Barry County United Way Community Investment applications are now available for the 2025-2026 funding year.  Agencies applying for funding must be a health and human service charitable organization 501(c) 3 as determined by the Internal Revenue Service or be a 501(c), incorporated entity in the State of Michigan. The not for profit agency must have a proven track record of providing services to Barry County residents in one of the four funding areas:  Helping youth achieve their full potential, supporting families to achieve well-being and success, assisting senior adults find support and maintain independence and addressing urgent and emerging needs in Barry County.

 

Agencies have the opportunity to apply for available funding through the Community Investment process that begins with filling out the application.  Submissions are due before Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 5pm and are available on line at https://www.bcunitedway.org/our-documents  or at the Barry County United Way office located at 231 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058. 

 

Each year, over 30 local volunteers on the Community Investment Committee meet with the applicants to evaluate the health and human service care programs, including, how successful they are in improving the lives of our residents through measurable results.

 

As a result, in 2026 over 68,000 times residents of Barry County utilized services of United Way and our partner agencies.  This is possible thanks to the many contributions that are made throughout the United Way campaign currently under way in our community. In 2024, we are continuing to see an increased need for the programs and services provided through the 34 programs funded through donor contributions in our community.  

 

“The goal for this year’s campaign of $800,000 is based on what agencies have said they need to continue to provide programming in our community” states Courtney Collison, Community Investment Chairperson. Currently the campaign is at $295,517 or 37% of the goal. If you are interested in participating in the Barry County  United Way campaign, please contact the Barry County United Way office at 269-945-4010 or contributions can be accepted on line at https://www.bcunitedway.org/donate. 100% of contributions are distributed throughout our community thanks to the Florence Tyden-Groos Administrative Endowment Fund held by the Barry Community Foundation that covers all administrative costs.

 

 

One person was shot and killed by Deputies with the Barry County Sheriff's Office in an officer involved shooting incident Monday evening in the 7000 Block of Kingsbury Road in Delton.  

 

Deputies were initially dispatched to a domestic situation involving a firearm.  There is not an ongoing threat to the public.

 

The shooting is being investigated by the Michigan State Police 5th District IRT.  The deputies are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome, which is standard procedure. 

 

No other information is available at this time.

 

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Michigan State Police, Hastings Police Department, Barry Township Police Department, Barry County Central Dispatch.

 

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two car fatal crash on State Road near Wood School Road at 1:20pm Friday afternoon.

 

The initial investigation showed a Mercury Milan was traveling southeast on State Road, crossed the centerline and struck a northwest bound Lincoln Navigator head on.

 

The southeast bound car was occupied by a 23 year old male from Hastings, identified as Tristin Prentice who was pronounced dead at the scene. The other nd vehicle was occupied by a 41 year old female from Clarksville, identified as Erin VanSpronen, who transported by ambulance to Metro Hospital. 

 

 

ASSISTED BY:  Hastings Fire Department, Mercy Ambulance, Barry County Central Dispatch and the Barry County Road Commission

 

INVESTIGATORS: Deputy Hubbell, Deputy Romph and Deputy Arnold and Sgt. Ware

 

RELEASED BY:   Sgt. Steve Lehman

About 10:35 PM  Wednesday night a train collided with a 2007 Ford F-
150 pickup truck,  which was unoccupied and parked on the railroad tracks near Jackson and West Bippley Roads near Clarksville.

 

The driver admitted to the deputies that he had been drinking and was intoxicated at the time.

The vehicle had become stuck on the tracks approximately ½ mile from the
nearest roadway access. The driver left the vehicle when an oncoming train was
spotted. The train was not able to stop in time.

The Michigan State Police investigated the train crash, and the Ionia County
Sheriff’s Office took charge of the OWI investigation.

The Ionia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Michigan State Police, the
Campbell Township Fire Department, the Lake Odessa Fire Department and
Reed & Hoppes Towing.

Sara Edelman from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute tells WBCH about the upcoming events in the Nature News. Click link below to listen.

 

The Hastings City Council held a workshop Monday night followed by the regular Council meeting, highlighted by the approval of an amendment to the cities’ 2008 Brownfield Plan which will allow construction to move forward on a housing and commercial development along the north side of the Thornapple River in Hastings.

 

“420 E. Mills, LLC” requested the Brownfield Plan amendment and a Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate for the vacant property at 328 and 420 East Mill Street, formerly known as the Royal Coach site. The company plans a $32.3-million dollar development that will include three 3-story buildings containing a total of 135 housing units,  and one commercial building for a community food, art, and childcare center.

 

Development of the property is expected to generate substantial tax revenue, create new job opportunities, stimulate additional investment in the surrounding area, and increase availability of housing in the community.

 

420 E. Mills LLC,  hopes to begin site preparation by the end of this year and complete the project in 2026.

National Depression Screening Day is Thursday, October 10th.  Barry County Community Mental Health Authority encourages if you are having a difficult time and are not currently receiving mental health services, call 269-948-8041 or stop in at Barry County Community Mental Health, 500 Barfield Drive, in Hastings.  They will assist you in connecting with appropriate services.

Hastings High School is hosting  the Barry County College Fair tonight from 6 to 7:30pm in the high school gym..  It's free to attend and you are invited!  Around 50 college and military representatives will be in attendance