The Thornapple Arts Council’s 22nd annual  Jazz Fest  returns to downtown Hastings this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, bringing performances by student groups from around the state, combos, and adult groups to explore downtown businesses and to participate in the 158 performances across fifteen venues that are part of this years schedule.

With the exception of the Friday night headliner, every Jazz Fest performance is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served including the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra, Thursday evening at 7:30 at First Presbyterian Church.

Each year, the TAC Jazz Fest offers a special presentation focused on jazz history and diversity. This year, jazz duo Edye Evans Hyde and Michael Hyde present “Echoes of Harlem: Black Composers and the Great American Songbook”.  That performance take place at the Hastings High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm on Friday and tickets are still available.

Lane closures and a traffic shift for bridge work are scheduled for April 22 (Wednesday) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on M-43 (Broadway Street) over the Thornapple River. 

Hastings DPS crew will resume spring cleanup Tuesday, April 21st beginning at S. Church St and W. Walnut St.,  heading south and west.

In response to significant impacts from ongoing severe weather and flooding, and in anticipation of severe weather the remainder of the week, Barry County Emergency Management, along with 28 other counties, have declared a Local State of Emergency to support ongoing response and recovery efforts across the State of Michigan.

Primary areas of impact in Barry County include flooded areas along Thornapple River and Lake area, significant road damage throughout the County from heavy rain fall and an EF 1 tornado that impacted Prairieville, Hickory Corners, Johnstown and Assyria Townships.

Barry County is currently under a Flood Warning again, affecting the Thornapple River and Lake area. The flood level is anticipated to be similar to last week and forecasted to crest at level of 8.9 feet on Saturday April 18th.

The ongoing weather has caused widespread damage including downed trees and power lines, flooding, road closures, and structural damage. Emergency responders and Road Commission crews are actively working to assess damage, restore essential services, and ensure public safety.

Residents are urged to:
- Avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas.
- Stay clear of downed power lines and report hazards to local authorities.
- Follow guidance from local officials and monitor trusted information sources.
- Contact 211 if they have any immediate needs.

Declaring a local state of emergency allows Barry County to:
- Mobilize additional local resources
- Request assistance from regional and state partners
- Expedite emergency response and recovery operations

Damage Reporting:
Ongoing storm damage can be reported using the following link provided by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division for statewide use by residents for reporting damage following disasters. This information will be shared with Local Emergency Managers to assist with emergency response and recovery efforts: Self-Reporting Survey.

Protecting the health and safety of Barry County residents remains our top priority. Barry County Emergency Management will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. For the latest information, visit www.Facebook.com/BarryCountyEMD.

On Thursday, April 9th at 3:17pm Hastings Fire Department was dispatched to a report of deck on the backside of a single-family home that had caught on fire with heavy flames spreading through the structure. All occupants were reported out of the house when the Hastings Fire Department crew members arrived, and they quickly deployed hose lines to bring the fire under control; both with exterior and interior suppression efforts.

Subsequent Hastings units and Mutal Aid partners from Thornapple Township Emergency Services arrived and the fire was extinguished.  Fire crews remained on scene until 7pm in the evening performing overhaul operations, extinguishing hot spots, assisting residents with removing salvageable personal items and securing the home.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

On April 8th, 2026, the American Red Cross (ARC) conducted preliminary damage assessments in the Thornapple River Area in response to flooding. Based on their findings, in addition to Local Emergency Management assessments, the ARC is setting up an Assistance Center at Historic Charlton Park active April 10th-April 12th.

A minor flood warning was issued on Saturday, April 4, for the Thornapple River above Hastings. Flood conditions worsened over the following days, reaching moderate flood levels in the early morning hours of April 7. Water levels have since begun to recede, and the flood warning is expected to expire on Saturday, April 10.

The most impacted areas include residents at the end of Cogswell, Bridgepark, Superior and Howards Pointe which remain impacted as of April 9th. Approximately 125 residential structures have been affected. The number of displaced individuals is currently unknown due to the seasonal nature of many homes in these areas.

Assistance Center Information:
- Historic Charlton Park at South Charlton Park Rd. and Mission Dr
- Friday April 10 - Sunday April 12th 11 AM – 5 PM
- Resources available include cases of bottled water, pre-packaged clean up kits, snacks, and comfort kits that include basic necessities.

What affected community members should know:

Flooding can contaminate private wells with bacteria (germs), chemicals, dirt, and debris, making the water unsafe. Any well that has been flooded, or may have been impacted by floodwater, should be considered unsafe to use.  

Residents are advised to avoid drinking well water until floodwaters have fully receded and it is recommended that water be tested and confirmed safe. Bottled water is available through Barry County United Way thanks to their Fresh Food Initiative partnership with the South West Michigan Food Bank.

Bacteria well test kits are available at the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) Hastings Office (330 W. Woodlawn Ave., Hastings, MI 49058):
- $28 (Gun Lake Bacti)
- $16 (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Bacti)

For more information about the Assistance Center, call 211. For more information about flooding, health, and well testing contact the Barry-Eaton District Health Department at 517-543-2430.

Information regarding flood safety can be found at www.Ready.gov/floods.
Protecting the health and safety of Barry County residents remains our top priority. Updates will be shared as appropriate on Barry County Emergency Management Department on Facebook.

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two-vehicle serious injury traffic crash, which occurred Thursday afternoon on S M-66 Hwy and Tasker Rd, in Assyria Twp.

The preliminary investigation revealed a Toyota Camry was driving northbound at a high rate of speed, and a GMC Acadia was traveling southbound. The GMC Acadia turned east onto Tasker Rd into the path of the Toyota Camry. The vehicles collided and multiple occupants were ejected from the Acadia.

One of the occupants of the GMC, a 19-year-old male from Coldwater, was airlifted to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

Three other occupants of the GMC were transported to the hospital for their injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

Volunteers will fan out across the southern part of the state beginning Saturday to give the state highway roadsides their annual spring cleaning as Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) groups pick up litter from April 11 to 19.

Volunteers pick up litter three times each year. Statewide, there will be a summer pickup from July 11 to 19 and a fall pickup from Sept. 19 to 27.

"Our Adopt-A-Highway volunteers show their dedication to their communities each year by keeping the roadsides clean," said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. "These groups make a huge difference every year. Please help them stay safe while they’re out there. Please be alert for the volunteers and drive cautiously during the pickup periods."

As of last year, about 2,600 groups have adopted more than 6,000 miles of state highway through the program. An estimated 19,000 participants collected almost 40,000 bags of trash from the roadsides during the three annual pickup periods in 2025.

Sections of highway around the state are still available for adoption. A new interactive map on the AAH website shows what stretches of road are available. Groups are asked to adopt a section for at least two years. AAH signs bearing a group's name are posted along the stretch of adopted highway. There is no fee to participate.

AAH groups wear high-visibility, yellow-green safety vests required by federal regulations when working within a highway right of way. MDOT provides free vests and trash bags, and arranges to haul away the trash. Volunteers include members of various civic groups, businesses and families. Crew members must be at least 12 years old, and each group must number at least three people.

On Wednesday at 4:25PM the Barry County Sheriff’s Office responded to Head Lake in Hope Township where Monty Minshall, a 63 year old male was fishing from his flat bottom boat.  Deputies arrived on scene located the capsized boat and Minshall floating near the boat.  With the assistance of a lake resident’s paddle boat Deputies were able to pull him to shore. Minshall was pronounced dead at the scene.

This week  WBCH Radio and Barlow Florist of Hastings delivered blooming potted tulips to nearly 420 residents of Carveth Village in Middleville, Woodlawn Meadows, Clearstream Nursing & Rehab Center in Hastings, and Thornapple Manor.  The Easter flowers were made possible through the generosity of 30 area businesses.

Each resident of the four facilities received their own tulips to enjoy for Easter and spring.  At Thornapple Manor, the largest of the locations, local 4-H youth volunteered to help distribute the flowers to residents' rooms at their campus which includes the Manor, Harvest Point, and The Cottages.

Thanks to all our community minded sponsors for Sharing the Joy of Easter!

The Hastings Department of Public Works will begin the annual Spring cleanup starting Monday, April 6.
 

For curbside cleanup, city residents should pile sticks and branches separately from leaves, weeds, and other small compostable materials.  Pile materials in the yard just behind the curb.  Don't pile materials in the street or gutter, or block the sidewalk.

In Middleville,  yard waste collection will take place on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month starting April 13.  Grass, leaves, and other yard waste must be placed curbside in paper yard bags.  There will also be brush and tree limb pickup on the 4th Monday each month through October.

The Village of Nashville’s spring cleanup will be on each Monday in April.  Please place brush, weeds, leaves and normal yard waste curbside, and limit the amount put out each Monday to one truckload to allow the DPW crew time to get to all residents in one day.

The Hastings compost site will be open for the season on Mondays 3pm-6pm, and Saturdays 9am-2pm beginning Monday, March 30, 2026

Those eligible to use the site include:
City of Hastings residents (State issued ID as proof of residency within the city limits is required)
Non-Residents in the Algonquin Lake Area (Paid Compost Pass required, available for purchase at City Hall)

Not eligible to use the site:
• Non-residents
• Commercial contractors
• Any business or group charging for services

Materials accepted: Compostable waste generated within the City limits
• Grass clippings
• Leaves and sticks
• Paper compostable bags
• Branches less than 3” in diameter and shorter than 4’ in length

Ineligible materials:
• Materials generated by commercial contractors
• Materials generated by a business or group charging for services
• Food waste
• Compostable products or recyclable goods
• Plastic bags or other non-paper compostable bags
• Building materials, lumber, and rubber mulch
• Branches larger than 3” in diameter and longer than 4’ in length
• Large sections of wood or stumps
 

The City of Hastings Compost Drop Site is operated only during the warm weather months in spring, summer and fall seasons. Opening and closing dates are weather dependent and are subject to change without notice.

Independent Bank Corporation and HCB Financial Corp. announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which HCB will merge with Independent in a cash and stock transaction.  The partnership combines Michigan's  most people focused and community oriented franchises, strategically bolstering Independent's footprint in the high-growth corridor between Grand Rapids and Lansing.  Based on financial data as of December, 31 2025 the combined organization will have approximately $6.1 billion in total assets.  $5.3 billion in total deposits and $4.7 billion in total loans.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Highpoint Community Bank team and customers to Independent Bank", said Brad Kessel, President and CEO of Independent Bank Corporation. "This partnership is a perfect fit both geographically and culturally. By combining Highpoint's strong core deposit base and deep community roots with our expanded product set, we are better positioned to serve the families and businesses of Michigan while delivering meaningful value to our shareholders.

Mark Kolanowski, President and CEO of HCB Financial Corp. added, "Joining forces with Independent Bank, represents an exciting new chapter for our organization.  We have long respected Independents committment to community banking.  This merger strengthens our ability to serve customers with greater lending capacity and enhanced digital capabilities, while keeping our employees part of a Michigan-headquartered team rooted in and committed to our local communities.

The transaction has been unanimously approved by the respective Boards of each organization and is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals, the approval of HCB shareholders, and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions.

Hastings Mayor David Tossava is retiring from his elected position at the end of 2026.  He made the announcement public at the end of the Hastings City Council meeting on Monday.

Tossava stopped in at WBCH this week, saying that after thoughtful consideration he feels that the time is right for him to step down from the mayor’s post which he has proudly held since 2016. Prior to that, he served on the City Council for eight years. He was re-elected in 2024 and has two years remaining in his current term.

The mayor said that by announcing his decision now to step down early, the city can take advantage of the upcoming midterm elections, giving persons interested in running to be the next mayor time to complete nominating petitions and file by the deadline in April to be on the ballot.

Among the very long list of things Mayor Dave loves about Hastings, the Saint Patrick’s Day parade sponsored by WBCH is one of his many favorite events.  He is looking forward to greeting everyone at this year’s 20 th annnual parade on Tuesday, March 17th at 4:00pm in downtown Hastings for his last time as mayor.

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred on M-37 Highway near E. Bristol Road in Johnstown Township around 12:37pm Thursday.

Officers said their preliminary investigation revealed a 54 year old male from Battle Creek was traveling south on M-37 Hwy in a Kia Soul when he lost control on the wet roadway and went into the northbound lane, striking a Honda Civic driven by a 64 year old female from Battle Creek.  The male driver of the Kia was pronounced dead at the scene. The female driver of the Honda was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the crash.

The Barry County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Barry Township Police Department, Johnstown Township Fire, Life Care EMS, Barry
County Central Dispatch, Goldsworthy’s Towing, and the Michigan Department of
Transportation.

With the arrival of warmer temperatures,  seasonal weight restrictions are already being enforced on Barry County roads and in surrounding counties. With the frost exiting the roadbeds and rain in the forecast,  the Road Commission says gravel roads are hurting.  Road crews will be out as soon as conditions allow to make safe and effective improvements.

Meanwhile, MDOT says it expects to begin lifting annual spring weight restrictions on state highways south of I-94, on Monday, March 9^th.  All weight restrictions on state highways and trunklines north of I-94 remain in effect until further notice.

The City of Hastings is completing a road and utility improvement project on Green Street and Market Street.  The limits of the project include Green Street from Fish Hatchery Park to Broadway Street and Market Street from Green to W. State Street.

The project will include replacing the aging sanitary sewer system, storm water system, and water system (on Market Street only).  With water system improvements, water service lines classified as lead will be replaced from the road right of way into the home on both streets.  New concrete curb and gutter, new concrete drive approaches and a new asphalt road surface will be placed.  The roads will be striped with pavement markings to include bike lanes along the shoulders.  As part of the project, a mini-roundabout will be constructed at the Green and Market intersection to improve traffic flow.

The City of Hastings will hold an open-house Wednesday, March 4th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Barry Community Enrichment Center at 231 S. Broadway, Hastings.  Representatives from the City & Moore & Bruggink will be present to review this project and respond to any questions.

In partnership with Caledonia Township and the Kent County Road Commission, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is rebuilding 3 miles of M-37 (Broadmoor Avenue) in Caledonia Township and the village of Caledonia. The project is scheduled to begin March 1 and to be completed mid-September 2027.

The project involves extending the existing boulevard that ends north of 76th Street to 92nd Street to address operational and safety needs in this growing area.

Improvements include:

• Widening the roadway to a four-lane boulevard with indirect left-turns (Michigan Lefts).
• Installing new traffic signals with intersection improvements at 92nd, 84th and 76th streets, as well as a new traffic signal and improvements at the 84th Street/Cherry Valley Avenue intersection.
• Improve nonmotorized trails and connectivity, including a new multiuse path along the west side of M-37 at 84th Street.

Crews have already begun relocating utilities and clearing trees.

MDOT says M-37 will remain open with lane closures, flagging, and total closures at intersections. 84th Street will be closed on the east side of M-37 in coordination with a total closure of Cherry Valley Avenue from M-37 to just north of 84th Street.

It’s official… the 20 th annual WBCH Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was approved by the Hastings City Council to take place at 4pm on Tuesday, March 17.

Council also approved the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs concession sales and beer & wine sales during events at Thornapple Plaza for the 2026 season.

Other community events approved during Monday’s Hastings City Council meeting include:

An “Explore-The-Vehicle” event, conducted by Hastings Public Library on Wednesday, June 17 from 2 to 4pm in downtown parking lot #3.

The Thornapple Arts Council was authorized to sell merchandise and accept donations during their annual Jazz Festival April 23  through 25, and at “Hastings Live”  summer events from June through August.

In other business the Council approved $17,922 for repair of city Well #3,  and approved a city mowing and maintenance contract with J&C Lawn Solutions for 2026 for $79,000.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post are attempting to identify individuals throughout Southwest Michigan who have had contact with or entered into agreements with anyone claiming to represent Blue Frog Restorations.

Representatives of this company allegedly approach victims of storm damage and offer repair services on the condition that the homeowner signs over their insurance check.

If you or someone you know has been contacted by this company, you are urged to immediately discontinue all communication, cancel any agreements or payments, and contact D/Sgt. Ben Mahaffie at 269-845-6948.

Gun Lake Winterfest is thrilled to announce its annual winter celebration, set to take place this Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Gun Lake County Park. This year's festival promises a day filled with exciting activities, local flavors, and community spirit.

Event Highlights:
• Russo’s Winterfest Idol: Local talents have been competing since January, with the top three winners receiving cash prizes. The final performances will be showcased on the main stage.

• United Bank Polar Dip: Brave participants can take a refreshing plunge into Gun Lake with a low entry fee of $10, aiming to make this the largest Polar Dip to date.

• Birdie Blizzard Disc Golf Tournament: In partnership with Innova Discs, this fifth annual tournament welcomes players of all levels to a 9-hole course at Yankee Springs Township Park.

• Warming Tent: Complete with kid’s area, local vendors, and raffle baskets

• New this year: Broomball/hockey Score-O, Orangeville Jail, fun games including cornhole, Yardzee, and more!

• Main Stage Entertainment: The day's schedule includes:

o 11:00 AM: Opening Ceremony by the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of
Pottawatomi Indians
o 11:30 AM: Remembering our friend Eric Redstone
o 11:45 AM: Winterfest Logo Winner Announcement
o 11:50 AM: Magician Alan Kazam's Show
o 12:30 PM: Gun Lake Price is Right – Audience participation
o 12:45 PM: Russo’s Gun Lake Idol Winners Perform
o 1:15 PM: Vernors Chugging Contest
o 1:30 PM: Pizza Eating Contest
o 2:00 PM: Let’s Make a Deal
o 2:20 PM: Hot Wings Challenge Finalists
o 2:45 PM: Winterfest Chili Contest Winner Announced
o 3:00 PM: Polar Dip

To enhance accessibility, a free trolley service will transport attendees between Gun Lake Park, local businesses, Birdie Blizzard, and designated parking areas, courtesy of our generous local business sponsors.

The Gun Lake Winterfest is a cherished community event, dedicated to bringing families together, supporting local businesses during the off-season, and raising funds for local charities. This year, we are proud to collaborate with the North Country Trail Association Chief Noonday Chapter.

For the latest updates, including parking information and a detailed schedule of events, please visit our official website at gunlakewinterfest.com or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/GunLakeTourism