All northbound US 131 lanes at 144^th Ave. in Dorr Township were shut down Tuesday afternoon for an accident. A semi traveling northbound struck the overpass at 144^th Ave because the semi was over the height limit. The semi crashed caused 3 other vehicles behind it to also crash.

 

Only minor injuries were reported from the accidents. Lanes were all shut down while the clean-up was conducted and while the bridge can be inspected.

 

  

 

 

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a house fire where a 17 year old female was found deceased in the residence. Several other individuals were transported with non-life threatening injuries. 

 

The fire occurred around 1am Monday morning at 8425 S Marsh Rd. southwest of Orangeville  in Orangeville Township.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

 

Responding and assisting agencies included Barry County Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, Orangeville Fire Dept., Delton Fire Dept., Prairieville Fire Dept., Gun Plain Fire Dept., Martin Fire Dept., Hastings Fire Dept. Wayland EMS, MSP Fire Marshall, and Barry County Central Dispatch.

 

 

 

MSP Wayland Post responded to several boats on fire Thursday morning at Gun Lake Marina on Patterson Road near 124th Ave. Fire damage was contained to three boats due to the prompt response by Wayland Fire who was assisted by Orangeville, Martin, and Yankee Springs Fire Departments. Thankfully no one was injured. The investigation into the fire appears that it was intentional and is being investigated as a criminal incident by the MSP Wayland Post. No arrests have been made at this time and updates will be provided as they become available. Anyone with information as to who is responsible for this fire is asked to contact the MSP Wayland Post at 269-792-2213.

Fire broke out Monday afternoon at Yankee Bill’s Woodfired Saloon, a popular restaurant and bar west of Hastings at the corner of M-179 Highway and Whitmore Rd.

The fire was reported around 11:52am and several departments responded. Preliminary information indicated there were no injuries.

 

When firefighters arrived the structure was fully involved. An aerial truck, excavator, and several tankers were called in from Wayland, Hastings, Thornapple, Yankee Springs, Orangeville, Delton, Freeport and Caledonia. Smoke and flames were seen coming through the roof and the roof eventually collapsed.  It is believed the structure is a total loss. Cause of the blaze is not yet known.

 

No other information is yet available.

 

Barry County Transit has announced one additional day for the Holly Trolley this season.  Mary Bassett, Transit Director,  says December 26^th has been added to the schedule. 

 

Rides aboard the Holly Trolley are a Christmas tradition for many families and individuals this time of year, especially when they have out-of-town guests here for the holidays.

 

The Holly Trolley will operate from 6 to 8pm in Hastings this Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Christmas Eve… then again for a final time on Thursday the 26^th.  As always,  rides are free courtesy of local sponsors.

On December 11, 2024, the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4000 Block of Michigan Rd. in reference to a report of an abandoned vehicle. The vehicle was determined to have belonged to Gregory Brian Pennington, a 42-year-old male from Nashville, MI. On December 12th, Pennington was reported missing. The Eaton County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau is currently investigating Pennington’s disappearance and suspect that foul play may be involved. While the investigation is still in its early stages, it is believed that Pennington was last seen November 14th in the Vermontville area, including Chester Township. Pennington is approximately 6’2’’ and weighs 230 lbs. He has brown hair, blue eyes, and wears glasses.

If you have any information that can assist in this investigation, please contact Det. Heather Stefan at 517-543-5486 or at hstefan@eatoncounty.org. You may also contact the crime tipline at 517-543-5433 or crimetips@eatoncounty.org.

 

 

** Update** Deputies say the family has been in contact with Sarah and she is safe.

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The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is asking for assistance in locating a missing person.

 

Sarah Weidenhammer, a 31 year old female, was last heard from by her family on November 30th at approximately 4pm.  On December 6th,  Sarah’s family contacted law enforcement reporting Sarah had stopped all communication with her family and friends.  Sarah is believed to possibly be in the Battle Creek area and does not have a vehicle or a phone. 

 

 

 

The Michigan State Police (MSP) and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) are working together on a new, innovative program to aid Michigan residents who have immediate and urgent needs. The Safety Net Partnership is a unique collaboration between the two state agencies that empowers troopers across the state to provide support and assistance in certain circumstances.

                                

Through the program, troopers can provide $25 pre-paid Visa and Mastercard gift cards to individuals they encounter while on patrol when there is a clear and apparent need. The gift cards can be used for items and services such as groceries, diapers and formula, gas and car repairs. Troopers also have access to a supply of items that includes child car seats, portable cribs, diapers, formula, adult briefs and cold weather outerwear, along with information to connect those in need to more permanent assistance programs through MDHHS. 

 

"Due to the nature of our work, there are situations where our troopers interact with individuals who may not have access to basic essentials, whether that be gas, food, winter clothing or a child safety need,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “Policing is a service industry and through this partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, our troopers now have an immediate way to provide stop-gap assistance to individuals we come across who are in need. Equipping troopers with resources like gift cards and supplies can divert residents away from involvement with the criminal justice system and potentially disrupt the cycle of poverty.”

Tuesday Morning Lani Forbes from the Barry County United Way joined Chad Henry on the air to give our WBCH listeners an update on our Stuff Our Station. Click on the link below to Listen.

Drop of your toys here at our WBCH studios or at any one of our participating sponsors: Southside Pediatrics, McDonalds of Hastings, and PFCU branch locations in Caledonia & Lake Odessa. Toys collected will be picked up this Friday afternoon Decembe 13th and taken to the Barry Co. United Way Office. 

 

If you are looking for a great gift idea, visit Barry Co. United Way's 2024 Amazon Wishlist by clicking this link:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TL61MLU12GF0...

A few things to remember:

- If you can... SHOP LOCAL. Use this list as a guide to shop our local Barry County businesses.

-If you order off the Amazon Wishlist You can ship the items directly to the Barry County United Way office at: 231 S. Broadway. Hastings, Mi 49058

 

This Saturday Michigan State Police will be holding their annual "Stuff the Blue Goose" at Hastings Walmart, and The Barry Township Police and Prairieville Police Department will be doing "Cram the Cruiser" this Saturday from 1-5PM at the Delton Fire Department.

 

The Michigan Department of Transportation has re-opened M-43 Highway near Carlton Center after an 8 month long road closure and construction delays in replacing the bridge over the Coldwater River.

 

M-43 has been closed between Barber and Usborne Roads since mid April, forcing traffic to be re-routed on county roads, or by using highways M-37, M-79, and M-66 to get around the work zone.  Originally the project was to be completed by October 1st.

 

 

Barry County Commission on Aging, a dedicated leader in providing services and support to Barry County older adults, has to announced the kickoff of its capital campaign aimed at raising funds to build a new activity and resource center.

The proposed new facility will be adjacent to the Harvest Pointe assisted living facility, allowing Commission on Aging and Harvest Pointe to share resources for a cost savings to taxpayers. Sharing of common space, kitchen equipment and other infrastructure is estimated to save hundreds of thousands of dollars for the
project.

 
One of the benefits of the new location includes local production of Meals on Wheels meals, allowing for greater inclusion of fresh, local produce. In addition to that, keeping this program in Barry County pumps an additional $350,000 into the local economy, annually.

The new design also expands the space for the Adult Day Service area for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other memory issues, creating additional respite opportunities for caregivers. It nearly doubles the area for exercise and fitness classes, offers an expanded seating and visiting area, and will create a larger dining
room. There will also be outdoor green space for open air activities, socialization, and entertainment.

The capital campaign kicks off with the opportunity to double the impact of individual donations. Now through December 31st every dollar donated towards the project will be matched by a local donor, helping Commission on Aging reach their fundraising goals.

“This campaign represents a pivotal moment for our organization and the community we serve,” says Executive Director, Courtney Ziny. “With the support of our generous community, we can continue to fulfill our mission by more efficiently responding to the needs of the growing older adult population.”

The community is invited to become a key partner of the organization’s efforts to make a difference through public and financial support. Donations can be made directly to Barry County Commission on Aging or into the special project fund held at Barry Community Foundation.

Anyone interested in discussing opportunities for recognition, involvement, and impact reporting, as part of the campaign, should contact Ziny at (268) 948-4856 or cziny@barrycounty.org.

The Hastings Fresh Food Initiative at Hastings Greenstreet UMC is cancelled on Wednesday, Dec. 4th and will return Wed. Dec. 11th.  If you are in need of additional food resources dial 211 or consider these sites.

Soup Supper at Greenstreet UMC, Tuesday from 5-6pm

Soup Supper at the Gun Lake Community Church Tuesday from 5-6:30pm

or these community Tuesday food distribution centers

St. Francis Church Shelbyville, Tues. morning 7-9am # 269-664-4345.

Maple Valley Community Center for Hope in Nashville, 9-10am  #517-930-8226

McCallum Church Delton  3:45-5:15pm  #269-623-8226

Grammy Award-Winning Artist John Berry will once again make Hastings one of his tour stops December 14th at the Hastings Performing Arts Center, as part of his 28th Annual "Christmas with John Berry Tour" sponsored by Jeff Meyers and Meyer's Hometown Bakery in Lake Odessa.  WBCH Morning Show host Chad Henry talked with John about his upcoming stop in Hastings. Click below to listen.