After failing to meet a quorum at the September 20^th Committee of the Whole meeting,  the Barry County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday with a light agenda.

Commissioners accepted the letter of resignation from Susanne Huebner as Remonumentation Program Grant Administrator, and appointed County Administrator Michael Brown as Grant Administrator.

The Board gave approval to apply for a US EPA Community-Wide Assessment Grant to fund environmental assessment projects for potential Brownfield redevelopment sites in Barry County.

Commissioners also approved a Master Engagement Agreement with MGT of America Consulting to prepare a central services cost allocation plan for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024.

The Hastings City Council met Monday night and heard a presentation from Friends of Barry County Parks and Trails in support of a millage request for Historic Charlton Park that will be on the ballot in November.  County voters will of be asked to approve a renewal of .2191 mills, plus an increase of 3-cents per mill to offset the Headlee rollback.  If approved, the owner of a $100,000 property would pay $3 more per year than the current amount. 

The Council approved the Dog Park Ordinance that establishes the rules and regulations for the park,  and also approved purchasing dog agility equipment, benches, a water station and waste station for the dog park.

Green Street will be closed from Broadway to Cass Street on Monday, October 31st from 5 to 8pm for Halloween trick-or-treating as in prior years.

The Council approved a Purchase and Development agreement with General Capital to build a housing development on West State Street on the city-owned property between Broadway and Park Streets. General Capital originally had planned to build on the former Royal Coach site. The development on West State Street will include 45 or more low and medium income housing units.

In other action, Council approved a contract for fencing and gates for Water Tower security in the amount of $42,872.  Also approved was $14,652 for planting trees along city streets.
 

State Police Troopers said an 83 year old woman was shot Friday evening while passing out pamphlets in Ionia County. The Shooting happened at home.

The woman was shot in the shoulder after a verbal altercation transpired. She then drove herself to the Lake Odessa Police Station.

Hastings  52  Harper Creek  6

Lakewood  47  Harbor Springs  0

Lawton  53  Delton 0

Northpoint Christian  53  Maple Valley  6

South Christian 43  Tk Middleville   2

For the fifth consecutive year, Spectrum Health Pennock has been recognized with a Maternity Care Excellence Award from the Economic Alliance for Michigan (EAM).

EAM, a nonprofit group comprised of Michigan’s largest employers and unions, announced the annual awards September 15, recognizing hospitals throughout Michigan that have demonstrated excellence and improvement in maternity care and delivery outcomes.

“We’re very excited to again earn this award and proud of our birthing center nurses, providers and quality team in keeping the safety of our mothers the absolute highest priority,” said Steve Marzolf, chief nursing officer of Spectrum Health Pennock.

Only thirteen hospitals in Michigan earned an excellence award for 2022. This marks the fifth year for the awards. Pennock Hospital in Hastings has earned the distinction each year.

Spectrum Health United Hospital in Greenville, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial in Fremont and Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital in Zeeland were also recognized with an excellence award.

The awards are part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. Created in 2018, the project goals are to decrease the state’s infant mortality rate, reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections, and be an educational resource for new and expecting parents residing in Michigan.

For the award, hospitals were evaluated in four areas: cesarean rates (less than 23.6% of low-risk deliveries), episiotomy rates (less than 5% of deliveries), elective early delivery rates (less than 5% of deliveries), and maternity care processes (90% or greater). The data is from the 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Survey performed by The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C. based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers.

below:  Pennock Family Birthing Center nurses

Monday night, the Hastings Area School System Board of Education held its September Board meeting at Central Elementary School. The meeting began with an introduction of new staff members hired for the 2022-2023 school year. Hastings Area School System has hired more than 65 new staff members over the past two years.

Amber Mitchell, principal of Central Elementary – along with teacher leaders Jill Smith, Stephanie Wenger and Matt Flessner – presented on the increased technology use within the school for reading success. Central Elementary set a goal of 60% proficiency in reading in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade and exceeded that goal with 63% proficiency.

The Board took action on two travel study requests for the Hastings High School Choir trip to Chicago and the Hastings Middle School Youth in Government trip to Lansing.

The Board approved the District’s Professional Development Plan and a resolution for the financing of four new buses which will be arriving in November.

Lastly, the Board approved the purchase of a used work van for the maintenance department, and received a donation from DB Design in the amount of $1,550 for Pick-Up Lane signs at Southeastern Elementary School.

The next Hastings Board of Education meeting will be held at Hastings Middle School on October 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

Hastings  49  Coldwater  0

Delton  14  Allegan  6

Concord  18  Maple Valley  16

Lakewood  31  Perry  17

Tk Middleville  Ottawa Hills  Cancelled

80 year old Richard Marsh long time owner of Richies Koffee Shop in Hastings died Wednesday morning following a long illiness. 

Richard started his restaurant career in 1961 at Speeds Coffee Shop in Battle Creek.

In 1979 Richard and his wife opened Richies Koffee Shop in Hastings.

Visitation at the Girrbach Funerlal Home in Hastings is Sunday September 25th.

1:00 pm-3:00 pm and 5:00 pm-7:00 pm

Barry County United Way Campaign Kick-Off and Day of Caring is Thursday, Sept.15th at 8:00a.m. at the Barry County Expo Center,  Rich Franklin Barry Intermediate School District Superintendent, reminds us of this year's theme United Now More Than Ever..This year's campaign goal is to raise $700,000.  The Barry County United Way continues to be the organization that you can count on to bring people together to build an even stronger community. 100% of your gifts stay in Barry County and are utilized for programs and service.  Your organization can engage our community in being a part of the campaign by attending the kick off, host and employee campaign,or volunteer for Day of Caring events.  Contact the Barry County United Way at 269-945-4010

Hastings resident Iris Loftus had the experience of a lifetime when she was 19 years old in London, England where she was born and raised.

The day she took the picture she was working in Her Majestry's Stationary Store not far from Buckingham Palace in 1953.

Queen Elizabeth was riding in an open carriage the day after her coronation when 

Iris took the picture from the second story window.

Iris said. " I was so thrilled to see the Queen, I will always remember that special day."

Iris will celebrate her 90th birthday Saturday September 17th.

UPDATE: The Michigan Dept. of Transportation reported at 2:20am Thursday morning that the intersection has been cleared and is re-opened.

UPDATE: 4:37 pm   Heavy equipment is now on the scene in an attempt to remove the hugh press and semi tracter that broke down Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of M-66 and M-79  near Mooville in Nashville. The Press and semi tractor has  been in the intersection for over 24 hours.

Shortly after 4:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon a large heavy press being transported to Battle Creek from Flint broke down at the intersection of M-66 and M-79 near Mooville in Nashville. As of Wednesday morning time the intersection is still blocked.

State Police Troopers investigated a motorcycle crash in Barry County's Prairieville Township on Sunday.

The driver was killed when his motorcycle crashed at the intersection of Milo and Parker roads.

32 year old Nicholas Probol of Grand Rapids failed to slow down and rear ended another motorcycle he was following.  Probol was pronounced dead at the scene. The other motorcyclist suffered non-life threatening injuries.

The State Police are reporting three motorcyclists have died in accidents in the past eight days including Probol.

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them. That is why Michigan State
Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is encouraging Michigan residents to take steps to prepare for emergencies during Michigan’s Preparedness Month.

Throughout September, the MSP/EMHSD is joining federal, state and local governments, as well as private and public organizations, in supporting emergency preparedness initiatives. Agencies nationwide are uniting under the theme “A Lasting Legacy” to encourage everyone to protect the life they have built and create a lasting legacy for their families by preparing for disasters before they strike.

“Preparedness Month is an important reminder that all Michiganders play a role in keeping our state safe and healthy,” said Governor Whitmer. “We have faced a lot of challenges over the last couple of years and we know more disasters and emergencies may happen in Michigan, but if everyone does their part to
take action and prepare, we can get through tough times together.”

So far in 2022, Governor Whitmer has approved more than 1.2 million dollars in Disaster and Emergency Contingency Funds (DECF) to help communities recover from disasters, but now is the time for Michiganders to take action to prepare for disasters and emergencies before they happen. 

“Over the past few years, Michigan has experienced disasters from flooding, to tornadoes, winter storms and even a pandemic, which can delay critical services and first responders,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “That’s why we encourage households to take this opportunity to create emergency preparedness kits with food, water and a first-aid kit that allows them to be self-sustaining for at least 72 hours.”