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Local News Archives for 2023-03

Overnight Parking Enforcement in Hastings Lifted

Hastings Police Chief Dale Boulter has announced that as of midnight, April 1st, 2023,  the Hasting Police Department will stop enforcing the 2am-6am parking ordinance.

 

In the event of snowfall, those who park on the street are asked to move their vehicles for the removal of snow from the roadway.  The City of Hastings thanks you for your cooperation during the winter months.

 

Hastings City Council news

The Hastings City Council this week held a public hearing for the Downtown Development Authority.  The existing DDA plan was approved in 2008 and would be good for another 2 years,  but in order to commit the funds to pay back a loan for the Downtown Hastings Streetscape Project scheduled for this summer,  the DDA is being amended and re-authorized now for the maximum allowable 30 years.  There will be no other significant changes at this time to the plan… the move was recommended by a Citizens Area Council made up of residents in the DDA district.  Final approval is set for the April 10th council meeting.

 

The City Council held a separate public hearing to receive comments regarding application for a Natural Resources Trust Grant to cover 50% of the cost to renovate the restrooms at Fish Hatchery Park with matching funds from the city.

 

The Hastings City Council approved new increased water and sewer rates for the next five years.  Effective with the July bills,  typical homeowners will see their monthly bill increase by approximately $8. 

 

The City Council also approved spending $28,786 with McGrath Consulting Group for a Fire Department Assessment to evaluate operations.  It is part of the ongoing process by the Emergency Services Building Committee that is in the planning stage to replace the aging Fire Department building.

State Police Issue "Spoofing Calls" Warning

The Michigan State Police (MSP) Wayland Post and Fifth District Regional Dispatch fielded numerous complaints on Wednesday, March 22, from Michigan residents who reported receiving “spoof” phone calls using the Wayland post telephone number: 269-792-2213. Several complaints came into the Wayland post which covers Allegan and Barry County. 

 

The suspect callers are informing residents that they either have warrants or are being investigated by the MSP. To avoid being arrested, residents are being asked for money in various forms of payment.

 

MSP is reminding the public that although their agency may contact you via telephone regarding an investigation, warrant, or other official business, they will always identify ourselves by our rank and name. They will also provide a badge number upon request. Additionally, while the MSP may advise a resident over the phone about a warrant for their arrest and a bond amount, they will never ask for you to send money.


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. 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, and Cash App.


Complaints received this week regarding similar spoof calls have been reported in the Berrien, Oakland, and Wexford County.

 

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 information such as a social security number, or otherwise appears suspicious, please end the call, and notify your local MSP post.

City of Hastings Public Visioning Session

The City of Hastings is holding a public  Economic Development and Marketing Strategies, Visioning Session. Hastings residents are invited to share and provide feed back about Hastings, it's strengths, challenges and opportunities.  Wednesday, March 22nd, 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Barry County Enrichment Center Leason Sharp Hall, 231 S. Broadway.

St. Rose Church Hastings

St. Rose Catholic Church in Hastings opened it doors Sunday after being closed for two years as the result of a fire that caused heavy damage to the interior of the historic church.

Parishners and other community members joined the two hour re-dedication ceremony led by Bishop Bradley of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

 

Annual Hastings St. Patrick's Day Parade - Watch the Video!

Despite the chilly weather there was a good turnout and plenty of smiles for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Friday.  Pictured below is our favorite leprechaun, Hastings Mayor Dave Tossava!

 

Please watch the parade video at this YouTube link, compliments of Steve White and Flying High Productions:

https://youtu.be/lQ1x9TdbQyk 

 

 

 

Middleville DDA Welcomes New Director

Middleville DDA welcomes Emily Lee as their new director! Emily is a long-time resident of Middleville, Trojan alumni and mom of two in TK schools! Emily holds a Bachelors in Communications and Masters in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University. She is looking forward to this new opportunity in her community!

St. Rose Church Celebration

A special re-opening and dedication celebration at St. Rose Church on South Jefferson street in Hastings will be held this Sunday at 3-pm. Over two years ago and an early morning fire caused heavy damage to the interior of the church. Since the fire the church has been closed with construction and repairs taking place.

 

Lakewood Board of Education names Jodi Duits as Superintendent

On Monday evening, the Lakewood Board of Education collectively and unanimously removed “interim” from Jodi Duit’s title with full confidence in her ability to lead Lakewood in their mission of preparing students for the future.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Jamie Brodbeck-Krenz, President stated that "Mrs. Duits brings extensive, successful experience as an elementary school teacher, principal, director of curriculum, instruction, assessment and school improvement, and most recently served as interim superintendent. Mrs. Duits distinguished herself as a dedicated leader and has earned deep respect from her instructional colleagues, administrators, teachers, parents, and students."

 

More formal communications have been sent to staff and parents.

Multi-Vehicle Crash involving Ionia County Road Department Plow

The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle crash on west bound I-96 west of Jordan Lake road early Friday morning.

 

Deputies say a 2015 Mercedes Benz driven by a 25-year-old man from Rockford was traveling west on I-96 when he approached an Ionia County Road Dept. truck plowing in the left lane. The driver attempted to slow down, which caused his car to slide into the side of a semi-truck-tractor driven by a 52-year-old Fowlerville man. That impact and collision then caused the Mercedes to run into the rear of the Plow Truck.

 

The driver of the Mercedes was treated and released with minor injuries. The drivers of the Ionia Road Department Truck and the semi-truck were uninjured.

 

The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists that regardless of weather conditions it is the motorist’s responsibility to always keep their vehicle under control, and speed should be reduced on slippery roads.

Friday Cancellations

Hastings Public Library opening at 11AM today- all Friday activities cancelled.

Commission On Aging- No meals on wheels deliveries and dining center closed.

Barry County Court Offices-Closed 

 

 

 

OWI crash causes serious injury

Michigan State Police (MSP) Wayland post troopers are investigating a two-vehicle injury crash occurring Wednesday March 8 around 7:38 p.m. upon Division St. and 142nd Ave in Leighton Township.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the driver of a Honda minivan headed southbound on Division St. was stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Division St. and 142nd Ave. The driver of a GMC pickup also headed southbound on Division St. failed to stop and rear-ended the Honda. The driver of the pickup fled the scene without stopping to render aid or report a crash.
Through investigations at the scene, troopers were able to locate the pickup and suspect driver at a nearby residence. While speaking with the driver, a 53-year-old Wayland man, troopers detected the smell of alcohol and signs of intoxication. Following sobriety tests, the driver was temporarily detained for additional and more conclusive testing.
When those results are obtained, a copy of the final report will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office for operating while intoxicated (OWI) causing serious injury charges. With only minor injuries, it is unknown if the suspect driver was wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Honda minivan, a 63-year-old Byron Center woman, suffered minor injuries. Her passengers, four young children from the Wayland area, were all transported to Devos Children’s Hospital. While three of them were treated and released, one remains in intensive care with serious injuries. The driver and all the children were wearing proper seatbelts.

Snow Update

 

A heavy snowfall during the night has closed a number of schools across lower michigan.

11-inches of new snow fell in Hastings during the night with another two inches expected today.  Hastings has now received 70 inches of snow this winter season according to the Hastings National Weather Service Climatological Station.

 

VA Information Event Coming to Barry County

A Veteran Affairs Information Event will be held Thursday, March 9th from noon to 3:00p.m. at the Barry Expo Center; Presented by the Veterans Affairs Health Administration of Battle Creek.   Representatives wilL be on site to anwer questions about VA Eligibility and Enrollment, PACT Act, Federal & State VA Benefits, Filing Claims and MyHealtheVet.   Toxic Exposure Screening will also be available.  For on-site Enrollment, bring your DD214 and previous year's tax statement.

 

Any Veteran or survivor can learn more about PACT Act by visiting www.VA.gov/PACT

or by calling 1-800-MY-VA-411

 

 

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