planning com­ mission has worked with township staff to craft a por­ tion of the new zoning ordi­ nance one chapter at a time, even while the overall ordi­ nance is still being prepared. Wells has said the reason for approving some chapters of the ordinance how is to keep See GAINES TWP, next page �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30,2023/ Page 7 GAINES TWP, continued from previous page it one step ahead of all the was able to answer that by new development coming saying that the changes reflect into the township in 2024. what township stakeholders Planners and trustees have indicated they wanted in the spent months analyzing every new master plan. aspect of the draft document The year-long public input to make sure it addresses the process for the master plan township’s long-range goals incorporated feedback from a for development, as outlined township-wide survey and in the new master plan and various community input sesfuture land use plan. sions around the township. A Gaines Township was sued future land use plan also was in 2022 by a business entity adopted, and a parks and reccalled Caleydonia LLC, acting reation plan was formulated. on behalf of Indianapolis­ At a board meeting in based developer American February, trustee trustee Tim Kendall Properties LLC. The Haagsma told his fellow township board voted in Feb. board members to pay close 2022 to reject the company’s attention to the master plan proposal to build a roughly map that was being proposed, $100 million mixed-use devel- particularly the village cenopment on farmland along ters and the residential retail 84th Street, east ofKalamazoo locations. Avenue. But the developer “Because those are far diffiled a $4 million lawsuit in ferent than anything we curKent County Circuit Court, rently have in any of our contending the Prairie Wolf zoning,” he said. Station development was A clause in the new zoning allowed by right under the allowed property owners to township zoning ordinance. opt out of the proposed The township board relent- change in their zoning desig­ ed, and the lawsuit later was nation to Neighborhood dropped. So, the first con­ Commercial. struction shovels may begin The township board did turning on the Prairie Wolf acknowledge that there development in 2024. To pre­ should have been better comvent any more large develop- munication and clarification ments from being pushed with the public about the through via court action, revised zoning categories. township planners are workThe board began 2023 by ing to carefully stipulate in hiring a new township managthe new ordinance what types er, Rod Weersing. He replaced .of developments will be former township manager allowed and not allowed. Jonathan Seyferth, who left in To that end, Wells is lead­ Nov. 2022 after being hired as ing the discussion in imple­ the new city manager in menting changes in the Muskegon. Weersing had Neighborhood Commercial been the Georgetown Charter and General Commercial cat-. Township assistant superinegories that will be incorpo­ tendent. rated into the new zoning This fall, Weersing received ordinance. Those changes generally high marks in a perwill affect several businesses sonnel committee review, and along the Division Avenue the township board voted in corridor in Cutlerville and the November to raise his annual 68th Street corridor in Dutton. salary to $125,000. Per the Wells received some criti­ terms of Weersing’s contract, cism from a couple of town­ it will increase to $130,000 ship officials regarding how after he is on the job for one long it took planning staff to year, which comes up in a few finalize and adopt the new weeks. As 2023 was winding township master plan. But they recently agreed that the down, the township was pre­ long detailed process of paring to hire a new deputy developing the master plan treasurer to replace Jenna proved to be the correct one. Pilkington, who resigned after For example, it came in handy serving in that capacity for when the township board had nearly a dozen years. The to answer complaints from township also was searching several business owners this for a new assistant township past fall who were unhappy planner to replace Natalie with proposed changes in Davenport, who left in October some zoning designations in for a position in Lansing. The township’s general Cutlerville and Dutton. Wells fund budget for the new fiscal year is $5.8 million, and the total for all five ofthe town­ ships’ budgets is more than $18 million. That also includes public safety, water, sewer and building budgets. June 10 was the annual Brian Diemer 5K Run/Walk on 68th Street. The Diemer Family of Races also included a handcycle race and a Mobility 5K and began and ended at Legacy Christian School, west of Division Avenue. Noticeably absent again were the Cutlerville Days events that used to accompany the Diemer Run. Cutlerville Days used to include a parade along 68th Street, a community fair in Cutler Park (on the Byron Township side of Division Avenue), and fire­ works at dusk Dan Wells addressed that at a Gaines Chamber of Commerce luncheon on the Pine Rest Mental Health campus in December 2022. “I’m going to encourage and try to solicit everybody in this room to start thinking about how we can bring (Cutlerville Days) back” he said. “The township has some limited powers that way. But I’ve heard it from so many different angles that people really miss that event.” However, no one has stepped up yet to help underwrite the potential return of Cutlerville Days, which was discontinued a few years ago. The township did co-host with the Gaines Chamber and the Gaines branch ofthe Kent District Library a Movie in the Park event on Aug. 4. It was well-attended outside the township hall and, besides a movie, it included a business expo, .food trucks, kids’ games, as well as Dutton Fire and sheriff’s office displays. Proceeds went to the Community Food Basket and the Streams of Hope Food Center Pantry. The annual South Kent National Night Out drew a steady crowd on Aug. 1 in a. parking lot at South Christian High School. The event raises awareness about crime pre­ vention. For the 10th time, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office hosted the local festiv­ ities, which were a hit with the. attendees. Among the many vehicles on display were an armored tactical team truck, Cutlerville and Dutton fire trucks, an airport vehicle, police cruisers, a drone, a mounted horse unit, and a police K9. The Gaines Fall Heritage Festival that was scheduled for Oct. 14 was postponed due to bad weather. A $1.25 million round­ about was constructed by the Kent Country Road Commission at the comer of Kalamazoo Avenue and 84th Street during the summer. Federal grants paid for some of the construction costs and the KCRC paid for the remainder. It is designed to reduce high-speed, high-im­ pact collisions. Gaines Township trustees also have been discussing how to spend the township’s approximate $2.7 million allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The federal govern­ ment approved the ARPA funding for municipalities in 2021. Local government boards must report to the U.S. Treasury Department by Dec". 21, 2024, how they intend to use the funds, which must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026. Many options have been discussed by the township Rod Weersing speaks at his public interview at Gaines Township Hall. He was eventually chosen to serve as the new township manager. (Photo from Laurie Lemke) board and staff. For example, using some ARPA money for developing parks, trails and recreation. Or, perhaps con­ structing Cody’s Mill Park next to the Byron-Gaines Utility Authority on 84th Street. Or building another water-storage facility, or add­ ing a backup township con­ nection to the City of Wyoming’s water system in case the primary one ever fails. Those are just a few of the ideas that have been brought up. As mentioned, several large development projects were approved in Gaines Township in 2023. In August, the State ofMichigan award­ ed Pine Rest an additional 40 child an4 adolescent beds for its Pediatric Behavioral Health Center. The $86 mil­ lion facility is scheduled to open by the fall of 2025. On Oct.. 26, the township planning commission approved the site plan for the project, which will cover 135,000 square feet near the comer of 72nd Street and Madison Avenue. The pediat- ric building will occupy 74,000 feet ofthat space and house 66 beds. Medical offic­ es will sit on the remaining space. In November, planning commissioners gave their blessing for South Christian High School to go ahead with an expansion project. The school just opened four years ago at its new location in Gaines Township, but the area’s growing population necessitated the expansion. Commissioners approved a special land-use permit and site-plan amendment for two additions to the main building on the 135-acre school cam­ pus at 7979 Kalamazoo Ave. That will entail the con­ struction of a 22,000-squarefoot education wing on the northeast side of the building that will be primarily^for classroom space. There will be eight general-education classrooms and three spe­ cial-education classrooms. On the west side ofthe exist­ ing building, a 1,800-squarefoot dry-storage facility will be built. Thank You for a Wonderful Year! Looking forward to servicing you in 2024. Joe Lyons & John Curtis, Owner/Operators O ak FARM BUREAU INSURANCE* fl/fictyo-KS CotKfXM'ty 3305 West Quimby Road, Hastings, Ml 49O58 Jason Parks Main Street Downtown Middleville' 121 E. (269) 795-8827 jparks@fbinsmi.com FarmBureaulnsurance.com SEPTIC SERVICE 269.945.4240 �Page 8/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023 State medal stands filled with local ladies amazing,” then Caledonia varsity wrestling coach Roger Singleton said at the final. “You’re one-fourth of your way there.” “It is nothing that J do in the room. She trains all year long. She has coaches. Michigan Revolution, she trains with them. She trains all the time. That is what makes her good. She literally eats, drinks and sleeps wres­ tling. And she is really mature for her age. She is very focused.” Hayden is focused on not only being one of the top wrestlers in the state of Michigan, but one ofthe tops Caledonia freshman Maddie Hayden holds Howell’s Brynn Green down during the Girls’ 155-pound cham­ in the nation. The Caledonia varsity pionship match at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals at Ford Field in downtown Detroit the first Saturday equestrian team followed up in March. its string of three straight Michigan Interscholastic ning the reserve state cham­ Horsemanship Association pionship this fall as the state state championships by win- runner-up in Division A at the Midland County Fairgrounds. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team placed fourth a the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals, with freshmen flying all over the mat, at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena last March after outdueling Cedar Springs for the OK Gold Conference Championship. The Thomapple Kellogg varsity competitive cheer team celebrates its fifthThe TK team matched its place finish at the MHSAA Division 2 Competitive Cheer Finals at McGuirk Arena program’s best ever state on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant. finals finish by placing fourth. sophomore Ava Crews in oftraining and then qualified Peninsula Girls’ Golf Finals Junior Ava Jahnke was a placing sixth in the for the MHSAA Lower across the state. Area golfers flyer above one of the three 4xl00-meter relay at the Peninsula Division 2 Cross headed to East Lansing, with Trojan stunt groups in round state finals. Smith earned a Country Finals for the third the Caledonia varsity girls’ three, and the only returning sate medal for a fifth-place time this fall after leading the team a part of the MHSAA flyer for the Trojan team leap in the high jump and Thomapple Kellogg varsity Lower Peninsula Division 1 heading into the season. Hilton placed eighth in the girls’ cross country team to Finals at Forest Akers West “It was a dream come true 300-meter low hurdles at the an OK Gold Conference Golf Course on the campus really,” Jahnke said of her state finals. Championship. ofMichigan State University team reaching the finals. Crews, a distance runner A week before Crews and and Thomapple Kellogg “[We’ve wanted this] a who qualified for the 3200- the state’s cross country junior Ailana Leos a part of very long time. We were set meter run individually, was a teams were running in the D2 finals at Forest Akers Thornapple Kellogg junior Ailana Leos shoots her on it last year and we made it late addition to that med­ regionals, the girls gathered ball to the green on number five on day two of the come true this year.” See LADIES, next page al-winning relay team - fill­ for the MHSAA Lower MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Girls’ Golf Finals The other two Trojan fly­ ing in for an ill Hilton on the at Forest Akers East Golf Course in October. ers in round three at the finals hot, sunny day in Ada. were freshmen Mia Hilton “She is like a powerand Payton Gater. Hilton, house,” TK girls’ coach Gater and junior teammate Maggie Wilkinson said of Kenady Smith from that Crews. “She has PR’s when competitive cheer champion­ we haver her run all four ship team all won medals at distance events. I was like the MHSAA Lower ‘eh, she’s run one event. Peninsula Division 2 Track She’s fine.’ She has only got­ and Field Finals in June. The ten stronger this whole entire freshman Gater and junior season.” • Wheel Alignments Smith were, joined by then Crews followed up that senior Lindsey Velting and performance with a summer • Auto Glass Installation Brett Bremer Sports Editor The Women’s Sports Foundation used “We’re not done yet” as its headline for' the 50th anniversary of Title IX in 2022, barring sex dis­ crimination in the nation’s schools, and boy was it right. The ladies had many of the leading performances as the Caledonia and Thomapple Kellogg High School student-athletes rolled through their 2023 varsity seasons. Caledonia freshman Maddie Hayden won the 155-pound girls’ champion-. ship at the MHSAA Individual Wrestling Finals in March at- Ford Field in downtown Detroit. “Her goal is to be a four­ time state champ. This is freshman year, and this is the first step of that goal. It is Bruce's Frame and Alignment Full Service Body Shop • Insurance Work Welcome • Visa & MasterCard Accepted Caledonia junior Copelin O’Krangley awaits a turn at a putt on the number 16 green at Forest Akers West on the campus of Michigan State University iin East Lansing during day two of the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Girls Golf Finals in October. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023/ Page 9 LADIES, continued from previous page Thornapple Kellogg junior Kameron Nichols opens the 2023 OK Gold Conference season with a win over the top player from Cedar Springs on the courts in Middleville in August. Nichols went on to win the first singles championship at the OK Gold Conference Tournament at the end of the boys’ tennis season in October. Thornapple Kellogg junior Ava Crews runs to a state qualifying finish in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 2 Cross Country Regional at South Christian High School in October. Crews and the TK ladies were the 2023 OK Gold Conference Champions. East across the street. JuniorCopelinO’Krangley led the Caledonia girls to an llth-place finish as a team by finishing as one ofthe top ten individuals at the finals on a cold, wet weekend in East Lansing. Copelin was one of three juniors in the Caledonia line­ up at the finals, joined by Mya Burgess and Ellie Hudson, as well as her soph­ omore sister Codie O’Krangley and senior Elizabeth Honhart. “I believe that this year’s performance is going to make these juniors hungry for next year,” Caledonia head cbach Veronica VanWagoner said. “This year was about the experience, next year we will be hungry to do something big. I think, and hope, many of them are going to put more time in out of season in the next 10 months.” TK’s Leos just missed out on the D2 medals placing Thornapple Kellogg freshman Mia Hilton runs to an eighth-place finish in the 12th in her first finals appear­ 300-meter low hurdles at the MHSAA Lowe Peninsula Division 2 Track and Field ance. Finals in June at Forest Hills Eastern High School in one of two medal winning The fall season concluded performances by the TK ladies at the finals. with the Caledonia/Lowell/ South Christian varsity girls’ weren’t too different during slalom competition and she placed fourth in Division 2’s swimming and diving team the 2022-23 season, but that also had a 27th-place perfor­ 144-pound weight class, sending a large contingent to didn’t slow down TK senior mance in the giant slalom. senior Austin Chivis was the MHSAA Lower Lucy VanDemark. The guys most certainly sixth at 175 pounds and Peninsula Division 1 Girls’ Plainwell/Thornapple had their highlights too. sophomore Christien Miller Swimming and Diving Finals Kellogg senior Lucy While Hayden was winning placed eighth at 106 pounds. at Eastern Michigan VanDemark closed her senior a state championship at Ford Those performances came University. The Vikings took season with her best state Field her Caledonia team­ on the heels of another OK home 12 state medals with finals appearance at the mate Dylan Meduna was Gold Conference champion­ two medal-winning relay fin­ MHSAA Division 2 Ski working on a fourth place ship for the TK wrestlers. ishes and sophomore Sophie Finals at Boyne Mountain in finish in the Division 1 175The spring season saw the Gaylord and junior Bella late February. VanDemark pound weight class. addition ofa guy’s volleyball Treib both winning a pair of just missed a spot on the top Thomapple Kellogg had six club at Thomapple Kellogg individual medals. ten state medal stand with wrestlers qualify for the Gaylord teamed with her llth-place finish in the finals. Senior Zack Gibson See LADIES, page 10 junior Izzy Leason, freshman Mya VanderZwaag and soph­ omore Aliya Van Hofwegen to place 16th in the 200-yard freestyle relay and the team of Treib, VanderZwaag, Van 284 N BRIGGS ROAD - MIDDLEVILLE, MICHIGAN 49333 269-795-9091 / FAX 269-795-2388 Hofwegen and Gaylord was YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION 15th in the 200-yard medley PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE relay. TO: THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF YANKEE The snow has been slow SPRINGS, BARRY COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS: coming to start the winter of 2023-24 and conditions PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held on January 18, 2024, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Yankee Springs Township Hall, 284 N. Briggs Rd., Middleville Ml, within the Township, as required under the provisions of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Zoning Ordinance for the Township. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE In addition to participation during a public hearing, mem­ bers of the public may also provide comments for the Planning Commission’s consideration by emailing or mailing those comments to the Planning Commission for receipt prior to the meeting, in care of the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea (joeshea @ ya nkeespringstwp. org). Letters and emails are due one week before the hearing date; or by leaving a phone message prior to the meeting with the Township Zoning Administrator, Joe Shea at 269-795­ 9091. ^3or entrusting us with your heating & cooling needs. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the item(s) to be considered at said public hearing include, in brief, the following: 1. ZOC 23-11-04: Parcel ID 16-240-027-00,8411 Willson Drive, Middleville, Ml 49333. A. A request by Harold Keizer, the property owner, to re-zone the vacant 6-acre (approx.) back parcel from RA (Rural Agricultural) to RR (Rural Residential) pursuant to Yankee Springs Township Zoning Ordinance, Ar­ ticle XIXAmendments to Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map. 2. Such other business as may properly come before the Planning Commission. Have a Happy & Healthy New Year! Hfe are so thankful to all of our customers! FRONTIER Caledonia MI HEATING 6 COOLING 616-891-8900 Locally owned business “The company built by referrals" Anyone interested in reviewing the application material may do so at the township hall. All interested persons are invited to be present at the aforesaid time and place, or, if an electronic meeting is held, to participate via the electronic meeting. Yankee Springs Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services, to individuals with disabilities at the hearing upon four (4) days' prior notice to the Township Clerk. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township Clerk at the address or telephone number listed below. TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION By: Shana Bush, Chairperson Yankee Springs Township Hall 284 N. Briggs Rd. Middleville, Michigan 49333 (269) 795-9091 YANKEE SPRINGS �Page 10/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30,2023 ■ Scots score runner-up trophy at Portage Central Brett Bremer Sports Editor It was good to hear. Caledonia varsity wres­ tling head coach Shawn Veitch said his guys noted on the bus ride home from Portage Central’s McCloughan Duals Thursday, runner-up trophy in hand, how much better they are as wrestlers from when they first took the mat in December to face Loy Norrix and Thomapple Kellogg in a home tri. “The kids were pretty dog­ gone excited to bring home a trophy and to get the first win of the season,” Veitch said. He said that was one ofthe first steps he needed the pro­ gram to make as he returned as head coach this winter for it to go from the coaches telling the kids how hard work will pay off to the wrestlers noticing it for themselves. “It made my heart happy,” Veitch said. The Fighting Scots were 3-1 on the day at Portage Central. They opened things up by pulling out a one-point dual with Marshall 42-41, beat Otsego 39-36 and then otuscored Coldwater 48-30. Portage Central ended the Scots’ day by scoring a 48-27 win in the fourth round of wrestling. James Carrow at 138 pounds and Will Sheely at 150 were both 4-0 on the day for the Fighting Scots. They both had big pins late in the dual with Marshall to help their team clinch it. I twas a pin from Koleson Reeder at 165 pounds that finally sealed that victory for the Scots. Conor Sebel, Jaden Millet and Ethan Carr also had pins in the dual with the Redhawks for the Fighting Scots, and close the day. Sibley got the Josh Grace took a forfeit initial take down in the bout, but Carrow recovered and win. “Both of them [Carrow eventually earned a pin early and Sheely] I was relaly in the second period. Veitch said it was good to happy with the way they wrestled on the mat, but also see that mental toughness off the mat they did a really from Carrow to fight from good job ofbeing good lead­ behind and eventually get to ers and keeping the kids his cradle series to score the enganged. They are two of pin. Ethan Berrends, Carrow, our best wrestlers,” Veitch said, adding that it good to Lane Blanchard, Cayden have the most talented wres­ Nostrant and Sebel had pins tlers on the team some ofthe for the Scots in the dual with Otsego, wi th Sebel clinch­ top leaders too. He liked Carrow’s fight in ing the victory by sticking his match with Portage Greyson Imus 4:45 into their 190-pound bout. Central’s Landon Sibley to The Scots took five forfeit wins in the dual with Coldwater and added pins from Carrow and Muhammed Turk. Sheely puled out a close decision in that one, winning 3-1 over Daylton Miller at 150 pounds. Nostrant took a 1-0 win over the Cardinalys Kayden Roby in the 175-pound bout. Grace, who had two for­ feit wins on the day, got a pin in the dual with Portage Central. Berrends and Carrow also had pins against the Mustangs and Sheely won a decision in that dual. LADIES, continued from page 9 for the firs time this winter as the Trojans joined the Caledonia boys in the quick­ ly growing sport in Michigan. The highlight of the spring season included the outstanding track perfor­ mances, some fine skills showed off on the soccer field by the TK and Caledonia girls alike, and a tremendous postseason run by the Caledonia varsity baseball team which saw the Scots win a district champi­ onship and then win their way into the regional finals at Central Michigan University where they were ultimately done in by the Traverse City West boys. Caledonia junior Sam Baldwin earned a spot in the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Boys’ GolfFinals at The Meadows. A handful ofFighting Scot boys and girls, and TK boys, were at the state track and field finals in June. Caledonia junior Owen Hager earned an all-state medal for his eighth-place time ofl5 .25 in the 110-meter high hurdles at the MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division 1 Track and Field Finals in Rockford. Highlights of the fall sea- The Fighting Scots’ Michael Douglass slides in safely at third with an RBI triple during his team’s MHSAA Division 1 Regional Final against Traverse City West at Central Michigan University June 10. The TC West Titans would come from behind for a 6-2 win over the Caledonia varsity baseball team. son for the guys included the Thomapple Kellogg varsity boys’ tennis team having a solid OK Gold Conference season that ended withjunior Kameron Nichols winning the first singles champion­ ships at the conference tour­ nament in October while exchange student Raphael DeMonval won the second singles title. No team in the area went into a season with higher expectations for itself than the Caledonia varsity foot­ ball team this fall. The Fighting Scots were the state Caledonia seniors Brock Townsend (left) and Derek Pennington Jr. (right) are joined by varsity football coach Derek Pennington Sr. after signing their National Letters of Intent to play Division 1 college football earlier this month. Townsend is set to play running back at Central Michigan University while Pennington Jr. is looking forward to playing linebacker at Western Michigan University. runner-up as the smallest school in Division 1 in 2022 and were looking to improve on that finish as one of the biggest schools in Division 2 this season. Grandville and Rockford spoiled the Fighting Scots’ hopes of an OK Red Conference Championship this season, and the Scots went into the state postsea­ son with a 7-2 record. They ultimately ended the year at 8-2, falling to Byron Center 31-28 on a last-second touch­ down pass in the MHSAA Division 2 District Finals. A solid group will return for the Fighting Scots for head coach Derek Pennington next fall, but a couple of the Scots’ standouts the past three seasons made their plans to play Division 1 col­ lege football next season as teammates Brock Townsend and Derek Pennington Jr. signed National Letters of Intent during the early sign­ ing period this month. Townsend has plans to play running back at Central Michigan University while Pennington Jr. inked his plans to play linebacker at Western Michigan University. For Sale TWO DOG HOUSES wellbuilt and insulated. $50 each. Dog crate- large $30. (269)795­ 0673 Business Services CONSTRUCTION: ADDI­ TIONS, REMODELING, Roofing, Siding, Pole Barns & Decks. Licensed builder 25 years. Tom Beard, 269-838­ 5937. Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser MATT ENDSLEY FABRI­ CATION and repair, custom trailers, buckets, bale spears, etc. Call 269-804-7506. Help us support veterans and community functions. BUYING ALL HARD­ WOODS: Paying Premiums for Walnut, White Oak, Tulip Poplar with a 2ft diameter or larger. Call for pricing. Will buy single Walnut trees. In­ sured, liability & workman's comp. Fetterley Logging, (269)818-7793. Saturday, January 6, 2024 and the First Saturday of each month Serving 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eggs, bacon, sausage links or patties, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, pancakes, milk, OJ, coffee. * Menu subject to change Adults $13.00 • Children 10 & under $5.00 offee For more information call the Post at 616-891 -1882 Donated by Caledonia Memorial Legion Post 305 9548 Cherry Valley, Caledonia, Ml METAL ROOFING SALE! Quality affordable roofing installation! Licensed and Insured! Financing and ref­ erences available. Free esti­ mates. Amish craftsmanship. 269-888-5050. Pets DOG GROOMING. QUAL­ ITY local groomer at reason­ able rates. 269-331-9999. �The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30,TSnO! Page 11 Rockford tops TK on road to championship ss Thornapple Kellogg’s Dylan Pauline fights to try and score a reversal during his 132-pound match with Rockford’s Liam Fitzpatrick Thursday morning in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Brett Bremer a WlllMIt ii iUb bWn A? Jack Smith at 157 pounds apiece. Sports Editor both scored pins and After going 2-1 in the pool The Trojans tested them­ Christien Miller took a tech­ matches, TK took on selves and wrestled to a nical fall in the 113-pound Greenville in the semifinals. fourth-place finish at their match. Manne’s pin at 106 was the own Thomapple Kellogg Christien was 5-0 for the first win for TK after the Invitational Thursday in day with forfeit wins against Yellow Jackets won the first Middleville. Greenville and Olivet, anoth­ Il flights of the dual. Rockford outdueled er technical fall in the dual Christien Miller took a for­ Greenville in the day’s with Paw Paw, and a 4-2 win feit win at 113 pounds in the championship, with the in a close match with Grand dual for the Trojans’ other Rams outscoring the Yellow Ledge’s Tucker Harkins to points. Jackets 35-27. The Rams close out the day. Grand Ledge defeated the are in the top ten rankings Smith, Caleb Miller, Trojans 49-18 in the match in the state in Division 1, Collin Manne and Dylan for third. and the Greenville grap- Pauline all finished the day Miller and Pauline had plers came into the year with three wins for the Trojan decisions for TK in that final among the top ten in the team. Noah Quintard and dual with the Comets, and state in Division 2. Cam Peter both had two wins Curtis and Jimmy Manne The Thomapple Kellogg varsity wrestling team was 2-3 overall on the day, finish­ ing second in its pool behind Rockford. The Trojans took a 54-21 win over Olivet and a 50-30 win over Paw Paw before falling 52-20 to the Rams to close out pool matches. Jayce Curtis, the Trojans’ 175-pounder, was 4-0 on the day with three wins and a hard-fought 2-1 decision against Rockford’s Logan Hammingh. That win in the Rockford dual was the second of the season for Curtis against Hammingh, who he defeated 7-5 in the semifinals at the Kent County Classic earlief this month. After a scoreless first peri­ od, Hammingh got a quick escape to start the second period. The Ram 175-pounder managed to get a good shot in and had Curtis bal­ ancing on a single leg up off the mat for a few moments Thornapple Kellogg 138-pounder Gabe Gosselin before the Trojan shot offthe take down to go into the third tries to escape the grasp of Rockford’s Braylenn Aulbach during their match Thursday at the TK period down just 1-0. Curtis spent nearly half a Invitational in Middleville. (Photo by Brett Bremer) minute fighting for a reversal to open the third period and Quality Family Eye Care Since 1929 finally pulled off the switch to go ahead 2-1 and then held Hammingh down the rest of OPTOMETRIST the bout for the victory. Curtis ran his record to — 2 LOCATIONS — 12-3 on the season with the with his four victories HASTINGS: 1510 N. Broadway - 269-945-2192 Thursday. «WAYLAND: 216 N. Main - 269-792-0515 TK took four wins in that dual with Rockfbrd. Caleb Scott Bloom, O.D. Thornapple Kellogg’s 175-pounder Jayce Curtis works to score a reversal in the third period of his 2-1 win over Rockford’s Logan Tammingh Thursday during their teams’ dual at the TK Invitational. (Photo by Brett Bremer) both scored pins. The Trojan team was set to send its girls to the Montague Holiday Mat Cat Classic Friday, Dec. 29. The TK team will be back in action when it heads to Greenville for a couple duals Thursday, Jan. 4. ’ The entire staffat Mike ’s Pizzeria & Tavern wants to wishyou andyour �Page 12/The Sun and News, Saturday, December 30, 2023 FHNE overtakes Scots in third period Brett Bremer Sports Editor The hockey players were the last Fighting Scots to skate into the holiday break, but it wasn’t a holly, jolly finish for the Caledonia var­ sity team. Forest Hills Northern­ Eastern scored three third-pe­ riod goals, the last an empty-netter, to earn a 5-3 win over the visiting Scots at Patterson Ice Arena Saturday afternoon. Caledonia rallied from a 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2 head­ ing into the third period. JP McGinnis and Sean Hall had two goals each for FHNE, with both adding an assist as well. Harmon Esch, Henry Simon and Ty Lewandowski had the three goals for Caledonia. Esch, a sophomore for­ ward, got the scoring started for the Fighting Scots at the 15:26 mark of the second period, starting his team out of its 2-0 hole. Sneaking the puck through the crowd in a scramble in front of the net with FHNE goalkeeper Owen Howe sprawled on the ice. Simon and Lewandowski earned .assists on that goal. It wasn’t long into the sec­ ond period when Simon evened the score with an unas­ sisted goal, taking a FHNE turnover and racing in across the net from left to right to put a shot past Howe at the 11:31 mark ofthe second period. The Scots took the lead eight minutes later on Lewandowski’s power play goal. Junior Tony Kauffman ripped a shot from the left circle that Lewandowski tipped past the FHNE keeper ten seconds into the man advantage. Caledonia’s Ty Lewandowski fires a shot from a step across the blue line as Forest Hills Northern­ Eastern’s Graham Verker closes in during their con­ test at Patterson Ice Center Saturday, Dec. 23. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia junior forward Henry Simon looks to get a shot by Forest Hills Northern-Eastern goalkeeper Owen Howe as the keeper’s teammate Graham Verker gets his stick in the way during their contest Saturday at Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) Caledonia carried the momentum into the locker room, but the FHNE boys took it away fast. Hall scored his second goal of the game 22 seconds into the third period tying things up at 3-3. The prettiest goal of the afternoon got the lead back for FHNE with a give-and-go between Nolan Geno and Logan Spykerman giving their team an opening to shoot the puck by Scot keeper Sam Hoag. Geno carried in along the left side, found Spykerman in the center ofthe offensive zone, and then Spykerman fired a quick return pass that Geno buried in the net at the 11:06 mark ofthe third. McGinnis scored the empty-netter on a power play with 13 seconds to go. McGinnis notched the first FHNE goal of the game too about ten minutes into that opening period off an assist from Hall. Hall put his team up 2-0 Caledonia sophomore Harmon Esch puts a check on the back of Forest Hills Northern-Eastern’s Simon Hall during the FHNE team’s 5-3 win over the visiting Scots at Patterson Ice Center Saturday in Grand Rapids. (Photo by Brett Bremer) with a power play goal off the loss. assists from Justin Halverson Howe was peppered with and McGinnis at the 1-4:15 29 Caledonia shots and saved mark ofthe second period. 26: Hoag made 18 saves in Caledonia is 4-6 after the loss. The Scots head to Walker Ice and Fitness Center to participate in the 3r^ Annual Walker Mayor’s Cup this weekend, Jan 5-6. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sun And News Description An account of the resource <strong>The Hastings Public Library wishes to thank Smith Imaging of Rockford, MI for their work digitizing the Sun &amp; News.</strong><br /><br />The Sun &amp; News is one of the older newspapers in Barry County, MI. All copies held by the Hastings Public Library have been scanned to PDF for easy public access. <br /><br />Available years cover 1981 - 2022.<br /><br />Note some years are incomplete while others are missing. Some missing issues during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 may be found in harcopies of The Reminder. The Library has these available upon request.<br /><br /><strong>See <a href="https://www.barrycountyhistoryportal.org/files/original/676/How_To_Use_Online_Newspapers_8x11.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">How to Use Online Newspapers</a> for more information about using and searching online newspapers.</strong> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Sun and News Published 2023 Subject The topic of the resource Newspaper.SunandNews Description An account of the resource Sun and News Published 2023. Specific issues may be incomplete or missing. Type The nature or genre of the resource PDF Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Newspaper Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource varies within year published Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/ Rights Holder A person or organization owning or managing rights over the resource. Hastings Public Library Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available unknown Date Accepted Date of acceptance of the resource. Examples of resources to which a Date Accepted may be relevant are a thesis (accepted by a university department) or an article (accepted by a journal). unknown