The Delton Kellogg Public Schools Board of Education is excited to announce the selection of 4 Finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools

On Tuesday evening, May 28, 2024, the Delton Kellogg Board of Education met in a special session to review 12 applications submitted for the Superintendent of Delton Kellogg Public Schools position. After thoroughly reviewing all the applicants, the Delton Kellogg Board of Education selected four candidates for initial interviews.

The four initial interviews will be held on Monday, June 3, 2024, in the Delton Kellogg Elementary School Gymnasium. The individuals who will be interviewed at the designated times are as follows:

Noah Wilson – Director, Marshall Academy (6:00 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.)

Jeremy Wright – High School Principal, Plainwell Community Schools (7:00 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.)

Melissa Remillard – Associate Superintendent of School Improvement

Holland Public Schools (8:00 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.)

Paul Fulce – Former Superintendent/Principal, Holly Park Academy (9:00 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.)

These interviews are open to the public. Staff, students, and community members who choose to attend will be provided with written opportunities to give input to the Board of Education members following each interview.

On Friday, May 24, Matthew Goebel,  former Hastings Area Schools Superintendant, died after bravely battling cancer for the past year. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

Friends and colleagues said Matt Goebel “was more than just an administrator; he was a visionary leader, a mentor, and a friend to many of us. His unwavering dedication to our school community, coupled with his warmth and compassion, made a significant impact on each of us.”

“During his tenure, Goebel demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding our school with integrity, passion, and a commitment to excellence. His legacy will forever be imprinted on the Hastings Area School System and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”

Visitation will be held at O'Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home, located on Cascade Road, Grand Rapids, on Friday, May 31st, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will take place at St. Robert Parish in Ada on Saturday, June 1st. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by the Mass at 11:00 AM.

Tuesday, May 28^th The Board of Education will meet in the Elementary School Multipurpose room at 8:00pm in a closed session to review all the applicants for the Superintendent of Delton Kellogg Public Schools Position.   Following the closed session, the Board of Education will reconvene in an open session to announce the candidates they have selected to interview. 

5:00pm, Monday June 3^rd the Board of Education will meet in the Upstairs Multipurpose Room at the Elementary School to interview its selected candidates for the position of Superintendent of Delton Kellogg Schools.  The public is invited to attend the interviews and provide written feedback to the Board members following each interview.

5:00pm, Monday June 10^th the Board of Education will meet in the Upstairs Multipurpose Room in the Elementary School to interview the finalists for the position of Superintendent of Delton Kellogg Schools.  The Public is invited to attend and provide written feedback to the Board members following each interview. Following the interviews the Board of Education will deliberate to determine the individual who will be offered the position of Superintendent of Delton Kellogg Schools.

Several area communities will hold ceremonies, parades and events to observe Memorial Day and honor our nation's fallen heroes:

Hastings

The Lawrence J. Bauer American Legion Post 45 will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade at 9:30am.  The Parade will form at the corner of Boltwood and State Streets at 8:30am and travel west on State Street to North Broadway, North on Broadway to the Veteran's Memorial where two wreaths will be placed, one honoring all veterans and one a POW-MIA wreath.  A rifle salute will be followed by Taps, there will be a short presentation honoring all veterans.

Next stop will be on the Broadway Bridge to place a wreath in the Thornapple River in honor of military personnel who have served on and under the seas.  The Honor Guard will fire a rifle salute, followed by Taps.

Riverside Cemetery will be the final stop at the GAR Monument at the end of the Avenue of Flags where Memorial Day ceremonies will be held.  The grave of the most recently buried Veteran at Riverside Cemetery will receive the final wreath and honors of the event.

No political signs, banners, posters, sirens or horns will be allowed in the parade and participants will not be allowed to distribute handouts or candy to spectators.

Woodland

A Memorial Day Service will be held at Woodland Cemetery on Velte Rd. at 10am. 

Lake Odessa

The Jackson Mutschler VFW Post 4461 will participate in the Clarksville Memorial Day Parade at 8:30am Monday, then at the Woodland cemetery service at 10am.  At 11am a Memorial Day Service will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Lake Odessa.

Nashville

The Nashville VFW Post 8260 Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday at 11am beginning at the Fishing Dock on Philadelphia Street where flowers are placed in the river in memory of sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice. A 21 Gun Salute will complete the ceremony. 

The VFW Color Guard and Maple Valley Junior/Senior High Bands will travel south on Main Street to the Fire Barn to commemorate those firemen who have served or sacrificed their lives for the community.  The parade will continue to the VFW Post where the Band will board busses to the cemetery.  At Lakeview Cemetery, VFW Post members will raise the flag and perform a 21-gun salute while the band performs the National Anthem. Classic cars, scouts and bicycles with a patriotic theme are encouraged to join the parade.

Hickory Corners

Annual Memorial Day activities will be held in Hickory Corners starting with a pancake breakfast served from 7:00 to 9:30am at the fire station.   

The Memorial Day Parade begins at 10am. Some of the highlights of the parade include the Shriner’s Mini-T’s, the Gull Lake High School and Delton High School bands.  The parade has been held in Hickory Corners for over 60 years and includes tractors, horses and carriages, fire trucks, floats, classic cars, scout troops, 4-H members and local children on decorated bikes.

Parade coordinator Chris Reed said weather permitting, they also hope to have a flyover. After the parade, Memorial Services will be held at East Hickory Cemetery. Guest speaker will be retired Col. Frank J. Walker.

Following memorial services, Hot Dog and Pulled Pork baskets will be available at the Simmonds Williams American Legion Post 484 in Hickory Corners, open to the public.

Gun Lake Memorial Day Cruise

The 5^th annual Gun Lake Memorial Day Cruise, honoring all who served, is Monday May 27th.  Staging begins at Gun Lake Community Church at 9:00am.  The Cruise begins at 11:00am and ends around noon. The Cruise will end at the Chief Noonday Car Park, as they are hosting a “Cruise In” Event. This show is open to anyone who’d like to show off their ride, or who’d like to come and hang out. There will be multiple food trucks vendors on site, along with music and fun for the whole family.

Orangeville

Orangeville hosts a Memorial Ceremony annually on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend at 2:00p.m.  at the Veteran’s Memorial in Orangeville.

Prairieville

Prairieville will hold a Memorial Day Parade starting at 1pm and Service at the veterans Monument in the cemetery. All are welcome to participate.

Middleville

The Middleville Lion's Club Memorial Day Parade is back on Monday, with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10am at the United Methodist Church. The Parade steps off at 10:30am and is followed by a ceremony of remembrance at the cemetery, organized by American Legion Post #140. 

Wayland

In Wayland, a bus will transport veterans between six sites for Cemetery Honors starting at 8am.

The Annual Memorial Day Parade and Cookout hosted by Wayland VFW Post #7581 will be held Monday starting at 11:00am, beginning at the Michigan State Police Post, marching south, and concluding at the Wayland VFW Post.   Following the parade the public is invited to the VFW to enjoy the annual BBQ cookout

Caledonia

Caledonia American Legion Memorial Post 305 will hold the community’s Memorial Day Parade at noon on Main Street. At 12:30, flags will be placed on military graves at Caledonia Lakeside Cemetery with a ceremony. Afterward at 1pm a Luncheon will be held for veterans, their families, and first responders at the Legion Post.

If you’re one of the scores of parents opening up your home to a graduation party this weekend, Talksooner.org’s prevention experts are reminding parents and caregivers of  Michigan’s social hosting laws.

Specifically, parents can be held legally responsible if minors are caught drinking alcohol on your property, regardless of who provided the alcohol.  Additionally, providing controlled substances of any kind to minors is called social hosting, and Michigan law has some severe penalties around it.

Here’s some facts about social hosting in Michigan:

• “Social gathering” is defined as an assembly of two or more individuals for any purpose, unless all of the individuals attending the assembly are members of the same household or immediate family

• Adults who are charged with this violation face a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. For a second or subsequent violation the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or both

• Marijuana is included under Michigan’s social hosting law

• Don’t overlook local laws, too! Check with your local municipality since there are some communities that enact additional local ordinances which can include fines and other penalties.

For more information, visit  https://socialhost.drugfree.org/state/michigan/

WBCH congratulates the class of 2024!  Area High School Graduation Ceremonies include:

May 23rd ;  Hastings, Delton Kellogg, Lakewood, Thornapple Kellogg Middleville, Maple Valley, Wayland Union and Ionia.

Barry County Christian will hold their Graduation Ceremony June 1st

Bellevue Graduation is June 2nd

Gull Lake Graduation is June 6th at Miller Auditorium.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing approximately $800,000 to improve the M-66 bridge over Quaker Brook just south of Nashville in Barry County. Improvements include deck replacement, substructure repair, and approach rebuilding.

Start date:  Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Estimated end date:  Mid-August 2024

Traffic restrictions:  M-66 will be closed between Bivens Road and M-79 with traffic detoured onto Lawrence Road, Assyria Road, and M-79.

According to Fox17 news, two people in Barry County were stabbed at the same residence  in Barry County Saturday night.

Michigan State Police responded to the 7400 block of Noffke Drive inThornapple Township around 8:30-pm.

At scene troopers discovered two stabbing victims.  A 64 year old man who lived at the residence and a 41 year old woman from Grand Rapids was present at the residence.

Both suffered non-life threatening stab wounds.

The woman was arrested on numerous charges including assault with intent to do great bodily harm.

The man was treated for injuries, but was not arrested.

State Rep. Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa) will host office hours in Hastings and Saranac on Saturday, May 11.

Local office hours are an opportunity for 78^th House District constituents to meet informally with Rep. Johnsen to share their thoughts, questions and concerns. No appointments are necessary.

The meetings will take place at the following times and locations: 

• From 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Social House located at 80 N. Bridge St. in Saranac

• From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seasonal Grille located at 150 W State St. in Hastings

The 78^th District covers portions of Ionia, Kent, Eaton and Barry counties. Citizens can contact Johnsen’s office at (517) 373-1796 or GinaJohnsen@house.mi.gov. Mail can be addressed to Rep. Johnsen at N-1097 House Office Building, P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909.

In Tuesday’s school elections voters in the Thornapple Kellogg district approved an 18 mill non-homestead operating renewal,  65% to 35%.

Voters also passed operating millage requests in the Wayland, Pennfield, and Hamilton school districts.

Bond proposal results were mixed, as Lowell district voters passed a $104-million dollar bond request to modernize facilities.  Saranac voters passed their bond request,  but bond proposals in the Plainwell, Harper Creek, and Marshall districts were defeated.

In recognition of Hepatitis Awareness Month this May, Barry Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) is intensifying efforts to educate and empower the community about the dangers of hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now advises hepatitis C Virus (HCV) testing for all adults at least once in their lifetime, as well as hepatitis B and C testing for all pregnant individuals during each pregnancy, regardless of age.

Hepatitis is a serious inflammatory condition of the liver, most often caused by viral infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, it’s function can be affected. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, each with its own transmission routes and health impacts. In the United States, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the most prevalent viral strains. Despite similar symptoms across all viral hepatitis types, their modes of transmission, treatments, and severity levels vary.

• Hepatitis A: Typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, hepatitis A can cause mild to severe illness and is preventable through vaccination and proper hygiene practices. People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months, but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage.

• Hepatitis B: This type of hepatitis is spread through contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, or from mother to child during childbirth. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. However, vaccination is highly effective in preventing hepatitis B infection. Most case of hepatitis B do not show symptoms, so they might not know they are infected; if symptoms do appear, they can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, pale stool, joint pain, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

• Hepatitis C: Primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, hepatitis C can result in both acute and chronic infections. If left untreated, it can lead to serious liver complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Early detection through testing is crucial for effective treatment and management. Most people with hepatitis C may not show symptoms and could be unaware of their infection. Symptoms, if present, may include yellowing of the skin or eyes, loss of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, dark urine, pale stool, joint pain, and fatigue

As part of our commitment to public health, BEDHD has both the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines available by appointment at both our offices. Two doses of the hepatitis A shot and three doses of the hepatitis B shot are recommended for children by doctors as the best way to protect against hepatitis A and B. It’s never too late to get vaccinated! Call BEDHD today to make an appointment: Barry County at (269) 945-9516 or Eaton County at (517) 541-2630. Individuals should contact their primary care provider for hepatitis testing. More information about viral hepatitis can be found at: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.