Our Just Pay Half today is for Butcher Block Social, the new restaurant in Caledonia. You can buy up to $50 worth of certificates for half price by going to WBCH.com and clicking on Just Pay Half. Justin, the owner of Butcher Block Social joined Chad this morning on the air to tell us all about the restaurant. Click to listen below:

Monday April 15th the Hastings School Board held interviews for Superintendent at the Hastings Middle School Commons with Beth Stevens, Assistant Superintendent with Hastings Area School System and Raphael Rittenhouse, Superintendent, Gull Lake Community Schools.

Friday, April 19th the School Board will interview Jaym Abraham, Principal at Caledonia Community Schools at 4pm.   Carol Dawson, Principal with Grant Public Schools at 5:15pm and Dr. Nick Damico, Principal at Delton Kellogg Schools at 6:30pm. The Inteviews will be held at Hastings Middle School Commons and Hastings Residents and staff are invited to attend.

As of Monday, motorists using M-43 north of Hastings will have to seek an alternative route between Barber Road and Usborne Road west of Carlton Center. 

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing $3 million to rebuild the M-43 (Carlton Center Road) bridge over the Coldwater River.  The total road closure is projected to end this fall by October 1st. 

MDOT is detouring highway traffic through Nashville on M-37, M-79, and M-66. Local traffic will need to detour the area using county roads.

Sara Edelman from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute joined WBCH on the air with the Nature News and all the exciting upcoming events at Piece Cedar Creek! Click to listen below:

Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center held their Victory Celebration Thursday Afternoon.   The organization's Fund Raising goal was $750,000.  They were able to raise $780,646.49 it is the most the United Way has raised in a single campaign.

During a traffic stop Tuesday night around 5:30 pm on M-43 near Hickory in Prairieville Twp, Barry Co., MSP Wayland post troopers arrested 2 occupants, both male and from Delton. First on outstanding warrants & the second for felony firearms & possession w/intent to deliver meth & analogues.  During the search of the vehicle, a suspected pipe/ cannon bomb was located. MSP Bomb Squad responded to the scene to safely remove & disable it. Troopers were assisted by Prairieville Twp PD, Barry County Sheriff, Hickory Corners Fire Depart., & Life Care Ambulance.

Hastings City Council met Monday evening and took action on following;

Approved request from the YMCA to hold their yearly summer programs at Fish Hatchery Park from June 17th through August 9th, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 1:00p.m.

The Council Accepted with regret the resignation of Council member Bill Nesbitt from the Library Board and Airport Commmission.

Council approved the Mayor's appointments  of Council member Norm Barlow to the Library Board and Approved Council member John Resseguie to the Airport Commission.

Council approved a contract for chip sealing from Ace Asphalt and Paving in the amount of $178,035.

Council approved a purchase order for 5,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline from Crystal Flash in the amounty of $13,100.

Council approved the purchase of a Digital Watchdog CCTV surveillance system from Riverside Integrated Systems Inc. in the amount of $8,219.

Council directed staff to maintain the closure of the RV Dump Station.

The Council scheduled the FY 2024-2025 budget workshop for April 22, 2024 at 6pm.

Hastings Board of Education met Monday evening to review applications for the district's next Superintendent.  Board members were unanimous in selecting five applicants who best match the community developed candidate profile.  They are:

Jaym Abraham, a Principal at Caledonia

Dr. Nick Damico, a Principal at Delton Kellogg

Carol Dawson, a Principal at Grant

Raphael Rittenhouse, Superintendent at Gull Lake

Beth Stevens, an Assistant Superintendent in Hastings

Interviews will be held on April 15th and April 19th in the Hastings Middle School Commons.   The staff and community are encouraged to participate

Middleville DDA currently has three open positions.  The DDA members attend monthly meetings, review meeting packets from the DDA Director prior to the meeting, consider and act on plans to enhance the downtown district, promote economic growth, and foster new opportunities for developement.  The DDA board operates under the Michigan Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act 57 of 2018.  For more information regarding DDA Board Member duties and responsibilities contact the DDA Director,Gretchen@middlevilledda.org.

The DDA Board Member application can be found http://middlevilledda.org/documents  or at the Middleville Village Hall, 100 E. Main Street.

Delton Kellogg Schools posted on Facebook that they will have a half day on Monday, April 8th.  This decision has been made in light of the Solar Eclipse, with peak time expected around 3:11p.m.  For student safety, the decision to not have busses run their afternoon routes during the Solar Eclipse and concern for distracted drivers on the road and students exiting the busses safely errs on the side of caution.  Viewing the eclipse without proper eye protection can be harmful by ending the school day early students can have the opportunity to safely observe the eclipse with their family.

DK Daycare (Panther Clubhouse) will be open for the half day.

Spring Athletic coaches will communicate with their teams for the Monday plan.

As the historic Solar Eclipse approaches this Monday April 8th, Maple Valley Public Schools have changed their school day schedule for this Monday to a half day.

Superintendent Dr. Katherine Bertolini said "The peak of the eclipse will occur during our typical release and transport time home.  Because we do not have sufficient staff to supervise students for their safety, we are going to dismiss school according to our half day schedule. Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious eye damage. Therefore, it's important for everyone, especially our students, to stay safe while viewing the eclipse."

Bertolini asks parents to please talk to your children about the importance of not looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection. They should use approved solar viewing glasses or viewers that meet safety standards to observe the eclipse safely. These glasses can be purchased locally and online using the ACE Hardware app if you want to plan a family event to watch the eclipse safely. 

For more information on eye safety during a solar eclipse, visit https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/eyewear-viewers

On Monday afternoon Allegan County Central Dispatch received a call of an injury crash 104^th Ave near 18^th St in Otsego Township. When Officers arrived on it was found a bicyclist was struck by a motorist. The bicyclist suffered serious injuries and is listed in critical condition. The driver of the vehicle was uninjured. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Alcohol and speed are not believed to be a factor in the crash and there is currently an ongoing investigation.

The names of the involved are not being released at this time and the case is being investigated by the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office.

The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Otsego Police Department, Otsego Fire Department, Plainwell EMS, and Allegan Central Dispatch.

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single vehicle fatal traffic crash, which occurred Monday morning on Devine Rd. near Thornapple Lake Rd. in Castleton Twp.

The preliminary investigation revealed a Chevrolet Aveo was traveling north on Devine Rd. The driver of the Chevrolet was a 32 year old male from Vermontville. The vehicle left the roadway to the right where it collided with an embankment and rolled.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle and was found unresponsive. Despite lifesaving efforts he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

Assisting agencies included the Nashville Fire Department, Nashville EMS, Michigan State Police, Barry County Central Dispatch, Goldsworthy’s Towing, Western Medicine Office of the Medical Examiner.

On Wednesday, March 27,  WBCH and Barlow Florist delivered fresh blooming potted tulips to over 400 residents of Carveth Village, Woodlawn Meadows, Clearstream Rehab & Nursing Center,  and Thornapple Manor–Cottages–Harvest Pointe to wish them all Happy Easter.

This is an annual project called “Sharing the Joy of Easter” and is made possible by title sponsors Pat Doezema Realty Group and Gun Lake Casino, as well as over 30 other local businesses that generously sponsor the program which is spearheaded each year by WBCH.

It gladdens the hearts of the residents and their faces ‘light up’ when they receive their own tulip plants that they can enjoy and care for in their rooms,  marking the early Spring and Easter season.  After the plants have stopped blooming, the bulbs can be transplanted outdoors around the nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Sara Edelman with an update on activities and events at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute!

Hastings Birch Fire Department has free Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms for residents in the Hastings District.   The Fire Department welcomes the opportunity to visit facilities to discuss fire safety and awareness.

There is also a new Burn Permit phone number, 269-945-5384 ext. 1. Permits are available Monday thru Friday 7am to 4pm.  If calling outside business hours, please leave a detailed message and your call will be returned during business hours.

Michigan lawmakers introduced a new bill this week that would  rename a section of freeway M-6 after 25 year old Keagan Spencer of Hastings, a tow truck driver who was struck and killed while trying to rescue a dog.

Michigan State Police said a car went out of control near Kraft Avenue, crossed over the road and hit Spencer..  The new bill if passed would rename M-6 to "Keagan Spencer Memorial Highway" between Kalamazoo Avenue and 60th Street.

Michigan State Police Wayland Post troopers are investigating a single vehicle  rollover crash that occurred Tuesday March 5 around 7:00 p.m. on eastbound 134th Ave near 42nd St, in Heath Twp. The driver, identified as a 49-year-old Hamilton man, suffered life-threatening injuries, and was initially taken to Holland Hospital for care. He was later transferred to Grand Rapids Butterworth Hospital where he died.

Police say the driver loss control while traveling east on 134th Ave, ran off the roadway then overturned before colliding into a fence. Evidence at the scene suggested the driver was not wearing his seatbelt and that alcohol is believed to be a factor.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Allegan County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton Fire/ Rescue, and Holland AMR Ambulance.

This crash remains open pending further investigation.

The Barry Conservation District was awarded a $196,500 grant to help fight invasive species.

The grant, which will be utilized for the Barry, Calhoun and Kalamazoo Cooperative Invasive Species Management area, is one of 31 similar projects across the state that received a portion of the $3.6 million allocated by the Michigan Invasive Species program according to officials.

Hastings City Police Chief Dale Boulter said that as of March 1st,  city police will end enforcement of the 2am - 6am No Parking restriction on city streets. 

Boulter said if we do receive another snow event this season that city crews would appreciate if  you would voluntarily remove vehicles from the streets between 2am and 6am for ease of snow removal. 

The No Parking 2am - 6am enforcement will go back into effect on November 1st.

In the closed Michigan Primary Election Tuesday there were no big surprises in Barry County as Democratic voters gave Joe Biden 2,430 votes with 364 uncommitted.

Republicans gave Donald Trump 6,794 votes,  Nikki Haley 2,357 votes, with 283 uncommitted.

The  County E-911 Millage Renewal passed,  8,166 Yes to  4,590 No.

In the Lakewood School District,  an Operating Millage Renewal was approved by both Barry County and Ionia County voters in the school district.

As far as the turnout,  27.3% of Barry County’s 48,860 registered voters cast their votes:

   953 during the nine day early voting,

   5,232 by Absentee ballot,

   7,149 voted in-person on Tuesday.  

Polls are open from 7am to 8pm Tuesday for Michigan’s Presidential Primary Election.  This follows nine days of early voting in which local turnout was extremely low, for example, in the City of Hastings, fewer than 100 total votes were cast during the nine days of early voting.  

In the primary, voters must request either a Republican, Democratic, or “Proposal Only” ballot.

Locally, the only county-wide proposal is for E-911 Operating Millage Renewal.

The Barry County Road Commission Seasonal speed and weight restrictions will be lifted in Barry County beginning Friday, March 1st at 6:00a.m.

Due to staff illness the Woodland dining center will be closed Monday, February 26th.

A 33 year old Hastings man is in jail following a domestic violence incident where he held a women in her home with a compound bow. Hastings Police were called to a home on Boxwood Drive on saturday.

Upon arrival, police  found the door to the home open and a screen door shut.

After trying to speak with the man through the screen door, he came  to the door with a compound bow. officers continued to negotiate with him  in an attempt to get him out of the home. With no succes, the Barry County Sheriff's Entry team was able to enter the home and take the man into custody.

The woman in the house with a  18-month child, suffered a cut on her hand, which she said was caused from the broadhead as she pushed the bow away from her.